36C24E20Q0238_1.docx

36C24E20Q0238 Contract Opportunity Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE

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CONTRACTING OFFICE'S

ZIP-CODE

SOLICITATION NUMBER

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE

ARCHIVE

DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

NAICS CODE

CONTRACTING OFFICE

ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT

(POC Information Automatically Filled from User Profile Unless Entered)

DESCRIPTION

See Attachment

AGENCY'S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT'S EMAIL

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EMAIL DESCRIPTION

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field Contract Opportunity Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Sophion Bioscience automated electrophysiology instruments 15212-5319 36C24E20Q0238 08-26-2020

1:00PM

EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

N

SBA

334516 US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh PA 15212-5319

Please see Solicitation below.

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

689-20-3-2123-0541 36C24E20Q0238 08-21-2020 Mr. Robin A. Simmons 412-925-4752 08-26-2020

1:00PM

00240E US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh PA 15212-5319 X X 334516 1000 Employees N/A X VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 34, Mail Stop 127A 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516-2770 00240E US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh PA 15212-5319

00240E US Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (FSC) P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 See CONTINUATION Page Please see schedule of listed items.

See CONTINUATION Page X 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: TBD

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C24E MR. ROBIN A. SIMMONS US Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office (RPO) East 323 North Shore Drive, Suite 500 Pittsburgh PA 15212-5319

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.

US Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (FSC) P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971

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

B.2 SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut intends to purchase one (1) Sophion Bioscience Automated Electrophysiology System (with accessories), along with ancillary support services. This equipment is essential to R&D activities in support of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Stephen Waxman.

Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide the equipment, installation of new equipment, training and all other resources required to deliver the requirements stated within this solicitation. The SOW describes the necessary ancillary services needed. The VA requires this equipment (as stated below) will be used on several funded and ongoing projects within the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. This is a BRAND NAME OR EQUAL requirement which will be used by the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. These salient characteristics are required, and are not flexible.

NOTE: If submitting a quote with equipment that is of equal qualifications to the minimum specification listed below, the offeror must demonstrate their equipment’s ability to meet the following minimum salient features:

Statement of Work (SOW)

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Project: Automated Electrophysiology Instruments

2. Background: The lab of Dr. Waxman is a world-renowned lab studying the roles of ion channels in pain. To achieve higher productivity, while not compromising on data quality, Dr. Waxman has invested in automated electrophysiology instruments that balance the compromises of increasing the number of cells measured in parallel while maintaining quality results and the flexibility to perform ever changing scientific questions. Dr. Waxman is proposing to significantly increase the pace of translational research for pain in our Veterans by utilizing state of the art high throughput automated electrophysiology instruments.

3. Scope of Work: The selected Vendor will deliver and install the electrophysiology instruments within the laboratory of Dr. Waxman. The instruments as quoted include both optional accessories as well as an amount of consumables which will also be delivered and installed. The quote shall include initial configuration and system validation, initial training of selected lab members on the use and care of the instruments, and continuing support in developing assays and analysis using the instruments and software. The quote includes three years of service plan which includes both the service of the instruments, future software updates, and access to technical expertise.

4. Period of Performance: The period of performance (POP) shall be 36 months after installation.

5. Type of Contract: Firm Fixed Price

6. Place of Performance: The Contractor shall support this effort at the VA CT Healthcare system 950 Campbell Ave., Bldg 34, West Haven, CT 06516. If the work is performed at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the COR will provide adequate on-site workspace and automated data processing (ADP) equipment for Contractor personnel. Work at the government site shall not take place on Federal holidays or weekends unless directed by the Contracting Officer (CO).

B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

For a period of thirty six (36) months, the contractor shall provide technical support to our users of the purchased items.

C. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES

Task 1: Deliver and install specified items The contractor will open and identify all the items shipped against the packing lists. The contractor will assemble and verify full functioning of the items. The contractor will consult and work with designated members of Dr. Waxman’s lab as to the final placement of the items within Dr. Waxman’s laboratory space.

Task 2: System checkout and refresher training The contractor will verify the operation of the installed components and demonstrate the proper operation of the newly installed components to designated members of Dr. Waxman’s lab.

Task 3: Provide total technical support The contractor will provide unlimited phone, email, and web-based tech support.

Task 4: Quality Assurance The contractor will develop a quality control plan that covers all aspects of the work to be performed under this contract. The quality control plan will include the following:

· The contractor will have a management system that identifies potential problems early, ensures high-quality data and adherence to schedules, controls project costs, and maintains close communication with the VA. Project operations will include frequent conversations concerning progress and challenges, meetings to discuss and resolve problems, and regular reporting between the contractor and the VA.

· The contractor will provide training to interviewers, supervisors, data entry staff, survey mailing staff, and other staff necessary for the project. This training will include study procedures, problem identification, and protection of the rights of human subjects. All people who will collect or handle data must have a certificate in human subjects’ research protection and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training, obtained before beginning work on this study and renewed once each year. All contractor personnel will satisfy VA training requirements in privacy, information security, and any additional training related to research and information security as required.

· The contractor will perform a visual edit of all questionnaire data (i.e., ensuring that a response recorded on the paper survey is formatted such that a value can be captured when scanned. All data that are entered manually will be subject to 100% verification (double-data entry). The contractor will conduct logic and range edit checks on all data, and correct all errors that are resolvable using available information.

· A tracking system will be designed to identify the Veterans who have not been successfully contacted to complete a questionnaire, or who have not responded to a questionnaire and have not received a follow-up mailing, within a designated time.

· The contractor will develop and implement a data management system to track the status of any participants selected for the study at any time and at any point in the search, location, questionnaire, or record retrieval process.

· The contractor will submit raw questionnaire data to compare with final edited data.

· The VA COR, together with other VA staff, will make announced and unannounced visits to monitor contractor operations on-site.

Task 5: Submit a Confidentiality Plan and Data Security Procedures Storage and Access to Data: Contractor personnel will not have access to secure or sensitive data. The items under this contract are not used for collection or storage of personal or confidential data of Veterans or non-veterans. Further, if contractor personnel were to come on site, they would not be allowed access to any computer systems without laboratory personnel present.

D. SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES – N/A

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Final inspection and acceptance of all work performed, reports and deliverables will occur at the place of delivery designated by the COR. Final approval and acceptance of documentation required herein shall be by letter of approval and acceptance by COR. The Contractor shall not construe any letter of acknowledgment of receipt of material as a waiver of review, or as an acknowledgment that the material is in conformance with this SOW.

F. CHANGES TO STATEMENT OF WORK

Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder along with all other products of the project. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the contractor.

G. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The government shall assure that the contractor has access to VA toll-free telephone numbers for Veterans as appropriate.

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

QUBE 384 MKII - high throughput screening system

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB1110

QVac vacuum pump

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB3010

Temperature control for Qube 384

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB3362

TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR QPATCH II

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB3041

CLAMP FOR QUBE

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB3350

CLAMP FOR QPATCH II

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB2069

RS COMPENSATION FOR QUBE

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB3320

RS COMPENSATION FOR QPATCH II

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB2036

3 (THREE) ADDITIONAL ORACLE LICENSES FOR THE QPATCH DATABASE FOR A TOTAL PF 6 (SIX)

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB4050

ACADEMIC GOLD SERVICE AND SUPPORT PLAN TO COVER 3 YEARS

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB4431

SHIPPING AND INSURANCE

QCHIP384 OR QPLATE48 MEASUREMENT PLATES

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB2110-2040

PIPETTE TIPS FOR ROBOT (50 BOXES)

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: SB2200

GRAND TOTAL

B.4 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

B.5 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Page 1 of Page 1 of Page 1 of Page 1 of Basis for award resulting from this RFQ will be made to offeror IAW FAR 13.106-2 and quotes shall be evaluated based on Price, Technical Capability, and Past Performance.

Offerors must notify the Contracting Officer, Mr. Robin Simmons, at robin.simmons@va.gov with any questions regarding this RFQ no later than Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 1:00PM EST.

Quotes shall be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer. No telephone request for information will be considered. Incomplete packages will be considered nonresponsive. All quotes must be received by the closing date Wednesday, August 26, 2020 NLT 1:00PM EST.

Quotes shall be inclusive of all shipping expenses, as well as any other miscellaneous taxes or fees.

Page 1 of

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the Government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights—

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71, Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence.

(g) Invoice.

(1) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice and three copies (or electronic invoice, if authorized) to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices. An invoice must include—

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

(iii) Contract number, line item number and, if applicable, the order number;

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered;

(v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading;

(vi) Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

(vii) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent;

(viii) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and

(ix) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Contractor shall include its TIN on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(x) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

(A) The Contractor shall include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to be a proper invoice, the Contractor shall have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance with the applicable solicitation provision, contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures.

(C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay by EFT.

(2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR part 1315.

(h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees and agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark or copyright, arising out of the performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and proceedings.

(i) Payment.—

(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract.

(2) Prompt payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR part 1315.

(3) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). If the Government makes payment by EFT, see 52.212-5(b) for the appropriate EFT clause.

(4) Discount. In connection with any discount offered for early payment, time shall be computed from the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date which appears on the payment check or the specified payment date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made.

(5) Overpayments. If the Contractor becomes aware of a duplicate contract financing or invoice payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid on a contract financing or invoice payment, the Contractor shall—

(i) Remit the overpayment amount to the payment office cited in the contract along with a description of the overpayment including the—

(A) Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment);

(B) Affected contract number and delivery order number, if applicable;

(C) Affected line item or subline item, if applicable; and

(D) Contractor point of contact.

(ii) Provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer.

(6) Interest.

(i) All amounts that become payable by the Contractor to the Government under this contract shall bear simple interest from the date due until paid unless paid within 30 days of becoming due. The interest rate shall be the interest rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in 41 U.S.C. 7109, which is applicable to the period in which the amount becomes due, as provided in (i)(6)(v) of this clause, and then at the rate applicable for each six-month period as fixed by the Secretary until the amount is paid.

(ii) The Government may issue a demand for payment to the Contractor upon finding a debt is due under the contract.

(iii) Final decisions. The Contracting Officer will issue a final decision as required by 33.211 if—

(A) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor are unable to reach agreement on the existence or amount of a debt within 30 days;

(B) The Contractor fails to liquidate a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer within the timeline specified in the demand for payment unless the amounts were not repaid because the Contractor has requested an installment payment agreement; or

(C) The Contractor requests a deferment of collection on a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer (see 32.607-2).

(iv) If a demand for payment was previously issued for the debt, the demand for payment included in the final decision shall identify the same due date as the original demand for payment.

(v) Amounts shall be due at the earliest of the following dates:

(A) The date fixed under this contract.

(B) The date of the first written demand for payment, including any demand for payment resulting from a default termination.

(vi) The interest charge shall be computed for the actual number of calendar days involved beginning on the due date and ending on—

(A) The date on which the designated office receives payment from the Contractor;

(B) The date of issuance of a Government check to the Contractor from which an amount otherwise payable has been withheld as a credit against the contract debt; or

(C) The date on which an amount withheld and applied to the contract debt would otherwise have become payable to the Contractor.

(vii) The interest charge made under this clause may be reduced under the procedures prescribed in 32.608-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation in effect on the date of this contract.

(j) Risk of loss. Unless the contract specifically provides otherwise, risk of loss or damage to the supplies provided under this contract shall remain with the Contractor until, and shall pass to the Government upon:

(1) Delivery of the supplies to a carrier, if transportation is f.o.b. origin; or

(2) Delivery of the supplies to the Government at the destination specified in the contract, if transportation is f.o.b. destination.

(k) Taxes. The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties.

(l) Termination for the Government's convenience. The Government reserves the right to terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Contractor shall immediately stop all work hereunder and shall immediately cause any and all of its suppliers and subcontractors to cease work. Subject to the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a percentage of the contract price reflecting the percentage of the work performed prior to the notice of termination, plus reasonable charges the Contractor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Government using its standard record keeping system, have resulted from the termination. The Contractor shall not be required to comply with the cost accounting standards or contract cost principles for this purpose. This paragraph does not give the Government any right to audit the Contractor's records. The Contractor shall not be paid for any work performed or costs incurred which reasonably could have been avoided.

(m) Termination for cause. The Government may terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for cause in the event of any default by the Contractor, or if the Contractor fails to comply with any contract terms and conditions, or fails to provide the Government, upon request, with adequate assurances of future performance. In the event of termination for cause, the Government shall not be liable to the Contractor for any amount for supplies or services not accepted, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Government for any and all rights and remedies provided by law. If it is determined that the Government improperly terminated this contract for default, such termination shall be deemed a termination for convenience.

(n) Title. Unless specified elsewhere in this contract, title to items furnished under this contract shall pass to the Government upon acceptance, regardless of when or where the Government takes physical possession.

(o) Warranty. The Contractor warrants and implies that the items delivered hereunder are merchantable and fit for use for the particular purpose described in this contract.

(p) Limitation of liability. Except as otherwise provided by an express warranty, the Contractor will not be liable to the Government for consequential damages resulting from any defect or deficiencies in accepted items.

(q) Other compliances. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this contract.

(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 41 U.S.C. 4712 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity.

(s) Order of precedence. Any inconsistencies in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:

(1) The schedule of supplies/services.

(2) The Assignments, Disputes, Payments, Invoice, Other Compliances, Compliance with Laws Unique to Government Contracts, and Unauthorized Obligations paragraphs of this clause;

(3) The clause at 52.212-5.

(4) Addenda to this solicitation or contract, including any license agreements for computer software.

(5) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation.

(6) Other paragraphs of this clause.

(7) The Standard Form 1449.

(8) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments

(9) The specification.

(t) [Reserved]

(u) Unauthorized Obligations.

(1) Except as stated in paragraph (u)(2) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under this contract is subject to any End User License Agreement (EULA), Terms of Service (TOS), or similar legal instrument or agreement, that includes any clause requiring the Government to indemnify the Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (31 U.S.C. 1341), the following shall govern:

(i) Any such clause is unenforceable against the Government.

(ii) Neither the Government nor any Government authorized end user shall be deemed to have agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. If the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement is invoked through an “I agree” click box or other comparable mechanism (e.g., “click-wrap” or “browse-wrap” agreements), execution does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause.

(iii) Any such clause is deemed to be stricken from the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement.

(2) Paragraph (u)(1) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and procedures.

(v) Incorporation by reference. The Contractor’s representations and certifications, including those completed electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM), are incorporated by reference into the contract.

(End of Clause) ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS Clauses that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

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

C.2 VAAR 852.212-70 PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES APPLICABLE TO VA ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2020)

(a) The Contractor agrees to comply with any provision or clause that is incorporated herein by reference to implement agency policy applicable to acquisition of commercial items or components. The following provisions and clauses that have been checked by the Contracting Officer are incorporated by reference.

[X] 852.203–70, Commercial Advertising.

[] 852.209–70, Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

[] 852.211–70, Equipment Operation and Maintenance Manuals.

[] 852.214–71, Restrictions on Alternate Item(s).

[] 852.214–72, Alternate Item(s). [Note: this is a fillable clause.] [] 852.214–73, Alternate Packaging and Packing.

[] 852.214–74, Marking of Bid Samples.

[X] 852.215–70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors.

[X] 852.215–71, Evaluation Factor Commitments.

[] 852.216–71, Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

[] 852.216–72, Proportional Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

[] 852.216–73, Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care for Veterans.

[] 852.216–74, Economic Price Adjustment—Medicaid Labor Rates.

[] 852.216–75, Economic Price Adjustment—Fuel Surcharge.

[] 852.219–9, VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements.

[] 852.219–10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

[] 852.219–11, VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

[] 852.222–70, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards—Nursing Home Care for Veterans.

[] 852.228–70, Bond Premium Adjustment.

[] 852.228–71, Indemnification and Insurance.

[] 852.228–72, Assisting Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in Obtaining Bonds.

[X] 852.232–72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

[X] 852.233–70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution.

[X] 852.233–71, Alternate Protest Procedure.

[] 852.237–70, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance.

[X] 852.246–71, Rejected Goods.

[] 852.246–72, Frozen Processed Foods.

[X] 852.246–73, Noncompliance with Packaging, Packing, and/or Marking Requirements.

[] 852.270–1, Representatives of Contracting Officers.

[] 852.271–72, Time Spent by Counselee in Counseling Process.

[] 852.271–73, Use and Publication of Counseling Results.

[] 852.271–74, Inspection.

[] 852.271–75, Extension of Contract Period.

[] 852.273–70, Late Offers.

[] 852.273–71, Alternative Negotiation Techniques.

[] 852.273–72, Alternative Evaluation.

[] 852.273–73, Evaluation—Health-Care Resources.

[] 852.273–74, Award without Exchanges.

(b) All requests for quotations, solicitations, and contracts for commercial item services to be provided to beneficiaries must include the following clause:

[] 852.237–74, Nondiscrimination in Service Delivery.

(End of Clause) C.3 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) C.4 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.

(End of Clause)

C.5 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)

C.6 VAAR 852.247-71 DELIVERY LOCATION (OCT 2018)

Shipment of deliverable items, other than reports, shall be to:

VA Connecticut Healthcare System Building 34, Mail Stop 127A 950 Campbell Avenue

West Haven CT 06516-2770 (End of Clause)

C.7 VAAR 852.247-73 PACKING FOR DOMESTIC SHIPMENT (OCT 2018)

Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carriers and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with regulations of carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.

(End of Clause)

C.8 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/

(End of Clause)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.9 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2020)

(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) 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (AUG 2019) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 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 (JUN 2020), 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 (JUN 2020) (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 (JUN 2020) (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. (JUN 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[X] (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 (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-3.

[] (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (MAR 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-4.

[] (13) [Reserved] [X] (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020).

[] (15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) 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 (JUN 2020) (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 (JUN 2020) of 52.219–9.

[] (v) Alternate IV (JUN 2020) of 52.219–9.

[] (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[X] (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (MAR 2020) (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 (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[X] (22)(i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C 632(a)(2)).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

[] (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (MAR 2020) (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 (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[] (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[X] (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17)) [] (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

[X] (28) 52.222–19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (JAN 2020) (E.O. 13126).

[X] (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

[X] (30)(i) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

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

[X] (31)(i) 52.222–35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

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

[X] (32)(i) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

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

[X] (33) 52.222–37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[X] (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

[X] (35)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (JAN 2019) (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).

[] (36) 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.)

[] (37)(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)…