12639521Q0077 Solicitation for Foreign Service Recruitment Support Services.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

OFFEROR

APHIS-MN-126395

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401

SUITE410

250 MARQUETTE AVE

USDA APHIS

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

X

541612

SIZE STANDARD:

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORAPHIS-MN-126395

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

02/10/2021 1200 CT

01/19/2021

612-336-3625LEAH SCHULTZ

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBER a. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

12639521Q0077

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 47 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

See Task Orders

15. DELIVER TO

MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401

SUITE410

250 MARQUETTE AVE

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

$16.50

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

USDA APHIS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

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AMOUNT

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QUANTITY

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SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

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ITEM NO.

Tax ID Number: Not Available DUNS Number: Not Available Solicitation for Foreign Service support services per attached Sections 1.0 - 6.0.

Please contact Leah Schultz at 612-336-3625 with any questions.

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

XX

DATED

NATHAN D. JOHNSON

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT:

REF.

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

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COMPLETE

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42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

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AMOUNT

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32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

47 2 of

Solicitation No. 12639521Q0077

SF1149 continued

1.0 STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

1.1 Background

The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) mission is to safeguard the health, welfare, and value of American agriculture and natural resources. The APHIS International Services (IS) program supports the APHIS mission by working closely with other governments to control pests and diseases before they can enter the United States, building technical and regulatory skills abroad to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and facilitating safe agricultural trade. There are approximately 45 Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) in APHIS and new trainees are anticipated to be hired through the Fiscal year (FY) 2021 Recruitment Assessment process. FSOs represented are located within 25 posts around the world representing a global footprint.

It is APHIS-IS policy to attract the best qualified applicants for Foreign Service (FS) positions.

APHIS-IS encourages eligible personnel of proven ability and experience from within APHIS, other USDA agencies, other agencies of the Federal Government, and the public and private sectors who may meet the statutory and eligibility requirement of the position to apply.

Applicants must meet the basic qualification requirements of the occupational series as prescribed in the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Qualification Standards Operating Manual1.

APHIS-IS currently partners with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on FSO job analysis, competency model, and assessment activities. However, due to its unique workforce, APHIS-IS is seeking to develop its own processes and tools; therefore, the contractor will help APHIS develop its own recruitment process for FSO positions.

1.2 Period of Performance

This is an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for a period of five (5) years from the date of award.

1.3 Scope

The Contractor shall provide support to APHIS, which includes all personnel, resources, and work products required to complete the objectives in this contract. Specific deliverables will be specified in task orders and fall within the scope of the subject areas of Competency Models, Job Analysis and Assessment Centers as outlined below:

1 USDA, APHIS Directive 6731.1 https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/directives/pdf/aphis-6731-1.pdf

1. Foreign Job Analysis

a. Review and analyze the current entry-level (FP-04, or GS-12 equivalent) and commissioned FSO position descriptions, development and training resources, relevant job materials, and interpret data for an entry-level FSO agriculturalist’s tasks and responsibilities.

b. Develop and conduct a survey of a statistically significant population of current APHIS FP-04 positions. The Contractor shall analyze the survey results and present survey results to APHIS stakeholders.

c. Develop, coordinate, and conduct interviews and host virtual focus groups with APHIS leaders, subject matter experts, and other necessary stakeholders to capture current and future entry-level and commissioned FSO job responsibilities and training requirements.

d. Integrate and present the feedback received with the competencies within the entry-level and commissioned FSO competency models to identify:

1. Essential performance tasks/responsibilities and training an entry-level and commissioned FSO is expected to perform.

2. Rank the performance tasks/responsibilities in terms of importance, frequency, and difficulty.

3. Consider how the position may evolve in five years to continue to meet the needs of APHIS.

2. Competency Models

a. Review current entry-level and commissioned FSO competency models and make applicable revisions to improve the FSO competency models that reflect the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics essential to the work of APHIS Foreign Service.

1. Models shall capture the ranked order of essential general and technical competencies and characteristics that will enable selected FS candidates to perform their job successfully; this includes knowledge, skills, and abilities, training and development requirements, and other characteristics essential to the work of APHIS Foreign Service with detailed descriptions of each competency.

2. Describe each competency’s required proficiency level and behavioral indicators as FSOs progress through their careers.

3. Present the FSO competency models via a matrix or other format and outlines the recommended progression for each competency and development and training requirements over the next five (5) years for each grade.

b. Apply the updated competency models to help improve FSO recruitment practices, talent management, training, and performance assessments.

3. Assessment Process

a. Leverage technical knowledge and experience with FS applicant assessments through experience in federal government assessments for the Foreign Service to help APHIS develop an FSO assessment process.

b. Use government- provided IT platforms to retrieve and/or post government-approved information which may include conducting vigorous outreach to increase awareness of APHIS’ Foreign Service, attend professional conferences, and use social media to increase and diversity the response.

c. Conduct a review of existing occupational information to verify the tasks and competencies related to the targeted Foreign Service positions.

d. Work with APHIS to develop a draft of the planned Foreign Service assessment strategy.

e. Participate in implementing Foreign Service partner meetings, project monitoring, and reviews.

1. Partner meetings involve coordinating recruitment and retention ideas possibly involving partners such as the Department of State, Commerce, USAID, Universities, and other private or state government entities interested in recruiting potential FSOs.

f. Support APHIS in conducting assessments in accordance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/other-assessment-methods/assessment-centers.

g. Develop and present a marketing and recruiting approach to assist APHIS in recruiting more U.S. diversity groups (minorities) to apply for the Foreign Service job announcements.

h. Collect historical data, identify gaps in the applicant pool, identify metrics to measure success, evaluate the success of the Foreign Service recruitment and assessment strategies regarding diversity, measure satisfaction with the applicant pool qualifications, and provide recommendations for improvement.

i. Work with APHIS leadership to help validate the new Foreign Service testing environment by supporting APHIS personnel to facilitate Assessment Centers that are wholly focused on the needs of APHIS as a regulatory agency and streamline this process for applicants.

1. Note: APHIS worked with the Foreign Agricultural Service for assessment needs and now needs assessments tailored to APHIS’ mission.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/other-assessment-methods/assessment-centers https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/other-assessment-methods/assessment-centers https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/assessment-and-selection/other-assessment-methods/assessment-centers

j. Recommend improvements to the Foreign Service pre-screening assessment and throughout the assessment process, coordinate training materials, and provide training for assessors, as well as work with IS personnel to coordinate the assessment schedule and run the assessments onsite or virtually.

k. Provide a summary of the assessment and recommendations for improvements including but not limited to the number of recruits, subject knowledge expertise, how well the recruiting efforts help to seek out qualified individuals, etc.

4. General Tasks

a. Provide Weekly Status Reports that must be emailed to the COR and the APHIS-IS PM by 12 noon, (ET), Thursday of each week. The weekly status report shall include, as appropriate: significant accomplishments, problems and difficulties encountered, and issues needing resolution by the COR.

b. Conduct weekly project status meetings to include oral briefings on the status and issues. The Contractor shall organize and convene a formal project meeting once a week during the duration of the project. The Contractor shall provide the COR and APHIS-IS PM with Meeting Minutes within two (2) business days following each weekly meeting.

c. Develop guidance documents outlining the APHIS:

1. Entry Level and Fully Commissioned FSO Competency Model

2. Entry Level and Fully Commissioned Foreign Job Analysis

3. Recruitment Assessment process

1.4 Contractor Qualifications

The Contractor shall possess proven knowledge and expertise in the Foreign Service (FS), and global workforces, which are materially different from the Civil Service. The Contractor shall have knowledge of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Service competencies, Foreign Service recruitment and assessment processes, and related federal policies. The Contractor shall have at least five years of experience in coordinating and implementing a Foreign Service Recruitment Assessment Center. The Contractor shall possess proven experience in: (1) developing job analyses and competency models that meet uniform personnel selection procedures; (2) working with Foreign Service (FS) agencies; (3) working with clients virtually, including outside of the U.S.; (4) connecting results from job analyses and competency models to future assessment centers; and (5) implementing a Foreign Service Recruitment Assessment Center. The Contractor must be fluent in spoken and written English.

1.5 Travel

Minimal travel may be required to complete this project. If this is the case, travel costs will be approved by the Government in advance and reimbursed accordingly.

1.6 Government Property and IT Access

If necessary, the Government will provide the project manager a laptop and cell phone.

The contractor will have to successfully complete the appropriate APHIS IT training and background checks.

1.7 Safety and Security Requirements

a) Contractors shall comply with the personal identity verification (PIV) policies and procedures established by the Department for Contractors.

b) The procedures to be followed by contractors and contractor employees are specified in the Departmental Regulation and Departmental Manual (DM) 4620-002. Copies can be downloaded from the website at http://hspd12.usda.gov.

c) In accordance with the USDA policy and directives, a Background Investigation (BI) of the contractor personnel will be required prior to starting work under this contract as well as maintaining it throughout the duration of the contract.

The contractor shall, through their own internal background investigation protocol and pre-employment investigation, ensure that each contractor employee submitted for a federal background investigation is reasonably expected to receive a favorable adjudication of their respective investigation.

d) The USDA, APHIS will pay for any required federal background investigations.

The government shall have and exercise full and complete control over granting, denying, withholding, or termination the background investigation clearance for employees.

e) The USDA APHIS anticipated background investigation that is required is a Tier 2 – Public Trust – Moderate Risk Background Investigation. All contractor personnel subject to a BI must have no less than favorably adjudicated results.

Once approved and working under the contract, the contractor personnel shall not be removed or diverted from the site without prior notification to the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative or the designated point of contact.

f) The contractor shall not employ persons for work on this contract if such employee is considered by the USDA to be a potential threat to health, safety, general well-being or operational mission of USDA and its employees and property. If the USDA finds a prospective employee to be unsuitable for his or http://hspd12.usda.gov/ her assigned duties, the contractor will be advised immediately that such employee cannot continue to work or be assigned to work under the contract.

g) The Contracting Officer Representative or other designated point of contact will assist the contractor, where practical, with the background investigation process and the associated paperwork.

h) The Contractor shall provide to the USDA Personal Identity Verification Sponsor and the Personnel Security Specialist the information required to initiate the background investigation, including information on previous Office of Personnel Management background investigations or clearances conducted by the contractor. The Contractor shall ensure that prime and subcontractor employees requiring background investigations complete and submit the proper paperwork and forms. You can obtain further guidance from the Personnel Security Specialist who oversees the investigation process for contractors:

USDA, APHIS, MRPBS, HRD

Attn: Personnel Security Specialist - Contractors 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401-2329 Phone: (612) 336-3294

i) For further information and reference on the USDA personnel security requirements and forms you can reference:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/business-services/HRD/Personnel_Security

2.0 PRICE SCHEDULE

The contractor shall furnish all labor, supplies, materials, equipment, and supervision to perform the services stated herein. Based on the scope of this contract as outlined in Section 1.3, the contractor shall provide applicable labor categories and corresponding hourly rates for Contract Years 1-5. Further, based on the categories and rates offered, contractor shall offer a firm fixed price quote for Task Order #1 – See Attachment 1. This firm fixed price should be inclusive of all costs associated with successfully completing the tasks outlined and the corresponding time frames as indicated in the Task Order. The price quote should itemize which labor categories will be used and the number of hours needed for each category along with any overhead and indirect costs that comprise the final price offered.

Task Order #1 will be awarded at the same time the contract is awarded.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/business-services/HRD/Personnel_Security https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/business-services/HRD/Personnel_Security

All subsequent task orders will be evaluated independently for price reasonableness. Future task orders must be priced using the labor rates and categories incorporated into this contract upon contract award.

3.0 ADMINISTRATION

3.1 Contract Types

The Government intends to award an IDIQ contract. Contract and task order minimums and maximums are addressed in the following clauses see Section 5.0: 52.216-19, “Order Limitations” and 452.216-73 “Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts.”

Work will be ordered through the issuance of individual task orders as the requirements of the APHIS are defined. Each task order will be firm fixed price and will include the specific requirements related to the work covered by the task order, and delivery or performance requirements. Task order prices will be in accordance with the fixed rates established in the Pricing Schedule. Orders may be issued orally or by electronic commerce methods (i.e., email).

3.2 Estimated Dollar Amounts

Current estimates for FSO recruitment consulting services are $250,000 per year.

Total estimated amount over five years cannot be greater than $7.5 million.

The minimum award requirement is $2,000.

3.3 Tasks Orders

Task orders will be issued against this contract on a firm fixed price basis in accordance with the labor categories and rates incorporated into this contract. The contractor will submit invoices upon successful delivery of final task items.

3.4 Invoicing Instructions

USDA uses the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for electronic submission and tracking of purchase orders, invoices, and payment information to its suppliers of goods and services:

Enroll at https://ipp.gov. The IPP is a government-wide secure web-based invoice processing service offered free of charge to government agencies and their suppliers by the U.S.

Department of Treasury’s Financial Management Service (FMS).

Upon contract award, you will receive a notification of your one-time enrollment requirement in an automatic invoice payment notification system available through IPP. This one-time enrollment in IPP means that you will receive a series of e-mails from Treasury services.

Contractors must submit invoices and attach all supporting documentation as required within 5 business days of completion of services provided in the task order.

A proper invoice must include:

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

(iii) Contract number, contract line item number and, if applicable, the order number;

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered;

(v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading;

(vi) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and

(vii) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

The Government reserves the right to reject an invoice that does not include the information above.

3.5 Points of Contact

For questions regarding general contract administration, please contact Leah Schultz, Contract Specialist, at 612-336-3625 or Leah.h.schultz@usda.gov.

3.6 Contracting Officer’s Representative

The Contracting Officer will designate a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the time of award. The COR will be the Contractor’s local Government contact for contracts awarded against this requirement.

The COR is responsible for monitoring the performance of work under contracts awarded as written in the contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of the contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless advance authorization is received from the Contracting Officer, and proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to performing the work.

The COR shall inform the contracting Officer as soon as possible of any understandings, tentative agreements, recommended modifications, and actions or inactions of the Contractor or the Government which could affect the Contractor’s ability to comply with the contract performance requirements or completion times.

Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor shall so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the Contracting Officer shall be notified immediately.

PROCEEDING WITH WORK WITHOUT PROPER CONTRACTUAL COVERAGE AND APPROVAL OF

THE CO COULD RESULT IN A BREACH OF CONTRACT AND NONPAYMENT.

An exception will be considered by the Contracting Officer for additional work determined necessary by the COR after contract work hours, or on Saturday, Sunday, or Holidays, provided mailto:Leah.h.schultz@usda.gov the additional work is within the scope of the contract. If additional work within the scope of the contract is required outside contract work hours, the Contractor and the COR shall inform the Contracting Officer on the next business day of the circumstances, and request issuance of a contract modification.

The designation (delegation of authority) shall be provided in writing to the COR and the Contractor. The delegation of authority shall clearly explain the COR’s role and responsibility on the contract, and limitations of authority.

The following contacts are the only persons authorized to interact with the contractor on this contract:

1. Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer – For contract related issues:

Leah Schultz, Contract Specialist -- (612) 336-3625 Nathan Johnson, Contracting Officer – (612) 336-3404

2. Contracting Officers Representative (COR) – For requirement related issues:

Sherwin Hall, (202) 568-1239

4.0 EVALUATION FACTORS AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Evaluation Factors

In this acquisition, the Government will award to the responsible offeror who offers the best value to the government based on price and non-price factors and allows the Government to accept other than the lowest priced quote.

Submittal evaluation will occur in accordance with Simplified Acquisition Procedures as outlined in FAR part 13.106-2.

The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Price Price competitiveness will be evaluated on the firm fixed price offered for Task Order #1. This shall be done by various methods including value comparisons in labor categories, number of hours dedicated and labor rates that determine the final price. Rates for labor categories will also be evaluated as provided in Section 2.0 for each year of the contract, again by value comparisons and labor categories.

Technical Capability

Technical Capability consists of sub factors:

Detailed Project Management Plan Higher ratings will be given to contractors with a detailed projection management plan that clearly outlines the methodology for successfully completing Task Order #1 and tasks within the scope as outlined in Section 1.3.

Experience Higher ratings will be given to contractors with more experience in Foreign Service and global workforces. More specifically, a higher rating will be given to contractors with personnel who have experience and demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications in Section 1.4 of this solicitation.

Key Personnel Higher ratings will be given to personnel with more experience and/or higher education or certifications. Highest ratings will be given to personnel with experience in Foreign Service work.

Quality Control Plan Higher ratings will be given to companies that have thorough quality control plans and processes.

Past Performance Past performance is a measure of the degree to which an offeror has satisfied customers in the past, and complied with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Offerors with no past performance information will be given a neutral rating.

Technical Capability and Past Performance, when combined, are more important than price.

4.2 Items Required to be Submitted for Award

The following items are required to be submitted in order to be eligible for award.

1) Price schedule Submit items as outlined in Section 2.0 Price Schedule

2) Technical Capability

a. Detailed Project Management Plan: The Contractor shall provide a detailed description of the proposed steps for completing Task Order #1 including conducting the job analysis, developing the competency model, and performing planning activities for the recruitment assessment with associated timelines. Contractor shall also provide a high level project management plan on how the Contractor plans to coordinate and execute the scope of this contract.

i. If applicable, Offerors shall provide the names of major subcontractors that will perform a significant portion of the work. Major subcontractors are defined as members of an offeror’s overall team who are expected to perform ten (10) percent or more of the proposed effort.

b. Key personnel

i. Resumes of Personnel with a brief narrative of how the qualifications outlined in Section 1.5 are met.

c. Experience

Provide demonstrated experience of work in Foreign Service detailing:

1. Company or agency name

2. Size of project (in dollars)

3. Point of contact

a. Name

b. Phone number

c. Email address

4. Brief description of the work

d. Quality Control Plan

Detailed plan explaining how the contractor will conduct quality control to ensure the quality of the tasks performed is of the highest quality.

3) Past Performance The references provided under Technical Capability above may be used to evaluate successful past performance. The Government may also use Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), along with prior knowledge of the vendor and any other credible resource the Government deems appropriate.

4.3 Submission Requirements

4.3.1 Format

We request that quotes not exceed 30 pages in length. This does not include personnel resumes or responses to the sample task orders. We reserve the right to consider quotes that exceed that length but are not required to evaluate items that exceed page limitations.

Quotes shall include a cover page with company name, DUNS number, CAGE code, and Tax ID number. Also, please include a completed and signed SF 1449. Consider the evaluation factors listed in Section 4.1 above when submitting your quote to receive the highest possible rating.

4.3.2 Quote due date, time, and format

Proposals are due via email no later than 12:00 PM CDT on February 10, 2021. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure quotes are received on time. Quotes shall be sent to Leah Schultz, Contracting Officer, at leah.h.schultz@usda.gov.

4.3.3 Questions

All questions must be submitted via email no later than February 5, 2021 to Leah Schultz at:

leah.h.schultz@usda.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be honored.

5.0 CLAUSES

52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items. (Oct 2018)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders- Commercial Items.

As prescribed in 12.301(b)(4), insert the following clause:

Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders- Commercial Items (Nov 2020)

(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) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

mailto:leah.h.schultz@usda.gov mailto:leah.h.schultz@usda.gov

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 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:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

_X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (June 2020), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

_X_ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Jun 2020) (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.)

_X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (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).

_X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Jun 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

_X_ (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 (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-3.

__ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-4.

__ (13) [Reserved] _X_ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

__ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

_X_ (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 (Jun 2020) (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 (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

__ (v) Alternate IV (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9 _X_ (18) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-13.

_X_ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Mar 2020) (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 (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

_X_ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

__ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (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 (Mar2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

_X_(27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

__ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan2020) (E.O.13126).

_X_ (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

_X_ (30) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

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

_X_ (31) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

_X_ (32) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

_X_ (33) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Oct 2020) (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).

_X_ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015). (Executive Order 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.)

__ (37) (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.)

__ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (40) (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.

__ (41) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun2014) of 52.223-14.

__ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (May 2020) (42 U.S.C.

8259b).

__ (43) (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.

_X_ (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O. 13513).

__ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (47) (i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

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

__ (48) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

__ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.chapter83, 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.

__ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Oct 2019) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

_X_ (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (52) 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. 2302Note).

__ (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov2007) (42 U.S.C.

5150).

__ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (55) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Jun 2020).

__ (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

__ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Jan 2017) (41 U.S.C.

4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

_X_ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(13)).

__ (63) (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:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

__ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter67).

__ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C.

206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (3) 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).

__ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (May 2014) ( 29U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (5) 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).

__ (6) 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).

__ (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Nov 2020).

__ (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2017) (E.O. 13706).

__ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (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, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, 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 (Jun 2020) (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) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(v) 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 the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

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

(vii) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2015) (E.O.11246).

(viii) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ix) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C.

793).

(x) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (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 (Oct 2020) (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 and 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 (May2014) (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 (Nov 2020).

(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 (Jun 2020) (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)

52.204-9 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL (JAN 2011)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with agency personal identity verification procedures identified in the contract that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance M-05-24 and Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201.

(b) The Contractor shall account for all forms of Government-provided identification issued to the Contractor employees in connection with performance under this contract. The Contractor shall return such identification to the issuing agency at the earliest of any of the following, unless otherwise determined by the Government:

(1) When no longer needed for contract performance.

(2) Upon completion of the Contractor employee’s employment.

(3) Upon contract completion or termination.

(c) The Contracting Officer may delay final payment under a contract if the Contractor fails to comply with these requirements.

(d) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in all subcontracts when the subcontractor’s employees are required to have routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and/or routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. It shall be the responsibility of the prime Contractor to return such identification to the issuing agency in accordance with the terms set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

52.216-18 Ordering (Oct 1995).

(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 award through five years.

(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) If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered “issued” when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods (i.e., email) only if authorized in the Schedule.

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 $2000, 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 in excess of $7,500,000; or

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $7,500,000; or

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

(c) Notwithstanding the order maximum of $7,500,000 (paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b)(1), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 10 business days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor’s inability to perform and the reasons.

Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from other sources.

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…