36C24426Q0852.docx

SUBJECT*

Thermo Fisher iBright CL750 Imaging Syst.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 4

1010 Delafield Rd.

POINT OF CONTACT*

Arlene Albrite Contract Specialist arlene.albrite@va.gov N/A

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

University Drive

Pittsburgh PA

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with Subpart 12 of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This Solicitation is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ), and the solicitation number is 36C24426Q0852.

This notice incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2026-01 effective 13 March 2026, and the Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations (VAAR). The complete text of any of the clauses and provisions may be accessed in full text at FAR | Acquisition.GOV.

This Solicitation is being competed on a full and open competitive basis. The NAICS Code for this procurement is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,000 employees. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 6632 (Analysis Instruments, Medical Laboratory Use).

The Pittsburgh, PA Contracting Office is seeking procurement of Thermo Fisher iBright™ CL750 Imaging System to support the research activities approved under the VA Merit Award. Acquisition of the iBright CL750 Imaging System will provide the necessary imaging and analysis capability directly within the laboratory and facilitate timely completion of the approved research studies. The Statement of Work (SOW) is provided.

Complete instructions for submitting a response to this solicitation and applicable provisions and clauses are found in “36C24426Q0852.” All offerors are advised to pay careful attention to the quote submission instructions as there are very specific instructions as what is required to be provided.

The period of performance is 60 days After Receipt of Order (ARO) estimated from 09/01/2026 through 10/31/2026. Should issuance of the purchase order occur on a different date, the performance period will be adjusted accordingly.

Any award resulting from this solicitation will be issued on Standard Form 1449.

NOTE: To receive an award resulting from this solicitation, offerors MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Registration may be done online at: www.sam.gov.

BRAND NAME: This is a brand name only requirement supported with a single source justification. Only authorized distributors of the brand name provider will be eligible for award. Brand Name: Thermo Fisher Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C244 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4

1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

Statement of Work (SOW) and Equipment Justification Purchase of Thermo Fisher iBright™ CL750 Imaging System VA Merit Award

Purpose The purpose of this procurement is to purchase a Thermo Fisher iBright™ CL750 Imaging System to support the research activities approved under our current VA Merit Award. The equipment was included in the approved grant application and budget and is necessary for the successful completion of the funded research aims.

Background The VA-funded project investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms relevant to trauma and sepsis in aged critical illness. Completion of the approved Specific Aims requires routine detection, visualization, and quantitative analysis of proteins and nucleic acids using Western blotting and gel electrophoresis techniques. These methodologies are essential for evaluating gene expression, protein expression, signaling pathway activation, and other molecular outcomes that serve as key experimental endpoints within the project.

At present, our laboratory does not have a dedicated imaging system capable of performing these analyses. The lack of in-house imaging capability limits efficiency, delays data acquisition, and creates dependence on external resources. Acquisition of the iBright CL750 Imaging System will provide the necessary imaging and analysis capability directly within the laboratory and facilitate timely completion of the approved research studies.

Scope of Work The iBright CL750 Imaging System will be used to:

1. Acquire chemiluminescent and fluorescent images of Western blots used to assess protein expression and signaling pathway activation.

1. Capture and document agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results used for gene and nucleic acid analyses.

1. Perform quantitative image analysis required for data interpretation, statistical evaluation, and validation of experimental findings.

1. Generate publication-quality figures and supporting data for progress reports, presentations, manuscripts, and final project reporting requirements.

1. Support multiple experiments directly related to the approved VA Merit Award Specific Aims.

Deliverables The acquisition will provide:

1. Dedicated in-laboratory capability for Western blot imaging and analysis.

1. Dedicated capability for nucleic acid gel documentation and quantification.

1. Improved efficiency and timeliness of data collection.

1. Enhanced data quality, reproducibility, and record retention.

1. Support for successful completion of the approved VA Merit Award research objectives.

Training Requirements Thermo Fisher Scientific shall provide SmartStart Orientation for the iBright™ CL750 Imaging System upon delivery of the equipment. For the CL750 model, the SmartStart Orientation is provided in a self-service digital format and includes interactive, visual demonstrations covering instrument installation, operation, and routine maintenance. The training also provides application-specific guidance, instrument and software setup, and basic data analysis.

Training Schedule:

Training shall be completed within two (2) weeks of equipment delivery.

Trainer Qualifications and Certification:

The digital SmartStart Orientation does not issue a certificate of completion. Although the platform tracks a user’s progress through the training, it is designed as a self-service resource and does not verify that all videos have been viewed or that every interactive component has been completed. Therefore, the platform cannot formally certify that a user has completed the training in its entirety.

The iBright™ CL750 Imaging System is a widely used common instrument in biomedical research laboratories, including the laboratories of the PI’s collaborators at the University of Pittsburgh. Our laboratory staff are familiar with the operation and use of this instrument. Nevertheless, all new laboratory personnel will be required to complete the Thermo Fisher Scientific SmartStart Orientation and receive hands-on operational training from experienced laboratory staff before independently operating the instrument. This combination of manufacturer-provided orientation and supervised, hands-on training will ensure that personnel are adequately trained in the safe and proper use of the iBright™ CL750 Imaging System.

Required Delivery Date:

Equipment must be delivered no later than September 30, 2026 (9/30/2026).

Period of Performance:

All services, including equipment delivery and completion of the SmartStart Orientation training, must be completed no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of order (ARO).

Equipment Justification The Thermo Fisher iBright CL750 Imaging System is essential for conducting experiments described in the approved VA Merit Award. Western blot and nucleic acid gel analyses represent critical components of the project and are routinely required to generate data supporting the funded Specific Aims.

The equipment was included in the peer-reviewed grant application and approved budget. The requested system will establish a capability that is currently unavailable within the laboratory and will be used primarily for VA-funded research activities. Acquisition of the instrument will reduce delays associated with accessing external equipment resources, improve research efficiency, and ensure timely generation of high-quality data necessary to accomplish the approved project goals.

Benefit to the VA Research Program The iBright CL750 Imaging System will directly support the generation of molecular and biochemical data required for the VA Merit Award. The instrument will strengthen the laboratory’s research infrastructure, enhance productivity, and facilitate completion of studies designed to advance knowledge relevant to Veteran health care. The purchase is consistent with the approved project budget and is necessary for successful execution of the funded research program.

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

IBRIGHT CL750 IMAGING SYSTEM

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 09-01-2026 POP End: 10-31-2026 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6632 - Analysis Instruments, Medical Laboratory Use

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: A44116

IBRIGHT 750 DIGITAL TRAINING

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 09-01-2026 POP End: 10-31-2026 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6632 - Analysis Instruments, Medical Laboratory Use

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: TRN00305

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, PA 15240

USA

412- 360-2380 sara.bruzdewicz@va.gov

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pittsburgh, PA 15240

USA

412- 360-2380 sara.bruzdewicz@va.gov

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.222-90 ADDRESSING DEI DISCRIMINATION BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (DEVIATION APR 2026) (a)Definitions. As used in this clause— Program participation means membership or participation in, or access or admission to: training, mentoring, or leadership development programs; educational opportunities; clubs; associations; or similar opportunities that are sponsored or established by the contractor or subcontractor.

Racially discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities means disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in the recruitment, employment (e.g., hiring, promotions), contracting (e.g., vendor agreements), program participation, or allocation or deployment of an entity's resources.

(b) In connection with the performance of work under this contract, the Contractor agrees as follows:

(1) The Contractor will not engage in any racially discriminatory DEI activities;

(2) The Contractor will furnish all information and reports, including providing access to books, records, and accounts, as required by the Contracting Officer, for purposes of ascertaining compliance with this clause;

(3) In the event of the Contractor's or a subcontractor's noncompliance with this clause, this contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended in whole or in part, and the Contractor or subcontractor may be declared ineligible for further Government contracts;

(4) The Contractor will report any subcontractor's known or reasonably knowable conduct that may violate this clause to the Contracting Officer and take any appropriate remedial actions directed by the Contracting Officer; and

(5) The Contractor will inform the Contracting Officer if a subcontractor sues the Contractor and the suit puts at issue, in any way, the validity of this clause.

(6) The Contractor recognizes that compliance with the requirements of this clause are material to the Government's payment decisions for purposes of 31 U.S.C. 3729(b)(4).

(c) The Contractor must include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts at any tier, including those for commercial products and commercial services, except those where the place of delivery or performance is outside the United States.

(End of Clause)

C.2 52.240-91 SECURITY PROHIBITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list that the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) develops and maintains and publishes in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov (section 1822 of Pub. L. 118-31, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.).

Backhaul means intermediate links between the core network, or backbone network, and the small subnetworks at the edge of the network (e.g., connecting cell phones/towers to the core telephone network). Backhaul can be wireless (e.g., microwave) or wired (e.g., fiber optic, coaxial cable, Ethernet).

Covered application means the social networking service TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited or an entity owned by ByteDance Limited.

Covered article, as defined in 41 U.S.C. 4713(k), means:

(1) Information technology, as defined in 40 U.S.C. 11101, including cloud computing services of all types;

(2) Telecommunications equipment or telecommunications service, as those terms are defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153);

(3) The processing of information on a Federal or non-Federal information system, subject to the requirements of the Controlled Unclassified Information program (see 32 CFR part 2002); or

(4) Hardware, systems, devices, software, or services that include embedded or incidental information technology.

Covered foreign country means The People’s Republic of China.

Covered telecommunications equipment or services means—

(1) Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

(2) For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

(3) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or

(4) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

Critical technology means—

(1) Defense articles or defense services included on the United States Munitions List set forth in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations;

(2) Items included on the Commerce Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, and controlled—

(i) Pursuant to multilateral regimes, including for reasons relating to national security, chemical and biological weapons proliferation, nuclear nonproliferation, or missile technology; or

(ii) For reasons relating to regional stability or surreptitious listening;

(3) Specially designed and prepared nuclear equipment, parts and components, materials, software, and technology covered by part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to assistance to foreign atomic energy activities);

(4) Nuclear facilities, equipment, and material covered by part 110 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to export and import of nuclear equipment and material);

(5) Select agents and toxins covered by part 331 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 of title 9 of such Code, or part 73 of title 42 of such Code; or

(6) Emerging and foundational technologies controlled pursuant to section 1758 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817).

FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act—covered foreign entity.

FASCSA order means any of the following orders issued under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) requiring removing covered articles from executive agency information systems or excluding one or more named sources or named covered articles from executive agency procurement actions, as described in 41 CFR 201-1.303(d) and (e):

(1) The Secretary of Homeland Security may issue FASCSA orders that apply to civilian agencies, to the extent not covered by paragraph (2) or (3) of this definition. This type of FASCSA order may be referred to as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FASCSA order.

(2) The Secretary of Defense may issue FASCSA orders that apply to the Department of Defense (DoD) and national security systems other than sensitive compartmented information systems. This type of FASCSA order may be referred to as a DoD FASCSA order.

(3) The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) may issue FASCSA orders that apply to the intelligence community and sensitive compartmented information systems, to the extent not covered by paragraph (2) of this definition. This type of FASCSA order may be referred to as a DNI FASCSA order.

Information technology, as defined in 40 U.S.C. 11101(6)—

(1) Means any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, used in the automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information by the executive agency, if the equipment is used by the executive agency directly or is used by a contractor under a contract with the executive agency that requires the use—

(i) Of that equipment; or

(ii) Of that equipment to a significant extent in the performance of a service or the furnishing of a product;

(2) Includes computers, ancillary equipment (including imaging peripherals, input, output, and storage devices necessary for security and surveillance), peripheral equipment designed to be controlled by the central processing unit of a computer, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources; but

(3) Does not include any equipment acquired by a Federal contractor incidental to a Federal contract.

Intelligence community, as defined by 50 U.S.C. 3003(4), means the following—

(1) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence;

(2) The Central Intelligence Agency;

(3) The National Security Agency;

(4) The Defense Intelligence Agency;

(5) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency;

(6) The National Reconnaissance Office;

(7) Other offices within the Department of Defense for the collection of specialized national intelligence through reconnaissance programs;

(8) The intelligence elements of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Energy;

(9) The Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State;

(10) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of the Treasury;

(11) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security; or

(12) Such other elements of any department or agency as may be designated by the President, or designated jointly by the Director of National Intelligence and the head of the department or agency concerned, as an element of the intelligence community.

Interconnection arrangement means arrangements governing the physical connection of two or more networks to allow the use of another’s network to hand off traffic where it is ultimately delivered (e.g., connecting a customer of telephone provider A to a customer of telephone company B) or sharing data and other information resources.

Kaspersky Lab-covered article means any hardware, software, or service that—

(1) Is developed or provided by a Kaspersky Lab-covered entity;

(2) Includes any hardware, software, or service developed or provided in whole or in part by a Kaspersky Lab-covered entity; or

(3) Contains components using any hardware or software developed in whole or in part by a Kaspersky Lab-covered entity.

Kaspersky Lab-covered entity means—

(1) Kaspersky Lab;

(2) Any successor entity to Kaspersky Lab, including any change in name, e.g., “Kaspersky”;

(3) Any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Kaspersky Lab; or

(4) Any entity of which Kaspersky Lab has a majority ownership.

National security system, as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3552, means any information system (including any telecommunications system) used or operated by an agency or by a contractor of an agency, or other organization on behalf of an agency—

(1) The function, operation, or use of which involves intelligence activities; involves cryptologic activities related to national security; involves command and control of military forces; involves equipment that is an integral part of a weapon or weapons system; or is critical to the direct fulfillment of military or intelligence missions, but does not include a system that is to be used for routine administrative and business applications (including payroll, finance, logistics, and personnel management applications); or

(2) Is protected at all times by procedures established for information that have been specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order or an Act of Congress to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.

Roaming means cellular communications services (e.g., voice, video, data) received from a visited network when unable to connect to the facilities of the home network either because signal coverage is too weak or because traffic is too high.

Sensitive compartmented information means classified information concerning or derived from intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes, which is required to be handled within formal access control systems established by the Director of National Intelligence.

Sensitive compartmented information system means a national security system authorized to process or store sensitive compartmented information.

Source means a non-Federal supplier, or potential supplier, of products or services, at any tier.

Subsidiary means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned directly by a parent corporation or through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

Substantial or essential component means any component necessary for the proper function or performance of a piece of equipment, system, or service.

Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (49 U.S.C. 44801(11)).

Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system (49 U.S.C. 44801(12)).

(b) Prohibitions on providing or using specific products or services in performance of contract. Unless a waiver or exception applies, the Contractor is prohibited from providing any products or services to the Government or using in the performance of the contract any of the following:

(1) A covered application on any information technology owned or managed by the Government, or on any information technology used or provided by the Contractor under this contract, including equipment provided by the Contractor’s employees (section 102 of Division R of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328));

(2) A Kaspersky Lab-covered article (Section 1634 of Division A of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Pub. L. 115-91));

(3) Covered telecommunications equipment or services used as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system (paragraphs (a)(1)(A) of section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232)). This does not prohibit contractors from providing—

(i) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) 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) Prohibition on unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by American Security Drone Act—covered foreign entities.

(1) Prohibition. The Contractor is prohibited from—

(i) Delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements (sections 1823 and 1826 of American Security Drone Act of 2023, within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, Pub. L. 118-31, Div. A, Title XVIII, Subtitle B, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.);

(ii) On or after December 22, 2025, operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of the contract (section 1824 of Pub. L. 118-31); and

(iii) On or after December 22, 2025, using Federal funds to procure or operate a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system (section 1825 of Pub. L. 118-31).

(2) Procedures. The Contractor shall search SAM for the FASC-maintained list of American Security Drone Act—covered foreign entities before proposing, or using in performance of the contract, any unmanned aircraft system. Also, the Contractor shall ensure any effort or expenditure associated with a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system is consistent with a corresponding exemption, exception, or waiver determination expressly stated in the contract.

(3) Exemptions, exceptions, and waivers. The prohibitions in paragraph (c) of this clause do not apply where the agency has determined an exemption, exception, or waiver applies, and the contract indicates that such a determination has been made. See sections 1823 through 1825 and 1832 of Public Law 118-31 for statutory requirements pertaining to exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.

(d) Prohibition on using or providing specific products or services or conducting certain transactions regardless of connection to contract.

(1) Certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment, systems, or services.

(i) Unless an applicable waiver has been issued by the Government, the Contractor cannot use any equipment, systems, or services 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 (paragraph (a)(1)(B) of section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232)).

(ii) This prohibition applies to using covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. This does not prohibit the contractor from using—

(A) A service that connects to the facilities of a third party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(B) 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) Office of Foreign Assets Control Restrictions.

(i) Except as authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the Department of the Treasury, the Contractor shall not acquire, for use in the performance of this contract, any supplies or services if any proclamation, Executive order, or statute administered by OFAC, or if OFAC’s implementing regulations at 31 CFR chapter V, would prohibit such a transaction by a person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(ii) Except as authorized by OFAC, most transactions involving Cuba, Iran, and Sudan are prohibited, as are most imports from Burma or North Korea, into the United States or its outlying areas.

(A) For lists of entities and individuals subject to economic sanctions, see OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists.

(B) For more information about these restrictions, as well as updates, see OFAC’s regulations at 31 CFR chapter V and at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control-sanctions-programs-and-information.

(C) To conduct electronic screens of potential parties to regulated transactions, see the consolidated screening list at https://www.trade.gov/consolidated-screening-list, which consolidates multiple export screening lists of the Departments of Commerce, State, and the Treasury.

(3) Sudan prohibition. The Contractor is prohibited from conducting any restricted business operations in Sudan in accordance with Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174).

(4) Iran prohibitions.

(i) Unless an exception applies according to paragraph (d)(4)(iii) or the Government grants a waiver, the contractor shall not engage in certain activities or transactions relating to Iran (section 6(b)(1)(A) of Iran Sanctions Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note).

(ii) Unless an exception applies according to paragraph (d)(4)(iii) or the Government grants a waiver, contractor shall not export certain sensitive technology to Iran, as determined by the President, and has an active exclusion in SAM (22 U.S.C. 8515).

(iii) The prohibition in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (d)(4)(ii) do not apply if the acquisition is subject to trade agreements and the offeror certifies that all the offered products are designated country end products or designated country construction material (see part 25).

(iv) Unless an exception applies or the Government grants a waiver, contractors are prohibited from knowingly engaging in any significant transaction (i.e., over $15,000) with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates, the property and interests in property of which are blocked according to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (section 6(b)(1)(B) of Iran Sanctions Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note)).

(e) Governmentwide exclusion and removal orders.

(1) Unless the Government has issued an applicable waiver, contractors shall not provide or use as part of the performance of the contract 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 as follows:

(i) For solicitations and contracts awarded by a Department of Defense contracting office, DoD FASCSA orders apply.

(ii) For all other solicitations and contracts, DHS FASCSA orders apply.

(2) The Contractor shall search for the phrase “FASCSA order” in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov to locate applicable FASCSA orders.

(3) The Government may identify in the solicitation other FASCSA orders that are not in SAM, which are effective and apply to the solicitation and resulting contract.

(4) A FASCSA order issued after the date of solicitation applies to this contract only if added by an amendment to the solicitation or modification to the contract (see FAR 40.204-1(c)).

(f)Reasonable inquiry. The contractor shall conduct a reasonable inquiry to determine if there are any prohibited products or services. The inquiry will look at any information in the entity’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit.

(g) Removal of prohibited products and services. For Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide acquisition contracts, multi-agency contracts or any other procurement instrument intended for use by multiple agencies, upon notification from the Contracting Officer, during the performance of the contract, the Contractor shall promptly make any necessary changes or modifications to remove any product or service produced or provided by a source that this clause prohibits.

(h) General report.

(1) If the Contractor identifies or is notified by any source, (including a subcontractor at any tier), that any product or service provided or used (or to be provided or used) during contract performance does not comply with any prohibition in this clause, then the Contractor shall report the following information, or as much information is known, in writing to the contracting office as identified in paragraph (h)(2) within 72 hours:

(i) Contract number and order number, if applicable;

(ii) The specific prohibition the product or service is not complying with;

(iii) A description of the products or services that the Contractor identifies or has reason to suspect is prohibited (include brand; model number, such as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable);

(iv) The entity that produced the product or service (include entity name, unique entity identifier, Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) code, facilities responsible for design, fabrication, assembly, packaging, and test of the product, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor (provide manufacturer codes and distributor codes used for the product));

(v) Description of the functionality of the product or service and how that functionality impacts the risk to the product or service;

(vi) An explanation of any factors relevant to determining if the product or service should be permitted by an applicable exception, exemption, or waiver (if the contractor would like the Government to consider a waiver, and asks for such a waiver);

(vii) Whether alternative products or services are available that would comply with the prohibition;

(viii) If the product or service is related to item maintenance, include the following information on the item being maintained:

(A) Brand;

(B) Model number, OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and

(C) Item description, as applicable.

(ix) Any readily available information about mitigation actions implemented or recommended.

(2) If a report must be submitted to a contracting office, the Contractor shall submit the report as follows:

(i) If a Department of Defense contracting office, the Contractor shall report to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil.

(ii) For all other contracting offices, the Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer.

(iii) For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to both the contracting office for the indefinite delivery contract and the contracting office for any affected order.

(3) If the report provided does not contain any of the information required by paragraph (h)(1) of this clause, and the contractor later discovers new information that is required by paragraph (h)(1) of this clause, then the contractor shall submit a subsequent report within 72 hours of discovering the new information.

(4) The contractor shall also report the information in paragraph (h)(1) if the contractor wishes to ask for a waiver of the requirements of a new FASCSA order being applied through modification.

(i) New FASCSA orders report.

(1) During contract performance, the Contractor shall review SAM at least once every three months, or as advised by the Contracting Officer, to check for covered articles subject to FASCSA order(s), or for products or services produced by a source subject to FASCSA order(s) not currently identified under paragraph (e) of this clause.

(2) If the Contractor identifies a new FASCSA order(s) that could impact their supply chain, then the Contractor shall conduct a reasonable inquiry to identify whether a covered article or product or service produced or provided by a source subject to the FASCSA order(s) was provided to the Government or used during contract performance. The inquiry will look at any information in the entity’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit.

(3) The Contractor shall submit a report to the contracting office identified in paragraph (h)(2) of this clause if the Contractor identifies, including through any notification by a subcontractor at any tier, that a covered article or product or service produced or provided by a source was provided to the Government or used during contract performance and is subject to a FASCSA order(s). For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to both the contracting office for the indefinite delivery contract and the contracting office for any affected order. The Contractor shall report the following information within 72 hours for each covered article or each product or service produced or provided by a source, where the covered article or source is subject to a FASCSA order:

(i) Contract number and order number, if applicable;

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

(iii) The specific FASCSA order the product or service does not comply with;

(iv) The elements of (h)(1)(iii) through (ix) of this clause.

(j) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (j) but excluding subparagraphs (d)(1) and (i)(1), in all subcontracts and other contractual instruments, including subcontracts for acquiring commercial products or commercial services.

(End of Provision)

C.3 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52#FAR_52_252_2 http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/index.asp (VAAR)

(End of Clause)

852.232-72 852.242-71

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER

NOV 2018

OCT 2020

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

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SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

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SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES 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 following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

Addenda to 52.212-1 – Quote Submission Instructions:

1. To demonstrate technical acceptability, quoters shall provide a narrative that fully demonstrates their capability how the offeror intends to meet the requirements of task and deliverables/training from the Statement of Work (SOW) within the delivery date and training timeline. No price information shall be included in the technical section.

Quoter must be an authorized distributor/reseller for OEM.

2. Pricing information shall be submitted according to price schedule of the solicitation. Part number, quantity, and detailed specifications/description of equipment/training shall be included.

3. Quotes are due on or before 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, 8/17/2026 submitted via email to arlene.albrite@va.gov. If additional time is needed, the request must be sent to arlene.albrite@va.gov. A determination by the Government not to issue an extension is within the discretion of the Government.

E.1 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (OCT 2025) (DEVIATION)

(a) Evaluation factors. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors will be used to evaluate offers:

Lowest Price Technically Acceptable

(b) Options (if applicable). The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. The evaluation of options does not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) Notice of award. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer furnished to the successful Offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

E.2 52.225-2 BUY AMERICAN CERTIFICATE (OCT 2022)

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

(2) 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’’.

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

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

(b) Foreign End Products:

[List as necessary]

(c) Domestic end products containing a critical component:

Line Item No.

[List as necessary]

(d) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of part 25 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(End of Provision) E.3 52.240-90 SECURITY PROHIBITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Backhaul, covered article, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, FASCSA order, Intelligence community, interconnection arrangements, national security system, roaming, sensitive compartmented information, sensitive compartmented information system, source, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.240-91, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions.

Business operations means engaging in commerce in any form, including by acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, selling, possessing, leasing, or operating equipment, facilities, personnel, products, services, personal property, real property, or any other apparatus of business or commerce.

Marginalized populations of Sudan means—

(1) Adversely affected groups in regions authorized to receive assistance under section 8(c) of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (Pub. L. 109-344) (50 U.S.C. 1701 note); and

(2) Marginalized areas in Northern Sudan described in section 4(9) of such Act.

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 under 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)).

(b) Procedures.

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

(2) FASCSA Orders.

(i) The Offeror shall search in SAM for the phrase “FASCSA order” 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 (e) of FAR 52.240-91, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions.

(ii) The Offeror shall review the solicitation for any FASCSA orders that are not in SAM but are effective and apply to the solicitation and resultant contract (see FAR 40.204-1(c)(2)).

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

(c) Covered telecommunications equipment or services representations. By submission of its offer, the Offeror represents that, after conducting a reasonable inquiry (that looks at any information in the Offeror’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit)—

(1) It will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the…