Questions-answers__for_RFP_of_the_PIMS_Recompete_12-19.doc

Q&As - PBGC Pension Insurance Modeling System (PIMS)

1. Section L.3.A, page 59 – Section L.3.A states that “a 12-pitch print or larger, Times New Roman style font” is required. To improve readability of graphics and tables and in line with industry best practices, would the government consider allowing a smaller, sans serif font (e.g., Arial Narrow 10)? Answer: No.

2. Can PBGC please provide a copy of the incumbent contractor’s Phase Out/Shut Down Plan?

Answer: The Phase Out/Shut Down plan is not available.

3. Given that this effort includes a combination of Actuarial and Information Technology (IT) work, can the offeror submit two Senior Management Officials, one Actuarial and one IT, as long as we do not exceed the estimated labor hours identified in Section B.4.

Answer: We will only accept one Senior Management Official.

4. Section L.3.A, page 59: If a Table of Contents is included in the proposal, may that be excluded from the page count? Answer: Yes

5. The Pricing Schedule in Section B.4 includes a Subject Matter Expert Consultant. However, neither Section H.18.2 nor H.18.3 contains information about this position. Please provide information about the qualifications and responsibilities of this position.

Answer: The Subject Matter Expert Consultant labor category is intended for utilization of specialized resources on special occasions. The qualifications will be specified based on the type of resources requested. For example, should the project require an Economist, we expect the consultant would have a PhD in economics or a related discipline.

6. Please clarify several of the qualifications for the Actuary position in Section H.18.2.

a. Initially the description says that “five years of DB pension plan experience” are required. However, item (i) only requires three years. Please identify the correct years of experience.

Answer: The correct years of experience is “five years.”

b. Items (i) and (ii) both contain a “later of” requirement which seems unnecessarily restrictive. Should the requirement instead be “earlier of”?

Answer: The “later of” requirement is desired.

c. When comparing items (ii) and (iii), there seems to be no incentive for an actuary to possess an ASA. Both requirements require the actuary to have a minimum of four years of experience after receiving the EA designation. Please clarify.

Answer: Persons with ASA or EA or ASA/EA designations are considered to have the same level of credential.

d. What is the purpose of including the education requirement in item (iii)?

The education requirement is intended to be applicable to items (i), (ii) and (iii).

7. Please clarify the qualifications for the Associate Analyst position in Section H.18.2.

a. The description initially requires “two years of programming experience”, however, the description goes on to say that an alternative is “an associate’s degree or High School Diploma with seven years of programming experience including three years of actuarial programming experience”. Please confirm that this position only requires two years of programming experience.

Answer: The paragraph is corrected as follows:

“Two years of programming experience and an associate’s degree or High School Diploma with seven years of programming experience, including three years of actuarial programming experience, is needed. Programming experience shall include developing and testing programs in at least one or more of the following languages: Visual Basic, .Net, C#/ C++ and experience with MS SQL.”

8. Section B.4 shows estimated hours for each labor category. Based on past experiences with PBGC, it is our understanding that the hours may be split amongst any number of individuals who are qualified to work in a particular labor category in order to provide the necessary services to PRAD. Please confirm our understanding.

Answer: The hours may be split amongst individuals. However, PBGC expects a core group of individuals (as agreed upon at the award of the contract) will be working on-site for this contract. Daily or frequent rotation of staffs will not be tolerated. In addition, written approval from the Contracting Officer is required prior to any addition of an individual to any labor category.

9. With the two upcoming holidays, will the government consider extending the proposal submission date?

Answer: The due date will not be extended.

10. Section C.3.4.b states that “ Phase In/Phase Out Transition Plans: The offeror shall provide phase-in and phase-out plans describing actions, plans, and procedures to ensure a smooth transition from contract award to full operational status.” We request that the transition plans be excluded from the 30-page limit.

Answer: It is acceptable to exclude the transition plans from the 30-page limit.

1) Will the "labor hour contract" awarded for this effort include statement of work definition of deliverables?

Answer: Yes.

2) As you publish a detailed estimate of hours by resource by year, could you elaborate more on specific activities that your estimation model plan envisioned under the "Actuarial support services" and "Actuarial systems engineering" program streams?

Answer: “Actuarial support services” includes the review and certification of the PIMS results, ad hoc studies and other PRAD projects that are actuarial in nature. “Actuarial systems engineering” includes the modification and development of the PIMS systems.

3) Note on #2 above: the language "contractor agrees to use its best efforts to perform the work specified in the schedule and all obligations under the contract within the ceiling price" is precisely why the contractor needs greater visibility of the work plans to warranty this price cap.

4) Regarding the C++ Actuarial Evaluation programs: Answer: Not sure what this is.

a) Are current requirements documents available? Answer: No. Requirements change constantly based on proposed regulations and/or other circumstances.

b) Is there an exhaustive change control database with which to comprehend enhancements and upgrades since launch? Answer: Database in not available

c) Will current experts have to provide discovery interviews from which to piece together any of the above? Answer: No Answer

5) Is it expected for Actuaries to drive the discovery of actuarial evaluation program requirements for subsequent system changes and maintenance that those requirements discover? Answer: The Actuaries, system engineer and PRAD staff will work collaboratively to develop system requirements.

6) Is it expected that the actuarial staff will be certifying the efficacy of the actuarial evaluation programs, and their honoring of ERISA and other expectations on their validated functions? Answer: Correct.