36C24225Q0229 Combined Synopsis Solicitation Commercial Services.pdf

Attachment 1: Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services

Effective Date: 03/15/2023 Revision: 01

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2025‐02 (eff.01/03/2025).

This solicitation is set‐aside for 100% Total Small Business Set‐Aside.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 811210 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, with a small business size standard of $34.0 million.

The FSC/PSC is J065 Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment – Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Equipment and Supplies.

The NCO 2 is seeking to purchase service and preventative maintenance for histology, pathology, and general laboratory equipment. The goal is to ensure that the equipment functions optimally, providing high‐quality service for veterans in the healthcare system.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following:

Services The Contractor shall submit a detailed quote that includes the following information for the Base Year and each Option Year, clearly defining each year separately. The quote must provide the total cost for each line item, the total cost for each year, and the overall grand total. A template has been provided for reference. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all calculations within the quote, with no errors. A detailed breakdown of each line item is required, and all associated costs and fees must be included. The Contractor submitting a quote is expected to provide services for all seven pieces of equipment in compliance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards and guidelines.

Line Item Description Quantity Unit of Measure

Unit Price

Total Price

Make/Type/Model/SN

1 Leica / Coverslipper / CV5030 / 4421 12 MO $ $

2 Leica / Strainer /Autostrainer XL / 3995 12 MO $ $

3 Leica / Tissue Processor / ASP 6025 / 0588 12 MO $ $

4 Leica / Embedding Center / EG1150C /8188 12 MO $ $

5 Thermo / Slide printer / Slide mate AS /

SPA10182878

12 MO $ $

6 Thermo / Slide printer / Slide mate AS /

SPA12161400

12 MO $ $

7 Thermo/ Cassette printer / Print mate /

PP6251M1807

12 MO $ $

The Statement of Work is Attached.

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The estimated contract period of performance is 02/01/2025 through 01/31/2030. This includes Base year and four provisional option years.

Place of Performance/Place of Delivery

Address: 41 Castle Point Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY

Postal Code: 12590

Country: UNITED STATES

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

1. FAR 52.212‐1, “Instructions to Offerors–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” (SEP 2023)

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212‐1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (SEP 2023)

Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The version of FAR 52.212‐1 in the addendum is tailored for Simplified Acquisition Procedures and supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212‐1 contained in the FAR.

The following provision is incorporated into 52.212‐1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

52.252‐1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) As prescribed in 52.107(a), insert the following provision:

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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html (FAR) and http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/index.asp

(VAAR)

(End of provision) 52.204‐7 System for Award Management (NOV 2024) 52.204‐16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020) 52.204‐20 Predecessor of Offeror (AUG 2020) 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 or Commercial Services.

The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has

Effective Date: 03/15/2023 Revision: 01 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) Representation. 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);

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(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)

52.204‐29 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders‐Representation and Disclosures (DEC 2023) (a) Definitions. As used in this provision, Covered article, FASCSA order, Intelligence community, National security system, Reasonable inquiry, Sensitive compartmented information, Sensitive compartmented information system, and Source have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204‐30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition.

(b) Prohibition. Contractors are prohibited from providing or using as part of the performance of the contract any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the prohibition is set out in an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) order, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR 52.204‐30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders— Prohibition.

(c) Procedures.

(1) The Offeror shall search for the phrase “FASCSA order” in the System for Award Management (SAM)( https://www.sam.gov) for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable FASCSA order described in paragraph (b)

(1) of FAR 52.204‐30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition.

(2) The Offeror shall review the solicitation for any FASCSA orders that are not in SAM, but are effective and do apply to the solicitation and resultant contract (see FAR 4.2303(c)(2)).

(3) FASCSA orders issued after the date of solicitation do not apply unless added by an amendment to the solicitation.

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(d) Representation. By submission of this offer, the offeror represents that it has conducted a reasonable inquiry, and that the offeror does not propose to provide or use in response to this solicitation any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order in effect on the date the solicitation was issued, except as waived by the solicitation, or as disclosed in paragraph (e).

(e) Disclosures. The purpose for this disclosure is so the Government may decide whether to issue a waiver. For any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is subject to an applicable FASCSA order, and the Offeror is unable to represent compliance, then the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(1) Name of the product or service provided to the Government;

(2) Name of the covered article or source subject to a FASCSA order;

(3) If applicable, name of the vendor, including the Commercial and Government Entity code and unique entity identifier (if known), that supplied the covered article or the product or service to the Offeror;

(4) Brand;

(5) Model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number);

(6) Item description;

(7) Reason why the applicable covered article or the product or service is being provided or used;

(f) Executive agency review of disclosures. The contracting officer will review disclosures provided in paragraph (e) to determine if any waiver may be sought. A contracting officer may choose not to pursue a waiver for covered articles or sources otherwise subject to a FASCSA order and may instead make an award to an offeror that does not require a waiver.

(End of Addendum to 52.212‐1)

2. 52.212‐2, “Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services”

ADDENDUM to 52.212‐2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

(a) Basis for Award. The Government will issue a purchase order to the responsible quoter whose quotation conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

Therefore, the Basis of award will be based upon price and other factors.

(b) The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations:

Factor A: Technical Capability Factor B: Qualifications Factor C: Past Performance Factor D: Experience Factor E: Price

Evaluation Approach. The Government MAY evaluate quotations using the comparative evaluation process outlined in FAR 13.106‐2 (b) (3), where quotations will be compared to one another to determine which provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a quotation other than the lowest price that provides additional benefit(s). Quotations may exceed minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to select a quotation that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation but is not required to do so. Each response must meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government is not requesting or accepting alternate quotations.

The evaluation will consider the following:

FACTOR A. TECHNICAL CAPABILITY:

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Offeror shall provide their company’s informa on (Company Name, POC, UEI, and DUNs) referencing the specific equipment specified in the SOW. The Offeror must provide a narra ve on how they intend to meet the needs specified in the SOW. Offerors shall also include a copy of their con ngency plan which will be evaluated for its rou ne services, preventa ve maintenance, and the handling of repairs outside normal service requirements. Each offeror shall provide a plan and methodology to perform the work as well. The package submi ed by the vendor shall show in sufficient detail for evalua on of the contractor’s plan/methodology to perform the work as well as compliance with all requirements and technical specifica ons described in the work statement. The proposal shall not merely offer to perform work in accordance with the

SOW but shall outline the actual methods proposed as specifically as possible. All requirements/specifica ons described in the SOW are mandatory. The Government will evaluate this documenta on based on cri cal factors such as servicing, PM, and access to repair equipment, spare parts, and exper se in maintaining the equipment as defined in the statement of work. Addi onally, the Offeror shall provide a narra ve on how they intend to meet the expecta ons with regard to melines specified in the statement of work and how they would fix a piece of equipment a er they have a empted repairs and not been able to complete those repairs. Factor (A) is limited to 30 pages, which includes all narra ves and support documenta on.

FACTOR B. QUALIFICATIONS:

The Offeror shall provide copies of all cer fica on and compliance documenta on which demonstrates that the vendor has done work or similar work on the equipment listed in sec on

3. Scope of Work subsec on a. Equipment List of the SOW. Personnels must be and meet OEM

Standards and Guidelines.

For the next Factors, there is a difference between Factor C. Past Performance and Factor D.

Experience:

Past Performance refers to the quality and success of an offeror's previous work on similar contracts or projects. It evaluates how well the offeror performed in terms of mee ng requirements, adhering to schedules, maintaining quality, and achieving customer sa sfac on. This factor focuses on the outcomes of completed or ongoing work.

Experience refers to the offeror's history of comple ng work relevant to the scope of the current solicita on. It assesses the extent of the offeror's involvement in similar projects, the dura on and complexity of the work, and their familiarity with the required tasks or industry. This factor focuses on the breadth and depth of work performed, regardless of performance quality.

FACTOR C. CONTRACTOR’S PAST PERFORMANCE (QUALITY AND BUSINESS RELATIONS):

On a separate document the respondents shall submit not less than three references for services performed during the past three years. Each reference shall include: the company or agency name, address, contract or order number, point(s) of contract phone number and email address(es). References provided may be contacted by the Government. Their statements will be used in the evalua on of the offeror’s response. In addi on, any informa on obtained by the

Government from references outside of the offeror’s response may also be used, in a similar manner, in the technical evalua on of the offeror’s quota on to the extent appropriate. Past performance informa on provided by references, from Government records, or from other than the sources iden fied by the offeror may be used in the evalua on under any or all applicable evalua on factors. Contractor Performance Assessment Repor ng System (CPARS) reports and

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Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Informa on System (FAPIIS) records will be used as a source of past performance informa on in the source selec on process, in addi on to any other past performance informa on required under this solicita on. All past performance informa on will be used for both the responsibility determina on and the best value decision. Contractor

Performance Assessment Repor ng System (CPARS) at h p://www.cpars.gov/; or any other reasonable basis.

FACTOR D. TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE:

Offerors shall include resumes and/or qualifica ons to perform the services iden fied in the

Statement of Work (SOW), including evidence of training and experience in servicing the listed instrumenta on, for the service engineers proposed in maintaining the equipment in this service agreement.

FACTOR E. PRICE:

The Government will evaluate the price by adding the total of all line‐item prices, including all op ons. The Total Evaluated Price will be that sum.

a. Op ons. The Government will evaluate quota ons for award purposes by adding the total price for all op ons to the total price for the basic requirement. Op on Year (s) will be exercised in accordance with FAR 52.217‐9 Op on to Extend Services.

b. This includes op ons under FAR 52.217‐8, Op on to Extend Services, which applies to this solicita on. Evalua on of op ons under FAR 52.217‐8 will be accomplished by adding six months of the quoter's price for the last poten al period of performance under this contract to the quoter's total price. For example, if the contract includes op on periods that are exercisable under FAR 52.217‐9, the quoter's total price for the purpose of evalua on will include the base period, all op on periods, and an addi onal six months of the last op on period. Quoters must price only the base and op on periods specified in the contract line‐ item numbers (CLINs) and shall not submit a price for the poten al six‐month extension of services under FAR 52.217‐8. The Government reserves the right to exercise the op on under FAR 52.217‐8 before the end of any of the contractor's performance periods and will be exercised at the price and/or rates in effect at the me the clause is exercised. Evalua on of op ons shall not obligate the Government to exercise the op on(s).

c. “Evalua ons of Op ons” For purposes of award of this Contract, the Government intends to evaluate the op on to extend services under FAR 52.217‐8 as follows: The evalua on will consider the possibility that the op on can be exercised at any me and can be exercised in increments of one to six months, but not for more than a total of six months during the life of the contract. The evalua on will assume that the prices for any op on exercised under FAR 52.217‐8 will be those rates in effect under the contract each me an op on is exercised under this clause. The evalua on will therefore assume that the addi on of the price or prices of any possible extension or extensions under FAR 52.217‐8 to the total price for the basic requirement and the total price for the priced op ons has the same effect on the total price of all proposals rela ve to each other, and will not affect the ranking of proposals based on price, unless, a er reviewing the proposals, the Government determines that there is a basis for finding otherwise. This evalua on will not obligate the Government to exercise any op on under FAR 52.217‐8

3. FAR 52.212‐3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” www.sam.gov registration is required to be complete at time of submission of response.

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Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212‐3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

4. FAR 52.212‐4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” (NOV 2023)

Addendum to FAR 52.212‐4

52.252‐2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html (FAR) and http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/index.asp

(VAAR)

52.204‐13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018) 52.204‐18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020) 52.217‐8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days.

52.217‐9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 15 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five years (60 months).

52.232‐18 Availability of Funds (APR 1984) 52.237‐3 Continuity of Services (JAN 1991) 852.201‐70 Contracting Officer’s Representative (DEC 2022) The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate representatives to act for him/her in furnishing technical guidance and advice or generally monitor the work to be performed under this contract. Such designation will be in writing and will define the scope and limitation of the designee's authority. A copy of the designation letter shall be furnished to the Contractor.

852.203‐70 Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018) The Contractor shall not make reference in its commercial advertising to Department of Veterans Affairs contracts in a manner that states or implies the Department of Veterans Affairs approves or endorses the Contractor's products or services or considers the Contractor's products or services superior to other products or services.

852.219‐75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting – Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) As prescribed in 819.7011(b), insert the following clause:

VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting ‐ Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (NOV 2022)

(a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(k)(2), the offeror certifies that ‐

(1) If awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101 definition), it will comply with the limitations on subcontracting requirement as provided in the solicitation and the resultant contract, as follows: [Contracting Officer check the appropriate box below based on the predominant NAICS code assigned to the instant acquisition as set forth in FAR 19.102.]

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(i) [x] Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP‐listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219‐73 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219‐74. Any work that a similarly situated VIP‐listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service as set forth in 13 CFR 125.6.

(ii) □ General construc on. In the case of a contract for general construc on, the contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP‐listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219‐73or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219‐74. Any work that a similarly situated VIP‐listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

(iii) □ Special trade construc on contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP‐listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219‐73 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219‐74. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

(2) The offeror acknowledges that this certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States. The offeror further acknowledges that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and, as such, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the offeror subject to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, including prosecution.

(3) If VA determines that an SDVOSB/VOSB awarded a contract pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127 did not act in good faith, such SDVOSB/VOSB shall be subject to any or all of the following:

(i) Referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee;

(ii) A fine under section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645(g)(1)); and

(iii) Prosecution for violating section 1001 of title 18.

(b) The offeror represents and understands that by submission of its offer and award of a contract it may be required to provide copies of documents or records to VA that VA may review to determine whether the offeror complied with the limitations on subcontracting requirement specified in the contract.

Contracting officers may, at their discretion, require the contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already available to the contracting officer. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed.

(c) The offeror further agrees to cooperate fully and make available any documents or records as may be required to enable VA to determine compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirement. The offeror understands that failure to provide documents as requested by VA may result in remedial action as the Government deems appropriate.

(d) Offeror completed certification/fill‐in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed and returned with the offeror's bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award.

Certification I hereby certify that if awarded the contract, __________________ [insert name of offeror] will comply with the limitations on subcontracting specified in this clause and in the resultant contract. I further certify that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of [insert name of offeror].

Printed Name of Signee:

Printed Title of Signee:

Signature:

Date:

Company Name and Address:

(End of clause) 852.232‐72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause ‐

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(1) Contract financing payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001;

(2) Designated agency office means the office designated by the purchase order, agreement, or contract to first receive and review invoices. This office can be contractually designated as the receiving entity. This office may be different from the office issuing the payment;

(3) Electronic form means an automated system transmitting information electronically according to the accepted electronic data transmission methods and formats identified in paragraph (c) of this clause. Facsimile, email, and scanned documents are not acceptable electronic forms for submission of payment requests;

(4) Invoice payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001; and

(5) Payment request means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment submitted by the Contractor under this contract.

(b) Electronic payment requests. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests in electronic form. Purchases paid with a Government‐wide commercial purchase card are considered to be an electronic transaction for purposes of this rule, and therefore no additional electronic invoice submission is required.

(c) Data transmission. A Contractor must ensure that the data transmission method and format are through one of the following:

(1) VA's Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System at the current website address provided in the contract.

(2) Any system that conforms to the X12 electronic data interchange (EDI) formats established by the Accredited Standards Center (ASC) and chartered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

(d) Invoice requirements. Invoices shall comply with FAR 32.905.

(e) Exceptions. If, based on one of the circumstances in this paragraph (e), the Contracting Officer directs that payment requests be made by mail, the Contractor shall submit payment requests by mail through the United States Postal Service to the designated agency office. Submission of payment requests by mail may be required for ‐

(1) Awards made to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States;

(2) Classified contracts or purchases when electronic submission and processing of payment requests could compromise the safeguarding of classified or privacy information;

(3) Contracts awarded by Contracting Officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to national emergencies;

(4) Solicitations or contracts in which the designated agency office is a VA entity other than the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, Texas; or

(5) Solicitations or contracts in which the VA designated agency office does not have electronic invoicing capability as described above.

852.242‐71 Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020) The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) for the purpose of performing certain tasks/duties in the administration of the contract. Such designation will be in writing through an ACO Letter of Delegation and will identify the responsibilities and limitations of the ACO. A copy of the ACO Letter of Delegation will be furnished to the Contractor.

(End of Addendum to 52.212‐4)

5. FAR 52.212‐5, “Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services” (JAN 2025)

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212‐5 are applicable:

52.204‐10, Reporting Executive Compensation & First‐Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) 52.204‐27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (Dec 2023) 52.209‐6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (NOV 2021) 52.219‐6, Notice of Total Small Business Set‐Aside (NOV 2020)

Effective Date: 03/15/2023 Revision: 01

52.219‐28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (FEB 2024) 52.222‐3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) 52.222‐21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015) 52.222‐26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246) 52.222‐36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793) 52.222‐50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627) 52.225‐13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) 52.226‐8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) ( E.O. 13513) 52.232‐33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer ‐ System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C.

3332) 52.240‐1, Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act‐Covered Foreign Entities (NOV 2024) 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)

(End of clause)

Submission Instructions to All Interested Vendors –

All interested Vendors must include all documents requested and listed to ensure that their package (quote) is considered complete. The vendor understands that the Contracting Officer must receive their package with timestamp no later than Friday, January 24, 2025, by 12:00 PM EST.

The Government will only accept electronic submissions via emailed to Mariangie.Rivera@va.gov.

The email subject line must identify the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice ID 36C24225Q0229. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212‐1(f).

There is No Exception. All interested Offerors that do not adhere to these instructions may be determined to be incomplete and non‐responsive. Therefore, the Contractor risks being rejected without further consideration for award if the following is not provided as instructed.

Offerors Submission of a complete package must include the following to be considered:

Technical Capability

Provide a Draft Schedule of Service

Experience

Qualifications

Past Performance

Price/Cost Schedule

Signed Amendments

Duns and Bradstreet Supplier Risk Report

Questions must be submitted by email to Mariangie Rivera, Mariangie.Rivera@va.gov. Questions must be submitted by Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 3:00 PM EST. Questions are considered late and may not receive a response or answer after said date.

All potential respondents are strongly encouraged to review the evaluation factors in provision 52.212‐2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2024) in this solicitation to ensure their proposals address all of these areas.

All quoters must submit and include the following:

Effective Date: 03/15/2023 Revision: 01

1. Technical Capability

2. Provide a Draft Schedule of Service (Separate document)

3. Qualifications of Trained personnel

4. Past Performance (Separate document)

5. Experience relevant to the requirement

6. Price/Cost Schedule (Separate document)

7. Provide Duns and Bradstreet (D&B) Supplier Risk Report (Separate document)

8. Signed 852.219‐75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting – Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (Included herein)

Package shall be sent to the NCO 2 ‐ Mariangie.Rivera@va.gov

An award MAY be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government. The award will be made to the response most advantageous to the Government.

The following are the decision factors are:

Factor A: Technical Capability Factor B: Certification Factor C: Past Performance Factor D: Experience Factor E: Price

Details regarding these factors can be found in Section 2. 52.212‐2, “Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services”.

Responses should contain your best terms, conditions.

52.212‐1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEP 2023)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the Request for Quote (RFQ). However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits a quote, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value‐ added resellers under NAICS code 541519, if the acquisition—

(1) Is set aside for Small Business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(2) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or

(3) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service‐disabled veteran‐owned, economically disadvantaged women‐ owned, or women‐owned small business set‐aside or sole‐source award regardless of dollar value.

(b) Submission of Quotes. Submit signed and dated quotes to the office specified in this Request for Quote (RFQ) at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Quotes may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, quotes must show—

(1) The solicitation number 36C24225Q0229;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotations 12:00 PM;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the quoter;

(4) A technical description of the items being quoted in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

Effective Date: 03/15/2023 Revision: 01

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212‐3 (see FAR 52.212‐3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Quotation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information will not be considered in simplified acquisition procurements.

(11) Quotes should include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Quotes that fail to furnish required representations, or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of Quotes. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of quotes, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Multiple Quotes. Quoters are encouraged to submit multiple quotes presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each quote submitted will be evaluated separately.

(e) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of quotes.

(1) Quoters are responsible for submitting quotes, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that quotes or revisions are due.

(2) Any quote received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotes is "late" and may not be considered unless it is received before purchase order issuance and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late quote would not unduly delay the acquisition.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotes cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotes by the exact time specified in the Request for Quote, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of quotes will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(g) Issuance of Purchase Order. The Government may issue a purchase order to one or more quoters as identified in the Request for Quote (RFQ). Therefore, the quoter’s initial quote should contain the best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public’s best interest. In addition, the Contracting Officer (CO) may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest quoted price.

(h) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)

(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101–29, and copies of Federal specifications, standards, and product descriptions can be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained from the address in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(3) Defense documents not available from the ASSIST website may be requested from the Defense Standardization Program Office by—

(i) Using the ASSIST feedback module ( https://assist.dla.mil/feedback); or

Effective Date: 03/15/2023 Revision: 01

(ii) Contacting the Defense Standardization Program Office by telephone at 571–767– 6688 or email at assisthelp@dla.mil.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(i) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all quotes that exceed the micro‐purchase threshold, and quotes at or below the micro‐purchase threshold if the Request for Quote (RFQ) requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The quoter shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Quoter's name and address. The Quoter also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four‐character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Quoter to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Quoter does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one.

The Quoter should indicate that it is an planning to submit a quote for a Government Request for Quote (RFQ) when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(j) [Reserved]

(k) Notification. The CO will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this Request for Quotation

(RFQ).

(End of provision)

To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."

OR

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any.

Reminders:

Questions/RFI regarding the requirement is due Tuesday January 21, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST.

Submission of your response shall be received not later than January 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM to Mariangie.Rivera@va.gov. The subject line of the email must reference the following “36C24225Q0229 Histology and Laboratory Equipment Services.”

It must be emailed by said date and time. Any packages submitted after the said day and time will be considered late and under the discretion of the Contracting Officer, the package will be rejected due to tardiness.

Telephonic communication regarding the Combined Synopsis and Solicitation 36C24225Q0229 Histology…