Apdx_5.VSBEPatGoal_DBM_Health_SLEOLA_MDOT_MTA_RFP_2025.8.9.pdf

DBM HEALTH PLAN ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES; AND

DBM SLEOLA MEDICAL PLAN ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES; AND

MDOT-MTA REPRESENTED MEDICAL AND VISION PLAN HEALTH BENEFITS

ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES

SOLICITATION #: F10B6600001 / F10B6600004 / AGY-24-026-SR / BPM051063

RFP Document

RFP for DBM OPSB AND MDOT-MTA ~ Appendix 5. VSBE Participation Goal Page 1 of 3

Appendix 5. VSBE Participation Goal

5.1. Purpose

a) The Contractor shall structure its procedures for the performance of the work required in the

Contract to attempt to achieve the VSBE participation goal stated in this solicitation. VSBE performance must be in accordance with this section and Attachment E, as authorized by COMAR

21.11.14. The Contractor agrees to exercise all good faith efforts to carry out the requirements set forth in this section and Attachment E.

b) A certified Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) must be registered as a VSBE on the State's eProcurement platform, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). The listing of VSBEs is available through the “Vendor Search” on eMMA.

5.2. VSBE Goal

a) An overall VSBE subcontractor participation goal for each Functional Area as identified in the

Key Information Summary Sheet has been established for this procurement, representing a percentage of the Contract administrative fees amount for the base Contract term and any option year, if exercised, as set forth in the Offeror’s Financial Proposal, including all renewal option terms, if any, has been established for this procurement. The established goal is based on the administrative fees (for FA1 and FA4), administrative fees (for FA5 and FA6), and premiums (for FA2) portion of the Offeror’s Total Projected Cost for Functional Areas 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6

ONLY.

b) By submitting a response to this solicitation, the Offeror agrees that this percentage of the total dollar amount of the Contract will be performed by verified veteran-owned small business enterprises.

5.3. Solicitation and Contract Formation

a) In accordance with COMAR 21.11.14.07 C (1), this solicitation requires Offerors to:

1) Identify specific work categories within the scope of the procurement appropriate for subcontracting;

2) Conduct outreach through the Directory or utilize VetBiz and other resources and databases to assist in identifying potential veteran vendors. The veteran-owned firm shall be a certified VSBE at the time of submission of the Proposal or proposal.

3) Solicit VSBEs before Proposals are due, describing the identified work categories and providing instructions on how to propose on the subcontracts;

4) Attempt to make personal contact with the VSBEs solicited and to document these attempts;

5) Assist VSBEs to fulfill, or to seek waiver of, bonding requirements; and

6) Attempt to attend pre-proposal or other meetings the procurement agency schedules to publicize contracting opportunities to VSBEs.

https://emma.maryland.gov/page.aspx/en/usr/login?ReturnUrl=%2fpage.aspx%2fen%2fbuy%2fhomepage

MDOT-MTA REPRESENTED MEDICAL AND VISION PLAN HEALTH BENEFITS

ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES

RFP for DBM OPSB AND MDOT-MTA ~ Appendix 5. VSBE Participation Goal Page 2 of 3

b) The Offeror must include with its Proposal a completed VSBE Utilization Affidavit and Prime/Subcontractor Participation Schedule (Attachment E-1/E-1A) whereby the Offeror

1) Acknowledges it: a) intends to meet the VSBE participation goal; or b) requests a full or partial waiver of the VSBE participation goal. If the Offeror commits to the full VSBE goal or requests a partial waiver, it shall commit to making a good-faith effort to achieve the stated goal; and

2) Responds to the expected degree of VSBE participation as stated in the solicitation, by identifying the specific commitment of VSBEs at the time of Proposal submission. The Offeror shall specify the percentage of contract value associated with each VSBE prime/subcontractor identified on the VSBE Participation Schedule.

An Offeror must properly complete and submit a separate Attachment E-1/E-1A, VSBE Utilization Affidavit and Prime/Subcontractor Participation Schedule, for EACH Functional Area for which it is submitting a Proposal.

Although Functional Area 1 encompasses the PPO-SF Plan and EPO-SF Plan, a separate Form E- 1/E-1A is required for each Self-Funded Plan; e.g. one (1) Form E-1/E-1A for Functional Area 1:

PPO-SF and one (1) Form E-1/E-1A Functional Area 1: EPO-SF.

Only one (1) Form E-1/E-1A is required for Functional Area 2: IHM-FI.

Although Functional Areas 5 and 6 encompasses the PPO-SF Plan, HMO-SF Plan, and Self-Funded Vision Plan, a separate Form E-1/E-1A is required for each Self-Funded Plan; e.g. one (1) Form E- 1/E-1A for Functional Area 5: PPO-SF, one (1) Form E-1/E-1A for Functional Area 5: HMO-SF, and one (1) Form E-1/E-1A Functional Area 6: Self-Funded Vision.

An Offeror that does not commit to meeting the entire VSBE participation goal outlined in the RFP must select and request a waiver on Form E-1/E-1A under #1 with its proposal submission.

Failure of an Offeror to properly complete, sign, and submit Attachment E-1/E-1A for each Functional Area being proposed (as described above) at the time it submits its Proposal to the RFP may result in the State’s rejection of the Offeror’s Proposal, unless the inaccuracy is determined to be the result of a minor irregularity that is waived or cured in accordance with COMAR 21.06.02.04. FAILURE TO

SUBMIT THE FORM E-1/E-1A FOR EACH FUNCTIONAL AREA BEING PROPOSED IS NOT

CURABL, AND. THE ENTIRE PROPOSAL MAY BE REJECTED IF THE E-1/E-1A IS NOT

CORRECTLY FILLED OUT.

As set forth in COMAR 21.11.14.07.D(2), when a verified VSBE firm participates on a Contract as a Prime Contractor, a procurement agency may count the distinct, clearly defined portion of the work of the contract that the VSBE Prime Contractor performs with its own workforce towards meeting up to one hundred percent (100%) of the VSBE goal.

In order to receive credit for self-performance, a VSBE Prime must list its firm in the VSBE Prime/Subcontractor Participation Schedule (Attachment E) and include information regarding the work it will self-perform. For any remaining portion of the VSBE goal that is not to be performed by the VSBE Prime, the VSBE Prime must also identify verified VSBE subcontractors used to meet the remainder of the goal.

a) Within 10 Business Days from notification that it is the apparent awardee, the awardee must provide the following documentation to the Procurement Officer.

MDOT-MTA REPRESENTED MEDICAL AND VISION PLAN HEALTH BENEFITS

ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES

RFP for DBM OPSB AND MDOT-MTA ~ Appendix 5. VSBE Participation Goal Page 3 of 3

1) VSBE Project Participation Statement (Attachment E);

2) If the apparent awardee believes a full or partial waiver of the overall VSBE goal is necessary, it must submit a fully documented VSBE Waiver Request Affirmation and Good Faith Efforts Documentation to support waiver request that complies with COMAR 21.11.14.08; and

3) Any other documentation required by the Procurement Officer to ascertain Offeror responsibility in connection with the VSBE participation goal.

If the apparent awardee fails to return each completed document within the required time, the Procurement Officer may determine that the apparent awardee is not responsible.

5.4. Veteran Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Reports

If this solicitation includes a VSBE Goal, the Contractor shall:

a) Submit the following reports by the 10th of the month following the reporting period to the Contract Manager, Contract Administratorand the Department VSBE representative:

1) VSBE Participation Prime Contractor Paid/Unpaid VSBE Invoice Report (Attachment E) listing any unpaid invoices, over 45 days old, received from any VSBE subcontractor, the amount of each invoice and the reason payment has not been made; and

2) Attachment E, the VSBE Participation Subcontractor Paid/Unpaid VSBE Invoice Report by the 10th of the month following the reporting period to the Contract Manager, Contract Administrator and the VSBE Liaison Officer.

Include in its agreements with its VSBE subcontractors a requirement that those subcontractors submit monthly by the 10th of the month following the reporting period to the Contract Manager, Contract Administrator and Department VSBE representative a report that identifies the prime contract and lists all payments received from Contractor in the preceding reporting period month, as well as any outstanding invoices, and the amount of those invoices (Attachment E).

b) Maintain such records as are necessary to confirm compliance with its VSBE participation obligations. These records must indicate the identity of VSBE and non-VSBE subcontractors employed on the contract, the type of work performed by each, and the actual dollar value of work performed. The subcontract agreement documenting the work performed by all VSBE participants must be retained by the Contractor and furnished to the Procurement Officer on request.

c) Consent to provide such documentation as reasonably requested and to provide right-of-entry at reasonable times for purposes of the State’s representatives verifying compliance with the VSBE participation obligations. The Contractor must retain all records concerning VSBE participation and make them available for State inspection for three years after final completion of the Contract.

d) At the option of the State, upon completion of the Contract and before final payment and release of retainage, submit a final report in affidavit form and under penalty of perjury, of all payments made to, or withheld from VSBE subcontractors.