The following is a request for information (RFI) regarding insurance products for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Office of Emergency Management (OEM). This is a market survey; it is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a request for proposals or quotes or as imposing any obligation on the part of the government. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement. BACKGROUND: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for responding to environmental emergencies, including releases of oil and hazardous substances due to accidents, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other causes. EPA has agreeements with agencies in Canada to support each other for incidents that may occur along shared international borders. These agreements call for EPA personnel and equipment to enter into Canada to respond to environmental emergencies. EPA also works with Canadian counterparts to perform joint exercises of contingency plan and to discuss preparedness and response issues. These planning and preparedness activities also necessitate cross-border travel of EPA personnel and equipment. When entering Canada, EPA personnel may, on occasion, be required to provide proof of insurance that covers vehicles and any potential liabilities that may emerge from the operation of U.S. Government vehicles and the actions of U.S. Government personnel on Canadian soil. For example, the Government of Canada requires proof of insurance when U.S. Government vehicles are driven into Canada to attend planning meeting, participate in exercises, or respond to actual releases on the border (usually in a waterway/river). Before allowing U.S. Government personnel and equipment to enter the country, Canada requires that PA personnel provide proof of primary coverage from a third-party insuance company or broker. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to afford insurance carriers and brokers an opportunity to provide information regarding the types of products it can sell to EPA that will enable the agency to perform the functions desribed in the Background of this notice. EPA invites all potential sources to submit descriptions of their insurance products that may meet EPA's operational needs. Please include a price range for each product with a list of factors that may contribute to prices on the low and high ends of the range provided. We offer the following guidance to assist you in selecting applicable products and developing price ranges: 1)EPA anticipates the need for up to 18 vehicles to cross the border into Canada on an annual basis, with five or fewer vehicles in Canada at any one time. Some of these vehicles could include specialized equipment; 2) The maximum duration of each trip would depend on the circumstances, ranging from a few days for planning meetings to weeks or months for responses to environmental emergencies; 3) Up to 100 personnel could be involved over a year's perios; 4) EPA seeks a $500,000 limit of liability per occurrence, with accident benefits per statutory requirements; 5) The policy should include the "Permission to Rent or Lease Endorsement: and a "Blanket Basis Fleet Endorsement"; and 6) EPA anticipates purchasing the product o n a government fiscal year basis (October 1 through September 30). Activities within the United States are covered by the Federal Government's self-insurance clause. Please indicate the types of additional information you may require from EPA. Also, highlight any coverage exclusions so that EPA can properly compare products submitted in response to this notice. EPA's objective is to release a RFQ with sufficient detail so that industry can respond with appropriate products and prices for each. The use of information received from industry to complete final solicitation documents will be at the discretion of EPA. Eligibility to participate in future acquisition does not depend on responding to this notice; however, given the short time frame under which EPA would like to have coverage in place, EPA may elect to engage in negotiations with vendors that respond to this notice. The government will not critique a potential offeror's information. Proprietary information is not being solicited and, if included, should be identified as such. All materials submitted in response to this RFI will become property of the government. Submissions must be no more than 5-pages, 12-point Arial font, including the cover letter. Multiple submissions are permitted. The cover letter must include the following information:1) Response to RFI Number XXXXXX;2) Contractor Name, Address, and phone number;3) Point of Contact Person Information; E-Mail address, Phone and Fax Number. The closing date for the receipt of responses is September 30, 2010, at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. For a copy of the Statement of Work (SOW) and the types of Vehicles anticipated for crossing the Canadian border please email Contracting Officer, Elaine Scott at
[email protected]