Journeys Travel Insurance and Assistance Services

Founded in 1970, Smithsonian Journeys (SJ) contracts with tour operators to provide cultural adult group travel, multigenerational family travel, and tailor-made travel. SJ currently offers more than 350 departures to all seven (7) continents, to both international and domestic destinations. These adult and family travel experiences range from domestic weekend trips, to overland international tours, to small-ship ocean and river cruising, to immersive city and countryside stay programs, to luxury jet tours that span the globe (the "Tours"). Lecturers on these tours include Smithsonian staff and other leading experts, and each itinerary is meticulously designed to deliver authentic experiences by region, theme, or special interest. SJ's unique travel offerings include access to private collections, local and regional experts, visits to Smithsonian research facilities and memorable events that only Smithsonian can provide.

SJ would like to provide as a convenience to participants who enroll in the Tours ("Tour Members") information about and the opportunity to obtain certain travel insurance coverage and assistance services in connection with the Tours. This coverage would be optional, and Tour Members who choose to purchase such coverage would purchase the coverage directly through the selected travel insurance provider. In addition, SJ seeks to purchase two types of additional insurance: (1) evacuation and repatriation insurance and access to medical assistance abroad for its Tour Members, SJ tour staff who are not Smithsonian employees (e.g., SJ experts, study leaders, and representatives contracted by SJ) ("SJ Staff"), and other participants (such as contest winners) who have not paid for their trips but who may incur travel costs in an emergency ("gratis travelers"); and (2) emergency trip interruption and cancellation insurance for SJ Staff, SI employees, and gratis travelers, both at competitive rates, as more fully set forth in the RFP.

If your company is interested in working with the Smithsonian on either or both of these programs, please review the attached RFP and submit your qualifications in accordance with the attached instructions and conditions. This is not a solicitation for a federal contract and is therefore not governed by federal procurement procedures.

DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered, you must submit one (1) original and seven (7) copies of your proposal as detailed in the attached RFP via hand delivery or overnight courier to the address below by no later than 2:00 P.M. Eastern time, on September 22, 2015. Proposals must be received by this deadline in order to be considered.

Contracting Officer
Office of Contracting
Smithsonian Institution
2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 350
Arlington, VA 22202
Attn: Susan Engelhardt, Esq.

If you have any questions about this RFP, please submit your questions via email to Susan Engelhardt at engelhardts@si.edu. Questions must be submitted no later than 2:00 P.M. Eastern time on Monday, August 31, 2015 to ensure a response. Thank you for your interest.