36C24819Q0519-001.pdf

36C24819Q0273

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION 36C24819Q0519

General Information

Action Code: Combined Synopsis Solicitation Document Type: RFQ RFQ Number: 36C24819Q0519 Posted Date: April 29, 2019 Response Date: May 13, 2019 Classification Code: B502- Special Studies/Analysis Set Aside: Service Disabled Veterans Owned

NAICS Code: 541380- Testing Laboratories

Contracting Office Address

NCO 8

ATTN: Rafael Rodriguez- Contract Specialist Mary Jane Gugliano- Contracting Officer Administrative Building, Suite 4M440 10 Casia Street San Juan, PR 00921

Description

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 in conjunction with Part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation for this action. Quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ). Submit written quotes on 36C24819Q0519.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-101 effective 10/26/2018. This request for quote is issued April 29, 2019 and will end on May 13,2019 at 10:00 AM EST and is set aside for 100% SDVOSB.

The purpose of this Solicitation is to award a firm fixed priced contract to provide labor, equipment and materials to perform semi-annual sample collection and testing for fungi and bacteria using an impactor and agar plates in the anterooms, inside the clean rooms twelve inches from the bio-safety cabinets, in the pass-thru windows and inside the bio-safety cabinets or as recommended by current edition of USP 797 at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Clinics and Vet Centers. for the period of date of award thru May 31, 2019 and four years’ option period for the VA Caribbean Healthcare System.

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, parts, supplies, materials, shipping expenses, and travel necessary to accomplish the services described herein All the work will be in accordance with the Scope of Work below.

This procurement is being conducted under Subpart 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial items. The intent is to award a firm fixed price contract.

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541380, with a small business size standard of $15M in Annual Receipts. This procurement is a SDVOSB and all eligible offerors are encouraged to submit quotes. All offerors must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) at http://www.sam.gov to be considered for an award of a federal contract registered in the record must be complete and not missing elements such as representations and certifications.

Also please be sure to be registered in VIP (Vendor Information Pages) at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ .

Contractors interested in providing these services should submit their quotes via email to Rafael.Rodriguez2@va.gov. Questions concerning this synopsis solicitation shall be addressed to Rafael Rodriguez, Contract Specialist, and emailed to Rafael.Rodriguez2@va.gov. All questions or inquires must be submitted no later than 10:00 am Eastern Standard Time on December 28, 2017 Email all questions to the Contract Specialist’s above email address.

The Government will award a contract resulting from this RFQ to the responsible offeror whose quote is the lowest price technically acceptable. Quotes are due by 10:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time on May 13, 2019. Quotes received after this date and time will be considered late in accordance with 52.212-1(f) and will not be evaluated. Quotes shall be submitted via email to Rafael.Rodriguez2@va.gov.

The following Contract Line Items (CLINS) identified in Attachment A are applicable to this requirement. For detailed service description please review the Scope of Work.

A Site Visit is scheduled on Wednesday, May 7, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. EST located at:

VA Caribbean Healthcare System 10 Casia Street San Juan Puerto Rico 00959 Contracting Office- Administrative Building, Suite 4M440

ALL INTERESTED VENDORS WILL REPORT AND SIGN IN

WITH THE CONTRACT SPEECILST- Rafael Rodriguez Tel 787-641-7582 Ext 34972 http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ mailto:Rafael.Rodriguez2@va.gov.

mailto:Rafael.Rodriguez2@va.gov.

mailto:Rafael.Rodriguez2@va.gov.

B. Schedule of Services

Contractors shall quote prices for all of the following Contract Line Item Numbers:

Please refer to Attachment B.

C. SCOPE OF WORK

Background: VA Caribbean Healthcare System has clean rooms in the Inpatient and Outpatient pharmacies and Nuclear Medicine for compounding sterile preparations. Microbiological sampling of clean rooms (ISO Class 7) and anterooms (ISO Class 8) is recommended by United States Pharmacopeia, chapter 797 (USP 797) and VA information letter 10-2006-008. The sampling strategy recommended by USP 797 is to sample for fungi and bacteria using an impactor and agar plates in the anteroom, near the clean room doorway, inside the clean room twelve inches from the bio-safety cabinets, and inside the bio-safety cabinets.

USP 797 recommends baseline air sampling of clean rooms and anterooms prior to their initial use, and semi-annually thereafter for low to medium risk compounding sterile preparation areas.

USP 797 also recommends surface sampling and settling plate or air sampling inside ISO Class 5 bio-safety cabinets. According to USP 797, fungi and bacteria are not expected to be present in ISO Class 5 areas.

Scope: The contractor shall perform semi-annual sample collection and testing for fungi and bacteria using an impactor and agar plates in the anterooms, inside the clean rooms twelve inches from the bio-safety cabinets, in the pass-thru windows and inside the bio-safety cabinets or as recommended by current edition of USP 797. The location of the samples may vary according to the sampling plan developed by Industrial Hygiene and will be discussed with the Contractor prior to sampling. Tests shall be conducted in the Inpatient Pharmacy IV Room/Anteroom, the Inpatient Pharmacy Chemo Room/Anteroom, the Outpatient Pharmacy Chemo Room/Anteroom and the Nuclear Medicine Clean Rooms/Anteroom and the 5 Biological Safety Cabinets/3 Isolators within rooms.

Task: The contractor shall perform the following tasks semi-annually:

a. Bacteria air sampling (34 samples including controls)

b. Fungi air sampling (34 samples including controls)

c. Bacteria surface sampling (39 samples including controls)

d. Fungi surface sampling (39 samples including controls)

e. Prepare and submit samples for laboratory analysis

f. Submit written reports for each area: Inpatient Pharmacy, Outpatient Pharmacy and Nuclear Medicine (3)

g. Re-sample, within 24 hours, any samples with results above the Action Level (potentially 280 samples, annually)

h. Submit written report of repeated samples

Performance: Perform all microbiological sampling at VACHS Pharmacies and Nuclear Medicine Clean Rooms/Anterooms in compliance with USP 797 standard, and VA information letter 10-2006-008.

a. All samples shall be analyzed by a laboratory accredited by AIHA in Environmental Microbiology. Contractor must submit laboratory accreditation.

b. Each sampling session will be conducted during normal business hours, Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM for Nuclear Medicine and Outpatient Pharmacy Chemo Room. The sampling sessions for the Inpatient Pharmacy will be included in the Sampling Plan and may be during the following shifts: 7:00 AM, 3:00 PM or 11:00 PM. Each session will be scheduled at least 5 working days in advance and is subject to the workload of the Pharmacy and Nuclear Medicine. Each session will be scheduled with the Industrial Hygienist, who will serve as the contracting officer’s representative (COR).

c. Any laboratory results equal to or greater than the Action Level will require notification of the COR immediately upon receipt of laboratory results. Laboratory results above the Action Level will also require re-sampling after actions deemed appropriate by the Chief of Pharmacy, Chief of Nuclear Medicine and Environmental Services have been taken to correct the microbiological growth. The COR may request analysis for genus and species of samples which results above the Action Level persist. Re-sampling and testing shall be performed within 24 hours after results are notified to the COR. Therefore, the contractor must be available on site at VACHS to re-sample within 24 hours of results notification.

Reports: A report will be issued for each sampling session within 10 days of the receipt of laboratory results. Each session’s report will include at a minimum the date, time and name of the Industrial Hygienist, narrative of work practices used, results of sampling, location where samples were collected, narrative interpretation of laboratory results, laboratory results and a closed chain of custody. All laboratory results shall be reported in Colony Forming units (CFU’s).

Personnel Qualifications: This sampling shall be performed by an Industrial Hygiene Technician under the supervision of an Industrial Hygienist or by an Industrial Hygienist with at least 2 years of experience in microbiological air and surface sampling.

Equipment: Contractor shall utilize appropriate air sampling pumps that are capable of achieving and maintaining the required flow rate of 28.3 liters per minute (LPM), Anderson N-6 impactor or equivalent, Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA) plates, and appropriate sterile sampling swabs or equivalent.

General Requirements:

In the VA on-going effort to ensure that all Veterans are provided the highest quality care, it is required that each VA Medical Center meet or exceed the standards of The Joint Commission

(TJC).

The Contractor shall maintain an updated record of all Contract Employee’s educational documents, evaluation methods and qualifications standards; and these records must be available to the Government upon request.

Age: All Contractor employees performing work under this contract shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age or as required by local laws.

All employees shall be literate in English to the extent of reading and understanding printed regulations, detailed written orders, training instructions and material, and shall be able to compose reports which convey complete information.

The Contractor shall provide backup contract employee during the absence (annual leave, sick leave, etc.)

of any of the employees assigned to work under this contract. Backup employees shall comply with the contract regulations and specifications.

Back-up Contract Employees shall be approved by the Government prior to perform services. No employee changes shall be issued without the authorization of the delegated COR.

Upon contract award, Contractor shall provide the name of each Contract Employee assigned to this contract. The Contractor is responsible to maintain this list updated at all times.

Conduct of Contractor’s Employees: The Contractor shall maintain satisfactory standards of employee competency, conduct, appearance, and integrity, and for taking such disciplinary action against his/her contract’s employees as may be necessary. The Contractor shall require his employees to comply with the instructions, pertaining to conduct and building regulations, issues by duly appointed officials, such as the COR, guards, inspectors, etc.

Appearance: The Government requires a favorable image and considers it to be a major asset of a customer service team; the employee's attitude, courtesy, and job knowledge are influential in creating a favorable image. Uniforms and protective clothing: all contractor personnel working in or around buildings designated under this contract shall wear distinctive uniform clothing.

Disorderly Conduct: use of abusive or offensive language, quarreling, intimidation by words, actions, or fighting shall not be condoned; also included is participation in disruptive activities which interfere with normal and efficient Government operations.

Intoxicants: The Contractor shall not allow any employee to possess, sell, consume, or be under the influence of intoxicants, drugs, or substances that produce similar effects.

Criminal Actions: Contractor’s employees may be subject to criminal actions as allowed by law in certain circumstances and these include, but are not limited to, the following:

Falsification or unlawful concealment, removal, mutilation, or destruction of any official documents or records or concealment of material facts by willful omission from official documents or records.

Unauthorized use of Government property, theft, vandalism, or immoral conduct.

Unethical or improper use of official authority or credentials.

Security violations.

The Government reserves the right to direct the Contractor to remove any employee from the work site for failure to comply with the standards of conduct.

The Contractor shall initiate immediate action to replace such an employee to maintain continuity of services at no additional cost to the Government.

The Contractor shall provide protective equipment and attire to personnel and require employees to use it while performing their duties as necessary.

The Contractor shall comply with all regulations, agency, federal, local, and TJC Standards as applicable.

Security Clearance:

Coverage: The Contractor shall comply with applicable Federal and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Worker’s Compensation and occupational disease statutes. The contractor shall provide Workers Compensation, Professional liability insurance, Health examinations, Income tax withholding, and Social Security payments.

Meetings: During the term of the contract, it may be necessary to schedule meetings between the Contractor and VA to address areas of concern and provide additional exchange information. Such meetings shall require attendance by the Contractor at no additional charge to the VA. A meeting would only be required if issues could not be resolved via telephone, conference calls or in writing. Location of meeting would be at the VACHS, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Attendees should include, but may not be limited to, the Contractor, Contractor key personnel, Contracting Officer's Representative and the Contracting Officer.

Safety Requirement

The contractor while performing the services described in the statement of work shall take all safety precautions and safety measures necessary to protect the lives and health of their own employees and VA employees, patients and visitors.

Security Requirement

The contractor shall report to Graphic Control and the COR prior to performing the services described in this statement of work. The contractor must be escorted by a VACHS employee while performing the services in the areas listed in paragraph 1 of this statement of work.

VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY/PRIVACY

LANGUAGE

VA INFORMATION CUSTODIAL LANGUAGE:

a. Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

b. If VA determines that the contractor has violated any of the information confidentiality, privacy, and security provisions of the contract, it shall be sufficient grounds for VA to withhold payment to the contractor or third party or terminate the contract for default or terminate for cause under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12.

c. A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

d. 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.

SECURITY INCIDENT INVESTIGATION:

a. The term “security incident” means an event that has, or could have, resulted in unauthorized access to, loss or damage to VA assets, or sensitive information, or an action that breaches VA security procedures. The contractor/subcontractor shall immediately notify the COR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Officer for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/subcontractor has access.

b. To the extent known by the contractor/subcontractor, the contractor/subcontractor’s notice to VA shall identify the information involved, the circumstances surrounding the incident (including to whom, how, when, and where the VA information or assets were placed at risk or compromised), and any other information that the contractor/subcontractor considers relevant.

c. With respect to unsecured protected health information, the business associate is deemed to have discovered a data breach when the business associate knew or should have known of a breach of such information. Upon discovery, the business associate must notify the covered entity of the breach. Notifications need to be made in accordance with the executed business associate agreement.

d. In instances of theft or break-in or other criminal activity, the contractor/subcontractor must concurrently report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement entity (or entities) of jurisdiction, including the VA OIG and Security and Law Enforcement. The contractor, its employees, and its subcontractors and their employees shall cooperate with VA and any law enforcement authority responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible criminal law violation(s) associated with any incident. The contractor/subcontractor shall cooperate with VA in any civil litigation to recover VA information, obtain monetary or other compensation from a third party for damages arising from any incident, or obtain injunctive relief against any third party arising from, or related to, the incident.

TRAINING:

a. All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior Training before being granted access to VA information and its systems.

(1) Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Rules of Behavior before being granted access to VA information and its systems.

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

c. 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.

The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements do not apply and a Security Accreditation Package is not required for this SOW.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD

The period of performance shall be 12 months from date of the contract award, with 4 options for 12 months/year (Base Year + 4 Option Years).

Any work at the Government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the Contracting Officer (CO). (If required, the CO may designate the Contractor to work during holidays and weekends). There are ten (10) Federal holidays set by law (USC Title 5 Section 6103) that VA follows:

Under current definitions, four are set by date:

New Year's Day January 1 Independence Day July 4 Veterans Day November 11 Christmas Day December 25

If any of the above falls on a Saturday, then Friday shall be observed as a holiday. Similarly, if one falls on a Sunday, then Monday shall be observed as a holiday.

The other six are set by a day of the week and month:

Martin Luther King's Birthday Third Monday in January Washington's Birthday Third Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Thanksgiving Fourth Thursday in November

D. Contract Administration

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under 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 commitment or issue changes that will affect price, quantity or quality of performance of this contract.

In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in cost incurred thereof.

LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

(JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to contractor's offices where the contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information

Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

(End of Clause)

SUBCONTRACTING COMMITMENTS--MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

(JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors, and VAAR 852.215-71, Evaluation Factor Commitments.

Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include these clauses. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) to assist in assessing contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments incorporated into the contract. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to the contractor's business records or other proprietary data to review such business records regarding contract compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments.

(End of Clause)

CONTRACT CLAUSES

VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—MONITORING

AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

(a) This solicitation includes FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.

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

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

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

(End of Clause)

VAAR 852.219-75 SUBCONTRACTING COMMITMENTS MONITORING AND

COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

(a) This solicitation includes the clause: 852.215-70 Service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small business evaluation factors. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include the clause 852.215-71 Evaluation factor commitments.

(b) The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) to assist in assessing Contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments incorporated into the contract. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data to review such business records regarding contract compliance with this requirement.

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

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

VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS

(NOV 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

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

(2) Designated agency office means the office designated by the purchase order, agreement, or contract to first receive and review invoices. This office can be contractually designated as the receiving entity.

This office may be different from the office issuing the payment;

(3) Electronic form means an automated system transmitting information electronically according to the accepted electronic data transmission methods and formats identified in paragraph (c) of this clause.

Facsimile, email, and scanned documents are not acceptable electronic forms for submission of payment requests;

(4) Invoice payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001; and

(5) Payment request means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment submitted by the contractor under this contract.

(b) Electronic payment requests. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the contractor shall submit payment requests in electronic form. Purchases paid with a Government-wide commercial purchase card are considered to be an electronic transaction for purposes of this rule, and therefore no additional electronic invoice submission is required.

(c) Data transmission. A contractor must ensure that the data transmission method and format are through one of the following:

(1) VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System at the current website address provided in the contract.

(2) Any system that conforms to the X12 electronic data interchange (EDI) formats established by the Accredited Standards Center (ASC) and chartered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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

(e) Exceptions. If, based on one of the circumstances in this paragraph (e), the Contracting Officer directs that payment requests be made by mail, the Contractor shall submit payment requests by mail through the United States Postal Service to the designated agency office. Submission of payment requests by mail may be required for—

(1) Awards made to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States;

(2) Classified contracts or purchases when electronic submission and processing of payment requests could compromise the safeguarding of classified or privacy information;

(3) Contracts awarded by contracting officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to national emergencies;

(4) Solicitations or contracts in which the designated agency office is a VA entity other than the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, Texas; or

(5) Solicitations or contracts in which the VA designated agency office does not have electronic invoicing capability as described above.

(End of Clause)

VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984)

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

(End of Clause)

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):

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

FAR Number Title Date

52.212-4

52.203-17

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS

CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

AND REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF

WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

OCT 2018

APR 2014

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE

MAINTENANCE

JUL 2016

52.232-40

852.203-70

PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL

BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS

COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING

DEC 2013

MAY 2018

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(OCT 2018)

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

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

(2) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115–91).

(3) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(4) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(5) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108- 78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[X] (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

[] (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (OCT 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

[] (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

[X] (4) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2018) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (5) [Reserved]

[] (6) 52.204–14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[] (7) 52.204–15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (OCT 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

[] (10) [Reserved]

[] (11)(i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C.

657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011) of 52.219-3.

[] (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2011) of 52.219-4.

[] (13) [Reserved]

[X] (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011).

[] (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2011).

[] (15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

[] (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

[X] (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[] (17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (AUG 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[] (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

[] (iv) Alternate III (JAN 2017) of 52.219-9.

[] (v) Alternate IV (AUG 2018) of 52.219-9.

[] (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[X] (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (JAN 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

[] (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[] (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[X] (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C 632(a)(2)).

[] (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (DEC 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[] (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (DEC 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[X] (25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

[] (26) 52.222–19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (JAN 2018) (E.O.

13126).

[X] (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

[X] (28)(i) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

[] (ii) Alternate I (FEB 1999) of 52.222-26.

[X] (29)(i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (OCT 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JULY 2014) of 52.222-35.

[X] (30)(i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JULY 2014) of 52.222-36.

[X] (31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[X] (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

[X] (33)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (MAR 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[X] (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

[] (35)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C.6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAY 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[] (36) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (37) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (38)(i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2015) of 52.223-13.

[] (39)(i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-14.

[] (40) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007)(42 U.S.C. 8259b).

[] (41)(i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (OCT 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-16.

[X] (42) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011)

[] (43) 52.223-20, Aerosols (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (44) 52.223-21, Foams (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (45) (i) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.

[] (46) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

[] (47)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112- 42, and 112-43.

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAY 2014) of 52.225-3.

[] (iii) Alternate II (MAY 2014) of 52.225-3.

[] (iv) Alternate III (MAY 2014) of 52.225-3.

[] (48) 52.225–5, Trade Agreements (AUG 2018) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

[X] (49) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

[] (50) 52.225–26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (OCT 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

[] (51) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

[] (52) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

[] (53) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C.

4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

[] (54) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (JAN 2017) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

[X] (55) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (56) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (57) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (58) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

[] (59) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017)(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(12)).

[] (60)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

[] (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

[] (iii) Alternate II (FEB 2006) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[] (1) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (MAY 2014) (E.O. 13495).

[] (2) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[x] (3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

Employee Class Monetary + Wage-Fringe Benefits 30210 - Laboratory Technician 25.31 + 4.18 Wage-Fringe Benefits

[] (4) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (5) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (6) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

[] (7) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[] (8) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015).

[] (9) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

[] (10) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (MAY 2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records—Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor's directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement.

Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (OCT 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

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

(iii) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115–91).

(iv) 52.219–8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219–8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(v) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (MAY 2014) (E.O. 13495). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (l) of FAR clause 52.222-17.

(vi) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

(vii) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

(viii) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (OCT 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ix) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(x) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xi) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xiii)(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (MAR 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

(B) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(xiv) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

(xv) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xvi) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015) (E. O. 12989).

(xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015).

12130 - Medical Laboratory Technician 17.06 + Wage-Fringe Benefits

(xviii) 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

(xix)(A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.

(xx) 52.225–26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (OCT 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

(xxi) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (MAY 2014) (42 U.S.C.

1792)…