All Submitted questions and their answers to all

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation number 19BC4026Q0004 for LE Staff Life and Disability Insurance Cover.

• Disability Benefit Calculation: Clarification sought on whether the specified Total and Partial Disability benefits (60 times monthly basic salary) require a combination of Workers' Compensation (WCA) and Group Personal Accident (GPA) cover. The Solicitation is strictly for Group Life and Disability cover only.
• Funeral Cover: Confirmation requested if group funeral cover includes spouses and parents, and at what rate (e.g., P30,000.00 or P50,000.00). Coverage is limited to eligible employees and contractors.
• Employee Data & Claims History: A request for employee bio data in Excel format and 3-year claims history was made. The response indicates this data has already been provided in the solicitation.
• Proposal Due Date: Proposals are due on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by 10:00 AM CAT.
• War and Terrorism Coverage: Clarification on whether Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefits apply to losses from terrorism, provided they do not fall under the solicitation's definition of war. The Government expects AD&D benefits to cover acts of terrorism not defined as war. Bidders are not required to add special terrorism wording if their coverage aligns with existing definitions.
• Carrier Financial Strength Rating: The underlying insurance carrier must meet the minimum rating stated in the Solicitation (e.g., AM Best "A-" or equivalent). Carriers not meeting this minimum are unacceptable, even with reinsurance, unless explicitly allowed by the Solicitation. The primary carrier must meet the threshold.
• Definition of Total Disability: Total Disability is defined as an impairment requiring separation from employment. The evaluation is based on the employee's inability to continue employment, not solely on "own occupation" vs. "any occupation." A combination approach for evaluating Total Disability is not acceptable.

This document clarifies specific requirements and definitions within the original solicitation, particularly concerning benefit calculations, coverage scope, and eligibility criteria. It confirms that certain data has already been provided and that specific approaches (like combination disability evaluation or additional terrorism wording) are not acceptable. Bidders should rely on the existing definitions and exclusions in the Solicitation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for locally employed Staff Life and Disability insurance coverage for employees of the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana. The government is seeking off-the-shelf plans that meet minimum benefit levels, with the intent to award to the responsible offeror with the lowest-priced acceptable offer. Discussions may be held if necessary.

• Group Life Insurance coverage for U.S. Embassy employees in Gaborone, Botswana.

• Coverage includes Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Partial & Total Disability.

• Specific benefit amounts are tied to the employee's monthly basic salary (e.g., 48 times monthly salary for natural death, 60 times for total disability).

• Contractor must provide a brochure detailing benefits in English and local language.

• Contract Type: Fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027) with four (4) one-year option periods.

• Currency: Botswana Pula (BWP).

• Pre-proposal conference: Virtual, February 11, 2026, 2:00 PM Botswana time. Contact gaboronegsoprocurement@state.gov for link.

• Questions Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2026, 12:00 noon.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10:00 AM.

• Submission Method: Electronic via email to gaboronegsoprocurement@state.gov.

• File Size Limit: 30MB per email; separate files for larger submissions.

• Proposal Format: MS-Word 2007/2010, MS-Excel 2007/2010, or Adobe Acrobat (PDF).

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest priced, technically acceptable, responsible offeror. Offerors must be licensed/certified/accredited.

• Eligible employees include current active employees under the Local Compensation Plan, Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), locally hired U.S. citizens, Peace Corps LE staff, and ORE staff.

• Specific U.S. Government agencies covered include Department of State, U.S. Agency for Global Media, Foreign Assistance, Botswana CDC, ILEA, Marines Security Gard, Defense Attache Office, and OSC.

• Individuals not eligible include those aged 60+ prior to duty, nonpersonal services contract personnel, temporary employees, and those with intermittent, seasonal, or WAE schedules.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

• Proposals must be in English.

• Required forms include SF-33, Section B (Pricing Schedule), Section K (Representations and Certifications), and potentially IRS Form W-14.

• Proof of SAM registration is required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a Request for Proposals (RFP) for locally employed Staff Life and Disability Insurance Cover for employees of the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana. The government intends to award a contract to the responsible company offering an acceptable "off-the-shelf" plan at the lowest price, potentially without discussions.

• Provision of Group Life and Disability Insurance coverage for U.S. Embassy employees in Gaborone, Botswana.

• Coverage includes Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Partial & Total Disability.

• Specific benefit levels are detailed in Section C, including death benefits of 48 times monthly basic salary and disability benefits of 60 times monthly basic salary.

• The contract is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment type.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027) with four (4) one-year option periods.

• Contract type: Fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment.

• Payment currency: Botswana Pula (BWP).

• Pre-proposal conference: Virtual via Teams on February 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM Botswana time. Contact gaboronegsoprocurement@state.gov for details.

• Questions Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2026, at 12:00 noon.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM via email to gaboronegsoprocurement@state.gov.

• Proposals must be in English and submitted in MS-Word, MS-Excel, or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format, not exceeding 30MB per email.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest priced, technically acceptable, responsible offeror. Offerors must be licensed/certified/accredited.

• Not specified as a set-aside.

• Eligible employees include current active U.S. Government employees paid under the Local Compensation Plan, Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), locally hired U.S. citizens, Peace Corps LE staff, and ORE staff.

• Individuals must be employed within the geographic boundaries of Botswana by specific listed agencies.

• Employees aged 60 or older are not eligible.

• Nonpersonal services contract personnel, temporary, intermittent, seasonal, or WAE employees are not eligible.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

• Required forms include SF-33, Section B (Pricing Schedule), Section K (Representations and Certifications), and IRS Form W-14 if applicable.

• The document references numerous FAR clauses incorporated by reference.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for Life and Disability Insurance Services for the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana. The government requires a contractor to provide Group Life Insurance services to approximately XXX employees of the U.S. Government in Gaborone.

• Group Life Insurance services.

• Anticipated performance period: Base year with one one-year option period.

• Contract type: Fixed price with economic price adjustment requirements.

• The solicitation will be launched on www.SAM.gov when available.

• All responsible sources may submit a quotation.

• Award may be based on the initial offer without discussion, but discussions may be held if needed.

• Electronic responses are allowed and should not exceed 2MB per email.

• A pre-quotation conference is planned; details will be in the solicitation.

• Not specified in this notice.

• This solicitation is not ready to be issued as of the date of this notice.

• Product Service Code: G006-Social-Government Life Insurance Programs

• NAICS Code: 524113 DIRECT LIFE INSURANCE CARRIERS

• Place of Performance: GABORONE, BOTSWANA

• Original Inactive Date: April 30, 2026

• Primary Point of Contact: Brett C Rose, Contracting Officer

• Secondary Point of Contact: Leonard Thebe