70 -- SSA IS SEEKING A COTS PRODUCT FOR POSTING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATEMENTS ONLINE

Notice Date

April 6, 2001

Contracting Office

Social Security Administration, Deputy Commissioner for Finance, Assessment and Management, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21207-5279

ZIP Code

21207-5279

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-R-54449

Response Due

April 20, 2001

Point of Contact

Megan Robey, Contract Specialist, Phone 410-965-9474, Fax 410-965-9560, Email megan.robey@ssa.gov -- Wayne Mcdonald, Contract Specialist, Phone 4109659480, Fax 4109659560, Email wayne.mcdonald@ssa.gov

E-Mail Address

Megan Robey (megan.robey@ssa.gov)

Description

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is considering acquiring a COTS product used for posting Employee Benefits Statements Online. The contractor would also be responsible for hosting the program. Background: >From 1989 through 1995, SSA issued Employee Benefits Statements (EBS) to all permanent employees. These statements provided employees with information concerning projected retirement income, projected Thrift Savings Plan balances and potential annuity income from TSP accounts, current disability and death benefits, and additional miscellaneous information regarding the employees_ benefits. The statements were produced by a private contractor and mailed directly to the employees' home addresses. Our past procedure involved a process in which the data presented was usually 3 to 4 months old upon release. We need to find a more responsive process of providing easily accessible information to employees timely and accurately. SSA has approximately 63,000 employees nationwide. The ratio of benefits counselors to employees is growing smaller annually. We need to be able to provide a valid and comprehensive gateway for employees to access general benefits related information and, in particular, the benefits that are due the individual employee. Additionally, this source of information must be readily accessible to the employee. We are seeking a web-based application that provides general and individual benefits data to employees via internet access wherever they may be -- at work, at home, or at a financial adviser_s office. The off-the-shelf product that is updated annually must have the following features: * The vendor must be able to process bi-weekly data tapes from SSA_s payroll provider, the National Business Center of the Department of Interior, perform all necessary calculations and post resulting data bi-weekly for employee access. * The product must be a commercial, off-the-shelf product that can be demonstrated at time of offering with few or no amendments. * It must be able to compute both Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuities. Computation must be able to incorporate variances under CSRS Offset computations and FERS transfer employees whose annuity will include a CSRS component. * It must be able to produce full retirement benefits, reduced benefits payable if survivor benefits are elected, and amount payable as survivor benefits. * It must be able to compute the benefits cited above for Law Enforcement Officers. * It also must allow for supplemental calculations in determining final benefit calculations, including at a minimum, early and deferred retirement calculations. * It must be able to compute disability retirement annuities under CSRS, FERS, and CSRS Offset. * It must compute Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) benefits to provide projected account balances and possible annuity payable based on projected balances. * It must have screens available for help for most common questions about retirement options, and/or links to web sites with such information. * It must provide the ability for employees using a web browser to print a hard copy of the data displayed on the screen. * The product must allow for secure data transaction between the server and the user_s computer using Secure Sockets or a similar technology. * The product must be web-enabled. That means that the entries must be on a web browser and computations reported via a web browser. * The product must be in full compliance with Section 508 (29 U.S.C. 794d) of the Rehabilitation Act. This section requires agencies to give disabled employees and members of the public access to technology that is comparable to access available to others. Section 508 requires elimination of barriers in information technology so that all individuals can obtain and use information quickly and easily. The following features would be desirable, but not critical, and should be noted, if available: * Provide for user-input of Social Security earnings to provide calculations of a Social Security benefit including effects of the Windfall Elimination Provision on that benefit. * Provide calculations using Social Security earnings to determine the effect of reduction to CSRS annuities resulting from CSRS Offset service. * Provide calculations of a FERS employee_s FERS Retirement Annuity Supplement. * Provide ability to calculate alternative retirement estimates based on user-input. SPECIFIC TASKS TO BE PERFORMED: * The vendor will provide the software for the one-year period to commence with the date that the application goes live on the designated web site. * The vendor will configure the software with icons to assure access to the web site. * The vendor will assume responsibility for working with the web hosting entity in getting the software installed and configured for the designated web site. * The vendor will assume responsibility for on-going liaison with data providers, the National Business Center of the Department of Interior and the Thrift Savings Board, to assure continuous and accurate transfer of input data. *The vendor will be responsible for troubleshooting problems that arise during the course of the one-year period and fixing them on the designated web site host. Any responsible firm that feels it has the capability to provide this requirement may respond in writing no later than April 20, 2001 with capability statements and pricing information describing in full detail their capabilities to accomplish SSA's objective. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION BUT SIMPLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. Faxed responses are not permitted. Questions concerning this announcement may be submitted via email ONLY. The Government does not intend to pay for information provided in response to this announcement, respondents should refer to R-54449.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS.woa/wa/SPF?A=R&P=Reference-Number-R-54449&L=2422)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010410/70SOL004.HTM (D-096 SN50I5D1)