QMCA - Request for Information (RFI) and Market Research Questionnaire - Audit Transportation Bills

NOTICE: RFI RESPONSE DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH TUESDAY, FEB 18, 2014 AT 12:00PM NOON. Request for Information Objective The objective of this request for information (RFI), in preparation for the forthcoming task order(s), is to collect information about the capabilities of potential contractors to audit transportation bills and supporting documentation for transportation services provided to the Government. The Contractor shall provide the details on the necessary services to accomplish all of the requirements stated herein. The future task order(s) awarded are for the performance of Transportation audits for the period specified herein. Background Section 322 of the Transportation Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3726) enables the General Services Administration (GSA) to recover overcharges administratively determined in the postpayment audit. It also provides GSA with the authority to examine, settle, and adjust accounts involving payment for transportation and related services for the account of the United States and to adjudicate and settle transportation claims by and against the United States. GSA's postpayment audit is performed using the information from transportation invoices relating to the type of transportation performed and charges for which the Transportation Service Provider (TSP) was paid. The GSA Transportation Audits Division (QMCA) provides transportation audit services and policy guidance as part of a Government-wide program designed to assure that charges paid by agencies for household goods, freight, and passenger transportation services are both proper and accurate and that any excess charges are recovered. GSA is responsible for identifying and collecting monies owed the Government resulting from improper billing for transportation services provided by TSPs. To support this effort, GSA: - examines and analyzes payments for household goods (foreign and domestic) , freight (air, motor, rail, water), pipeline and passenger transportation services to determine their validity, propriety, and conformity with rates, tariffs, quotations, agreements, or tenders and makes adjustments to protect the interests of the United States - collects from TSPs by refund, setoff, or other means, amounts determined to be due the United States - compromises, terminates, or suspends debts due on transportation overcharges; - prepares reports to the Attorney General of the United States setting forth recommendations regarding the legal and technical bases available for use in prosecuting or defending suits by or against the United States and provides technical, fiscal, and factual data from records relative thereto - assists in pretrial conferences, drafts pleadings, orders and briefs The Transportation Accounts Receivable Payable System (TARPS) and all electronic databases and third-party payment systems that support the requirements are necessary to meet this goal. GSA performs some of the audits. Most of the audits are task ordered with outside commercial sources. Desired Outcomes The purpose of the RFI is to gather information for a forth coming task order capable of achieving the following outcomes: Employ techniques to increase and improve the accuracy and validity of overcharges issued to realize a greater return Institute frequent reporting mechanisms that are capable of providing at a minimum, the agency; the mode; the number of bills received; the value of the bills received; the number of overcharges issued and the value of the overcharges issued Compile valuable data into dashboard reports required to support customer agency management and executive decision making (eg. cost savings and postpayment audit findings) MARKET RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE Consistent with FAR Part 10, Market Research, the US General Services Administration (GSA) is conducting market research to assist in developing the most suitable approach to acquiring services to support the Federal Governments Transportation Audits Program and is welcoming input from businesses of all sizes. The current task order is set aside for the North. American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code below, however the future contract may or may not be set aside. Please complete the attached questionnaire no later than 12:00 PM, February 3, 2014 and email the file to Jonathan Cooper at jonathan.cooper@gsa.gov , Donna Jack at donna.jack@gsa.gov , Lisa Romano at lisa.romano@gsa.gov Trish Hoffman at patricia.hoffman@gsa.gov, and onthego@gsa.gov . All responses are confidential. Organization Information: Organization Name: Organization Type/Size: Point of Contact: Phone Number: Email Address: NAICS and Business Size Standards: SIN NUMBER SERVICE NAICS NAICS DESCRIPTION SIZE 520-10 Transportation Audits - SBSA 541211 541219 Offices of Certified Public Accountants Other Accounting Services $19 MILLION $19 MILLION 1. Which of the following periods of performance will allow the Government to achieve the overall lowest rates? - a. 1 year Base period plus one-year option - b. 1 year Base period plus two one-year options - c. 1 year Base period plus three one-year options - d. 1 year Base period plus four one-year options - e. 2 year Base period plus 3 award year options Please explain: - 2. 2. In order to help the government understand whether a single or multiple award is in its best interest, please answer the following - a. Do you believe only one contractor is capable of providing audit services of an estimated $12.4B in annual transportation spend? Why or why not? - b. Do you believe a multiple level audit approach would provide the best mechanism for auditing transportation invoices (electronic and paper)? - 3. 3. What types of evaluation criteria exist in other commercial contracts for similar services? What characteristics do you believe the Government should consider in distinguishing one service provider over another? - 4. 4. What performance metrics do commercial organizations use to measure the progress, status, and closing of overcharges more expeditiously? - 5. 5. Are commission based pricing structures appropriate to attain the best value? Why or why not? If not what pricing structure would you recommend and what is the rough order of magnitude price using recommended structure? - 6. 6. What information do you need about government transportation modes and methods in order to deliver the best value? - 7. 7. What qualifiers and capabilities (e.g. experience, automation, reporting) have you seen in other commercial contracts for evaluating government transportation audit services? Of those listed, please address the value and potential challenges related to implementing these as improvements. Also, which of these are critical for more accurate and efficient low cost audits? 8. Please provide any other comments/concerns you feel are relevant and need to be addressed related to the proposed acquisition in general.