September 22, 2016

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 16-33-205131

The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) is soliciting proposals from interested concerns for the following:

ARRC Stop Loss Insurance for Healthcare

Sealed offers in original and five (5) copies will be received until 3:00 PM local time, October 13, 2016.  The envelope used for the submittal of your offer shall be plainly marked with the following information:

1.         Offeror’s name.

2.         Offer number 16-33-205131

3.         Date and time scheduled for the receipt of offers.

4.         Sealed Offer: Consulting Services for Employee Benefits (Stop Loss Insurance for Healthcare)

The ARRC may award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to this solicitation will be most advantageous to the ARRC.

ARRC may reject any or all offers if such action is in the best interest of ARRC, and waives informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.  ARRC may award a contract on the basis of initial offers without discussions.  Therefore, each initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.  Any contract resulting from this solicitation shall incorporate the Standard Terms and Conditions contained in this solicitation package.

This Request for Proposals is not to be construed as a commitment of any kind nor does it commit the ARRC to pay for any cost incurred in the submission of an offer or for any other cost incurred prior to the execution of a formal contract.

1. ALASKA BIDDER PREFERENCE: Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder after an Alaska bidder preference of five percent (5%) has been applied.  The preference will be given to a person who: (1) holds a current Alaska business license at the time designated in the invitation to bid for bid opening; (2) submits a bid for goods or services under the name on the Alaska business license; (3) has maintained a place of business within the state staffed by the bidder, or an employee of the bidder, for a period of six months immediately preceding the date of the bid; (4) is incorporated or qualified to do business under the laws of the state, is a sole proprietorship and the proprietor is a resident of the state, is a limited liability company organized under AS 10.50 and all members are residents of the state, or is a partnership under AS 32.06 or AS 32.11 and all partners are residents of the state; and, (5) if a joint venture, is composed entirely of ventures that qualify under (1) - (4) of this subsection.

2. ALASKA VETERAN PREFERENCE: If a bidder qualifies for the Alaska bidder preference and is a qualifying entity as defined herein, they will be awarded an Alaska veteran preference of five percent (5%).  The preference will be given to a (1) sole proprietorship owned by an Alaska veteran; (2) partnership under AS 32.06 or AS 32.11 if a majority of the partners are Alaska veterans; (3) limited liability company organized under AS 10.50 if a majority of the members are Alaska veterans; or (4) corporation that is wholly owned by individuals and a majority of the individuals are Alaska veterans, and may not exceed $5,000.  The bidder must also add value by actually performing, controlling, managing, and supervising the services provided, or for supplies, the bidder must have sold supplies of the general nature solicited to other state agencies, other governments, or the general public.

ARRC Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program: ARRC is an equal opportunity corporation that encourages the participation of DBEs as prime contractors and subcontractors on its contracts funded in whole or in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  The ARRC has a race neutral DBE Program and does not set DBE goals on individual solicitations.  Nonetheless, the ARRC aspires to achieve an overall DBE participation on federal contracts of 0.0 % in FY 2015.  If this contract is funded in whole or in part by funds from the FTA or the FHWA, it is imperative that you consult the Federal Terms and Conditions portion of this solicitation.

This announcement does not commit the Alaska Railroad Corporation to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal.  The Alaska Railroad Corporation reserves the right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, all proposals submitted and/or to cancel this announcement.  Any contract awarded shall be based upon the proposal most advantageous to the ARRC.

Please read the enclosed requirements and specifications as the Alaska Railroad Corporation reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, waive minor informalities, cancel or re-bid and accept any contract deemed to be in their best interest.  The submission of a proposal will indicate that the vendor is accepting of all terms and conditions and can meet the specifications and requirements stated in this RFP.

Any questions the bidders have must be submitted in writing to the Contract Administrator.  Please direct all responses and/or questions concerning this ITB to C. Lee Thompson, Alaska Railroad Corporation, Contracts, 327 Ship Creek Avenue, Second Floor, Anchorage, AK 99501, telephone number 907-265-2608, fax number 907-265-2439 or at email address ThompsonL@akrr.com.

Sincerely,

C. Lee Thompson

C. Lee Thompson

Manager, Contracts and Purchasing

Alaska Railroad Corporation