36C24618Q9744-001.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. DUNS: DUNS+4:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 49

36C24618Q9744 08-28-2018

JAMIE SULLIVAN 757-251-4141 09-10-2018

08:00 AM

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton VA 23667

X 100

X

325120

1000 Employees

N30

N/A

Fayetteville HCC 7300 S. Raeford Rd

Fayetteville VA 28304

Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton VA 23667

Financial Services Center

PO BOX 149971

Austin TX 78714-9971

See CONTINUATION Page

RFQ for bulk medical gases for the Fayetteville HCC

All quantities listed are estimates only.

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

36C24618Q9744

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

B.3 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM

B.4 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

B.5 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.203-16 PREVENTING PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (DEC 2011)

C.2 52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS AND

REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS (APR 2014)

C.3 52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON RECYCLED PAPER (MAY

2011)

C.4 52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)

C.5 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

C.6 52.216-21 REQUIREMENTS (OCT 1995)

C.7 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.8 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

C.9 52.232-18 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (APR 1984)

C.10 52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS (DEC 2013)

C.11 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

C.12 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2016)(DEVIATION)

C.13 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING - MONITORING AND

COMPLIANCE

C.14 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV

2012)

C.15 VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984)

C.16 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2018)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.2 52.217-5 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS (JUL 1990)

E.3 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.4 VAAR 852.211-72 TECHNICAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS (JAN 2008)

E.5 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

(JAN 2008)

36C24618Q9744

E.6 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (JAN 1998)

E.7 VAAR 852.270-1 REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTRACTING OFFICERS (JAN 2008) .. 33

E.8 VAAR 852.273-72 ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION (JAN 2003)

E.9 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS (NOV 2017)

36C24618Q9743

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 36C246 Jay James

Network Contracting Office 6

100 Emancipation Drive

Hampton VA 23667

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

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [x] Monthly

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.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Financial Services Center

PO BOX 149971

Austin TX 78714-9971

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

AMENDMENT NO DATE

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

General Requirements The Department of Veterans Affairs Fayetteville Health Care Center (Fay-HCC) at Fayetteville, North Carolina has a requirement for the supply and distribution of medical-grade liquid bulk oxygen, medical grade bulk nitrogen, and 450L microbulk nitrogen skid pack with 6-cylinder reserve. Contractor shall provide a Contractor-owned tank and back-up tanks as required.

Quantities shown in the solicitation Schedule are only estimates of the facility’s annual requirement.

There is no express nor implied guarantee these quantities will be purchased. Note that contracts which include the installation of Contractor-owned equipment will include a 90-day transition period at the beginning and end of the contract period.

Prior to first filling, contractor shall perform in-service training to include the following facets for Contractor-owned systems: the refill procedure, any preventive maintenance support requirements that may be needed from the medical center systems, and an explanation of all the volume alarms and low pressure set-points. Contractor shall provide written procedures and training for VA staff for protocols to accomplish emergency shutdowns or other sudden, unplanned termination of the refilling process.

Contractor shall provide 24/7 emergency contact name(s) and telephone number(s).

Prior to first filling, and annually thereafter, alarm set-point testing and written verification shall be presented through the use of a qualified third party expert per NFPA 99, latest edition, for Contractor-owned systems. Any code deficiencies in the Medical Center’s existing system, as defined by NFPA 50, 1.3.3, “Bulk Oxygen System”, shall be identified by the contractor. A detailed explanation of these deficiencies shall be presented in writing to and acknowledged in writing by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). A copy of the deficiency statement shall be provided to the Contracting Officer

(CO).

Prior to first filling, the contractor shall verify in writing, the accuracy of all gauges on Contractor-owned tanks.

Contractor shall provide a digital indicator at the bulk site showing levels and pressure of the bulk tanks.

The indicator shall be solar powered if there is no electrical power available at the bulk site. Telemetry monitoring (if added through contract modification) shall also be required to operate on solar generated power.

The COR will be designated for the ordering facility upon award of the contract, and will be responsible for Medical Center administration issues such as ordering and providing specific delivery instructions. A letter of delegation that outlines the COR’s specific responsibilities will be provided to the Contractor and COR after contract award. Within 15 days after notification of contract award, the contractor shall meet with the COR to ensure mutual understanding of facility requirements relating to the ordering method and specific details of any delivery instructions that are included in the solicitation schedule.

Contractor shall provide, install and maintain Prime bulk oxygen tank (1500 gallon capacity) with appropriate back-up Reserve tank (500 gallon capacity). Contractor shall maintain prime bulk nitrogen (500 liter nitrogen tank). The bulk system shall automatically switch between the main and reserve tanks as necessary to maintain optimal levels while allowing for expansion of gas. Through the duration of the contract, the Contractor shall be liable for the integrity, suitability, and safety of Contractor-owned tank(s) that shall ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards and normal good practices.

The tank capacity and reserve tank shown in the schedule are minimum capacities required. Manifold, liquid converter, alarm switch, regulator, valves, level indicator, and any other devices or connections required for proper tie-ins with the facility’s gas system shall be furnished by the Contractor, without cost to the Government. The telemetry monitoring (if added through contract modification) shall also be required to operate on solar generated power. The manifold or liquid converter shall deliver gas at a pressure and rate of flow adequate to supply the system. Each liquid oxygen storage container shall have an outlet that allows access for testing the purity of the oxygen.

All equipment and materials required to perform on the contract shall be provided by the Contractor.

Contractor-owned equipment will be installed, inspected and maintained by the Contractor without additional cost to the Government. (i.e., all installation, inspection and maintenance costs shall be reflected in the contract’s monthly equipment rental fee for the applicable facility). Contractor-owned equipment shall be kept in good operating condition and appearance, in accordance with applicable regulations, standards, and normal good practices. Contractor will be provided reasonable access to the bulk oxygen systems for this purpose.

All Contractor-owned equipment shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 50: Standard for Bulk Oxygen Systems at Consumer Sites, the latest edition, NFPA 99 Standard for Health Care Facilities, latest edition, and FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) Regulations. The contractor shall comply with all OSHA standards and applicable safety requirements, including proper signage and use of personal protective equipment.

Delivery of Medical Liquid Bulk Oxygen and Medical Grade Nitrogen Bulk oxygen and nitrogen is ordered by and delivered to the Fayetteville Health Care Center (Fay-HCC) at Fayetteville, North Carolina. Information regarding delivery requirements is included in the solicitation Schedule.

Contractor shall deliver medical-grade liquid oxygen and nitrogen on an as required basis for the Fayetteville HCC and shall provide 24-hour notice prior to delivery, or upon mutual agreement between the COR and contractor. Additionally, alternate ordering/delivery methods such as pre-scheduled deliveries, calling for tank level readings, installing a telemetry unit, etc. may be arranged. If for any reason the contractor is unable to deliver at the agreed upon day or time, the contractor shall provide 24-hour notice to the COR, so that the facility can initiate an alternate backup action. In accordance with the latest VHA Patient Safety Alert, all deliveries will be monitored by a qualified and trained technical representative that will be designated by each facility. Contractor will be provided with names and contact information of primary and back-up facility representatives. This applies to all deliveries regardless of time or day of execution.

Tanks shall be filled to maximum functional capacity at each refilling procedure unless otherwise specified in the facility requirements or as agreed upon in a written document signed and dated by the

COR.

At the time of each delivery, contractor shall provide a legibly signed and dated written document that identifies the tank level prior to fill, the level after fill and the quantity delivered; this document will be counter-signed by the facility representative supervising the delivery.

Emergency delivery and/or repairs shall be provided within two (2) hours after receipt of Government notification. Contractor shall respond to the facility by either telephone or email within one hour to confirm receipt of emergency notification to ascertain the nature of the emergency. Emergency status is determined by the Government when conditions warrant, such as an actuated main bulk tank low level alarm, imminent alarm condition, or system leak. Failure of the contractor to remain current with agreed delivery schedule and requirements does not constitute an “emergency” for purposes of charging an emergency delivery fee.

Specific Requirements All medical gas manufacturers and fillers of medical gases shall be registered with FDA as drug manufacturers. All oxygen shall be manufactured, processed, packed, transported, and stored according to FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) regulations, and all labeling shall comply with FDA’s labeling regulations (21 CFR Part 201).

All liquid bulk oxygen delivered under the contract shall be medical-grade, meeting or exceeding the standards cited in the current edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia/National Formulary (U.S.P.).

A valid certificate of analysis shall be provided with each delivery of liquid oxygen. The certificate shall include, at a minimum:

a) Supplier’s name and complete address

b) Name of the Product (i.e. Oxygen U.S.P.)

c) An Air Liquefaction Statement where appropriate

d) Lot number or other unique identification number

e) Actual analytical results for full U.S.P. monograph testing. (A statement that only states that the product meets the minimum purity of 99.5%, etc. is not acceptable.)

f) Test method used to perform the analysis. (A statement such as “Meets U.S.P. specifications” is not acceptable; nor would “Tested via Servomex” be acceptable since the specific model number is not provided.)

g) Signature of authorized supplier representative and date.

Material Safety Data Sheets shall be provided to the facility COR upon request.

A copy of all inspection reports shall be provided to the facility COR upon the completion of any Contractor-owned or Government-owned bulk oxygen system inspections that are required by regulation.

All Contractor-owned equipment shall be maintained or repaired in accordance with NFPA 50: Standard for Bulk Oxygen Systems at Consumer Sites, latest edition, and FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) Regulations.

Applicable Regulations & Standards The following are of some of the regulations and standards applicable to this contract. The list is not comprehensive, and the Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all products, equipment, and services provided under the contract are in compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local regulations. If applicable, the editions in effect as of the date of this solicitation are listed. Contractor shall be responsible for remaining compliant with any future revisions that are effective at the time of contract performance.

Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 210 & 211 - CGMP regulations for supplying medical grade oxygen.

29 CFR 1910.104 - Applies to the installation of bulk oxygen systems on industrial and institutional consumer premises 49 CFR – Transportation Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act NFPA 50: Standard for Bulk Oxygen Systems at Consumer Sites, 2001 Edition NFPA 99: Standard for Health Care Facilities, 2002 Edition U.S.P. 23

(End of SOW)

B.3 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM

FAR 42.1502 directs all Federal agencies to collect past performance information on contracts. The Department of Veterans Affairs has implemented use of the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to comply with this regulation. One or more past performance evaluations will be conducted to record your contract performance as required by FAR 42.15

The past performance evaluation process is a totally paperless process using CPARS. CPARS is a web-based system that allows for electronic processing of the performance evaluation report. Once the report is processed, it is available in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) for Government use in evaluating past performance as part of a source selection action.

Please furnish the Contracting Officer with the name, position title, phone number, and email address for each person designated to have access to your firm’s past performance evaluation(s) for the contract no later than 30 days after award. Each person granted access will have the ability to provide comments in the Contractor portion of the report and state whether the Contractor agrees with the evaluation, before returning the report to the Assessing Official. The report information must be protected as source selection sensitive information not releasable to the public.

When your Contractor Representative(s) (Past Performance Points of Contact) are registered in CPARS, they will receive an automatically-generated email with detailed login instructions. Further details, system requirements, and training information for CPARS are available at www.cpars.gov. The CPARS User Manual, registration for online training for Contractor Representatives may be found at this site.

Within 60 days after the end of a performance period, the Contracting Officer will complete an interim or final past performance evaluation and the report will be accessible at www.cpars.gov Contractor

Representatives may then provide comments in response to the evaluation, or return the evaluation without comment. Comments are limited to the space provided in Block 22. Your comments should focus on objective facts in the Assessing Official’s narrative and should provide your views on the causes and ramifications of the assessed performance. In addition to the ratings and supporting narratives, blocks 1- 17 should be reviewed for accuracy, as these include key fields that will be used by the Government to identify your firm in future source selection evaluations. If you elect not to provide comments, please acknowledge receipt of the evaluation by indicating, “No Comment” in Block 22, and then signing and dating Block 23 of the form. Without a statement in Block 22, you will be unable to sign and submit the evaluation back to the Government. If you do not sign and submit the CPAR within 30 days, it will automatically be returned to the Government and will be annotated: “The report was delivered/received by the contractor on (date). The contractor neither signed nor offered comment in response to this assessment.” Your response is due within 30 calendar days after receipt of the CPAR.

The following guidelines apply concerning your use of the past performance evaluation:

(1) Protect the evaluation as “source selection information.” After review, transit the evaluation by completing and submitting the form through CPARS. If for some reason you are unable to view and/or submit the form through CPARS, contact the Contracting Officer for instructions.

(2) Strictly control access to the evaluation within your organization. Ensure the evaluation is never released to persons or entities outside of your control.

(3) Prohibit the use of or reference to evaluation data for advertising, promotional material, pre-award surveys, responsibility determination, production readiness reviews, or other similar purposes.

If you wish to discuss a past performance evaluation, you should request a meeting in writing to the Contracting Officer no later than seven days following your receipt of the evaluation. The meeting will be held in person or via telephone or other means during your 30-day review period.

A copy of the completed past performance evaluation will be available in CPARS for your viewing and for Government use supporting source selection actions after it has been completed.

(End of Notice)

B.4 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

The contractor shall be responsible for all supervision, tools, equipment, travel, labor, and materials necessary to provide bulk oxygen and nitrogen vessels and associated gas deliveries.

Offers shall propose prices for all of the following Contract Line Item Numbers:

Base Year: 10/1/2018 - 9/30/2019

Line Service QTY Unit Unit Price Total Price

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

1500G BULK OXYGEN VESSEL

WITH 24 CYLINDER RESERVE

12 Months $ $

OXYGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK 19,500 GL $ $

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

450L MICROBULK NITROGEN

SKID PACK WITH 6 CYLINDER

RESERVE

12 Months $ $

0004 NITROGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK

5,850 LI $ $

Base Year Total Price:

Option Year 1: 10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

1500G BULK OXYGEN VESSEL

WITH 24 CYLINDER RESERVE

12 Months $ $

OXYGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK

19,500 GL $ $

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

450L MICROBULK NITROGEN

SKID PACK WITH 6 CYLINDER

RESERVE

12 Months $ $

1004 NITROGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

Option Year 1 Total Price:

Option Year 2: 10/1/2020 - 9/30/2021

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

1500G BULK OXYGEN VESSEL

WITH 24 CYLINDER RESERVE

12 Months $ $

2002 OXYGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK

19,500 GL $ $

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

450L MICROBULK NITROGEN

SKID PACK WITH 6 CYLINDER

RESERVE

12 Months $ $

NITROGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK 5,850 LI $ $

Option Year 2 Total Price:

Option Year 3: 10/1/2021 - 9/30/2022

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

1500G BULK OXYGEN VESSEL

WITH 24 CYLINDER RESERVE

12 Months $ $

OXYGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK 19,500 GL $ $

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

450L MICROBULK NITROGEN

SKID PACK WITH 6 CYLINDER

RESERVE

12 Months $ $

NITROGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

Option Year 3 Total Price:

Option Year 4: 10/1/2022 - 9/30/2023

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

1500G BULK OXYGEN VESSEL

WITH 24 CYLINDER RESERVE

12 Months $ $

4002 OXYGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK

19,500 GL $ $

MONTHLY FACILITY FEE FOR

450L MICROBULK NITROGEN

SKID PACK WITH 6 CYLINDER

RESERVE

12 Months $ $

NITROGEN, MEDICAL GRADE,

BULK 5,850 LI $ $

Option Year 4 Total Price:

Total Contract Price (Base + Option Years): $

B.5 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

ITEM NUMBER

PERIOD OF

PERFORMANCE

0001 -

Fayetteville, NC 28304

10/1/2018 - 9/30/2019

1001-

10/1/2019 - 9/30/2020

2001-

10/1/2020 - 9/30/2021

3001-

10/1/2021 - 9/30/2022

4001-

10/1/2022 - 9/30/2023

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Clauses 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 clauses are incorporated into 52.212-4 as an addendum to this contract:

C.1 52.203-16 PREVENTING PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (DEC

2011)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

"Acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions" means supporting or providing advice or recommendations with regard to the following activities of a Federal agency:

(1) Planning acquisitions.

(2) Determining what supplies or services are to be acquired by the Government, including developing statements of work.

(3) Developing or approving any contractual documents, to include documents defining requirements, incentive plans, and evaluation criteria.

(4) Evaluating contract proposals.

(5) Awarding Government contracts.

(6) Administering contracts (including ordering changes or giving technical direction in contract performance or contract quantities, evaluating contractor performance, and accepting or rejecting contractor products or services).

(7) Terminating contracts.

(8) Determining whether contract costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable.

"Covered employee" means an individual who performs an acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions and is—

(1) An employee of the contractor; or

(2) A subcontractor that is a self-employed individual treated as a covered employee of the contractor because there is no employer to whom such an individual could submit the required disclosures.

"Non-public information" means any Government or third-party information that—

(1) Is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) or otherwise protected from disclosure by statute, Executive order, or regulation; or

(2) Has not been disseminated to the general public and the Government has not yet determined whether the information can or will be made available to the public.

"Personal conflict of interest" means a situation in which a covered employee has a financial interest, personal activity, or relationship that could impair the employee's ability to act impartially and in the best interest of the Government when performing under the contract. (A de minimis interest that would not "impair the employee's ability to act impartially and in the best interest of the Government" is not covered under this definition.)

(1) Among the sources of personal conflicts of interest are—

(i) Financial interests of the covered employee, of close family members, or of other members of the covered employee's household;

(ii) Other employment or financial relationships (including seeking or negotiating for prospective employment or business); and

(iii) Gifts, including travel.

(2) For example, financial interests referred to in paragraph (1) of this definition may arise from—

(i) Compensation, including wages, salaries, commissions, professional fees, or fees for business referrals;

(ii) Consulting relationships (including commercial and professional consulting and service arrangements, scientific and technical advisory board memberships, or serving as an expert witness in litigation);

(iii) Services provided in exchange for honorariums or travel expense reimbursements;

(iv) Research funding or other forms of research support;

(v) Investment in the form of stock or bond ownership or partnership interest (excluding diversified mutual fund investments);

(vi) Real estate investments;

(vii) Patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property interests; or

(viii) Business ownership and investment interests.

(b) Requirements. The Contractor shall—

(1) Have procedures in place to screen covered employees for potential personal conflicts of interest, by—

(i) Obtaining and maintaining from each covered employee, when the employee is initially assigned to the task under the contract, a disclosure of interests that might be affected by the task to which the employee has been assigned, as follows:

(A) Financial interests of the covered employee, of close family members, or of other members of the covered employee's household.

(B) Other employment or financial relationships of the covered employee (including seeking or negotiating for prospective employment or business).

(C) Gifts, including travel; and

(ii) Requiring each covered employee to update the disclosure statement whenever the employee's personal or financial circumstances change in such a way that a new personal conflict of interest might occur because of the task the covered employee is performing.

(2) For each covered employee—

(i) Prevent personal conflicts of interest, including not assigning or allowing a covered employee to perform any task under the contract for which the Contractor has identified a personal conflict of interest for the employee that the Contractor or employee cannot satisfactorily prevent or mitigate in consultation with the contracting agency;

(ii) Prohibit use of non-public information accessed through performance of a Government contract for personal gain; and

(iii) Obtain a signed non-disclosure agreement to prohibit disclosure of non-public information accessed through performance of a Government contract.

(3) Inform covered employees of their obligation—

(i) To disclose and prevent personal conflicts of interest;

(ii) Not to use non-public information accessed through performance of a Government contract for personal gain; and

(iii) To avoid even the appearance of personal conflicts of interest;

(4) Maintain effective oversight to verify compliance with personal conflict-of-interest safeguards;

(5) Take appropriate disciplinary action in the case of covered employees who fail to comply with policies established pursuant to this clause; and

(6) Report to the Contracting Officer any personal conflict-of-interest violation by a covered employee as soon as it is identified. This report shall include a description of the violation and the proposed actions to be taken by the Contractor in response to the violation. Provide follow-up reports of corrective actions taken, as necessary. Personal conflict-of-interest violations include—

(i) Failure by a covered employee to disclose a personal conflict of interest;

(ii) Use by a covered employee of non-public information accessed through performance of a Government contract for personal gain; and

(iii) Failure of a covered employee to comply with the terms of a non-disclosure agreement.

(c) Mitigation or waiver. (1) In exceptional circumstances, if the Contractor cannot satisfactorily prevent a personal conflict of interest as required by paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this clause, the Contractor may submit a request through the Contracting Officer to the Head of the Contracting Activity for—

(i) Agreement to a plan to mitigate the personal conflict of interest; or

(ii) A waiver of the requirement.

(2) The Contractor shall include in the request any proposed mitigation of the personal conflict of interest.

(3) The Contractor shall—

(i) Comply, and require compliance by the covered employee, with any conditions imposed by the Government as necessary to mitigate the personal conflict of interest; or

(ii) Remove the Contractor employee or subcontractor employee from performance of the contract or terminate the applicable subcontract.

(d) Subcontract flowdown. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts—

(1) That exceed $250,000; and

(2) In which subcontractor employees will perform acquisition functions closely associated with inherently governmental functions (i.e., instead of performance only by a self-employed individual).

(End of Clause)

C.2 52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS AND

REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

(APR 2014)

(a) This contract and employees working on this contract will be subject to the whistleblower rights and remedies in the pilot program on Contractor employee whistleblower protections established at 41 U.S.C.

4712 by section 828 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Pub. L. 112–239) and FAR 3.908.

(b) The Contractor shall inform its employees in writing, in the predominant language of the workforce, of employee whistleblower rights and protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712, as described in section 3.908 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts over the simplified acquisition threshold.

(End of Clause)

C.3 52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON RECYCLED PAPER

(MAY 2011)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

"Postconsumer fiber" means— (1) Paper, paperboard, and fibrous materials from retail stores, office buildings, homes, and so forth, after they have passed through their end-usage as a consumer item, including: used corrugated boxes; old newspapers; old magazines; mixed waste paper; tabulating cards;

and used cordage; or

(2) All paper, paperboard, and fibrous materials that enter and are collected from municipal solid waste; but not

(3) Fiber derived from printers' over-runs, converters' scrap, and over-issue publications.

(b) The Contractor is required to submit paper documents, such as offers, letters, or reports that are printed or copied double-sided on paper containing at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber, whenever practicable, when not using electronic commerce methods to submit information or data to the Government.

(End of Clause)

C.4 52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2023.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods only if authorized in the Schedule.

(End of Clause)

C.5 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $100, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor—

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $20, 000;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $35,000; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 3 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph

(b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 2 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(End of Clause)

C.6 52.216-21 REQUIREMENTS (OCT 1995)

(a) This is a requirements contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies or services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract. Except as this contract may otherwise provide, if the Government's requirements do not result in orders in the quantities described as "estimated" or "maximum" in the Schedule, that fact shall not constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. Subject to any limitations in the Order Limitations clause or elsewhere in this contract, the Contractor shall furnish to the Government all supplies or services specified in the Schedule and called for by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(c) Except as this contract otherwise provides, the Government shall order from the Contractor all the supplies or services specified in the Schedule that are required to be purchased by the Government activity or activities specified in the Schedule.

(d) The Government is not required to purchase from the Contractor requirements in excess of any limit on total orders under this contract.

(e) If the Government urgently requires delivery of any quantity of an item before the earliest date that delivery may be specified under this contract, and if the Contractor will not accept an order providing for the accelerated delivery, the Government may acquire the urgently required goods or services from another source.

(f) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 9/30/2023.

(End of Clause)

C.7 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 30 days.

(End of Clause)

C.8 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 30 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 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 (5) years.

(End of Clause)

C.9 52.232-18 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (APR 1984)

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

(End of Clause)

C.10 52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL

BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS (DEC 2013)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment Act.

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items.

(End of Clause)

C.11 VAAR 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.

(End of Clause)

C.12 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2016)(DEVIATION)

(a) Definition. For the Department of Veterans Affairs, “Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern or SDVSOB”:

(1) Means a small business concern:

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or eligible surviving spouses (see VAAR 802.201 Surviving Spouse definition);

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

(iii) The business meets Federal small business size standards for the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code identified in the solicitation document;

(iv) The business has been verified for ownership and control pursuant to 38 CFR 74 and is so listed in the Vendor Information Pages database, (https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov); and

(v) The business will comply with subcontracting limitations in 13 CFR 125.6, as applicable

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

(b) General.

(1) Offers are solicited only from verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns.

Offers received from concerns that are not verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns shall not be considered.

(2) Any award resulting from this solicitation shall be made to a verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern.

(c) Agreement. A service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern agrees that in the performance of the contract, the concern will comply with the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR §125.6.

(d) A joint venture may be considered a service-disabled veteran owned small business concern if the joint venture complies with the requirements in 13 CFR 125.15, provided that any reference therein to SDVO SBC is to be construed to apply to a VA verified SDVOSB as appropriate.

(e) Any service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern (non-manufacturer) must meet the requirements in FAR 19.102(f) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to receive a benefit under this program.

(End of Clause)

C.13 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING -

MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

(a) This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

(b) Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 125.6, or the limitations on subcontracting requirements in the FAR clause, as applicable. The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to Contractor's offices where the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the Contractor's compliance with this requirement.

(c) All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the Contracting Officer in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs.

(d) Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the Contracting Officer to assess the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

(End of clause)

C.14 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT

REQUESTS (NOV 2012)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

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

(2) Designated agency office has the meaning given in 5 CFR 1315.2(m).

(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.

(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. (See Web site at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.)

(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).

The X12 EDI Web site (http://www.x12.org) includes additional information on EDI 810 and 811 formats.

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

(e) Exceptions. If, based on one of the circumstances below, 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.

(End of Clause)

C.15 VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984)

The contractor shall obtain all necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform this work. He/she shall take all reasonable precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. He/she shall be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by his/her employees fault or negligence, and shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance having coverage for a limit as required by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Further, it is agreed that any negligence of the Government, its officers, agents, servants and employees, shall not be the responsibility of the contractor hereunder with the regard to any claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability resulting there from.

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.16 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(JAN 2018)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(3) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(4) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108- 78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting…