Inactive

A. Agency Information The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (“RRB”) is an independent federal agency that administers a retirement and survivor benefit program for railroad employees and their families. ... A. Agency Information The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (“RRB”) is an independent federal agency that administers a retirement and survivor benefit program for railroad employees and their families. The RRB was established by the Railroad Retirement Acts of 1937 and 1974. Its benefit program was the forerunner of the more familiar Social Security System. The Railroad Retirement System is unique inasmuch as it is the only federally administered benefit program covering a single private industry. The RRB also administers the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, which provides unemployment and sickness benefits to railroad employees. The RRB’s headquarters, is located in Chicago, Illinois. The RRB has a national network of 53 field offices. B. Objective The RRB seeks the services of a group of licensed physicians (ref: Section III.D.) who shall provide services for the Disability Benefits Division (DBD). Required services are detailed in the following sections and include: (1) providing medical expertise, advice and consultation in the area of disability benefit and claim matters, (2) preparing advisory medical opinions for all bureaus and offices of the RRB and (3) providing training to the disability staff as required. C. Background 1. DBD is responsible for making agency decisions related to disability-based benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), the Social Security Act (SSA). Similarly, RRB examiners make certain medical decisions IAW aspects of the sickness program under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. The division is responsible for communicating these decisions in language understandable to the public. 2. The Disability unit is comprised of two determination sections (including clerical staff who perform functions for all parts of the office), where medical and vocational expertise is combined to provide claim decisions and advice. 3. Disability entitlement under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) may exist based on total disability, with medical and vocational factors considered, for railroad employees, their widows, or their children whom suffer onset of disability prior to the age of 22. In addition, entitlement is possible if an employee who meets certain age and/or service requirements is unable to perform their regular occupation. 4. Initial medical and vocational evidence development related to disability claims is the joint responsibility of the RRB’s Field Service and Headquarters staff. The development includes accumulation of all pertinent existing medical records (hospital, clinic, etc.), a report from the applicant’s personal physician, and, when appropriate, consultative examinations and ancillary tests arranged by a disability examination services contractor at the request of RRB staff. 5. DBD is involved in requesting and reimbursing claims related and professional services required in connection with the disability program. A number of guides are available and utilized in the claim evaluation including the Railroad Retirement Act, Social Security Act, and Code of Federal Regulations. 6. By its nature, the disability claim workload is difficult to predict. RRB offers the following information to aid interested parties in making projections: a. In Fiscal Year 2018, there were about 990,000 persons on RRB’s rolls, receiving benefits because of disability. New applications from employees, widow(er)s and children for disability-based benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act currently average about 2100 per year. b. In the some cases, determination of entitlement is made with both the Railroad Retirement and Social Security Acts. c. In Fiscal Year 2019, RRB requested approximately 2000 medical opinions. Based on experience and current workloads, RRB expects to request, but does not guarantee, medical opinions for approximately 1700 cases per year to be rendered on disability claims. i. Approximately 15% (250 cases) opinions may be required for mental impairments. ii. Approximately 65% (1100 cases) opinions may be required for physical impairments. iii. Approximately 20% (340 cases) opinions may require a simultaneous mental and physical assessment. 7. Disability claims are most commonly related to cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, mental or neurological impairments. Very often, claims are based on a combination of impairments. D. Offers are due no later than 11:00 AM, CT, 10/15/2020. E. This amendment to RFP 60RRBH20R0010 is issued to provide the RRB's answers to questions submitted by potential offerers in response to this RFP. 1. This amendment hereby provides new RFP Attachment 10, Answers to Offerors' Questions, and incorporates it into the RFP. 2.The due date and time for submission of offers in response to this RFP remains unchanged at 11:00 AM Central Time, on Thursday, 10/15/2020.