19BE2026Q0047_Mailroom Courier Services.pdf

Request For Quotes

Blanket Purchase Agreement for Mailroom Courier Services

Solicitation No: 19BE2026Q0047

Contracting & Acquisition Office U.S. Embassy Brussels Regentlaan 25-27 Boulevard du Regent 1000 Brussels Belgium

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE

1.0 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.1 GENERAL

1.2 ACQUISITION METHOD

2.0 BPA DETAILS

2.1 BPA CALL LIMITATIONS AND ESTIMATED VALUE

2.2 VALIDITY

2.3 CURRENCY

2.4 VALUE ADDED TAX

2.5 SELECTION OF AWARDEE FOR INDIVIDUAL BPA-CALLS

3.0 STATEMENT OF WORK

SECTION 2 - CONTRACT CLAUSES

• CONTRACT CLAUSES

• ADDENDUM TO CONTRACT CLAUSES – FAR AND DOSAR NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12

SECTION 3 - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

• SOLICITATION CLAUSES

• ADDENDUM TO SOLICITATION CLAUSES – FAR AND DOSAR NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE

1.0 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.1 GENERAL

The U.S. Embassy Brussels, through DT Mailroom requires Mailroom Courier Services.

1.2 ACQUISITION METHOD

The Government is conducting this acquisition using Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 12.

2.0 BPA DETAILS

This solicitation will result in the establishment of multiple Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for supplies or services of the same type, to provide maximum practicable competition.

2.1 BPA CALL LIMITATIONS AND ESTIMATED VALUE

(a) The individual Call issued under this BPA shall not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) as defined in FAR 2.101. The aggregate amount of all Calls made against this BPA shall not exceed 240.000,00 EUR (or USD equivalent). The total BPA value may not exceed $40,000 until the vendor is registered in the System for Award Management

(SAM).

(b) Pricing is in accordance with the applicable rates obtained from the contractor at the beginning of each 12-month period. Price shall include all labor, materials, overhead, profit, and transportation necessary to deliver the required services as provided on each funded BPA call. The Price schedule will serve as base line to determinate cost proposal for individual requests are fair and reasonable prior issuance of a BPA call.

(c) This agreement does not establish any liability on the part of the Government of the United States of America to affect any actual purchase. Any Call issued during the effective period of this BPA and not completed within that period shall be completed by the contractor by the date specified in the performance period of this BPA. The BPA shall govern that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the BPA's effective period, provided that the contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this BPA one year after the issuance of the BPA Call.

2.2 VALIDITY

This BPA has a validity period of four (4) years: From April 1, 2026, until March 31, 2030. Services shall be coordinated with the COR.

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

2.3 CURRENCY

All BPA Calls will be issued in EUR (Belgium).

2.4 VALUE ADDED TAX

VAT exempt – “Exemption de la TVA. Article 42, § 3, alinéa 1er, 1°, du Code de la TVA. Décision ministérielle ET 121.600/A39/A402 du 3 décembre, 2025.”

Failure to add all of the required text will result in the return of your invoice for correction.

2.5 SELECTION OF AWARDEE FOR INDIVIDUAL BPA-CALLS

A. The following procedures shall govern the issuance of individual BPA Calls. The Contractor shall not commence any work or incur any costs until a written BPA Call (order) has been issued by an authorized U.S. Government official (the General Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy Brussels) or an U.S. Government Official with a valid warrant.

B. For each services requirement, the Government will solicit quotations from all BPA holders and will compete each requirement among the established BPA contractors. The Government will evaluate quotations in accordance with the criteria set forth in the BPA. In determining which contractor receives the BPA Call, the Government will consider best value to the Government, considering price and other factors such as technical capability (proposed schedule, availability and compliance with the scope of work). Award may not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced offeror, as the Government will make an integrated assessment of all evaluation factors to determine the quotation that best meets the Government’s requirements. Each BPA Call will specify the scope of work, location, period of performance, and price for the required services.

C. This procedure ensures that each BPA holder is provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each BPA Call, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b) and FAR 13.303-5(b), and that the Government complies with applicable competition requirements.

D. The Government reserves the right to determine the most advantageous offer for each requirement and to document the rationale for each selection in the BPA file.

E. A BPA call is considered "issued" when-

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

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

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either—

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

(ii) Distributes the BPA call via email to the Contractor's email address.

(4) BPA Calls may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized under this Agreement.

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047 o The courier vehicle must be equipped with a lockable cargo area to which a tamper-evident seal can be affixed.

o A replacement vehicle meeting the same security specifications must be available in case of breakdown.

GOVERNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT

• Primary: Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), as designated post-award.

• Operational: Embassy Mailroom Supervisor (for daily scheduling and access coordination).

CONTRACTOR RESPONSABILITIES

Provide all personnel, vehicles, equipment, and administrative resources necessary to perform the required services.

• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of diplomatic shipments at all times.

• Adhere to any special handling or security instructions provided by the COR.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

SECTION 2 - CONTRACT CLAUSES

52.212-4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS – COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (DEVIATION AUG 2025)

(a) Definitions. The clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated by reference.

(b) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the Government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post acceptance rights—

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(c) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(d) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(e) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71, Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal, or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated in this contract by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence. Examples of occurrences include acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. When an excusable delay occurs, the Contractor shall—

(1) Notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as possible;

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(2) Remedy the delay as quickly as possible; and

(3) Notify the Contracting Officer when the occurrence is over.

(g) Invoice. The Government will handle invoices according to the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C.

3903) and 5 CFR part 1315. The Contractor shall submit invoices to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices. An invoice must include the information required by 5 CFR part 1315.9(b).

(h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees, and agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark, or copyright, arising out of the performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and proceedings.

(i) Payment—

(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract.

(2) Prompt payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act ( 31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR part 1315.

(3) Discount. In connection with any discount offered for early payment, time shall be computed from the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date that appears on the payment check or the specified payment date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made.

(4) Overpayments. If the Contractor becomes aware of a duplicate contract financing or invoice payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid on a contract financing or invoice payment, the Contractor shall—

(i) Remit the overpayment amount to the payment office cited in the contract along with a description of the overpayment including the—

(A) Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment);

(B) Affected contract number and delivery order number, if applicable;

(C) Affected line item or subline item, if applicable;

(D) Contractor point of contact; and

(ii) Provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer.

(5) Interest.

(i) All amounts that become payable by the Contractor to the Government under this contract shall bear simple interest from the date due until paid unless paid within 30 days of becoming due. The interest rate shall be the interest rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in 41 U.S.C. 7109, which is applicable to the period in which the amount becomes due, as provided in (i)(6)(v) of this clause, and then at the rate applicable for each six-month period as fixed by the Secretary until the amount is paid.

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

(ii) The Government may issue a demand for payment to the Contractor upon finding a debt is due under the contract.

(iii) Final decisions. The Contracting Officer will issue a final decision as required by FAR part 33 if–

(A) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor are unable to reach agreement on the existence or amount of a debt within 30 days;

(B) The Contractor fails to liquidate a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer within the timeline specified in the demand for payment unless the amounts were not repaid because the Contractor has requested an installment payment agreement; or

(C) The Contractor requests a deferment of collection on a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer (see FAR part 32).

(iv) If a demand for payment was previously issued for the debt, the demand for payment included in the final decision shall identify the same due date as the original demand for payment.

(v) Amounts shall be due at the earliest of the following dates:

(A) The date fixed under this contract.

(B) The date of the first written demand for payment, including any demand for payment resulting from a termination for cause.

(vi) The interest charge shall be computed for the actual number of calendar days involved beginning on the due date and ending on-

(A) The date on which the designated office receives payment from the Contractor;

(B) The date of issuance of a Government check to the Contractor from which an amount otherwise payable has been withheld as a credit against the contract debt; or

(C) The date on which an amount withheld and applied to the contract debt would otherwise have become payable to the Contractor.

(vii) The interest charge made under this clause may be reduced under the procedures for interest credits prescribed in FAR part 32 in effect on the date of this contract.

(j) Risk of loss. Unless the contract specifically provides otherwise, risk of loss or damage to the supplies provided under this contract shall remain with the Contractor until, and shall pass to the Government upon—

(1) Delivery of the supplies to a carrier, if transportation is f.o.b. origin; or

(2) Delivery of the supplies to the Government at the destination specified in the contract, if transportation is f.o.b. destination.

(k) Taxes. The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties.

(l) Termination for the Government’s convenience. The Government reserves the right to terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Contractor shall immediately stop all work and shall immediately cause any and

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047 all of its suppliers and subcontractors to cease work. Subject to the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a percentage of the contract price reflecting the percentage of the work performed prior to the notice of termination, plus reasonable charges the Contractor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Government using its standard record keeping system, have resulted from the termination. The Contractor shall not be required to comply with the cost accounting standards or contract cost principles for this purpose. This paragraph does not give the Government any right to audit the Contractor’s records. The Contractor shall not be paid for any work performed or costs incurred which reasonably could have been avoided.

(m) Termination for cause. The Government may terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for cause in the event of any default by the Contractor, or if the Contractor fails to comply with any contract terms and conditions, or fails to provide the Government, upon request, with adequate assurances of future performance. The Government will send a cure notice to the Contractor, unless the reason for the termination is late delivery. In the event of termination for cause, the Government shall not be liable to the Contractor for any amount for supplies or services not accepted, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Government for any and all rights and remedies provided by law. If it is determined that the Government improperly terminated this contract for default, such termination shall be deemed a termination for convenience.

(n) Title. Unless specified elsewhere in this contract, title to items furnished under this contract shall pass to the Government upon acceptance, regardless of when or where the Government takes physical possession.

(o) Warranty. The Contractor warrants and implies that the items delivered under this contract are merchantable and fit for use for the particular purpose described in this contract.

(p) Limitation of liability. Except as otherwise provided by an express warranty, the Contractor will not be liable to the Government for consequential damages resulting from any defect or deficiencies in accepted items.

(q) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C.

chapter 87, Kickbacks; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Government-financed air transportation; and 41 U.S.C.

chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity.

(r) Order of precedence. Any inconsistencies in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:

(1) The schedule of supplies/services;

(2) The Disputes, Payments, Invoice, Compliance with Laws Unique to Government Contracts, and Unauthorized Obligations paragraphs of this clause;

(3) Other contract clauses incorporated in the solicitation or contract;

(4) Addenda to this solicitation or contract;

(5) Solicitation provisions incorporated in the solicitation;

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(6) Other paragraphs of this clause;

(7) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments; and

(8) The specification.

(s) Unauthorized obligations.

(1) Except as stated in paragraph (s)(2) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under this contract is subject to any End User License Agreement (EULA), Terms of Service (TOS), or similar legal instrument or agreement, that includes any clause requiring the Government to indemnify the Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (31 U.S.C.

1341), the following shall govern:

(i) Any such clause is unenforceable against the Government.

(ii) Neither the Government nor any Government-authorized end user shall be deemed to have agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. If the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement is invoked through an “I agree” click box or other comparable mechanism (e.g., “click-wrap” or “browse-wrap” agreements), execution does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause.

(iii) Any such clause is deemed to be stricken from the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement.

(2) Paragraph (s)(1) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and procedures.

(t) Comptroller General examination of record. This paragraph applies if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid procedures and is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold on the date of award of this contract.

(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 part 4, longer period required by statute, or periods specified in 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 clause 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.

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

ADDENDUM TO CONTRACT CLAUSES

FAR AND DOSAR CLAUSES NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12

THE FOLLOWING DOSAR CLAUSES ARE PROVIDED IN FULL TEXT:

CONTRACTOR IDENTIFICATION (JULY 2008)

Contract performance may require contractor personnel to attend meetings with government personnel and the public, work within government offices, and/or utilize government email.

Contractor personnel must take the following actions to identify themselves as non-federal employees:

(1) Use an email signature block that shows name, the office being supported and company affiliation (e.g. “John Smith, Office of Human Resources, ACME Corporation Support Contractor”);

(2) Clearly identify themselves and their contractor affiliation in meetings;

(3) Identify their contractor affiliation in Departmental e-mail and phone listings whenever contractor personnel are included in those listings; and

(4) Contractor personnel may not utilize Department of State logos or indicia on business cards.

(End of clause)

652.215-70 EXAMINATION OF RECORDS

(a) With respect to matters related to this contract or a subcontract hereunder, the Department of State Office of the Inspector General, or an authorized representative, shall have upon request:

(1) Complete, prompt, and free access to all Contractor and Subcontractor files (in any format), documents, records, data, premises, and employees, except as limited by law;

and

(2) The right to interview any current Contractor and Subcontractor personnel, individually and directly, with respect to such matters.

(b) This clause may not be construed to require the contractor or any subcontractor to create or maintain any record that the contractor or subcontractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(c) The Contractor shall insert a clause containing all the terms of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts under this contract other than acquisitions described in Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.209(b)(1).

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

652.225-71 SECTION 8(A) OF THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION ACT OF 1979, AS AMENDED

(AUG 1999)

(a) Section 8(a) of the U.S. Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (50 U.S.C. 2407(a)), prohibits compliance by U.S. persons with any boycott fostered by a foreign country against a country which is friendly to the United States and which is not itself the object of any form of boycott pursuant to United States law or regulation. The Boycott of Israel by Arab League countries is such a boycott, and therefore, the following actions, if taken with intent to comply with, further, or support the Arab League Boycott of Israel, are prohibited activities under the Export Administration Act:

(1) Refusing, or requiring any U.S. person to refuse to do business with or in Israel, with any Israeli business concern, or with any national or resident of Israel, or with any other person, pursuant to an agreement of, or a request from or on behalf of a boycotting country;

(2) Refusing, or requiring any U.S. person to refuse to employ or otherwise discriminating against any person on the basis of race, religion, sex, or national origin of that person or of any owner, officer, director, or employee of such person;

(3) Furnishing information with respect to the race, religion, or national origin of any U.S. person or of any owner, officer, director, or employee of such U.S. person;

(4) Furnishing information about whether any person has, has had, or proposes to have any business relationship (including a relationship by way of sale, purchase, legal or commercial representation, shipping or other transport, insurance, investment, or supply) with or in the State of Israel, with any business concern organized under the laws of the State of Israel, with any Israeli national or resident, or with any person which is known or believed to be restricted from having any business relationship with or in Israel;

(5) Furnishing information about whether any person is a member of, has made contributions to, or is otherwise associated with or involved in the activities of any charitable or fraternal organization which supports the State of Israel; and,

(6) Paying, honoring, confirming, or otherwise implementing a letter of credit which contains any condition or requirement against doing business with the State of Israel.

(b) Under Section 8(a), the following types of activities are not forbidden ``compliance with the boycott,'' and are therefore exempted from Section 8(a)'s prohibitions listed in paragraphs (a)(1)-(6) above:

(1) Complying or agreeing to comply with requirements:

(i) Prohibiting the import of goods or services from Israel or goods produced or services provided by any business concern organized under the laws of Israel or by nationals or residents of Israel; or,

(ii) Prohibiting the shipment of goods to Israel on a carrier of Israel, or by a route other than that prescribed by the boycotting country or the recipient of the shipment;

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(2) Complying or agreeing to comply with import and shipping document requirements with respect to the country of origin, the name of the carrier and route of shipment, the name of the supplier of the shipment or the name of the provider of other services, except that no information knowingly furnished or conveyed in response to such requirements may be stated in negative, blacklisting, or similar exclusionary terms, other than with respect to carriers or route of shipments as may be permitted by such regulations in order to comply with precautionary requirements protecting against war risks and confiscation;

(3) Complying or agreeing to comply in the normal course of business with the unilateral and specific selection by a boycotting country, or national or resident thereof, of carriers, insurance, suppliers of services to be performed within the boycotting country or specific goods which, in the normal course of business, are identifiable by source when imported into the boycotting country;

(4) Complying or agreeing to comply with the export requirements of the boycotting country relating to shipments or transshipments of exports to Israel, to any business concern of or organized under the laws of Israel, or to any national or resident of Israel;

(5) Compliance by an individual or agreement by an individual to comply with the immigration or passport requirements of any country with respect to such individual or any member of such individual's family or with requests for information regarding requirements of employment of such individual within the boycotting country; and,

(6) Compliance by a U.S. person resident in a foreign country or agreement by such person to comply with the laws of that country with respect to his or her activities exclusively therein, and such regulations may contain exceptions for such resident complying with the laws or regulations of that foreign country governing imports into such country of trademarked, trade named, or similarly specifically identifiable products, or components of products for his or her own use, including the performance of contractual services within that country, as may be defined by such regulations.

652.229-70 EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION STATEMENT FOR CONTRACTORS WITHIN THE UNITED

STATES (JUL 1988)

This is to certify that the item(s) covered by this contract is/are for export solely for the use of the U.S. Foreign Service Post identified in the contract schedule.

The Contractor shall use a photocopy of this contract as evidence of intent to export. Final proof of exportation may be obtained from the agent handling the shipment. Such proof shall be accepted in lieu of payment of excise tax.

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652.232-70 PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND INVOICE SUBMISSION (FIXED-PRICE) (AUG 1999)

(a) General. The Government shall pay the Contractor as full compensation for all work required, performed, and accepted under this contract the firm fixed-price stated in this contract.

b) Invoice Submission. The Contractor shall submit invoices in an original and [Note to Contracting Officer: Insert appropriate number] copies to the office identified in Block 18b of the SF-1449. To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice shall include all the items required by FAR 32.905(e).

BruFMCaccountsProc@state.gov U.S. Embassy Brussels Regentlaan 25-27 Boulevard du Régent 1000 Brussels - Belgium

(c) Contractor Remittance Address. The Government will make payment to the Contractor’s address stated on the cover page of this contract, unless a separate remittance address is shown below:

652.239-801 DISCLOSURE OF AI USE CLAUSE (DEVIATION) (SEP 2025)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause- Artificial Intelligence (AI): The term "artificial intelligence" has the meaning provided in Section 238(g) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

i. This definition of AI encompasses, but is not limited to, the AI technical subfields of machine learning (including deep learning as well as supervised, unsupervised, and semi-supervised approaches), reinforcement learning, transfer learning, and generative AI.

ii. This definition of AI does not include robotic process automation or other systems whose behavior is defined only by human-defined rules or that learn solely by repeating an observed practice exactly as it was conducted.

iii. For this definition, no system should be considered too simple to qualify as covered AI due to a lack of technical complexity (e.g., the smaller number of parameters in a model, the type of model, or the amount of data used for training purposes).

iv. This definition includes systems that are fully autonomous, partially autonomous, and not autonomous, and it includes systems that operate both with and without human oversight.

(b) Disclosure of AI Use in Contract Performance. When the Contractor or any of its subcontractors, vendors, or agents intends to incorporate AI into the performance of the contract, the Contractor shall provide the following disclosures in its offer:

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Disclose the intended use of AI and provide a description of the AI system or capability and its purpose within the contract scope; specify whether the system was developed internally, acquired from a third party, or is publicly/commercially available; indicate if the AI system will process PII or be used in ways that may affect privacy, civil rights, safety, or public interaction;

detail the governance, oversight, and human-in-the-loop mechanisms to be applied; and describe any applicable testing, evaluation, risk management, or bias mitigation measures that have been or will be implemented.

These disclosures must be updated promptly to the Contracting Officer during the period of performance upon any new use of AI or significant material change to the existing AI capability, its functionality, its use case, or its data inputs/outputs during the life of the contract.

The Government reserves the right to review the proposed AI use, request additional safeguards or controls, and/or disallow its use if it is deemed inconsistent with agency policy, legal requirements, or federal AI governance standards.

(End of Clause)

652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contractor warrants the following:

(1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do business in the country or countries in which this contract will be performed;

(2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits required to perform this contract; and,

(3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor standards, and regulations of aid country or countries during the performance of this contract.

(b) If the party actually performing the work will be a subcontractor or joint venture partner, then such subcontractor or joint venture partner agrees to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this clause.

(End of clause)

652.242-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contracting Officer may designate in writing one or more Government employees, by name or position title, to take action for the Contracting Officer under this contract. Each designee shall be identified as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Such designation(s) shall specify the scope and limitations of the authority so delegated; provided, that the designee shall not change the terms or conditions of the contract, unless the COR is a warranted Contracting Officer and this authority is delegated in the designation.

(b) The COR for this contract is the Mailroom Supervisor.

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652.237-72 OBSERVANCE OF LEGAL HOLIDAYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE (FEB 2015)

(a) The Department of State observes the following days as holidays:

• New Year's Day

• Martin Luther King's Birthday

• Washington's Birthday

• Memorial Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Columbus Day

• Veterans Day

• Thanksgiving Day

• Christmas Day

Any other day designated by Federal law, Executive Order, or Presidential Proclamation.

(b) When New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day or Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed; when it falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed.

Observance of such days by Government personnel shall not be cause for additional period of performance or entitlement to compensation except as set forth in the contract. If the contractor's personnel work on a holiday, no form of holiday or other premium compensation will be reimbursed either as a direct or indirect cost, unless authorized pursuant to an overtime clause elsewhere in this contract.

(c) When the Department of State grants administrative leave to its Government employees, assigned contractor personnel in Government facilities shall also be dismissed. However, the contractor agrees to continue to provide sufficient personnel to perform round-the-clock requirements of critical tasks already in operation or scheduled and shall be guided by the instructions issued by the contracting officer or his/her duly authorized representative.

(d) For fixed-price contracts, if services are not required or provided because the building is closed due to inclement weather, unanticipated holidays declared by the President, failure of Congress to appropriate funds, or similar reasons, deductions will be computed as follows:

(1) The deduction rate in dollars per day will be equal to the per month contract price divided by 21 days per month.

(2) The deduction rate in dollars per day will be multiplied by the number of days services are not required or provided. If services are provided for portions of days, appropriate adjustment will be made by the contracting officer to ensure that the contractor is compensated for services provided.

(e) If administrative leave is granted to contractor personnel as a result of conditions stipulated in any “Excusable Delays” clause of this contract, it will be without loss to the contractor. The cost of salaries and wages to the contractor for the period of any such excused absence shall be a reimbursable item of direct cost hereunder for employees whose regular time is normally

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047 charged, and a reimbursable item of indirect cost for employees whose time is normally charged indirectly in accordance with the contractor's accounting policy.

List of local holidays may be obtained from the COR.

U.S. Embassy Brussels 19BE2026Q0047

SECTION 3 – SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS -- COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (SEP 2023) IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (SEE SF-18, BLOCK 27A)

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS (SEP 2023)

DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

The proposals shall be submitted as soon as possible but not later than 14:00 hours Central European Time (CET) on Friday, March 20, 2026, to the Contracting & Acquisition team at Brusselsbids@state.gov. The subject should read “Proposal 19BE2026Q0047 – Mailroom Courier Services”. No proposals will be accepted after the time specified.

Submittal of Electronic Proposals:

Electronic offers/proposals shall be submitted in a format readable by Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel, or Adobe PDF, as applicable. Individual email size shall not exceed 45 MB.

The Government shall not be responsible for an offeror being unable to successfully transmit emails due to any file size constraints of their email systems. Contractors shall ensure that emails have been transmitted and that messages have not been returned “undeliverable”.

Use of electronic depositories is not permitted (for example, Google Drive).

Definition. “Electronic proposal,” as used in this provision, means a proposal, revision, or modification of a proposal, or withdrawal of a proposal that is transmitted to and received by the Government via electronic means.

The Government reserves the right to make award solely on the electronic proposal. However, if requested to do so by the Contracting Officer, the apparently successful offeror shall promptly submit the complete original signed proposal.