Overview
This section outlines the mandatory duties of a Contracting Officer (CO) to verify medical liability insurance coverage during the pre-award and pre-performance phases of medical service contracts.
Key Rules
- Pre-Award Requirement: The Contracting Officer must obtain evidence of insurability from the apparent successful offeror before the contract can be awarded.
- Pre-Performance Requirement: The Contracting Officer must obtain actual evidence of insurance, demonstrating that the required coverage levels are met, before any work begins.
- Mandatory Compliance: The use of the word "shall" indicates that these verification steps are non-discretionary for the Contracting Officer.
Practical Implications
- Contractors must be prepared to coordinate with their insurance providers early in the solicitation process to provide proof of "insurability" even before they have an active policy for the specific requirement.
- These rules prevent the government from assuming risk by ensuring that no medical services are performed until active liability coverage is verified.