12445523R0010 Chippewa Rd and Gen Const RFP.docx

Solicitation No: 12445523R0010 Project Name: Chippewa NF Road and General Construction IDIQ

Table of Contents

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

There is no schedule of items for this solicitation. Price proposals will be requested for individual task orders after base Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract is awarded.

B.2 SCHEDULE NOTES

None

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The Government intends to make multiple awards of Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts for road construction and related services. Work includes general road, bridge, structure work, and site work as identified, but not limited to:

1. Road and Trail Repairs: Includes repair and construction of roads and trails damaged by human and/or natural causes. Road/Trails may have pavement, gravel, and/or native surface.

1. Bridges (Road & Trail): Includes repair and construction of steel, concrete, timber, and fiber reinforced polymer bridges; reconstruction of approaches; and related stream work within the project area.

1. Culverts and Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Structures: Includes repair and construction of road structures for aquatic passages; large culverts, bottomless arches, small bridges, stream grade alignment control and scour protection.

1. Permanent Traffic Control: Includes installing, removing, and resetting permanent traffic control devices on roads and trails.

1. Minor Construction: of retaining walls, gates and fencing, etc.

1. Gravel Pit Development and Reclamation: Gravel pit development: scalping, clearing and grubbing, working face development, and related work. Gravel Pit Reclamation: Regrading working face and other designated areas of pit, redistributing and spreading topsoil, and related work.

1. Dams: repairs to steel or concrete structures, drop inlet structures, valves, spillways, fencing, embankments, and related infrastructure

1. General excavation work typically associated with excavation companies: Including but not limited to: installation of septic systems, building footing excavation and replacement, and related work.

It is the intent of this contract to secure Road and General Construction Services required for the Chequamegon/Nicolet National Forest for a five year period. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except those designated as Government-Furnished), and incidentals to perform all work necessary. Tasks will consist mostly of projects such as culvert replacement, spot filling, gravel placement, bridge repair and general construction.

Projects will be at multiple locations throughout the Chippewa National Forest.

C.2 PROJECT LOCATION

Chippewa National Forest, MN

C.3 MAGNITUDE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Projects will be a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000,000, not to exceed a total of $7,000,000 for all task order in total under this contract.

C.4 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Standard Specifications "Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads & Bridges of Federal Highway Projects" (FP-14, U.S. Customary Units) are included in this solicitation by reference only. The requirements contained in these Specifications are hereby made a part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

Copies of the "Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads & Bridges on Federal Highway Projects", (FP-14, U.S. Customary Unit), are available from the SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, P.O. BOX 371954, PITTSBURGH, PA 15250-7954. ISBN: 978-0-16-092393-7. Publication number: FHWA-FLH-14-001. Call (202) 512-1800 for the current price and to place telephone orders. You can FAX orders to (202) 512-2250. Credit card orders will be accepted.

Electronic versions of the "Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads & Bridges on Federal Highway Projects" FP-14, U.S. Customary Unit, are available on the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION website.

Project Specifications – Including Standard and Supplemental Project Specifications The Task Order Price Request will include a list of all Standard Specifications and a copy of any Forest Service Supplemental Project Specifications that directly apply to the Task Order. If specifications other than FP-14 are required they will be identified and provided with the Task Order.

Conformity with Drawings and Specifications Unless working tolerances are specified, all work performed and materials furnished shall be in reasonably close conformity with lines, grades, cross sections, dimensions, and material requirements shown on the drawings, indicated in the specifications, or designated on the ground. "Reasonably close conformity" is compliance with reasonable and customary manufacturing and construction tolerances.

Samples, Tests, Cited Specifications Reference made in the contract to specifications, standards, or test methods adopted by AASHTO, ASTM, GSA, or other recognized National technical associations, shall mean specifications, standards, or test methods (including interim or tentative issues) which are in effect on the date of the solicitation.

Barricades, Warning Signs, and Other Devices The Contractor shall provide, erect, and maintain all necessary barricades, suitable and sufficient lights, danger signals, signs, and other traffic control devices, and shall take all necessary precautions for the protection of the work and safety of the public. Roads closed to traffic shall be protected by effective barricades, and obstructions shall be illuminated during the hours of darkness. Suitable warning signs shall be provided to properly control and direct traffic.

The Contractor shall erect warning signs in advance to any place on the project where operations may interfere with the use of the road or trail by traffic and at all intermediate points where the new work crosses or coincides with an existing road or trail. All road barricades, warning signs, lights, temporary signals, flagmen and pilot car operators and equipment, and other protective devices, except for special devices, shall conform with Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, published by the Federal Highway Administration and applicable safety codes.

Necessary warning signs and guards shall be posted during blasting operations to safeguard the public.

452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications (FEB 1988) The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work/Specifications referenced in Section J.

452.211-73 Attachments to Statement of Work/Specifications (FEB 1988) The attachments to the Statement of Work/Specifications listed in Section J are hereby made part of this solicitation and any resultant contract.

SECTION D--PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 PACKING AND MARKING

All shipments of materials, equipment and/or supplies shall be addressed to the Contractor and not to the Government.

D.2 PROJECT LABELING FOR OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE

The Government singularly identifies each project with a contract number at time of award. The contract number is a unique identifier to purposely and permanently represent an awarded project. The Government issued contract number is to be referenced on all official communication starting upon notice of award.

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 CLAUSES

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 CLAUSES

52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984) Individual task orders will have a specific performance period under this contract.

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within ___ [Contracting Officer insert number] calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than ____________. [The Contracting Officer shall specify either a number of days after the date the contractor receives the notice to proceed, or a calendar date.] The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

52.211-12 Liquidated Damages—Construction (SEP 2000)

(a) If the Contractor fails to complete the work within the time specified in the contract, the Contractor shall pay liquidated damages to the Government in the amount of (determined separately for each task order project) for each calendar day of delay until the work is completed or accepted. Based

(b) If the Government terminates the Contractor’s right to proceed, liquidated damages will continue to accrue until the work is completed. These liquidated damages are in addition to excess costs of repurchase under the Termination clause.

F.2 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 CLAUSES

452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled and held within ____days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at ___________. Determined separately for each task order project.

G.2 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Task Orders – Request for Quote (RFQ) Procedures

1. A Task Order is a contractual instrument issued by an authorized and warranted government Contracting Officer to order work for the government.

1. As the need exists for performance under the terms of this Contract any warranted Forest Service Contracting Officer may solicit quotes and issue task orders against this contract.

1. Additional specifications may be provided with each RFQ.

1. RFQs will be transmitted primarily via e-mail.

1. RFQs may include evaluation criteria (ie: past performance, technical approach, etc.) which will require the submission of a technical proposal. All RFQs shall specify the method for award determination and indicate the required response documentation.

1. Upon the receipt of an RFQ from the Government, the Contractor shall respond as specified.

1. Contract holders will receive fair opportunity to be considered for each RFQ unless one of the exceptions in FAR Subpart 16.505(b)(2) applies.

SECTION H--SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 CLAUSES

452.228-71 Insurance Coverage (NOV 1996) Pursuant to FAR clause 52.228-5, Insurance-Work on a Government Installation, the Contractor will be required to present evidence to show, as a minimum, the amounts of insurance coverage indicated below:

(a) Workers Compensation and Employer's Liability. The Contractor is required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers' compensation and occupational disease statutes. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, they shall be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a Contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000 shall be required, except in States with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit worker's compensation to be written by private carriers.

(b) General Liability. (1) The Contractor shall have bodily injury liability coverage written on a comprehensive form of policy of at least $500,000 per occurrence. (2) The Contractor shall have property damage liability insurance shall be required in the amount of $500,000 per occurrence.

(c) Automobile Liability. The Contractor shall have automobile liability insurance written on a comprehensive form of policy. The policy shall provide for bodily injury and property damage liability covering the operation of all automobiles used in connection with performing the contract. Policies covering automobiles operated in the United States shall provide coverage of at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage or loss.

(d) Aircraft Public and Passenger Liability. When aircraft are used in connection with performing the contract, the Contractor shall have aircraft public and passenger liability insurance. Coverage shall be at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, other than passenger injury. Coverage for passenger injury shall be at least $200,000 multiplied by the number of seats or passengers, whichever is greater.

452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel: Project Manager.

(b) During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

H.2 OTHER REQUIREMENTS

PART II--CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I--CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 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):

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far (FAR clauses begin with 52) Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses: https://www.acquisition.gov/agar (AGAR clauses begin with 452) FAR and AGAR Deviations to clauses may be viewed at: Policies & Regulations | USDA

52.203-8 Cancellation, Rescission, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal or Improper Activity (MAY 2014)

52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (NOV 2021)

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ☒ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or ☒ By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract.

52.232-27 Prompt Payment for Construction Contracts (JAN 2017)

Alternate I (NOV 1991)

Alternate 1 (APR 1984)

Alternate I (APR 1984) Alternate II (APR 1984)

Alternate I (MAR 1994)

Alternate I (APR 1984)

52.216-18 Ordering (AUG 2020)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from date of contract award through contract expiration, five years after contract award.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) A delivery order or task order is considered “issued” when—

(1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;

(2) If sent by fax, the Government transmits the order to the Contractor's fax number; or

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either—

(i) Posts a copy of the delivery order or task order to a Government document access system, and notice is sent to the Contractor; or

(ii) Distributes the delivery order or task order via email to the Contractor's email address.

(d) Orders may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized in the contract.

52.216-19 Order Limitations (Oct 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $1,000, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor—

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $5,000,000;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $5,000,000; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 30 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e.,includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 5 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor’s intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (Oct 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the “maximum.” The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the “minimum.”

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor’s and Government’s rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract’s effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 180 days .

52.216-32 Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman (SEP 2019)

(a) In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4106(g), the Agency has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this contract. The Ombudsman must review complaints from the Contractor concerning all task-order and delivery-order actions for this contract and ensure the Contractor is afforded a fair opportunity for consideration in the award of orders, consistent with the procedures in the contract.

Alfort Belin Chief, Procurement Policy Branch 707-562-9107 Alfort.belin@usda.gov

(b) Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timeline for any other process (e.g., protests).

(c) Before consulting with the Ombudsman, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the Ombudsman may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

(End of clause) Alternate I.

(d) Contracts used by multiple agencies.

(1) This is a contract that is used by multiple agencies. Complaints from Contractors concerning orders placed under contracts used by multiple agencies are primarily reviewed by the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity.

(2) The ordering activity has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this order:

[The ordering activity's contracting officer to insert the name, address, telephone number, and email address for the ordering activity's Ombudsman or provide the URL address where this information may be found.]

(3) Before consulting with the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the ordering activity's Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

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 _60 calendar days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least _60 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.

52.219-13 Notice of Set Aside of Orders (MAR 2020)

(a) The Contracting Officer may set aside orders for the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3).

(b) The Contracting Officer will give notice of the order or orders, if any, to be set aside for small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3) and the applicable small business program. This notice, and its restrictions, will apply only to the specific orders that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3).

52.223-9 Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— “Postconsumer material” means a material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been discarded for disposal or recovery, having completed its life as a consumer item. Postconsumer material is a part of the broader category of “recovered material.”

“Recovered material” means waste materials and by-products recovered or diverted from solid waste, but the term does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.

(b) The Contractor, on completion of this contract, shall—

(1) Estimate the percentage of the total recovered material content for EPA-designated item(s) delivered and/or used in contract performance, including, if applicable, the percentage of post-consumer material content; and

(2) Submit this estimate to _____________________ [Contracting Officer complete in accordance with agency procedures]. Specified in individual task orders.

52.225-9 Buy American Act-Construction Materials (OCT 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item—

(1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is–

(i) A commercial product (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of “commercial product” at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101);

(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and

(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

"Construction material" means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction site by the Contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the building or work. The term also includes an item brought to the site preassembled from articles, materials, or supplies. However, emergency life safety systems, such as emergency lighting, fire alarm, and audio evacuation systems, that are discrete systems incorporated into a public building or work and that are produced as complete systems, are evaluated as a single and distinct construction material regardless of when or how the individual parts or components of those systems are delivered to the construction site. Materials purchased directly by the Government are supplies, not construction material.

Cost of components means—

(1) For components purchased by the Contractor, the acquisition cost, including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the construction material (whether or not such costs are paid to a domestic firm), and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued); or

(2) For components manufactured by the Contractor, all costs associated with the manufacture of the component, including transportation costs as described in paragraph (1) of this definition, plus allocable overhead costs, but excluding profit. Cost of components does not include any costs associated with the manufacture of the construction material.

Critical component means a component that is mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States and deemed critical to the U.S. supply chain. The list of critical components is at FAR 25.105.

Critical item means a domestic construction material or domestic end product that is deemed critical to U.S. supply chain resiliency. The list of critical items is at FAR 25.105.

Domestic construction material means—

(1) For construction material that does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both-

(i) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in the United States; or

(ii) A construction material manufactured in the United States, if– (A)The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 60 percent of the cost of all its components, except that the percentage will be 65 percent for items delivered in calendar years 2024 through 2028 and 75 percent for items delivered starting in calendar year 2029. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind for which nonavailability determinations have been made are treated as domestic. Components of unknown origin are treated as foreign; or

(B) The construction material is a COTS item; or

(2) For construction material that consists wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, a construction material manufactured in the United States if the cost of foreign iron and steel constitutes less than 5 percent of the cost of all component used in such construction material. The cost of foreign iron and steel includes but is not limited to the cost of foreign iron or steel mill products (such as bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the construction material and a good faith estimate of the cost of all foreign iron or steel components excluding COTS fasteners. Iron or steel components of unknown origin are treated as foreign. If the construction material contains multiple components, the cost of all the materials used in such construction material is calculated in accordance with the definition of "cost of components".

Fastener means a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. Examples of fasteners are nuts, bolts, pins, rivets, nails, clips, and screws.

Foreign construction material means a construction material other than a domestic construction material.

Foreign iron and steel means iron or steel products not produced in the United States. Produced in the United States means that all manufacturing processes of the iron or steel must take place in the United States, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, except metallurgical processes involving refinement of steel additives. The origin of the elements of the iron or steel is not relevant to the determination of whether it is domestic or foreign.

Predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both means that the cost of the iron and steel content exceeds 50 percent of the total cost of all its components. The cost of iron and steel is the cost of the iron or steel mill products (such as bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the product and a good faith estimate of the cost of iron or steel components excluding COTS fasteners.

Steel means an alloy that includes at least 50 percent iron, between 0.02 and 2 percent carbon, and may include other elements.

"United States" means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

(b) Domestic preference.

(1) This clause implements 41 U.S.C.chapter 83, Buy American, by providing a preference for domestic construction material. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1907, the domestic content test of the Buy American statute is waived for construction material that is a COTS item, except that for construction material that consists wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the domestic content test is applied only to the iron and steel content of the construction materials, excluding COTS fasteners. (See FAR 12.505(a)(2)). The Contractor shall use only domestic construction material in performing this contract, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this clause.

(2) This requirement does not apply to information technology that is a commercial product or to the construction materials or components listed by the Government as follows:

[Contracting Officer to list applicable excepted materials or indicate "none"]

(3) The Contracting Officer may add other foreign construction material to the list in paragraph (b)(2) of this clause if the Government determines that-

(i) The cost of domestic construction material would be unreasonable.

(A) For domestic construction material that is not a critical item or does not contain critical components.

(1) The cost of a particular domestic construction material subject to the requirements of the Buy American statute is unreasonable when the cost of such material exceeds the cost of foreign material by more than 20 percent;

(2) For construction material that is not a COTS item and does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, if the cost of a particular domestic construction material is determined to be unreasonable or there is no domestic offer received, and the low offer is for foreign construction material that is manufactured in the United States and does not exceed 55 percent domestic content, the Contracting Officer will treat the lowest offer of foreign construction material that exceeds 55 percent domestic content as a domestic offer and determine whether the cost of that offer is unreasonable by applying the evaluation factor listed in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A)(1) of this clause.

(3) The procedures in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A)(2) of this clause will no longer apply as of January 1, 2030.

(B) For domestic construction material that is a critical item or contains critical components.

(1) The cost of a particular domestic construction material that is a critical item or contains critical components, subject to the requirements of the Buy American statute, is unreasonable when the cost of such material exceeds the cost of foreign material by more than 20 percent plus the additional preference factor identified for the critical item or construction material containing critical components listed at FAR 25.105.

(2) For construction material that does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, if the cost of a particular domestic construction material is determined to be unreasonable or there is no domestic offer received, and the low offer is for foreign construction material that does not exceed 55 percent domestic content, the Contracting Officer will treat the lowest foreign offer of construction material that is manufactured in the United States and exceeds 55 percent domestic content as a domestic offer, and determine whether the cost of that offer is unreasonable by applying the evaluation factor listed in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B)(1) of this clause.

(3) The procedures in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B)(2) of this clause will no longer apply as of January 1, 2030.

(ii) The application of the restriction of the Buy American statute to a particular construction material would be impracticable or inconsistent with the public interest; or

(iii) The construction material is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality.

(c) Request for determination of inapplicability of the Buy American statute.

(1) (i)Any Contractor request to use foreign construction material in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause shall include adequate information for Government evaluation of the request, including-

(A) A description of the foreign and domestic construction materials;

(B) Unit of measure;

(C) Quantity;

(D) Price;

(E) Time of delivery or availability;

(F) Location of the construction project;

(G) Name and address of the proposed supplier; and

(H) A detailed justification of the reason for use of foreign construction materials cited in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause.

(ii) A request based on unreasonable cost shall include a reasonable survey of the market and a completed price comparison table in the format in paragraph (d) of this clause.

(iii) The price of construction material shall include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free certificate may be issued).

(iv) Any Contractor request for a determination submitted after contract award shall explain why the Contractor could not reasonably foresee the need for such determination and could not have requested the determination before contract award. If the Contractor does not submit a satisfactory explanation, the Contracting Officer need not make a determination.

(2) If the Government determines after contract award that an exception to the Buy American statute applies and the Contracting Officer and the Contractor negotiate adequate consideration, the Contracting Officer will modify the contract to allow use of the foreign construction material. However, when the basis for the exception is the unreasonable price of a domestic construction material, adequate consideration is not less than the differential established in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this clause.

(3) Unless the Government determines that an exception to the Buy American statute applies, use of foreign construction material is noncompliant with the Buy American statute.

(d) Data. To permit evaluation of requests under paragraph (c) of this clause based on unreasonable cost, the Contractor shall include the following information and any applicable supporting data based on the survey of suppliers:

Foreign and Domestic Construction Materials Price Comparison

Item1

Item 2

[*Include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued)].

[List name, address, telephone number, and contact for suppliers surveyed. Attach copy of response; if oral, attach summary.] [Include other applicable supporting information.] (End of clause)

Alternate I (OCT 2022). As prescribed in 25.1102(a)(3) substitute the following sentence for the first sentence in paragraph (1)(ii)(A) of the definition of “domestic construction material” in paragraph (a):

(A) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds __ percent of the cost of all its components. [Contracting officer to insert the percentage].

52.225-11 Buy American Act-Construction Materials under Trade Agreements (DEC 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Caribbean Basin country construction material means a construction material that—

(1) Is wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of a Caribbean Basin country; or

(2) In the case of a construction material that consists in whole or in part of materials from another country, has been substantially transformed in a Caribbean Basin country into a new and different construction material distinct from the materials from which it was transformed.

Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item—

(1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is–

(i) A commercial product (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of “commercial product” at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101);

(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and

(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C.40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

Component means an article, material, or supply incorporated directly into a construction material.

Construction material means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction site by the Contractor or subcontractor for incorporation into the building or work. The term also includes an item brought to the site preassembled from articles, materials, or supplies. However, emergency life safety systems, such as emergency lighting, fire alarm, and audio evacuation systems, that are discrete systems incorporated into a public building or work and that are produced as complete systems, are evaluated as a single and distinct construction material regardless of when or how the individual parts or components of those systems are delivered to the construction site. Materials purchased directly by the Government are supplies, not construction material.

Cost of components means—

(1) For components purchased by the Contractor, the acquisition cost, including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the construction material (whether or not such costs are paid to a domestic firm), and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued); or

(2) For components manufactured by the Contractor, all costs associated with the manufacture of the component, including transportation costs as described in paragraph (1) of this definition, plus allocable overhead costs, but excluding profit.