NOTICE OF INTENDED DECISION TO ENTER INTO A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT (PUR 7778)

Transcription

1 NOTICE OF INTENDED DECISION TO ENTER INTO A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT (PUR 7778) This notice of intended decision to enter into a single source contract is posted in accordance with section (5)(c), Florida Statutes. AGENCY TITLE Florida Department of Environmental Protection Healthcare Insurance Coverage for AmeriCorps members CONTACT Name: Rebecca D. Hale Address: Procurement Section, 3800 Commonwealth Blvd., MS#93, Tallahassee, FL Telephone: Rebeca.hale@dep.state.fl.us Internal Tracking number, if any: DMS Single Source number, if applicable DEP 13/14 SSA013 NA Date Posted: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 Time Posted: 1:00 pm Commodity or Service Required (commodity class and group, manufacturer, model, and description, as appropriate): , Health or hospitalization insurance Requestor (division, bureau, office, individual, as appropriate): Heather Grames, Division of Recreation and Parks, Bureau of Operational Support Performance and/or Design Requirements (intended use, function or application, compatibility etc. requirements; reference to policy, rule, statute or other act of the Legislature, etc., as appropriate): The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is a recipient of federal grant funds from the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) that flow through Volunteer Florida - The Governor s Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service. These federal grant funds support the Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) Project A.N.T. (AmeriCorps Non-native plant Terminators).. The CNCS federal program s Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is and is entitled AmeriCorps State. The FLCC Project A.N.T. grant award is directed toward providing service in the areas of habitat restoration, prescribed burning, trail maintenance, environmental education and volunteer recruitment. Additionally, FLCC Project A.N.T. members provide disaster relief assistance across Florida and into other states when necessary. The FDEP has utilized federal grant funds from CNCS to support the Florida State AmeriCorps program for 17 years. The program is made up of members serving 1700-hour full-time terms of service which runs annually February 1 through December 31. AmeriCorps members are not employees, and do not function in an employer-employee relationship within the FLCC Project A.N.T. program of FDEP. FLCC Project A.N.T. members meeting certain participation requirements receive a modest living allowance, as well as health benefits, training and student loan deferment. Some members are eligible for child care benefits. The Florida State Parks AmeriCorps grant award is directed toward providing service in the areas of habitat restoration, prescribed burning, trail maintenance, environmental education and volunteer recruitment. Additionally, Florida State Park AmeriCorps members provide disaster relief assistance across Florida and into other states when necessary. Pursuant to the federal grant, the FDEP must provide health care coverage for those AmeriCorps members serving a 1700-hour full-time term, currently 50 in number, who are not otherwise covered by a health care policy. Coverage provided must be provided for a period of no more than 364 days, and cannot be renewed or extended beyond that period. Coverage must include the following minimum benefits: a. Physician services for illness or injury b. Hospital room and board c. Emergency room d. X-ray and laboratory e. Prescription drugs f. Limited mental/nervous disorders g. Limited substance abuse coverage PUR 7778 (02/04) Page 1 of 2 60A-1.010, F.A.C.

2 h. An annual deductible of no more than $250 charges per member i. No more than $1,000 total annual out-of-pocket per member j. A 20% co-pay or comparable fixed fee with the exception of a 50% co-pay for mental and substance abuse care k. A maximum benefit of at least $50,000 per occurrence or cause As an affiliate member of The Corps Network, Volunteer Florida and its AmeriCorps programs (of which FDEP is a recognized participant) are eligible to utilize the low-cost member health insurance that meets CNCS requirements for AmeriCorps. Although the CNCS allows grantees to obtain healthcare from any provider, the FDEP must insure that the coverage meets the above minimum benefits. It is critical for the FDEP to meet the minimum benefits established under the federal grant to maintain compliance with the federal grant terms and conditions. The extraordinary benefits and associated insurance coverage limits available only through Summit America (SA) Insurance make SA Insurance the only source available to provide comprehensive health insurance for such a varied group of individuals within AmeriCorps programs that meets or exceeds all AmeriCorps minimum benefit requirements. (Refer to Attachment A for current coverage provided.) Based on this need and Volunteer Florida s acceptance of this insurance program, the FDEP is requesting Single Source approval to utilize the health insurance program made available through The Corps Network. The Vendor providing access to this coverage is SA Insurance Services Inc. which is underwritten by Gerber Life Insurance Company. The Department cannot purchase this insurance directly from the insurance company. Single Source approval is requested for the period of July 2015 through the end of June 2016, subject to the continuation of the FLCC Project A.N.T. program. The total single source cost estimate is based on 50 active members for 11 months of $250 per month per member for a total cost of $137,500. (The current monthly charge for each member covered is approximately $ The cost of this insurance is subject to a change at the end of August Intended source (vendor, contractor): Summit America Insurance Services, Inc. Price: $137, Justification for single source acquisition (what is necessary and unique about the product, service or source; steps taken to confirm unavailability of competition, as appropriate): The extraordinary benefits and associated insurance coverage limits available only through Summit America Insurance make Summit America Insurance the only source available to provide comprehensive health insurance for such a varied group of individuals within AmeriCorps personnel that meets or exceeds all AmeriCorps minimum benefit requirements. (Refer to Attachment A for coverage provided.) Based on this need and Volunteer Florida s acceptance of this insurance program, the FDEP is pursuing a Single Source acquisition of the health insurance program made available through The Corps Network. The Vendor providing access to this coverage is Summit America Insurance Services Inc. which is underwritten by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company. The Department cannot purchase this insurance directly from the insurance company. The Department of Management Services attempted to procure this insurance coverage several years ago but did not receive any bids, in part due to the limited number of participants for the insurance program. In 2013, it was confirmed by Volunteer Florida, the state agency responsible for AmeriCorps grants, that SA Insurance Services, Inc. is the only company providing health insurance coverage that meets the requirements of the AmeriCorps Provisions. AmeriCorps members cannot participate in the insurance coverage provided by DMS, since members are not employees of the state per the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, through 1999, 42 USC Section The Department advertised this single source request on the DMS Vendor Bid System (VBS) from Tuesday, April 28, 2015 through Wednesday, May 6, There were no other vendors who submitted information regarding their ability to provide the above services. Approved By (names & titles, as appropriate, e.g., requestor, requestor management, information systems, budget, purchasing, DMS approver): Heather Grames, Division of Recreation and Parks Donald Forgione, Division of Recreation and Parks Rebecca D. Hale, Procurement Section Janice Pursley, Procurement Section Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in section (3), Florida Statutes, or failure to file a bond or other security within the time allowed for filing a bond, shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. PUR 7778 (02/04) Page 2 of 2 60A-1.010, F.A.C.

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4 DESCRIPTION OF INTENDED SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE (PUR 7776) AGENCY: TITLE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection Healthcare Insurance Coverage for AmeriCorps members CONTACT Name: Rebecca D. Hale Address: Procurement Section, 3800 Commonwealth Blvd., MS#93, Tallahassee, FL Telephone: Internal Tracking No.: DEP 13/14 SSA013 Date Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 8:30am Last day for receipt of information: Wednesday, May 6, 8:30am This description of commodities or contractual services intended for purchase from a single source is posted in accordance with section (3)(c), Florida Statutes and will remain posted for a period of at least 7 business days. Commodity or Service Required (commodity class and group, manufacturer, model, and description, as appropriate): , Health or hospitalization insurance Quantity or Term (as appropriate): 1 Year (July 2015 June 2016) Requestor (division, bureau, office, individual, as appropriate): Heather Grames, Division of Recreation and Parks, Bureau of Operational Support Performance and/or Design Requirements (intended use, function or application, compatibility etc. requirements; reference to policy, rule, statute or other act of the Legislature, etc., as appropriate): The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is a recipient of federal grant funds from the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) that flow through Volunteer Florida - The Governor s Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service. These federal grant funds support the Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) Project A.N.T. (AmeriCorps Nonnative plant Terminators).. The CNCS federal program s Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is and is entitled AmeriCorps State. The FLCC Project A.N.T. grant award is directed toward providing service in the areas of habitat restoration, prescribed burning, trail maintenance, environmental education and volunteer recruitment. Additionally, FLCC Project A.N.T. members provide disaster relief assistance across Florida and into other states when necessary. The FDEP has utilized federal grant funds from CNCS to support the Florida State AmeriCorps program for 17 years. The program is made up of members serving 1700-hour full-time terms of service which runs annually February 1 through December 31. AmeriCorps members are not employees, and do not function in an employer-employee relationship within the FLCC Project A.N.T. program of FDEP. FLCC Project A.N.T. members meeting certain participation requirements receive a modest living allowance, as well as health benefits, training and student loan deferment. Some members are eligible for child care benefits. The Florida State Parks AmeriCorps grant award is directed toward providing service in the areas of habitat restoration, prescribed burning, trail maintenance, environmental education and volunteer recruitment. Additionally, Florida State Park AmeriCorps members provide disaster relief assistance across Florida and into other states when necessary. Pursuant to the federal grant, the FDEP must provide health care coverage for those AmeriCorps members serving a 1700-hour full-time term, currently 50 in number, who are not otherwise covered by a health care policy. Coverage provided must be provided for a period of no more than 364 days, and cannot be renewed or extended beyond that period. Coverage must include the following minimum benefits: PUR 7776 (02/04) Page 1 of 3 60A-1.010, F.A.C.

5 a. Physician services for illness or injury b. Hospital room and board c. Emergency room d. X-ray and laboratory e. Prescription drugs f. Limited mental/nervous disorders g. Limited substance abuse coverage h. An annual deductible of no more than $250 charges per member i. No more than $1,000 total annual out-of-pocket per member j. A 20% co-pay or comparable fixed fee with the exception of a 50% co-pay for mental and substance abuse care k. A maximum benefit of at least $50,000 per occurrence or cause As an affiliate member of The Corps Network, Volunteer Florida and its AmeriCorps programs (of which FDEP is a recognized participant) are eligible to utilize the low-cost member health insurance that meets CNCS requirements for AmeriCorps. Although the CNCS allows grantees to obtain healthcare from any provider, the FDEP must insure that the coverage meets the above minimum benefits. It is critical for the FDEP to meet the minimum benefits established under the federal grant to maintain compliance with the federal grant terms and conditions. The extraordinary benefits and associated insurance coverage limits available only through Summit America (SA) Insurance make SA Insurance the only source available to provide comprehensive health insurance for such a varied group of individuals within AmeriCorps programs that meets or exceeds all AmeriCorps minimum benefit requirements. (Refer to Attachment A for current coverage provided.) Based on this need and Volunteer Florida s acceptance of this insurance program, the FDEP is requesting Single Source approval to utilize the health insurance program made available through The Corps Network. The Vendor providing access to this coverage is SA Insurance Services Inc. which is underwritten by Gerber Life Insurance Company. The Department cannot purchase this insurance directly from the insurance company. Single Source approval is requested for the period of July 2015 through the end of June 2016, subject to the continuation of the FLCC Project A.N.T. program. The total single source cost estimate is based on 50 active members for 11 months of $250 per month per member for a total cost of $137,500. (The current monthly charge for each member covered is approximately $ The cost of this insurance is subject to a change at the end of August Intended source (vendor, contractor): Summit America Insurance Services, Inc. Estimated Dollar Amount: $137, Justification for single source acquisition (what is necessary and unique about the product, service or source; steps taken to confirm unavailability of competition, as appropriate): The extraordinary benefits and associated insurance coverage limits available only through Summit America Insurance make Summit America Insurance the only source available to provide comprehensive health insurance for such a varied group of individuals within AmeriCorps personnel that meets or exceeds all AmeriCorps minimum benefit requirements. (Refer to Attachment A for coverage provided.) Based on this need and Volunteer Florida s acceptance of this insurance program, the FDEP is pursuing a Single Source acquisition of the health insurance program made available through The Corps Network. The Vendor providing access to this coverage is Summit America Insurance Services Inc. which is underwritten by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company. The Department cannot purchase this insurance directly from the insurance company. The Department of Management Services attempted to procure this insurance coverage several years ago but did not receive any bids, in part due to the limited number of participants for the insurance program. In 2013, it was confirmed by Volunteer Florida, the state agency responsible for AmeriCorps grants, that SA Insurance Services, Inc. is the only company providing health insurance coverage that meets the requirements of the AmeriCorps Provisions. AmeriCorps members cannot participate in the insurance coverage provided by DMS, since members are not employees of the state per the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, through 1999, 42 USC Section PUR 7776 (02/04) Page 2 of 3 60A-1.010, F.A.C.

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13 VBS - Advertisement Detail Page 1 of 2 4/27/2015 Welcome, rebecca.hale! Logoff. Navigation VBS Home VBS Search Advertisement Console Advertisement "DEP 1415-SSA013" Version History. Version Published in Final Form 000 Scheduled For: 04/28/ :00:00 (haler) Last edited: 04/27/ :11:59 Not yet published. Title Healthcare Insurance Coverage for AmeriCorps Members Log 0 Console Actions Edit Delete Mark as Canceled Attached Documents Visible Version Uploaded Type Description /27/ :14:27 Complete Document Complete Documentation (application/pdf) Save Cancel Save Console Actions (cannot be undone) The advertisement is displayed below as it will appear at midnight beginning 04/28/2015 for vendors and the general public. Advertisement Detail Department of Environmental Protection Agency Decisions Healthcare Insurance Coverage for AmeriCorps Members Advertisement Number: DEP 1415-SSA013 Version Number: 000 Advertisement Begin Date/Time: 04/28/ :30 A.M. Advertisement End Date/Time: 05/06/ :30 A.M. Mod: :11:59 Last Edit: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 12:00:00 A.M. Commodity: Health or hospitalization insurance The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) desires to contract with Summit America Insurance Services, Inc. to provide Healthcare Insurance Coverage for AmeriCorps members. Please click the related documents link below to view the description of the requested single source. Please direct all questions to: Becky Hale Phone: (850) FAX: (850) Commonwealth Blvd MS93 Procurement Section Tallahassee FL, 32399

14 VBS - Advertisement Detail Page 2 of 2 4/27/ rebecca.hale@dep.state.fl.us Any person with a disability requiring special accommodations at the pre-solicitation conference and/or bid/proposal opening shall contact purchasing at the phone number above at least five (5) working days prior to the event. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact this office by using the Florida Relay Services which can be reached at 1 (800) (TDD). The Department reserves the right to reject any and all bids or accept minor irregularities in the best interest of the State of Florida. Minority Business Enterprises are encouraged to participate in the solicitation process. indicates a required (not withdrawn) file Downloadable Files for Advertisement Version Description Type Required Original Complete Documentation (Open/Save/View) Complete Document MFMP Customer Service Desk (CSD) Copyright 2000 State Of Florida Privacy Statement