Q A_Third_Set_Answers.pdf

SOLICITATION HT9402-13-R-0001

TRICARE PHARMACY PROGRAM, FOURTH GENERATION (TPHARM4)

QUESTION AND ANSWER (Q&A) SET #3

HT9402-13-R-0001

Question: Answer:

41 Section L.10.1.2 states “Adequate price competition is anticipated, so offerors are not required to provide certified cost and pricing data or information other than certified cost or pricing data.”

QUESTION: L.10.1.2 – If offerors submit information other than certified cost and pricing data, how will it be used in the price volume evaluation? If offerors do not submit certified cost and pricing data or information other than certified cost or pricing data, how will the price volume be evaluated?

Pursuant to Section L.10.1.2. offerors should not submit certified cost and pricing data or information other than certified cost or pricing data. Consequently, the Government will not evaluate certified cost and pricing data or information other than certified cost or pricing data unless the Contractor Officer requests additional data. See L.10.1.2 and M.3.7.1.

Any proposals with information other than cost or pricing data will not be in conformance with the instructions at under Sections L.6.1. and L.10.1.2. and may be considered nonresponsive.

The information required by section L.6.1 and L.10.1.2 will be evaluated in accordance M.3.7.

42 Section M.3.7.2. states “Reasonableness: The Government anticipates adequate price competition to establish price reasonableness per FAR 15.403-1(c)(1). Since price is the most important individual factor in the source selection, unless the price of the otherwise successful offeror is found to be unreasonable or unbalanced, award will be made at the offered prices.”

QUESTION: In reference to M.3.7.2, will the Government be performing a price realism analysis as part of Factor 3: Price evaluation? Will the Government be performing a price reasonableness analysis as part of Factor 3: Price evaluation?

The solicitation does not reference price realism, consequently, the Government will not perform a price realism analysis as part of Factor 3. Regarding price analysis, the RFP specifies exactly what the Government will do.

See Section M.3.7 in its entirety.

43 Section M.3.7.1 states “… The Government will perform price analysis by comparing competing prices per FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(i). If necessary, the Government may utilize other price analysis or cost analysis techniques prescribed in FAR Part 15 utilizing information available to the Government or obtained from the offeror (when requested).” Section M.3.7.2 states “Reasonableness: The Government anticipates adequate price competition to establish price reasonableness per FAR 15.403-1(c)(1). Since price is the most important individual factor in the source selection, unless the price of the otherwise successful offeror is found to be unreasonable or unbalanced, award will be made at the offered prices.”

QUESTION: M.3.7.2 — Can the Government clarify if offerors are required to submit with their proposal a disclosure of significant assumptions, judgments, and explanation or rationale for alternate volume estimates used by an offeror in determining their proposed price?

Significant assumptions, judgments, and explanation or rationale is “information other than cost and pricing data”. Offerors are not required to submit such information per L.10.1 and L.10.1.3. Also see L.10.1.3 regarding quantity estimates. Offerors are reminded that the Government will review for unbalanced pricing as stated in M.3.7.3. As such, proposed unit prices based on different quantities than specified in Section B are at an increased risk for of unbalanced pricing.

44 Section L.7.4.5. of the RFP requires the submission of copies of adverse financial items uncovered in state insurance department audits, if applicable. It is our experience that Department of Insurance Financial Examination reports do not include opinions on the Financial Statements. They do contain “Findings,” which are considered material to the financial statements and require corrective action, and “Observations,” which are considered immaterial and do not require corrective action. Our assumption is that “Findings” should be included in the proposal along with supporting narratives, but immaterial “Observations” should not be included. Please clarify the definition of adverse financial item.

The offeror shall submit copies of adverse financial items as stated in L.7.4.5. regardless if they are listed as “Findings” or “Observations”.

45 Will the outgoing contractor provide the incoming contractor with a list of beneficiaries that prefer to receive their EOBs electronically vs. paper copies?

Requirements and objectives of the outgoing contractor are in TOM Chapter 23, Section 5. If the data is available, then the outgoing contractor should provide it. Outgoing and incoming contractors must work together for smooth transition.

46 Regarding C.7.8 - Prescription Transfers from MTF Pharmacies, under what CLIN should the contractor bill for these services?

There is not a separately priced CLIN or incentive for the contractor’s performance of the requirements specified under C.7.8.

47 What is the average number of mailings for "New Beneficiaries?"

See Data Package 15, Tab 15.03.

48 Can the government provide the average length of call by call type in CY 2011 and CY 2012?

No. The government does not possess the specified information. Average call length will vary based on the type of customer service interaction and the contractor’s internal systems and processes.

49 Will the government provide a single point of contact for working through the set up and validation of MTF and CHCS connectivity via the B2B?

The government will provide contacts with appropriate entities to facilitate the set up and validation of these connections.

50 Will the government provide prior examples of Ad Hoc Reporting requests described in section C.18, CDRL R030?

What volume and types of Ad Hoc reporting requests have been issued in the past?

No historical data is available as both CDRLs and the Ad Hoc Reporting requirement are new requirements.

51 In reference to C.7, is there a requirement for the MOP to carry a specific number of days inventory for its initial inventory purchase, or is the amount at the discretion of the

MOP?

The RFP does not specify, therefore the quantity necessary to establish the initial inventory will be the contractor’s responsibility to determine.

52 In reference to C.7.3.5, is all returned product value maintained by the Offeror?

No.

53 In reference to C.7.11, how many days of initial inventory is the Offeror required to have on-hand at go-live?

The RFP does not specify, therefore the quantity necessary to establish the initial inventory will be the contractor’s responsibility to determine.

54 In reference to C.7.11.1, can the Offeror purchase initial inventory from the NPV at the Government’s pricing to minimize cost and generic product changes impacting members?

No.

55 C.7.12 states “When an agent that is normally available from the NPV becomes unavailable, the Contractor will utilize its inventory to fill prescription orders.”

Question: Is the Contractor’s “inventory” defined as “inventory” at the DoD mail order fulfillment locations cited as places of performance only?

Contractor “inventory” is inventory owned or obtained by the contractor regardless of where that inventory resides.

56 Do the minimum performance standards referenced in C.10.1.14 apply to C.7.9.4?

Yes, call standards apply to all required call center functions.

57 Paragraph 3.5.2 of Chapter 1, Section 1.1 of the TSM referenced in the RFP states that the Contractor shall comply with the IAVM program requirements. Our understanding of the IAVM process as outlined in the Military Health System (MHS) Information Assurance (IA) Implementation Guide No.

12 revised 2/22/12 will require several processes to be implemented and maintained by the Contractor. Specifically, section 3.6 of the referenced document outlines the responsibilities of the IAM and IAO to:

•Disseminate the IAVA and IAVB throughout the Contractor organization;

•Provide confirmation of alert and bulletin receipt and acceptance through the VMS system; VMS system requires ADP certified personnel with a Common Access Card;

•Ensure overall compliance with the IAVM program by all internal Contractor organizations / entities / 3rd parties;

•Ensure the remediation target of IAVA alerts is adhered to – typically 21 days;

•Develop and manage POA&Ms where the compliance deadline is not possible;

•Ensure scanning data confirming patch levels and vulnerabilities within the Contractor organization is uploaded within VMS.

Will TMA please confirm our understanding of this requirement and/or provide guidance on specific processes /

As specified under C.5.2this paragraph in the TSM is not applicable to this solicitation.

procedures that will be required to adhere to the IAVM program requirement?