Group Insurance Consulting

Trade Agreement: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Tendering Procedures: Generally only one firm has been invited to bid
Non-Competitive Procurement Strategy: Consulting Services Regarding Matters of a Confidential Nature
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Vendor Name and Address: 
Hub International Atlantic Limited
7071 Bayers Road
Suite 3007
Halifax Nova Scotia
Canada
B3L2C2
Nature of Requirements: 

Group Insurance Consulting

EP899-220446/A
Richard, Linda K.
Telephone No. - (902) 402-9059 (    )
Fax No. - (902) 496-5016 (    )

1. Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) 

An ACAN is a public notice indicating to the supplier community that a department or agency intends to award a contract for goods, services or construction to a pre-identified supplier, thereby allowing other suppliers to signal their interest in bidding, by submitting a statement of capabilities. If no supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, on or before the closing date stated in the ACAN, the contracting officer may then proceed with the award to the pre-identified supplier. 

2. Definition of the requirement 

Public Services and Procurement Canada has a requirement for the services of a consultant to assist with the management of the Group Insurance plans it delivers as part of its Human Resource Legacy Obligations to former employees of the Cape Breton Development Corporation. 

The work will involve the following: 
 
Financial Review

i. Monthly financial and claims experience analysis, including comparison and commentary of previous year positions, by division; discussion with client; 
ii. Verification of annual financial statements, preparation of interim reporting and supplements;
iii. Financial risk assessment for each benefit;
iv. Advice on benefit reserve levels; including actuarial analysis for future liability;
v. Tracking of cost shared financial results by division;
vi. Presentation of Financial results each year by Consulting Team. 

Renewal Review

i. Annual renewal analysis independent from insurer presented information;
ii. Negotiation of premium rates with insurers; 
iii. Negotiation of fee for administrative service with insurers;
iv. Actuarial assessment and update of financial review, including short and mid-term benefit cost projections;
v. Prepare and present renewal results including cost shared results (by division) and financial position(s);
vi. Coordinate implementation of rates with PSPC and Insurer/ insurer submission premiums;
vii. Coordinate implementation of rates with PSPC Administration provider for premium collection;
viii. Presentation of Renewal results each year by Consulting team;
ix. Individual Member communication.

Ongoing Client Service

i. Advice on relevant market trends and legislative changes;
ii. Market reviews and comparisons as required;
iii. Plan design analysis & advice on alternate design(s); 
iv. Day to day support and guidance for PSPSC program coordinators; 
v. Review of documents, monitor and assess contracts & amendments, underwriting agreements;
vi. Assist in complex claims/contract issues;
vii. Tax effectiveness review and recommendations;
viii. Orientation/education; 



3. Criteria for assessment of the Statement of Capabilities (Minimum Essential Requirements) 

Any interested supplier must demonstrate by way of a statement of capabilities that it meets the following requirements: 

Experience:  10 years’ experience in projects similar in size, scope and complexity;

Knowledge and understanding of:

- Administrative Service Only (ASO) Group Insurance plans
- Providing advice for post employment group insurance plans in which the membership is declining and plan-end dates are known and projected.
- Providing advice to the Government of Canada on Group Insurance Management.
- Multi-Divisional Plans, each with different premium structures and benefits
- Appropriate levels of financial reserves held by insurers to ensure uninterrupted payment of claims
- Maintaining records on reserve balances held by insurers, by divisions
- Providing Actuarial Analysis
- Appropriate premium levels by employee and employer share
- Drawing down reserves in an orderly manner through premium adjustments
- The orderly close out of plans with declining memberships and fixed end dates 

Team designated to the project is to possess the following credentials:
- Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (ie. CEBS; GBA; RPA:, Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) designations, as well as Life, Accident & Sickness License with preference of license holder that requires mandatory continuing education courses to maintain.


4. Applicability of the trade agreement(s) to the procurement 

This procurement is subject to the following trade agreement(s) 

Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)

5. Justification for the Pre-Identified Supplier 

Supplier has specialized and historical knowledge of the CBDC group insurance plans including post employment membership decline, financial reserve requirements, actuarial observations, rate trends and the overall evolution of the group plans from the time of active operations of the CBDC, through closure, and planning for wind up.  This specialized knowledge cannot be transferred to another firm with HR Legacy Personnel as it takes years to develop and this is the very knowledge for which the HR Legacy Personnel must reply upon Hub International.

6. Government Contracts Regulations Exception(s) 

The following exception(s) to the Government Contracts Regulations is (are) invoked for this procurement under subsection 6(d) - "only one person is capable of performing the work". 

7. Exclusions and/or Limited Tendering Reasons 
The following exclusion(s) and/or limited tendering reasons are invoked under the: 

Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) Article(s) 513 (b) (iii) (i) 

8. Period of the proposed contract or delivery date 

The proposed contract is for a period of 3 years, from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2024; with options for renewal of two separate one-year periods.

9. Cost estimate of the proposed contract 
. 
The estimated value of the contract is $90,000  (GST/HST extra). 

10. Name and address of the pre-identified supplier 

Hub International Atlantic Limited
110 Garland Avenue, Suite 201
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  B3B 0A7

11. Suppliers' right to submit a statement of capabilities 

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the goods, services or construction services described in the ACAN may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this notice on or before the closing date of this notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

12. Closing date for a submission of a statement of capabilities 

The closing date and time for accepting statements of capabilities is July 29, 2021  2:00 p.m. ADT.

13. Inquiries and submission of statements of capabilities 

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to: 

Linda Richard
Supply Specialist
Public Services and Procurement Canada 
1713 Bedford Row, Halifax, NS  B3T 1M5 
Facsimile: (902) 496-5016

E-mail:  linda.k.richard@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca


Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

You are hereby notified that the government intends to negotiate with one firm only as identified above. Should you have any questions concerning this requirement, contact the contracting officer identified above.

An Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) allows departments and agencies to post a notice, for no less than fifteen (15) calendar days, indicating to the supplier community that it intends to award a good, service or construction contract to a pre-identified contractor. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a Statement of Capabilities that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the contracting authority may then proceed with the award.  However, should a Statement of Capabilities be found to meet the requirements set out in the ACAN, then the contracting authority will proceed to a full tendering process.

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services/goods described herein, may submit a statement of capabilities in writing to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

The PWGSC file number, the contracting officer's name and the closing date of the ACAN must appear on the outside of the envelope in block letters or, in the case of a facsimile transmission, on the covering page.

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.