36C24720Q1182_1.docx

36C24720Q1182

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

619-20-4-2446-0268 36C24720Q1182 08-26-2020 Benford Brundage 334-725-2834 09-01-2020

12:00 PM

90C Department of Veterans Affairs Central Alabama Veterans Health Care 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery

AL

36109-3798 X X 561720 $19.5 Million N/A X 90C See PWS / Delivery Schedule

Department of Veterans Affairs Central Alabama Health Care System East Campus 2400 Hospital Road Tuskegee

AL

36083-5001

FMS-VA-2(101)

Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin

TX

78714-9971 See CONTINUATION Page Provide Janitorial Services (COVID) for the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System - Tuskegee/Montgomery, AL in accordance with the following Performance Work Statement Period of Perfomance: 9/15/2020 - 02/28/2021 The is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Biz Set Aside.

Your firm must be verified in the VIP database using the appropriate NAICS code at the time of RFQ submission and at the time of award.

The most recent wage determinations as of the start time of this contract are in effect.

Only one award will be made to one vendor that can offer all services at the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable.

Questions must be submitted by 10:00am EST on Aug 31, 2020 See CONTINUATION Page X X

BENFORD BRUNDAGE

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 36C247 Benford C. Brundage

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care

215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery AL 36109-3798

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.

Department of Veterans Affairs

FMS-VA-2(101)

Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

JANITORIAL SERVICES

Section 1: General Information

1.1 General:

1.2 This is a non-personal services contract to provide janitorial services for Central Alabama Healthcare Systems (CAVHCS). This specific contract is for the facilities of Tuskegee and Montgomery, Alabama under 1.3.

The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. Agencies shall train their employees in appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance as well as for interaction with private sector temporaries to assure that the supervisory responsibilities identified in paragraph (a) of § 300.501 of this subpart are carried out by the temporary help service firm. At the same time, agencies must give technical, task-related instructions to private sector temporaries including orientation, assignment of tasks, and review of work products, in order that the temporaries may properly perform their services under the contract.

1.2 Period of Performance: “TBD” -

1.3 Places of Performance:

Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System, 215 Perry Hill Rd., Montgomery, AL 36109 Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System, 2400 Hospital Rd., Tuskegee, AL 36083 1.3b SITE VISIT Site visit is scheduled for Friday 28 Aug 2020 at 9:00am in building 4 room GE-113 on the Montgomery Campus and at 1:00pm in building 68 room 110 on the Tuskegee Campus.

1.4 Hours of Operation:

Normal business hours are between 7:00 a.m. to 3:30pm and 3:00pm-11:30pm every day, excluding Federal Holidays. The janitorial services will be required 8 hours per day on two shifts 7:00am-3:30pm and 3:00pm-11:30 pm, 5 days per week, excluding Federal holidays. 1.5 Work Schedule:

Prior to commencing performance under this contract, the Contractor shall provide a proposed work scheduled to the Point of Contact (POC) on site describing how services will be accomplished. All work shall be coordinated with the POC or designated representative when accomplished during normal business hours to avoid disruptions or conflicts between the Government functions and the provision of service under this contract. The facility POC will communicate with the designated Contracting Officer Representative (COR) services and completion of those services to validate work was accomplished as required. The Contractor shall maintain a CEH on site during normal work hours 7:00am-3:30pm and by phone 24/7. If staff are working shifts other than 7:00am-3:30pm, a designated supervisor / foreman will be on site with immediate access to the CEH. The contractor will be provided a list of the rooms to be cleaned daily, that will cover rooms to be cleaned on both shifts. Additional rooms to be cleaned may be assigned to the contractor at varying times of the workday but will not be rooms outside of the cleanable square footage assigned.

1.6 Building/ Space Type:

Areas that could be assigned to the contractor for cleaning include but will not be limited to:

Each facility will work with the vendor to define specific services and locations needed for that facility.

The cleanable square footage for Montgomery and Tuskegee campuses is 178,193

1.7 Type of Contract: “TBD”

1.8 Contract Changes:

Additional tasking required by changes in mission assignments must be documented by a written contract modification. If the contractor receives a request from VA personnel directing or requesting work that the contractor believes is not within the terms of the PWS or the contract, then the contractor must notify the COR and the Contracting Officer of the request. The only person that has the authority to modify the terms of the contract or request work for which compensation will be provided is a Contracting Officer.

1.9 Invoicing:

All invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System – The FSC uses a third-party contractor, Tungsten, to transition vendors from paper to electronic invoice submission. Please go to this website: http://www.tungsten-network.com/US/en/veterans-affairs/ to begin submitting electronic invoices, free of charge.

More information on the VA Financial Services Center is available at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

Vendor e-Invoice Set-Up Information:

Please contact the phone numbers or email address listed below to begin submitting your electronic invoices to the VA Financial Services Center for payment processing, free of charge. If you have question about the e-invoicing program or Tungsten, please contact the FSC at the phone number or email address listed below:

Tungsten e-Invoice set-up information: 877-489-6135 Tungsten e-Invoice email: VA.Registration@Tungsten-Network.com FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: 877-353-9791 FSC e-Invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov More information on the FSC electronic invoicing process can be found at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

Section 2: Definitions & Acronyms

2.1 Definitions:

Aseptic Cleaning. Techniques and procedures used under sterile conditions. Aseptic cleaning is the effort taken to clean the interior of building and keep people free from hospital micro-organisms.

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The nation’s health protection agency that publishes key health information, including weekly data on all deaths and diseases reported in the US and travelers' health advisories. The CDC also fields special rapid-response teams to halt epidemic diseases Contractor. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

Contracting Officer (CO). A person with the authority to enter into, administers, and/or terminates contracts and makes related findings. The Contracting Officer is the only individual who has the authority to contractually bind the Government. The Contracting Officer may designate a Government employee to act as his authorized technical representative.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The person has been designated as the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer acting within the limits of his/her authority. This individual shall not be authorized to award, agree to, or sign any contract or modification thereto, or in any way to obligate the payment of money by the Government. The COR advises the Contracting Officer on matters relating to this contract, verifies completion of the work, certifies invoices related to completed work, and ensures compliance with all provisions of the contract.

Corrective Action. Action taken by the Contractor to correct a deficiency and identify the cause(s) of the deficiency and provide documentation of correction Custodial Cleaning. Providing an array of cleaning functions that are vital to the daily operation of the facility to present a clean facility.

Joint Commission (JC). A national organization dedicated to improving the performance, safety, and quality of patient care in health care facilities, and publishers of the Joint Commission on Accreditation Manuals.

Point of Contact (POC). An identified individual with subject matter expertise (SME) of VHA EMS proper cleaning procedures.

Protection. This is preventing damages to surfaces and equipment caused by normal use or improper cleaning procedures.

Quiet Zone. Means normally a noise level of less than 72.B (A) at five feet from the source in patient-occupied areas.

Soil. Dust, dirt, stains, grease, smudges, streaks, spots, lint, odors, organisms, bodily fluids, or any agents that is injurious to health. Soil can be visible such as dust, or can be invisible such as organisms, and odors.

Subcontractor. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

Dwell Times: The amount of time that a sanitizer or disinfectant must be in contact with the surface and remain wet, in order to achieve the product’s advertised kill rate.

High Touch Areas: Surfaces within a patient room that require more frequent cleaning and disinfection due to having frequent contact with hands. High touch surfaces can be found on the CDC Environmental checklist for monitoring terminal cleaning.

Two-Step Cleaning:

Step One: Cleaning is the necessary first step of any disinfection process. Cleaning removes organic matter, salts, and visible soils, all of which interfere with microbial inactivation. The physical action of scrubbing with detergents and surfactants and rinsing with water removes substantial numbers of microorganisms. If a surface is not cleaned first, the success of the disinfection process can be compromised. Removal of all visible blood and inorganic and organic matter can be as critical as the germicidal activity of the disinfecting agent. When a surface cannot be cleaned adequately, it should be protected with barriers.

Step-Two Disinfection destroys most pathogenic and other microorganisms by physical or chemical means.

Workday. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.2 Acronyms:

Section 3: Contractor Furnished Property, Equipment, and Services The Contractor will furnish all supplies and equipment Including cleaning supplies (chemicals, PPE, mops, equipment, and SDS) necessary for the performance of work of this contract. The Contractor shall not use any material, which the Contracting officer/COR determines would be unsuitable for the purpose or harmful to any part of the building, its contents, equipment, or any person occupying the building. All other necessary cleaning equipment including but not limited to: scrubbing machine, burnishing machine, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, etc., needed for the performance of the work of this Contract shall be furnished by the contractor and readily available.

Section 4: Contractor Furnished Items and Services The contractor shall provide a standard custodial type uniform which is easily recognizable and clearly distinguish them as the “Contractor.” for employees and ensure all work meets performance standards specified in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) and referenced documents.

Uniforms shall present a neat, distinctive appearance; shall be clean and maintained in good repair; and shall be worn as designed by the manufacturer. Standard custodial type uniform is defined as collared work short (button-down or polo style) and pants or skirt of twill or similar material (no denim). The Contractor shall wear appropriate footwear that will cover the entire foot for safety purposes. The Contractor will not wear hats.

Section 5: Specific Tasks Standards: Aseptic areas apply to all areas within the medical center. Contractor will be required to perform Two-Step Cleaning in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/background/services.html

5.1 Tasks and Cleaning Standards

The following table summarizes the tasks required under this PWS.

a) The Contractor shall strip wax, finish and buff using non-slip floor finish. The Contractor shall “turn back the rugs” in order to clean and finish the floor areas. The stripping of wax, finish and buffing shall be performed as requested. The scheduling of this task will be coordinated between the Contractor and on-site POC and staff occupying building to ensure there is no disruption to staff and visitors. The square footage for this task on the Montgomery campus is 56,658 and the Tuskegee campus is 121,535, with the task being performed every six months.

b) Individual rooms and/or a designated area requiring the stripping of wax, refinishing and rebuffing, shall occur and direction of the on-site POC. The area or the room requiring the service will be identified by on-site POC or designated representative to the COR.

a) The Contractor shall wet mop using a neutral floor cleaner, using a Micro-Fiber Mopping System to mop all accessible areas including corners and abutments. The Contractor shall remove any splash marks or streaks on furniture, walls, baseboards, etc...

b) The Contractor shall mop wood floors. The Contractor will only use string mops in the case of large spills.

c) The Contractor shall sweep, dust, and damp mop hard-surfaces, resilient flooring to include normal traffic areas, and restrooms daily. The floors shall be swept, dusted and damp mop using a treated or dust- free method/mop. The Contractor shall ensure that the cleaning includes the corners and abutments. The Contractor shall tilt or move chairs, trash receptacles, and other easily movable items to clean underneath and shall return items to their proper position.

d) The Contractor shall spray and buff all floors accessible to floor machine unless specified elsewhere as having carpet or special flooring. The Contractor shall apply a uniform coating of non-skid floor finish to protect and restore gloss or sheen. The Contractor shall remove excess floor finish solutions. The Contractor shall apply these techniques only to the portion of the floor needing work, to bring the entire floor up to standard. This shall be performed weekly.

5. Furniture and Flat Surface Cleaning: (Low Dusting refers to areas 36” and below) The Contractor shall dust specific uncluttered horizontal surfaces per direction of the on-site POC within reach with a treated dust cloth (i.e., desks, counters, file cabinets, ledges, bookcases, tables, credenzas, window sills, etc.). The Contractor shall dust vertical surfaces and underneath desks in such a manner as to prevent airborne dust.

a) The Contractor shall dust furniture items such as chairs, file cabinets and other types of office furniture. The Contractor shall damp-dust other office furniture such as vinyl chairs, lamps, telephones, furniture bases, picture frames.

b) Furniture and Flat Surfaces Cleaning (High Dusting refers to areas higher than 36” up to 70”): High dusting includes all the wall surfaces, door frames, shelves, equipment, windowsills, ledges, handrails, etc. that are 70 inches from the floor or more.

a) Furniture: The Contractor shall clean behind furniture and corners. Move items as necessary to ensure thorough and adequate cleaning; replace to original position. The Contractor shall spot clean upholstered furniture as required.

a) Polish Metal. The Contractor shall polish the brass and other metal, aluminum, stainless steel hardware on doors, push bars, and the kicking plates.

b) The Government will provide UV Machines to disinfect rooms when necessary.

12. Restrooms

a) The Contractor shall clean and sanitize sinks, urinals, and toilets.

b) The floor traps shall always be maintained free from odor.

c) The Contractor shall sweep and wet mop the floors daily and spray buff as required. The Contractor shall apply a uniform coating of non-skid floor finish. The Contractor shall remove any excess floor finish solutions.

d) The Contractor shall damp-wipe walls, doors, partitions, mirrors, shelving, and window frames and sills. The Contractor shall use an approved germicide/detergent in restrooms to disinfect all surfaces of partitions, stalls, faces of toilet bowls, urinals, lavatories, showers, dispensers, and other such surfaces.

e) The Contractor shall damp-wipe and polishes the chrome fixtures.

f) The Contractor shall clean (descale) toilet bowls and urinals.

g) The Contractor shall replenish restroom supplies for example: soap dispensers, paper towels and toilet tissue.

h) The Contractor shall empty, clean, disinfect, and re-line all sanitary napkin and all waste receptacles.

13. Waste

a) Trash Removal: The Contractor shall pick up and empty all trash or waste receptacles. Waste will be deposited at established waste collection sites/holding areas at the facility for waste hauler pick up. Waste receptacle liners will be provided by the Government.

14. Supplies: The dispensers and supplies, paper products will be provided by the Government.

5.2 Contractor Personnel

a) List of employees who will provide services under this contract

b) Name, telephone number and address of the CEH

c) List of shift supervisors

5.3 Safety Training Requirements

1. Contractor-Furnished Safety Training: The Office of Occupational Safety and Health has identified the minimum worker safety standards and related training that are required by respective State Laws and that are applicable to all employees. All Contractors providing service at VA facilities shall follow these established Code of Regulations “General Industry Safety Orders (OSHA) section listed below, as a condition of contract award:

a) Section 3203 Title 8 “Illness and Injury Prevention Program.” Exception: Employers having fewer than 10 employees shall be permitted to communicate to and instruct orally in general safe work practices with specific instructions with respect to hazards unique to the employees’ job assignments, as compliance with subsection (a) (3).

b) Section 5193 Title 8. “Blood Borne Pathogens”

c) Section 5194 Title 8. “Hazard Communication”

d) The above-listed orders establish minimum standards and apply to-employment’s and places of employment’s in California as defined by Labor Code Section 6303; provided, however, that when the Occupational Safety and health Standards Board has adopted or adopts safety orders applying to certain industries, occupations or employment’s exclusively, in which like conditions and hazards exit, those orders shall take precedence wherever they are inconsistent with the General Industry Safety Orders hereinafter set forth.

e) The above-listed orders, effective 1 July 1991, require the employer to develop, implement and document written programs, as well as requiring initial and recurring employee training and record keeping. The Contractor shall provide to the COR an annual written certification that each employee has received the State-required safety training; that each employee has received the Hepatitis B vaccination; or provide a written certification from any employee who declines the Hepatitis B vaccination.

f) Hepatitis B Vaccination: The final rule on Occupation Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens, 29 CFR Part 1910.1030, states “employers shall make available the Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure, and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up to all employees who have had an exposure incident. Under the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall either provide, at no expense to the Government, the required vaccination defined herein, or have a letter of declination on file with the Contractor.

g) All contract employees need to be screened for tuberculosis prior to employment

h) All contract employees need to be medically cleared to wear respiratory protection

i) All contract employees shall be cleared for fitness of duty to perform physical tasks required for the job such as lifting a minimum of 50 lbs., prolong standing walking and frequent bending.

j) All contract employees shall comply with VA policy regarding influenza vaccine for staff and contractors.

k) A copy of this letter shall also be filed with the COR and placed in the COR’s contract file, and an additional copy shall be sent to the VA employee physician’s office. Following Contractor employee’s exposure to a contaminated needle or other sharp object, the employee shall be seen by a physician. Records of treatment and follow-up shall be maintained for the duration of employment by the contractor and for thirty (30) years thereafter. Copies of treatment and follow up records shall be provided to the COR.

5.4 Contractor’s Attire and Identification

5.5 Contractor Training

5.6 Contractor’s Quality Control Plan

1. The Contractor shall establish and maintain a complete quality control program to ensure the requirements of the contract are met. One copy of the Contractor’s basic Quality Control Program shall be provided to the on-site POC and COR 15 days after contract award effective date. An updated copy shall be provided the on-site POC and COR as changes occur. The quality control program shall include, but are not be limited to the following:

a) An inspection system covering the required services. The plan shall specify the areas to be inspected on either a scheduled or unscheduled basis and how often inspections shall be accomplished.

b) The plan shall provide methods for identifying and preventing deficiencies and how the Contractor shall prevent the level of performance from becoming unacceptable.

c) On-site records of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and necessary corrective action taken.

d) A system to record all inspections conducted by the Contractor and record corrective action. These documents shall be made available to the on-site POC and COR or designated representative during the term of the contract.

e) Contractor will conduct a daily inspection with COR or designee of all areas assigned for that day and a copy of the inspection will be kept with the COR and the contractor.

5.7 Fire Prevention and Emergency Procedures

5.8 Building Security and Keys

5.9 Interference to Normal Function

The Contractor shall delay or interrupt their work at any time to avoid interference with patient care procedures and the normal function of the facility, including utility services, fire protection systems, and passage of facility patients, personnel, equipment, and carts.

5.10 Damage and Equipment Loss

5.11 Handling of Government Furniture and Equipment

5.12 Conservation of Utilities

1. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under condition which precludes the waste of utilities, which shall include:

a) The Contractor shall not adjust any mechanical equipment controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning system unless otherwise directed by the COR or designated representative.

b) The Contractor shall turn-off all water faucets or values when not in usage.

c) The Contractor shall not use Government telephones for personal reasons.

5.13 Applicable Regulations and Manuals

a) Security Clearances, Access Controls, Identification Badges

b) Facility policies concerning fire / disaster program.

c) Parking Requirements

d) Infection Control Manuals

5.14 Required Security Training

1. All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and its systems:

a) Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Contractor Rules of Behavior, Appendix E relating to access to VA information and information systems;

b) Successfully complete the VA Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training and annually complete required security training;

c) The contractor shall provide to the COR a copy of the training certificates and certification of signing the Contractor Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required.

d) Business Associate Agreement (BAA): The Contractor shall execute a BAA upon award of contract. A copy shall be forwarded to the Privacy Officer.

5.15 Information Security Requirements

a) All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete the following before being granted access to VA information and its systems;

b) Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Contractor Rules of Behavior, VA Handbook 6500.6, Appendix E relating to access to VA information and information systems;

c) Successfully complete the VA Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training and annually complete required security training;

d) Successfully complete the appropriate VA privacy training and annually complete required privacy training;

e) Successfully complete any additional cyber security or privacy training, as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access to be defined by the VA program official and provided to the contracting officer for inclusion in the solicitation document – e.g., any role-based information security training required in accordance with NIST Special Publication 800-16, Information Technology Security Training Requirements.

f) The contractor shall provide to the contracting officer and/or the COR a copy of the training certificates and certification of signing the Contractor Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required.

g) Failure to complete the mandatory annual training and sign the Rules of Behavior annually, within the timeframe required, is grounds for suspension or termination of all physical or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until such time as the training and documents are complete.

4. Contractor Personnel Security Requirements - Information Systems Access

a) All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.

5. Access to and Safeguard of VA Information/Computer Systems

a) The contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

b) The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately…