A19 - Solicitation.pdf

1605C2-24-R-00003

1. REQUEST NO.

5a. ISSUED BY

NAME

a. NAME

c. STREET ADDRESS

d. CITY

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO

THE ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON

OR BEFORE CLOSE OF BUSINESS (Date)

2. DATE ISSUED 3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO. 4. CERT. FOR NAT. DEF.

UNDER BDSA REG. 2

AND/OR DMS REG.1

RATING

6. DELIVERY BY (Date)

7. DELIVERY

9. DESTINATION

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

b. STREET ADDRESS

PAGE OF PAGES

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL: (No collect calls)

TELEPHONE NUMBER

AREA CODE NUMBER

8. TO:

b. COMPANY

e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

c. CITY

d. STATE e. ZIP CODE

IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

THIS RFQ

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

IS IS NOT A SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDEX

11/03/2023 1630-OUI-24-CTR-0001

1 69

Customer Acquisition Services 200 Constitution Ave, NW S-4307 Washington DC 20210

US Department of Labor 365 Days After Award

Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave NW S5206

Washington

DC 20210

Christopher Capers

11/17/2023 05:00 P.M. ES

FOB DESTINATION

OTHER

(See Schedule)X

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(b)

QUANTITY

(c)

UNIT

(d)

UNIT PRICE

(e)

AMOUNT

(f)

The Department of Labor (DOL), on behalf of the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), has a requirement for actuarial support to support the Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI) in accordance with the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS) for a 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods.

DOL anticipates that this requirement will result in an award of a Time & Material (T&M) type contract.

Eligible vendors shall provide technical and price proposals by the applicable due date per block 10 on this form. Any discount terms are highly encouraged.

Continued ...

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

a. 10 CALENDAR DAYS (%) b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS (%) c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS (%) d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations

13. NAME AND ADDRESS OF QUOTER

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. COUNTY

d. CITY e. STATE f. ZIP CODE

14. SIGNATURE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO

SIGN QUOTATION

16. SIGNER

a. NAME (Type or print)

c. TITLE (Type or print)

a. NAME OF QUOTER

AREA CODE

NUMBER

15. DATE OF QUOTATION

b. TELEPHONE are are not attached

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

Previous edition not usable

STANDARD FORM 18 (REV. 6-95)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

ITEM NO. SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

NAME OF OFFEROR OR CONTRACTOR

2 69

CONTINUATION SHEET

REFERENCE NO. OF DOCUMENT BEING CONTINUED PAGE OF

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F)

1605C2-24-R-00003

0001 UI Actuarial Support - Base Period

Product/Service Code: R499

Delivery: 365 Days After Award

1001 UI Actuarial Support - Option Period One (1)

(Option Line Item)

(Anticipated Option Exercise Date) 365

Product/Service Code: R499

Delivery: 365 Days After Award

2001 UI Actuarial Support - Option Period Two (2)

(Option Line Item)

(Anticipated Option Exercise Date) 365

Product/Service Code: R499

Delivery: 365 Days After Award

3001 UI Actuarial Support - Option Period Three (3)

(Option Line Item)

(Anticipated Option Exercise Date) 365

Product/Service Code: R499

Delivery: 365 Days After Award

4001 UI Actuarial Support - Option Period Four (4)

(Option Line Item)

(Anticipated Option Exercise Date) 365

Product/Service Code: R499

Delivery: 365 Days After Award

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

B - Supplies/Services/Prices

BASE PERIOD

LABOR UNIT PER

CATEGORY QUANTITY MEASURE HOUR SUBTOTALS

Project Director 208 hours Project Manager 2,080 hours Economic Analyst 2,080 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours

TOTAL LABOR 6,448

Other Direct Costs (ODC)

GRAND TOTAL:

OPTION PERIOD (1)

LABOR UNIT PER

CATEGORY QUANTITY MEASURE HOUR SUBTOTALS

Project Director 208 hours Project Manager 2,080 hours Economic Analyst 2,080 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours

TOTAL LABOR 6,448

Other Direct Costs (ODC)

GRAND TOTAL:

OPTION PERIOD (2)

CATEGORY QUANTITY MEASURE HOUR SUBTOTALS

Project Director 208 hours Project Manager 2,080 hours Economic Analyst 2,080 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours

TOTAL LABOR 6,448

OPTION PERIOD (3)

LABOR UNIT PER

CATEGORY QUANTITY MEASURE HOUR SUBTOTALS

Project Director 208 hours Project Manager 2,080 hours Economic Analyst 2,080 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours

TOTAL LABOR 6,448

OPTION PERIOD (4)

CATEGORY QUANTITY MEASURE HOUR SUBTOTALS

Project Director 208 hours Project Manager 2,080 hours Economic Analyst 2,080 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours Data Analyst 1,040 hours

TOTAL LABOR 6,448

Other Direct Costs (ODC)

GRAND TOTAL:

TOTAL GRAND TOTAL:

This table is a summary of prices. In addition to the above table the vendor shall submit an excel spreadsheet with a breakout of the Labor Categories, Rates, and Level of Effort.

C - Description/Specifications

PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1. Description of Services/Introduction

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the requirements as defined in this Performance Work Statement, except as Specified in section C-3 as government furnished property and services at Department of Labor in Washington DC. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2. Background

The UI system, as established by the Social Security Act of 1935, is a unique Federal-state system grounded in Federal law but executed in its relationship to the employer and to the unemployed worker through state law. Federal law provides the broad parameters for the program and individual state laws establish specific financing and benefit payment structures.

The Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI) of the U.S. Department of Labor is the Federal partner in the system. Its role is one of overall oversight and coordination, including ensuring conformity of state laws to Federal requirements, measuring state performance, providing of technical assistance across a wide range of topics, and providing funding for the administrative expenses of the program.

The Division of Fiscal and Actuarial Services (DFAS) in conjunction with other OUI divisions have several responsibilities in the UI system. Some of the most important are; providing technical assistance to states on benefit financing and profiling, producing budget and legislative estimates and analyses, monitoring Federal trust fund accounts, monitoring and analyzing data in state performance and workload reports, publishing statistical reports, providing for administrative financing, overseeing state program performance, and generally providing technical expertise and statistical and analytical support for OUI initiatives.

1.3. Objectives

The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA) is soliciting proposals to select a contractor to provide actuarial support for the Office of Unemployment Insurance (OUI) in the areas of state unemployment insurance (UI) trust fund forecasting and benefit cost estimating, technical assistance to states in managing profiling models, budget and legislative estimating, budget formulation, data analysis related to UI program and tax system performance, and in the production of statistical reports and analytics tools.

1.4. Scope

The objective of this project is to provide OUI with needed support in carrying out its responsibilities. The contractor for this project would assist OUI in two major areas.

The first major area is technical assistance to State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). A large part of this technical assistance is specific to benefit financing. Since the 1970s, trust fund solvency has been an ongoing concern in the UI system. In theory, UI tax systems are designed to build up reserves in good economic times in order to pay benefits when unemployment is high. In practice, many states do not maintain adequate reserves and some are forced to borrow from the Federal unemployment loan fund, even in relatively mild recessions, to pay UI benefits. Since 2002, out of the 53 states and territories with UI programs, 38 were forced to borrow at least once from the Federal Unemployment Account due to insufficient trust fund reserves. As of December 2022, five states still have outstanding Title XII advances from the Federal Unemployment Account while it was estimated that 70% of states remained below the federally recommended minimum solvency level at the end of FY 2022.

The ongoing solvency concerns of the UI system make it important for DFAS to be active in this area. A key activity is to make available to the SWAs technical assistance on topics related to trust fund solvency. At this time DFAS has developed a standalone Microsoft Excel-based simulation model referred to as the UNIS model as a replacement of a long-standing server-based Benefit Financing Model (BFM). This new model is provided directly to states and provides for more state control and access than the previous model which was maintained and supported entirely within the National Office’s infrastructure. DFAS also works closely with states that request assistance in modifying or designing new tax structures, either with or without use of the UNIS model.

Another aspect of benefit financing technical assistance to states is the presentation of periodic Benefit Financing Seminars to introduce state actuarial staff to benefit financing concepts and trust fund forecasting techniques.

A second type of technical assistance is to assist states in the development and maintenance of profiling models. All states are required to profile their UI claimants in order to identify potential UI exhaustees and provide them reemployment services early in their UI spells through a standalone Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS) program or the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA) program. This is most often accomplished through the use of a statistical model, which uses various claimant characteristics to predict the probability of benefit exhaustion. When requested, DFAS works closely with states to develop and/or update these models through guidance, one-on-one training and, when requested, direct modeling.

A third type of technical assistance is the provision of training seminars in quantitative methods and profiling methods for state staff.

The quantitative methods training gives state staff information, instruction and hands-on experience in basic regression and forecasting techniques that are applicable to UI trust fund forecasting and analysis. Similarly, the profiling methods training gives state staff information and experience in the specific statistical procedures used in developing profiling models while also providing them with the basic resources necessary to develop their own state models.

The second major area in which the contractor will assist OUI is in its role at the national level. This role includes producing estimates and analyses for budget and legislative purposes, monitoring state and Federal trust fund account activity and solvency, completing report monitoring and data analysis related to UI tax operations and program performance and supporting other related OUI initiatives, forecasting UI workloads necessary to allocate administrative funds, compiling and analyzing various UI indicators, and disseminating data and statistical reports for public consumption.

At least twice a year, DFAS is responsible for updating all estimates and projections of UI benefit outlays, revenues, workloads, and administrative outlays in conjunction with the Federal budget process. DFAS is also responsible for making estimates of the cost and revenue impact of proposed law changes being considered by Congress or the Administration. To make these estimates and projections, DFAS employs a number of computer models and spreadsheets, ranging from simple to complex. These models require continual monitoring, maintenance, and enhancements.

Another area of work involves compiling and publishing data and doing data analysis related to various UI indicators, including solvency measures, recipiency rates and wage replacement rates that may be used to establish performance measures and goals.

DFAS is responsible for developing, calculating and analyzing measures of trust fund adequacy such as the Average High Cost Multiple. DFAS is also responsible for estimating the amount of Federal UI tax collections (as authorized by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)) by state and compiling, publishing, and analyzing comparisons of collections to the amounts returned to states.

Additionally, DFAS is responsible for producing and documenting various estimates and projections in support of monthly, quarterly, and annual Department of Labor Financial reporting. These include estimating disbursements, estimating accrued benefit payments, and simulating the impact of various recession scenarios on balances in the Unemployment Trust Fund (UTF), among other deliverables.

The Division of Unemployment Insurance Operations (DUIO) is responsible for analyzing UI tax data (collections, wages, contributory employers, ETA reports, etc.,), providing technical assistance to SWAs related to the Tax Performance System (TPS) program, UI Field Audits, UI Tax Status Operations, and UI Contributions Operations, which is part of a comprehensive performance system in which the States and Federal government work together to strengthen the integrity of the UI program. TPS reviews the six major UI tax functions (Status Determinations, Cashiering, Report Delinquency, Collections, Field Audits, and Account Maintenance) using two methodologies: Computed Measures and Program Reviews. Computed measures consist of reporting and analyzing data on UI tax operations received from the quarterly ETA 581 reports. It also incorporates the Effective Audit Measure (EAM), which is a blended measure of four statistical audit factors. Program reviews examine the accuracy of outputs from state tax systems, as they relate to internal controls and sample system transactions.

The Division of Performance Management (DPM) is responsible for additional data analysis and the development of implementation plans for a number of national strategies for state programs, which were designed to address major root causes of UI improper payments. These strategies involve the review, use, and possible modification of the Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) statistical survey program used to determine the accuracy of paid and denied claims in the three major UI program areas: State UI, Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE), and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX).

1.5. Period of Performance

The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Period of 12 months and four (4) 12-month option periods.

The Government reserves the right to extend the term of this contract at the prices set forth in Section B in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in clause 52.217-9 entitled, “Option to Extend the Term of the Contract”.

1.6. General Information

1.6.1. Quality Control

If necessary, the contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. As a minimum, the contractor shall develop quality control procedures that address the areas identified in Technical Exhibit 1, “Performance Requirements Summary”. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

1.6.2. Quality Assurance

The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3. Government Remedies

The contracting officer shall follow FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items” or 52.246-4, “Inspection of Services-Fixed Price” for contractor’s failure to perform satisfactory services or failure to correct non-conforming services.

1.6.4. Recognized Holidays

The contractor is not required to perform services on these days Holidays:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth Day Christmas Day Independence Day

1.6.5. Hours of Operation/Place of Performance

The contractor is responsible for conducting business operations either on-site at the Francis Perkins Building or through individually determined work-site arrangements between the hours of 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM Monday thru Friday, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate work force for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this statement of work when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the work force are essential. Telecommuting or “work at home” is authorized under this contract as determined and arranged by the COR.

1.6.6. Type of Contract

The government anticipates award of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract.

1.6.7. Security Requirements

Contractor staff will meet the appropriate clearance required based on a 1N-Non Sensitive/Low Risk security classification. The Government shall exercise full and complete control over granting, withholding, or cancelling clearances for contract employees. The Government may grant temporary clearances to employees of the Contractor; however, the granting of a temporary clearance shall not be considered an assurance that full clearance shall in no way prevent, preclude, or bar the withdrawal or termination of any such clearances by the department.

1.6.7.1. Physical Security

The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.6.7.2. Key Control.

If Necessary, the Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the Contracting Officer.

1.6.7.2.1. Lost Keys

In the event keys, other than master keys, are lost or duplicated, the Contractor shall, upon direction of the Contracting Officer, re-key or replace the affected lock or locks; however, the Government, at its option, may replace the affected lock or locks or perform re-keying. When the replacement of locks or re-keying is performed by the Government, the total cost of re-keying or the replacement of the lock or locks shall be deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor. In the event a master key is lost or duplicated, all locks and keys for that system shall be replaced by the Government and the total cost deducted from the monthly payment due the Contractor.

1.6.7.2.2. Key Use

The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees.

The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

1.6.7.3. Lock Combinations

If necessary, the Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

1.6.7.4. Conservation of Utilities

If necessary, the contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish cleaning vehicles and equipment.

1.6.8. Special Qualifications

The contractor shall be required to provide the necessary personnel to accomplish each task listed above. The key personnel positions and their required time commitments are listed as follows:

Project Director – 10% Time Commitment This person should have a 10% time commitment to this project, should have a Ph.D. in economics, statistics, or a related field and should have at least 10 years professional experience, including economic and statistical analysis, R and SPSS or similar programming, project management, unemployment insurance actuarial work, and provision of training on statistical techniques.

Project Manager – 100% Time Commitment This person should have a 100% time commitment to this project, should have at least a Master’s degree in economics, statistics, or a related field and should have at least 5 years professional experience, including economic and statistical analysis, R and SPSS or similar programming, project management, and work related to unemployment insurance.

Economic Analyst – 100% Time Commitment This person should have a 100% time commitment to this project, should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, or a related field and should have at least 2 years professional experience, including economic and statistical analysis, R and SPSS or similar programming, and work related to unemployment insurance.

Data Analyst – UI Tax – 50% Time Commitment This person should have a 50% time commitment to this project, should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, or a related field and should have at least 10 years professional experience related to unemployment insurance, along with experience in statistical data analysis, UI tax operations/performance management, and data validation/verification techniques.

As required to be determined by COR after award:

Data Analyst – Performance/Analytics– 50% Time Commitment This position is not required up front and requirements will be determined by the COR. If required this person should have up to a 50% time commitment to this project, should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, or a related field and should have at least 10 years professional experience related to the unemployment insurance program and/or data analytics. This person should have experience in statistical data analysis, and data validation and/or visualization techniques.

1.6.9. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings:

The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10. Contracting Officer Representative (COR):

A COR will be delegated under separate cover.

1.6.11. Contract Manager:

The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer.

The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

1.6.12. Identification of Contractor Employees:

All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. If required, all contractor personnel shall be required to obtain and wear badges in the performance of this contract.

PART 2 DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

PWS. Performance Work Statement

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A representative from the requiring activity assigned by the Contracting Officer to perform surveillance and to act as liaison to the contractor

Defective Service. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the Performance Work Statement.

DOL. Department of Labor.

OUI. Office of Unemployment Insurance.

DFAS. Division of Fiscal and Actuarial Services.

DPM. Division of Performance Management.

DUIO. Division of Unemployment Insurance Operations.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

Quality Control. Those actions taken by a contractor to control the performance of services so that they meet the requirements of the

PWS.

Quality Assurance. Those actions taken by the government to assure services meet the requirements of the Performance Work Statement.

Best Effort: That effort expended by the contractor to perform within the awarded ceiling price all work specified in this acquisition and all other obligations under this acquisition. This effort includes providing required qualified personnel, properly supervised, and following industry accepted methodologies and other practices. The effort is further characterized by operating at all times with the Government’s best interest in mind, using efficient and effective methods, and demonstrating sound cost control. The effort must be identical to the effort that would be expended if this were a firm-fixed price acquisition and the contractor’s profits were dependent upon reducing costs while meeting the Government’s requirements in terms and quality and schedule. Failure to provide this required effort may result in the withholding of payment for hours expended that do not qualify as best effort or a reduction in the rate per hour to reflect decreased value of services received.

PART 3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3.1 General

The government shall provide, the facilities, equipment, materials, and/or services listed below.

3.2 Equipment

The Government will provide: a laptop including the necessary software to perform this contract. If necessary, the Government will provide working space including furniture, computers, network connections, and telephone access for official work-related calls only.

Appropriate software will be provided on-site for use in task completion.

3.3 Services

3.3.1 Utilities

All utilities in the facility will be available for the contractor’s use in performance of duties outlined in this PWS. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities.

3.4 Facilities:

The Government will furnish the necessary workspace for the contractor staff to provide the support outlined in this PWS to include desk space, telephones, computers, and other items necessary to maintain an office environment.

PART 4 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4.1 General:

Except for those items specifically stated to be government furnished in Part 3, the contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this PWS.

4.2 Clearance:

Contractor staff will meet the appropriate clearance required based on a 1N-Non-Sensitive/Low Risk security classification.

PART 5 SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1 Basic Services:

The Actuarial Support contractor will provide support in daily on-going program support duties within actuarial team and other teams as well as planning and support for annual training seminars on UI topics. These support duties will include the following:

Budget and Legislative Analysis

1. The contractor shall maintain, monitor, and improve computer models used to make Federal budget and legislative estimates. The contractor will have responsibility for the revenue and state loan model, which makes state-by-state projections of tax rates, fund balances, loans, etc. The contractor will also have responsibility for the regular UI benefits model (currently the NEWMAN Model) and the Extended Benefits (EB) model. The contractor shall use these models to make budget and legislative estimates as required.

Model equations must be reviewed and updated annually. The contractor shall review and assess alternative techniques, methodologies, and model platforms for modeling and projecting key UI program variables. All model changes must be documented.

For all models, standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be created and maintained.

2. The contractor shall produce actuarial calculations on a monthly and/or quarterly basis for the DOL financial statements. These include estimated UTF disbursements for all programs, due and payable accruals for all programs, and existing claims accruals for Federal UI programs. The contractor shall also produce information annually for the Required Supplemental Information attachment to the financial statements, including 10-year projections of UTF balances under various economic scenarios and an assessment of state trust fund solvency. The contractor shall develop and maintain SOPs to existing methodologies and projection procedures as required and ensure full documentation of all revisions.

Profiling Model Technical Assistance

3. The contractor shall assist DFAS in providing technical assistance and support to states and Regional Offices in developing, implementing, maintaining, updating, and reviewing statistical models or characteristic screening systems for identifying claimants likely to exhaust benefits. Technical assistance will be performed either through virtual meetings and/or presentations, email, or on-site, as determined by the COR. Technical assistance will include providing general guidance to state staff, identifying, and analyzing state data sources and elements, determining model specifications, and estimating model coefficients. All model development materials and final documentation shall be provided to both the state and Federal staff for future reference. These tasks will be done either in coordination with state staff, for integrating the model into existing UI software systems, or with Regional Office staff in reviewing and assessing state profiling systems. Additionally, the contractor shall work with DFAS staff to develop modeling and training materials such as stock modeling scripts and training videos, to provide directly to state staff.

Trust Fund Forecasting Technical Assistance

4. As needed, the contractor shall work with DFAS staff to provide support to SWAs in the task of forecasting UI trust fund balances.

This task entails developing and maintaining various UI-related regression equations used in the UNIS simulation model, modeling new state UI laws, collecting, and setting up numerous input data files, running simulations under various economic scenarios, and providing technical support to state users.

5. The contractor shall assist in the continued maintenance and ongoing improvements of the Microsoft Excel based UNIS model while investigating improvements to the existing model and/or alternative improved platforms for the model. The contractor shall work with DFAS staff to develop new state versions of the existing model and update and improve model functionality as appropriate.

The contractor shall also investigate new and alternative low-cost model platform options and assess for suitability, and adaptability for state users. The contractor shall develop, update, and maintain SOP’s for any revisions or new models to include model structure, update procedures, and operational guides/user instructions.

In-Person Training Seminars - Technical Assistance

6. The contractor may produce either a single one-week Benefit Financing Seminar or a single one-week Profiling Methods Seminar per year, as determined by the COR, during the project period, for approximately thirty participants from SWAs. Alternatively, the contractor may be directed to produce multiple individual training sessions which may be delivered to a wider audience in a live virtual format over a longer time period. For each in person seminar, the contractor shall provide all training materials and supplies.

Contract staff shall prepare presentations and coordinate logistics jointly with Federal staff. The COR will determine seminar dates and specific course content. Topics for each seminar will include the following:

a. Benefit Financing Seminar: UI cost and revenue forecasting, UI tax structures, experience rating, measuring trust fund solvency, Title XII loans, and basic statistical methods. Hands-on use of the UNIS model will be emphasized during in-person sessions.

b. Profiling Methods Seminar: overview of RESEA and worker profiling guidelines, overview of potential model types and statistical methods, and hands-on overview of the modeling process including data prep, analysis, transformations, model development and interpretation, and model validation. Hands-on instruction and/or virtual demonstrations will be provided using a standard statistical package as determined by the COR.

Reports

7. The contractor shall prepare a quarterly publication, the UI Data Summary, which provides a detailed comparison of the status of states with respect to unemployment rates, benefit payment activities, revenues, and trust fund reserves. The publication shall be made available on the OUI website and as an electronic (PDF) report. The contractor shall maintain, and document routines and applications used to extract data, manipulate data, and produce the report. The contractor shall respond to requests for data related to this report or other UI data from researchers, Congressional staff, etc.

8. The contractor shall publish official five-year UI projections and Federal and state trust fund account status in the UI Outlook.

These projections are updated twice a year in conjunction with the Federal budget process. The publication shall be made available both via email and on the OUI website. Routines and spreadsheets must be documented by SOPs.

9. The contractor shall produce annual estimates of the amounts of FUTA taxes paid by employers in each state and compile data on the amounts returned to the states for administration and benefits. The contractor shall publish these data on the OUI website.

Estimating procedures will be documented with SOPs which are to be kept current.

10. The contractor shall compute annually, or more frequently as required, state fund adequacy measures such as the Average High- Cost Multiple and perform analyses of these measures as required. The contractor shall publish these data in a form determined by the

COR.

Data Analysis for Operations

Under the direction of the COR and/or the designated Program Office point of contact (POC):

19. Analyze data reported by state UI agencies identifying reporting issues or areas in need of improvement.

20. Review all reporting mechanisms, forms, and the tools used to determine if any corrections or changes are necessary to the reporting requirements or the tools.

21. Provide technical assistance to state UI agencies on UI tax-related matters, including accurate reporting of UI Tax data.

22. Analyze recommendations from the UI Tax Reengineering initiative and the existing tax operations programs including the TPS program. Prepare plans and document results of analysis as necessary, including identifying any changes necessary within the TPS program and other tax reporting mechanisms, forms, or tools.

24. Document results of tax data analysis and produce operational guidance materials, revise instructions in the relevant section(s) of the handbooks, and or other informative analysis and guidance documents, as appropriate.

25. The contractor will support any virtual and in-person training efforts related to UI tax performance management and reporting requirements as required.

PART 6 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6.1 Publications Applicable to This PWS

The publications must be coded as mandatory or advisory, the date of the publication, and what chapters or pages are applicable to the requirement. All publications listed are available via the Internet.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary

Performance Objective

Standard

Performance Threshold Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1

5.1 Basic Services

Budget & Legislative Analysis Task # 1

Assigned model updates are completed at least 5 business days in advance of ETA’s submission deadlines to the Departmental Budget Center.

10% deviation from standard

100% Inspection

PRS # 2

5.1 Basic Services

Budget & Legislative

Task # 2

Assigned calculation files are provided to the reviewing official by no later than 10am on the date documents are required to be submitted to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

20% deviation from

100% Inspection

PRS # 3

5.1 Basic Services

Multiple Tasks Task # 1, 3, 4, & 5

All data and calculations in forecasting models are accurate and consistent with no inaccurate links or references included in formulas.

15% deviation from

Periodic Surveillance

PRS # 4

5.1 Basic Services

Budget & Legislative

Task # 2

All data and calculations in financial reporting deliverables are accurate and consistent with documented procedures.

5% deviation from

100% Inspection

PRS # 5

5.1 Basic Services

In-Person Training Seminars - Technical Assistance Task # 6

All preliminary training content and electronic supporting materials are developed and available for Federal staff review at least 30 days in advance of scheduled sessions.

Further updates or changes within 30 days of the deadline are coordinated with Federal team members.

20% deviation from

100% Inspection

PRS # 6

5.1 Basic Services

Reports Task # 7, 8, 9, & 10

All reports are developed and available for review by Federal staff at least 5 business days prior to agreed upon publication date(s).

20% deviation from

100% Inspection

PRS # 7

5.1 Basic Services

Reports Task # 7, 8, 9, & 10

Developed reports are error-free and reflect correct data and accurate calculations.

10% deviation from standard

Random Sampling

PRS # 8

5.1 Basic Services

Data Analysis for Operations Task # 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, Deliverables are accurate and submitted timely to the program office POC based on agreed upon due dates.

10% deviation from

Periodic Surveillance

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

Deliverables Schedule The contractor shall be responsible for submission of reports and deliverables as described in Part 5 of the solicitation. Due dates for the various tasks enumerated in Part 5 are as follows:

Profiling Methods and/or Benefit Financing Training

1. Seminar and/or training dates will be set by the COR, at least five months in advance. It is expected that no more than one seminar will be held each year.

Budget and Legislative Analysis

2. Models will be updated by May 15 and October 15 each year.

3. Quarterly actuarial calculations are to be completed within 5 business days after the end of the appropriate month or quarter. 10-year projections are to be completed by September 1 of each year.

Profiling Model Technical Assistance

4. Work is ongoing. Due dates depend in part on state requests and are to be determined by the COR.

Trust Fund Forecasting Technical Assistance

5. Benefit Financing Model (BFM) work is ongoing. Due dates depend in part on state requests and are to be negotiated with Federal staff.

6. UNIS model work is ongoing. Continued maintenance and troubleshooting should continue with the existing state UNIS models and technical assistance to states on the operation, update, and interpretation of the model is required throughout the year. Due dates for ongoing technical assistance and maintenance will be negotiated with the COR and/or other Federal staff. It is expected that a state will be provided with a model within two months after their initial request.

Reports

7. The UI Outlook is to be published on the dates of the official release of budget data by the Office of Management and Budget, usually the first Monday in February and July 15.

8. The UI Data Summary is to be published within eight weeks of the end of each quarter, or within three weeks after all data becomes available, whichever is later.

9. The FUTA data is to be published by August 15 each year.

10. The Average High Cost Multiple is to be published by March 15 each year.

UI Tax Data Analysis

11. Analysis of the recommendations of OUI’s Tax reengineering workgroup that determines which recommendations may be implemented, identifies any limitations, and develops plans and business requirements for implementation as part of the analysis. Due dates will be negotiated with the designated Program Office POC.

12. Coordinate with the Program Office POC to update the Tax Performance System Handbook and provide support for any related guidance and training. Due dates will be negotiated with the designated Program Office POC.

In addition, the contractor will submit to the COR, at the time the monthly invoice is submitted, a monthly status report for each month of the contract. This report will include a description of work performed during the most recent month, work to be performed in the upcoming month, and the current status of the various tasks.

D - Contract Clauses

52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications. (DEC 2014)

52.204-22 Alternative Line Item Proposal. (JAN 2017)

52.204-23 Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities. (NOV 2021)

52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021)

52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. (OCT 2020)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" and "reasonable inquiry" have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

(c) Representations. (1) The Offeror represents that it [ ] does, [ ] does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument.

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry for purposes of this representation, the offeror represents that it [ ] does, [ ] does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.

(End of provision)

52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations-Representation. (NOV 2015)

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting With Inverted Domestic Corporations. (NOV 2015)

52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. (FEB 2016)

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023)

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (DEC 2022)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L.

113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

[ ] (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

[ ] (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

[ ] (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

[ ] (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109-

282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(5) [Reserved]

[ ] (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

[ ] (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L.

111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

[ ] (8) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub.

L. 117-328).

[ ] (9) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[ ] (10) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

[ ] (11) [Reserved]

[ ] (12) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[ ] (13) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[ ] (14) [Reserved]

[ ] (15)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-6.

[ ] (16)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-7.

[ ] (17) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[ ] (18)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (iv) Alternate III (JUN 2020) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (v) Alternate IV (SEP 2023) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (19)(i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13.

[ ] (20) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

[ ] (21) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[ ] (22) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C.

657f).

[ ] (23)(i) 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

[ ] (ii)…