SBF50015R0003_-_Questions_-_PPC.docx

The Embassy of the United States of America, Nassau

Questions – Pre Proposal Conference

SBF500-15-R-0003

FSN HEALTH & LIFE INSURANCE

1. Names of countries that will be eligible to participate in this tender?

Please refer to Section L of the solicitation for guidance regarding obtaining a license to operate in the Bahamas.

2. Estimated Budget for this Purchase This information is not releasable

3. Any Extension of Bidding Deadline We are not anticipating any extensions at this time, however, if the need arises to allow for an extension an amendment to the solicitation will be emailed to all vendors who have expressed an interest in the solicitation as well as be posted on FedBizOps.

4. Premium history for health insurance in Bahamian Dollars for the current year and last 5 years - 2015 (till now), 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 Since there have been changes in the benefit levels, the existing benefits are not considered relevant information to this solicitation. Consequently, the benefits required by the Government are stated within Section C of the solicitation, which offerors must comply with.

5. Did the Premium history for health insurance above include the VAT? If it did then what % VAT was included in the historical health premiums?

VAT, at a rate of 7.5%, became applicable on health insurance premiums in June 2015.

6. Claims history for health insurance in Bahamian Dollars and number of claims (counts) for the current 2015 (till now), 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Please see claims history for 2012, 2013 and 2014 which is all that we will be releasing.

The data provided in response to this question is provided for informational purposes and under no circumstances shall it be construed to change any terms or conditions or requirements within the solicitation. In addition, for any answer provided regarding claims data incurred under the existing contract, please be advised that the benefits levels are not the same nor may this data be indicative of future claims. Therefore, it is each offeror’s decision on whether to use or not to use this information. However, under no circumstances shall the U.S. Government be liable for this data or shall it become the basis for a request to adjust the premium rates once the contract is awarded. Rather, offerors are advised any adjustments to contract premium rates shall be in accordance with the Economic Price Adjustment clause B.4.

7. Premium history for LIFE insurance in Bahamian Dollars for the current year and last 5 years - 2015 (till now), 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 Since there have been changes in the benefit levels, the existing benefits are not considered relevant information to this solicitation. Consequently, the benefits required by the Government are stated within Section C of the solicitation, which offerors must comply with.

8. Did the Premium history for LIFE insurance above include the VAT? If it did then what % VAT was included in the historical LIFE premiums?

VAT is not applicable to life insurance premiums at this time.

9. Claims history for LIFE insurance in Bahamian Dollars and number of claims (counts) for the current 2015 (till now), 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

There have been no life insurance claims in the last 3 years.

10. Advise if 2014 HEALTH benefit schedule is the same as the benefit schedule currently being requested under SBF50015R0003; and if not advise us on the differences.

Since there have been changes in the benefit levels, the existing benefits are not considered relevant information to this solicitation. Consequently, the benefits required by the Government are stated within Section C of the solicitation, which offerors must comply with. .

11. Advise if 2014 LIFE benefit schedule is the same as the benefit schedule currently being requested under SBF50015R0003; and if not advise us on the differences.

Since there have been changes in the benefit levels, the existing benefits are not considered relevant information to this solicitation. Consequently, the benefits required by the Government are stated within Section C of the solicitation, which offerors must comply with. .

12. Are any major illnesses (Hemodynamics, Open Heart Surgery, Orthopedic Mayor Surgeries, Organ Transplant, Traumatic Accident, Cancer and Oncology Cases) being treated? If Yes, please provide the number of instances for each major illness.

Yes. Sickle Cell Anemia – 2 cases. Oncology – 1 case Orthopedic (Spondylosis) – 1 case through claims period ending March 2015.

13. Are any persons not actively at work? If Yes, please provide number.

Yes, at the moment there are 2.

14. Are there any Disabled Lives? If Yes, please provide number.

None at this time.

15. Are there any pregnant employees/spouses. If Yes, please provide number.

Yes, two pregnant employees at this time. No spouses that we are aware of.

16. Are there any large claims (in excess of $10,000) within the last year to date. If Yes, please provide number.

Yes there are 4 for claims period ending March 2015.

17. Please let us know the number of bodyguards carrying fire-arms.

This information is not releasable

18. In item C.2.1.3 it is not clear if benefits for partial disability is required; please if clarify partial disability coverage is indeed required along with Total Disability benefits.

C.2.1.3 does require benefits for both partial and total disability benefits.

19. Please confirm payroll figures in Section B.6.2 to B.6.7 are in Bahamian Dollars Yes, all payroll amounts are in Bahamian Dollars.

20. Please confirm all benefits in Section C are in Bahamian Dollars Yes, all benefits are in Bahamian Dollars.

21. Regarding the employee enrollment category, the information thus far suggests that their existing structure is two-tiered with Employee Only and Employee + Family. We are able to provide rates that are more tailored to the various categories that employees will fall into. If employees contribute to the cost of their benefits, the five-tiered structure is likely to be more equitable.

Please only quote in the format that is provided in Section B.

22. Provide a description of the various staffing categories (ORE,LE,EAE,etc) For the purposes of this contract we have the following category of employees – LE/LES/FSN – this refers to Locally Employed Staff ORE – refers to staff of the Ambassador or Deputy Ambassador’s residence Retirees

23. What is the employer contribution to various categories of staff?

Please refer to Section C.1 for Health Insurance, C.2 of Life Insurance, B.1.1 and B.5 for ORE staff and C.1.5.B for retirees

24. Will there be a broker or agent and what is the commission level?

To be acceptable and eligible for evaluation, proposals must be prepared in accordance with Section L -INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS, and must meet all the requirements set forth in the other sections of this solicitation. Acceptable proposals will be evaluated pursuant to Section M of the solicitation and award shall be made as set forth in M.3.

25. Are you open to monthly billings?

Please refer to Section G.4.2 for the required billing period.

26. Should we interpret C.1.5.B. as saying that you want the premium rate structure such that retirees and employees have the same premiums rates? Note that it is customary that retirees are charged a higher premium to reflect the expectation that they generate higher claims.

All employees are to be charged at the same rate for the same coverage at all times.