SMI60013R0005__Medical_Insurance_Solicitation_AUGUST_2013.docx

Lilongwe, Malawi

August 16, 2013

Dear Prospective Offeror:

SUBJECT: Solicitation Number SMI60013R0005 Medical Insurance

The Embassy of the United States of America invites you to submit a proposal for customized Medical Insurance for the United States Embassy.

The Embassy intends to conduct a pre-proposal conference, and all prospective offerors who have received a solicitation package are invited to attend. See Section L of the attached Request for Proposals (RFP).

Your proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked "Proposal Enclosed" to the “Contracting Officer”: on or before October 2, 2013 at 1600 hours. No proposal will be accepted after this time.

In order for a proposal to be considered, you must also complete and submit the following:

Direct any questions regarding this solicitation to this e-mail address: lilongweprocurement@state.gov

Please note: proposals that contain more benefits (even if there is no increase in cost) or fewer benefits than those stated in the solicitation may be deemed technically unacceptable.

The U.S. Government intends to award a contract to the responsible company submitting an acceptable offer at the lowest price. We intend to award a contract based on initial proposals, without holding discussions, although we may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if there is a need to do so.

Sincerely, Wendy Washington Contracting Officer

SECTION B

PART I PRICE - HEALTH INSURANCE

B.1. HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES

The Contractor shall provide the Health Insurance services to employees of the Government of the United States of America in Lilongwe, Malawi as described in Section C and the Exhibits in Section J. The groups of employees who shall be provided this insurance are listed in C.1.3 (medical). This insurance shall be provided in -accordance with Section C and the Exhibits in Section J.

B.1.1. Official Residence Expense (ORE) Staff are included under this contract only as a rider; the Contractor shall bill the Chief of Mission and Deputy Chief of Mission (for ORE Staff), at the rates specified below. See Section G for billing procedures.

B.2. PRICES

This is a fixed price with economic price adjustment requirements type contract under which will be issued firm, fixed-price task orders. The fixed prices/premium rates for the health insurance services as specified in Section C are as follows:

B.2.1. BASE YEAR OF CONTRACT:

Monthly Rates Per Employee, December 1, 2013 through November 30, 2014

Family Plan

SUBTOTAL

Total Price for Base Year (Subtotal x 12): _______

B.2.2 FIRST OPTION YEAR OF THE CONTRACT:

Monthly Rates Per Employee: December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2015

Family Plan

SUBTOTAL

Total Price for Option Year 1 (Subtotal x 12): _______

B.2.3 SECOND OPTION YEAR OF THE CONTRACT:

Monthly Rates Per Employee: December 1, 2015 through November 30, 2016

Family Plan

SUBTOTAL

Total Price for Option Year 2 (Subtotal x 12): _______

B.2.4. THIRD OPTION YEAR OF THE CONTRACT:

Monthly Rates Per Employee, December 1, 2016 through November 30, 2017

Family Plan

SUBTOTAL

Total Price for Option Year 3 (Subtotal x 12): _______

B.2.5. FOURTH OPTION YEAR OF THE CONTRACT:

Monthly Rates Per Employee, December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2018

Family Plan

SUBTOTAL

Total Price for Option Year 4 (Subtotal x 12): _______________

GRAND TOTAL BASE PERIOD PLUS OPTION YEARS: __________________

The prices are stated in ____________________________Currency (offeror to fill in currency)

B.3 ADMINISTRATIVE RETENTION AMOUNTS

B.3.1 If the Contractor requests a price adjustment under B.4 below, the Contractor must present cost experience data that includes the monthly retention amount. For purposes of any economic price adjustment, this monthly retention amount is a fixed amount that is a part of the premium amounts in B.2. This retention amount will not be adjusted for any reason.

The fixed monthly retention amount is part of the premium and may include, but not be limited to, such costs as overhead and general and administrative costs. It will also include any profit. Essentially, it includes all costs except the actual portion of the premium intended to fund claims paid to the health care provider/claimant. B.3.2 sets forth the fixed monthly retention amounts per premium paid for each category of premium and for each period of performance.

NOTE TO OFFEROR - Fill in the fixed monthly retention amounts for each period of performance and for each category of premium. This fixed monthly amount must be expressed in the currency in which the premium amount is proposed. The fixed monthly retention amount shall NOT be expressed in terms of a percentage of the premium.

B.3.2.1 Monthly Retention Amounts per separate premium paid per single employee and per family plan.

Base Period

Option Year 1

Option Year 2

Option Year 3

Option Year 4

B.4. ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT-HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS

B.4.1. Premium Adjustment based on Experience - For health insurance, prices may be adjusted upward or downward based on the experience rating of the Mission(s) covered by this contract. No adjustment will be allowed during the first twelve months. After such time, the contractor or the Government may request an adjustment in premiums on an annual basis. Before any such adjustment is made, the contractor agrees to provide the Government a balance sheet showing two main components for the time period: (1) receipts (premiums received) minus the retention amount and (2) claims paid. The retention amount is not subject to adjustment. The Government reserves the right to have an independent third party review the balance sheet and make recommendations regarding the appropriateness of the requested adjustment. Any adjustment shall be subject to mutual agreement of the parties and shall result in a written modification to the contract. Any failure to reach agreement under this clause shall be subject to the procedures in the Disputes clause.

B.4.2. Premium Adjustment Based on Laws - The rates may also be adjusted during the performance period of the contract as a result of laws enacted by the host Government, if such change in the laws has a direct impact on the cost to the contractor to perform this contract at the contracted rate. In that event, the Contracting Officer may enter into negotiations with the Contractor to modify the contract to adjust the premium rate. The contractor agrees to provide all documentation necessary to support any requested adjustment.

B.4.2.1 Employee Pool – This clause is only in effect if the contractor included details in its offer regarding a pooling arrangement, of which this contract is a part.

Before any adjustment is made under this price adjustment clause, the Contractor must include in its proposal for adjustment, details setting forth how the pool impacts the request for equitable adjustment.

SECTION C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

PART I - HEALTH INSURANCE

C.1. HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES

The Government of the United States of America requires Health Insurance coverage for its employees as further described herein. The Government has determined that the prevailing practice by employers in Malawi is to provide for their employees health insurance protection and that the cost of such insurance protection is usually borne by both the employee and the employer on a 75%-25% basis, respectively. For active employees who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week: the USG will pay 75% of the premium cost and the employee will pay 25% of the premium cost for employee and dependent coverage.

Health insurance protection will be representative of locally prevailing compensation practice as further described herein. The specific health benefit coverage under this contract is set forth herein.

The contractor shall insure that all caregivers in the Contractor’s employ, or person acting as consultants, assistants, associates, or otherwise affiliated with or in the employ of the Contractor are covered by Medical Liability Insurance as a condition of performance under this contract. See section 1, 52.237-7“Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance” below.

This contract excludes coverage for HIV/AIDS care and treatment, except for anti-retroviral drugs administered during childbirth to prevent the transmission of HIV to the insured child.

C.1.1 Employee and Dependent Health Services Benefits

The health benefits under this contract are as follows. Reimbursement of covered expenses is limited to the stated percentages of reasonable and customary costs.

Reimbursements or payments shall be made for the following covered benefits, subject to reasonable and customary costs in the locality where treatment was provided.

C.1.1 Employee and Dependent Health Services Benefits

C.1.1.1. Hospitalization: 100% reimbursement of room and board for a ward room or semi-private room. 80% reimbursement of room and board for a private room, not to exceed 100% of the cost of a semi-private room. 100% reimbursement of hospital medical expenses including laboratory tests and x-rays, nursing care, operating room costs, intensive care, prescription medicines, and physical therapy. 80% reimbursement of ambulance service.

C.1.1.2 Professional services and treatment: 80% reimbursement of doctors’ and surgeons’ fees incurred while hospitalized, at a hospital on an out-patient basis, at a clinic or doctor’s office, or at home. 80% reimbursement for medical services and expenses when not hospitalized such as laboratory tests and x-rays, prescription medicines, physical therapy, routine annual physical examination, and inoculations.

C.1.1.3. Prescription drugs and medicines: 100% reimbursement when hospitalized, and 80% reimbursement when not hospitalized, of the cost of medicines and drugs for which a prescription is legally required. Expenses incurred for medicines, vitamins, cold remedies, etc., that are available over the counter without a prescription will not be reimbursed even if prescribed by a physician.

C.1.1.4 For employees only: 100% reimbursement for medications to suppress opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis for employees who have HIV/AIDS. Brief courses of anti-retroviral drugs during childbirth to prevent the transmission of HIV to the employee’s child. The duration of the treatment is to be determined by the employee’s personal physician, following WHO and CDC guidelines.

C.1.1.5 Obstetrical care: 80% reimbursement, of obstetrical medical care including prenatal and postnatal care.

C.1.1.7 Hearing aids: 50% reimbursement of the cost of a hearing aid apparatus and related examination. Limited to one set of apparatus per ear per patient in a three-year period.

C.1.1.8 Optical care: 80% reimbursement for eye examination and treatment and prescription eyeglass or contact lenses. Limited to one lenses per patient per year not to exceed 60 USD. No reimbursement for eyeglass frames, nonprescription lenses, or tinting.

C.1.1.9 Dental care: 80% of expenses for dental services including dentists’ fees, x-rays, examination and treatment, cleaning, fillings, extractions, false teeth, crowns, and bridges.

C.1.1.10 Psychiatric treatment: 80% reimbursement.

C1.1.11 Physical Therapy: 80% reimbursement.

C.1.1.12 Medical expenses incurred out of country

Medical expenses incurred out of the country will be covered for employees and dependents when (a) a life threatening condition occurs when the individual is out of the country and treatment is medically necessary before the individual returns home or (b) the individual's attending physician certifies in advance that such treatment is medically necessary and unavailable locally. Reimbursement will be made at the same percentage rate and subject to the same annual maximum limit as for expenses incurred in country.

C.1.1.13 Transportation for Out of Country Treatment

Transportation for out of country treatment is a covered expense for employees and dependents. The patient’s attending physician must certify in advance that the treatment is medically necessary and unavailable locally. 80% of the patient’s transportation expenses by the least expensive, appropriate means of transportation to the nearest city with adequate medical facilities will be reimbursed. 80% of the transportation expenses of an attendant will be reimbursed if the patient’s attending physician certifies that an attendant for the patient is necessary, e.g., a parent in the case of a patient who is a minor or a family member to make medical decisions in the case of a patient who is unconscious. All reimbursements for transportation expenses are subject to the annual maximum limit.

C.1.1.14 Annual Maximum Limit - The maximum annual reimbursement per covered family per contract year, not including expenses covered under c.1.1.4, is $6,667 per covered family per contract year.

Expenses incurred under section C.1.1.4 are subject to a separate annual maximum limit of 10,000 USD, applicable to the employee only will be included for the HIV/AIDS medication coverage. This separate limit is also applicable to the employee’s covered spouse for anti-retroviral drugs to prevent transmission of HIV to the employee’s child..

C.1.2 Health Benefits Conditions and Limitations

There is no reimbursement for elective cosmetic surgery; spa cures; rejuvenation cures; massage; exercise therapy; long term rehabilitative therapy; eyeglass frames; non-medical hospital charges such as telephones or television; home help, family help, or similar household assistance; fees of persons who are not licensed physicians or nurses; or services or supplies which have not been prescribed or approved by a physician or nurse.

There is no reimbursement for expenses that will be reimbursed or paid directly under a host country medical program or workers' compensation program; the U.S. workers’ compensation program; or post’s LES workers’ compensation program.

There is no reimbursement for expenses related to an illness or injury that is a result of an unlawful action on the part of the patient; the practice of a dangerous sport; excessive or illegal use of alcohol or drugs; a self-inflicted wound; or service in the armed forces of any country.

There is no reimbursement for expenses related to war, invasion, act of foreign enemy; ionizing radiation or contamination by radioactivity from nuclear fuel from any nuclear waste from combustion of nuclear fuel, radioactive, toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of any explosive nuclear assembly or nuclear component thereof.

C.1.3 Eligible Participants

C.1.3.1 Eligible Employees - The employees eligible for the health insurance services include the following:

C.1.3.1.1 All current active employees of the United States Government, employed within the geographic boundaries of Lilongwe, Malawi paid under the Local Compensation Plan, and certified by the Contracting Officer. Covered employees include

C.1.3.1.2. Locally Employed(LE) Staff working on a full time or part time basis under non -temporary direct hire appointments, Personal Services Agreements (PSAs) and Personal Services Contracts (PSCs);

C.1.3.1.3. Locally hired U.S. citizens employed under direct hire appointments, PSAs, and PSCs.

C.1.3.2 Location of Employment

The individuals covered by C.1.3.1 must be employed within the geographic boundaries of Lilongwe, Malawi by:

C.1.3.3 Participants Covered Under a Rider

C.1.3.3.1 All current active employees of the Chief of Mission and the Deputy Chief of Mission assigned to their respective official Government residences and paid under an ORE account (see separate rider, Exhibit B). All costs for ORE employees are the responsibility of the employing officer, not the U.S. Government.

C.1.4 Individuals Not Eligible for Coverage

Individuals not eligible for coverage under this contract are non-personal services contract personnel; employees working on a temporary basis; employees with an intermittent, seasonal, or WAE (when actually employed) schedule; and any other individual not falling within one of the categories of employees described in this clause.

C.1.5 Other Eligible Participants

Covered dependents include the participating employee’s spouse and economically dependent. A limit of one spouse per employee is covered. An eligible child is defined as the employee’s natural child, legally adopted child, stepchild, or foster child. The child must be unmarried, economically dependent upon the employee, and reside with the employee unless away at school. An eligible child will be covered until the end of the fiscal year in which he/she reaches age 18, or age 25 if a full time student. There is no age limit for a child who is physically or mentally handicapped so as to be unable to live independently. There is no limit on the number of children covered per employee.

C.1.6. Eligibility

C.1.6.1. Term of Eligibility and Effective Date

Each current active eligible employee is enrolled for health benefits under this contract upon award and thereafter during the performance period of this contract. Each new eligible employee will be enrolled upon entering on duty with the United States Government. An employee is considered active ("on the rolls") whenever such employee is on approved leave, whether paid or unpaid.

During a period of Leave Without Pay or unpaid leave that is one pay period or less, coverage under the insurance contract will continue. The USG will pay the total premium cost to the contractor. The employee’s share of the premium will be collected through payroll deduction in that or the subsequent pay period.

C.1.6.2. Period of Ineligibility.

Employees and their dependents are not entitled to health benefits during any period of employment for which premiums are not paid.

Additionally, employee's dependents are not entitled to health benefits during any period of employment during which the employee was not eligible to participate.

During a period of extended (beyond one pay period) of Leave Without Pay or unpaid leave, the employee is responsible for the full cost of the insurance premiums for self and dependents. The Mission will pay the premiums directly to the contractor, and will collect the full cost from the employee on a quarterly basis. Alternatively, the employee may elect to have coverage cease if that employee prefers not to pay the premium.

C.1.7. BROCHURE REQUIREMENT.

C.1.7.1. The contractor shall provide a document (brochure/pamphlet/other written document) in English that sets forth a complete listing of the health insurance benefits to be provided under this contract. This brochure shall be provided in sufficient quantities so that each covered employee receives a copy. The contractor shall furnish all copies of the brochures to the COR, who will ensure that appropriate distribution is made.

C.1.7.2. The contractor shall provide the document described in C.1.7.1 to the COR not later than thirty (30) days after date of contract award. The Contractor shall provide additional brochures for new employees within ten (10) days of the COR’s request.

C.1.7.3. The contractor assumes full responsibility for ensuring that the document described in C.1.7.1 accurately reflects the requirements of the contract, as implemented by the contractor’s technical proposal. In all cases, the contract shall take precedence. Should the COR discover that the brochure contains inaccuracies, the contractor will be notified in writing; however, failure on the part of the Government to notice any inaccuracies shall in no way limit, revise or otherwise affect the requirement under this contract for the contractor to fully comply with all contract terms. C.2.0 RESERVED

C.3.0 DEFINITIONS

FMO The Financial Management Officer or the paying office for all U.S. Government Agencies except USAID .

COR Contracting Officer's Representative (Human Resources Officer at post).

Contributory Insurance for which the employee contributes toward the premium.

Dependent

(a) spouses of employees; (see limitations of one spouse per employee in C1.5 Above)

(b) unmarried children and unmarried step-children of either the employee or the employee’s spouse (includes legally adopted children) up to the age of 18 years or up to the age of 25 years if a dependent child is a full-time student;

(c). unmarried children and unmarried step-children of either the employee or the employee's spouse (includes legally adopted children) up to any age if it has been determined by medically-competent authority that the dependent child is incapable of being employed due to mental and/or physical disabilities;

(d)

Disability, Total and Permanent A physical or mental impairment which precludes the individual from performing ordinary motor or bodily functions and which requires separation from employment. If the impairment is the result of a previous impairment, it shall be considered a continuation of the prior impairment.

Employee An individual employed by the U.S. Government, under a direct-hire appointment, personal services contract, or personal services agreement, as further defined in Section C.1.3 for health insurance. This may also include ORE Staff, is listed as participating under a rider in C.1.3.3 for health insurance

Employer The United States Government or in the case of ORE, the Chief of Mission and Deputy Chief of Mission.

GSO General Services Officer in charge of the General Services Office at post. This officer is usually the Contracting Officer for this contract.

Hospital An institution established and operated for the care and treatment of sick and injured persons. It provides 24-hour nursing care and has diagnostic, laboratory, treatment, and surgical facilities. Any institution which does not meet this definition is not considered a hospital.

Hospital Patient An individual who has been admitted to a hospital, is assigned a bed, and is given diagnostic tests or receives treatment for a disease or an injury.

Maximum Benefit The total amount that will be paid to any one covered individual for covered medical expenses or life insurance/disability benefit.

Customary and Reasonable Treatment A diagnostic test or medical treatment which is usually performed in the community where the individual is being treated.

Physician An individual who has graduated from an accredited medical school and is licensed to practice medicine in the jurisdiction in which the contract is to be performed. If the individual is a medical specialist, then he or she is Board Certified in that specialty.

Surgical procedure Any invasive medical procedure by manual or instrument operation undertaken for diagnosis or treatment of a diseased patient.

SECTION D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

(RESERVED)

SECTION E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1. 52.2522 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://acqusition.gov/far/index.html or, http://farsite.hill.af.mil/search.htm

These addresses are subject to change. If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use the Dept. of State Acquisition Website at http://www.statebuy.state.gov to see the links to the FAR. You may also use a network “search engine” (e.g., Yahoo, Excite, Alta Vista, etc.) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CH. 1)

52.246-4 Inspection of Services - Fixed Price (AUG 1996)

E.2. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

This plan is designed to provide an effective surveillance method to promote effective contractor performance. The QASP provides a method for the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor contractor performance, advise the contractor of unsatisfactory performance, and notify the Contracting Officer of continued unsatisfactory performance. The contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract. The role of the Government is to conduct quality assurance to ensure that contract standards are achieved.

Services.

Performs all the insurance services set forth in the performance work statement (PWS)

C.1.0 thru C.3.0

All required services are performed and no more than one (1) customer complaint is received per month

E.2.1 Surveillance. The COR will receive and document all complaints from Government personnel regarding the services provided. If appropriate, the COR will send the complaints to the Contractor for corrective action.

E.2.2 Standard. The performance standard is that the Government receives no more than one (1) customer complaint per month. The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer of the complaints so that the Contracting Officer may take appropriate action to enforce the inspection clause (FAR 52.246-4, Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (AUG 1996) or the appropriate Inspection of Services clause), if any of the services exceed the standard.

E.2.3 Procedures

(a) If any Government personnel observe unacceptable services, either incomplete work or required services not being performed, they should immediately contact the COR.

(b) The COR will complete appropriate documentation to record the complaint.

(c) If the COR determines the complaint is invalid, the COR will advise the complainant. The COR will retain the annotated copy of the written complaint for his/her files.

(d) If the COR determines the complaint is valid, the COR will inform the Contractor and give the Contractor additional time to correct the defect, if additional time is available. The COR shall determine how much time is reasonable.

(e) The COR shall, as a minimum, orally notify the Contractor of any valid complaints.

(f) If the Contractor disagrees with the complaint and challenges the validity of the complaint, the Contractor will notify the COR. The COR will review the matter to determine the validity of the complaint.

(g) The COR will consider complaints as resolved unless notified otherwise by the complaint.

(h) Repeat customer complaints are not permitted for any services. If a repeat customer complaint is received for the same deficiency during the service period, the COR will contact the Contracting Officer for appropriate action under the Inspection clause.

SECTION F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1. 52.2522 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://acqusition.gov/far/index.html or, http://farsite.hill.af.mil/search.htm

These addresses are subject to change. If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use the Dept. of State Acquisition Website at http://www.statebuy.state.gov to see the links to the FAR. You may also use a network “search engine” (e.g., Yahoo, Excite, Alta Vista, etc.) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CH. 1)

52.242-15 Stop Work Order (AUG 1989) 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984)

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. The performance period of this contract is one year beginning on October 1, 2013 with four one-year options to renew.

F.3 OPTIONS

(a) The Government may extend this contract in accordance with the option clause at Section I, clause I.2, FAR Clauses Incorporated by Full Text (FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract), which also specifies the total potential duration of the contract.

(b) The Government may exercise the option set forth at Section I, "FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services".

F.4 REPORTS AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

All reports and other deliverables required under this contract shall be delivered to the following address:

SECTION G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1. 652.242-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contracting Officer may designate in writing one Government employee, by name or position title, to take action for the Contracting Officer under this contract. This designee shall be identified as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Such designation shall specify the scope and limitations of the authority so delegated; provided, that the designee shall not change the terms or conditions of the contract, unless the COR is a warranted Contracting Officer and this authority is delegated in the designation.

(b) The COR for this contract is the Human Resources Officer.

G.2 COR DUTIES

G.2.1 The COR is responsible for inspection and acceptance of services. These duties include review of Contractor invoices, including the supporting documentation required by the contract. The COR may provide technical advice, substantive guidance, inspections, invoice approval, and other purposes as deemed necessary under the contract.

G.2.2 In addition, the COR shall maintain updated list of employees and dependents insured, which will supersede the initial list provided under this contract and as reported to the insurer without prejudice to the ineligibility clause.

G.2.3. The COR has the additional responsibility of maintaining the eligible listing of employees and dependents for insurance coverage.

G.2.4 The COR may not change the terms and conditions of the contract. While the COR is authorized to provide the Contractor with updated listings of eligible employees and dependents, only the Contracting Officer may modify existing task orders or issue new task orders, reflecting these changes, since only the Contracting Officer can obligate funding and commit the Government.

G.3. Payment shall be made in Currency identified in B.2.

G.4 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES AND PAYMENT

G.4.1. Invoices for U.S. Government employees shall be submitted in an original and three (3) copies to the following address (designated billing office only for the purpose of submitting invoices):

Financial Management Officer United States Embassy Kenyatta Road, Area 40, Plot # 24 Lilongwe, Malawi E-Mail to all of the following:

Lilongweprocurement@state.gov LilongweStateHR@state.gov LilongweStateB&F@state.gov

G.4.2. Frequency of Payments. All funds under this contract will be obligated by issuance of task orders, as described in H.3. Each task order will fund a specific period of time and number of employees, and the task orders will be issued at the frequency described in H.3. Contractor may submit invoices monthly for payment to be made at the beginning of the month for which insurance coverage is provided in accordance with FAR 32.404.

G.4.3. U.S. Government Employees. The Government shall make payments directly to the contractor for all Government employees, whether or not the employee is contributing to the premium amount.

G.4.4 ORE Staff. The Chief of Mission and/or Deputy Chief of Mission will make payment directly to the contractor for the entire premium amount of the ORE staff, whether or not the ORE employee is contributing to the premium amount.

G.5 REFUNDS TO THE GOVERNMENT

If at any time during performance of the contract the Government finds that the contractor has been overpaid because the number of employees and/or dependents covered has decreased, the Contracting Officer may either allow that overpayment to be credited to the Government’s account or require that the contractor refund the overpayment. If the Contracting Officer requests a refund, the contractor shall make that refund to the Government within ten calendar days of receipt of the request.

G.6 The contractor shall show Value Added Tax (VAT) as a separate item on invoices submitted for payment.

SECTION H

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 SECURITY. On occasion, a Contractor employee may require entry into U.S. Government-owned or -operated facilities. If so, the Contractor should be prepared to provide the necessary identification to permit escorted access within that facility.

H.2 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT. The Contractor shall maintain satisfactory standards of employee competency, conduct, cleanliness, appearance, and integrity and shall be responsible for taking such disciplinary action with respect to employees as may be necessary. Each Contractor employee is to adhere to standards that reflect credit on themselves, their employer, and the United States Government.

H.3 ORDERING PROCEDURES. The Government will issue a task order as soon as possible after contract award to identify all employees to be covered by the insurance described in this contract and the coverage selected by each employee, including dependents to be covered. The COR will make subsequent additions or deletions to this list in writing and provide the revised list to the Contractor. All such revisions shall be consolidated, and a new or modified task order will be issued by the Contracting Officer. If any changes have been made to the coverage listing, the Government anticipates issuance of a new task order on a quarterly basis. This new task order will include all changes made since the previous task order was issued and will include any increase or decrease in necessary funding. The changes to the list of eligible individuals will supersede the initial list provided under prior task orders without prejudice to the ineligibility clause. Task orders will indicate the effective date of employment, for purposes of calculating the premium due.

H.3.1. The ORE staff, under separate riders are not included under the task orders issued by the Contracting Officer. Because their coverage is under a rider, their employer is responsible for directly interacting with the contractor to order any coverage for their employees. When contacted by the employer, the contractor shall advise the employer of the paperwork and payment that will be necessary to order coverage for the identified individuals. Because more than one employer may have ORE staff, the contractor may be contacted by more than one employer (typically the Chief of Mission and Deputy Chief of Mission).

H.4. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY IN CLAIMS AND REIMBURSEMENT TO CLAIMANTS

General. The Contractor shall be responsible for all planning, estimating, programming, project management, scheduling, dispatching, supervision, and inspection of work. The Contractor shall maintain his own reference library of technical reference works and local laws and regulations, including current tariffs and registries. The Contractor shall treat the information provided by the Embassy concerning employee' personal data, medical information, and salaries as highly sensitive and not divulge any employee information to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall establish procedures for handling medical insurance claims as follows:

(a) Administrative Records.

(1) The Contractor shall maintain medical insurance files for each covered employee and each covered dependent including receipts and proof of paid claims, requests for claim reimbursements, and accounting of paid benefits with balances of amounts remaining in the annual per person reimbursement ceiling.

(2) The Contractor shall provide the COR with the necessary claim forms for each type of benefit that can be claimed under the contract. These forms shall specify a list of documents required to be appended to each claim and otherwise provide instructions for claim filing.

(3) The Contractor shall use the English spelling of the employees' names in all transactions, including reimbursement checks.

(4) The Contractor shall provide employee claim reimbursement checks to the COR for disbursement to the employee not later than the Tuesday which is two weeks after the claim has been submitted.

(b) Medical Insurance Claims. Settlement of medical insurance shall be completed as follows:

(1) All medical claims shall be submitted directly to the Contractor by employees, through a drop box in the COR's office. The claims shall be picked up from the COR each Tuesday.

(2) The Contractor shall date stamp and screen all claims submitted on the day of receipt. If there are any missing documents or information thereby disallowing said claim to be payable, the Contractor shall notify the employee within two days, with a copy to the COR (if notification is written).

(3) The contractor shall settle the claims no later than two weeks from the date the claim is submitted to the Contractor.

(4) Settlement shall be by issuance of checks in the name of the employee for each claim submitted. Each check shall be accompanied by a form providing details of the amount reimbursed with an explanation of deductions, if any.

(5) The Contractor shall accept the employee's or dependent's choice to go for surgery to hospitals designated by the Contractor in order that the Contractor will pay the expenses directly to the hospitals.

H.5. REPORT REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall provide the following reports monthly. All reports must be received by the COR no later than the 10th day of each month. These reports shall report on the previous month's activities.

(a) Employee Claims Report. The report will list all claims paid by the Contractor to a claimant, including the name of the claimant, date claim is received by the Contractor, and the amount claimed. This report shall also include all outstanding claims and a brief description of why claim has not been paid.

H.6. MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

H.6.1. General. The Contractor shall take all such steps as are necessary, and obtain and pay for all permits, taxes and fees as are required by the Malawi Government to establish and/or operate a commercial venture locally. A contract with the U.S. Government conveys no special privileges or immunities to the Contractor. The Contractor is an independent commercial concern and not a part of the U.S. mission. The Contractor's employees are not U.S. Government employees. Registration of this contract with the Malawi Government, if required by law, will be the sole responsibility of the Contractor, and any fees, taxes, or other duties shall be payable by the Contractor without recourse to the Government of the amounts thereof.

H.6.2. Licenses and Local Laws. The Contractor shall possess all permits, licenses, and any other appointments required for the prosecution of work under this contract, all at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall perform this contract in accordance with local laws.

H.7 Erroneous Payments. If the Government becomes eligible for a refund of payment because of erroneous overpayment or other cause, the Contractor shall refund the amounts or use them to offset future payments owed by the Government, whichever the Government prefers. The Contractor shall refund any refunds not complete or discovered after the completion date of this contract.

H.8 Requiring Activity. The requiring activity under this contract is the U.S. Embassy

H.9 RECRUITMENT OF THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS FOR PERFORMANCE ON DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONTRACTS (February 28, 2012)

1. On contracts exceeding $150,000 where performance will require the recruitment of non-professional third country nationals, the offeror is required to submit a Recruitment Plan as part of the proposal. Contractors providing employer furnished housing are required to submit a Housing Plan.

2. Recruitment Plan

a. State the anticipated number of workers to be recruited, the skills they are expected to have, and the country or countries from which the contractor intends to recruit them.

b. Explain how the contractor intends to attract candidates and the recruitment strategy including the recruiter.

c. Provide sample recruitment agreement in English.

d. State in the offer that the recruited employee will not be charged recruitment or any similar fees. The contractor or employer pays the recruitment fees for the worker if recruited by the contractor or subcontractor to work specifically on Department of State jobs.

e. State in the offer that the contractor’s recruitment practices comply with recruiting nation and host country labor laws.

f. State in the offer that the contractor has read and understands the requirements of FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons.

g. Contractor and subcontractors shall only use bona fide licensed recruitment companies. Recruitment companies shall only use bona fide employees and not independent agents.

h. Contractor will advise the Contracting Officer of any changes to the Recruitment Plan during performance.

3. The offeror will submit a Housing Plan if the contractor intends to provide employer furnished housing for TCNs. The Housing Plan must describe the location and description of the proposed housing. Contractors must state in their offer that housing meets host country housing and safety standards and local codes or explain any variance. Contractor shall comply with any Temporary Labor Camp standards contained in this contract. In contracts without a Temporary Labor Camp standard, fifty square feet is the minimum amount of space per person without a Contracting Officer waiver. Contractor shall submit proposed changes to their Housing Plan to the Contracting Officer for approval.

4. Department of State contractor and subcontractors will treat employees with respect and dignity by taking the following actions:

a. Contractor may not hold employee passports and other identification documents longer than 48 hours without employee concurrence. Contractors and subcontractors are reminded of the prohibition contained in Title 18, United States Code, Section 1592, against knowingly destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, or possessing any actual or purported passport or other immigration document to prevent or restrict the person’s liberty to move or travel in order to maintain the services of that person, when the person is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons.

b. Contractor shall provide employees with signed copies of the/their employment contracts, in English and the employee’s native language, that define the terms of employment, compensation, job description, and benefits. Contracts must be provided prior to employee departure from their countries of origin.

c. Contractor shall provide all employees with a “Know Your Rights” brochure and document that employees have been briefed on the contents of the brochure. The English language version is available at http://www.state.gov/g/tip or from the Contracting Officer.

d. Contractor shall brief employees on the requirements of the FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons including the requirements against commercial sex even in countries where it is legal and shall provide a copy of the briefing to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

e. Contractor shall display posters in worker housing advising employees in English and the dominant language of the Third Country Nationals being housed of the requirement to report violations of Trafficking in Persons to the company and the company’s obligation to report to the Contracting Officer. The poster shall also indicate that reports can also be submitted to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Hotline at 202-647-3320 or 1-800-409-9926 or via email at OIGHOTLINE@STATE.GOV. 3

f. Contractor and subcontractors shall comply with sending and receiving nation laws regarding transit, entry, exit, visas, and work permits. Contractors are responsible for repatriation of workers imported for contract performance.

g.Contractor will monitor subcontractor compliance at all tiers. This includes verification that subcontractors are aware of, and understand, the requirements of FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons and this clause. Contractors specifically agree to allow U.S. Government personnel access to contractor and subcontractor personnel, records, and housing for audit of compliance with these requirements.

h. The contractor agrees to include this clause in all subcontracts over $150,000 involving recruitment of third country national for subcontractor performance.

SECTION I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1. 52.2522 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

http://acqusition.gov/far/index.html or, http://farsite.hill.af.mil/search.htm

These addresses are subject to change. If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use the Dept. of State Acquisition Website at http://www.statebuy.gov/home.htm to see the links to the FAR. You may also use a network “search engine” (e.g., Yahoo, Excite, Alta Vista, etc.) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CH. 1)

MODIFICATIONS (OCT 2010)

OVERSEAS (APR 1984)

CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT 2003)

52.232-99 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS (DEVIATION) (AUG 2012)

This clause implements the temporary policy provided by OMB Policy Memorandum M- 12-16, Providing Prompt Payment to Small Business Subcontractors, dated July 11, 2012.

CLAIM (OCT 2004)

I.2. FAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED IN FULL TEXT

52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals…