Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) Health Insurance Program
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) Health Insurance Program
Notice Date
8/15/2003
Notice Type
Solicitation Notice
Contracting Office
Peace Corps, Office of Planning Budget and Finance, Office of Contracts, 1111 20th Street, N.W., Room 4413, Washington, DC, 20526
ZIP Code
20526
Solicitation Number
PC-03-R-003
Response Due
9/18/2003
Archive Date
10/3/2003
Point of Contact
Christopher Smith, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-692-1626, Fax 202-692-1621, - Christopher Smith, Contract Specialist, Phone 202-692-1626, Fax 202-692-1621,
E-Mail Address
csmith2@peacecorps.gov, csmith2@peacecorps.gov
Description
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) Health Insurance Program: Introduction: Peace Corps is soliciting proposals on a full and open competitive basis from qualified prospective vendors to provide Post-Service Health Insurance coverage for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), similar what is available under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Temporary Continuation of Coverage (FEHB/TCC – 5 U.S.C. 8905a). Statement of Work: All RPCVs shall be enrolled at end of their Peace Corps service, regardless of length of service. Peace Corps will pay the first month’s premium for the RPCV and eligible dependent children under age 18. Background: All Peace Corps Volunteers undergo extensive medical screening prior to service. Conditions determined to be traceable to their Peace Corps service, as well as pre-existing conditions determined to be aggravated, accelerated or precipitated by service, are covered under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). While outside the United States, all Peace Corps Volunteers are considered “employed” 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for the purpose of access to FECA benefits. All conditions determined to be service-related by the Department of Labor, with or without associated disability, are eligible for FECA benefits as the primary payer. Within the first 180 days after service, Peace Corps pays for evaluation of any medical conditions which are unresolved at the Volunteer’s end of service. At the end of his or her service, each Volunteer receives a physical examination or receives an authorization for payment for a physical examination. Approximately 3,500 Volunteers close service annually; ongoing enrollment in the existing RPCV Post-Service Health Insurance Plan is approximately 7,000. Age distribution of Volunteers and Trainees: 20-29: 5512; 30-39: 592; 40-49: 151; 50-59: 235; 60-65: 104; Over 65: 84. Gender Distribution: Male: 2619; Female: 4059. (As reported as of 01 OCT 2002). Minimum Requirements of the RPCV Post-Service Health Insurance Program: 1. Major medical up to $1,000,000. 2. No pre-existing condition exclusions or restrictions for conditions that emerge during Peace Corps service. A wait time may be acceptable for non-acute, non-debilitating conditions that pre-date entry into Peace Corps service. 3. Mental Health Parity Act compliant. 4. No increase in premiums or deductibles and no change in coverage for the first year of performance of the contract. 5. The contract is to be a one year Base Period with four one year Option Periods (FAR 52.217-9: 60 days notice prior to execution of option; anticipated duration is 60 months or Five years total). 6. Changes in costs, coverage and terms must be proposed for the option periods and will be evaluated. 7. Coverage is to be available for 18 months after service. 8. Guaranteed issuance to all eligible Volunteers, spouses and minor dependents, effective midnight on the date the Volunteer ends his or her service. 9. Provides coverage worldwide, including all 50 states. 10. Provides emergency medical evacuation to the United States or the closest adequate facility. 11. Premiums, deductibles and co-payments that meet or exceed the benefits requirements of a FEHB/TCC plan. 12. Program ensures that eligibility and portability are consistent with all provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 13. Subrogation: Insurance plan is a primary payer of benefits. However, upon any recovery made by a participant from any third party or parties whether by suit, judgment, settlement, compromise or otherwise, the plan shall be entitled to reimbursement to the extent of benefits paid (for example, by FECA). 14. Administration of the RPCV Post-Service Health Insurance Program: The program shall impose minimum administrative burden upon Peace Corps. As this is essentially a commercial product offered to private citizens, vendors are expected to provide for administrative support, marketing, documentation and general management of the program. Peace Corps strives to achieve effective transitional health benefits for former Volunteers. Peace Corps will pay the premium for the initial 30 days of coverage for all RPCVs (including those who do not elect to continue their insurance coverage at their own expense thereafter); all subsequent premiums must be elected and paid by the individual RPCV. The prospective vendor shall emphasize simplicity in management with respect to eligibility, enrollment, financial transactions between Peace Corps and the insurer and claims processing. The prospective vendor shall work with Peace Corps to implement and administer the RPCV Health Insurance Program. There will be no printed version of this RFP. The latest versions of the following FAR section 52 series of clauses are hereby incorporated by reference and are available at “www.arnet.gov/far/farqueryframe.html”: 52.202-1 Definitions; 52.203-3 Gratuities; 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees; 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures; 52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions; 52.204 Administrative Matters – Provisions & Clauses; 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended or Proposed for Debarment; 52.215 Contracting by Negotiation – Provisions & Clauses; 52.215-2 Audit & Records – Negotiation; 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns; 52.222 Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions – Provisions & Clauses; 52.222-1 Notice to the Government of Labor Disputes; 52.222-3 Convict Labor; 52.222-4 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act – Overtime Compensation; 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-29 Notification of Visa Denial; 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace; 52.224-2 Privacy Act; 52.227-1 Authorization and Consent; 52.227-2 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copyright Infringement; 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes; 52.229-5 Taxes – Contracts Performed in U.S. Possessions or Puerto Rico; 52.229-6 Taxes – Foreign Fixed-Price Contracts; 52.230-2 Cost Accounting Standards; 52.230-3 Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices; 52.230-6 Administration of Cost Account Standards; 52.232 Contract Financing – Provisions & Clauses; 52.232-8 Discount for Prompt Payment; 52.232-17 Interest; 52.232-23 Assignment of Claims; 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration; 52.233-1 Disputes; 52.242-13 Bankruptcy; 52.243 Contract Modifications – Provisions & Clauses; 52.245-4 Government Furnished Property (Short Form); 52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price; 52.247-63 Preference for U.S.-Flag Air Carriers; 52.249 Termination of Contracts – Provisions & Clauses; 52.249-2 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed Price); 52.249-8 Default (Fixed Price Supply and Service); 52.252 Solicitation Provisions & Contract Clauses; 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses. The Basis for Award shall be Best Value to the Government; wherein, overall benefits offered and lowest administrative cost to Peace Corps will be the selective factors. Award shall be made to a single vendor. FAR 52.215-1 Alt I: the Government may award without discussions to offerors within the competitive range. Offerors are encouraged to submit formal questions in writing regarding this procurement to the Contracting Officer by no later than Noon (12pm) local Washington DC time on Monday, August 25th, 2003. Questions will be considered for technical review and a formal answer will be provided via “www.fedbizopps.gov” prior to submission of proposals. Three hard copies of each proposal, along with an electronic copy in Microsoft Excel and Word 2000 compatible and/or compressed file (.zip) or image (Adobe Acrobat .pdf) formats, must be submitted.
Web Link
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.eps.gov/spg/PC/OPBF/OC/PC-03-R-003/listing.html)
Place of Performance
Address: Peace Corps Office of Medical Services RPCV Health Benefits Program 1111 20th St NW Rm 5237 Washington DC
Zip Code: 20526
Country: USA
Record
SN00403907-F 20030817/030815224149 (fbodaily.com)
Source
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
