DOT FMDC Questions 9.3.08.pdf

IBM DOT FMDC

RFP Questions

Question

RFP Sect/Para RFP Text Comment/Question Answer 1 Question 14

Answer

Amendment 2

Synopsis

The period of performance is 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2010 with four (4) one (1) year options.

Period of Performance: 07/01/2008 to 06/30/2009

Period of Performance: 09/01/2008 to 09/30/2009

What is the Period of Performance? The contract period of performance is for a 24 month base period in addition to three (3) options periods of twelve months each. The total contract duration is 60 months (base performance period and all options included).

2 4.5 The contractor will ensure monthly delivery of specific fare media via debit card and/or paper fare media to transit benefit participants as specified by TRANServe customer requirements. Until the benefit can be provided electronically, paper fare media may be substituted.

Does the delivery of the paper fare media require in person delivery to the individual benefit recipient?

No. All mailings will be to Points of Contacts in each location for each agency.

3 4.5 The contractor will ensure monthly delivery of specific fare media via debit card and/or paper fare media to transit benefit participants as specified by TRANServe customer requirements. Until the benefit can be provided electronically, paper fare media may be substituted.

Does the delivery of the paper fare media require signature from each individual recipient?

Yes. All mailings will be to Points of Contacts in each location for each agency. Receipt of the mailing requires a signature.

4 Question 55 Answer

The contractor should base the firm-fixed price on the issuance of the debit card.

Do you want a firm fixed price per card? Yes

5 Synopsis The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Services (TRANServe) intends to competitively award a firm-fixed-rate contract for a debit card program that works as a prepaid debit card to provide transit benefits to its Transit Benefit Program participants. The intended contract is to have a two-year base period and three one-year option periods. Line Item 0001 – 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2010 (Base Period); Line Item 0002 – 10/01/2010 to 09/30/2011 (Option Period 1) Line Item 0003 – 10/01/2011 to 09/30/2012 (Option Period 2) and Line Item 0004- 10/01/2012 to 09/30/2013 (Option Period 3) Unit of Issue: EA.

Do you want a firm fixed price per contract period? Yes, the offeror’s proposal shall identify the cost of the contract base period and identify the price for each proposed option period as well.

6 Synopsis The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Services (TRANServe) intends to

If pricing is firm fixed price per contract period, please provide the card holder volume assumptions necessary

Please refer to Section 1-INTRODUCTION of the Statement of Work.

Question

RFP Sect/Para RFP Text Comment/Question Answer competitively award a firm-fixed-rate contract for a debit card program that works as a prepaid debit card to provide transit benefits to its Transit Benefit Program participants.

to base the prices for complete contract periods.

7 Question 21 Answer

Synopsis

Offers must be submitted electronically.

Proposals are due by 2:00 PM, Eastern Time on September 12, 2008. Proposals shall be delivered electronically to: Phaedra.Johnson@dot.gov and Rodney.Mathis@dot.gov

Are four hard copies still required with submission along with the electronic submission?

Yes

8 Question 56 Answer

All TRANServe customers will be mandated to use electronic distribution when accepted by the individual transit authorities. A draft schedule is not available.

Does DOT have a target date when they would like to be moved fully to electronic distribution?

80% in first year after award. The final 20% in 12- 24 months following award.

9 Question 25 Answer

TRANServe currently serves approximately 112,000 customers with metrocheks or through SmartBenefits in the NCR.

Will it be necessary to distribute paper fare media in Georgia until debit card are distributed to those who use MARTA?

No.

10 Question 9 Answer

No, there will be no individual mailings of debit cards or fare media by the Awardee to participants private homes.

After full deployment of debit cards, will DOT consider allowing the contractor to mail replacements for lost or stolen cards to home addresses?

No. All mailings will be to Points of Contacts in each location for each agency.

11 What do you mean by “paper fare media”? Is this a check and/or some other type of document?

Negotiable fare media including but not limited to vouchers, transit passes, or transit fare cards.

12 How do you produce/originate you paper fare media today?

Through contracts with individual fare media vendors.

13 Is paper fare media mailed, hand delivered or distributed via other means to transportation participants?

All mailings will be to Points of Contacts in each location for each agency.

14 What is the paper fare volume today and what is the projection for transition to card, (so, what is future projected volume of paper versus card)?

All TRANServe customers will be mandated to use electronic distribution when accepted by the individual transit authorities. A draft schedule is not available.

Question

RFP Sect/Para RFP Text Comment/Question Answer 15 Is there any need or appetite for ACH as an alternate fare media?

No.

16 What is the average check dollar amount currently getting issued to participants?

Eligible participates receive dollar for dollar of their actual commuting expense up to the statutory limit, currently $115 per month per the IRS Code for 2008.

17 What will be the average load amount on cards?

Eligible participates receive dollar for dollar of their actual commuting expense up to the statutory limit , currently $115 per month per the IRS Code for

18 What is the expected card life?

Per industry standard

19 In initial response to the following questions that were submitted, it was asked will fulfillment include mailing of debit cards or fare media to individuals at their homes?

All mailings will be to Points of Contacts in each location for each agency.

20 The Solicitation appears to set contract terms as base year with four option years. Does this mean that the price given for Year 1 holds for the option years? Are prices renegotiated after Year 1 or are we required to provide option year pricing?

21 Response 31 in the addendum asks if the DOT intends to have branded Mastercard or Visa Cards issued; can you verify that DOT does not want “closed loop” or private label cards (or private network cards) issued and does want nationally backed branded Mastercards or Visa Cards to issued for this project.

The Government DOES want nationally backed/branded Master or Visa DEBIT cards issued for this project.