36C10X23R0086_1.docx

SUBJECT*

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINSITRATION (VHA) -ILEAD -- 'Developmental Assessment Center' (DAC)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Michael Collins michael.collins7@va.gov

(240) 215-1681

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice See Combined Synopsis/Solicitation below.

Page 1 of

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

Page 1 of [Prepared in accordance with FAR 12.603(c)]

i. STATEMENT This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

ii. SOLICITATION NUMBER AND TYPE OF SOLICITATION Solicitation Number: 36C10X23R0086. This solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP) using simplified and commercial item procedures identified in FAR Parts 13.5 (Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items) and 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Items).

iii. APPLICABLE FEDERAL ACQUISITION CIRCULAR The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04 effective 6/02/2023 and the Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR) 02/24/2023. The complete text of any of the clauses and provisions may be accessed in full text at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

iv. NOTICE REGARDING SET-ASIDE, NIACS CODE AND SMALL BUSINESS SIZE STANDARD This procurement is a set-aside open to all small businesses. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition is 541611, with a size standard of $24.5M.

Any offerors that do not meet the following criteria will be eliminated from consideration:

1. Small Businesses must be registered and small in SAM under NAICS code 541611 (as determined through quoter’s Reps & Certs), following SBA guidelines for certification as a small business. Offerors must not be barred, debarred, or suspended to qualify.

v. ITEM NUMBERS, ITEMS, QUANTITIES, UNITS OF MEASURE (INCLUDING OPTIONS) See ATTACHMENT A: PRICE/COST SCHEDULE.

vi. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ITEMS TO BE ACQUIRED:

See ATTACHMENT B: PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT for contract requirements.

vii. DATES AND PLACE OF DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE:

See ATTACHMENT B: STATEMENT OF WORK for performance period and delivery requirements.

viii. APPLICABILITY OF PROVISION 52.212-1 The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (MAR 2023) applies to this acquisition. Addenda to the provision are as follows:

A. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

1. Point of Contact: The Contracting Officer (CO) is the primary POC for this acquisition. All questions related to this solicitation and all proposals shall be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer at Micheal.Collins7@va.gov.

2. Key Acquisition dates are as follows:

· Questions: Submit all questions in writing to the above points of contact by 11:00AM ET on 9/6/23. All questions shall be consolidated into a single MS Word document per offeror and attached to the email. Questions shall reference RFP/PWS section to which they refer as applicable.

· Proposals: Submit proposals to the above points of contact to ensure VA receipt by 11:00AM ET on 9/14/23. Quotes not submitted directly to the Contracting Officer above, or received after the due date/time, will not be considered. Responses shall be submitted in accordance with the instructions contained herein.

3. Format

The submission shall be clearly indexed and logically assembled. Each volume shall be clearly identified and shall begin at the top of a page. All pages of each volume shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date, and solicitation number in the header and/or footer.

Proposal page limitations are applicable to this procurement. The table below indicates the maximum page count (when applicable) for each volume of the offeror’s proposal. All files will be submitted as a Microsoft Excel (.xls/.xlsx), Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx), or Acrobat (.pdf) file or compatible as indicated in the table. Page size shall be no greater than 8 1/2" x 11". The top, bottom, left and right margins shall be a minimum of one inch each. Font size shall be no smaller than 12-point. Times New Roman fonts are required. Characters shall be set at no less than normal spacing and 100% scale. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size not less than 8-point and may be landscape. Line spacing shall be set at no less than single space. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. Page numbers, company logos, and headers and footers may be within the page margins ONLY, and are not bound by the 12-point font requirement. Footnotes to text shall not be used. The use of hyperlinks in proposals is prohibited.

If the offeror submits appendices, documentation, attachments or the like, not specifically required by this solicitation, such will count against the offeror’s page limitations unless otherwise indicated in the specific Volume instructions below. Pages in violation of these instructions, either by exceeding the margin, font, or spacing restrictions, or by exceeding the total page limit for a particular volume, will not be evaluated. Pages not evaluated due to violation of the margin, font, or spacing restrictions will not count against the page limitations. The page count will be determined by counting the pages in the order they appear in the print layout view.

File Packaging:

Proposal files may not be compressed (zipped). The proposal files shall be submitted individually.

4. Content Requirements:

All information shall be confined to the appropriate file. The offeror shall confine submissions to essential matters, sufficient to define the proposal and provide an adequate basis for evaluation. Offerors are responsible for including sufficient details, in a concise manner, to permit a complete and accurate evaluation of each proposal.

The Offeror’s non-price proposal shall contain the following, listed in order of importance:

Volume I- Technical Capability (1). Experience (2). Technical Approach (3). Key Personnel Volume II- Past Performance Volume III- Socio Economic

No price information of any kind shall be included with the non-price proposal Volumes.

Volumes:

Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation shall contain the following in separate volumes:

The cover page, table of contents, and/or a glossary of abbreviations or acronyms will not be included in the page count of any Volume.

Offerors are advised that the Government reserves the right to award with or without entering the proposal revision process based upon the initial evaluation of proposals. As such, offerors are encouraged to submit their best proposal upon initial submission.

1. VOLUME I – TECHNICAL CAPABILITY

Under no circumstances shall any pricing be included in the Technical Capability, including the staffing plan. The offeror shall submit a Technical Capability Volume which includes:

A. Experience The vendor must provide up to 4 finished projects. Projects should involve the same or similar tasks requested in PWS Sections 2 & 3. For each project provided, vendor must provide a point of contact as a reference to ensure performance was satisfactory and approach was successful.

B. Technical Approach

1. Provide two examples of work completed in the last five (5) years that demonstrate senior leader (C-suite) executive coaching work utilizing formal assessment and experiential activities to evaluate leadership competencies.

2. Provide two specific examples of different formal Developmental Assessment Center (DAC) activities and connect to each example: (a) relevant leadership competencies to be measured by the experience (i.e., define the competency, explain the proposed evaluation metric) and (b) briefly describe the intended exercise to provide insight on vendor skills in curriculum development.

3. Provide a project management plan example for managing DAC scheduling and rollout for, at minimum, 300 C-suite leaders in a full contract year – e.g., online or in-person format, needed staff to implement this process.

4. In addition, offeror shall provide a staffing matrix that identifies the labor categories that will be assigned to each task in PWS Section 4 and explain how each labor category is relevant to the technical approach.

C. Key Personnel Offeror shall submit bio/ résumé for key personnel meeting the requirements in Section 13 of the PWS (ATTACHMNENT B). The following personnel résumés (2-page maximum) shall be included:

· Program Manager, Sr

· Have 10 years, or equivalent, of experience with theory and practice of adult education and leadership development

· Have Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

· Have, at minimum, a Master’s degree in the social sciences (psychology, social work, education) or business or technically related field from an accredited school.

· DAC Assessors: Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Facilitator

· SME – Master’s degree required with 10 years’ experience

· Facilitator – BA/BS with 6 year’s experience

· DAC Assessors shall have in-depth subject matter expertise on how to observe progressively senior leader competencies using a behavioral assessment center approach. This expertise is demonstrated by either formal academic training in Organizational Psychology, Leadership Development, or Clinical Psychology; experience in the design of live simulation-based learning exercises; or breadth of experience in executing Developmental Assessment Centers. Individual feedback sessions shall be facilitated by a DAC Assessor(s) with subject matter expertise and experience delivering performance feedback as demonstrated by a minimum of 200 hours providing developmental feedback and/or executive coaching to executive-level leaders. DAC Assessors shall be certified in Hogan assessment feedback or equivalent experience equivalent to certification levels required.

· The Contractor shall provide demonstrations of their experience to successfully manage and deliver assessment center experiences by addressing:

· Knowledge of behavioral assessment center concepts, approaches, activities, and processes as used for leader development.

· Knowledge in the interpretation and use of behavioral data for developing senior-level leaders

· Experience providing behavioral assessment centers as part of a program for leader development (i.e., not for selection purposes)

2. VOLUME II – PAST PERFORMANCE

The Offeror shall submit two (2) references of relevant contracts within the past three (3) years for its own performance. The Offeror shall also submit no more than one reference for each Subcontractor proposed. The contracts may be past or current, as long as the performance did not end more than three (3) years prior to the due date for the submission of the proposal, and the contracts may have been with Federal, State and/or City agencies and commercial customers.

(1.) Reference Content: It is the Offeror’s responsibility to provide valid, current, and verifiable references. References must include:

· Name of the Organization that will be providing the reference,

· Name of the Point of Contact (POC),

· POC Telephone Number,

· POC Email Address,

· Contract Number,

· Period of Performance, and

· Scope of Work

(2.) POCs: The above POCs must be either Government personnel (civil service or military) or employees of private sector clients (such as public or private sector medical facilities) with whom you have provided service. Information provided by or for POCs who work directly for your company, or indirectly (i.e., in a prime or subcontractor relationship), will NOT be considered relevant. Offerors shall ensure that contact information for designated references is accurate and up to date.

(3.) Information from Other Sources: The Government may consider information obtained through other sources.

3. VOLUME III – SOCIO-ECONOMIC

SDVOSB/VOSB offerors shall submit a statement of compliance as it’s Volume III that it qualifies as a SDVOSB or VOSB in accordance with VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors. Offerors are cautioned that they must be certified by SBA in the VetCert Database to receive credit.

Non-SDVOSB/VOSB offerors must state in the proposal the names of SDVOSB(s) and/or VOSB(s) with whom they intend to subcontract and provide a brief description and the approximate dollar values of the proposed subcontracts. Proposed SDVOSB/VOSB subcontractors must be registered and certified by SBA (in VetCert) in order to receive some consideration under the Socioeconomic Factor.

4. VOLUME IV – PRICE

Offerors shall complete and submit as its Volume III the ATTACHMENT A: PRICE/COST SCHEDULE. Offeror shall complete the price schedule to include unit and total price for each CLIN as well as total prices for the Base Period, Option Period, and overall Price.

5. VOLUME V – SF1449, AMENDMENTS (SF 30) & OTHER DOCUMENTS

Offerors shall sign and return the SF1449 and all Amendments and submit as its Volume III. Additionally, offerors shall include the certification required under VAAR 852.219-77 DEVIATION.

*********************END OF RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS*********************

B. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

The following Provisions are also incorporated into 52.212-1 as part of the addendum:

52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021) The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it ‘‘does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument’’ in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204–26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212–3, Offeror Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it ‘‘does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services’’ in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204–26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212–3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for “covered telecommunications equipment or services.”

(d) Representations. The Offeror represents that—

(1) It [ ] will, [ ] will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds “will’’ in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that— It [ ] does, [ ] does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Offeror responds “does’’ in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(e) Disclosures. (1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded “will’’ in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded “does’’ in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(End of Provision)

52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— "Administrative proceeding" means a non-judicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative Proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings, and Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings). This includes administrative proceedings at the Federal and State level but only in connection with performance of a Federal contract or grant. It does not include agency actions such as contract audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables.

"Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000" means—

(1) The total value of all current, active contracts and grants, including all priced options; and

(2) The total value of all current, active orders including all priced options under indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, 8(a), or requirements contracts (including task and delivery and multiple-award Schedules).

"Principal" means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a division or business segment; and similar positions).

(b) The offeror [ ] has [ ] does not have current active Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000.

(c) If the offeror checked "has" in paragraph (b) of this provision, the offeror represents, by submission of this offer, that the information it has entered in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is current, accurate, and complete as of the date of submission of this offer with regard to the following information:

(1) Whether the offeror, and/or any of its principals, has or has not, within the last five years, in connection with the award to or performance by the offeror of a Federal contract or grant, been the subject of a proceeding, at the Federal or State level that resulted in any of the following dispositions:

(i) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction.

(ii) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more.

(iii) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in—

(A) The payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or

(B) The payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000.

(iv) In a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the Contractor if the proceeding could have led to any of the outcomes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(1)(iii) of this provision.

(2) If the offeror has been involved in the last five years in any of the occurrences listed in (c)(1) of this provision, whether the offeror has provided the requested information with regard to each occurrence.

(d) The offeror shall post the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this provision in FAPIIS as required through maintaining an active registration in the System for Award Management, which can be accessed via https://www.sam.gov (see 52.204-7).

(End of Provision)

52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (DEC 2022) The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Covered telecommunications equipment or services has the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States and who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 13 CFR 127, and the concern is identified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier in accordance with 13 CFR 127.300. It automatically qualifies as a women-owned small business eligible under the WOSB Program.

Forced or indentured child labor means all work or service—

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

Highest-level owner means the entity that owns or controls an immediate owner of the offeror, or that owns or controls one or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror. No entity owns or exercises control of the highest level owner.

Immediate owner means an entity, other than the offeror, that has direct control of the offeror. Indicators of control include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Ownership or interlocking management, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, and the common use of employees.

Inverted domestic corporation means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

Manufactured end product means any end product in product and service codes (PSCs) 1000-9999, except—

(1) PSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Product or Service Group (PSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) PSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) PSG 89, Subsistence;

(5) PSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

(6) PSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) PSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) PSC 9610, Ores;

(9) PSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) PSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

Place of manufacture means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

Predecessor means an entity that is replaced by a successor and includes any predecessors of the predecessor.

Reasonable inquiry has the meaning provided in the clause 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Restricted business operations means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate—

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.

Sensitive technology—

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically—

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern—

(1) Means a small business concern—

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

Small business concern—

(1) Means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field of operation, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

(2) Affiliates, as used in this definition, means business concerns, one of whom directly or indirectly controls or has the power to control the others, or a third party or parties control or have the power to control the others. In determining whether affiliation exists, consideration is given to all appropriate factors including common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. SBA determines affiliation based on the factors set forth at 13 CFR 121.103.

Small disadvantaged business concern, consistent with 13 CFR 124.1002, means a small business concern under the size standard applicable to the acquisition, that—

(1) Is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned (as defined at 13 CFR 124.105) by—

(i) One or more socially disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.103) and economically disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.104) individuals who are citizens of the United States; and

(ii) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage has a net worth not exceeding $750,000 after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2); and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled (as defined at 13.CFR 124.106) by individuals, who meet the criteria in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) of this definition.

Subsidiary means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned—

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

Successor means an entity that has replaced a predecessor by acquiring the assets and carrying out the affairs of the predecessor under a new name (often through acquisition or merger). The term “successor” does not include new offices/divisions of the same company or a company that only changes its name. The extent of the responsibility of the successor for the liabilities of the predecessor may vary, depending on State law and specific circumstances.

Veteran-owned small business concern means a small business concern—

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

Women-owned business concern means a concern which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its stock is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Women-owned small business concern means a small business concern—

(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Women-owned small business (WOSB) concern eligible under the WOSB Program (in accordance with 13 CFR part 127), means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States, and the concern is certified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier in accordance with 13 CFR 127.300.

(b)(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the Offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications in SAM.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212–3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard(s) applicable to the NAICS code(s) referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs .

(c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii). Check all that apply.

(1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that—

(i) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a small business concern; or

(ii) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a small business joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 121.103(h) and 13 CFR 125.8(a) and (b). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __________________.]

(2) Veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

(3) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that—

(i) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern; or

(ii) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 125.18(b)(1) and (2). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __________________.] Each service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern participating in the joint venture shall provide representation of its service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern status.

(4) Small disadvantaged business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002.

(5) Women-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a women-owned small business concern.

(6) WOSB join venture eligible under the WOSB Program. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a women-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(5) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 127.506(a) through (c). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __________________.]

(7) Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) joint venture. The offeror represents that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR part 127.506(a) through (c). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __________________.] Note to Paragraphs (c)(8) and (9): Complete paragraphs (c)(8) and (9) only if this solicitation is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(8) Women-owned business concern (other than small business concern). [Complete only if the offeror is a women-owned business concern and did not represent itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it [ ] is a women-owned business concern.

(9) Tie bid priority for labor surplus area concerns. If this is an invitation for bid, small business offerors may identify the labor surplus areas in which costs to be incurred on account of manufacturing or production (by offeror or first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price:

(10) HUBZone small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that—

(i) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a HUBZone small business concern listed, on the date of this representation, as having been certified by SBA as a HUBZone small business concern in the Dynamic Small Business Search and SAM, and will attempt to maintain an employment rate of HUBZone residents of 35 percent of its employees during performance of a HUBZone contract (see 13 CFR 126.200(e)(1)); and

(ii) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a HUBZone joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR Part 126.616(a) through (c). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: __________________.] Each HUBZone small business concern participating in the HUBZone joint venture shall provide representation of its HUBZone status.

(d) Representations required to implement provisions of Executive Order 11246—

(1) Previous contracts and compliance. The offeror represents that—

(i) It [ ] has, [ ] has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this solicitation; and

(ii) It [ ] has, [ ] has not filed all required compliance reports.

(2) Affirmative Action Compliance. The offeror represents that—

(i) It [ ] has developed and has on file, [ ] has not developed and does not have on file, at each establishment, affirmative action programs required by rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor (41 CFR parts 60-1 and 60-2), or

(ii) It [ ] has not previously had contracts subject to the written affirmative action programs requirement of the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

(e) Certification Regarding Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (31 U.S.C. 1352). (Applies only if the contract is expected to exceed $150,000.) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress or an employee of a Member of Congress on his or her behalf in connection with the award of any resultant contract. If any registrants under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 have made a lobbying contact on behalf of the offeror with respect to this contract, the offeror shall complete and submit, with its offer, OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, to provide the name of the registrants. The offeror need not report regularly employed officers or employees of the offeror to whom payments of reasonable compensation were made.

(f) Buy American Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies, is included in this solicitation.)

(1)(i) The Offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (f)(3) of this provision contains a critical component.

(ii) The Offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products. For those foreign end products that do not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the Offeror shall also indicate whether these foreign end products exceed 55 percent domestic content, except for those that are COTS items. If the percentage of the domestic content is unknown, select ‘‘no’’.

(iii) The Offeror shall separately list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component (see FAR 25.105).

(iv) The terms ‘‘commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item,’’ ‘‘critical component,’’ ‘‘domestic end product,’’ ‘‘end product,’’ ‘‘foreign end product,’’ and ‘‘United States’’ are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled ‘‘Buy American—Supplies.’’

(2) Foreign End Products:

[List as necessary]

(3) Domestic end products containing a critical component: Line Item No. ___________ [List as necessary]

(4) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of FAR part 25.

(g)(1) Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at FAR 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act, is included in this solicitation.)

(i)(A) The Offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (g)(1)(iv) of this provision contains a critical component.

(B) The terms ‘‘Bahrainian, Moroccan, Omani, Panamanian, or Peruvian end product,’’ ‘‘commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item,’’ ‘‘critical component,’’ ‘‘domestic end product,’’ ‘‘end product,’’ ‘‘foreign end product,’’ ‘‘Free Trade Agreement country,’’ ‘‘Free Trade Agreement country end product,’’ ‘‘Israeli end product,’’ and ‘‘United States’’ are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled ‘‘Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act.’’

(ii) The Offeror certifies that the following supplies are Free Trade Agreement country end products (other than Bahrainian, Moroccan, Omani, Panamanian, or Peruvian end products) or Israeli end products as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled ‘‘Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act.’’ Free Trade Agreement Country End Products (Other than Bahrainian, Moroccan, Omani, Panamanian, or Peruvian End Products) or Israeli End Products:

(iii) The Offeror shall list those supplies that are foreign end products (other than those listed in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this provision) as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled ‘‘Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act.’’ The Offeror shall list as other foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products. For those foreign end products that do not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the Offeror shall also indicate whether these foreign end products exceed 55 percent domestic content, except for those that are COTS items. If the percentage of the domestic content is unknown, select ‘‘no’’.

Other Foreign End Products:

(iv) The Offeror shall list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component (see FAR 25.105). Line Item No. ___________ [List as necessary]

(v) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of FAR part 25.

(2) Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act Certificate, Alternate II. If Alternate II to the clause at FAR 52.225-3 is included in this solicitation, substitute the following paragraph (g)(1)(ii) for paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of the basic provision:

(g)(1)(ii) The offeror certifies that the following supplies are Israeli end products as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled “Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act”:

Israeli End Products:

(3) Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act Certificate, Alternate III. If Alternate III to the clause at FAR 52.225-3 is included in this solicitation, substitute the following paragraph (g)(1)(ii) for paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of the basic provision:

(g)(1)(ii) The offeror certifies that the following supplies are Free Trade Agreement country end products (other than Bahrainian, Korean, Moroccan, Omani, Panamanian, or Peruvian end products) or Israeli end products as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled “Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act”:

Free Trade Agreement Country End Products (Other than Bahrainian, Korean, Moroccan, Omani, Panamanian, or Peruvian End Products) or Israeli End Products:

(4) Trade Agreements Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at FAR 52.225-5, Trade Agreements, is included in this solicitation.)

(i) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this provision, is a U.S.-made or designated country end product, as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled “Trade Agreements”.

(ii) The offeror shall list as other end products those end products that are not U.S.-made or designated country end products.

Other End Products:

(iii) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of FAR Part 25. For line items covered by the WTO GPA, the Government will evaluate offers of U.S.-made or designated country end products without regard to the restrictions of the Buy American statute. The Government will consider for award only offers of U.S.-made or designated country end products unless the Contracting Officer determines that there are no offers for such products or that the offers for such products are insufficient to fulfill the requirements of the solicitation.

(h) Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Executive Order 12689). (Applies only if the contract value is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition…