LE_Medical_Solicitation_19GY2019R0001.docx

Georgetown, Guyana February 19, 2019

Dear Prospective Offeror:

SUBJECT: Solicitation Number 19GY2019R0001 Health Insurance Services

The Embassy of the United States of America invites you to submit a proposal for customized Health Insurance Services for locally employed staff in Georgetown, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

The Embassy intends to conduct a pre-proposal conference, and all prospective offerors who have received a solicitation package are invited to attend. See Section L of the attached Request for Proposals (RFP).

Your proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked "Proposal Enclosed" to the following address on or before 14:00 hours on March 28, 2019:

Embassy of the United States of America Attn: Contracting Officer (19GY2019R0001) 100 Duke and Young Streets Kingston, Georgetown Guyana

No proposal will be accepted after this time.

In order for a proposal to be considered, you must also complete and submit the following:

Direct any questions regarding this solicitation to Kevin M. Phillips by letter or via email PhillipsKM2@state.gov during regular business hours.

Please note: Proposals that contain more benefits (even if there is no increase in cost) or fewer benefits than those stated in the solicitation may be deemed technically unacceptable.

The U.S. Government intends to award a contract to the responsible company submitting an acceptable offer at the lowest price. We intend to award a contract based on initial proposals, without holding discussions, although we may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if there is a need to do so.

Sincerely, Kevin M. Phillips Contracting Officer

THIS PAGE IS INTENTIALLY LEFT BLANK

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 350)

4 | 76

2. CONTRACT (Proc. Inst. Ident.) NO.

3. SOLICITATION NO.

19GY2019R0001

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

[ ] SEALED BID (IFB)

[x] NEGOTIATED (RFP)

5. DATE ISSUED

02/25/2019

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NO.

PR8014578

7. ISSUED BY CODE

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than item 7)

American Embassy Georgetown 100 Young Street Kingston, Georgetown Guyana Embassy of the United States of America Attn: Contracting Officer (19GY2019R0001) 100 Duke and Young Streets Kingston, Georgetown Guyana

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitation "offer" and "offeror” mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L. Provision No. 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

Kevin M. Phillips

B. TELEPHONE

+592 225-4900 x 4267

C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

PhillipsKM2@state.gov

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: ITEM 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (120 calendar days unless a different period is inseted by the offer) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT SEE 14

(See section I, Clause No 52.232-8)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation and related documents ) numbered and dated:

FACILITY

16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED

AND

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

TO SIGN OFFER (Type or print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEM NUMBERED

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

[ ] 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( ) [ ] 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( )

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

(4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

24. ADMINISTRATION BY (If other than Item 7) CODE

25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Kevin M. Phillips

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this form, or on the Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

SECTION B

PART I: PRICE - HEALTH INSURANCE

B.1. HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide Health Insurance services to employees of the Government of the United States of America in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana as described in Section C and Exhibit J. The groups of employees who shall be provided this insurance are listed in C.1. This insurance shall be provided in accordance with Section C and the Exhibits in Section J.

B.2. PRICES

B.2.1. The Contractor shall include VAT as a separate charge on the Invoice and as a separate line item in Section B.

B.2.2. The Offeror shall include Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance premium costs covering employees. The offeror may obtain DBA insurance directly from any Department of Labor approved providers at the DOL website at http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/lscarrier.htm

B.2.3. This is a fixed price with economic price adjustment requirements type contract under which will be issued firm, fixed-price task orders. The fixed prices/premium rates for the health insurance services as specified in Section C are as follows:

* All amounts shall be stated in Guyanese Dollars.

** Estimates are for evaluation purposes only.

B.3 ADMINISTRATIVE RETENTION AMOUNTS

B.3.1 If the Contractor requests a price adjustment under B.4 below, the Contractor must present cost experience data that includes the retention amount. For purposes of any economic price adjustment, this retention amount is a fixed amount that is a part of the premium amounts in B.2. This retention amount will not be adjusted for any reason.

The retention amount is part of the premium and may include, but not be limited to, such costs as overhead and general and administrative costs. It will also include any profit. Essentially, it includes all costs except the actual portion of the premium intended to fund claims paid to the health care provider/claimant. B.3.2 sets forth the retention amounts per premium paid for each category of premium and for each period of performance.

NOTE TO OFFEROR: Fill in the fixed bi-weekly retention amounts for each period of performance and for each category of premium. This fixed amount must be expressed in the currency in which the premium amount is proposed. The fixed retention amount shall NOT be expressed in terms of a percentage of the premium.

B.3.2 Bi-Weekly Retention Amounts per separate premium paid per single employee and per family plan.

Employee + 1* Family Plan*

Base Period

First Option Year

Second Option Year

Third Option Year

Fourth Option Year

* All amounts shall be stated in Guyanese Dollars.

B.4. ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT-HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS

B.4.1. Premium Adjustment Based on Experience - For health insurance, prices may be adjusted upward or downward based on the experience rating of the Mission(s) covered by this contract. No adjustment will be allowed during the first twelve months. After such time, the Contractor or the Government may request an adjustment in premiums on an annual basis. Adjustments are not retroactive to previous contract terms. Before any such adjustment is made, the Contractor agrees to provide the Government a balance sheet showing three main components for the time period: (1) receipts (premiums received) minus the retention amount, (2) number of insurance plans and (3) claims paid. This information shall be provided per type of premium, i.e. per line item. The retention amount is not subject to adjustment. The Government reserves the right to have an independent third party review the balance sheet and claims and make recommendations regarding the appropriateness of the requested adjustment. Any adjustment shall be subject to mutual agreement of the parties and shall result in a written modification to the contract. Mutually agreed to adjustments shall be effective thirty days after complete information is received by the Government. Any failure to reach agreement under this clause shall be subject to the procedures in the Disputes clause.

B.4.2. Premium Adjustment Based on Laws - The rates may also be adjusted during the performance period of the contract as a result of laws enacted by the host Government, if such change in the laws has a direct impact on the cost to the Contractor to perform this contract at the contracted rate. In that event, the Contracting Officer may enter into negotiations with the Contractor to modify the contract to adjust the premium rate. The Contractor agrees to provide all documentation necessary to support any requested adjustment.

B.4.2.1 Employee Pool – This clause is only in effect if the Contractor included details in its offer regarding a pooling arrangement, of which this contract is a part.

Before any adjustment is made under this price adjustment clause, the Contractor must include in its proposal for adjustment, details setting forth how the pool impacts the request for equitable adjustment.

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

PART I - HEALTH INSURANCE

C.1. HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES

The Government of the United States of America requires Health Insurance coverage for its employees as further described in C.1.1 and C.1.2 in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The Government has determined that the prevailing practice by employers in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is to provide for their employees health insurance protection and that the cost of such insurance protection is usually borne by both the employee and the employer on a 10/90 cost shared premium. The government of the United States pays 90% and the Employee pays 10%. Health insurance protection will be representative of locally prevailing compensation practice as further described in C.1.1 and C.1.2. The specific health benefit coverage under this contract is set forth in Section C.1.1 and C.1.2.

C.1.1 Employee and Dependent Health Services Benefits

C.1.1.1. Hospitalization (treatment in the hospital for inpatient care): 100% reimbursement for services and supplies provided during hospitalization, including services provided by a certified healthcare provider, bed and board (semi-private accommodations), operating room, recovery room, intensive care, imaging and diagnostic testing, general hospital nursing care, and drugs and medicines administered while in the hospital. When private accommodations are provided, coverage will be limited to the cost of a semi-private room. See Mental, Nervous, and Substance Abuse care (below) for details concerning inpatient psychiatric care.

C.1.1.2 Emergency Services (trips emergency room): 80% reimbursement for services provided for conditions that could lead to serious disability or death if not immediately treated, such as accidents or sudden illness.

C.1.1.3. Ambulance: 80% reimbursement for professional ground transport to move a patient from the place where s/he is injured or becomes ill to the nearest hospital able to provide treatment or to move a patient from one medical facility to another.

C.1.1.4 Outpatient Services: 80% reimbursement for services provided by a certified healthcare provider on an ambulatory or outpatient basis (without being admitted to a hospital), including surgeon’s fees and other medical services that may be provided in a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, medical facility, etc. Examples include, but are not limited to:

- Annual physical examinations

- Specialist consultations and treatment, including second surgical opinion

- Minor surgical interventions

- Chemotherapy and radiation treatments

- Immunizations recommended by local authorities and/or the World Health Organization

- Diagnostic tests and diagnostic imaging

C.1.1.5 Obstetrical and Newborn Care: 100% reimbursement for inpatient and 80% reimbursement for outpatient for care and services that women receive during pregnancy (prenatal care), throughout labor and delivery, and post-delivery, and outpatient care for newborn babies. Hospitalization during pregnancy and/or delivery will be reimbursed as Hospitalization (treatment in the hospital for inpatient care). All other treatments will be considered Outpatient Services (see above).

C.1.1.6 Pediatric Services: 100% reimbursement for inpatient and 80% reimbursement outpatient for primary and preventive routine care services for covered dependent children, including, but not limited to: physical examination, developmental assessment, laboratory tests, and immunizations recommended by local authorities or the World Health Organization.

C.1.1.7 Prescription Drugs: 100% reimbursement for inpatient and 80% reimbursement outpatient for Medications that are prescribed by a certified health care provider that are medically necessary to treat a specified diagnosis. Examples include, but are not limited to: prescription antibiotics to treat an infection; medication used to treat an ongoing condition, such as high cholesterol; or contraceptive medication.

C.1.1.8 Preventive and Wellness Services and Chronic Disease Management: 80% reimbursement for Counseling or preventive care designed to prevent or detect medical conditions and care for chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Examples include, but are not limited to: physicals, immunizations, and cancer screenings.

C.1.1.9 Hearing Aids: 80% reimbursement for Hearing aid apparatus and related examinations. Limited to one apparatus per ear up to a maximum of USD 1,500 per covered individual per three-year period.

C.1.1.10 Optical Care: 80% reimbursement for Eye examination, treatment, and prescription lenses and frames or contact lenses up to a maximum of USD150 per covered individual per contract year.

C.1.1.11 Dental Care: 80% reimbursement for Dentist’s fees, x-rays, examinations and treatment, cleanings, fillings, extractions, false teeth, crowns, and bridges per covered individual up to a maximum of USD3200 per contract year. Orthodontia treatment is covered only if treatment begins before age 18, or if required as the result of an accident. A maximum of four years of orthodontia treatment will be covered per covered individual up to a maximum of USD2400 lifetime limit.

C.1.1.12 Family Planning (Reproductive Health): 80% reimbursement for prescribed contraceptive devices, voluntary sterilization, and diagnosis and treatment of infertility.

C.1.1.13 Mental, Nervous, and Substance Abuse Care: 50% reimbursement for inpatient and outpatient care provided to evaluate, diagnose and treat a mental health condition or substance abuse disorder. This includes behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy. Services must be provided by a licensed psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, psychologist, or psychiatric social worker. Inpatient care for alcohol and substance abuse must be carried out at a facility certified for detoxification and rehabilitation.

C.1.1.14 Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services and Devices: 50% reimbursement for rehabilitative services (e.g., recovering skills, such as speech therapy after a stroke) and habilitative services (e.g., developing skills, such as speech therapy for children) that help develop skills needed for everyday life. Devices to help gain or recover mental or physical skills lost due to injury, disability or a chronic condition, and devices needed for habilitative reasons.

C.1.1.15 HIV/AIDS: 100% Reimbursement up to the USD 10,000 per contract year per covered individual for medications to suppress opportunistic infections (such as tuberculosis or toxoplasmosis for covered individuals who have HIV/AIDS). Brief courses of anti-retroviral drugs during childbirth to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS to the child. Generally excludes medication for the long-term suppression of HIV/AIDS through the combination of anti-retroviral drugs in locations with inadequate local healthcare infrastructures.

C.1.1.16 Out Of Country Medical Treatment: Medical expenses incurred out-of-country will be covered at the same benefit levels and subject to the same total maximum annual limit as medical expenses incurred in-country.

C.1.1.17 Out Of Country Medical Travel: Transportation for out-of-country medical treatment will be a covered expense for covered employees and eligible family members. To be considered a covered expense, the attending certified health care provider must certify in advance that the treatment is medically necessary and unavailable locally. 80% of covered individual’s transportation expenses by the least expensive, appropriate means of transportation to the nearest city with adequate medical facilities will be covered. 80% of the transportation expenses of an attendant will also be covered, but only if the covered individual's attending certified health care provider certifies that an attendant for the patient is necessary, (e.g., a parent in the case of a patient who is a minor, or a family member to make medical decisions in the case of a patient who is unwell or unconscious). All coverage for transportation for out-of-country medical treatment is subject to the total maximum annual limit. Transportation to a neighboring country without the attending certified health care provider certifying that the treatment is medically necessary and unavailable locally will not be covered.

C.1.1.18 Catastrophic Coverage: Additional coverage equal to $6,771,910 GYD per person per contract year. Catastrophic conditions shall be defined as major medical conditions occurring as a result of a single/illness/accident or closely related set of major illnesses (or conditions relating to a single accident) that exceed the standard maximum coverage limit.

C.1.1.19 Excess Coverage (Optional): Additional coverage equal to 100% of the annual maximum $6,771,910 GYD to be applied to any covered individual to any covered benefit. LE Staff must pay 100% of the premium if they elect Excess Coverage. This can be used for any coverage individual for any covered expense that exceed annual maximum.

C.1.1.13 Annual Maximum Limit: The maximum annual reimbursement per covered individual per contract year, not including expenses covered under HIV/AIDS, Catastrophic Coverage, and Excess Coverage (Optional) is $6,771,910 GYD.

C.1.2 Health Benefits Conditions and Limitations

There is no reimbursement for elective cosmetic surgery; spa cures; rejuvenation cures; massage; exercise therapy; long-term rehabilitative therapy; non-medical hospital charges (e.g., telephone, television, etc.); home help, family help, or similar household assistance; fees of persons who are not certified health care providers; advanced reproductive technology (e.g., in-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, cryopreservation, etc.); or services or supplies which have not been prescribed or approved by a certified health care provider. Exclusions to coverage may be amended if provided in an off the shelf plan and is the lowest-cost and technically acceptable. Removal of any exclusion requires prior authorization.

There is no reimbursement for expenses that will be reimbursed or paid directly under a host country medical program or workers' compensation program, the U.S. workers’ compensation program, or post’s LE Staff Workers’ compensation program.

C.1.3 Eligible Participants

C.1.3.1 Eligible Employees - The employees eligible for the health insurance services include the following:

C.1.3.1.1 All current active employees of the United States Government, employed within the geographic boundaries of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana paid under the Local Compensation Plan, and certified by the Contracting Officer. Covered employees include

C.1.3.1.2. Locally Employed Staff (LES) employed under direct hire appointments, Personal Services Agreements (PSAs) and Personal Services Contracts (PSCs);

C.1.3.1.3. Locally hired U.S. citizens employed under direct hire appointments, PSAs, and PSCs.

C.1.3.2 Location of Employment

The individuals covered by C.1.3.1 must be employed within the geographic boundaries of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana by the United States Government. Some of these agencies include:

Agency for International Development Centers for Disease Control Department of Defense Department of State Drug Enforcement Agency Peace Corps

C.1.3.3 Participants Covered Under a Rider

C.1.3.3.1 Employees who separate from employment via retirement have the option to continue supplementary medical insurance by paying 100% of premium. All costs for this coverage is the responsibility of the retired employee, not the United States Government.

C.1.3.3.1 All current active employees of the Chief of Mission and the Deputy Chief of Mission assigned to their respective official Government residences and paid under an ORE account. All costs for ORE employees are the responsibility of the employing officer, not the U.S. Government.

C.1.4 Individuals Not Eligible for Coverage

Individuals not eligible for coverage under this contract are non-personal services contract personnel; employees working on a temporary basis; employees with an intermittent, seasonal, or WAE (when actually employed) schedule; and any other individual not falling within one of the categories of employees described in this clause.

C.1.5 Other Eligible Participants

Covered dependents include the participating employee’s spouse and children. A limit of one spouse per employee is covered. An eligible child is defined as the employee’s natural child, adopted child, stepchild, or foster child. The child must be unmarried, economically dependent upon the employee, and reside with the employee unless away at school. An eligible child will be covered until the end of the contract year in which he/she reaches age 26. There is no age limit for a child who is physically or mentally handicapped so as to be unable to live independently. There is no limit on the number of children covered per employee.

C.1.6. Eligibility

C.1.6.1. Term of Eligibility and Effective Date

Each current active eligible employee is enrolled for health benefits under this contract upon award and thereafter during the performance period of this contract. Each new eligible employee will be enrolled upon entering on duty with the United States Government. An employee is considered active ("on the rolls") whenever such employee is on approved leave, whether paid or unpaid.

During a period of Leave Without Pay (LWP) or unpaid leave that is one pay period or less, coverage under the insurance contract will continue. The USG will pay the total premium cost to the Contractor. The employee’s share of the premium will be collected through payroll deduction in that or the subsequent pay period.

C.1.6.2. Period of Ineligibility

Employees and their dependents are not entitled to health benefits during any period of employment for which premiums are not paid.

Additionally, employee's dependents are not entitled to health benefits during any period of employment during which the employee was not eligible to participate.

During a period of extended (beyond one pay period) of Leave Without Pay (LWP) or unpaid leave, the employee is responsible for the full cost of the insurance premiums for self and dependents. The Mission will pay the premiums directly to the Contractor, and will collect the full cost from the employee on a quarterly basis. Alternatively, the employee may elect to have coverage cease if that employee prefers not to pay the premium.

C.1.7. BROCHURE REQUIREMENT

C.1.7.1. The Contractor shall provide a document (brochure/pamphlet/other written document) in English that sets forth a complete listing of the health insurance benefits to be provided under this contract. This brochure shall be provided in sufficient quantities so that each covered employee receives a copy. The Contractor shall furnish all copies of the brochures to the COR, who will ensure that appropriate distribution is made.

C.1.7.2. The Contractor shall provide the document described in C.1.7.1 to the COR not later than 10 days after date of contract award. The Contractor shall provide additional brochures for new employees within ten (10) days of the COR’s request.

C.1.7.3. The Contractor assumes full responsibility for ensuring that the document described in C.1.7.1 accurately reflects the requirements of the contract, as implemented by the Contractor’s technical proposal. In all cases, the contract shall take precedence. Should the COR discover that the brochure contains inaccuracies, the Contractor will be notified in writing; however, failure on the part of the Government to notice any inaccuracies shall in no way limit, revise or otherwise affect the requirement under this contract for the Contractor to fully comply with all contract terms.

C.2.0 DEFINITIONS

Ambassador – Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America in Georgetown, the Co-operative republic of Guyana.

Annual Maximum Limit - The maximum annual reimbursement per covered individual per contract year, not including expenses covered under HIV/AIDS optional benefits if selected by post, is $6,771,910 GYD.

FMO - The Financial Management Officer (FMO) or the paying office for all U.S. Government Agencies.

Chief of Mission – The Ambassador.

COR - Contracting Officer's Representative.

Contracting Officer – The United States Government employee responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, and safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships.

Contributory Insurance - Insurance for which the employee contributes toward the premium.

Customary and Reasonable Treatment - A diagnostic test or medical treatment which is usually performed in the community where the individual is being treated.

Dependent – A legal spouse and/or dependent children.

Dependent Children: A child is defined as the LE Staff’s natural, adopted, stepchild, or foster child. The child must be unmarried and financially dependent upon the LE Staff. A child will be covered until the end of the contract year in which s/he reaches age 26. An unmarried child determined to be incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental condition will continue to be eligible to participate in the medical plan as long as the condition persists, the child remains unmarried, and the LE Staff maintains coverage.

Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) - the number-two diplomat assigned to an embassy. He or she is the second-in-command to the Chief of Mission (Ambassador).

Employee - An individual employed by the U.S. Government, under a direct-hire appointment, personal services contract (PSC), or personal services agreement (PSA), as further defined in Section C.1.3 for health insurance and C.2.3 for life insurance.

Employer - The United States Government.

General Services Officer (GSO) - The title of the United States Government employee who manage physical resources and logistical functions to include procurement and contracting, warehouse operations, inventory/property, leasing services, travel and transportation, motor pool and vehicle maintenance, space management and supervision of staff.

Household Staff - a person employed to perform household duties at the official residence.

Hospital - An institution established and operated for the care and treatment of sick and injured persons. It provides 24-hour nursing care and has diagnostic, laboratory, treatment, and surgical facilities. Any institution which does not meet this definition is not considered a hospital.

Hospital Patient - An individual who has been admitted to a hospital, is assigned a bed, and is given diagnostic tests or receives treatment for a disease or an injury.

Human Resources Specialist – The title of the United States Government employee who is responsible for recruitment, employee training and development, performance management, employee relations, salary and benefits administration, employee policies and procedures and position classification.

Legal Spouse - one legal spouse as defined by local law may be covered. LE Staff with more than one legal spouse must select only one spouse for coverage. Note: In cases where LE Staff and their legal spouse both work for the mission and both are eligible to participate in the medical plan, one will be designated as the lead for purposes of the medical plan, and the other will be considered a legal spouse.

Maximum Benefit - The total amount that will be paid to any one covered individual for covered medical expenses or life insurance/disability benefit.

Official Residence Expenses (ORE) - means those unusual expenses that a principal representative is obliged to incur in the operation and maintenance of a suitable official residence. These expenses must be in excess of the usual expenses incident to the operation and maintenance of the residence he/she would occupy if he/she were serving at the post in any other capacity. For the purpose of this contract, this would refer to the household staff at the Chief of Mission Residence and Deputy Chief of Mission Residence.

Physician - An individual who has graduated from an accredited medical school and is licensed to practice medicine in the jurisdiction in which the contract is to be performed. If the individual is a medical specialist, then he or she is Board Certified in that specialty.

Retiree Coverage – Employees who separate from employment via retirement have the option to continue supplementary medical insurance by paying 100% of premium.

Surgical Procedure - Any invasive medical procedure by manual or instrument operation undertaken for diagnosis or treatment of a diseased patient.

SECTION D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

(RESERVED)

SECTION E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1. 52.2522 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ or http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm

These addresses are subject to change. If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at http://www.statebuy.state.gov/ to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo, Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation clause(s) is/are incorporated by reference:

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.246-4 INSPECTION OF SERVICES - FIXED PRICE (AUG 1996)

E.2. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

This plan is designed to provide an effective surveillance method to promote effective Contractor performance. The QASP provides a method for the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor Contractor performance, advise the Contractor of unsatisfactory performance, and notify the Contracting Officer of continued unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract. The role of the Government is to conduct quality assurance to ensure that contract standards are achieved.

Services Performs all the insurance services set forth in the Performance Work Statement (PWS)

C.1.0 thru C.2.0

All required services are performed and no more than two (2) customer complaints are received per month

E.2.1 Surveillance. The COR will receive and document all complaints from Government personnel regarding the services provided. If appropriate, the COR will send the complaints to the Contractor for corrective action.

E.2.2 Standard. The performance standard is that the Government receives no more than one (1) customer complaint per month. The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer of the complaints so that the Contracting Officer may take appropriate action to enforce the inspection clause (FAR 52.246-4, Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (AUG 1996) or the appropriate Inspection of Services clause), if any of the services exceed the standard.

E.2.3 Procedures

(a) If any Government personnel observe unacceptable services, either incomplete work or required services not being performed, they should immediately contact the COR.

(b) The COR will complete appropriate documentation to record the complaint.

(c) If the COR determines the complaint is invalid, the COR will advise the complainant. The COR will retain the annotated copy of the written complaint for his/her files.

(d) If the COR determines the complaint is valid, the COR will inform the Contractor and give the Contractor additional time to correct the defect, if additional time is available. The COR shall determine how much time is reasonable.

(e) The COR shall, as a minimum, orally notify the Contractor of any valid complaints.

(f) If the Contractor disagrees with the complaint and challenges the validity of the complaint, the Contractor will notify the COR. The COR will review the matter to determine the validity of the complaint.

(g) The COR will consider complaints as resolved unless notified otherwise by the complaint.

(h) Repeat customer complaints are not permitted for any services. If a repeat customer complaint is received for the same deficiency during the service period, the COR will contact the Contracting Officer for appropriate action under the Inspection clause.

SECTION F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1. 52.2522 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ or http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm

These addresses are subject to change. If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at http://www.statebuy.state.gov/ to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo, Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses are incorporated by reference:

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.242-15 STOP WORK ORDER (AUG 1989)

52.242-17 GOVERNMENT DELAY OF WORK (APR 1984)

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. The performance period of this contract is one year beginning 30 days following notice to proceed with four one-year options to renew.

F.3 OPTIONS

(a) The Government may extend this contract in accordance with the option clause at Section I, clause I.2, FAR Clauses Incorporated by Full Text (FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract), which also specifies the total potential duration of the contract.

(b) The Government may exercise the option set forth at Section I, "FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services".

F.4 REPORTS AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

All reports and other deliverables required under this contract shall be delivered to the following address:

American Embassy Georgetown

C/O Human Resources Office

100 Young & duke Streets

Kingston, Georgetown

Guyana

SECTION G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. 652.242-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contracting Officer may designate in writing one Government employee, by name or position title, to take action for the Contracting Officer under this contract. This designee shall be identified as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Such designation shall specify the scope and limitations of the authority so delegated; provided, that the designee shall not change the terms or conditions of the contract, unless the COR is a warranted Contracting Officer and this authority is delegated in the designation.

(b) The COR for this contract is the Human Resources Specialist.

G.2 COR DUTIES

G.2.1 The COR is responsible for inspection and acceptance of services. These duties include review of Contractor invoices, including the supporting documentation required by the contract. The COR may provide technical advice, substantive guidance, inspections, invoice approval, and other purposes as deemed necessary under the contract.

G.2.2 In addition, the COR shall maintain updated list of employees and dependents insured, which will supersede the initial list provided under this contract and as reported to the insurer, without prejudice to the ineligibility clause.

G.2.3. The COR has the additional responsibility of maintaining the eligible listing of employees and dependents for insurance coverage.

G.2.4 The COR may not change the terms and conditions of the contract. While the COR is authorized to provide the Contractor with updated listings of eligible employees and dependents, only the Contracting Officer may modify existing task orders or issue new task orders, reflecting these changes, since only the Contracting Officer can obligate funding and commit the Government.

G.3. Payment shall be made in Guyana Dollar.

G.4 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES AND PAYMENT

G.4.1. Invoices for U.S. Government employees shall be submitted in an original and three (3) copies to the following address (designated billing office only for the purpose of submitting invoices):

Financial Management Office

American Embassy Georgetown

100 Young & Duke Streets

Kingston, Georgetown

Guyana

Payments at End of Covered Period

G.4.2. Frequency of Payments. All funds under this contract will be obligated by issuance of task orders, as described in H.3. Each task order will fund a specific period of time and number of employees, and the task orders will be issued at the frequency described in H.3. All payments under this contract will be made at the conclusion of the period covered. Invoices may be submitted monthly with payments being made monthly by the Government.

G.4.3 ORE Staff. The Chief of Mission and/or Deputy Chief of Mission will make payment directly to the Contractor for the entire premium amount of the ORE staff, whether or not the ORE employee is contributing to the premium amount.

G.5 REFUNDS TO THE GOVERNMENT

If at any time during performance of the contract the Government finds that the Contractor has been overpaid because the number of employees and/or dependents covered has decreased, the Contracting Officer may either allow that overpayment to be credited to the Government’s account or require that the Contractor refund the overpayment. If the Contracting Officer requests a refund, the Contractor shall make that refund to the Government within ten calendar days of receipt of the request.

G.6 VALUE ADDED TAX

The Contractor shall include VAT as a separate charge on the Invoice and as a separate line item in Section B.

SECTION H

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 SECURITY. On occasion, a Contractor employee may require entry into U.S. Government-owned or -operated facilities. If so, the Contractor should be prepared to provide the necessary identification to permit escorted access within that facility.

H.2 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT. The Contractor shall maintain satisfactory standards of employee competency, conduct, cleanliness, appearance, and integrity and shall be responsible for taking such disciplinary action with respect to employees as may be necessary. Each Contractor employee is to adhere to standards that reflect credit on themselves, their employer, and the United States Government.

H.3 ORDERING PROCEDURES. The Government will issue a task order as soon as possible after contract award to identify all employees to be covered by the insurance described in this contract and the coverage selected by each employee, including dependents to be covered. The COR will make subsequent additions or deletions to this list in writing and provide the revised list to the Contractor. All such revisions shall be consolidated, and a new or modified task order will be issued by the Contracting Officer. If any changes have been made to the coverage listing, the Government anticipates issuance of a new task order on a [x ] monthly, [ ] quarterly basis. This new task order will include all changes made since the previous task order was issued and will include any increase or decrease in necessary funding. The changes to the list of eligible individuals will supersede the initial list provided under prior task orders without prejudice to the ineligibility clause. Task orders will indicate the effective date of employment, for purposes of calculating the premium due.

H.3.1. RESERVED

H.4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY IN CLAIMS AND REIMBURSEMENT TO CLAIMANTS

General.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all planning, estimating, programming, project management, scheduling, dispatching, supervision, and inspection of work. The Contractor shall maintain his own reference library of technical reference works and local laws and regulations, including current tariffs and registries. The Contractor shall treat the information provided by the Embassy concerning employee' personal data, medical information, and salaries as highly sensitive and not divulge any employee information to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall establish procedures for handling medical insurance claims as follows:

(a) Administrative Records

(1) The Contractor shall maintain medical insurance files for each covered employee and each covered dependent including receipts and proof of paid claims, requests for claim reimbursements, and accounting of paid benefits with balances of amounts remaining in the annual per person reimbursement ceiling.

(2) The Contractor shall provide the COR with the necessary claim forms for each type of benefit that can be claimed under the contract. These forms shall specify a list of documents required to be appended to each claim and otherwise provide instructions for claim filing.

(3) The Contractor shall use the English spelling of the employees' names in all transactions, including reimbursement checks.

(4) The Contractor shall provide employee claim reimbursement checks to the COR for disbursement to the employee not later than the Tuesday which is two weeks after the claim has been submitted.

(b) Medical Insurance Claims. Settlement of medical insurance shall be completed as follows:

(1) All medical claims shall be submitted directly to the Contractor by employees, through a drop box in the COR's office. The claims shall be picked up from the COR each Tuesday.

(2) The Contractor shall date stamp and screen all claims submitted on the day of receipt. If there are any missing documents or information thereby disallowing said claim to be payable, the Contractor shall notify the employee within two days, with a copy to the COR (if notification is written).

(3) The Contractor shall settle the claims no later than two weeks from the date the claim is submitted to the Contractor.

(4) Settlement shall be by issuance of checks in the name of the employee for each claim submitted. Each check shall be accompanied by a form providing details of the amount reimbursed with an explanation of deductions, if any.

(5) The Contractor shall accept the employee's or dependent's choice to go for surgery to hospitals designated by the Contractor in order that the Contractor will pay the expenses directly to the hospitals.

H.5. REPORT REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall provide the following reports monthly. All reports must be received by the COR no later than the 10th day of each month. These reports shall report on the previous month's activities.

(a) Employee Claims Report. The report will list all claims paid by the Contractor to a claimant, including the name of the claimant, date claim is received by the Contractor, and the amount claimed. This report shall also include all outstanding claims and a brief description of why claim has not been paid.

H.6. MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

H.6.1. General. The Contractor shall take all such steps as are necessary, and obtain and pay for all permits, taxes and fees as are required by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana government to establish and/or operate a commercial venture locally. A contract with the U.S. Government conveys no special privileges or immunities to the Contractor. The Contractor is an independent commercial concern and not a part of the U.S. mission. The Contractor's employees are not U.S. Government employees. Registration of this contract with the Co-operative Republic of Guyana government, if required by law, will be the sole responsibility of the Contractor, and any fees, taxes, or other duties shall be payable by the Contractor without recourse to the Government of the amounts thereof.

H.6.2. Licenses and Local Laws. The Contractor shall possess all permits, licenses, and any other appointments required for the prosecution of work under this contract, all at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall perform this contract in accordance with local laws.

H.7 ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS. If the Government becomes eligible for a refund of payment because of erroneous overpayment or other cause, the Contractor shall refund the amounts or use them to offset future payments owed by the Government, whichever the Government prefers. The Contractor shall refund any refunds not complete or discovered after the completion date of this contract.

H.8 REQUIRING ACTIVITY. The requiring activity under this contract is the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana.

SECTION I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1. 52.2522 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ or http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm

These addresses are subject to change. If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2e978208d0d2aa44fb9502725ecac4e5&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title48/48chapter6.tpl to see the links to the FAR. You may also use a network “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo, Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses are incorporated by reference:

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.202-1 DEFINITIONS (NOV 2013)

52.203-3 GRATUITIES (APR 1984)

52.203-5 COVENANT AGAINST CONTINGENT FEES (MAY 2014)

52.203-6 RESTRICTIONS ON SUBCONTRACTOR SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT (SEPT 2006)

52.203-7 ANTI-KICKBACK PROCEDURES (MAY 2014)

52.203-8 CANCELLATION, RESCISSION, AND RECOVERY OF FUNDS FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (MAY 2014)

52.203-10 PRICE OR FEE ADJUSTMENT FOR ILLEGAL OR IMPROPER ACTIVITY (MAY 2014)

52.203-12 LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (OCT 2010)

52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS AND REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS (APR 2014)

52.203-19 PROHIBITION ON REQUIRING CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS OR STATEMENTS (JAN 2017)

52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON POSTCONSUMER FIBER CONTENT PAPER (MAY 2011)

52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

52.204-9 PERSONAL VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL (JAN 2011)

52.204-10 REPORTING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST-TIER SUBCONTRACT AWARDS (OCT 2018)

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL LAND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE (JUL 2016)

52.204-19 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2014)

52.204-23 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND SERVICES DEVELOPED OR PROVIDED BY KASPERSKY LAB AND OTHER COVERED ENTITIES (JUL 2018)

52.209-6 PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT’S INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT (OCT 2015)

52.209-9 UPDATES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

52.215-2 AUDIT AND RECORDS - NEGOTIATION (OCT 2010)

52.215-8 ORDER OF PRECEDENCE--UNIFORM CONTRACT FORMAT (OCT 1997)

52.215-11 PRICE REDUCTION FOR DEFECTIVE CERTIFIED COST OR PRICING DATA –…