Long Term Agreement for the provision of Medical Insurance Plans

New amendment added #3: eSourcing Case Reference No. ITB/2022/41586Tender description: Long Term Agreement for the provision of Medical Insurance PlansThe following modifications are made through this amendment, with reference to the above ITB.1. LICA Plan Claims excel sheet is uploaded under the documents section.2. The deadline for submission of the bid is extended to: not later than 15:00 UTC on 01 July 2022 (Friday).All other terms and conditions of the tender remain unaltered. 

New clarification added: Question: I have submitted serveral clarification questions for this tender.  Could you please advise when i can expect answers?Answer: All the requested clarifications have been answered and published. 

New clarification added: Question: Could you please clarify the following:Q1. Please provide the claims trianglulations for each annual policy period.A1. Updated claims paid data per month/year until 31 May 2022.Q2. Will a proposal with a price adjustment in excess of 10% annually be considered?A2. 10% is the maximum percentage increase allowed.Q3. Please provide details of any large losses over USD 50,000.A3. Please see the following points:Family ID 1 - Treatment Country: Guatemala, Amount: USD 53,159, Occurrence Year: 2018Family ID 2 - Treatment Country: United States of America, Amount: USD 79,756, Year: 2019Family ID 3 - Treatment Country: United States of America, Amount: USD 86,122, Year: 2020Family ID 4 - Treatment Country: United States of America, Amount: USD 54,090, Year: 2020Family ID 5 - Treatment Country: Panama, Amount: USD 85,712, Year: 2021Family ID 6 - Treatment Country: United States of America, Amount: USD 68,816, Year: 2021Family ID 7 - Treatment Country: India, Amount: USD 65,055, Year: 2021Q4. When was the claims report run?A4. 28 February 2022Q5. Please provide any 2022 data available.A5. Updated claims paid figures as of 31 May 2022 (answer above)

New clarification added: Question: Precision regarding the question submitted on June 16th - Number of insured members per contract durationCould UNOPS share the number of insured members per month over the 3 previous years?Answer: UNOPS cannot provide this data at this stage of the procurement process.

New clarification added: Question: Will the coverage of the Continuants (UNOPS LICA) and AHSI (UNOPS MIP) terminate when the contract between UNOPS and the (potentially new) Insurer ends per 31/12/2027? Or will the new insurer need to continue to provide coverage to Continuants and/or ASHI even after the Group Medical Insurance Contract ends per 31/12/2027 for X number of months/lifelong?Linked to the above: What about the Continuants/MIPs who are currently covered under the LICA Group plan/MIP Group plan? Will both groups be grandfathered/transferred to the new Insurance provider as per 1 Jan 2023?Answer: Plan members under the 12-month continuation period will remain with the insurer that provided the plan. This will also apply to the current plan expiring on 31 December 2022 (i.e. those under the 12-month continuation period will remain with the current provider of the plan). Retired local staff (ASHI) will move to the new provider of the plan when the plan expires.

New clarification added: Question: Can UNOPS please confirm if all LICAs benefit from privileges and immunities (P&I)?If not, can UNOPS please specify, which ones do not have such P&I?Answer: For the purpose of the contract bidders should assume that LICAs do not have P&I. If the question relates to payments to LICAs in embargo countries, UNOPS will facilitate those payments.  

New clarification added: Question: In the RFP, Candidates are requested to express premium per policyholder, spouse, child, retired staff.In order to provide UNOPS with the most accurate premium calculation, could you please share the volumes of claims per family position?Answer: UNOPS is not able to provide this data at this stage of the process.

New clarification added: Question: Could UNOPS provide the volume of calls and emails received in 2018, 2019 and 2020?Answer: Please see below;LICA PlanCalls - 1,729 in 2018, 1,659 in 2019, 2,436 in 2020Emails - 9,414 in 2018, 10,175 in 2019, 7,560 in 2020 

New clarification added: Question: Could UNOPS share an estimation of the number of insured members per contract duration?Answer: Refer to data provided in ITB_Section_II_Schedule of Requirements  page 2.

New clarification added: Question: With regards to Form D ITB Section III, could you kindly clarify: Q1.  2.7 Accompanying person - Could you please specify if under 18 admissions should not be covered.  For example, if a child is admitted, would the parents be able to use another bed in the hospital to look after the child?A1. For 16 years old children or below, hospital costs for an accompanying person (for occupying another bed) shall be covered if the clinic / hospital can accommodate one parent.Q2. 4.12 Prescribed Drugs / pharmaceutical products - Point 15 of the Local staff plan Medical plan Annex on page 4 says that antiretroviral drugs are reimbursable, subject to the limitations and exclusions of the plan. See drugs. Are preventative drugs for HVI covered if prescribed (PrEP (pre-exoposure medication /PEP post exposure medications)? Those are antiretroviral drugs. Do you want these preventative medications covered, if prescribed? A2. Antiretroviral as a preventive measure (PrEP) for HIV should not be covered. Q3. 4.26 Speech therapy: Should the first visit or assessment be covered, to see what the problem is? Is speech therapy covered for a congenital problem (it aims to improve a situation, but not to restore it)?A3. The first visit should be covered under the specialist visit to assess the situation. If the therapy aims to improve the situation, it should be covered also for congenital problems.Q4. 4.28 Infertility treatment (IVF, ICSI, AI and all similar treatments) - Would be covered the admission of premature born as a result of an IVF treatment?A4. Only the infertility (or similar) treatment will not be covered under the new plan. A premature birth as result of an IVF treatment should be covered under the plan.Q5. 6.14 Orthopaedic devices - Should other types of devices be covered, such as stents, prosthesis, etc?A5. Stents would likely fall under cardiovascular procedures. Prosthesis should be covered (subject to pre-approval).

New clarification added: Q1. There are currently Medical Insurance Pan (MIP) for Local staff (NOPs and GS), Medical Plan Rules for LICAs Holder. Could UNOPS confirm whether MIP Rules will apply for both LICAs and local Staff (NOPs & GS ) in Jan 2023?A1. Current rules (of both plans) regulating eligibility criteria, cessation of coverage, after service health insurance, continuation of service will continue to apply to each respective type of personnel (NPO, GS - LICAs). Q2. MIP Rules : Stop Loss clause – Could UNOPS confirm Stop Loss Clause will also apply for both groups LICAs and local Staff (NOPs and GS)?A2. Stop Loss clause will apply to both groups.Q3. MIP Rules : Stop Loss clause – Could UNOPS confirm Stop Loss Clause is triggered once a participant + family members have reached amount of out of pocket above the average monthly salary (50% for retirees) of the participant?A3. Stop Loss clause and its application is stated in point 1.10 of the ITB - Section II - Schedule of Requirements.Q4. MIP Rules : Stop Loss Clause – Could UNOPS confirm how this works in practice? Will the participant contact the TPA when this maximum amount is reached?A4. The insurance provider is expected to implement a system solution capable of tracking the total “Out of pocket maximum”. Salary data will be included in the eligibility file.Q5. MIP Rules:  MIP Ceiling – Amount exceeding the MIP Ceiling. Could UNOPS clarify how the MIP Ceiling works with the maximum annual limit at 160k$ (US & Ca) and 80k$ (Rest of the World)?A5. The insurance provider is required to cover up to the annual limit. In those circumstances where expenditure may exceed the annual limit, UNOPS will reimburse the provider for the amount exceeding the annual limit. In those instances, each case will be considered on its merits by UNOPS with the support of the TPA.Q6. MIP Rules – Hardship Provision. Could UNOPS clarify how Hardship provision works with the maximum annual limit indicated in the table of benefits of 160k$ (US & Ca) and 80k$ (Rest of the World)?A6. Please see above (question 5)Q7. MIP Rules : Stop Loss clause. We understand this clause is already in place for local Staff (NOPs and GS), Could UNOPS provide detailed claims showing claims without Stop Loss clause and Claims after Stop Loss Clause, including the number of staff and their dependants who reached this max amount and triggered the Stop Loss Clause?A7. UNOPS is not in a position to provide detailed data. We can confirm that for the following number of local staff the Stop Loss provision was triggered:2019: 02020: 1 member2021: 3 membersQ8. LICA Medical Plan Rules – Could UNOPS confirm LICA Medical Plan Rules should be replaced by MIP Rules? A8. Please see answer to question 1 (above).Q9. We understand that Clauses 5.2 of the LTA has been amended with a capp 10% increase each year (Prices shall remain fixed for an initial period of 12 months).The Art 11.4.4 Duration, Amendment of LTAs of the UNOPS Procurement Manual stipulates that LTAs might include a price adjustment mechanism, which must be considered in the procurement planning phase, specified in the original solicitation document and included in the LTA with different level of approval for price increases :For Price increases of less than 10% the PA must approve the increase documented by the procurement official in a note to the file.For Price increases exceeding 10%, HQCPC review and ECPO approval is required.Based on the above article (UNOPS Procurement Manual), could UNOPS confirm an increase above 10% is still possible after 12 months (in case of poor performance) subject to Internal approval Rules?A9. In scope of bid, it was clearly mentioned that the supplier may be allowed to request for a price adjustment after every 12 months period up to a maximum of 10%, upon UNOPS approval based on justified evidence and performance of the LTA holder.Q10. Excluded benefits : is it acceptable to UNOPS to include our general exclusions in the annex of the contract?A10. UNOPS will use its standard contract “Long Term Agreement (LTA)” along with the UNOPS General Conditions for the provision of services. If the bidder believes that certain additional provisions/deviations are needed in order to perform the services for UNOPS, they should include it in their proposal. UNOPS may evaluate the requested deviations during the evaluation stage. If the required deviations are acceptable to UNOPS, UNOPS may consider negotiating the requested deviation with the successful bidder before the contract award. Q11. Termination: could UNOPS confirm conditions for termination for both UNOPS and the contractor? A11. Please refer to the “Section 13 Termination Clause” in UNOPS General Conditions of Contract for the Provision of Services under Section IV: Contract Forms.Q12. ASHI after-service health insurance – is this cover expected to be an indiv continuation, i.e contracted directly between the insurer and the former staff?A12. This should not be considered an individual contract between the insurer and former staff.Q13. The clauses 5.2 in the Instrument of Agreement (Long terms agreement) : should UNOPS refuses to increase the price following the UNOPS approval process stipulated in the Procurement Manual, is this a ground for annual termination by the insurer?A13. The amended clause for Section 5.2 in the Instrument of Agreement (Long Term Agreement) was already included in Annex 1: Special Conditions of the contract. Please find it on Page 6 of the sample contract Long Term Agreement under the document section.Q14. Local contract (MIP): could you please confirm that the group contract is subscribed by UNOPS on behalf of its local staff and which entity (would it be the Denmark based entity) ?A14. The group contract is subscribed by UNOPS, having its headquarter in Copenhagen, Denmark, on behalf of all its local staff and contractors.Q15. Staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP) : is there a time limit for the insurance cover during SLWOP?A15. Insurance cover should remain in place during SLWOP. Maximum entitlement for SLWOP: twelve (12) months, exceptionally additional leave can be granted for a maximum period of an additional twelve (12) months. In general, the total period on SLWOP should remain within a maximum of twenty-four (24) months.Q16. Hardship provision: is it defined who has the final say on the activation of the hardship provision? Does it require joint agreement of the insurer and UNOPS?A16. Please see answers number 5 and 6. This will be a UNOPS’ decision.

New clarification added: Question: Does UNOPS manage all the members' data in a centralized Information System? Is UNOPS able to send us the eligibility list and the coverage of the members in a single file?Answer: UNOPS cannot provide this data at this stage of the procurement process.

New clarification added: Question: With regards to Form D ITB Section III: Q1. 4.15  “Prescribed contraceptives (if medically necessary)”- Could you please specify how you understand medically necessary in this context?A1. Prescribed contraceptives (if medically necessary) refers to contraceptives required during treatment with teratogenic medication, such as but not limited to chemotherapy, retinoids, etc. and if a pregnancy presents danger to the life of the pregnant insured person, and for the management of gynaecological illnesses like menstrual cramps, endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).Q2. 2.11 “Organ transplant” - Could you please specify your expectations regarding donor coverage?A2. The cost of hospitalization and medical procedure for the donor should be covered by the plan.Additional expenses such as lost wages, travelling expenses or expenses for unrelated conditions discovered during the evaluation process should not be covered. 

New clarification added: Question: Following the Q&A on coverage duration:"UNOPS LICA Contractors Medical Claims data (excel file):Q1. Sheet “Historical census”: could you please confirm whether the number of persons covered corresponds to FULL YEAR COVERAGE (1 person = 12 months of coverage)?A1. There are small (negligible) monthly fluctuations as certain contracts may terminate and others may start during each year. So, the number provided should be considered for full year coverage."Could you kindly confirm that it means that when "Contractor A" ends its contract with UNOPS, he/she immediately replaced by "Contractor B" so that historical census is composed of full time equivalents?Someone who terminates its contract and is replaced by another one counts for one (1) position in the historical census sheet and not two (2) positions - Contrator A being present part of the year + Contractor B the other part?Answer: Certain contracts may terminate and others may start during each year. So, the number provided should be considered for full year coverage. However, this does not mean that there is an immediate replacement of a contractor with another, the periods of exit and entry may differ and there will be small (negligible) monthly fluctuations. The expectation therefore is that each contractor premium shall be based on the period they are on cover. For the purpose of this LTA, use the data shared as a sample representation of a full year coverage. 

New clarification added: Question: In the medical claims data LICA, tab "Claims Summary" : - UNOPS + Partners, cell 021: were there any major claims occurring in the first 2 months of 2022? Could you please give us the amount of the major claims occurring beginning of 2022 (top 5)?Answer:  We only have 2 months claims, more claims paid in Zone B compared to last year and to other areas. The calculation of the reserve was added on top of 2 months claims paid.Claim ID 1, 2022, Treatment Country: Hong Kong, Amount: USD 10,281Claim ID 2, 2022, Treatment Country: Paraguay, Amount: USD 9,899Claim ID 3, 2022, Treatment Country: Lebanon, Amount: USD 6,783Claim ID 4, 2022, Treatment Country: Costa Rica, Amount: USD 6,067Claim ID 5, 2022, Treatment Country: Kenya, Amount USD 5,531Question: In the same file, tab “LICA members 01FEB2022”: Could you please confirm the duty country is indicated in the column “country”?Answer: The column “country” is the cost centre, “home country” is the “duty station country” and “nationality” is the member’s “nationality”. 

New clarification added: Question: Could UNOPS confirm whether the required table in the Schedule of Requirements (table of benefits applicable) was the current TOB in force for local Staff (NOP - National Professional Officers & GS –General Service GS ) ? if not could UNOPS shared the TOB for this category?Answer: The required Schedule of Requirements (table of benefits applicable to the new plan) is a combination of the current table applicable to local Staff and the table applicable to LICAs. The new table is not exactly the same as the one for local Staff.The list of current reimbursable and non-reimbursable items for local Staff is included in the folder “UNOPS Local Staff Medical Plan”.

New clarification added: Question: Is the insurer allowed to propose amendments to the terms and conditions in certain cases, to reflect the very specific nature of the insurance services which are being provided?Answer: UNOPS will use its standard contract “Long Term Agreement (LTA)” along with the UNOPS General Conditions of Contract for the provision of services. If the bidder believes that certain additional provisions/deviations are needed in order to perform the services for UNOPS, they should include it in their proposal. UNOPS may evaluate the requested deviations during the evaluation stage. If the required deviations are acceptable to UNOPS, UNOPS may consider negotiating the requested deviation with the successful bidder before the contract award.

New clarification added: Question: Could you kindly clarify the wording in Annex 1 Special Conditions of the Long Term Agreement – it looks like there might be a typo as it talks about a maximum of 10% years. Expecting this means 10% only?Answer: That must clearly be a typo.  It is 10% only.

New amendment added #2: eSourcing Case Reference No. ITB/2022/41586Tender description: Long Term Agreement for the provision of Medical Insurance PlansThe following modifications are made through this amendment, with reference to the above ITB.1. “Section 1.3 Eligibility” of Section II - Schedule of Requirements and Section III - Returnable Bidding Forms is amended as follows:             "The enrolment criterion for LICA holders has been rectified into automatic enrolment"2. LICAs monthly salaries sheet has been modified to include salaries in USD currency. Accordingly, the updated "Procurement files_UNOPS LICA (Contractors) Medical Plan (Revision 1)" folder is enclosed. All other requirements and terms and conditions of the bid document remain unaltered.

New clarification added: UNOPS LICA Medical Plan Rules:Q1. May we have a copy of the Appendix B referred to page 5 of LICA Medical Plan rules?A1. UNOPS decided not to publish it. The Appendix B to the LICA Medical Plan rules states the current premium for each category of insured (policyholder, spouse, child), the amount of administration fee and the percentage of monthly premium subsidised by UNOPS.Q2.  Page 4: “Under certain circumstances, all LICA holders at a given location may be excluded by UNOPS from participating in the LICA Medical plan” Which are these circumstances?A2.  There are certain jurisdictions which may require medical plans to comply with local regulations and, if the group plan does not fully comply with local regulation, UNOPS may decide to exclude local LICAs from the plan.Q3. Page 4: Recognized spouse is eligible to be covered by the plan. Is there a possibility that there will be several spouses or is there a limitation to one spouse?A3. Only one spouse is eligible for cover under the medical plan. 

New clarification added: Current Table Of Benefits of the LICA (2017):Q1. "Including automatic cover for newly born children”: Is the current health coverage for newborn children free until 1 year old?A1.  The current health coverage for newborn is free until the child 1st year birthday.Q2.  In the current table of benefits, the following guarantees are not indicated: medical imaging, laboratory tests, HIV tests, COVID 19 vaccination, no benefits in OPTICS (eye tests, lenses reimbursements). Can you let us know if these benefits are expected to be covered?A2.  Please refer to Section II - Schedule of requirements. The table in the Schedule of Requirements is the table of benefits applicable to the new plan for which UNOPS is requesting bids.Current tables of benefits have been provided as a reference only to illustrate the scope of current coverage vis-a-vis historical claims and consumption data. In the current LICA Table of Benefits, medical imaging and laboratory tests and HIV tests are covered at 80%. Optics (eye tests, lenses, etc.) are not covered in the current LICA plan.

New clarification added: UNOPS LICA Contractors Medical Claims data (excel file):Q1. Sheet “Historical census”: could you please confirm whether the number of persons covered corresponds to FULL YEAR COVERAGE (1 person = 12 months of coverage)?A1. There are small (negligible) monthly fluctuations as certain contracts may terminate and others may start during each year. So, the number provided should be considered for full year coverage.Q2. If not possible, could you please provide us with a template with the census since 2018 with the start date of coverage and the end date of coverage (+ sex, date of birth, duty station, marital status, insured type: main insured / child / spouse)?A2. Please see point 1 in this section.Q3.  If not, could you please provide us with the same census detailing the number of members effectively covered over 12 months? (in this case, 12 months of coverage = 1 and 6 months of coverage = 0,5 for example)A3. Please see point 1 in this section.Q4. If not possible, could you please provide us with the average contract legth for the contractors per policy year between 2017 and 2022? (The average contract length may increase or decrease over the period). This is important to calculate the average consumption per person covered and not overestimate the budget over the 5 next occurrences.A4. Please see point 1 in this section.Q5. In a census for Continuation UNOPS, can you please let us know whether a member joining during the year is counted again on the following year ? (e.g., June 2017 for 12 months, is the person accounted a second time in the figures of 2018 as a 1?A5. A member enrolled under the 12-month continuation period is counted only once (i.e. not counted again at the beginning of the new year).Q6. We noticed some children are classified married in the “LICA Members 1FEB”, could you please confirm these are typos?A6. That must clearly be a typo in the file.Q7. Would It be possible to obtain a census detailed of entry and date of deletion from the scheme from each policy holder?A7. Regrettably, we are not able to provide that set of data.Q8. How can we identify the former staff (retired staff) in the census?A8. LICAs are contractors and are not entitled to ASHI (After Service Health Insurance), therefore there are no retired LICAs in the scheme. LICAs are only entitled to request a 12-month continuation period after separation from the organisation. These rules will also be applicable to the new plan.Local Staff (NPO, GS) only are entitled to ASHI.Q9.  What is the maximum age of coverage? Is retirement age different for each member?A9.  There is no maximum age limit (or retirement age) for LICA contracts.

New clarification added: Section II – Schedule of Requirements / Tables of benefits available in the files for LICA medical plan and Local staff medical plan:Q1. Could you please confirm that the expected table of benefits for staff members and local staff is the one presented in Section II and that the current table of benefits are those available in the dedicated files (Document entitled “UNOPS LICA Medical Plan” and “UNOPS Local staff Medical Plan”)?A1. We confirm that Section II - Schedule of Requirements is the expected table of benefits applicable to the new plan for which UNOPS is requesting bids.The tables of benefits applicable to current (in-force) policies are those contained in the respective folders (“UNOPS LICA Medical Plan” and “UNOPS Local staff Medical Plan”)Q2. Benefits changes are indicated in the Claims Excel file for LICA. For staff members, there is no indication of any benefits change. Could you please confirm that there were no benefits changes over the last 5 years? And if yes, which benefits changes and when did they occur?A2. Staff members' (NPO, GS) table of benefits hasn’t changed in the last 5 years.Q3. What are the expectations of the UNOPS in terms of maintaining the premiums over the period? Can the Insurer suggest the adjustment clause to adjust the premiums annually on the basis of the medical consumptions/medical inflation? Or shall the premiums be adjusted only after the 3 first years of contract?A3. Please refer to “Scope of Bid” under section “Particulars”:UNOPS will use the result of this solicitation process to enter into non-exclusive Long Term Agreement (LTA) for a period of three (3) years with a possible extension of an additional two (1+1) years. Prices quoted against this ITB shall remain fixed for an initial 12 months period from the date of signature of the Long Term Agreement. The supplier may be allowed to request for a price adjustment after every 12 months period up to a maximum of 10%, upon UNOPS approval based on justified evidence and performance of the LTA holder. All reductions in market prices will be passed on in full to UNOPS.The 10% threshold applies to the total premium (Underwriting Services + Third Party Administration)Q4. The premium needing to be provided in USD, may we have the average monthly wage in USD for the US/Canada area as well as for the rest of the population covered?A4.  The tab “LICA Fee monthly salaries” has been updated in the file “UNOPS LICA (Contractors) Medical Plan_Data & Claims” to include the monthly salaries list in USD.Q5. May we obtain the detailed (line by line – summary of each claim) claims report since 2018 for the LICAs as well as for the staff members in separated files?If not possible, may we obtain more information concerning the major claims per family for the 5 more consuming families per occurrence since 2017 for the LICAs?A5. UNOPS will provide the highest claim by single family by year and by country of treatment.Q6. Staff members and LICA holders and dependents may request the Insurer through the TPA to convert the Medical Plan into an individual contract for a maximum of 12 months”Are the premiums for the individual contracts expected to be paid by UNOPS for its former members in case of continuation?A6. If the Staff / LICA is separating from the organisation and requests the 12-month period continuation cover, premiums (underwriting + admin fee) are paid by the former member. Those policies should be considered individual policies (contracts) subject to group plan conditions.Q7. When the UNOPS scheme terminates, is the current insurer expected to continue cover of members who have opt for the continuation or should the continuation plan terminate along with the UNOPS scheme?A7.  When the UNOPS scheme terminates, the 12-month continuation policies will remain with the insurer that provided the scheme. Those contracts should be regarded as individual policies as the contractual relationship is between the insurer and the former personnel.Q8. Could you please confirm whether COVID 19 vaccination was covered or not in the current benefits in 2021 and 2022?A8. Covid 19 vaccinations are covered at 80% (reasonable and customary charges applied) in the current benefit table (2021, 2022). However, as there are national programmes in place to ensure that Covid-19 vaccine is delivered to individuals, the local health authority programme or governmental agency is the recommended route for the Covid-19 vaccine. Therefore, UNOPS advised all personnel (LICA / Staff) to access the local health system first where available. If that was not possible, members could try to obtain the vaccine privately, depending on availability in private hospitals / practices. 

New clarification added: Question: What are the current exclusions applied in the contracts? Shall the insurer propose its own exclusions?Answer: Current exclusions for the LICA medical plan have been included in the folder “UNOPS LICA (Contractors) Medical Plan”.The insurer can propose its own exclusions if they are less restrictive than current ones.

New clarification added: Question: We understand that The Individual Contractors are not regarded as a staff member of UNOPS and do not benefit from the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. Therefore, may we obtain more information about how an insurer should regard these types of insured vis-à-vis UNOPS especially when considering those located or residing in sanction countries? Same question applies to staff members not benefiting from Privileges and immunities anymore and opting for after service health insurance and/or continuation of cover.Answer: Coverage should be guaranteed to all UNOPS personnel. If there are restrictions or limitations in reimbursing claims directly to the plan member in sanctioned countries, bulk payments can be made to UNOPS directly and then UNOPS will disburse the money to the plan beneficiary.

New clarification added: Question: Could you please confirm if we can offer different rates for the Lica’s vs National Professional officers and General service?Answer: UNOPS expects the same rate applicable to LICA and Staff (NPO, GS).

New clarification added: Question: In relation to our clarification request submitted on 08.06.2022, could you please confirm that “LICA holding a contract of three (3) months or more” have voluntary cover as per Section II Schedule of Requirements 1.3 Eligibility? If the cover is voluntary, could you kindly share the historical % of Lica’s members opting for this cover?Answer: The enrolment criterion for LICA holders has been rectified into “automatic enrolment”. Amendment 2 is being issued.

New clarification added: Question: Could you please confirm that the 10% cap on the potential annual increase applies to the total Premium (Underwriting Services + Third Party Administration)?Answer: The 10% cap applies to the total Premium (Underwriting Services + Third Party Administration)

New clarification added: Question: Can you kindly describe in detail what is exactly covered under the MET (Medical Evacuation Travel) benefit. Is medical evacuation due to lack of medical capacity or equipment locally (to provide decent care according to the pathology) required? Answer: If a medical evacuation is approved by UNOPS, either because a plan member requires medical evacuation outside the duty station country or because of lack of medical facilities or because specialised treatment / clinics are not available locally, hospitalisation costs following a medical evacuation will be covered up to the limit of the policy and in full in the country where incurred.

New clarification added: Question: Regarding Form D Technical Bid Form in Section III Returnable Bidding Forms: We are requested to insert details of services offered, but we are under the impression that the space does not allow for a complete and satisfactory response in some cases. We would therefore like to clarify, if we could integrate the table Form D as part of a technical response, as this would allow for a more detailed description; or if we could upload a seperate document (technical description) in addition to Form D, to detail the services we intend to offer and which we would refer to in the Form D? Answer: Bidder must complete and upload the Form D. Bidders are welcome to provide additional documents by providing clear referrence to the relevent section in the Form D.

New clarification added: Question: We would like to know how many eligible LICAs have opted for the cover provided under the UNOPS LICAs group plan (given it’s mentioned as “Optional” under section “1.3 Eligibility”). Thank you. UNOPS: The enrolment criterion of LICA holders is corrected into automatic enrolment. Amendment 2 is being issued. 

New clarification added: Question: Can you confirm that submission deadline is now 30th June?UNOPS: Yes, the deadline for bid submission is June 30, 2022. 

New clarification added: Question: We have noted that submission date is set on 22/06/2022. Considering the thoroughness of our analytical work and the implications of several internal departments, could you please consider to postpone the deadline to submit the proposal for at least 15 days?UNOPS: The deadline for bid submissions has been extended until June 30, 2022. Please refer to Amendment-1 dated June 07, 2022. 

New amendment added #1: eSourcing Case Reference No. ITB/2022/41586Tender description: Long Term Agreement for the provision of Medical Insurance PlansAmendment – I (Dated. 07 June 2022)The following modifications are made through this amendment, with reference to the above ITB.The deadline for submission of the bid is extended to: not later than 15:00 UTC on 30 June 2022 (Thursday).The deadline for clarifications is extended to: not later than 15:00 UTC on 24 June 2022 (Friday).All other terms and conditions of the tender remain unaltered.