RFQ 05GA0A20Q0001 Industrial Hygiene Services - Revised.docx

AMENDMENT 0001

Request for Quotation: 05GA0A20Q0001 US Government Accountability Office (GAO) 441 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20548 January 9, 2020

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-01, effective December 20, 2018.

BASIS FOR AWARD:

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has a requirement to acquire Industrial Hygiene Services.

The Government is contemplating awarding a single Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) award with an overall performance period of one base year and four (4) one-year option periods. This acquisition is a TOTAL SMALL-BUSINESS SET-ASIDE and shall be conducted using the policies and procedures in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.3.

A single purchase limit placed under this BPA is $6,000.00. This BPA, for subject requirement, will be awarded using the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) and Time and Materials (TM) hybrid contract types. The Contracting Officer (CO) shall select a vendor for award using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology. The specific contract type will be determined at each BPA Call level. The Government will evaluate quotations and award a Master BPA without discussions with vendor.

Period of Performance: The period of performance will be from date of award for a period of five (5) years (a base and four (4) option years).

Please note that this request does not commit the government to pay any costs incurred in the submission of your offer, nor to contract for said services. Note also that full, accurate, and complete information is required by this request in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which also prescribes the penalties for making false statements.

INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS:

(a) Submit signed and dated quotations at or before the exact time specified in this Request for Quotation (RFQ).

As a minimum, quotations must show—

(1) The RFQ number;

(2) The date and time specified in the RFQ for receipt of quotations;

(3) The full name, address, and telephone number of the Vendor;

(4) The Duns number, copy of SAM, PSC Code, and CAGE number;

(5) Acknowledgment of Request for Quotation Amendments, if applicable;

(6) The Vendor’s agreement to hold the prices in its quotation firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of quotations, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the request for quotation).

ALL PRICE QUOTATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY to Henrietta Young at youngh@gao.gov AND Ada Williams at williamsa2@gao.gov BEFORE THE CLOSING DEADLINE BELOW.

Vendor Quotations must be submitted via email ONLY to Henrietta Young at youngh@gao.gov AND Ada Williams at williamsa2@gao.gov. Vendor Quotations are due by 1:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time (Washington, D.C. Time) on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Late submissions of quotations will not be considered.

The subject line must read “05GA0A20Q0001 – Industrial Hygiene Services – QUESTIONS”.

Please validate all quotes for a minimum of 90 days.

The Government intends to make a single award as a result of this RFQ. The Government reserves the right to make no award.

DISCOUNT:

The Government is requesting and vendors are encouraged to provide price reductions/discounts on their Open Market pricing.

Vendor SHALL maintain offices within a 40 mile radius of the GAO Headquarters Building located at: 441 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20548. All responsible sources within a 40 mile response area may submit a quotation that will be considered by the Agency.

PAGE RESTRICTIONS:

The following page restrictions by Volume are:

Volume 1 - Technical Quote shall not exceed 25 pages Volume 2 - Price Quote (no page restriction)

Items not included within the page restriction count and put in the Appendix are as follows: System for Award Management (SAM), Cover Page, Cover Letters, Table of Contents, Blank section dividers, Resumes, Charts, Graphs, Glossary of Terms, Exhibits, Drawings, Sample Formats, and items of an illustrative nature.

EVALUATION OF QUOTATIONS:

The Government will award a Firm-Fixed-Price/Time and Material Hybrid (FFP/T&M), BPA resulting from this RFQ to the responsible vendor whose quotation conforms to the RFQ.

1. VOLUME I – FACTOR 1 - TECHNICAL APPROACH and CAPABILITY:

The Vendor’s Technical Approach shall be specific and complete, and fully address ALL requirements stated in the Statement of Work (SOW). Legibility, clarity, and coherence are very important. The Technical Approach should provide as specifically as possible the actual methodologies and solutions that will be used and how a successful partnership with the Government will be established in accomplishing/satisfying the requirement in accordance with the SOW.

Any supplemental attachments such as product promotional materials are to only support or clarify points already made and established in the primary quotation and are to be clearly referenced in the relevant portion of the primary quotation. Information included in supplemental attachments will be evaluated by GAO, but no GAO requirement is to be addressed solely by or in a supplemental attachment. All GAO requirements must be addressed in the primary technical quotation document. The Technical Quotation shall not include price information, classified information, or "For Official Use Only" information. The Technical Quotation Volume will be used to evaluate the Technical Approach of the Vendor’s quotation. The Technical Quotation shall present a clear and concise description of how the Vendor plans to implement and manage the efforts described in the SOW.

The technical approach shall be sufficiently specific, detailed, and complete to clearly and fully demonstrate that the Vendor has a thorough understanding of all RFQ technical requirements. The technical quotation shall contain sufficient detail to indicate the proposed means for complying with all requirements contained in the SOW, and shall include a complete explanation of the techniques and procedures to be utilized.

Technical Approach and Capability will be rated using the following Adjectival Rating Table:

VOLUME II - FACTOR 2 - PRICE QUOTATION

GENERAL

Each vendor's price quotation will be evaluated to determine whether the quotation price is reasonable. As part of its evaluation, the government will consider the labor rates and associated product rates for the contract base period and option year periods in the vendor's proposed price/cost quotation.

Reasonableness: Reasonableness will be determined by the existence of adequate price competition and by comparing the proposed prices/costs to industry average rates.

The Government will evaluate the quotation’s total price for all requirements to determine that the price is fair and reasonable.

The vendor must include a price summary of no more than one (1) single-spaced page in length that clearly identifies the annual costs and total costs to the Government. All spreadsheets must be submitted in Microsoft Excel and clearly label with the year in question.

The following pricing guidelines must be adhered to:

a. All price tables must be totaled (e.g. total, subtotal, grand total, final total, etc.);

b. Rounding up or rounding down is unacceptable. The government does not round up/down;

c. The price table(s) should be logical to follow.

Price quotations MUST mirror the categories stated in Attachment B - Pricing Schedule, and labor rates MUST be provide for all labor categories or they will be considered non-responsive.

Submit individual price quotes separately as shown below for the base year, option year 1, option year 2, option year 3, and option year 4:

See Statement of Work and Pricing Schedule for more information.

CLAUSES

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.212-1 52.233-4 Instructions to Vendors-Commercial Items Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim Oct 18 Oct-04

52.237-2

52.204-7 52.204-13 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation System for Award Management System For Award Management Maintenance Apr-84

Oct-18 Oct 18

52.217-8 52.217-9 Option to Extend Services Option to Extend the Term of the Contract Nov-99 Nov-99

52.203-17

52.245-1 52.217-5 52.212-4(c) 52.249-2

52.249-8 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights Government Property Evaluation of Options Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service) Sept-13

June-07 July-90 May-15 Apr-12

Apr-84

52-212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS -- COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015)

(4) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(5) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77, 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

___ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

___ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

___ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub L. 111-5) (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009).

___ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2018) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (5) [Reserved] ___ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

___ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

___ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

___ (10) [Reserved] ___ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011) of 52.219-3.

___ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (if the vendor elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2011) of 52.219-4.

___ (13) [Reserved] _X__ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011).

___ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011).

___ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

___ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

___ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Aug 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(4)).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

___ (iv) Alternate III (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

___ (v) Alternate IV (Aug 2018) of 52.219-9.

___ (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

___ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

___ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

___ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

___ (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

___ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Dec 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

___ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Dec 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

___ (25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

___ (26) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2018) (E.O. 13126).

___ (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

___ (28) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O. 11246).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

___ (29) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

___ (ii) Alternate I (July 2014) of 52.222-35.

___ (30) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

___ (ii) Alternate I (July 2014) of 52.222-36.

___ (31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

___ (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

___ (33) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50, (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

___ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

___ (35) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (36) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O.13693).

___ (37) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

___ (38) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514 ___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13.

___ (39) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Television (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14.

___ (40) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

___ (41) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT® -Registered Personal Computer Products (Oct 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

___ (42) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011) (E.O. 13513).

___ (43) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

___ (44) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13696).

___ (45) (i) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

___ (46) 52.225-1, Buy American--Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

___ (47) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43).

___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

___ (iii) Alternate II (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

___ (iv) Alternate III (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

___ (48) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Aug 2018) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

___ (49) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

___ (50) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

___ (51) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (52) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (53) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 4505), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___ (54) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Jan 2017) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___ (55) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (56) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (57) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (58) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

___ (59) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(12)).

___ (60) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Feb 2006) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

___ (1) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495) ___ (2) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67.).

___ (3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (4) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) (29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (5) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards -- Price Adjustment (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (6) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (7) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___ (8) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015) (E.O. 13658).

___ (9) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

___ (10) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(iii) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(iv) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(v) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (1) of FAR clause 52.222-17.

(vi) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

(vii) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O. 11246).

(viii) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ix) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(x) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Feb 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xi) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018), (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xiii) (A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 E.O. 13627).

(xiv) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67.)

(xv) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67)

(xvi) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015) (E. O. 12989).

(xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015).

(xviii) 52.222-62, Paid sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

(xix) (A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(B) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

(xx) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

(xxi) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (May 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xxii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of Clause)

52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 daysCS_1575.

52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within _30 Days_; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least __30___ days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years.

52.235-15 CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA (APR 1984)

a. Because of the sensitivity and confidentiality of the data handled by GAO, the contractor shall maintain confidentiality of all documents, data, and other information supplied to it by the GAO or other entities in accordance with all applicable Federal laws and regulations. Confidentiality is essential to satisfactory performance. Also, specific records may contain information subject to the Public Availability of Government Accountability Office Records, 4 C.F.R. Part 81 and other regulations.

b. The contractor assumes full responsibility for and guarantees the security of all documents, data, and other information supplied by GAO or the other entities.

c. No action taken by, or on behalf of, the contractor will be permitted if the effect is or could be reasonably foreseen to undermine GAO’s or another entity’s ability to maintain the security of records created by GAO or another entity as provided by applicable Federal laws, or GAO’s or another entity’s regulations.

d. The contractor shall submit to the GAO Contracting Officer one executed copy of a Non-Disclosure Agreement for each employee assigned to the engagement within 5 working days after contract start date. The contractor agrees to include similar requirements in any subcontracts which it may enter into regarding or supporting work under this engagement and furnish the Contracting Officer one copy of each subcontractor employee’s non-disclosure agreement within 5 working days after execution of the subcontract. Any employees assigned to the engagement at a later date must execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement upon assignment and one executed copy shall be provided to the GAO Contracting Officer within 5 working days of the employee’s assignment to the task order.

e. An authorized Contractor Administrator must sign each Non-Disclosure Agreement.

f. The contractor will report to the GAO Contracting Officer any breach of confidence by any person as soon as the breach is known.

g. Any deviation from provisions of this clause, which is attributable to the contractor or to persons allowed on the contractor’s premises, constitutes a material breach of confidentiality and may be sufficient ground for default. Further, the contractor agrees to save the Government harmless in the amount of any judgment against the United States resulting from such a breach. At the Comptroller General’s option, the contractor shall assign all of its rights of action against any person to the United States.

h. The contractor will not disclose, directly or indirectly, any information related to this contract, other than to GAO or its subcontractor (if any), without approval from GAO This includes (1) anyone who works directly or indirectly, (for compensation or as a volunteer) of any member of the executive, judicial, or legislative branch (excluding GAO) of the government; and (2) any member of print or broadcast media.

i. The contractor will prevent removal of any documents, data, or information from the contractor’s premises without authorization by appropriate GAO officials.

j. Following is the Non-Disclosure Agreement to be used under this solicitation.

52.252-6 AUTHORIZED DEVIATIONS IN CLAUSES (APR 1984)

(a) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the date of the clause.

(b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulations (48 CFR Chapter 3) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the name of the regulation.

ELECTRONIC INVOICING AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS – INVOICE PROCESSING PLATFORM (IPP) (October 2017)

Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U. S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP). "Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract, or the clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items included in commercial item contracts. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov.

The Contractor must use the IPP website to register, access, and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. The Contractor Government Business Point of Contact (as listed in SAM) will receive enrollment instructions via email from the Federal Reserve Bank (STLS.IPPHELPDESK@stls.frb.org) within 3 - 5 business days of the contract award date. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Customer Support Helpdesk via email IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov or phone 866-973-3131.

(End of Clause)

CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE:

The Contracting Officer will appoint by letter a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), who will have the responsibility of ensuring that the work conforms to the requirements of the contract and such other responsibilities and authorities as may be specified in the letter of authorization or this contract. It is understood and agreed, in particular, that the COR shall not have authority to make changes in the scope or terms and conditions of the contract unless and only to the extent that such authority is specified in the letter of authorization or the contract.

THE RESULTANT CONTRACTOR IS HEREBY FOREWARNED THAT, ABSENT THE REQUISITE AUTHORITY OF THE COR TO MAKE ANY SUCH CHANGES, IT MAY BE HELD FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES NOT AUTHORIZED IN ADVANCE, IN WRITING, BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER, MAY BE DENIED COMPENSATION OR OTHER RELIEF FOR ANY ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED THAT IS NOT SO AUTHORIZED, AND MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE GOVERNMENT, TO TAKE ALL CORRECTIVE ACTION NECESSITATED BY REASON OF THE UNAUTHORIZED CHANGES.

GAO 52.233-70 DISPUTES—LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AGENCY (APR 2008)

(a) This contract is subject to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, as amended (41 U.S.C. 601-613), as modified by Section 1501 of Title I of Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-161, 121 Stat. 1844 (2008).

(b) Except as provided in the Act, all disputes arising under or relating to this contract shall be resolved under this clause.

(c) Claim, as used in this clause, means a written demand or written assertion by one of the contracting parties seeking, as a matter of right, the payment of money in a sum certain, the adjustment or interpretation of contract terms, or other relief arising under or relating to this contract. However, a written demand or written assertion by the Contractor seeking the payment of money exceeding $50,000 is not a claim under the Act until certified. A voucher, invoice, or other routine request for payment that is not in dispute when submitted is not a claim under the Act. The submission may be converted to a claim under the Act, by complying with the submission and certification requirements of this clause, if it is disputed either as to liability or amount or is not acted upon in a reasonable time.

(d)(1) A claim by the Contractor shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated in this contract, submitted within 6 years after accrual of the claim to the Contracting Officer for a written decision. A claim by the Government against the Contractor shall be subject to a written decision by the Contracting Officer.

(d)(2)(i) The Contractor shall provide the certification specified in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this clause when submitting any claim exceeding $50,000.

(ii) The certification requirement does not apply to issues in controversy that have not been submitted as all or part of a claim.

(iii) The certification shall state as follows: "I certify that the claim is made in good faith; that the supporting data are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief; that the amount requested accurately reflects the contract adjustment for which the Contractor believes the Government is liable; and that I am duly authorized to certify the claim on behalf of the Contractor."

(3) The certification may be executed by any person duly authorized to bind the Contractor with respect to the claim.

(e) For Contractor claims of $50,000 or less, the Contracting Officer must, if requested in writing by the Contractor, render a decision within 60 days of the request. For Contractor-certified claims over $50,000, the Contracting Officer must, within 60 days, decide the claim or notify the Contractor of the date by which the decision will be made.

(f) The Contracting Officer's decision shall be final unless the Contractor appeals, within 90 days of receipt of a contracting officer’s decision, to the Government Accountability Office Contract Appeals Board, 441 G Street, N.W., Room 7182, Washington, D.C. 20548; Facsimile: 202-512-9749; E-Mail: CAB@gao.gov.

(g) If the claim by the Contractor is submitted to the Contracting Officer or a claim by the Government is presented to the Contractor, the parties, by mutual consent, may agree to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR). If the Contractor refuses an offer for ADR, the Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer, in writing, of the Contractor's specific reasons for rejecting the offer.

(h) The Government shall pay interest on the amount found due and unpaid from (1) the date that the Contracting Officer receives the claim (certified, if required); or (2) the date that payment otherwise would be due, if that date is later, until the date of payment. With regard to claims having defective certifications, as defined in FAR, 48 CFR 33.201, interest shall be paid from the date that the Contracting Officer initially receives the claim. Simple interest on claims shall be paid at the rate, fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in the Act, which is applicable to the period during which the Contracting Officer receives the claim and then at the rate applicable for each 6-month period as fixed by the Treasury Secretary during the pendency of the claim.

(i) The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any request for relief, claim, appeal, or action arising under the contract, and comply with any decision of the Contracting Officer.

GAO 52.235-73 CONFIDENTIALITY OF GAO DATA (APR 1984)

Because of the sensitivity and confidentiality of much of the data handled by GAO, the contractor shall maintain confidentiality of all documents, data and other information supplied to it by the GAO, in accordance with all applicable Federal guidelines and regulations. Confidentiality is essential to satisfactory contract performance. Also, specific tasks under this contract may involve processing records or portions of records which GAO treats as confidential, and contain information subject to the GAO Privacy Procedures for Personnel Records, 4 C.F.R. Part 83.

The contractor assumes full responsibility for and guarantees the security of all documents, data, and other information supplied by GAO.

No action taken by, or on behalf of, the contractor, or which the contractor could prevent, will be permitted if the effect is or could be reasonably foreseen to undermine GAO's ability to maintain the security of records created by GAO or which may be subject to the GAO Privacy Procedures.

The contractor will prevent any person other than the contractor's team members (or other persons for whom access is necessary for the completion of the contract) from seeing or having access to information in the possession or under the control of the contractor.

The contractor will prevent any person from disclosing the contents or description of documents or information to any person not authorized under this contract or by the GAO to have access to such documents or information.

The contractor will prevent removal of any documents or information from the contractor's premises without authorization by appropriate GAO officials.

Any deviation from provisions of this clause which is attributable to the contractor or to persons allowed on the contractor's premises constitutes a material breach of confidentiality and may be sufficient ground for default. Further, the contractor agrees to save the Government harmless in the amount of any judgment against the United States resulting from such a breach. At the Comptroller General's option, the contractor shall assign all of his rights of action against any person to the United States. Disclosure in violation of the Privacy Procedures also may involve the imposition of criminal penalties.

To the extent this contract provides for the operation, on behalf of the GAO, of the system of records to accomplish an agency function, it shall be subject to the requirements of any GAO Order or regulations pertaining to privacy procedures.

GAO 52.237-71 TECHNICAL DIRECTION (APR 1984)

(a) The Contracting Officer's Technical Representative will provide technical direction on contract performance. Technical direction includes:

(1) Direction to the Contractor which assists him in accomplishing the Statement of Work.

(2) Comments on and approval of reports or other deliverables.

(b) Technical direction must be within the contract Statement of Work. The Contracting Officer's Technical Representative does not have the authority to issue technical direction which (1) institutes additional work outside the scope of the contract; (2) constitutes a change as defined in the "Changes" clause; (3) causes an increase or decrease in the estimated cost of the contract; (4) alters the period of performance; or (5) changes any of the other express terms or conditions of the contract.

(c) Technical direction will be issued in writing by the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative or confirmed by him/her in writing within five (5) calendar days after verbal issuance.

(End of Clause)

GAO 52.245-71 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED DATA (APR 1984)

(a) The Government shall deliver to the Contractor the Government-furnished data described in the contract. If the data, suitable for its intended use, is not delivered to the Contractor, the Contracting Officer shall equitably adjust affected provisions of this contract in accordance with the "Changes" clause when:

(1) The Contractor submits a timely written request for an equitable adjustment; and

(2) The facts warrant an equitable adjustment.

(b) Title to Government-furnished data shall remain in the Government.

(c) The Contractor shall use the Government-furnished data only in connection with this contract.

(d) The data will be furnished to the Contractor as specified in the Statement of Work.

(End of Clause)

GAO 52.246-73 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (APR l 984)

The Contractor's performance and the quality of services/supplies provided hereunder shall be subject to inspection and acceptance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). In the event of rejection of any report or deliverables, the Contractor shall be notified in writing and shall have 10 work days from date of issuance of notification to correct the deficiencies, and at no additional charge.

(End of clause)

FAR provisions and clauses may be obtained from the Internet Web address at: http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html.