G009--RFI for Commercial Vehicle Liability Insurance

This has been amended to change NAICS 524120 to reflect NAICS 524126. Request for Information The Department of Veteran Affairs, National Acquisition Office (NAC), Commodities, Services, and Acquisition Services (CSAS) in conjunction with Veteran Health Administration (VHA), Prosthetic Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services, is issuing a Request for Information and Sources Sought Announcement for the Driver s Rehabilitation Program. The sole purpose of this announcement is for market research purposes and does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP). This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Furthermore, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this notice. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. A central tenet of acquisition reform is to significantly improve the quality of market research by conducting a market and industry survey. One of the main benefits of solid market research is to materially improve the government s understanding of the current state of the marketplace, including commercial/government best practices, industry capabilities, innovative delivery approaches, commercial market service levels, and performance strategies and measures. NAICS: 524126 Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers PSC: G009 For upcoming recompete for Commercial Third-Party Liability Insurance Program, a special emphasis of the market research is being placed on market/industry infrastructure, practices and product availability. We are also interested in identifying performance criteria that differentiate between and among high-quality firms in this field. We believe this information will dramatically improve the quality of the forthcoming acquisition, including the solicitation and resulting contract. Program Background: Public Law (P.L.) 93-538, mandated VA to provide opportunities for driver education and training for all eligible Veterans with disabilities and certain military personnel. Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities are entitled to have the opportunity to learn to drive a motorized vehicle on the Nation s public highways. Depending upon the severity of the disability and the available adaptive equipment designed for utilization in today s motor vehicles, the disabled individual should enjoy the independence and freedom of mobility offered all citizens. Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 3903(e) authorizes the Secretary of the VA to obtain insurance on automobiles and other conveyances used in conducting the special driver training courses and to obtain, at the Government expense, personal liability and property damage insurance for all persons taking such courses, hereafter such persons shall be referred to as clients. Client training will occur on a daily basis at each of the driver rehabilitation centers. A VA employee, who is a trained drive rehabilitation specialist, accompanies program participants (clients) during each training session. The only incidence in which the drive rehabilitation specialist is not in the vehicle with the client is during a time when a driving test is being administered by the local (state) Motor Vehicle Department. The state examiner is the only person allowed in the vehicle with the client during the test, and coverage will extend to the client and vehicle during those times. The Government estimates the total number of clients referred during each policy year is to be 10,000 eligible veterans, but this could increase to approximately 15,000 over the term of the contract and includes both veteran and non-veteran clients. Non-Veterans would be language interpreters, service animals, caregivers as appropriate. These vehicles need year-round continuous coverage. All the vehicles used in the VA Driver Rehabilitation Program are equipped with specially adapted equipment for use by the disabled driver trainee. At a minimum all vehicles have been adapted to include an instructor brake. Vehicles are owned or leased by VA, and are insured ( primary insurance ) by VA. There should be no difference in the insurance coverage. These leased vehicles are also equipped with instructor s brake pedal as with VA owned vehicles. GSA is responsible for providing insurance coverage for vehicles until they arrived at their designated VA site. Provide third party insurance plans to VA Driver s Rehabilitation Program s enrolled veterans and or members of the Armed Forces with disabilities to complete the opportunity to learn to drive a motorized vehicle on the Nation s public highways. Third-party insurance pays for the costs of another driver's injuries if the enrolled Veteran Patient is found to be responsible for a car crash during training events. A veteran might have a claim made against him/her if he/she injures another person or damage the other party s property. Coverage for the government-owned/leased or privately owned vehicles under this contract will be for third party bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD). Limits of $1,000,000 each accident single limit BI and PD combined. Nationwide and other insurance carriers recommend having coverage up to $1 million on commercial auto policies to avoid limitation in coverage. Coverage is for the Driver Rehabilitation Program vehicles at all participating VA medical facilities. On rare occasions, it is necessary to evaluate and train selected driver rehabilitation clients in a non- government owned vehicle, because of the following conditions: lack of availability of special equipment in the government owned vehicles, or to meet the specific individual needs of the patient. This policy will cover any new or replacement driver training vehicles purchased or leased by any existing or new VA facility added to the program during the policy period. The liability coverage shall cover bodily injury and property damage to the third party caused by the driver trainee (client) while operating a specially adapted vehicle in the program. The liability coverage shall cover bodily injury and property damage to the third party caused by the driver trainee (client) while operating all vehicles specially adapted in the program. Coverage for the government-owned vehicles under this contract will be for third party bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD). Limits of $1,000,000 each accident single limit BI and PD combined. Coverage requested for an estimated 130 government owned or leased vehicles located around United States, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Government Employees are excluded from this contract and are covered under provision of Federal Tort Claims Act. 1. We ask that industry and or interested parties respond to the following questions: Please explain your company s position in the marketplace? Please explain your parent subsidiary relationship with respect to the Commercial Third-Party Insurance Industry. Are you underwritten by another entity? Is the industry regulated? If so at what levels? Are you licensed in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico? What is you AM Best Credit Rating? Do you subcontract? If so, explain the nature of these subcontracts? To what extent are you currently subcontracting with small business and at what percentages? What is your Socio-Economic Indicator if defined as a Small Business? Are your registered and certified through Small Business Administration as a Women-Owned Small Business, 8(a) Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business or Historically Underutilized Business Zone Business? 2. What are the significant commercial practices within the industry? If you are covering more than one vehicle in more than one state, what is the best practice to provide vehicles insurance cards? What information should VA provide for these cards? (VIN, Make, Model, etc.) How often are insurance cards sent out? b. What are you customer service claims practices? Do you have a contact center phone number? Web Link to do claims? What are the hours of operation? c. Are there any special practices, regulations or other, VA should be aware of for certain states? d. Can you company support provide commercial third-party insurance to all 50 United States, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico? 3. What is your current nationwide policy recommendation for commercial business coverage for bodily injury and property damage? Do you recommend any other coverage? 4. Can you cover non- government furnished vehicles? Are there any areas of concerns for consideration for insuring a non-government vehicle? I do want to emphasize that this RFI and any subsequent requests are solely for market research and are not competitions. The information obtained from the sessions will be used to improve the government s knowledge of private industry s capabilities. No evaluation of participating parties will occur and your participation in these RFI s is not a promise of future business with Department of Veteran Affairs. No contract will be awarded from these requests. Electronic/emailed responses are due no later than April 21, 2023. Responding parties should take additional precautionary measures to prevent proprietary information from disclosure by marking the documentation being submitted with labeling sensitivities such as confidential and proprietary. Information provided in response to this RFI and future RFI s that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please submit the information to [email protected],. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Submittals will not be returned to the responder.