| Following are the Department’s responses to questions regarding the Empire Plan Employee Benefit Card IFB. | ||
Note: If the Offeror’s questions included their name, the name has been replaced with “Offeror.” Questions and Answers as of 10/22/2014, updated October 28, 2014 |
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| Section | Question & Response | |
| Q1 | General | Can you tell me who won the bid for last year and how much was the winning contract amount? |
| A1 | There was no RFP released last year; however, the current contract is with Standard Register and the approximate amount of actual expenditures has been $565,200 over a 5-year term, including all card, card carrier, envelope, and postage fees. |
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| Q2 | General | Is this just to print the cards? Or is it to develop the cards and the backend as well? |
| A2 | No. The specifications of the IFB are to produce and properly assemble the cards, card carriers and envelopes and then mail them to enrollees in a HIPAA-compliant and timely manner. See Exhibit II.E, entitled, Employee Benefit Card Specifications. |
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| Q3 | Section III Page 3-4 |
What criteria should a Contractor use when determining whether a Subcontractor qualifies as a Key Subcontractor? |
| A3 | As defined in Section VIII of the IFB, a Key Subcontractor means those vendors with whom the Contractor subcontracts to provide Program Services and incorporated as a part of the Contractor’s Program Team. Key Subcontractors include all vendors who will provide $100,000 or more in Program Services over the term of the Agreement that results from this IFB, as well as any vendor who will provide Program Services in an amount lower than the $100,000 threshold and who is a part of the Contractor’s Program Team. |
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| Q4 | Section III Page 3-4 |
Is the Contractor required to identify as a Key Subcontractor any Subcontractor utilized as part of its ordinary course of business (that provides services related to the Program Services) even if the Subcontractor is not considered part of the Contractor’s Program Team? |
| A4 | As defined in Section VIII of the IFB, a Key Subcontractor means those vendors with whom the Contractor subcontracts to provide Program Services and incorporated as a part of the Contractor’s Program Team. Key Subcontractors include all vendors who will provide $100,000 or more in Program Services over the term of the Agreement that results from this IFB, as well as any vendor who will provide Program Services in an amount lower than the $100,000 threshold and who is a part of the Contractor’s Program Team. |
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| Q5 | IV.A.2.g.iv Page 4-8 |
Since postage expenses are a pass through item, will the State pre-pay postage? If not it is assumed the Contractor should include carry costs in their per piece quote. |
| A5 | No, the Department will not pre-pay postage. As noted in Section VII 6.7.4 of the IFB, actual postage charges should be billed monthly in arrears, as for all Program Services rendered during the preceding month. The postage should not be included in the price per card, card carrier/envelope. |
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Amended October 28, 2014 |
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| Q6 | General | We would like to know the past bidding history. Is there a website link that shows past bid results? |
| A6 | You may access a redacted version of the current The Empire Plan Employee Benefit Card Agreement and the proposal submitted by Standard Register using the following link to the Department of Civil Service’s public website: |
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