CIA–CAS Issue Request for Proposals

IMPACT OF MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION ON VEHICLE ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE

The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) are issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP).

Background and purpose

In recent years, restrictions on marijuana laws have been relaxed in several US states and at the federal level in Canada. This creates a natural experiment to assess the impact of those laws on vehicle accident experience. Adjacent jurisdictions that have not relaxed such restrictions form a natural control group against which experience may be compared. Additionally, the same jurisdictions before and after legislative changes may also support comparisons.

This research may also suggest that legal changes have had no effect or have minimal impact in comparison to other macro effects like distracted driving or autonomous safety features in vehicles.

Research objective

The researchers should use publicly available data sets where possible. Private data may be acceptable, so long as sufficient exemplary data are made available that would enable one to affirm or replicate the research findings. Data should be analyzed using appropriate actuarial and statistical methods. The research should clearly articulate any implications for insurance pricing or coverage structure.

Though not required, preference will be given to those researchers who develop a tool that may be accessed, used, and further developed by other actuaries.

Researchers should do the following:

• Consider coincident changes in laws for detection and penalty for DUI and the potential delay between impairment and detection.
• Include data from both countries. The results should be usable and relevant to actuaries in either the United States or Canada.
• Attempt to differentiate the impact of legal changes from other causes like economic activity, distracted driving, demography, vehicle safety features, etc.
• Establish which data set acts as a control for comparison.

Proposal requirements

To facilitate the evaluation of proposals, the following information should be submitted:

• An outline of the approach to be used (e.g., literature search, model), emphasizing issues that require special consideration. Details should be given regarding the techniques to be used, collateral material to be consulted, and possible limitations of the analysis.
• Resumes of the researcher(s), indicating how their background, education, and experience bear on their qualifications to undertake the research. If more than one researcher is involved, an individual should be designated as the lead researcher and primary contact. The person submitting the proposal must be authorized to speak on behalf of all the researchers as well as for the firm or institution on whose behalf the proposal is submitted.
• A description of the expected deliverables and any supporting data, tools, or other resources.
• Cost estimates for the research, including computer time, salaries, report preparation, material costs, etc. Such estimates can be in the form of hourly rates, but in such cases, time estimates should also be included. Any guarantees as to total cost should be given and will be considered in the evaluation of the proposal. While cost will be a factor in the evaluation of the proposal, it will not necessarily be the decisive factor.
• A schedule for completion of the research, identifying key dates or time frames for research completion and report submissions. The CAS/CIA are interested in completing this project in a timely manner. Suggestions in the proposal for ensuring timely delivery, such as fee adjustments, are encouraged.
• Other related factors that give evidence of a proposer’s capabilities to perform in a superior fashion should be detailed.

Selection process

The CIA and the CAS have appointed a POG to oversee the project. Its members are Qi An (Co-Chair), Brian Fannin (Co-Chair), Caryn Carmean, Aditya Khanna, Lewis Lee, Harsha Maddipati, Marc-Olivier Menard, and Rajesh Sahasrabuddhe. The CIA and the CAS Research Councils are responsible for the selection of the proposal to be funded. Input from other knowledgeable individuals also may be sought, but the CIA and CAS will make the final decision. The decision will be based entirely on the respondent’s written proposal. If the CIA and CAS determine that no proposal meets the requirements of the RFP, then no contract will be awarded.

Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged in a timely manner. Respondents who are not awarded the contract will be so informed shortly thereafter.

Questions

Any questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Brian A. Fannin, Research Actuary, Casualty Actuarial Society, at (919) 457-3439.

Notification of intent to submit a proposal

Please email your intent to submit a proposal by December 9, 2020 to Brian A. Fannin (see address above).

Submission of a proposal

Please email a copy of the proposal to Brian A. Fannin (see address above). Proposals must be received no later than January 6, 2021. It is anticipated that all proposers will be informed of the status of their proposal by January 30, 2021.

Note: Proposals are considered confidential and proprietary.

Timeline

Interested parties are welcome to submit questions about the RFP. All questions and responses will be circulated to those respondents who have submitted questions, or who have expressed their intent to submit by December 9, 2020.

Summary of important dates

Compensation

Compensation to researchers will be commensurate with the time required to carry out the work. Respondents should include an estimate of cost in their proposals. Total cost should not exceed $33,000 and specify currency USD.

Conditions

As a condition of selection, the CAS and CIA require that all right, title, and interest, including copyright and patent, in and to the report be jointly owned by the CAS and CIA. The selected researcher/research team must sign a formal research agreement that assigns all such rights to the two organizations.

The CIA and the CAS reserve the right not to award a contract for this research. Reasons for not awarding a contract could include, but are not limited to, a lack of acceptable proposals or a finding that insufficient funds are available. The two organizations also reserve the right to redirect the project as is deemed advisable.

In any publication of the report, the researcher(s) will receive appropriate credit with regard to authorship. The CAS and CIA may publish the report in its entirety, or any sections thereof, in any format and medium as it finds fit, including but not limited to CAS and/or CIA publications and electronic versions such as on its Web site or physical storage media.

The CIA and the CAS may seek public exposure or media attention for the research. By submitting a proposal, you agree to cooperate with the CIA and the CAS in publicizing or promoting the research and responding to media requests. The researcher(s) should also make every effort to be available to present the report at a CAS and/or CIA meeting or seminar.

The CIA and the CAS may market and promote the research to members, candidates, and other interested parties. You agree to perform promotional communication requested by the CIA and CAS, which may include, but is not limited to, leading a webcast on the research, presenting the research at a CIA/CAS meeting, and/or writing an article on the research for a CIA newsletter.

The organizations

The CIA is the national, bilingual organization and voice of the actuarial profession in Canada. Our members are dedicated to providing actuarial services and advice of the highest quality. The Institute holds the duty of the profession to the public above the needs of the profession and its members.

The CAS was organized in 1914 as a professional society for the promotion of actuarial and statistical science as applied to insurance other than life insurance, such as automobile, liability other than automobile, workers compensation, fire, homeowners, commercial multiple peril, and others. Such promotion is accomplished by communication with those affected by insurance, presentation and discussion of papers, seminar and workshop attendance, collection of a library, research, and other means. The CAS membership includes over 8,600 actuaries worldwide, employed by insurance companies, industry advisory organizations, national brokers, accounting firms, educational institutions, state insurance departments, the federal government, and independent consultants.