RFQ24Q0034_LodgingVenue_OPDAT.pdf

Hotel Venue & Lodging Services ‐ OPDAT 19PM0724Q0034

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RFQ #19PM0724Q0034

HOTEL VENUE AND LODGING SERVICES | MAY 5 TO MAY 10, 2024

SECTION 1 ‐ THE SCHEDULE

1. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

2. PRICING

CONTINUATION TO SF‐1449, RFQ NUMBER 19PM0724Q0034

1. STATEMENT OF WORK

2. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

SECTION 2 ‐ CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION 3 ‐ SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

SECTION 4 ‐ EVALUATION FACTORS

SECTION 5 ‐ REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

ATTACHMENT #1

SECTION 1 ‐ THE SCHEDULE

CONTINUATION TO SF‐1449, RFQ NUMBER 19PM0724Q0034

PRICES, BLOCK 23

1. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

A. The purpose of this this firm fixed price purchase order is for hotel venue and lodging services in Panama City, Panama, for an event hosted by OPDAT Office in the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, Panama

B. Location and Time:

Place: Panama City, Panama.

Dates for lodging: May 5 to May 10, 2024 (3 guestrooms) and from May 6 to May 10, 2024 (24 guestrooms)

Date and time for event: May 7 to May 9, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (3‐days event)

C. Services provided shall include the following deliverables:

Deliverables for CLIN 001– Lodging

Deliverables for CLIN 002 – Conference Room

Deliverables for CLIN 003 – A/V Equipment

Deliverables for CLIN 003 – Additional Requirements

D. All prices should be in U.S. Dollars.

Hotel Venue & Lodging Services – OPDAT 19PM0724Q0034

2. PRICING

VALUE ADDED TAX.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is not applicable to this contract and shall not be included in the CLIN rates or Invoices because the U.S. Embassy has a tax exemption certificate from the host government.

Standard Services

CLIN 001 ‐ Lodging Services

Description QTY of Rooms

QTY of Nights

Price per Night

Sub‐Total

Three (3) deluxe rooms, single occupancy, with internet and a king size bed.

• Check‐in: Sunday, May 5, 2024

• Check‐out: Friday, May 10, 2024

3 5 $ $

Twenty‐four (24) deluxe rooms, single occupancy, with internet and a king size bed.

• Check‐in: Monday, May 6, 2024

• Check‐out: Friday, May 10, 2024

24 4 $ $

Sub‐Total for Lodging $

CLIN 002 – Conference Room from May 7 to May 9, 2024

Description QTY of days

QTY of Participants

Unit Price Sub‐Total

• Conference Room space in school room style set‐up to accommodate up to 40 participants with two coffee breaks per day (AM‐PM)

3 40 $ $

• Lunch Buffet 3 45 $ $

Sub‐Total for Conference Room $

CLIN 003 ‐ Audiovisual Equipment:

Description QTY of days

Unit Unit Price Sub‐Total

• Audiovisual equipment for Conference Room (Refer to SOW)

1 all $ $

Sub‐Total for A/V equipment $

CLIN 004 – Additional Requirements:

Description QTY of days

QTY of Parking

Unit Price Sub‐Total

• Parking Validation (15 participants per day) From May 6 to May 10, 2024

5 15 $ $

Sub‐Total for Parking fee $

Sub‐Total for Lodging $

Sub‐Total for Conference Room $

Sub‐Total for A/V Equipment $

Sub‐Total for Additional Requirement $

Grand Total (for all hotel rooms, conference room, A/V equipment, additional requirements, including service fee)

CONTINUATION TO SF‐1449, RFQ NUMBER 19PM0724Q0034

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES, BLOCK 20

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

1. STATEMENT OF WORK

The DOJ/OPDAT office in the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, Panama, requires lodging services and conference venue spaces at a hotel in Panama City, for a Child Exploitation Crimes Investigation Program for Regional Law Enforcement.

General Property Requirements:

Hotel must be located at walking distance of public transportations, restaurants, and easy access to the Tocumen International Airport.

The property must have front and back access entrances (2 exits), to ensure accessibility, security;

having at least two exits available for participants, emergency exits is required.

Hotel must comply with international standards for safety requirements including 24‐hour security, 24‐hour front desk operations, 24‐hour guest service operations, dedicated events team.

Hotel must have at least two emergency exits per occupied floor available.

Hotel must have elevators to access rooms separated from elevators used to access common areas of the hotel, if that’s not the case, the elevators must require secured guest cards to the room floors.

Hotel must maintain continuous preventative housekeeping service in public areas, meeting spaces and guestrooms to assure limited to no mold due to high humidity nor unexaggerated scents.

All lights in the conference room offered must work. The Hotel must provide adequate lighting to ensure a conducive and workable environment for all activities and provide optimal visibility for attendees.

Meeting spaces are to be updated with state of art audiovisual equipment, preventative electrical maintenance including functional lighting options with dimmer, functioning air conditioner with temperature control and installed projector / screen.

Hotel must not perform reconstruction or remodeling at the same time of the program.

Guests’ rooms must include a safe box big enough to keep a 15” laptop in it.

Guests’ rooms must include an iron and iron board.

Hotel must have a Business Center accessible for participants.

Guestrooms must have easily accessible charging outlets, and Wi‐Fi included.

Include parking validation for at 15 participants.

Date for lodging services:

Three (3) rooms from May 5 to May 10, 2024 (5 nights).

Twenty‐four (24) rooms from May 6 to May 10, 2024 (4 nights).

Date and time for event:

May 7 to May 9, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (3‐days event) We will need to have the room accessible from 7:30a.m. on each day of the event for sound‐check and other event arrangements.

Hotel should allow access to the room for a site visit‐inspection prior to the event.

1. Lodging:

Three (3) rooms from May 5 to May 10, 2024 (5 nights).

Twenty‐four (24) rooms from May 6 to May 10, 2024 (4 nights).

Rooms must be deluxe, single occupancy, with good views of landscape, with one king size bed, each bedroom with Wi‐Fi and breakfast included.

2. Conference Room and Setup:

The conference space to accommodate up to 40 participants (minimum 970 sq ft), including our staff, instructors, and an interpreters booth, in school room style set up (two participants per table), all facing the screens, a podium with microphone, one presenters/administrators’ table at a side of the room (close to the podium) with two chairs, two areas with tables and chairs for the audiovisual equipment technicians and for the interpreters’ in the rear section of the conference room, all tables in the conference room must be dressed in dark colors.

The conference room should have sufficient space for the set up and allow the experts to move easily between the groups to facilitate discussion, in addition shall not have any walls or columns obstructing participants’ view of the presentation screens.

The structure, podium, presenters, and tables should be set up on the floor at the same level as conference participants.

A registration table with two chairs should be set outside the conference rooms to distribute interpreter’s simultaneous interpretation equipment and training material.

There will be laptops for each participant so the conference room must have enough power strips to cover 20 devices.

3. Conference room A/V equipment:

Conference equipment/services at the conference venue must include:

Speakers with high sound that covers the room with good audio quality.

The audiovisual equipment should be compatible with Apple and Windows devices.

3 each ‐ wireless microphones 1 each ‐ Podium microphone.

1 each ‐ Wireless lapel microphone.

1 each ‐ Front Screen big enough for all the participants, or two screens if the conference room space allows/requires it. Screen needs to be flat without waves or visual disruptions.

1 each ‐ TV screen for the speakers to use as teleprompter.

A Kramer switch slides passer or equal that will allow to have the translated slides in the conference room screen and the English slides on the teleprompter and move at the same time when the speaker passes the slides.

1 each ‐ Projector 1 each ‐ Clicker 1 each ‐ Flip Chart + 3 Markers and eraser 1 each ‐ full time audio/visual/systems technician to trouble shoot and assist presenters with a laptop.

20 each ‐ Power strips for the laptops The technician’s laptop must have licensed Microsoft Office, Adobe, and access to internet.

100Mbps dedicated Wi‐fi in the conference room for participants and instructors.

o A reliable high‐speed internet connection is a crucial requirement, there will be lot of devices connected to the conference room Wi‐Fi and may need the Wi‐Fi for the presentation as well. A slow connection would limit the flow of the event significantly.

For possible hybrid sessions, the hotel technicians must be able to connect a virtual room to the conference room’s audio system, so the audience hears the speaker, and can also communicate with them with the room’s microphones. Our office will create the virtual room, but the technicians must log in separately for the audio set up. It won’t be required to send video from the room to the speakers.

4. Meals:

Lunch will be from 12:00pm to 1:00p.m. It can be in another room or in the hotel’s restaurant with a buffet menu, for up to 45 participants. The hotel team must be in communication with the office, in case there’s a variation of the lunch time.

5. Coffee Break:

Hotel must provide a morning and an afternoon coffee breaks (Two coffee breaks per day), including sweet, savory, healthy and alternative options to eat, coffee, tea, water, and cold beverages. The coffee break must be outside of the conference room in an area set up for networking between participants, with standing tables.

The conference room must have a permanent coffee, tea, and water station in the back of the room.

6. Additional Requirements:

Access and parking validation for at least 15 participants that won’t be lodging at the hotel, and other guests.

The Embassy will contract interpretation services separately. The hotel selected for the conference must allow vendor to access the property at no additional cost and include parking validation for these contractors in the package. The meeting space provided must have sufficient space inside for the interpretation service.

Access to a space for a group photo at a location to accommodate up to 40 participants.

This will happen the first day of conference.

For the opening ceremony VIP visitors will access the hotel to participate of the event. We will provide a list of names for the hotel to allow access to our visitors.

In case one of the members of our group is travelling accompanied the guest will be responsible to cover the cost of the accompanying person. However, the hotel must offer the same rate as a double occupancy and the additional guest will pay for the difference from Single rate to double rate.

2. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

a) This plan provides an effective method to promote satisfactory contractor performance. The QASP provides a method for the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor Contractor performance, advise the Contractor of unsatisfactory performance, and notify the Contracting Officer of continued unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract. The role of the Government is to monitor quality to ensure that contract standards are achieved.

Performance Objective Scope of Work Paragraphs

Performance Threshold

Services.

Lodging services and venue spaces, services set forth in the scope of work.

1. thru 6. All required services are performed and no more than one (1) customer complaint is received per day.

b) SURVEILLANCE. The COR will receive and document all complaints from Government personnel regarding the services provided. If appropriate, the COR will send the complaints to the Contractor for corrective action.

c) STANDARD. The performance standard is that the Government receives no more than one (1) customer complaint per month. The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer of the complaints so that the Contracting Officer may take appropriate action to enforce the inspection clause (FAR 52.212.4, Contract Terms and Conditions‐Commercial Items (May 2001), if any of the services exceed the standard.

d) PROCEDURES.

1) If any Government personnel observe unacceptable services, either incomplete work or required services not being performed they should immediately contact the COR.

2) The COR will complete appropriate documentation to record the complaint.

3) If the COR determines the complaint is invalid, the COR will advise the complainant. The COR will retain the annotated copy of the written complaint for his/her files.

4) If the COR determines the complaint is valid, the COR will inform the Contractor and give the Contractor additional time to correct the defect, if additional time is available. The COR shall determine how much time is reasonable.

5) The COR shall, as a minimum, orally notify the Contractor of any valid complaints.

6) If the Contractor disagrees with the complaint after investigation of the site and challenges the validity of the complaint, the Contractor will notify the COR. The COR will review the matter to determine the validity of the complaint.

7) The COR will consider complaints as resolved unless notified otherwise by the complainant.

Repeat customer complaints are not permitted for any services. If a repeat customer complaint is received for the same deficiency during the service period, the COR will contact the Contracting Officer for appropriate action under the Inspection clause.

SECTION 2 ‐ CONTRACT CLAUSES

52.212‐4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS‐COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2023), is incorporated by reference (See SF‐1449, Block 27A)

ADDENDUM

None

52.212‐5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (FEB 2024)

(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 products and commercial services:

(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 (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115‐91).

(3) 52.204‐25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115‐232).

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

(5) 52.232‐40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31U.S.C.

3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233‐3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) ( 31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 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 products and commercial services:

__ (1) 52.203‐6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

__ (2) 52.203‐13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 3509)).

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

__ (4) 52.203‐17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) ( 41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

_X_ (5) 52.204‐10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First‐Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub.

L. 109‐282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (6) [Reserved].

__ (7) 52.204‐14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111‐117, section 743 of Div.

C).

__ (8) 52.204‐15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite‐Delivery Contracts (OCT

2016) (Pub. L. 111‐117, section 743 of Div. C).

_X_ (9) 52.204‐27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117‐328).

(10) 52.204–28, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and Multi‐Agency Contracts. (DEC 2023) ( Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

__ (11) (i) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (DEC 2023) ( Pub.

L. 115–390, title II).

__ (ii) Alternate I (DEC 2023) of 52.204–30.

__ (12) 52.209‐6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (13) 52.209‐9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT

2018) ( 41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (14) [Reserved].

__ (15) 52.219‐3, Notice of HUBZone Set‐Aside or Sole‐Source Award (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (16) 52.219‐4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (17) [Reserved] __ (18) (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.

__ (19) (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.

__ (20) 52.219‐8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (FEB 2024) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (21) (i) 52.219‐9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023) ( 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 (SEP 2023) of 52.219‐9.

__ (22) (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.

__ (23) 52.219‐14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637s).

__ (24) 52.219‐16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (25) 52.219‐27, Notice of Set‐Aside for, or Sole‐Source Award to, Service‐Disabled Veteran‐Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (FEB 2024) ( 15 U.S.C. 657f).

__ (26) (i) 52.219‐28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (FEB 2024)( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

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

__ (27) 52.219‐29, Notice of Set‐Aside for, or Sole‐Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women‐ Owned Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (28) 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 (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (29) 52.219‐32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (30) 52.219‐33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) ( 15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

__ (31) 52.222‐3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O.11755).

_X_ (32) 52.222‐19, Child Labor‐Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2024) .

__ (33) 52.222‐21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

__ (34) (i) 52.222‐26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O.11246).

__ (ii) Alternate I (FEB 1999) of 52.222‐26.

__ (35) (i) 52.222‐35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JUL 2014) of 52.222‐35.

__ (36) (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.

__ (37) 52.222‐37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (38) 52.222‐40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_ (39) (i) 52.222‐50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) ( 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).

__ (40) 52.222‐54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022) (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off‐the‐shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

__ (41) (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.)

__ (42) 52.223‐11, Ozone‐Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (43) 52.223‐12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (44) (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.

__ (45) (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.

__ (46) 52.223‐15, Energy Efficiency in Energy‐Consuming Products (MAY 2020) ( 42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__ (47)

(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_ (48) 52.223‐18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O.

13513).

__ (49) 52.223‐20, Aerosols (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (50) 52.223‐21, Foams (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (51)

(i) 52.224‐3 Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224‐3.

__ (52)

(i) 52.225‐1, Buy American‐Supplies (OCT 2022) ( 41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

__ (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2022) of 52.225‐1.

__ (53) (i) 52.225‐3, Buy American‐Free Trade Agreements‐Israeli Trade Act (NOV 2023) ( 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501‐ 4732), Public Law 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 [Reserved].

__ (iii) Alternate II (DEC 2022) of 52.225‐3.

__ (iv) Alternate III (FEB 2024) of 52.225‐3.

__ (v) Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225‐3.

__ (54) 52.225‐5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2023) ( 19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

_X_ (55) 52.225‐13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (56) 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.

Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

__ (57) 52.226‐4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set‐Aside (Nov 2007) ( 42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (58) 52.226‐5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov2007) ( 42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (59) 52.229‐12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021).

_X_ (60) 52.232‐29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (61) 52.232‐30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV

2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

_X_ (62) 52.232‐33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer‐System for Award Management (OCT2018) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (63) 52.232‐34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer‐Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (64) 52.232‐36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (65) 52.239‐1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) ( 5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (66) 52.242‐5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

__ (67)

(i) 52.247‐64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.‐Flag Commercial Vessels (NOV 2021) ( 46 U.S.C.

55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

__ (ii) Alternate I (APR 2003) of 52.247‐64.

__ (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2021) 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 products and commercial services:

__ (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 for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022).

__ (8) 52.222‐62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) (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 products or commercial services. 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 (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 52.203‐17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) ( 41 U.S.C. 4712).

(iii) 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)).

(iv) 52.204‐23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by KasperskyLab Covered Entities (DEC 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115‐91).

(v) 52.204‐25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115‐232).

(vi) 52.204‐27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub.

L. 117‐328).

(vii)

(A) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (DEC 2023) ( Pub. L. 115– 390, title II).

(B) Alternate I (DEC 2023) of 52.204–30.

(viii) 52.219‐8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (FEB 2024) ( 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.

(ix) 52.222‐21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

(x) 52.222‐26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2015) (E.O.11246).

(xi) 52.222‐35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xii) 52.222‐36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) ( 29 U.S.C. 793).

(xiii) 52.222‐37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xiv) 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.

(xv) 52.222‐41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) ( 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xvi)

(A) 52.222‐50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) ( 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).

(xvii) 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).

(xviii) 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).

(xix) 52.222‐54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022) (E.O. 12989).

(xx) 52.222‐55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022).

(xxi) 52.222‐62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) (E.O. 13706).

(xxii)

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

(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224‐3.

(xxiii) 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.

Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

(xxiv) 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.

(xxv) 52.232‐40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) ( 31 U.S.C.

3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (c) of 52.232‐40.

(xxvi) 52.247‐64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.‐Flag Commercial Vessels (NOV 2021) ( 46 U.S.C.

55305 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 products and commercial services a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of clause)

52.229‐12 TAX ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS—NOTICE AND REPRESENTATION (FEB 2021)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Foreign person means any person other than a United States person.

United States person, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 7701(a)(30), means–

(1) A citizen or resident of the United States;

(2) A domestic partnership;

(3) A domestic corporation;

(4) Any estate (other than a foreign estate, within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 7701(a)(31)); and

(5) Any trust if‐

(i) A court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust; and

(ii) One or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

(b) This clause applies only to foreign persons. It implements 26 U.S.C. 5000C and its implementing regulations at 26 CFR 1.5000C‐1 through 1.5000C‐7.

(c)

(1) If the Contractor is a foreign person and has only a partial or no exemption to the withholding, the Contractor shall include the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form W‐14, Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments, with each voucher or invoice submitted under this contract throughout the period in which this status is applicable. The excise tax withholding is applied at the payment level, not at the contract level. The Contractor should revise each IRS Form W‐14 submission to reflect the exemption (if any) that applies to that particular invoice, such as a different exemption applying. In the absence of a completed IRS Form W‐14 accompanying a payment request, the default withholding percentage is 2 percent for the section 5000C withholding for that payment request. Information about IRS Form W‐14 and its separate instructions is available via the internet at www.irs.gov/w14

(2) If the Contractor is a foreign person and has indicated in its offer in the provision 52.229‐11, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements—Notice and Representation, that it is fully exempt from the withholding, and certified the full exemption on the IRS Form W‐14, and if that full exemption no longer applies due to a change in circumstances during the performance of the contract that causes the Contractor to become subject to the withholding for the 2 percent excise tax then the Contractor shall–

(i) Notify the Contracting Officer within 30 days of a change in circumstances that causes the Contractor to be subject to the excise tax withholding under 26 U.S.C. 5000C; and

(ii) Comply with paragraph (c)(1) of this clause.

(d) The Government will withhold a full 2 percent of each payment unless the Contractor claims an exemption. If the Contractor enters a ratio in Line 12 of the IRS Form W‐14, the result of Line 11 divided by Line 10, the Government will withhold from each payment an amount equal to 2 percent multiplied by the contract ratio. If the Contractor marks box 9 of the IRS Form W‐14 (rather than completes Lines 10 through 12), the Contractor must identify and enter the specific exempt and nonexempt amounts in Line 15 of the IRS Form W‐ 14; the Government will then withhold 2 percent only from the nonexempt amount. See the IRS Form W‐14 and its instructions.

(e) Exemptions from the withholding under this clause are described at 26 CFR 1.5000C‐1(d)(5) through (7).

Any exemption claimed and self‐certified on the IRS Form W‐14 is subject to audit by the IRS. Any disputes regarding the imposition and collection of the 26 U.S.C. 5000C tax are adjudicated by the IRS as the 26 U.S.C.

5000C tax is a tax matter, not a contract issue.

(f) Taxes imposed under 26 U.S.C. 5000C may not be—

(1) Included in the contract price; nor

(2) Reimbursed.

(g) A taxpayer may, for a fee, seek advice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to the proper tax treatment of a transaction. This is called a private letter ruling. Also, the IRS may publish a revenue ruling, which is an official interpretation by the IRS of the Internal Revenue Code, related statutes, tax treaties, and regulations. A revenue ruling is the conclusion of the IRS on how the law is applied to a specific set of facts. For questions relating to the interpretation of the IRS regulations go to https://www.irs.gov/help/tax‐law‐questions

ADDENDUM TO CONTRACT CLAUSES

FAR AND DOSAR CLAUSES NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12

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: Acquisition.gov this address is subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the location indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at e‐CFR to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an Internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

The following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses are incorporated by reference:

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.203‐17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS AND

REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF WHISTLEBLOWER

RIGHTS

JUN 2020

52.204‐7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT OCT 2018

52.204‐13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE OCT 2018

52.204‐18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE AUG 2020

52.204‐25

PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR

EQUIPMENT

NOV 2021

52.204‐27 PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION JUN 2023

52.225‐14 INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN ENGLISH VERSION AND TRANSLATION

OF CONTRACT

FEB 2020

52.225‐19

CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL IN A DIPLOMATIC OR CONSULAR

MISSION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

MAY 2020

52.228‐3 WORKERS’COMPENSATION INSURANCE JUL 2014

The following far clauses are provided in full text:

52.232‐19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond September 30 of the current calendar year. The Government's obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond September 30 of the current calendar year, until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

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.

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).

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 two 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).

(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:

652.242‐73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE (AUG 1999)

(a) The contractor warrants the following:

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

(2) That it 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 said 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.

SECTION 3 ‐ SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

Instructions to Offeror. Each offer must consist of the following:

FAR 52.212‐1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS ‐‐ COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP

2023) IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. (SEE SF‐1449, BLOCK 27A).

ADDENDUM TO 52.212‐1

A. SUMMARY OF INSTRUCTIONS. Each offer must consist of the following:

A.1. SF‐1449. A completed solicitation, in which the SF‐1449 cover page (blocks 12, 17, 19‐24, and 30 as appropriate), and Sections 1 and 5 have been filled out.

A.2. INFORMATION. Information demonstrating the offeror’s/quoter’s ability to perform, including:

(1) Name of a Project Manager (or other liaison to the Embassy/Consulate) who understands written and spoken English and Spanish;

(2) Evidence that the offeror/quoter operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing in Panama;

(3) The offeror shall provide proof of SAM registration to include the SAM UEI number.

(4) List of clients over the past 2 years, demonstrating prior experience with relevant past performance information and references (provide dates of contracts, places of performance, value of contracts, contact names, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses). If the offeror has not performed comparable services in Panama, then the offeror shall provide its international experience. Offerors are advised that the past performance information requested above may be discussed with the client’s contact person. In addition, the client’s contact person may be asked to comment on the offeror’s:

Quality of services provided under the contract;

Compliance with contract terms and conditions;

Effectiveness of management;

Willingness to cooperate with and assist the customer in routine matters, and when confronted by unexpected difficulties; and

Business integrity / business conduct.

The Government will use past performance information primarily to assess an offeror’s capability to meet the solicitation performance requirements, including the relevance and successful performance of the offeror’s work experience. The Government may also use this data to evaluate the credibility of the offeror’s proposal. In addition, the Contracting Officer may use past performance information in making a determination of responsibility.

(5) Evidence that the offeror/quoter can provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and financial resources needed to perform the work;

(6) The offeror should identify in the quote the conference room name and size in square feet, along with photographs of the proposed conference room.

(7) Evidence that the property has front and back access entrances (2 accesses), to ensure accessibility and security.

(8) The offeror shall provide proof of international standards for safety requirements including 24‐ hour security, 24‐hour front desk operations, 24‐hour guest service operations, dedicated events team, and two emergency exits per floor of guestrooms and meeting spaces.

(9) The offeror shall address its plan to obtain all licenses and permits required by local law (see

DOSAR 652.242‐73 in Section 2). If offeror already possesses the locally required licenses and permits, a copy shall be provided.

(10) The offeror’s strategic plan for venue and lodging to include but not limited to:

(a) A work plan taking into account all work elements in Section 1, Performance Work

Statement.

(b) Identify types and quantities of equipment, supplies and materials required for performance of services under this contract. Identify if the offeror already possesses the listed items and their condition for suitability and if not already possessed or inadequate for use how and when the items will be obtained;

(c) Plan of ensuring quality of services including but not limited to contract administration and oversight; and

(d) (1) If insurance is required by the solicitation, a copy of the Certificate of Insurance(s), or

(2) a statement that the Contractor will get the required insurance, and the name of the insurance provider to be used.

ADDENDUM TO SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

FAR AND DOSAR PROVISIONS NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12

52.252‐1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. In addition, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at Acquisition.gov this address is subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the location indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at e‐CFR to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an Internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation solicitation provisions are incorporated by reference:

PROVISION TITLE AND DATE

52.204‐7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

52.204‐16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING (AUG 2020)

52.214‐34 SUBMISSION OF OFFERS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (APR 1991)

The following DOSAR provision(s) is/are provided in full text:

652.206‐70 COMPETITION ADVOCATE/OMBUDSMAN (FEB 2015)

(a) The Department of State’s Advocate for Competition is responsible for assisting industry in removing restrictive requirements from Department of State solicitations and removing barriers to full and open competition and use of commercial items. If such a solicitation is considered competitively restrictive or does not appear properly conducive to competition and commercial practices, potential offerors are encouraged first to contact the contracting office for the solicitation. If concerns remain unresolved, contact:

(1) For solicitations issued by the Office of Acquisition Management (A/LM/AQM) or a Regional Procurement Support Office, the A/LM/AQM Advocate for Competition, at AQMCompetitionAdvocate@state.gov.

(2) For all others, the Department of State Advocate for Competition at cat@state.gov.

(b) The Department of State’s Acquisition Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors and contractors during the pre‐award and post‐award phases of this acquisition. The role of the ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Contracting Officer, the Technical Evaluation Panel or Source Evaluation Board, or the selection official. The purpose of the ombudsman is to facilitate the communication of concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations of interested parties to the appropriate Government personnel, and work to resolve them. When requested and appropriate, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of formal contract disputes. Interested parties are invited to contact the contracting activity ombudsman, James M. Kuebler at (507) 317‐5225.

For an American Embassy or overseas post, refer to the numbers below for the Department Acquisition Ombudsman. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations which cannot be resolved at a contracting activity level may be referred to the Department of State Acquisition Ombudsman at (703) 516‐1696, by fax at

(703) 875‐6155, or write to:

U.S. Department of State

Acquisition Ombudsman

Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE)

Suite 1060, SA‐15

Washington, DC 20520.

(End of provision)

SECTION 4 ‐ EVALUATION FACTORS

The Government intends to award a contract/purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror/quoter who is a responsible…