Global medical coverage for LES employees in US Embassy Podgorica, Montenegro

The U.S. Embassy in Podgorica, Montenegro, is seeking proposals for comprehensive health insurance coverage for its locally employed staff, with a requirement to provide off-the-shelf plans meeting minimum benefit standards established in the solicitation. The contract is a requirements-based agreement with a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, for a potential total duration of five years, and includes a minimum guarantee of 30 employees annually with a cap of 1,000 total employees across all years. Offerors must submit fixed-price proposals for three coverage categories—Self, Self Plus One, and Family—covering the base year and all option years; failure to include pricing for any period renders the proposal non-responsive. The government will award the contract to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable, and responsible offeror, evaluating proposals against pass/fail gates including proper preparation per Section L, active SAM registration, licensure or certification, technical acceptability of benefits, and responsibility under FAR subpart 9.1. The submission deadline is 17:00 CET on 14 August 2026, with proposals required in English, submitted electronically as a single PDF under 30MB to PodgoricaSolicitations@state.gov, or as multiple files if exceeding the size limit. Mandatory submission components include the SF-33, completed Section B pricing schedules with retention amounts, Section K representations and certifications, IRS Form W-14 for tax compliance, and proof of SAM registration with UEI. Offerors must also demonstrate an established business presence in Montenegro or a plan to establish one within 30 days of award. The insurance plan must provide minimum coverage levels across all essential categories: 100% for hospitalization and emergency services, 80% for outpatient care, ambulance, medications, preventive services, optical and hearing care, reproductive health, and chronic disease management, and 50% for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Dependent coverage must extend for 180 days following the employee’s death, and all services must be delivered by licensed providers. Excluded services include elective cosmetic surgery, non-medical hospital charges, home help, and advanced reproductive technologies. Payment under the contract is made in euros at the conclusion of each coverage period, with invoices submitted to the Embassy’s Financial Management Office in Podgorica. The Contracting Officer’s Representative, a Human Resources Specialist, will inspect and accept services, review invoices, and provide technical oversight. The contractor must maintain high