JE_RFP_Questions_and_Responses_Amendment_1.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 41 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 75FCMC19R0023
About this file
This document contains questions and responses related to a Request for Proposal for a Medicare Administrative Contractor to provide specified health insurance benefit administration services for Jurisdiction E. The contractor will perform claims processing, payment, and provider enrollment services for Medicare Parts A and B in California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands. Key details include revising the CLIN structure to match previous solicitations, confirming fixed fees apply only to MPIP work, clarifying submission requirements, and updating workload volumes in attachments. Offerors should propose based on the current environment until PECOS 2.0 implementation details are released.
Solicitation questions and responses
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A. Section B-K
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| A.1 | RFP | B.6 Schedule of Supplies/Services |
F.2 Period of Performance 9-13 17 Will CMS consider renumbering the CLINs according to the table below? This will match previous solicitations and be consistent with the CLIN numbering used in existing A/B MAC contracts.
CLIN Workload Timeframe CLIN 0001 – IMPLEMENTATION Part A 06/01/2020 – 09/30/2020 Part B 06/01/2020 – 11/30/2020 CLIN 0002 – BASE Part A 10/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 Part B 12/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 CLIN 1000-02 – BASE MPIP Part A 10/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 Part B 12/01/2020 – 05/31/2021
CLIN 0003 – OPTION 1 AB 06/01/2021 – 05/31/2022
CLIN 1000-03 – OPTION 1 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2021 – 05/31/2022
CLIN 0004 – OPTION 2 AB 06/01/2022 – 05/31/2023
CLIN 1000-04 – OPTION 2 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2022 – 05/31/2023
CLIN 0005 – OPTION 3 AB 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024
CLIN 1000-05 – OPTION 3 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024
CLIN 0006 – OPTION 4 AB 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025
CLIN 1000-06 – OPTION 4 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025
CLIN 0007 – OPTION 5 AB 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026
CLIN 1000-07 – OPTION 5 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026
CLIN 0008 – OPTION 6 AB 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CLIN 1000-08 – OPTION 6 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CLIN 0009 – OUTGOING AB 11/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CONTRACTOR WORKLOAD
TRANSITION ACTIVITIES Duplicate Question: (A.1, B.4, F.1)
CMS confirms the schedule in section B.6 has been revised to reflect an updated CLIN/SLIN structure. The CLIN/SLIN numbering update is an Agency-wide change.
| A.2 | RFP | B.6 Schedule of Supplies/Services | 9-13 | Recovery audit contractor workload is listed to have an award fee; however, the award fee plan template doesn't include this as an award fee criterion. Additionally, today this is typically administered with a fixed fee due to the limited sphere of influence of a MAC in administering this workload. Would CMS confirm this is meant to reflect a fixed fee, not an award fee? | CMS confirms there is no longer a fixed fee associated with the RAC workload. The Award Fee Template was provided in the solicitation as an example. The revised Award Fee Template for FY 2020 is submitted with this amendment as a 2nd example. |
| A.3 | RFP | B.6 | 9 | Please clarify which SLINs are subject to fixed fee. | CMS confirms the Medicare Healthcare Provider Intervention Program (MPIP) SLINs are subject to fixed fee. The Program Management (PM), Medicare Integrity Program (MIP) and Recovery Audit Contract (RAC) SLINs are all subject to award fee; the PM, MIP and RAC SLINS are not subject to a fixed fee. Offerors can refer to the schedule in section B.6 for fee information by SLIN. |
| A.4 | RFP | B.6 | 9 | Please confirm that we are only to show cost for the Part B RAC and we are not to includes costs for the Part A RAC. Schedule B.6 Schedule of Supplies/Services only includes a place for Part B RAC costs. | CMS confirms that offerors shall propose costs for RAC Part A and Part B combined as directed in the updated schedule in section B.6. |
B. Section L-M
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| B.1 | RFP | L.11.e | 100 | CMS states the following: "The Offerors shall submit up to three (3) boxes. One (1) box of proposals must contain original signatures and two (2) boxes must contain copies." |
| If an offeror needs to submit a separate, sealed box from a subcontractor, please confirm that more than 3 boxes will be accepted. | CMS confirms a submission of more than three (3) boxes is acceptable. Offerors must mark boxes as directed in section L.11.e. | |||||
| B.2 | RFP | L.11.a & L.13.2 | 97 & 105 | CMS requests offerors submit using Microsoft Word and Excel using version 2013. Will CMS accept submissions using version 2016? | CMS confirms Offerors may submit proposals in Excel format version 2013 or newer versions. | |
| B.3 | RFP | L.15.2 Volume IV, Tab B, Cost Templates | 120 | Because L.11(a) removes the requirement for Vol IV Business proposal hard copies, please remove the request for the hard copy submissions of Attachments J.34, J.35. J.36, J.37, and J.38 to the CLIN Summary Level. | Duplicate Question: B.3, B.5, B.9 |
CMS confirms the RFP is updated to require Offerors submit one (1) original hard copy of Volume IV. As a result, Offerors must submit hard copy Cost Templates as directed in section L.15.2.
B.4 RFP Volume III, Tab E- Staffing Plan Proposal Instructions 111-114 Will CMS consider renumbering the CLINs according to the table below? This will match previous solicitations and be consistent with the CLIN numbering used in existing A/B MAC contracts.
CLIN Workload Timeframe CLIN 0001 – IMPLEMENTATION Part A 06/01/2020 – 09/30/2020 Part B 06/01/2020 – 11/30/2020 CLIN 0002 – BASE Part A 10/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 Part B 12/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 CLIN 1000-02 – BASE MPIP Part A 10/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 Part B 12/01/2020 – 05/31/2021
CLIN 0003 – OPTION 1 AB 06/01/2021 – 05/31/2022
CLIN 1000-03 – OPTION 1 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2021 – 05/31/2022
CLIN 0004 – OPTION 2 AB 06/01/2022 – 05/31/2023
CLIN 1000-04 – OPTION 2 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2022 – 05/31/2023
CLIN 0005 – OPTION 3 AB 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024
CLIN 1000-05 – OPTION 3 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024
CLIN 0006 – OPTION 4 AB 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025
CLIN 1000-06 – OPTION 4 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025
CLIN 0007 – OPTION 5 AB 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026
CLIN 1000-07 – OPTION 5 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026
CLIN 0008 – OPTION 6 AB 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CLIN 1000-08 – OPTION 6 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CLIN 0009 – OUTGOING AB 11/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CONTRACTOR WORKLOAD
TRANSITION ACTIVITIES Duplicate: A.1, B.4, F.1
CMS confirms the schedule in section B.6 has been revised to reflect an updated CLIN/SLIN structure. The CLIN/SLIN numbering update is an Agency-wide change.
| B.5 | RFP | L.11 Proposal Submission, Delivery, and Organization; | |
| L.15.2 Proposal Instructions: Volume IV, Business Proposal | 97; | ||
| 120 | Section L.15.2 references which parts of cost templates should be included in the hard copy ("...but may limit their hard-copy submission for Attachments J.34, J.35, J.36, J.37, and J.38 to the CLIN Summary Level"). However, Section L.11 on p. 97 states that "No Paper/Hard copies of Volume I, IV, or V are requested." Please confirm that offerors should submit cost templates only in electronic format, as stated in Section L.11. | Duplicate Question: B.3, B.5, B.9 |
CMS confirms the RFP is updated to require Offerors submit one (1) original hard copy of Volume IV. As a result, Offerors must submit hard copy Cost Templates as directed in section L.15.2.
| B.6 | RFP | L.11.b | 98 | With the inclusion of section L.7, there are numerous places where the subsequent references to proposal sections are incorrect, beginning with Section L.11.b Proposal Volumes (Additional Proposal Instructions). Will CMS correct the section reference numbering errors? | CMS confirms that due to the addition of section L.7 some references in sections L and M and other attachments were erroneous. By this amendment those references have been corrected/updated. |
| B.7 | RFP | L.11.e | 100 | The RFP states that, "The Offeror shall submit up to three (3) boxes. One (1 box of of proposals must contain original signatures and two (2) boexes just contain copies." It appears that CMS intended to allow fewer boxes due to the reduced number of printed copies. May an offeror submit their proposal in a single box if all items are clearly labeled? | CMS confirms Offerors may submit one single box. Offerors must mark boxes as directed in section L.11.e. |
| B.8 | RFP | L.14.4.b | 109 | This section states, “The below table shall be used when providing a summary of the past performance information.” The example table is presented in a landscape orientation. May the offeror change the orientation of the table to portait? This change will result in data that is easier to read/review. | CMS confirms offerors may submit the table provided in section L.14.4.b. in portrait or landscape orientation. |
| B.9 | RFP | L.11 and L.15.2 | 97 and 120 | In Section L.11, the solicitation states that No Paper/Hard copies of Volume I, IV or V are requested. Section L.15.2 states that offeror may limit their hard-copy submission for Attachments J.34, J.35, J.36, J.37 and J.38 to the CLIN Summary Level. As the cost templates are in Volume IV, please clarify if Attachments J.34 through J.48 are required to be printed based on the instructions in Section L.11. | Duplicate Question: B.3, B.5, B.9 |
CMS confirms the RFP is updated to require Offerors submit one (1) original hard copy of Volume IV. As a result, Offerors must submit hard copy Cost Templates as directed in section L.15.2.
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C. Section J.1 SOW
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| C.1 | SOW | C.5.4.9 | 67 | The SOW states "The Contractor’s COOP shall meet the requirements of Federal Preparedness Circular 65, Federal Executive Branch Continuity of Operations which is available at the following URL: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/fpc65_0604.pdf |
The link is broken, returning a “404 Page Not Found” error. Please provide the correct link or a copy of the document. CMS confirms the link has been updated in the SOW. The accurate link is:
https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2004/07/02/homeland-security-issues-coop-guidance-federal-departments-and-agencies
C.2 J.1 SOW C.5.5 Provider Enrollment 69 The implementation of PECOS 2.0 will have an impact on MAC productivity. 1) Will CMS please publish the anticipated implementation date for PECOS 2.0? 2) Could CMS also confirm which functional elements will be available at the time of release (for example, will provider screening be automated in the initial PECOS 2.0 release)? CMS confirms PECOS 2.0 implementation date has not yet been determined and offerors shall propose based upon the current environment.
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D. Sections J.1-J.11
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| D.1 | Attachment J.10 - Contractor Business Ethics COI and Compliance Program Requirements | E. Contractor Integrity/Misconduct | 3 of 4 | This section requests identification of integrity violations/misconduct within the past ten (10) years; however, recently received versions of this attachment received for other CMS-related proposals have asked for only a five (5) year look-back for identification of violations/miscondcut. Would CMS please confirm that it wants bidders to provide integrity violations/misconduct information for the past ten (10) years? | CMS confirms a revised Attachment J.10 will replace the Attachent J.10 included with the solicitation issued on 9/4/2019. The revision reflects a disclosure requirement within the past five (5) years. |
| D.2 | Attachment J.10 - Contractor Business Ethics COI and Compliance Program Requirements | Certification | 4 of 4 | Recently received versions of the Contractor Business Ethics COI and Compliance Program Requirements have not contained the Certification section. Would CMS please confirm that the Certification section should be included in this attachment? | CMS confirms a revised Attachment J.10 will replace the Attachment J.10 included with the solicitation issued on 9/24/2019. The revised attachment J.10 will reflect the exclusion of a certification requirement. |
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E. Section J.22 BOE
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| E.1 | J.22 Basis of Estimate | Base through Option Year Option Year 6 Tabs | N/A | The Basis of Estimate does not show electronic claims separately from paper claims. Please provide the paper claims workload and the electronic claims workload for both Part A and Part B. | CMS confirms for proposal purposes Offerors are only required to provide claims information in the combined volumes of both paper and electronic claims. CMS has determined that the percentage of paper claims by jurisdiction averages less than 1% (0.8%). Offerors may use this information for an estimate of paper claims in Jurisdiction E. |
| E.2 | J.22 Basis of Estimate | Base through Option Year Option Year 6 Tabs | N/A | The Basis of Estimate does not include SOW Code P.1.11 for MPIP. Please clarify if the resources for MPIP should be shown in the Basis of Estimate. | CMS confirms that Medicare Healthcare Provider Intervention Program (MPIP) will not be added to the Basis of Estimate, Attachment J.22. Further Offerors shall not include MPIP in the BOE. Offerors shall propose resources for MPIP costs, etc. in the Cost Templates. |
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F. Section J.23 GPPA
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| F.1 | Attachment J.23 of Government Provided Proposal Assumptions | Estimated Period of Performance | 4 | Will CMS consider renumbering the CLINs according to the table below? This will match previous solicitations and be consistent with the CLIN numbering used in existing A/B MAC contracts. |
CLIN Workload Timeframe CLIN 0001 – IMPLEMENTATION Part A 06/01/2020 – 09/30/2020 Part B 06/01/2020 – 11/30/2020 CLIN 0002 – BASE Part A 10/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 Part B 12/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 CLIN 1000-02 – BASE MPIP Part A 10/01/2020 – 05/31/2021 Part B 12/01/2020 – 05/31/2021
CLIN 0003 – OPTION 1 AB 06/01/2021 – 05/31/2022
CLIN 1000-03 – OPTION 1 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2021 – 05/31/2022
CLIN 0004 – OPTION 2 AB 06/01/2022 – 05/31/2023
CLIN 1000-04 – OPTION 2 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2022 – 05/31/2023
CLIN 0005 – OPTION 3 AB 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024
CLIN 1000-05 – OPTION 3 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2024
CLIN 0006 – OPTION 4 AB 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025
CLIN 1000-06 – OPTION 4 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025
CLIN 0007 – OPTION 5 AB 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026
CLIN 1000-07 – OPTION 5 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2026
CLIN 0008 – OPTION 6 AB 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CLIN 1000-08 – OPTION 6 (MPIP) AB 06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CLIN 0009 – OUTGOING AB 11/01/2026 – 05/31/2027
CONTRACTOR WORKLOAD
TRANSITION ACTIVITIES Duplicate Question: (A.1, B.4, F.1)
CMS confirms the schedule in section B.6 has been revised to reflect an updated CLIN/SLIN structure. The CLIN/SLIN numbering update is an Agency-wide change.
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G. Section J.23.A-J.32
| ID | Document | Section | Page # | Question | Answer/Action |
| G.1 | J.23.A | J.23.A Government Provided Proposal Assumptions Audit and Reimbursement Tables | N/A | Attachment J.23.A identifies 15 HITECH audits (10 PPS and 5 CAHs). The incentive payment program has expired, and therefore we understand that no audits will be conducted in the future. Will CMS please confirm that offers should include this workload in offers' proposals? | CMS confirms that the number of HITECH audits are as stated in the BOE. Hospitals were paid a HITECH incentive for four consecutive years. However, all of the hospital HITECH payments were paid as initial/preliminary payments using the most current cost report data available at the MAC and must be adjusted to calculate the final HITECH payment of record. The final HITECH payment (or payment of record) is based on the cost report that began during the year in which the provider attested for HITECH (meaningful use). Due to the natural cost report processing life cycle, MAC’s may be performing HITECH reviews through January 2020. |
| G.2 | J.23.A | J.23.A Government Provided Proposal Assumptions Audit and Reimbursement Tables | N/A | CMS has indicated its intent to increase the number of S-10 audits performed by its contractors. However, the workload provided in Attachment J.23.A doesn't seem to reflect an anticipated workload increase. Will CMS please confirm offerors are to bid to the S-10 workload provided in Attachment J.23.A? | CMS updated the workload volumes for S-10 audits in Government Provided Proposal Assumptions (GPPA) Audit and Reimbursement Tables, Attachment J.23.A and Basis of Estimate (BOE), Attachment J.22. See the updated J.22 and J.23.A documents. |
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H. Section J.33-J.49 ID Document Section Page # Question Answer/Action
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I. Other tbd ID Document Section Page # Question Answer/Action
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