U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, Acquisition Management Branch, STOP 0567, 1400 & INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-0567

B -- ACTUARIAL & UNDERWRITING REVIEWS OF CROP INSURANCE & AGRICULTURAL RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS POC Nancy Dorman (202) 720-9464 WEB: Nancy Dorman (202) 720-9464, ndorman@wdc.fsa.usda.gov. E-MAIL: Nancy Dorman (202) 720-9464, ndorman@wdc.fsa.usda.gov. SOURCES SOUGHT FOR ACTUARIAL AND UNDERWRITING REVIEWS OF CROP INSURANCE AND AGRICULTURAL RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS This is a SOURCES SOUGHT synopsis. This sources sought synopsis requests information needed by the Government prior to release of any potential solicitation. This is not a request for proposals and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. Details follow -- please read this entire synopsis. OFFERORS MUST RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS CONTAINED (BELOW) IN THIS SYNOPSIS The Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for supervision of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), administration and oversight of programs authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S. C. 1501 et. Seq.), any pilot or other program involving revenue insurance, risk management education, risk management savings accounts; the uses of the futures market to manage risk and support farm income that may be established under the Federal CropInsurance Act or other law; and, other programs the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate. The Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 modified the Federal Crop Insurance Act to: 1) Require the Board of Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to "establish procedures under which any policy or plan of insurance, as well as any related material or modification of such a policy or plan of insurance, to be offered under this title shall be subject to independent reviews by persons experienced as actuaries and in underwriting, as determined by the Board;" and 2) Direct the Board, to the maximum extent possible, to "contract with private insurance companies, private rating bureaus, and other organizations as appropriate for actuarial services, services relating to loss adjustment and rating plans of insurance, and other services to avoid duplication by the Federal Government of services that are or may readily be available in the private sector." FCIC is attempting to determine the availability of sources within the private sector to conduct these actuarial and underwriting activities required by the Federal Crop Insurance Act. If you are interested in competing for this requirement, please indicate your interest by sending an E-mail to Nancy Dorman at ndorman@wdc.fsa.usda.gov NO LATER THAN JULY 12, 2000. All valid Internet responses from prospective offerors must provide the return Internet e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number, and facsimile number in the body of the response. Responses without the aforementioned information will not be recognized as valid. In addition, to assist in the planning of acquisition strategy, please respond to the following questions: For Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 6331, please indicate the following: (1) Is your business a large or small business? (2) If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emergent business or a small, disadvantaged business? (3) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and is your firm certified under Section 8(A) of the Small Business Act? (4) Is your firm a certified "hub zone" firm? (5) Is your firm is a woman-owned or operated business? (6) Is your firm accessible through a GSA schedule or other GWAC vehicle? If so, provide details. ALL PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS MUST USE THE INTERNET TO RESPOND TO THIS SYNOPSIS. TELEPHONE AND FACSIMILE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT CBD NOTICE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. It is anticipated that the solicitation will be released by the end of September 2000. It is recommended that you respond to this synopsis, including all information above, if you would like to be notified electronically upon release of the solicitation. All offerors who request to be notified will be informed via e-mail. Posted 07/05/00 (W-SN471504). (0187)

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