Local Employee Staff Life Insurance (2026-2031) Baku, Azerbaijan

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding RFQ # 19AJ2026R0002 for Local Employee Staff Life Insurance (2026-2031) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

• Licensing Requirements: Offerors must provide a notarized copy of their current license/certificate/accreditation demonstrating authorization by the Government of Azerbaijan (or another government if not authorized by Azerbaijan) to provide life insurance in the host country. This authorization must be valid through the base performance period and eligible for renewal. Failure to demonstrate this authorization may lead to proposal rejection.
• Employee Numbers & Dependent Coverage: Information on the number of employees is available on page 61 (Section J) of the solicitation package. Dependent coverage requirements are detailed in the Statement of Work starting on page 11.
• Incumbent Provider: The current service provider is Atesgah Life Insurance ASJ.
• Historical Claims/Loss Ratio Reports: The government will request this information from the current vendor, but bidders should note that the new plan has different terms and conditions.
• In-Country Servicing: While Section "M" of the solicitation does not mandate minimum in-country servicing for claims administration and customer support, offerors must demonstrate acceptable relevant experience and past performance.
• Pricing: Offerors must propose fixed prices for the entire five-year period, as detailed in paragraphs B.7 through B.8.1 of the solicitation.

This Q&A document clarifies specific requirements related to licensing, employee data, and pricing, which bidders must address in their proposals. It also confirms that virtual attendance will be permitted for the pre-proposal conference.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the provision of locally employed staff life insurance coverage for employees of the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan. The U.S. Government intends to award a contract/purchase order to the responsible company submitting an acceptable offer at the lowest price. The government may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if needed.

• Provision of Group Life Insurance and disability benefits services.

• Coverage includes Natural Death (21x monthly basic salary), Accidental Death (22x monthly basic salary), Disability Benefits (minimum monthly amounts specified), and Funeral Benefits (minimum 600 manat).

• The contractor must provide a brochure in English and Azerbaijani detailing the benefits within 30 days of award.

• Contractor must maintain satisfactory standards of employee competency, conduct, and integrity.

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

• Period of Performance: One year beginning July 5, 2026, with four (4) one-year options to renew.

• Currency: Payments and benefits will be in local currency (Azerbaijani Manat).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but pricing is based on estimated payroll.

• Proposals are due by June 15, 2026, 18:00 (local time).

• Proposals must be in English.

• Submission Method: Electronically to BAKUBIDBOX@STATE.GOV.

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

• File Size Limit: 30MB per file; separate emails for larger submissions.

• Required Documents: SF-33, Section B (Pricing Schedule), Section K (Representations and Certifications), Section L (Additional Information), and proof of SAM Registration.

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

• No specific set-aside is mentioned.

• Eligible participants are Locally Employed (LE) Staff working full-time or part-time under non-temporary direct-hire appointments or personal services agreements/contracts not limited to less than one year, and paid under the Local Compensation Plan.

• Official Residence Expense (ORE) employees may be covered under a rider, with costs borne by the employing officer.

• A pre-proposal conference will be held on May 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM (local time) at the U.S. Embassy Annex.

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

• Payments are subject to a 2% excise tax under the James Zadroga 9/11 Victims Health and Compensation Act of 2010, unless a waiver or exception applies.