36C24625Q1161.docx

36C24625Q1161

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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.

UEI:

EFT:

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. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

36C24625Q1161 09-16-2025 Dave Hoover None 09-22-2025 4:00pm

EDT

Natasha Leahy Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton VA 23667 X 621111 $16 Million N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Charles George VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Rd.

Asheville NC 28805 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton VA 23667

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center

PO BOX 149971

Austin TX 78714-9971 512-460-5049 512-460-5221 X See CONTINUATION Page This is a service request for off site Pathology - Autopsy service, that must be less than 100 miles from the Charles George VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC.

Proposals due 9/22/2025 before 4:00pm

POP: 10/1/2025 - 9/30/2026

OY1: 10/1/2026 - 9/30/2027

OY2:

10/1/2027 - 9/30/2028

OY3: 10/1/2028 - 9/30/2029

OY4: 10/1/2029 - 9/30/2030

See CONTINUATION Page X X X Natasha Leahy Contracting Officer Table of Contents

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 Natasha Leahy Department of Veterans Affairs 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:

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:

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Autopsy - Pathology Service Off-site for Charles George VA Medical Center.

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 10-01-2025 POP End: 09-30-2026 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 621111 - Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: Q515 - Medical - Pathology

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: 0001

Autopsy - Pathology Service Off-site for Charles George VA Medical Center.

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 10-01-2026 POP End: 09-30-2027 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 621111 - Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Autopsy - Pathology Service Off-site for Charles George VA Medical Center.

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 10-01-2027 POP End: 09-30-2028 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 621111 - Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Autopsy - Pathology Service Off-site for Charles George VA Medical Center.

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 10-01-2028 POP End: 09-30-2029 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 621111 - Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Autopsy - Pathology Service Off-site for Charles George VA Medical Center.

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 10-01-2029 POP End: 09-30-2030 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 621111 - Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists)

Page 1 of

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Performance Work Statement

OFF-SITE AUTOPSY SERVICES

Charles George VA Medical Center Asheville, NC

1.0 Description of Services

The Charles George VAMC (CGVAMC) requires Off-Site Autopsy services. The contractor shall be responsible for having an ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologists) board certified Anatomic Pathologist perform the autopsy. Also, the facility performing the autopsy must be CAP (College of American Pathology) accredited. The estimated number of autopsy cases per year is 2-4.

The location of the site performing the autopsies must be less than 100 miles from CGVAMC (1100 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC) so that the deceased bodies can be transported to and returned from in the same day.

1.1 Definitions and Acronyms

1.1.1 Contracting Officer (CO) - The CO shall ensure performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensure compliance with the contract terms, and shall safeguard the interests of the United States in the contractual relationship. The CO shall also assure that the contractor receives impartial, fair, and equitable treatment under this contract. The CO is ultimately responsible for the final determination of the adequacy of the contractor’s performance.

1.1.2 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) - The COR is responsible for technical administration of the contract and shall assure proper Government surveillance of the contractor’s performance. The COR shall keep a quality assurance file. At the conclusion of the contract or when requested by the CO, the COR shall provide documentation to the CO. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments or to authorize any contractual changes on the Government’s behalf. The contractor shall refer any changes they deem may affect contract price, terms, or conditions to the CO for action. The COR shall be appointed via separate letter. The COR shall be responsible for the effective oversight of this contract to ensure satisfactory contractor performance and protect the public trust. A copy of the COR Appointment letter shall be provided to the Contractor after contract award and shall contain detailed information in regard to the COR and their associated duties, responsibilities and authorities.

1.1.3 Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) - CPARS is a web-enabled application that collects and manages the library of automated Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs). A CPAR assesses a contractor's performance and provides a record, both positive and negative, on a given contractor during a specific period of time. Each assessment is based on objective facts and supported by program and contract management data, such as cost performance reports, customer comments, quality reviews, technical interchange meetings, financial solvency assessments, construction/production management reviews, contractor operations reviews, functional performance evaluations, and earned contract incentives

1.1.4 Government-furnished property - means property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently furnished to the contractor for performance of a contract. Government-furnished property includes, but is not limited to, spares and property furnished for repair, maintenance, overhaul, or modification. Government-furnished property also includes contractor-acquired property if the contractor-acquired property is a deliverable under a cost contract when accepted by the Government for continued use under the contract.

1.1.5 Government Property - Means all property owned or leased by the Government. Government property includes both Government-furnished property and contractor-acquired property. Government property includes material, equipment, special tooling, special test equipment, and real property. Government property does not include intellectual property and software.

1.1.6 Indefinite Quantity Contract - An indefinite-quantity contract provides for an indefinite quantity, within stated limits, of supplies or services during a fixed period. The Government places orders for individual requirements. Quantity limits may be stated as number of units or as dollar values.

1.1.7 Loss of Government Property - means unintended, unforeseen or accidental loss, damage, or destruction of Government property that reduces the Government’s expected economic benefits of the property. Loss of Government property does not include occurrences such as purposeful destructive testing, obsolescence, normal wear and tear, or manufacturing defects. Loss of Government property includes, but is not limited to— (a). Items that cannot be found after a reasonable search;

(b). Theft:

(c). Damage resulting in unexpected harm to property requiring repair to restore the item to usable condition; or (d). Destruction resulting from incidents that render the item useless for its intended purpose or beyond economical repair.

1.1.8 Nonpersonal Service Contract - means a contract under which the personnel rendering the services are not subject, either by the contract’s terms or by the manner of its administration, to the supervision and control usually prevailing in relationships between the Government and its employees.

1.1.9 Performance Work Statement (PWS) - means a statement of work for performance-based acquisitions that describes the required results in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes.

1.1.10 “Services Summary” or “Acceptable Quality Levels” (AQL) The minimum level of acceptable performance that the contractor must meet and still be considered a satisfactory performer

1.1.11 “Task-Order Contract” means a contract for services that does not procure or specify a firm quantity of services (other than a minimum or maximum quantity) and that provides for the issuance of orders for the performance of tasks during the period of the contract.

1.1.12 Task Order (TO) - An individual requirement for services issued against an existing contract.

Note: additional definitions can be found throughout the FAR (2.101) and Sups,

1.2 Acronyms-list and spell out acronyms used in PWS

2.0 Services Summary

The Contractor shall be responsible for performing clinical autopsies for the Charles George VA Medical Center. At a minimum, the contractor shall be responsible for providing all (to include, but not limited to) labor, supplies, equipment and supervision to ensure the successful performance of all requirements contained within this PWS VA. At a minimum, the contractor support personnel shall be required to:

2.1 Tasks to be Performed

2.1.1. The Contractor must be available to perform autopsies during normal business hours Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm.

2.1.2 Autopsies must be performed in accordance with College of American Pathology (CAP) and American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASC) standards and guidelines.

2.2 Contractor Responsibilities

2.2.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for the following, to include but not limited to:

2.2.2 Upon receiving a request for an autopsy, the Contractor will coordinate the timing of the autopsy with a CGVAMC Pathologist.

2.2.3 The Contractor will provide a preliminary autopsy report to a CGVAMC Pathologist within 3 business days of autopsy completion.

2.2.4 The Contractor will provide a full autopsy report to the CGVAMC within 60 calendar days of autopsy completion.

2.2.5 The Contractor must have the deceased body acceptably prepared for presentation to the family and/or funeral home upon return to the CGVAMC.

2.2.6 Communications with the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance.

2.2.7 The Contractor shall provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services.

2.3 Support Personnel Requirements and Qualifications

2.3.1 The Contractor Shall submit CVs of Pathologist who may be performing the autopsies.

2.3.2 Contractor shall provide the COR copies of Pathologist License and laboratory accreditations upon request

3.0 Deliverables

3.1.1 Preliminary autopsy reports within 3 business days of autopsy completion.

3.1.2 Full autopsy reports with 60 calendar days of autopsy completion.

3.1.3 Submit invoices through the VA Invoice Payment Processing System (IPPS) within 30 calendar days of autopsy completion.

4.0 Quarterly Reporting:

The Contractor may be asked to submit a Quarterly Report for each Active Task Order.

a. Any billing/invoice issues

b. Reflect a Declining Balance on Delivery/Task Order Level

c. Invoice Log on Delivery/Task Order Level

d. A copy of all applicable invoices for reporting period that have been or will be submitted electronically for payment.

4.1 Criteria for Acceptance. All deliverables shall be submitted in a draft format mutually agreed upon by the Contractor and the Government

5.0 Working hours

5.1 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays.

5.2 Government agencies will not be available during scheduled holidays, inclement weather, weekends, after duty hours. All chargeable work will be directly attributable to the task being performed by the individual.

5.3 Scheduled Holidays. New Year’s Day; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday; President’s Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran’s Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.

6.0 Privacy and Compliance Language Required:

6.1 Any contractor and/or subcontractor retained to do work for VA under this Contract that requires the access, use, storage, modification, or transmission of VA Sensitive Personal Information (SPI) must follow and adhere to the security controls, enhancements, compensating controls, protocols, regulations, and VA directions as the Contracting Officer (CO) shall direct, including, but not limited to those derived from the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), OMB Circular No. A-130, and VA Handbook 6500/6500.6. The contractor must report any data breach according to the protocols and timeframes in HB 6500.

6.2 If any contractor/sub-contractor retained to do work for VA under this Contract requires access, use, etc., of VA SPI as aforesaid, and if an actionable data breach occurs because of the contractor/subcontractor’s acts, omissions, or negligence in following the VA directed security controls, enhancements, compensating controls, protocols, and/or measures, including, but not limited to the sources above, the contractor/subcontractor is further subject to the statutory requirement to assess liquidated damages against contractors and/or subcontractors under 38 U.S.C. §5725 in the event of a breach of Sensitive Personal Information (SPI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Said liquidated damages shall be assessed at $37.50 per affected Veteran or beneficiary. A breach in this context includes the unauthorized acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of VA SPI which compromises not only the information’s security or privacy but that of the Veteran or beneficiary as well as the potential exposure or wrongful disclosure of such information as a result of a failure to follow proper data security controls and protocols. The preceding shall only apply if any contractor/subcontractor retained must access, use, store, modify, or transmit VA-owned SPI in the course of providing services, etc. to VA under this Contract.

6.3 The vendor has responsibility for “Duty to Report” any fraud, waste and abuse witnessed while on VA premises to the Integrity and Compliance Officer" to the SOW.

6.4 The vendor’s service representatives must comply with the facility’s requirements for onsite vendor representatives. This may require a low risk background investigation by federal authorities paid for by the vendor.

B.4 SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

A. WORK HOURS.

The services covered by this contract shall be furnished by the contractor as defined herein. The contractor shall not be required, except in case of emergency, to furnish such services on Federal Holidays or during off duty hours as described below.

The following terms have the following meanings:

2.1. Normal working hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays. The 11 holidays observed by the Federal Government are:

New Year’s Day Martin Luther King’s Day President’s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas

Work outside these hours must be prescheduled and approved by the COR.

When one of the holidays falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a Federal Holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a Federal Holiday.

Smoking Policy Per VHA Directive 1085 Dated 3/15/19 All VA Health Care Facilities shall be smoke free. This directive applies to all patients, visitors, contractors, volunteers, and vendors.

B. BILLING AND PAYMENT.

To allow time for review and acceptance of reports and all services, the Contractor shall invoice monthly in arears with proper invoice.

Invoices shall include at a minimum:

· Date of invoice

· Contract Number

· Purchase Order Number

· Vendor Name

· Invoice Number

· CLIN & Date of service

C. CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REPORTING SYSTEM (CPARS).

(a) FAR 42.1502 direct 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

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) 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.

D. QUALITY CONTROL

The Contractor shall develop a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) which will provide the Contractor’s strategy for monitoring performance internally, providing performance information to the Government, and reporting in compliance with the PWS. Within the QAP, the Contractor shall propose and maintain an established reporting system to promptly notify VA of any problems, issues, risks, or concerns with workflow performance, programmatic improvement, security, and schedule adherence. Quality control is the exclusive responsibility of the Contractor. The final plan shall be submitted to the CO and COR within 30 days of contract award.

E. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

The Government intends to utilize a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) to monitor the quality of the contractor’s performance. The oversight provided for in the order and in the QASP will help to ensure that service levels reach and maintain the required levels throughout the contract term. Further, the QASP provides the COR with a proactive way to avoid unacceptable or deficient performance and provides verifiable input for the required Past Performance Information Assessments. The QASP will be finalized immediately following award. The QASP is a living document and may be updated by the Government as necessary.

F. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

A full background check is not required for this position; however, all contract employees must bring photo identification and advance notice from the required service to obtain a VA Badge in order to work on a VA Facility. Upon award, the CO shall provide the contractor with detailed instructions on fulfilling security requirements.

G. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

Notwithstanding the Contractor's responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the Government and the Contractor. The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements of this contract. The Contractor shall communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue changes that shall affect price, quantity or quality of performance of this contract.

The COR/POC shall be responsible for the overall technical administration of this contract as outlined in the COR Delegation of Authority.

IN THE EVENT THE CONTRACTOR EFFECTS ANY SUCH CHANGE AT THE DIRECTION OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE CONTRACTING OFFICER WITHOUT AUTHORITY, NO ADJUSTMENT SHALL BE MADE IN THE CONTRACT PRICE TO COVER AN INCREASE IN COSTS INCURRED AS A RESULT THEREOF

POINTS OF CONTACT

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES 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 52.252-2 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/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Clause)

C.2 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.3 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 60 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 one (1) year.

(End of Clause)

C.4 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

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

(End of Clause) (End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

See attached document: Wage Determination for Contract - Asheville_Buncombe 12-23-2024.

See attached document: QASP_1.

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:

E.1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

FAR SUBPART 13.5 SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES

Note that FAR part 13.5 Simplified Acquisitions Procedures for Certain Commercial items procedures will be used. A contractor may be eliminated from consideration without further exchanges if technical and/or pricing quotes are not among those Offerors considered most advantageous to the Government based on a best value determination.

“System updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations. Examples include 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance, and paragraph (d) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Contracting officers will not consider these representations when making award decisions or enforce requirements. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.”

INSTRUCTIONS FOR QUOTE SUBMISSION: Quoters shall submit their quote via email to David Hoover at david.hoover5@va.gov by 2:00 PM, EST, September 22, 2025. Quotes shall be assembled by the following Sections: each section shall be easily identified.

1. Submission of Offers:

0. Offers shall be based on requirements contained in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Offers shall include:

1. Offer Form (Standard Form 1449) – Original Signature and Date, Contract Administration Data; SAM UEI Number; Acknowledgement of Solicitation Amendments

1. A completed price/cost schedule and attachments addressing all Contract Line Items Numbers (CLINSs).

1. System for Award Management (SAM): Federal Acquisition Regulations require that federal contractors register in the SAM database at http://www.sam.gov and enter all mandatory information into the system. Award cannot be made until the contractor has registered. Offerors are required to be registered in SAM prior to submitting their quotation.

1. SITE VISIT: Offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. A formal site visit WILL NOT be conducted. In no event, shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

1. Amendments: Amendments to this solicitation will be posted in the Contract Opportunities Database at http://www.sam.gov Paper copies of the amendments will NOT be individually mailed. Potential Offerors are advised that they are responsible for obtaining and acknowledging any amendments to the solicitation. FAILURE to acknowledge an amendment may result in your offer being considered unacceptable.

QUOTE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Section A - Quote Form (Standard Form 1449) Signed and dated, include the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard in Block 10. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number shall be entered in the block with the Offerors’ name and address.

Section B – Pricing Pricing shall be submitted as requested in accordance with Section B, Price/Cost Schedule. Total price (including all options) will be evaluated by the Government; proposed prices should reflect a clear understanding of the requirements and commensurate with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Section C – Offerors Representations and Certifications A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the quoter shall complete electronically). A quoter shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the quoter has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at www.sam.gov/.

All Quoters shall be registered and current in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at time of award.

Section D – Technical/Management Approach Offerors shall submit a quote that addresses all aspects of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

The quoter shall identify any subcontractors proposed under this solicitation. All technical elements applicable to the utilization of subcontractors must be addressed in the technical quote and detail provided.

The technical quote should be as detailed as necessary to fully explain the proposed methods and rationale; it should reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken. The technical quote shall include information on how the project is to be organized, staffed, and managed.

The Technical Volume shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length (minimum 12-point font and no less than ½ inch margins). Page limitation includes any drawings, charts, images, etc., and excludes section dividers, table of contents, glossary of terms, cross-referencing indices, and resumes. If more than 25 pages (not counting excluded pages) are submitted, only the first 25 pages will be considered.

Section E – Past Performance Please provide three (3) references of work-similar in scope. Identify all federal, state, and local government contracts as well as any private/commercial contracts of similar scope, size, complexity that are ongoing or have been completed within the last three years. List the following information for each contract:

· Company Name and Address

· Description of Services Performed

· State whether work was performed as a prime contractor or subcontractor.

· Name, Telephone Number and Email Address of Responsible individuals who have first-hand knowledge of performance relative to similar type of services.

· Dates of Contract Performance

· Contract Type (e.g., fixed price, cost reimbursable) and total contract value.

Failure to submit a complete proposal may result in a technically unacceptable determination.

AWARD BASIS AND EVALUATION METHOD:

By submission of its quote, the offeror accedes to all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors. Failure to meet a requirement may result in an offer being ineligible for award. The contract will be awarded to the quoter with the lowest price technically acceptable offer based on the factors listed below. A rating of “acceptable” or “unacceptable” will be assigned to each non-priced factor.

The Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

Evaluation Factors - The following factors apply to this procurement:

FACTOR I - TECHNICAL:

· Offeror shall be evaluated based on their technical capability and approach for completing the requirements in the PWS. Evaluation will include but not limited to the firm’s ability to provide the full range of services as outlined in the PWS. This comprises of management and operation (safety procedures, staff training plans etc.) to include start up time needed between notice of award and start of service.

· Capability to Perform - Offeror must demonstrate that it currently possesses or can obtain the personnel, equipment, standards, work processes, licenses/permits/certifications, and general resources to accomplish all requirements of the PWS.

· Provide a detailed Contingency Plan outlining continuation of services in the event of issues with personnel, contractor equipment, production facility failure, or any circumstance that would impact the contractor’s ability to successful perform the services and/or requirements in the PWS.

· Upon receiving a request for an autopsy, the Contractor will coordinate the timing of the autopsy with a CGVAMC Pathologist. The Contractor will provide a preliminary autopsy report to a CGVAMC Pathologist within 3 business days of autopsy completion. The Contractor must have the deceased body acceptably prepared for presentation to the family and/or funeral home upon return to the CGVAMC.

· Communications with the CO and COR conflicts of interest at the time of proposal and during the entirety of contract performance. The Contractor shall provide statements containing the same information for any identified consultants or subcontractors who shall provide services.

FACTOR II - PAST PERFORMANCE:

Past performance information will be utilized to determine the quality of the contractor’s past performance as it relates to the probability of success of the required effort. The Government will evaluate customer satisfaction, responsiveness to customer needs, and past demonstration of meeting delivery schedules and the delivery of quality services. Emphasis will be on recent, relevant past performance in the previous three (3) years performed as the prime contractor. Recent is defined as AUTOPSY-PATHOLOGY SERVICES work performed within the last three (3) years. Relevant is defined as work similar in size and scope of the work described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Past performance information is one indicator of an offeror’s ability to perform the contract successfully. Current and relevant information, source of information, context of data, and general trends in Contractor’s performance shall be considered as it pertains to the performance of work described in this solicitation. Offerors may provide information on problems encountered on identified contracts and the offeror’s corrective action. The Government shall consider this information as well as information obtained from any other sources when evaluating the offeror’s past performance.

Since the Government may not necessarily interview all the sources provided by the offerors, it is incumbent upon the offeror to explain the relevance of the data provided. Offerors are reminded that the Government may elect to consider data obtained from other sources.

Offerors with no relevant past performance or for whom information is not available, shall not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance, but may be considered less favorably than an offeror with favorable performance history.

FACTOR III - PRICE:

0. Offerors prices shall be submitted in accordance with the Price/Cost Schedule comprised within Section B of the solicitation document. Total price will be evaluated by the Government. In evaluating the offeror’s proposed price for this service, the government concern includes determining price reasonableness. Offeror must complete the pricing for line items for the excel spreadsheet located in section D.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Offerors should submit all technical questions regarding this solicitation to the Contracting Officer in writing, via email, to David Hoover at david.hoover5@va.gov on or before 12 pm EST, September 18, 2025.

Address Subject Line: OFF SITE – AUTOPSY – PATHOLOGY SERVICES, ASHEVILLE, NC, VAMC 36C24625Q1161-2.

Telephonic (verbal) questions Will Not be addressed.

All responses to questions, which may affect quotes, will be incorporated into a written amendment to the solicitation. Amendments to this solicitation will be posted on www.sam.gov. Paper copies of the amendments will NOT be individually mailed. By registering to receive notifications on www.sam.gov, offerors will be notified by email of any new amendments that have been issued. No other notification of amendments will be provided. Potential Offerors are advised that they are responsible for obtaining and acknowledging any amendments to the solicitation. Failure to acknowledge an amendment may result in your quote being considered unacceptable.

Facsimile are not authorized under this announcement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Representations. The Offeror represents that—

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

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

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

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered…