S02 RFQ 36C24626Q0499_1 Posted 22JUL26.docx

36C24626Q0499

VAMC DURHAM

AIR MONITORING SERVICE

FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL

SOLICITATION

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.

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

558-26-2-6513-0028 36C24626Q0499 07-22-2026 Cleveland Wynne 757-728-7054 07-31-2026 10:00am

EDT

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton VA 23667 X X 541620 $19 Million

NET 30

N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs VAMC Durham 508 Fulton St Durham NC 27705 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 See CONTINUATION Page Durham VAMC Air Monitoring for Asbestos

- Containing Floor Tile and Mastic Removal This is a 100% Small Business set-aside.

See Schedule for Services for Pricing.

See Instructions for Offerors.

Indicate any and all discounts on quotation.

Offeror must ensure that the wages are paid to employees, at a minimum per attached WDOL's Wage Determinations.

See CONTINUATION Page 558-3660162-6593-850300-2580 0100A0101 X X X Cleveland Wynne 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 Cleveland Wynne

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.

https://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veteransaffairs/

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

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Air Monitoring Services Durham VA Health Care System - Building 1 (Multiple Areas)" Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 07-28-2026 POP End: 09-30-2026 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 541620 - Environmental Consulting Services PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: F108 - Environmental Systems Protection - Environmental Remediation

B.3 Performance Work Statement

AIR MONITORING FOR ASBESTOS

DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER, 508 FULTON ST, DURHAM, NC 27705

B.3.1. Scope The contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, equipment, tools, and transportation necessary to perform independent air monitoring for asbestos abatement activities at the Durham VA Health Care System (VAHCS). Air monitoring shall be conducted before, during, and after asbestos‑containing material (ACM) removal to verify worker and occupant protection and to establish final clearance conditions.

B.3.2 Applicable Labor Categories (Service Contract Act)

a. Personnel performing air monitoring and sample collection shall be classified under the Service Contract Act (SCA) as Environmental Technician (Code 30090).

b. Supervisory personnel performing oversight or QA/QC functions shall fall under Environmental Technician II, or an equivalent supervisory category recognized under the SCA Directory of Occupations.

c. All personnel must hold current North Carolina HHCU Accreditation for asbestos air monitoring.

d. OSHA‑10 training is required for all workers onsite.

e. Independence Requirement: Air monitoring contractors shall not be contracted, subcontracted, employed, or otherwise financially associated with the asbestos abatement contractor. Air monitoring services must be performed by an independent third‑party firm with no direct or indirect relationship to the abatement contractor to avoid conflicts of interest.

B.3.3 Description of Services The contractor shall perform the following air monitoring services:

1. Pre‑abatement monitoring

• Establish background/baseline air sample concentrations.

• Verify that containment and negative pressure systems are functioning prior to disturbance of ACM.

2. Project air monitoring (during removal)

• Perform area, perimeter, and worker‑adjacent sampling.

• Continuously monitor negative pressure enclosures (NPE) to ensure compliance with applicable asbestos regulations.

• Document air monitoring readings and communicate any exceedances immediately to the COR.

3. Post‑abatement clearance air monitoring

• Collect final clearance samples using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) methodology consistent with 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix A (AHERA).

• TEM clearance shall not exceed 70 structures per square millimeter of filter area.

• All final clearance analyses shall be performed by a NVLAP‑accredited laboratory.

4. Documentation

• Maintain full chain‑of‑custody documentation.

• Provide daily monitoring logs to the COR.

• Submit final TEM clearance reports upon completion of removal activities.

B.3.4 Project Locations and Estimated Work Areas Air monitoring shall be performed in the following locations associated with ACM abatement:

a. Building 1 – First Floor, B‑Wing Dental

• Rooms B1029 (155 sq. ft.) and B1031 (155 sq. ft.)

• Approximate affected flooring area: 310 sq. ft.

b. Building 1 – Mezzanine (adjacent to Pharmacy Waiting Area)

• Approximate affected flooring and stair area: 760 sq. ft.

Monitoring shall cover mobilization, containment setup, removal activities, cleaning, TEM clearance, and demobilization.

B.3.5 Regulatory Compliance Work shall comply with:

• 29 CFR 1926.1101 (OSHA Asbestos Standard)

• 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E, Appendix A (AHERA TEM Method)

• North Carolina HHCU Rules

• VA Directives and safety requirements

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes applicable to monitoring operations B.3.6 Permit and Notification Requirements

a. The contractor shall secure an Asbestos Removal Permit from the NC HHCU if required for monitoring participation, regardless of ACM quantity or removal technique used.

b. Permit applications shall contain the contractor’s original wet signature and must be submitted no fewer than 10 working days prior to the start of work.

c. The contractor shall coordinate permit submission timing with the abatement contractor and COR.

B.3.7 Work Hours and Site Coordination

a. Air monitoring shall be performed during approved work hours, normally 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. unless otherwise authorized.

b. Work shall not interfere with clinical operations or Veteran care.

c. Contractor personnel shall be escorted onsite as required.

d. Parking is limited; one parking pass will be provided.

B.3.8 Safety and Infection Control Requirements

a. The contractor shall submit a written safety plan within 5 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP).

b. Compliance with all infection control procedures, including Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) requirements, is mandatory.

c. The contractor shall maintain orderly, clean work areas and prevent dust migration.

B.3.9 Performance Standards The contractor shall meet the following performance requirements:

1. Air monitoring shall be accurate, timely, and compliant with regulatory methods.

2. Chain‑of‑custody and calibration logs shall be complete and correct.

3. TEM clearance criteria shall be achieved prior to releasing work areas for re‑occupancy.

4. All monitoring results must be documented daily and submitted to the COR.

5. Monitoring activities shall not impede Government operations.

B.3.10 Deliverables The contractor shall submit the following deliverables:

1. Pre‑abatement air sampling report.

2. Daily air monitoring logs.

3. NVLAP TEM clearance report.

4. Calibration documentation for all air monitoring equipment.

5. HHCU permit documentation (if applicable).

6. Waste Shipment Records (WSRs) within 10 working days of project completion (as applicable to monitoring‑related waste).

7. Air Monitoring Records: The contractor shall submit all air monitoring data, logs, calibration records, sample documentation, and preliminary analytical results to the COR within 24 hours of completion of each monitoring period.

B.3.11 Period of Performance All services shall be completed within 10 calendar days after Notice to Proceed.

B.3.12 Non‑Personal Services Statement Contractor personnel performing services under this contract are not Government employees, and no employer‑employee relationship is created. Contractor personnel shall be supervised solely by the contractor.

B.3.13 SMOKE FREE DIRECTIVE

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.3.14 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 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

Contract Officer (CO) Cleveland Wynne Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 6 Network Contracting Office 100 Emancipation Drive, Building 27 Hampton, Virginia 23667 757-728-7054 Fax 757-728-3132 cleveland.wynne@va.gov

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

TBD

Point of Contact (POC) John Koneski Department of Veterans Affairs Durham VAMC 508 Fulton St.

Durham, NC 27705

36C24626Q0499

Page 1 of Page 1 of

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 VAAR 852.211-72 TECHNICAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS (NOV 2018)

(a) The Contractor shall conform to the standards established by: 29 CFR 1910.1001, 29 CFR 1926.1101, 40 CFR Part 61, NIOSH 582 Equivalency and North Carolina Health Hazards Cont as to Air Monitoring for Asbestos-Containing Floor Tile and Mastic.

(b) The Contractor shall submit proof of conformance to the standard. This proof may be a label or seal affixed to the equipment or supplies, warranting that the item(s) have been tested in accordance with the standards and meet the contract requirement. Proof may also be furnished by the organization listed above certifying that the item(s) furnished have been tested in accordance with and conform to the specified standards.

(c) Offerors may obtain the standards cited in this provision by submitting a request, including the solicitation number, title and number of the publication to: 29 CFR 1910.1001, 29 CFR 1926.1101, 40 CFR Part 61, Cleveland Wynne@va.gov

(d) The offeror shall contact the Contracting Officer if response is not received within two weeks of the request.

(End of Clause)

C.3 52.223-23 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Sustainable products means—

(1) A product that contains recovered material designated by the EPA under the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (42 U.S.C. 6962) (40 CFR part 247) (https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program#products).

(2) An energy-efficient product or low standby power device (42 U.S.C. 8259b) (10 CFR part 436, subpart C) (https://www.energy.gov/femp/search-energy-efficient-products, https://www.energystar.gov/products?s=mega, and https://www.energy.gov/femp/low-standby-power-product-list).

(3) A biobased product that meets the content requirements of the USDA under the BioPreferred® program (7 U.S.C. 8102) (7 CFR Part 4270) (https://www.biopreferred.gov/)

(4) A substance identified in the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program as a safe alternative to an ozone-depleting substance (42 U.S.C. 7671l) (40 CFR part 82, subpart G) (https://www.epa.gov/snap/unacceptable-and-acceptable-substitutes-tables).

(b) Requirements. The Government has identified in the statement of work or elsewhere in the contract the sustainable products that are required during the performance of this contract. The Contractor shall ensure that it provides sustainable products as required by this contract, when the products are—

(1) Delivered to the Government;

(2)Furnished for use by the Government;

(3) Incorporated into the construction of a public building or public work; or

(c) Furnished for use in performing services under this contract, where the cost of the products is a direct cost to this contract.

(End of Clause)

C.4 52.240-91 SECURITY PROHIBITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Covered telecommunications equipment or services means—

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

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

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

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

Critical technology means—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Of that equipment; or

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

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

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

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

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

(2) The Central Intelligence Agency;

(3) The National Security Agency;

(4) The Defense Intelligence Agency;

(5) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency;

(6) The National Reconnaissance Office;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kaspersky Lab-covered entity means—

(1) Kaspersky Lab;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1) Prohibition. The Contractor is prohibited from—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Unless an applicable waiver has been issued by the Government, the Contractor cannot use any equipment, systems, or services that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system (paragraph (a)(1)(B) of section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232)).

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

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

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

(2) Office of Foreign Assets Control Restrictions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) Iran prohibitions.

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

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

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

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

(e) Governmentwide exclusion and removal orders.

(1) Unless the Government has issued an applicable waiver, contractors shall not provide or use as part of the performance of the contract any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) General report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(A) Brand;

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

(C) Item description, as applicable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) New FASCSA orders report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(End of Provision)

C.5 VAAR 852.204-72 PERSONNEL VETTING AND CREDENTIALING (DEVIATION) (MAR 2026)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause – VA Information system is the same as information system and means, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 5727, a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information whether automated or manual.

VA sensitive information means all VA data, on any storage media or in any form or format, which requires protection due to the risk of harm that could result from inadvertent or deliberate disclosure, alteration, or destruction of the information and includes sensitive personal information. The term includes information where improper use or disclosure could adversely affect the ability of VA to accomplish its mission, proprietary information, records about individuals requiring protection under various confidentiality provisions such as the Privacy Act and the HIPAA Privacy Rule, and information that can be withheld under the Freedom of Information Act. Examples of VA sensitive information include the following: individually-identifiable medical, benefits, and personnel information; financial, budgetary, research, quality assurance, confidential commercial, critical infrastructure, investigatory, and law enforcement information; information that is confidential and privileged in litigation such as information protected by the deliberative process privilege, attorney work-product privilege, and the attorney client privilege; and other information which, if released, could result in violation of law or harm or unfairness to any individual or group, or could adversely affect the national interest or the conduct of Federal programs.

(b) General. Contractor personnel assigned to work for or on behalf of VA must undergo a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level designation associated with the work to be performed at the level indicated in the contract. The Contractor and subcontractors shall comply with VA Directive/Handbook 0710, Personnel Security and Suitability Program, which can be accessed at: https://vaww.va.gov/vapubs/index.cfm.

(c) Risk and Sensitivity Levels. The following table identifies the risk and sensitivity levels that apply to any personnel providing services under this contract. *VA Administrations, organizations and staff offices will use the OPM Position Designation Tool.

Positions/Tasks Designated as Non-Sensitive Positions – Tier 1/Low Risk

Environmental Technician

Positions/Tasks Designated as Non-Sensitive Positions – Tier 2/Mod Risk

N/A

Positions/Tasks Designated as Non-Sensitive Positions – Tier 4/High Risk

N/A

Security clearances are granted to individuals with a specific requirement for access to classified material (for example, Confidential, Secret and Top Secret). Contractor personnel that are required to obtain a security clearance will be subject to a Tier 3 or Tier 5 investigation. The following sensitivity designations have been assigned for the identified Tier 3 and Tier 5 required by this contract:

Tier 3: N/A Tier 5: N/A

(d) Fitness. The results from a background investigation are used to determine if an individual’s fitness is sufficient for that individual to perform work for or on behalf of VA in the position identified in this contract. Contractor fitness determinations are made in accordance with 5 CFR Part 731.202.

Fitness requirements for employment are separate and distinct from job qualifications. If a Contractor or subcontractor employee is found to be unsuitable or unfit to provide services under this contract, the Contractor shall immediately remove the employee from working on this contract and take those necessary steps that restrict the employee’s logical access to VA data, information, VA sensitive information, or information technology or VA information systems containing such data or information.

The Contractor shall advise the employee that they are not permitted to access any VA controlled building or real property in relation to this contract. The removal of an unfit Contractor or subcontractor employee does not alleviate the Contractor from satisfying the requirements of this contract. The Government will not reimburse the Contractor for any costs associated with the recruitment/replacement of an employee or subcontractor employee who is found to be unfit.

(e) Identification Cards. The Government will provide a Personal Identification Verification (PIV) card or other identification card, as necessary, to fit Contractor personnel who require physical access to VA facilities and/or logical access to VA data, information, VA sensitive information, or information technology or VA information systems containing such data or information. Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall prominently display their PIV/identification card on their persons while working at a VA facility and shall present their PIV/identification card for inspection upon request by a VA official. The Contractor must surrender the employee or subcontractor employee’s PIV/identification card in accordance with the requirements set forth in Directive/Handbook 0735 when any of the following events occur:

1.…