36C25024Q0114.docx

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 260 E. University Avenue Cincinnati OH 45219

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Michael Riordan michael.riordan@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Ambulatory Center

420 N. James Road

Columbus OH

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

General Information

NAICS Code:

Wage Determination:

Revision Number:

Date of Revision:

238290 2015-4729 6/30/2023

Contracting Office Address Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as a request for quotations. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-04.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 238290, with a small business size standard of $22 million. The FSC/PSC is J036.

The Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center require full maintenance service for elevators and dumbwaiter.

Section 1: General

1.1 Scope of Work: The Contractor shall provide all materials, labor, and equipment to perform full maintenance service for elevators and dumbwaiter in compliance with the following standards at the Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center (VAACC):

ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, latest edition ASME A17.2 Inspectors’ Manual for Elevators and Escalators, latest edition ASME A17.3 Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators, latest edition ANSI/NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, latest edition The Manufacturer’s recommendations and all other applicable laws.

Full maintenance service is defined as all services, repairs and testing necessary to maintain all elevators, dumbwaiter and accessories in a fully operational mode at all time except for preschedule downtime including all labor, parts and materials.

Measurements of elevator speed, door opening and closing times, performance time, door closing force, floor to floor performance times, mean times between service calls, ride quality, stopping accuracy, downtime, and review of preventive maintenance and inspection reports shall be the governing factors in determining the adequacy of the elevator maintenance. Ensure all electric eyes or door detectors are consistent with traffic demands at each floor.

The Contractor shall post a check chart for each elevator in each machine room in a conspicuous place. This check chart shall list each elevator and dumbwaiter component showing schedule of manufacturer’s recommended frequency of inspection of each component on a monthly, quarterly, annually or other frequency. Entries shall be to indicate the status of schedule items of maintenance work performed. The check chart shall be kept up to date at all times and must be initiated and dated by the contractor’s employee to indicate that the work has been completed. Check chart shall be available for review at the COR’s request.

All elevators provided with firefighters’ service shall be subject to monthly Phase I recall and a minimum of one floor operation on Phase II to assure the system is maintained in a proper operating condition in accordance with ASME A17.1. A written report of the findings on the operation shall be turned over to the COR within two (2) working days after completion of inspection and tests. Testing shall be performed before or after regular working hours or on weekends at no additional cost to the VA ACC.

The Contractor shall provide all labor and material to perform work in accordance with ASME A17.1, ASME A17.2, ASME A17.3 and ANSI/NFPA 70 standards for semi-annual, annual, and five-year tests. The contractor shall perform tests at the date and time specified by the VA ACC (see section 1.4 Work Schedule).

The Contractor shall also:

· Examine periodically all safety devices and governors and conduct an annual no load safety test and each fifth year perform a full load, full speed test of safety mechanism, overhead speed governors, car and counterweight buffers. If required, the governor will be calibrated and seal for proper tripping speed.

· Maintain an adequate factor of safety to equalize the tension on all hoisting ropes, repair and replace conductor cables and hoistway and machine room wiring.

· Keep car emergency light units in an operable condition at all times, test special emergency (fireman’s service) service and emergency power circuits, where provided in accordance with Code requirements.

· Furnish lubricants specified to the various lubricant needs.

· Maintain a supply of contacts, coils, leads, brushes, lubricants, wiping cloths and other minor parts in each machine room for the performance of routine preventive maintenance.

· Periodically clean hoistway including all equipment located in or moving through the hoistway, car stop, car sling, safeties, appliances, pits, sills, door tracks and hangers. Clean machine room floors as needed.

· Upon arrival at the station, the Contractor shall check in with the COR or his designee so that the VA ACC will be aware of the Contractor’s presence at the facility.

· Upon each departure, Contractor will serve notice of disposition of work to the COR or designee.

· The Contractor shall have service ticket on each service call signed by COR or designee, service ticket shall identify the respective piece of equipment, description of problem, description of corrective measures taken and date and time unit was returned to regular operation.

· All tests, inspections, or maintenance repairs that will remove an elevator from service shall be scheduled in advance with the COR.

1.2 Hours of Operation:

- Except for emergency callback service and firefighter monthly Phase I recall and floor operation on phase II, the Contractor shall perform all work during regular working hours. Regular working hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday excluding Federal Holidays. The VA recognizes the following holidays:

Christmas Day

Any other day specifically designated as a holiday by the President of the United States. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is recognized as the holiday; if the holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is recognized as the holiday.

- Emergency callback service shall be provided 24 hours a day, seven days per week as no additional cost to the VA ACC.

- The Contractor shall provide callback services for each elevator as follows: Callback service is defined as requests for each individual elevator, either during or after normal working hours, to correct any elevator problem or condition, which needs attention. Callback during normal working hours consists of responding to VA ACC to each individual elevator service call and take corrective action at the site within 1 hour for passenger entrapments, 2 hours for all other service calls. Callbacks are not to take time away from preventive maintenance and other requirements required under this contract, equipment malfunctions shall be corrected the same day that the service call was issued. If circumstance beyond the contractor’s control preclude resolution of the problem that day, the COR must be notified with an explanation of the delay.

1.3 Place of Performance: Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Canter (VA ACC)

1.4 Work Schedule. The following schedule for monthly, quarterly, annual, and Five-Year-Full-Load Tests should be completed as follow:

· Monthly (must be completed every month)

· Quarterly (must be completed during March, June, September, and December of each year)

· Annual (must be completed during December of each year)

· Five-Year-Full-Load Test (November of 2023)

1.5 Elevator/Dumbwaiter Equipment List:

1.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a Firm Fixed Price contract.

Section 2: Definitions & Acronyms

2.1 Definitions:

Contractor. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

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

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

Preventive Maintenance (PM). Services which are period in nature and are required to maintain the equipment in such condition that it may be operated in accordance with its intended design and functional capacity with minimal incidence of malfunction or inoperative conditions.

2.2 Acronyms:

Section 3: Competency of Personnel Servicing Equipment The Contractor shall have in its employment at all times a sufficient number of capable and qualified employees to enable it to properly, adequately, and safely manage, operate, maintain and account for the elevator system.

The Contractor shall have established business, with an office and fulltime staff. The staff includes a “Fully Qualified” FSE and a “Fully Qualified” FSE who shall serve as the backup.

“Fully Qualified” is based: upon training and on experience in the field. For training the FSE(s) has successfully completed a formalized training program, for the equipment identified in the schedule. For field experience, with respect to scheduled and unscheduled preventive and remedial maintenance, on the model of the elevators at this facility.

The FSE(s) shall be authorized by the Contractor to perform the maintenance services. All work shall be performed by “Fully Qualified” and competent FSEs. The Contractor shall provide written assurance of the competency of their personnel and a list of credentials of approved FSEs for each make and model the contractor services at the VA ACC.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following:

Supplies/Services

Total Contract Price

The period of performance is January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, plus four option years.

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at:

FAR | Acquisition.GOV The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

· FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Items” (NOV 2021)

· FAR 52.204-13, “System for Award Management Maintenance” (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.204-18, “Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance” (AUG 202)

· FAR 52.217-8, “Option to Extend Services” (NOV 1999)

· FAR 52.217-9, “Option to Extend the Term of the Contract” (MAR 2000)

· FAR 52.232-40, “Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors” (NOV 2021)

· FAR 52.237-2, “Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation” (APR 1984)

· VAAR 852.203-70, “Commercial Advertising” (MAY 2018)

· VAAR 852.232-72, “Electronic Submission of Payment Requests” (NOV 2018)

· VAAR 852.215-70, “Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors” (OCT 2019)

· VAAR 852.219-75, “VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting – Certificate for Services and Construction” (NOV 2022) (Attached with Fill-ins) The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

(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 Kapersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance or Equipment (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(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:

· FAR 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation & First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020)

· FAR 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (NOV 2021)

· FAR 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2))

· FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015)

· FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEPT 2016)

· FAR 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020)

· FAR 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2020)

· FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020)

· FAR 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021)

· FAR 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513)

· FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021)

· FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

(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:

· FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018)

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

· FAR 52.222.55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022)

· FAR 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022)

(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 products and commercial services. 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 (NOV 2021) (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, or 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 (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(iv) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunication and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(v) 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 the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(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 (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ix) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(x) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (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).

(xii) (A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (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 (NOV 2021) (E.O. 12989).

(xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022).

(xviii) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) (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 (JUN 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xxii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (NOV 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial products and commercial services a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

· FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offerors–Commercial Items” (NOV 2021)

· FAR 52.204-7, “System for Award Management” (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.204-16, “Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting” (AUG 2020)

· FAR 52.237-1, “Site Visit” (APR 1984)

· FAR 52.212-2, “Evaluation – Commercial Items” (NOV 2021)

· FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items” (NOV 2021) Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at SAM.gov | Home in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

All quotes shall be sent to electronically to Michael Riordan at michael.riordan@va.gov.

Evaluation Award will be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government.

The Government will evaluate quotations using the comparative evaluation process outlined in FAR 13.106-2 (b) (3), where quotations will be compared to one another to determine which provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a quotation other than the lowest price that provides additional benefit(s). Quotations may exceed minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to select a quotation that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation, but is not required to do so. Each response must meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government is not requesting or accepting alternate quotations.

(1) Technical or Quality: The quotation will be evaluated to the extent to which it can meet and/or exceed the Government’s requirements as outlined in the solicitation and based on the information requested in the instructions to quoters section of the solicitation.

(2) Past Performance: The past performance evaluation will assess the relative risks associated with a quoter’s likelihood of success in fulfilling the solicitation’s requirements as indicated by the quoter’s record of past performance. The past performance evaluation may be based on the contracting officer’s knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired; Customer surveys, and past performance questionnaire replies; Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) at http://www.cpars.gov/; or any other reasonable basis.>

(3) Price: The Government will evaluate the price by adding the total of all line item prices, including all options. The Total Evaluated Price will be that sum.

a) Options. The Government will evaluate quotations for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.

The following are the decision factors: {The following is standard evaluation language (i.e., how the Government evaluates what is submitted in the quotation). The information that shall be included in the quotation should be set forth in the quotation submission instructions (i.e., FAR Provision 52.212-1 and any addendum) of the solicitation and should vary based on the type of supply and/or service being procured and the complexity of that supply and/or service} The award will be made to the response most advantageous to the Government.

Responses should contain your best terms, conditions.

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The version of FAR 52.212-1 in the addendum is tailored for Simplified Acquisition Procedures and supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212-1 contained in the FAR.

The following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard are stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation.

(b) Submission of quotations. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Quotations may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, quotations must show-

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotations;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the quoter;

(4) A technical description of the items being quoted in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) “Remit to” address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3( b) for those representations and certifications that the quoter shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references – Minimum of 3 and Maximum of 5 (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) Include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Quotations that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Multiple quotations. Quoters are encouraged to submit multiple quotations presenting alternative terms and conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each quotation submitted will be evaluated separately.

(e) Late submissions

(1) Quoters are responsible for submitting quotations so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that quotations are due.

(2) Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotations is late and will not be considered unless it is received before purchase order issuance and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotations cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotations by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of quotations will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(f) Issuance of purchase order. Quotations should contain the quoter’s best technical and price terms. The Contracting Officer may reject any or all quotations. The Contracting Officer may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation. After the evaluation of quotations, the Contracting Officer may negotiate final terms with one or more quoters of the Government’s choice before issuing any purchase order. The Contracting Officer will not negotiate with any quoters other than those of the Government’s choice and will not use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15.

(g) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1) (i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to- GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925 Facsimile (202) 619-8978

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(h) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror's name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier [Reserved].

(i) Requests for information. The contracting officer will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this solicitation. Quoters may request information on purchase order(s) resulting from this solicitation from the contracting officer.

This is an open-market combined synopsis/solicitation for services as defined herein. The government intends to award a purchase order as a result of this combined synopsis/solicitation that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."

OR

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any.

Questions/Clarifications: In order to maintain integrity, all quoters are advised that any questions/clarifications shall be submitted in written form via email to the Contracting Officer designated in the solicitation and shall be received no later than November 24, 2023. Questions after that date may not be accepted.

Submission shall be received not later than December 1, 2023, at 3 PM to Michael.riordan@va.gov. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).

Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below.

Point of Contact Michael Riordan michael.riordan@va.gov

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice