RFQ_16-233-SOL-00226.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT 1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED

5. SOLICITATION TYPE2. CONTRACT NO. 4. SOLICITATION NUMBER

PAGE OF PAGES

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. THIS ACQUISITION IS

BIDDER/OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 11, 13, 15, 21, 22, & 27

RATING

ORDER UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

3. AWARD/

EFFECTIVE DATE ISSUE DATE

6. SOLICITATION

UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE:

SMALL BUSINESS

SIZE STANDARD:

9. (AGENCY USE)

NO COLLECT CALLS

10. ITEMS TO BE PURCHASED (BRIEF DESCRIPTION)

SUPPLIES SERVICES

11. IF OFFER IS ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WITHIN

CALENDAR DAYS (60 CALENDAR DAYS UNLESS OFFEROR INSERTS A DIFFERENT

PERIOD) FROM THE DATE SET FORTH IN BLOCK 9 ABOVE, THE CONTRACTOR

AGREES TO HOLD ITS OFFERED PRICES FIRM FOR THE ITEMS SOLICITED

HEREIN AND TO ACCEPT ANY RESULTING CONTRACT SUBJECT TO THE TERMS

AND CONDITIONS STATED HEREIN.

CODE 12. ADMINISTERED BY

13. CONTRACTOR FACILITY 14. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE CODE

OFFEROR CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS NO.

CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK:

15. PROMPT PAYMENT DISCOUNT 16. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER

THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

10 U.S.C. 2304 41 U.S.C. 253

NEGOTIATED

(RFP)

SEALED BIDS

(IFB)

1 29

04/04/2016

DHHS/PSC/AMS/DAM

Twinbrook Place, Suite 400 12501 Ardennes Avenue Rockville MD 20857

DHHS/PSC/AMS/DAM

Twinbrook Place, Suite 400 12501 Ardennes Avenue Rockville MD 20857

DAM

511120

% FOR:X

x

DAM

1,000

16-233-SOL-00226

NAICS:

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

8(A)

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB)

ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOSB PROGRAM

EDWOSB

17.

ITEM NO.

18.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

QUANTITY

20.

UNIT

21.

UNIT PRICE

22.

AMOUNT

PCSBI Special Report Contract

Delivery: 02/04/2016

Delivery Location Code: OS

Office of the Secretary

Office of the Secretary

200 Independence Ave. S.W.

Washington DC 20201 US

Continued ...

27. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTACTOR 28. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) DATE SIGNED NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER DATE SIGNED

25. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET

FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY CONTINUATION SHEETS

SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED HEREIN.

26. AWARD OF CONTRACT: YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

NUMBER SHOWN IN BLOCK 4 INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS

OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS

ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

23. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 24. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT

(FOR GOVERNMENT USE ONLY)

JOSEPH J. E. PIRRONE

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1447 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(d)

COPIES TO

RFQ 16-233-SOL-00226

SECTION 1. Supplies or Services/Prices

1.1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for

Health (OASH) requires the services of a reputable, peer reviewed journal to publish a special report on the ‘Reflections Project’ under the Bioethics Commission. The report will be a supplement to the journal.

1.2. TYPE OF ORDER

The government anticipates the issuance of a Firm Fixed Price purchase order.

1.3. NONSEVERABLE SERVICES

The services specified in this contract (or line item) have been determined to be non-severable services - a specific undertaking or entire job with a defined end product of value to the

Government.

1.4. CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT (FFP)

The total fixed price of this contract/order is $______________. Payments shall be made upon the delivery and acceptance of each item/task listed in Section 2 in accordance with the following payment schedule:

Quoter shall quote a payment plan tied to deliverables. Reference Section 5.3.1

Example:

Deliverable Unit Price Total Price

Total Price

SECTION 2. Description/Specifications

2.1. STATEMENT OF WORK

The Contractor shall furnish all of the necessary personnel, materials, services, facilities, (except as otherwise specified herein), and otherwise do all the things necessary for or incident to the performance of the work as set forth below:

2.1.1. BACKGROUND

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues (the Bioethics Commission) is an advisory panel of the nation’s leaders in medicine, science, ethics, religion, law, and engineering.

The Bioethics Commission advises the President on bioethical issues arising from advances in biomedicine and related areas of science and technology. The Bioethics Commission seeks to identify and promote policies and practices that ensure scientific research, health care delivery, and technological innovation are conducted in a socially and ethically responsible manner. Public outreach is one of the priority areas that the Bioethics Commission has identified.

The Bioethics Commission’s final project (the “Reflections Project”) will bring together conveners of bioethics advisory bodies, including current and past administration officials, current and past members of US and international bioethics advisory bodies, and preeminent bioethics scholars to reflect on the past, present, and potential future impact of domestic and international bioethics advisory bodies.

To ensure the success of the Reflections Project, the Bioethics Commission is seeking a peer-reviewed journal that publishes scholarly works on the topics of ethics and bioethics, and one that is associated with a fundamentally independent institution, to release a special issue featuring scholarly works by the Reflections Project participants on the impact of national bioethics advisory bodies.

In furtherance of this mission, the Bioethics Commission is seeking a contract with an appropriate journal of high standing to publish this Special Report as a supplement to the journal.

2.1.2. SCOPE

The purpose of this contract is to obtain a reputable, peer-reviewed journal to publish a Special

Report of the journal shall include articles regarding the works of both Bioethics Commission members and staff, as well as the domestic and international bioethics scholars and dignitaries who participate in the Reflections Project at the Bioethics Commission’s public meetings scheduled for May 3, 2016 and August 31, 2016.

Based on the outcome of the Reflections Project, the Bioethics Commission will select no more than 15 authors to submit an article to be included in the Special Report. The journal shall coordinate with the Bioethics Commission to collect, review, edit, and format articles; design layout of articles in a Special Report; publish Special Report; disseminate Special Report as a supplement to journal to current subscribers; post Special Report online without a paywall; and print and deliver 50 copies of Special Report to the Bioethics Commission. The Special Report should be 40- 60 pages in length.

The Special Report and its services should be published by a journal associated with an independent institution or association with a focus on bioethics. The journal should be widely disseminated and have a public affairs department that can assist with marketing and distribution of the final product.

2.1.3. TASKS

1. Participate in a kick-off meeting (in-person or conference call) with the Bioethics

Commission staff.

A. The contractor shall provide a project manager for the period of performance of the contract who shall serve as the principal point of contact with the Bioethics

Commission and shall be responsible for reports and plans, supervising project staff, issuing assignments, and monitoring contract budget and progress.

B. Identify goals and review/revise (if necessary) timeline for Special Report.

C. Receive pertinent information regarding selected authors whose articles will be selected for the Special Report.

D. The project manager shall set-up biweekly conference calls with Bioethics

Commission staff to discuss progress and updates.

2. Coordinate with the Bioethics Commission staff to collect articles and conduct peer review.

A. The contractor shall contact the selected authors with an introductory communication to inform them of the timeline and process and point of contact.

B. The contractor shall contact the selected authors to collect draft articles and provide established timeline for submissions and revisions.

Collect all first draft articles from authors and review for submission completeness.

Provide authors with expected review and revision timeline.

C. Develop and initiate a review and editing process with the Bioethics Commission staff to ensure the submissions are of the highest quality attainable.

Deliver collected articles to the Bioethics Commission staff for review.

Coordinate and conduct external peer review and follow up with authors to conduct revision process.

Conduct meeting or conference call with the Bioethics Commission staff to provide feedback and editing for submitted drafts.

Collect, consolidate, and finalize all feedback for editing of articles.

3. Coordinate with the Bioethics Commission staff to finalize and organize articles.

A. Deliver feedback and editing of articles to authors and collect final drafts

Deliver page proofs to authors for revisions.

Provide authors with deadline date to submit revised articles.

Collect and revise page proofs for final drafts.

B. Coordinate with the Bioethics Commission staff to finalize and organize articles.

Deliver revised articles to Bioethics Commission staff for final review.

Conduct meeting or conference call with Bioethics Commission staff to discuss approved and organized articles.

Receive final articles and desired order of articles from the Bioethics

Commission staff.

4. Design layout and format all articles according to the journal’s specifications.

A. Public affairs department of journal shall assist with marketing the final product.

5. Deliver a draft copy of the Special Report to Bioethics Commission staff for one round of feedback and finalize the Report.

A. Deliver draft copy of the Special Report to the Bioethics Commission staff for review and approval.

Final report should be 40 – 60 pages in length

B. Receive and address feedback from the Bioethics Commission staff.

C. Receive final approval the Special Report from the Bioethics Commission staff

6. Publish the Special Report in journal by June 30, 2017.

7. Disseminate the Special Report included in journal as regular delivery to current subscribers.

8. Post the Special Report online with no paywall as an open-access report. The report must meet the 508 standard accessibility standards.

9. Provide the Bioethics Commission with a 508 compliant PDF copy of the report to be posted on Bioethics.gov.

10. Print and deliver 50 hardcopies of the report to the Bioethics Commission office.

2.2. HHS SECTION 508 ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS NOTICE (SEPTEMBER 2009)

This contract is subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (the Act) of 1973 (29 U.S.C.

794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and the Architectural and

Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) Electronic and Information

Accessibility Provisions (36 CFR Part 1194). Section 508 of the Act requires that, unless an exception applies, all communications products and services that require a contractor or consultant to produce content in any format that is specifically intended for publication on, or delivery via, a federally owned or federally funded website permit the following:

(1) Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use information and data that is comparable to the access and use of information and data by federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities.

(2) Members of the public with disabilities seeking information or services from a federal agency to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use of information and data by members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities.

(Note: Information about Section 508 of the Act is available at http://www.section508.gov/. The complete text of Section 508 can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards.)

Accordingly, regardless of format, all web content or communications materials specifically produced for publication on, or delivery via, HHS websites, including text, audio, or video, under this contract shall conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. Remediation of any materials that do not comply with the applicable accessibility standards of 36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth herein shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

The following Section 508 accessibility standards apply to the content or communications material identified in this SOW or PWS:

Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications (1194.22) http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards

SECTION 3. Packaging and Marking

3.1. PACKAGING AND MARKING

All information and deliverables shall be delivered to the address shown in Section 5.2.2 entitled

- Place of Delivery - and shall be marked as follows:

1. Name and address of the Contractor;

2. Contract Number; (to be listed at award)

3. Description of item contained therein; and

4. Consignee's name and address.

SECTION 4. Inspection and Acceptance

4.1. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (Commercial)

Pursuant to 52.212-4, all work described in the SOW/PWS/SOO to be delivered under this contract is subject to final inspection and acceptance by an authorized representative of the

Government. The authorized representative of the Government is the Government's COR, who is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all services, materials, or supplies to be provided by the Contractor.

SECTION 5. Deliveries or Performance

5.1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be September 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

5.2. DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

5.2.1. Delivery Time

Pickup and delivery of items under this contract/order shall be accomplished between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday unless changed by mutual agreement between the COR and the contractor. No deliveries shall be made on

Saturdays, Sundays, and days of government closure or Federal legal holidays found at:

http://www.opm.gov/operating_status_schedules.

5.2.2. Delivery Address

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

Presidential Commission fir the Study of Bioethical Issues

1425 New York Avenue, NW, Suite C-100

Washington, DC 20005

5.3. REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The contractor shall submit all required report(s)/deliverables in accordance with the following schedule: All reports shall reference and cite the contract/order number. (to be listed at award).

5.3.1. Schedule of Deliverables.

Task Deliverables Estimated Due Date

1. Participate in a kick-off meeting (in-person or conference call) with the Bioethics Commission staff.

Provide an outline and timeline of overall project for review and revision when necessary.

Schedule biweekly conference calls with Bioethics

Commission staff.

Within two weeks of contract award date.

2 Coordinate with the Bioethics Commission staff to collect articles and conduct peer review.

Initiate communications with selected authors.

Collect first draft articles from authors and provide authors with expected date to received edits for articles.

Review collected articles for submission completeness.

Deliver draft articles to Bioethics Commission staff for review.

Conduct meeting with Bioethics Commission staff to provide feedback and select articles.

Distribute articles for peer review and collect and collate comments for authors

Date TBD

3 Coordinate with the Bioethics Commission staff to finalize and organize articles.

Deliver feedback from the Bioethics Commission and peer reviewers to authors and provide authors with deadline date to submit revised articles.

Collect revised final drafts from authors.

Deliver revised articles to Bioethics Commission staff for final review.

Conduct meeting with Bioethics Commission staff for approved and organized articles.

Within six months of contract award date

4 Design layout and format all articles according to the journal’s specifications.

Within three weeks from completion of

Task 3

5 Deliver a draft copy of the Special Report to Bioethics Commission staff for one round of feedback and finalize the Report (40-60 pages in length).

Within six weeks from completion of Task 4

6 Publish the Special Report in journal. Date TBD

7 Disseminate the Special Report included in journal as regular delivery to current subscribers.

8 Post the Special Report online with no paywall as an open-access report. The report must meet the 508 standard accessibility standards.

9 Provide the Bioethics Commission on publication date with a 508 compliant PDF copy of the report to be posted on Bioethics.gov.

10 Print and deliver 50 hardcopies Special Reports to the Bioethics

Commission office.

Within two weeks after report is published

SECTION 6. Task Order Administration Data

6.1. AUTHORITIES OF GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

Notwithstanding the Contractor's responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of this contract will require maximum coordination between the

Government and the Contractor. The following individuals will be the Government's points of contact during the performance of this contract:

6.1.1. Contracting Officer

Name: Joseph Pirrone

Address: 12501 Ardennes Avenue, Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20857

Phone: (301) 443-9367

Email: Joseph.Pirrone@PSC.hhs.gov

All communications pertaining to contractual and/or administrative matters under this contract shall be sent to:

6.1.2. Contract Specialist

Name: Zipora Chepkoit

Address: 12501 Ardennes Avenue, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20857

Phone: (301) 443-2342

Email: Zipora.Chepkoit@psc.hhs.gov

6.1.3. Contracting Officer's Representative

Name: TBD

Address: TBD

Phone: TBD

Email: TBD

Note: The Contracting Officer is the only individual authorized to modify the contract.

6.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) AUTHORITY

(a) Performance of work under this contract must be subject to the technical direction of the

Contracting Officer's Representative identified above, or a representative designated in writing.

The term "technical direction" includes, without limitation, direction to the contractor that directs or redirects the labor effort, shifts the work between work areas or locations, fills in details and otherwise serves to ensure that tasks outlined in the work statement are accomplished satisfactorily.

(b) Technical direction must be within the scope of the specification(s)/work statement.

The Contracting Officer's Representative does not have authority to issue technical direction that:

(1) Constitutes a change of assignment or additional work outside the specification(s)/statement of work;

mailto:Joseph.Pirrone@PSC.hhs.gov

(2) Constitutes a change as defined in the clause entitled "Changes";

(3) In any manner causes an increase or decrease in the contract price, or the time required for contract performance;

(4) Changes any of the terms, conditions, or specification(s)/work statement of the contract;

(5) Interferes with the contractor's right to perform under the terms and conditions of the contract; or

(6) Directs, supervises or otherwise controls the actions of the contractor's employees.

(c) Technical direction may be oral or in writing. The Contracting Officer's Representative shall confirm oral direction in writing within five work days, with a copy to the Contracting Officer.

(d) The contractor shall proceed promptly with performance resulting from the technical direction issued by the Contracting Officers, Representative. If, in the opinion of the contractor, any direction of the Contracting Officers, Representative, or his/her designee, falls within the limitations in (b), above, the contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer no later than the beginning of the next Government work day.

(e) Failure of the contractor and the Contracting Officer to agree that technical direction is within the scope of the contract shall be subject to the terms of the clause entitled "Disputes."

6.3. INVOICE SUBMISSION – NON COMMERCIAL

The Contractor shall submit invoices once per month. A complete invoice with all required back-up documentation shall be sent electronically, via email, to:

1. Contract Specialist via DAM mailbox: pscsas.invoices@psc.hhs.gov.*

2. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

3. Financial Management Service (FMS): psc_invoices@psc.hhs.gov.*

* No other non-invoice related documents (i.e. deliverables, reports, balance statements) shall be sent to the DAM and FMS mailboxes. Invoices Only.

The subject line of your email invoice submission shall contain the contract number, contract line item number, the order number, if applicable, and the number of invoices. The Contractor shall send one email per contract per month. The email may have multiple invoices for the contract.

Invoices must be in the following formats: PDF, TIFF, or Word. No Excel formats will be accepted. The electronic file cannot contain multiple invoices; example, 10 invoices requires 10 separate files (PDF or TIFF or Word).

Invoices shall be submitted in accordance with the contract terms, i.e. payment schedule, progress payments, partial payments, deliverables, etc.

All calls concerning contract payment shall be directed to the COR.

In accordance with FAR 52.232-25 Prompt Payment, a proper invoice must include the following items:

(i) Name and address of the contractor.

mailto:pscsas.invoices@psc.hhs.gov

(ii) Invoice date and invoice number. (Contractors should date invoices as close as possible to the date of mailing or transmission.)

(iii) Contract number or other authorization for supplies delivered or services performed

(including order number and contract line item number).

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies delivered or services performed.

(v) Shipping and payment terms (e.g., shipment number and date of shipment, discount for prompt payment terms). Bill of lading number and weight of shipment will be shown for shipments on Government bills of lading.

(vi) Name and address of contractor official to whom payment is to be sent (must be the same as that in the contract or in a proper notice of assignment).

(vii) Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice.

(viii) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS).

The contractor must include its TIN and DUNS on the invoice.

(ix) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

(A) The contractor must include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required by agency procedures.

(B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to be a proper invoice, the contractor must have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance with the applicable solicitation provision

(e.g., 52.232-38, Submission of Electronic Funds Transfer Information with Offer), contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for

Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than

System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures.

(C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay by EFT.

(x) Any other information or documentation required by the contract (e.g., evidence of shipment).

In accordance with OMB Memorandum, M-11-32, Agencies shall make payments to small businesses as soon as practicable, with the goal of making payments within 15 days of receipt of a proper invoice. If a small business contractor is not paid within this (15 day) accelerated period, the contractor will not be given a late-payment interest penalty. Interest penalties, as prescribed by the Prompt Payment Act, remain unchanged by means of this memorandum. All small businesses shall label all invoices as “Small Business.”

Additionally, in accordance with OMB Memorandum, M-12-16, all prime contractors are encouraged to disburse funds received from the Federal Government to their small business subcontractors in a prompt manner. To assist prime contractors in expediting contractor payments to small business subcontractors, Agencies shall, to the full extent permitted by law, temporarily establish an earlier, accelerated date for making agency payments to all prime contractors. Consistent with OMB Memorandum M-11-32 above, Agencies shall have a goal of paying all prime contractors within 15 days of receiving proper documentation. In an effort to support small business growth, drive economic activity and job creation, the Contractor is https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_232.html#wp1153462 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_232.html#wp1153351 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_232.html#wp1153375 encouraged to accelerate payments to their small business subcontractors.

In accordance with the requirements of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, all payments under this order will be made by electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Contractor shall provide financial institution information to the Finance Office designated above in accordance with FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management.

SECTION 7. Special Task Order Requirements

7.1. HHSAR 352.239-73(a) ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ACCESSIBILITY (JAN 2010)

(a) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce

Investment Act of 1998, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

Electronic and Information (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR Part 1194), require that, unless an exception applies, all EIT products and services developed, acquired, maintained, or used by any federal department or agency permit—

(1) Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use information and data that is comparable to the access and use of information and data by federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities; and

(2) Members of the public with disabilities seeking information or services from a federal agency to have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use of information and data by members of the public who are not individuals with disabilities.

(b) Accordingly, any vendor submitting a proposal/quotation/bid in response to this solicitation must demonstrate compliance with the established EIT accessibility standards. Information about

Section 508 is available at http://www.section508.gov/. The complete text of Section 508 Final

Provisions can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards.

(c) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this solicitation are identified in the

Statement of Work/Specification/Performance Work Statement. In order to facilitate the

Government’s evaluation to determine whether EIT products and services proposed meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must prepare an HHS Section 508 Product

Assessment Template, in accordance with its completion instructions, and provide a binding statement of conformance. The purpose of the template is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining that EIT products and services proposed support applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows vendors or developers to self-evaluate their products or services and document in detail how they do or do not conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template may be found under Section 508 policy on the HHS Office on Disability website

(http://www.hhs.gov/od/).

(d) Respondents to this solicitation must also provide any additional detailed information necessary for determining applicable Section 508 accessibility standards conformance, as well as for documenting EIT products or services that are incidental to the project, which would constitute an exception to Section 508 requirements. If a vendor claims its products or services, including EIT deliverables such as electronic documents and reports, meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards in its completed HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template, and it is later determined by the Government – i.e., after award of a contract/order, that products or services delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the Product

Assessment Template, remediation of the products or services to the level of conformance specified in the vendor’s Product Assessment Template will be the responsibility of the

Contractor and at its expense.

7.2. PROHIBITION AGAINST PERSONAL SERVICES

The Contractor shall not perform personal services under this contract. Contractor personnel are employees of the Contractor or its subcontractors and are under the administrative control and supervision of the Contractor. A Contractor supervisor must give all individual Contractor employee assignments and daily work direction. The Government will not supervise or direct

Contractor employees in the performance of their assignments. If at any time the Contractor believes that any Government action or communication has been given that would create a personal service relationship between the Government and any Contractor employee, the

Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of this communication or action. The

Contractor shall not perform any inherently-governmental functions under this contract. No

Contractor employee shall represent or give the appearance that he/she is a Government employee, agent or representative. No Contractor employee shall state orally or in writing at any time that he or she is acting on behalf of the Government. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all employees assigned to this contract understand and are committed to following these requirements.

7.3. PRINTING AND DUPLICATION/COPYING

The terms "printing" and "duplicating/copying" are defined in the Government Printing and

Binding Regulations of the Joint Committee on Printing, CFR Title 44. The regulations can be access at http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/customers/sfas/jcpregs.pdf.

Printing:

No printing by the Contractor or any subcontractor is authorized under this contract. All printing required hereunder must be performed by the Government Printing Office, in accordance with

CFR Title 44; Public Law 102-392, as amended by H.R. 4454; and The Legislative Branch

Appropriations Act 2995. The Contractor shall complete Form HHS 26 and submit it along with all camera-ready copies to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

Duplicating/Copying:

If necessary for performance of the contract, the Contractor may duplicate or copy less than 5,000 production units of only one page, or less than 25,000 production units in aggregate of multiple pages for the use of a department or agency. A production unit is defined as one sheet, size 8.5 x

11 inches, one side only, and one color. The pages may not exceed a maximum image size of 10-

3/4 by 14-1/4 inches. This page limit is per requirement and not per contract.

All printing, as well as duplicating/copying in excess of the stated limits, shall be obtained by the

COR through the Publishing Services, Program Support Center. The cost of any unauthorized printing or duplicating /copying under this contract will be considered an unallowable cost for which the Contractor will not be reimbursed.

7.4. RESTRICTIONS ON CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT OR THIRD

PARTY INFORMATION

The purpose of this clause is to set forth the restrictions that will govern Contractor employees access to Government or third party information in order to protect the information from unauthorized use or disclosure.

A. Under this contract, the Contractor will have access to Contractor proprietary information and other nonpublic information.

B. Restrictions on use and disclosure of information.

(1) With regard to any information to which the Contractor is given access in performance of this contract, whether the information comes from the Government or from third parties, the

Contractor shall:

(i) Utilize the information only for the purposes of performing the services specified in this contract, and not for any other purposes;

(ii) Safeguard information from unauthorized use and disclosure;

(iii) Allow access to the information only to those employees who need it to perform services under this contract;

(iv) Preclude access and disclosure of information to persons and entities outside of the

Contractor's organization that do not have authority to access the information;

(v) Inform employees, who may require access to information, about their obligations to utilize it only to perform the services specified in this contract and to safeguard that information from unauthorized use and disclosure; and

(vi) Ensure each employee complies with the restrictions set forth in (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) above.

(2) Unless specifically permitted in writing by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall not use information acquired in performance of the contract, or generated by or for the Government to:

(i) Compete for work for the Government; or

(ii) Submit an unsolicited proposal to the Government.

(3) If the Contractor is exposed to information that is marked in a way that indicates the

Contractor should not receive this information, the Contractor shall:

(i) Notify the Contracting Officer; and

(ii) Use the information only in accordance with the instructions of the

Contracting Officer.

C. Breach of any of the conditions of this modification may provide grounds for the Government to:

(i) Require the contractor to remove the contract employee or employees from the performance of the contract;

(ii) Require the contractor to terminate the subcontractor;

(iii) Suspend contractor payments;

(iv) Terminate this contract for default or cause;

(v) Suspend or debar the Contractor for serious misconduct affecting present responsibility; and;

(vi) Pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law, regulation, or this contract.

D. Unauthorized disclosure or other misuse of information protected by the Privacy Act of 1974 may result in a fine up to $5000 and /or other penalties. In addition, unauthorized disclosure or other misuse of information covered under the Federal Trade Secrets Act (18 USC 1905) may result in a fine, or imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.

E. The Contractor shall flow down this clause to subcontractors at all tiers.

7.5. RESTRICTIONS ON DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

Information made available to the contractor by the Government for the performance or administration of this effort shall be used only for those purposes and shall not be used in any other way without the written agreement of the Contracting Officer.

The contractor agrees to assume responsibility for protecting the confidentiality of Government records, which are not public information. Each contractor or employee of the contractor to whom information may be made available or disclosed shall be notified in writing by the contractor that such information may be disclosed only for a purpose and to the extent authorized herein.

The contractor shall not use, disclose, or reproduce proprietary data that bears a restrictive legend, other than as required in the performance of this effort. Nothing herein shall preclude the use of any data independently acquired by the contractor without such limitations or prohibit an agreement at no cost to the Government between the contractor and the data owner which provides for greater rights to the contractor.

The Contractor agrees not to release or disclose, verbally or in writing, information pertaining to the results or findings of work (including data collection, analyses, draft or final papers and reports) for the period of this contract without first notifying the COR in writing at least 21 days prior to the release or disclosure. At a minimum, the notification shall include: (1) who or what is generating the request for advance information; (2) when and how project results/information would be released; and (3) what information would be released.

7.6. POST AWARD ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

a. General: The Contractor shall have programs in place to identify, report, and mitigate actual and potential conflicts of interest for itself, its employees, subcontractors and consultants. The existence of such programs and the disclosure of known actual or potential conflicts are material performance requirements of this contract.

b. Disclosure: The Contractor shall report all actual and potential conflicts of interest pertaining to this contract to the Contracting Officer, including those that would be caused by a contemplated modification to this contact or another contract. Such reports shall be in writing (including by email). Upon request, the Contractor shall respond to a

Contracting Officer's request for an OCI mitigation plan.

c. Resolution: In the event the Contracting Officer determines that a conflict of interest exists, based on disclosure from the Contractor or from other sources, the Contracting

Officer shall take action which may include, but is not limited to, requesting a mitigation plan from the Contractor, terminating part or all of the contract, modifying the contract or obtaining a waiver in accordance with applicable law, including FAR 9.503 as applicable.

7.7. HHSAR 352.242-70 KEY PERSONNEL (JAN 2006)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance.

At least 30 days prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts

(or as soon as possible, if an individual must be replaced, for example, as a result of leaving the employ of the Contractor), the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit comprehensive justification for the diversion or replacement request (including proposed substitutions for key personnel) to permit evaluation by the Government of the impact on performance under this contract. The Contractor shall not divert or otherwise replace any key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Government may modify the contract to add or delete key personnel at the request of the Contractor or Government.

The following individuals shall be considered key:

Name Title

[To be named at award]

SECTION 8. Clauses

8.1. FAR 52.203-99 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT

REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (FEB 2015)

(DEVIATION 2015-02)

(a) The Contractor shall not require employees or subcontractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign or comply with internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

(b) The contractor shall notify employees that the prohibitions and restrictions of any internal confidentiality agreements covered by this clause are no longer in effect.

(c) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this clause does not contravene requirements applicable to

Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information.

(d)(1) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), use of funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act may be prohibited, if the Government determines that the Contractor is not in compliance with the provisions of this clause.

(2) The Government may seek any available remedies in the event the contractor fails to comply with the provisions of this clause.

8.2. FAR 52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS. (DEC 2013)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the

Prompt Payment Act.

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items.

8.3. FAR 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:

http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/ http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/

HHS ACQUISITION REGULATION (HHSAR) CONTRACT CLAUSES

Clause Number Title and Date

HHSAR 352.203-70 Anti-lobbying (DEC 2015)

HHSAR 352.222-70 Contractor cooperation in equal employment opportunity investigations. (DEC 2015)

HHSAR 352.227–70 Publications and Publicity (DEC 2015)

SECTION 9. List of Documents, Exhibits and Other Attachments

Attachment Title: 508 Compliance

I

Section 1194.22 Web-based Internet Information and Applications

SECTION 10. Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Quoters

10.1 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

The quote must be prepared in two SEPARATE volumes: Volume I - "Technical Volume" and

Volume II - "Price/Business Volume". Each of these parts shall be separate and complete in itself so that the evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of the evaluation of the other.

The Request for Quotation (RFQ) number should be included on the front cover of each volume.

Your quote must stipulate that it is predicated upon all the terms and conditions of this RFQ and signed by an official authorized to bind your organization. In addition, it must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 120 days from the date of receipt thereof by the

Government. Quotes received by the government after the submission deadline will not be accepted.

The Government will evaluate your quote in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in

Section 11, Evaluation Factors for Award, of this solicitation.

This RFQ does not commit the Government to pay any of the costs associated with the preparation and submission of your quote. In addition, the Contracting Officer is the only individual authorized to legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this requirement. By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation, it is understood that your quote shall become a part of the official contract file.

10.1.1. Questions

Questions relating to this acquisition shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist, Zipora

Chepkoit, at Zipora.Chepkoit@psc.hhs.gov no later than 12:00 PM ET on April 15, 2016.

The Government does not intend to extend the due date for quotes. All e-mail inquiries shall have "Question – RFQ 16-233-SOL-00226” included in the subject line

10.1.2. Submission Deadline

Your quote is due by May 5, 2016 at 2:00PM, Eastern Time (ET) and shall be sent directly to the attention of the contract specialist. Late quotes will not be accepted.

10.2. TECHNICAL VOLUME INSTRUCTIONS

The Technical volume is not limited in pages but quoters are encouraged to be succinct and economical in their presentation. Excessive volume and elaborate presentation are unnecessary.

Tables of contents, and works cited and the Technical Appendix are not included in the page count.

The technical volume must not contain references to price; however, resource information, such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc., must be contained in the technical volume so that the Quoter's understanding of the scope of work may be evaluated.

The technical volume shall contain a response to each of the factors and subfactors identified in

Section 2. The quoter's technical approach must be disclosed in sufficient detail to provide a clear and concise presentation that includes, but is not limited to, the requirements of the technical volume instructions. The Quoter must provide clear responses, including objectives and mailto:Zipora.Chepkoit@psc.hhs.gov outcomes, to each Task addressing the work to be performed in the Description/Specifications section. The technical volume must reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken. Quotes which merely offer to conduct a project in accordance with the requirements of the Government's requirements will not be eligible for award.

Technical Appendices:

The quoter shall include a Technical Appendix that will include all attachments, such as transcripts, resumes, letters of commitment, and the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template

(Attachment I).

FACTOR 1 - Understanding the requirement

FACTOR 2 – Technical approach

FACTOR 3 – Personnel and management plan

FACTOR 4 - Section 508 Compliance

The quoter must demonstrate their compliance with the applicable Section 508 standards. This includes submitting the completed HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template (Attachment I).

Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.section508.gov/. The complete text of

Section 508 Final Provisions can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm.

10.3. PRICE/BUSINESS VOLUME INSTRUCTIONS

The Quoter shall prepare a price volume that contains all information necessary to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the prices quoted. The pricing information shall include the following a completed Pricing Table, divided by assignment, with a breakdown of estimated cost for accomplishing each task in the Description/Specifications; and

*** For firm-fixed-price requirements, your price volume must include a payment plan tied to the deliverables schedule and reflecting an amount equal to the value of the deliverable being invoiced for. Please express the prices under the quoted payment plan on a per deliverable basis.

The price/business volume shall also include the following Representation and Certification:

10.3.1. CLASS DEVIATION - PROHIBITION AGAINST CONTRACTING

WITH CORPORATIONS WITH A FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION UNDER

FEDERAL OR STATE LAW OR AN UNPAID FEDERAL TAX LIABILITY

(MAR 2012)

ALTERNATE - REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN

UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER

ANY FEDERAL LAW

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 Pub. L 112-74 and the Consolidated and

Further Continuing Appropriations Act, Pub. L 112-55 prohibit covered agencies from using funds to enter into contracts with corporations with have unpaid federal tax delinquencies or certain felony convictions unless certain conditions are met.

(a) The Quoter represents that -

(1) It is [ ] is not [ ] a corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation under a Federal or State law within the preceding 24 months.

(2) It is [ ] is not [ ] a corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability.

Signature Date

10.4. FAR 52.203-98 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT

REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS -

REPRESENTATION (FEB 2015) (DEVIATION 2015-02)

a) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further

Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), Government agencies are not permitted to use funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act for contracts with an entity that requires employees or subcontractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this provision does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information.

c) Representation. By submission of its offer, the Offeror represents that it does not require employees or subcontractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information.

SECTION 11. Evaluation Factors for Award

11.1. GENERAL EVALUATION INSTRUCTIONS

Quotes must be prepared in accordance with and in compliance with the instructions given in this

RFQ and address all of the requirements set forth in the Work Description/Specifications Quotes which merely offer to conduct a program in accordance with the requirements of the Government will not be eligible for an award.