Questions and Answers.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 31 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Workers' Compensation Review Contractor (WCRC) Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 75FCMC23R0010
View the file
Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| J.2 Appendix B - WCCCSUserGuide v6.3.pdf | ||
| J.3 Appendix C - WCRC Monthly Progress Report Example.pdf | ||
| J.5 Appendix E- WCMSA Ref Guide v3-6_031522.pdf | ||
| Solicitation RFP 75FCMC23R0010.pdf | ||
| J.1 Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 (final).docx | DOCX document | |
| J.4 Appendix D - Q&A Template.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| J.6 Appendix F - WCRC Cost Template.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| J.7-Contractor-Business-Ethics-COI-and-Compliance-Program-Requirements Jan 2019.docx | DOCX document | |
| J.9-Past Performance Questionnaire.docx | DOCX document | |
| J.8-Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest.docx | DOCX document |
On GovTribe
Work with this file on GovTribe
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Sheet1
| # | Document | Section | Task Number (N/A if not tied to an individual Task) | Page | Solicitation Reference (Page number; Section; Item Description) | Question | Answer | ||
| 1 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | B. Assumptions | N/A | 7 | N/A | In point #4, there is language that states "the transition period will last 4 months…". However, Section III. Period of Performance (page 6), states, "The transition-in period shall be the first 90 days of the contract base year of the newly awarded contract." Please confirm if the accurate amount of transition-in time is 90 days or 4 months. | Transition will be 90 days. | ||
| 2 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | C. Specific Requirements | 3.3 Telephone Inquries | 12 | N/A | With there being mention of the WCRC being responsible for handling telephone inquiries, what is the average amount of telephone inquries conducted per month? Attachment J.3 Appendix C - WCRC Monthly Progress Report Example, references "over 1,400 phone inquiries". | The included Progress report is a format example only; however, current call volume is generally less than 500 per month. | ||
| 3 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | B. Assumptions | N/A | 8 | N/A | The SOW mentiones a processing requirement within two (2) business days after the date of initially receiving the expeditied request from CMS, what is the average volume of expeditied cases that the WCRC will process? | The expedited request volume is too low to estimate. | ||
| 4 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | C. Specific Requirements | 1.1.5.e | 10 | N/A | Can you confirm that any tools used to properly price out a MSA are responsibilitiy of the contractor? Pricing tools includes those used for procedures, services, prescriptions, durable medical equipment, etc. | All assumed business costs should be reflected in the proposal offer. | ||
| 5 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | C. Specific Requirements | 5. Task 5 - Internal Controls (5.1.2.h) | 15 | N/A | Bullet # 1 and 3 in Section 5.1.2.h mention providing and maintaining an audit system and "formal system to implement and track progress". Please confirm that the mention of these two systems will fall to being contractor responsibility and will not be a government provided system? | These are not GFE items. The government is requesting a routine method to identify where a submisssion is in process outside of the WCCCS. The successful offeror must be able to identify where a case is in the review process at any given time without reliance on the CMS system of record. | ||
| 6 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | B. Assumptions | N/A | 7 | N/A | This section mentions using WCCCS to evaluate WCMSA proposals. Following this mention, there is language stating, "In addition, the contractor shall document its evaluation of the case file and recommend an independently priced WCMSA amount to CMS." Please confirm that any case management systems used to document this evaluation is responsibility of the contractor to provide and will not be done through WCCCS? | The WCCCS is the system of record. All review and recommendation documentation must reside there. All prospective contractors will use the WCCCS to obtain records and record findigs; however, the government does not restrict the use of some other workflow management tool used by the prospective contractor. This tool will be at the prospective contractor's own expense. | ||
| 7 | Solicitation RFP | L.11 Volume I: Technical Proposal Instructions | N/A | 85 | Page 85, Section L.11, Tab C: Past Performance, b. Instructions | Please confirm that if Offerors or Significant Subcontractors have current or past performance, with that performance as either a Prime or Subcontractor supporting the Federal government, that they do not have to submit a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ)? | Offerors and Significant Subcontractors do not have to submit a PPQ if they have current or past performance within 3 years of the date of the solicitation. | ||
| 8 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | V. Progra Management, C. Non-Key Personnel | N/A | 31 | N/A | Regarding the Non-Key Personnel position of Supervisor, can you please clarify what the duties in this role are? Specifically, what positions within the "other assigned personnel" requirement of this role would CMS like this Supervisor to oversee? | All non-key personnel are recommmended and not mandatory. Only key-personnel roles must be filled as designated. | ||
| 9 | J.1 Appendix A - SOW | V. Progra Management, C. Non-Key Personnel | N/A | 29 | N/A | Does the Contractor have the ability to add or remove positions from the Non-Key Personnel labor categories that were provided by CMS, as they see fit? | All non-key personnel are recommmended and not mandatory. Only key-personnel roles must be filled as designated. | ||
| 10 | J.6 - Appendix F - WCRC Cost Template | N/A | N/A | N/A | Based on the "WCMSA Fiscal Year Statistics 2020-2022" data released by CMS in October 2022 reflecting 13,752 recommendations completed in FY 2022, is it an accurate assumption that the WCRC will receive 19,200 cases per year to review? Further, is the 19,200 a minimum guaranteed quantity of cases for the WCRC or an assumption? | Base Year values are lower due to the limit caused by transition activities. The Base Year shall include 14,400 guaranteed reviews, with subsequent Option Years includeing 19,200 guaranteed reviews. In FY 2022, the annual total of reviews completed by the WCRC was 20,212. | |||
| 11 | J.5 Appendix E- WCMSA Ref Guide v3-6_031522 | Appendix 4 WCRC Proposal Review Reference Tools | N/A | 73 | N/A | Table 4-1 lists proposal review reference tools used by the WCRC, can CMS clarify which are government furnished equipment or which are contractor responsibility? | Reference tools listed in the WCMSA Reference Guide are only listed as examples of sources. CMS does not dictate which must be used. Any Reference tools used by an offeror will be at the expense of the offeror. | ||
| 12 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | Section V | N/A | B.4. Key Personnel; Network Administrator/Hardware Specialist page 29 | There is a reference in the Network Administrator's description that discusses databases as part of the responsibility. What database(s) does CMS anticipate under the WCRC contract? Will CMS please elaborate on the intent of this requirement? | This reference is based in the need for interaction with the CMS system of record.The WCCCS must be used. Should a proposal use an external system that receives data directly from the WCCCS for review in that external system, database management skills would be necessary. Approval of key-personnel by CMS is based upon the final proposed solution for this procurement. | |||
| 13 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | Section V | N/A | B.4. Key Personnel; Network Administrator/Hardware Specialist page 29 | A Network Administration and Database Management typically require different skills and experience. Would CMS allow Offerors to submit two different personnel for this position? | Yes. | |||
| 14 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | Section IV | N/A | Technical Requirements A. General and following, page 7 | CMS states that it will provide contractor access to WCCCS, CWF and DMS. However, no mention is made of the case management system that currently exists and is used by the incumbent to process work. Will the Incumbent case management instance be made available as government furnished equipment or will Offerors need to obtain licenses and support the operations, maintenance, and security of the case management instance? | The cases management system is the responsibility of the Offeror. CMS does not provide this external system. Previous contracts have used different proprietary systems. With respect to the CMS system of record, the WCCCS is retained and maintained by a different contractor as a part of a different contract within the CMS portfolio related to this procurement. | |||
| 15 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 6.2 | Task 6 | 19 | Federal Tax Information (FTI) | All FTI has been removed from MSP systems; and FTI has strict rules and requirements for processing that would create disparate work environments for prime and subcontractor entities. Would CMS please confirm whether CMS envisions FTI being maintained by the WCRC? If that is the case what data or records would that entail and in what volumes? | No records are held by the contractor. All relevant data is housed in the CMS system of record, and remains there throughout the approval process. | ||
| 16 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 7.1, 7.2 | Task 7 | 24 | Postage/Printing | Is there correspondence that is expected to be printed and sent by the WCRC that is not part of the existing COB&R systems? If so, could CMS provide the corresponding workload expectations? | The current format for outgoing letters happens via the WCCCS; however, this requirement is included to provide CMS expectations should CMS reorganize its functional expectations. It is possible that there may be some direct correspondence for questions that may arrive from stakeholders but would not be handled via the WCCCS (i.e. a beneficiary requests clarification about requested documentation in a development request). The WCCCS does not have the ability to handle a response directly to the listed request. Any necessary responses in this fashio would be too low to estimate. It would be best to assume 10 or fewer requests per month. | ||
| 17 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 7.3 | Task 7 | 24 | Mail/Correspondence Receipt | The SOW states that "the contractor shall establish a process [for handling, tracking, and monitoring mail and correspondence." It is our understanding that these processes are already in-place. Is it CMS' intention to establish new processes under the awarded WCRC? If so, what are the corresponding workload expectations? | It is possible that there may be some direct correspondence for questions that may arrive from stakeholders that would not be handled via the WCCCS (i.e. a beneficiary requests clarification about requested documentation in a development request). The WCCCS does not have the ability to handle a response directly to the listed request. Any necessary responses in this fashion would be too low to estimate. It would be best to assume 10 or fewer requests per month. | ||
| 18 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 4.1.5 | Task 4 | 13 | Files | Can CMS please confirm what files currently exist at the incumbent and what will be transitioned to the new contractor? | No files reside with any contractor. CMS owns the system of record (WCCCS) and all associated files. Successful offerors will be provided login access to the WCCCS. | ||
| 19 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 4.1.5 | Task 4 | 13 | Files | What systems are being used to store files today and what is CMS' expectation for the WCRC to acquire, import, and maintain that data? | No files reside with any contractor. CMS owns the system of record (WCCCS) and all associated files. Successful offerors will be provided login access to the WCCCS. Provided login information is unique to each user, and only allows viewing of submission documents and the ability to input recommendation findings. Importing of data will require the offeror to obtain an authorization to operate (ATO) prior to direct data transfer to a case management system ouside CMS. | ||
| 20 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 4.1.5 | Task 4 | 13 | Files | Is it CMS' intention to allow/require these files to continue to be stored separately from COB&R systems under the awarded WCRC? | No. All records are stored, and shall remain, within the CMS system of record (WCCCS). | ||
| 21 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 3.3 | Task 3 | 13 | Telephone Inquiries | So that offerors may propose adequate staffing may CMS please provide is the expected number of calls per day, week and month; and the Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) for the Call Center in regard to Average Speed of Answer, Abandonment Rate and All Trunks Busy percentage? | Volume is not tracked by CMS due to the low threshhold. Research indicates this nvolume is probably lower than 500 per month, on average. However, CMS expects the following service levels: average answer speed less than 30 seconds, and an abandoment rate no greater than 5%. | ||
| 22 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | 3.2 | Task 3 | 11 | Written Inquiries | So that offerors may propose adequate staffing may CMS please provide the expected number of Written Inquiries per day, week and month? | This is not tracked by CMS due to the low threshhold. | ||
| 23 | Solicitation RFP 75FCMC23R0010 | Section L.10(a)(1) and L.11 TAB B | N/A | 82 and 84 | Page Limits for Letters of Commitment in TAB B | The table on Pg 82 indicates that TAB B has a 20 page limit (unlimited for resumes). The instructions for TAB B on Pg 84 indicate that TAB B requires: 1. Resumes (first bullet); 2. Letters of Commitment (second bullet), and 3. the Staffing Plan (Bullets 3-6). Are the Letters of Committment considered part of the resumes (i.e., unlimited page count) or part of the overall 20 page limit? | They are considered part of the resume. | ||
| 24 | Solicitation RFP | L.10 | 82 | Page 82 | |||||
| L.10 Proposal Organization, item (3) Volume III- Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance | The table explaining what is to be included in Volume III states that Offerors must include Attachment J.9 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest; however, no Attachment J.9 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest was included in the proposal package. Will CMS be providing an Attachment J.9 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest for Offerors to use? | Offerors only need to complete Attachment J.8 Contractor/Offeror Conflict of Interest (Oct 2020). | |||||||
| 25 | Solicitation RFP | L.13 | 90 | Page 90 | |||||
| L.13 Volume III: Business Ethics Conflict of Interest and Compliance | The table explaining what is to be included in Volume III states that Offerors must include Attachment J.8 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest; however, in Attachment J.8 Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest in the Personal Conflicts of Interest section, it states: "This information shall not be disclosed to the Government." Will CMS consider removing the requirement to include completed Personal Conflict of Interest forms from Volume III? | Offerors only need to complete Attachment J.8 Contractor/Offeror Conflict of Interest (Oct 2020). | |||||||
| 26 | Solicitation RFP | L.13 | 90 | Page 90 | |||||
| L.13 Volume III: Business Ethics Conflict of Interest and Compliance | Instructions states: "Volume III: The Offeror/Subcontractor(s) shall submit Volume III Completed Business Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Compliance, with its proposal.* Attachment J.7 Contractor Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance Program Requirements and J.8-Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest contains the proposal submission requirements for Volume III." Attachment J.7 Contractor Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance Program Requirements (2019) is an obsolete form, as Attachment J.8 Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest (2020) is the more current form. Will CMS consider removing the requirement to complete and include Attachment J.7 Contractor Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance Program Requirements (2019) from the documents required in Volume III? | Offerors only need to complete Attachment J.8 Contractor/Offeror Conflict of Interest (Oct 2020). | |||||||
| 27 | RFP | L.13 | TAB B | 90 | Page 90, Section L.13; Narrative Inclusive of Findings | Can you provide greater detail on what you are requiring for this Tab B? | This tab should discuss your process for evaluating prime and subcontractors for COI and any findings. | ||
| 28 | RFP, Attachments J.7 and J.8 | COI | Attachments J.7, Contractor Business Ethics, COI and Compliance Requirements (JAN 2019) and J.8, Contractor COI (OCT 2020) | Can you explain the different between those two Attachments? It appears that Attachment J.8 (OCT 2020) is the updated version of Attachment J.7 (JAN 2019). | Offerors only need to complete Attachment J.8 Contractor/Offeror Conflict of Interest (Oct 2020). | ||||
| 29 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | SOW | Section V PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | Section C. Non-Key Personnel | What percentage of time are all the Non-Key Personnel expected to dedicate to the effort? | CMS only dictates that all Key-personnel must be 100% dedicated to the contract. However, personnel assigned elswere is not an acceptable reason for failing to meet service level agreements. | |||
| 30 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | SOW | Section V PROGRAM MANAGEMENT | Section D. Personnel Security Clearances | Will all the staff need to acquire PIV cards? | Yes. All contractors are now required to meet the HSPD-12 requirements. | |||
| 31 | RFP, Attachment J.6 | Appendix E | WCRC Cost Template | Attachment J.6, Appendix E | Are the estimated workloads per year based on actuals to date? If not, how did you derive the estimated workloads? | Workloads are based upon to-date actuals. Workload actuals have been fairly stable since 2017 (between 20,000 and 24,000 annually). | |||
| 32 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 3. Customer Service | 3.2. Written Inquiries | Please advise as to the number of written inquiries received by the incumbent contractor on an annual basis | This is not tracked by CMS due to the low threshhold. | |||
| 33 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 3. Customer Service | 3.2. Written Inquiries | Please advise as to the number of simple written inquiries that are responded to by telephone instead of by written correspondence by the incumbent contractor. | This is not tracked by CMS due to the low threshhold. | |||
| 34 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 3. Customer Service | 3.3. Telephone Inquiries | Please advise as to the number of telephone inquiries received by the incumbent contractor | This is not tracked by CMS due to the low threshhold. | |||
| 35 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 9. Educational and Outreach Activities | 9.1.1 | Please advise as to the anticipated number of seminars, workshops, presentations and conferences to be developed and conducted per year. | Routinely, the WCRC participates in 2-3 presentations a year. These usually consist of both live and pre-recorded presentations about yearly volumes and shortfall improvements suggested for submitters. | |||
| 36 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 9. Educational and Outreach Activities | 9.1.1 | In regard to seminars, workshops, presentations and conferences - will they be live or pre-recorded? | Routinely, the WCRC participates in 2-3 presentations a year. These usually consist of both live and pre-recorded presentations about yearly volumes and shortfall improvements suggested for submitters. | |||
| 37 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 9. Educational and Outreach Activities | 9.1.1 | Will the contractor be expected to provide the virtual platform for the seminars, workshops, presentations or conferences? If yes, please provide estimates as to the expected number of attendees. | No, These are hendled either via the external organizatin or CMS. | |||
| 38 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 9. Educational and Outreach Activities | 9.1.1 | Is the contractor expected to identify and provide speakers for the seminars, workshops, presentations or conferences? | This is not expected in the proposal, and they are routimely based upon the topic of the presentation. | |||
| 39 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 9. Educational and Outreach Activities | 9.1.4 Conduct Webinars | Please advise as to the number of Webinars to be conducted per year. | Routinely, the WCRC participates in 2-3 presentations a year. These usually consist of both live and pre-recorded presentations about yearly volumes and shortfall improvements suggested for submitters. | |||
| 40 | RFP, Attachment J.1 | Appendix A | Task 9. Educational and Outreach Activities | 9.1.4 Conduct Webinars | It is unclear as to exactly what the contractor is responsible for during the webinars. Can the Government please expand upon this anticipated role. | Routinely, the WCRC participates in 2-3 presentations a year. These usually consist of both live and pre-recorded presentations about yearly volumes and shortfall improvements suggested for submitters. | |||
| 41 | Appendix D - Statement of Work 2022 | IV. Technical Requirements C. Specific Requirements | Task 9 | 25 | Educational and Outreach Activites | For pricing purposes, what is the required volume and frequency for webinars and related educational and outreach activities? | Routinely, the WCRC participates in 2-3 presentations a year. These usually consist of both live and pre-recorded presentations about yearly volumes and shortfall improvements suggested for submitters. | ||
| 42 | Solicitation RFP | L.9(b) | N/A | 80 | Formatting | Can tables and graphs be landscape? | Page orientation is irrelevant so long as the graphics are legibile. | ||
| 43 | Solicitation RFP | B.3 | N/A | 6 | Schedule of Services; CLIN0002 Price Per WCMSA Recommendation; SLIN 0002AA WCMSA Recommendations - MIP; SLIN 0002AB WCMSA Recommendation - Part D | Should Part D case volume also be set at 14,400 to mirror MIP? | The guaranteed values in white are matched. All gray values are optional tasks for CMS to potentially exwcute. SLIN0002AA and SLIN0002AB are matched at 14,400 for the first year. | ||
| 44 | Solicitation RFP | L.11 | N/A | 84-85 | Tab C: Past Performance; The RFP asks the bidder to list in a table "All CMS contracts/task orders greater than the simplified acquisition threshold," and asks the bidder to list "All relevant contracts/orders entered into with [non-CMS entities]." The RFP defines "relevant" by reference to the FAR, asks the bidder to note in a column in the table whether a particular reference is "relevant" or not. Finally, the RFP notes that "Offerors...without relevant Federal Government past performance experience may ask customers to submit [the past performance questionnaire Attachment J.10]" | The listing of "all CMS contracts" appears to require a bidder to list a contract even if it is "not relevant." This looks like a request for information relevant to CMS' desire to ensure that a bidder does not have an organizational conflict of interest. Will CMS consider moving the requirement for a bidder to list all CMS contracts to the section of the RFP that deals with conflicts of interest to make it more clear that this requirement is related to ensuring no conflict of interest? | No. Offerors should submit this information as requested. | ||
| 45 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 1. | N/A | 7 | The contractor shall use the information submitted through the WCCCS to evaluate the WCMSA proposals. In addition, the contractor shall document its evaluation of the case file and recommend an independently priced WCMSA amount to CMS. | Please define independently priced WCMSA. Is the price analysis to be performed by the contractor or an independent entity? | The contractor is the independent entity. Entities with an interest would be settling parties and CMS. The prospective contractor must only provide a recommendation consistent with CMS policy. | ||
| 46 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 2. | N/A | 7 | 2. | The contractor shall review all WCMSA proposals within 20 business days inclusive of screening after the initial date of receipt, excluding development of the cases, and provide its recommended amount to CMS. | Please provide an average and range of business days that a case could be in a development stage by type: medical review vs. medication review. | This data is not tracked. Once a development request goes more than 30 days without response, the system automatically closes the case for lack of response until new documents are appended to the submission. Development time does not count against the 20-day processing requirement. | |
| 47 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 2. | N/A | 7 | 2. | The contractor shall review all WCMSA proposals within 20 business days inclusive of screening after the initial date of receipt, excluding development of the cases, and provide its recommended amount to CMS. | On average, how many hours is required to complete a case review? What are the average hours for medical review versus medication review? How much time is estimated for complex cases? How much time is required for pricing? What specific work presents the greatest investment of time for the contractor based on the current implementation? | CMS does not specifically track this information. This can vary from offeror to offeror based upon their proposed staffing and methodology. Occassionally, CMS requests the contractor to identify the ration of review time. Based upon the most recent review, approximately 2/3 are medical review, with the remaining 1/3 being pharmacy review. | |
| 48 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 2. | N/A | 7 | The contractor shall review all WCMSA proposals within 20 business days inclusive of screening after the initial date of receipt, excluding development of the cases, and provide its recommended amount to CMS. | Would CMS permit a contractor to use proprietary or OTS software for calculating the recommended amount? | CMS does not strictly limit the choice of methodology for pricing; however, offerors should recognize that if a software existed that met CMS policies for pricing, a contractor would not be necessary to fill the CMS requirement. | ||
| 49 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 2. | N/A | 7 | The contractor shall anticipate receiving 1,600 new WCMSA proposals per month, which represents forty-two (42) percent of the average workload on hand | Of the remaining 59% of the cases, what is the frequency of re-evaluations of a case. For example, are cases in development reviewed on average 2 times before they are considered complete and move forward to pricing? | CMS is aware that approximately 75-80% of all submissions are reviewed and approved as presented. However, the example provided is to demonstrate the flowing nature of proposals. A fairly stable number of proposals come in, some are not eligible, some need more information, or some are requests for re-review because the submitter believes something is incorrect. The number of developments and re-reviews are not tracked per submission. However, assumptions about the number of times a submission might be reviewed are irrelevant to the number of invoiced reviews. Only those submissions during an invoicing period that arrive at a final recommended amount are invoiced. reviewing a case, and identifying that it does not have the necessary documentaiotn for pricing does not constitute a review. This becomes central to the successful offeror providing clear enough guidance to industry about what documentation is acceptable and exactly what documentation is necessary to limit development. | ||
| 50 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | There are about 5,000 developments from that group. However, additional cases that come back from development and are completed total roughly an additional 13,000, annually. The disparity between these totals is that some of these cases are returns from previous months or years. Approximately ten (10) percent of all cases will be re-reviewed at some time in the future. | Please clarify and provide and explain the "additional" 13,000 annually. What are the implications of the statement "Approximately ten (10) percent of all cases will be re-reviewed at some time in the future." Does this mean in addition to the standard review process? | A submission closed for non-response might return at any time. It may be 60 days later, or six years later. Nonstatistical reason exists to calculate when it might happen. As a result, it is possible that a submission closed in 2015 might return in 2023, neccessitating its review to approval. Offerors should recognize that an average flow of about 1,600 reviews monthly is what to expect. | |||||
| 51 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 4. | N/A | 7 | Transition | Does transition include securing ATO? | If necessary, securing an ATO should happen during the transition period. | ||
| 52 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 5 | N/A | 8 | The contractor shall process expedited cases within two (2) business days after the date of initially receiving the expedited request from the CMS | Are expedited cases relieved of the requirements to provide additional information? How are these cases handled when information is missing for calculating price? | No, an expedited review only requires that the contractro complete the review within the expcted timeframe. In addition, only the CMS COR may authorize and expedited review. | ||
| 53 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 6 | N/A | 8 | The contractor shall maintain a dedicated fax machine for privacy reasons to receive additional information that submitters might fax to the contractor, and the contractor shall have these documents scanned to the appropriate case by the BCRC | On average, how many days does BCRC require to post additional information? | Generally, the BCRC tries to comply within the next 24 hours; however, documents forwarded from the WCRC to the BCRC do not authorize that submission to jump the queue to a date earlier than when it was received by the BCRC. | ||
| 54 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 8 | N/A | 8 | 8.2 WCMSA Proposal Re-Review: At least ten Percent (10%) of WCMSA proposal will require re-review. | Is this for quality assurance? | No. ters may requet a re-review where they believe that an error was made in the initial review for one of two reasons: 1) mathematical error, or; 2) documentation missed by the review that was previously sent. Additionally, submitters may request an ammended review if the submitter can demonstrate a $10,000 change from the previous price due to a change in treatment plan, or if the submitter sent inaccurate documents that cay be corrected. | ||
| 55 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | C. Specific Requirements | N/A | 8 | The contractor shall ensure that any subsequent documents (i.e. returned documents from the submitter), whether solicited or unsolicited, are accepted by fax and appended to the original case file . | Is the contractor or BCRC responsibility for appending documents received after the initial posting? | BCRC appends all documents to cases | ||
| 56 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | V. Program Management B. Key Personnel | N/A | 26 | Note that the Key Personnel labor categories are not intended to cover all of the contractor’s management positions and categories. The contractor shall provide competent overall contract management and performance. | Please provide information on the number of FTEs the CMS estimates needed for this contract. How many FTEs are currently assigned to this contract by labor category for both key and non-key personnel. | CMS does not dictate the number of FTEs (minimum or maximum) a contractor may use to proved the requested services All services are priced upon a per final recommended approval rate.So long as the contractor meets all service level agreements, no minimum is assumed. | ||
| 57 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | VIII. Delivery Schedule | N/A | 51 | Billing Period Reports: The data included shall be based on the billing period for the invoice it accompanies. The contractor shall ensure that the data in the other associated (e.g. Monthly Status) reports are accurate and consistent with one another, assuring that each billing period report also incorporates any subcontractor’s data for the same period of time. | Please provide information on invoicing. Does CMS reimburse for cases in development, cases that do no qualify for MSA. How are contractors reimbursed for other services such as preparation for hearings, rebuttals, etc? | CMS will only pay for a pricing recommendation that meets final approval by CMS. Any other costs shall be included in the per review price. CMS does not price additionally for development. CMS does not expect the contractor to represent at hearings should they happen, and there is not such item as a rebuttal because the WCMSA prgram does not meet the requirements for any appeals process. Where a review is necessary for a requested re-review or amended revew, CMS will pay for the additional review. | ||
| 58 | J.6 Appendix F | J.6 Appendix F | N/A | 1 | Transition | Does transition include ATO? | If necessary, securing an ATO should happen during the transition period. | ||
| 59 | J.6 Appendix F | WCMSA Recommendations - MIP | Average number of hours to complete? | CMS does not track this data | |||||
| 60 | J.6 Appendix F | WCMSA Recommendations - Part D | Average number of hours to complete? | CMS does not track this data | |||||
| 61 | J.6 Appendix F | Optional NGHP Price Per LMSA Recommendation | Optional LMSA & NFMSA Recomm - MIP | Average number of hours to complete? What responsibilities are shared with BCRC? | CMS does not track this data | ||||
| 62 | J.6 Appendix F | Optional NGHP Price Per LMSA Recommendation | Optional LMSA & NFMSA Recomm- Part D | Average number of hours to complete? What responsibilities are shared with BCRC? | CMS does not track this data | ||||
| 63 | Solicitation RFP 75FCMC23R0010 | Section L | N/A | 82 | 82, Section L.10 Proposal Organization, 2) Volume II - Business Proposal) | For tab E, should we complete attachment J.7 or J.6? | Complete attachment J.6 Appendix F -WCRC Cost Template | ||
| 64 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | III Period of Performance and IV Technical Requirements | B. Assumption #4 | 7 | III Period of Performance and IV Technical Requirement Section B, #4 | Is the transition period 90 days as stated in III POP or 4 months as stated in IV Technical Requirements Section B #4? | Transition will be 90 days. | ||
| 65 | Appendix F | Base Year | N/A | 1 | Optional LMSA & NFMSA Recomm - MIP | What should be used as the average number of hours to complete an LMSA or NFMSA? | CMS does not track this data | ||
| 66 | Appendix F | Base Year | N/A | 1 | WCMSA Recommendations; Optional LMSA & NFMSA Recomm - MIP | What responsibilities are shared with the BCRC in completing a WCMSA, LMSA, or NFMSA? | BCRC only scans and appends files to the appropriate submission for review. WCRC involvement does not begin until that process is complete, unless previously reviewed and developed. | ||
| 67 | Solicitation | B.3 | N/A | 6 | Transition Activities* | How will Transition Activities be paid? | Transition-In Activities should be proposed as a firm-fixed-price. Fixed Price will be paid in 3 increments, 20% for Month #1, 30% for Month #2, and 50% for Month #3. | ||
| 68 | Solicitation | B.3 | N/A | 6 | Transition Activities* | When will Transition Activities be paid? | Transition-In Activities should be proposed as a firm-fixed-price. Fixed Price will be paid in 3 increments, 20% for Month #1, 30% for Month #2, and 50% for Month #3. | ||
| 69 | Solicitation | B.3 | N/A | 6 | Transition Activities* | To what is the asterisk referencing? | Internal documentation related to budgeting | ||
| 70 | Solicitation | B.3 | N/A | 7 | Optional LMSA & NFMSA Recommendations | Optional LMSAs and NFMSAs are not contemplated until Option Year 1. Has CMS or any contractor ever priced any LMSAs or NFMSAs? If so, may we see a completed (redacted) example? | Until CMS may finalize a format, no such example exists | ||
| 71 | Solicitation | F.4 & G.11 | N/A | 14; 24-25 | Place of Performance; Contractor Work Performed Outside the United States and its Territories | These two provisions could be interpreted as conflicting, Is any remote work within the United States permissible under this contract, such as documentation triage, draft recommendations, and report preparation, or must all work be performed in one building location? | Remote work is considered an extension of the contractor's workplace. Only work outside the Continental U.S. is restricted. | ||
| 72 | Solicitation | G,3 | N/A | 16-17 | Government Representatives and Responsibiltiies | Are the CO, CS, and COR named in the solicitation new to the WCRC program or are they currently in place? | All named in the solicitaiton currently manage the WCRC contract | ||
| 73 | Solicitation | G.4 | N/A | 20 | Property Administration | What government-owned property, if any, is contemplated under this contract? | None | ||
| 74 | Solicitation | G.5 | N/A | 21 | Payments-Invoices | In light of the fact that all bidders must be 8(a) firms, will the government consider bi-weekly invoicing during at least the first year of the contract? | The government will consider the request and make a determination post-award. | ||
| 75 | Solicitation; Appendix A | G.8; V. Program Management, B.6 | N/A | 22-23 | Use of Government Data | Will all data be electronic, or will the contractor be expected to receive, review, or prepare any information on paper other than the occasional faxed document noted in Appendix A, V.B.6? | Data will be electornic in nature. | ||
| 76 | Solicitation | H.11 | N/A | 39-47 | CMS Security Clause | Will PIV, PIV-I, or Locally Based Physical Access cards be required of all contractor staff who have access to the CMS system for processing WCMSAs (WCCCS)? | PIV. All contractors are now required to meet the HSPD-12 requirements. | ||
| 77 | Appendix A | IV. Technical Requirements, A. General | N/A | 6 | WCCCS | What is the current average speed of processing data in the WCCCS? For example, if a pricing line for a drug is entered, how much time after the user hits "Save" does the WCCCS take before the system is ready for entry of the next line? | CMS does not track this data | ||
| 78 | Appendix A | IV. Technical Requirements, A. General | N/A | 6 | WCCCS | Does CMS or the contractor currently run time testing of various processes performed by the WCCCS? If so, can you share that data? | Only when specifically requested is the contractor does the contractor review processing time. That time is tested for rationand not actual time. Current testing indicates a 66.6:33.4 ratio between MIP and PtD activities. | ||
| 79 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, B.2.2 | N/A | 29 | Operating Rules | May we have a current copy of the Operating Rules? | Operating Rules no longer exist, and were proporietary to previous contractors. | ||
| 80 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, B.2.2 | N/A | 29 | Operating Rules | What is the current procedure for creating or modifying the Operating Rules, including all the parties involved? | Operating Rules no longer exist, and were proporietary to previous contractors. | ||
| 81 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, C.3.4.5 | 3.4.5 | 13 | Regional Offices | What role(s) do the Regional Offices play in the set-aside process? | As of 2023, regional offices are being removed from the WCMSA approval process. Once complete, regionaloffices will only validate that settlement details and answer general questoins about the WCMSA process. | ||
| 82 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, B.6 | N/A | 8 | BCRC and WCCCS vendor | Who are the current BCRC and WCCCS vendors? | WCCCS is not a publicly available system. It is CMS-owned, but hosted at a third-party location. The WCCCS is maintained by a contractor different than the BCRC, and is currently undergoing transition for traditional data storehouse to cloud location. | ||
| 83 | Solicitation; Appendix A | L.3 FAR 52.215-1; V. Program Management, B.8.1 | N/A | 73; 8 | Time; Due Dates | These provisions are in conflict. The FAR allows a Saturday deadline to be completed on the next business day, while the solicitation requires a Saturday deadline to be completed on a Friday. Please clarify. | Unfortunately, weekend deadlines are set based upon meeting service level agreements and external stakeholder reqruirements. Recommendatoins must exit the WCRC queue within 20 days. No extensionis made for weekend days to meet stakeholder expectations. | ||
| 84 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, B.8.6 | N/A | 8 | WCCCS Down Time | How much unscheduled down time did the WCCCS experience in the past year. | Downtime is generally related to unforseen issues (weather, system hardware failures, etc). This requirement is for identifying when the prospective contractor must notify CMS of an outage. | ||
| 85 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, C.8.1.2 | 8.1.2 | 29-30 | Joint Operating Agreements | May we have a copy of a completed Joint Operating Agreement? | Joint Operating Agreements are unique between CMS Contactors. CMS does not share these agreements externally. However, the incumbent may, at their own discretion, share a copy during the transition period as a format example. | ||
| 86 | Appendix A | IV. Technical Requirements, A. General | N/A | 6 | WCCCS | Is the WCCCS hard wired to the WCRC or is it accessible via the internet? | The WCCCS is accessible via the internet. Current coding also allows some data points to be shared outbound in an FTP format for those systems with an existing ATO. | ||
| 87 | Appendix A | V. Program Management, C.4.2 | N/A | 30 | Attorney | This section is missing a verb immediately preceding the semi-colon. Can that be clarified? | The verb is included as "shall review"…"to ensure all operating rules and CMS policies and procedures have been appropriately;" | ||
| 88 | Appendix A | VI. Contractor Deliverables, A. Reports | N/A | 34 | Reports and Statistics | Does the WCCCS have the capability to assist in the preparation of any reports or statistics, or are all reports created manually by the contractor? | All requried reports from the WCRC are validated by the WCCCS. Contractor-generated reports should be created by the contractor without use of the WCCCS. | ||
| 89 | Solicitation | F.4 | N/A | 14 | Place of Performance: All erformance shall take place at the Contractor's site | Please confirm that work will also be permitted from remote work-at-home locations and/or from subcontracted team member sites. | Remote work is considered an extension of the contractor's workplace. Only work outside the Continental U.S. is restricted. | ||
| 90 | Appendix A - Statement of Work 2022 | A. General, B. Assumptions, 2. | N/A | 7 | The contractor shall anticipate receiving 1,600 new WCMSA proposals per month, which represents forty-two (42) percent of the average workload on hand | Can CMS provide actual cases processed monthly to completion by the incumbent over the course of their contract? | Current workflow includes approximately 1,600 - 2,000 reviews monthly. This has been stable since 2017 | ||
| 91 | |||||||||
| 92 | |||||||||
| 93 | |||||||||
| 94 | |||||||||
| 95 | |||||||||
| 96 | |||||||||
| 97 | |||||||||
| 98 | |||||||||
| 99 | |||||||||
| 100 |
Sheet2
| # | Document | Section | Task Number (N/A if not tied to an individual Task) | Page | Solicitation Reference (Page number; Section; Item Description) | Question | Answer | |
| 7 | Solicitation RFP | L.11 Volume I: Technical Proposal Instructions | N/A | 85 | Page 85, Section L.11, Tab C: Past Performance, b. Instructions | Please confirm that if Offerors or Significant Subcontractors have current or past performance, with that performance as either a Prime or Subcontractor supporting the Federal government, that they do not have to submit a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ)? | ||
| 24 | Solicitation RFP | L.10 | 82 | Page 82 | ||||
| L.10 Proposal Organization, item (3) Volume III- Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance | The table explaining what is to be included in Volume III states that Offerors must include Attachment J.9 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest; however, no Attachment J.9 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest was included in the proposal package. Will CMS be providing an Attachment J.9 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest for Offerors to use? | |||||||
| 25 | Solicitation RFP | L.13 | 90 | Page 90 | ||||
| L.13 Volume III: Business Ethics Conflict of Interest and Compliance | The table explaining what is to be included in Volume III states that Offerors must include Attachment J.8 Contractor Personal Conflict of Interest; however, in Attachment J.8 Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest in the Personal Conflicts of Interest section, it states: "This information shall not be disclosed to the Government." Will CMS consider removing the requirement to include completed Personal Conflict of Interest forms from Volume III? | |||||||
| 26 | Solicitation RFP | L.13 | 90 | Page 90 | ||||
| L.13 Volume III: Business Ethics Conflict of Interest and Compliance | Instructions states: "Volume III: The Offeror/Subcontractor(s) shall submit Volume III Completed Business Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Compliance, with its proposal.* Attachment J.7 Contractor Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance Program Requirements and J.8-Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest contains the proposal submission requirements for Volume III." Attachment J.7 Contractor Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance Program Requirements (2019) is an obsolete form, as Attachment J.8 Contractor Offeror Conflict of Interest (2020) is the more current form. Will CMS consider removing the requirement to complete and include Attachment J.7 Contractor Business Ethics, Conflicts of Interest and Compliance Program Requirements (2019) from the documents required in Volume III? | |||||||
| 27 | RFP | L.13 | TAB B | 90 | Page 90, Section L.13; Narrative Inclusive of Findings | Can you provide greater detail on what you are requiring for this Tab B? | ||
| 28 | RFP, Attachments J.7 and J.8 | COI | Attachments J.7, Contractor Business Ethics, COI and Compliance Requirements (JAN 2019) and J.8, Contractor COI (OCT 2020) | Can you explain the different between those two Attachments? It appears that Attachment J.8 (OCT 2020) is the updated version of Attachment J.7 (JAN 2019). | ||||
| 44 | Solicitation RFP | L.11 | N/A | 84-85 | Tab C: Past Performance; The RFP asks the bidder to list in a table "All CMS contracts/task orders greater than the simplified acquisition threshold," and asks the bidder to list "All relevant contracts/orders entered into with [non-CMS entities]." The RFP defines "relevant" by reference to the FAR, asks the bidder to note in a column in the table whether a particular reference is "relevant" or not. Finally, the RFP notes that "Offerors...without relevant Federal Government past performance experience may ask customers to submit [the past performance questionnaire Attachment J.10]" | The listing of "all CMS contracts" appears to require a bidder to list a contract even if it is "not relevant." This looks like a request for information relevant to CMS' desire to ensure that a bidder does not have an organizational conflict of interest. Will CMS consider moving the requirement for a bidder to list all CMS contracts to the section of the RFP that deals with conflicts of interest to make it more clear that this requirement is related to ensuring no conflict of interest? | ||
| 63 | Solicitation RFP 75FCMC23R0010 | Section L | N/A | 82 | 82, Section L.10 Proposal Organization, 2) Volume II - Business Proposal) | For tab E, should we complete attachment J.7 or J.6? | ||
| 63 | Solicitation RFP 75FCMC23R0010 | Section L | N/A | 82 | 82, Section L.10 Proposal Organization, 2) Volume II - Business Proposal) | For tab E, should we complete attachment J.7 or J.6? | ||
| 67 | Solicitation | B.3 | N/A | 6 | Transition Activities* | How will Transition Activities be paid? | ||
| 68 | Solicitation | B.3 | N/A | 6 | Transition Activities* | When will Transition Activities be paid? | ||
| 74 | Solicitation | G.5 | N/A | 21 | Payments-Invoices | In light of the fact that all bidders must be 8(a) firms, will the government consider bi-weekly invoicing during at least the first year of the contract? |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .