Description
The following is a request for information (RFI) regarding insurance products for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is a market survey 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 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 agreements with agencies in Canada and Mexico 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 and Mexico to respond to environmental emergencies. EPA also works with Mexican and Canadian counterparts to perform joint exercises of contingency plans 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 or Mexico, 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 Mexican or Canadian soil. For example, the Government of Canada requires proof of insurance when U.S. government vehicles are driven into Canada to attend planning meetings, 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 EPA personnel provide proof of primary coverage from a third-party insurance company or broker. **REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to gather information regarding the types of insurance products EPA could purchase that will enable it to perform the functions described above. EPA invites all interested parties to submit responses and information about insurance products or services that might meet EPAs operational needs. The following general guidelines are provided: EPA anticipates the need for up to 18 EPA 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. The maximum duration of each trip depends on the circumstances, ranging from a few days for planning meetings to weeks or months for responses to environmental emergencies. Up to 100 personnel could be involved over a years period. EPA anticipates similar needs for Mexico. Responses to this RFI should include discussion of: (1) price ranges for products/services with a description of factors contributing to price variations; (2) the feasibility or desirability of having an insurance policy for Mexico and Canada separately or combined. (3) the effect of timing, e.g., purchasing such products or services on a government fiscal year basis (Oct. 1 through Sep. 30), and purchasing partial year coverage, e.g., Jan. 1, 2008 through Sep. 30, 2008; (4)the possibility and price of a $2,000,000 limit of liability per occurrence with accident benefits per statutory requirements; (5) the possibility and price of a Permission to Rent or Lease Endorsement and a Blanket Basis Fleet Endorsement; (5) any additional information that industry might find necessary or useful in an RFQ for such products or services; (6)any exclusions or conditions that would help EPA properly compare products; (7) respondent's name, address, phone number, and point of contact information. Please limit responses to no more than 5 pages. Proprietary information is not being requested; however, if it is included it should be identified as such. All materials submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the government.