36C25025Q0007_2.docx

36C25025Q0007

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

UEI:

EFT:

PHONE:

FAX:

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

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

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

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

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

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

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

655-25-2-6065-0002 36C25025Q0007 08-13-2024 Alexis S. Alexander 734-222-7169 08-27-2024 15:00

EDT

36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor MI 48105 X X 561730 $9.5 Million N/A X 36C655 Department of Veterans Affairs Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center 1500 Weiss St.

Saginaw MI 48602 36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor MI 48105

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Management System PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 877-353-9791 512-460-5540 X See CONTINUATION Page

1. The contractor shall perform Atrium Plant Maintenance and Services at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, 1500 Weiss St., Saginaw, MI 48602, in accordance with the Statement of Work, contract clauses, and provisions contained herein.

2. Invoice Tungsten System -https:// authentication.tungsten-network.com/login

3. Subject to Service Contract Act WD # 2015-4865 Rev. 24 for Saginaw County, Michigan. Current Wage Determinations are listed in Section D.1 below for 11090 - Gardener.

4. All questions shall be emailed to:

Alexis.Alexander1@va.gov NLT 3:00pm EDT. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

5. All offers shall be emailed to:

Alexis.Alexander1@va.gov NLT 3:00pm EDT. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

6. No site visit will be conducted at this time.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X Alexis S. Alexander Contracting Officer Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR: Company Name:

POC:

Phone Number:

Email:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer - Alexis S. Alexander (Alexis.Alexander1@va.gov) Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor MI 48105

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.

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

Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.2 STATEMEN OF WORK

A. GENERAL:

Furnish all labor, supervision, materials, and equipment necessary to maintain the interior landscape in a healthy, vigorous and attractive condition in accordance with the contract specifications. Operations include cultivation, fertilization, watering, foliage cleaning, soil media replenishment, insect and disease control, clean-up/trash removal and replacement of damaged or dead plantings as requested by the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center. The Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center is seeking one base year with four one-year options exercisable solely at the discretion of the government in strict accordance with all schedules, specifications, terms, conditions, and provisions.

WORK HOURS:

1. Normal Work Hours: The service schedule will be developed between the contractor and Contractor’s Officer Representative (COR) prior to any service being performed. Generally, work will be performed during normal business hours, 8am-430pm, Monday through Friday. Plants are in an area where staff and visitors often eat lunch, work shall not be performed between the hours of 11am and 1pm.

2. National Holidays: The eleven holidays observed by the Federal Government are: New Years Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Juneteenth, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday.

B. SPECIFICATIONS:

1. The contractor shall maintain the Bldg. 22 Atrium plants and guarantee the health, vigor, and appearance of all plants in the landscaped areas for the full term of the contract. Services will be provided one (1) time each week, 52 hours per year.

2. The contractor shall replace, throughout the term of the contract period, any plants that are dead, or are in an unhealthy or unsightly condition due to improper maintenance or any other cause due to contractor negligence. The contractor shall make replacements promptly, at no additional cost to the VAMC, with material that meets or exceeds the original contract specifications. The contractor and the COR will be responsible for identifying those plants that need replacement.

3. The contractor will notify COR of any plants that are diseased, overgrown or have become unsuitable for the environment. These plants will be removed and replaced with a similar replacement species agreed upon between the contractor and COR. The government will be responsible for the cost of the replacement planting, these costs are excluded from this contract.

4. Contractor shall keep area clean of all trash, pruning remnants, and other maintenance debris, and shall dust and clean all planter copings at the end of each visit. Trash may be disposed of on site in receptacles designated by the COR.

5. All materials shall meet or exceed the current NALP standards for Interior Plant Specifications.

6. Plant quality and size shall be equal to, or surpassing, Foliage No. I grade as described in the Interior Plant Specifications section of A Guide to Specifications for Interior Landscaping, (current edition published by the National Association of Landscape Professionals). Plantings shall be of varieties to create an ascetically pleasing environment, consisting of different textures, species and blooms. The government reserves the right to reject any material.

7. Foliage shall be visibly free of pests and pathogens, which by their presence could induce or contribute to the decline of the plant. Plants will be removed from service immediately when pests and or pathogens are present and replaced with similar variety during next scheduled service appointment.

8. Foliage shall be reasonably free of any chlorosis, yellowing, or poor chlorophyll formation; must be turgid and substantially free of blemish resulting from mechanical, chemical, pathological, or pest-induced damage. Foliage shall be free of dust, pesticide, and waterborne residues.

9. Canes, trunks, stems and branches shall be visibly free of pests and pathogens, which could, by their presence, induce or contribute to the decline of the plants. Canes, trunks, stems and branches shall be visibly free of scars, conspicuous or not, and shall be substantially healed, providing no point of entry of deleterious pathogens or boring insects. There shall be no splitting of canes or trunks at branching points.

10. Contractor shall provide and replenish soil media in bedding, wood bark, moss, straw, etc. as appropriate to the species of plant areas as required through entire contract period.

11. Contractor will at each visit as necessary: check soil moisture prior to and after watering, check soil PH, turn plants according to growth and light conditions, remove old blooms, clean and shine foliage, trim and manage plants for optimal growth, apply/remove bedding materials.

12. Contractor shall have a minimum of five (5) years of commercial indoor plant maintenance experience.

C. SAFETY: The contractor shall provide fertilization and a natural and/or organic fungicide, pesticide application and control.

1. Contractor shall notify the VAMC prior to application of any pesticide or other chemical control agent. On-site water sources are not available for mixing or cleanup of pesticides. Contractor shall legally dispose of residues and pesticide wastes off site. All spraying of pesticides or chemicals shall be performed in the evening hours (after 4:30pm). All residues on the building walls, floors, seats, and other surfaces shall be cleaned before leaving the site.

2. Pesticides shall be applied only by certified application technicians. Contractor shall provide a copy of the certified application license to Contracting Officer prior to any pesticide application. Contractor shall maintain and operate all pesticide application equipment according to manufacturer's standards and instructions. Contractor shall utilize pesticides only for their labeled use and in accordance with precautions, instructions, and rates specified by the manufacturer.

3. The storage, handling, application, clean up and disposal of all pesticides, fertilizers, solvents and other controlled use materials shall be in strict conformance with all government and other applicable industry standards.

4. Use of organic alternative- forms of pest control and fertilizers are highly encouraged and should be discussed with the COR prior to use.

5. Hanging plants and flowers- Shall be hung with chain and/wire combination to provide enough support to prevent falling. Hanging containers will be secured using provided hooks and contractor shall not alter existing or add additional without written approval from the COR.

6. Ladders shall be Type I or Type II industrial ladders and comply with all safety requirements.

D. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

1. Proposed work schedule identifying activities (foliage cleaning, watering, etc.) tentative calendar schedule and anticipated working hours.

2. Fertilization program including soil testing, product descriptions, application rates, SDS information and tentative application dates.

3. Proposed list of solvents and associated SDS information and equipment that will be used on site.

4. Pesticides shall be applied only by certified application technicians. Contractor shall provide a copy of the certified application license to Contracting Officer prior to any pesticide application.

5. Contractor shall prepare and submit to the COR a monthly maintenance log for each site visit indicating the date, the personnel who were on site, time spent, tasks completed, and record of any pesticide, fertilizer, or other treatment applications.

6. Contractor shall provide drawing depicting location, scientific name and common name of each plant serviced by this contract.

7. Contractor shall provide list of references where similar scope of work has previously been performed.

E. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED

1. Access and water sources shall be agreed upon prior to the start of work.

2. Facility has NO on-site storage available for equipment and materials. All equipment and materials must be removed at the end of each service day.

F. QUALITY ASSURANCE: The Government will inspect atrium area on a weekly; any noted deficiencies will be submitted to contractor at time of visit in writing.

G. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL BADGES AND PARKING:

1. The contractor shall provide the COR with a list of contractor employees expected to enter the buildings. While on VA premises, all contractor personnel shall comply with the rules, regulations, and procedures governing the conduct of personnel and the operation of the facility.

2. An access badge will be given to the contractor’s employee upon entrance into VA buildings. The contractor employee must safeguard the access badge and immediately report any lost, stolen, or destroyed badges to the COR. All contract personnel must properly display their access badges. Access badges must be worn at or above the waist (facing forward.). The contractor’s employees must return the access badge(s) to the COR or designee at the end of the service contract.

3. Access badges will be picked up at Facility Management Service, contractor check in window. Located in building 1, room B115A. During normal business hours.

4. The contractor shall be required to comply with all security policies/requirements of the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC. All security policies/requirements must be met, and employees cleared prior to the contractor performing work under this contract. Employees that cannot meet the security and clearance requirements shall not be allowed to perform work under this contract.

5. It is the responsibility of the contractor’s personnel to park in the appropriate designated parking areas. Parking information shall be coordinated with COR.

6. Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center does not validate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the contractor’s personnel under any circumstance.

H. INTERFERENCE TO NORMAL FUNCTION: Contractor may be required to interrupt their work at anytime so as not to interfere with the normal functioning of the facility, including utility services, fire protection systems, and passage of facility patients, personnel, equipment and carts.

1. In the event of an emergency, contractor services may be stopped and rescheduled at no additional cost to the government.

I. QUANTITIES / LOCATIONS OF PLANTS

Building 22 Atrium Current inventory of plants

1. Hanging 12ea

2. Potted 24ea

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Maintaining plants and area of Atrium located at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Saginaw MI, in accordance with the statement of work.

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 01-17-2025 POP End: 01-16-2026 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S217 - Housekeeping - Interior Plantscaping

Maintaining plants and area of Atrium located at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Saginaw MI, in accordance with the statement of work.

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 01-17-2026 POP End: 01-16-2027

Maintaining plants and area of Atrium located at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Saginaw MI, in accordance with the statement of work.

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 01-17-2027 POP End: 01-16-2028

Maintaining plants and area of Atrium located at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Saginaw MI, in accordance with the statement of work.

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 01-17-2028 POP End: 01-16-2029

Maintaining plants and area of Atrium located at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Saginaw MI, in accordance with the statement of work.

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 01-17-2029 POP End: 01-16-2030

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

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

C.1 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Clause)

C.2 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days.

(End of Clause)

C.3 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five (5) years.

(End of Clause)

C.4 VAAR 852.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (DEC 2022)

The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate representatives to act for him/her in furnishing technical guidance and advice or generally monitor the work to be performed under this contract. Such designation will be in writing and will define the scope and limitation of the designee’s authority. A copy of the designation letter shall be furnished to the Contractor.

(End of Clause)

C.5 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

The Contractor shall not make reference in its commercial advertising to Department of Veterans Affairs contracts in a manner that states or implies the Department of Veterans Affairs approves or endorses the Contractor’s products or services or considers the Contractor’s products or services superior to other products or services.

(End of Clause) C.6 VAAR 852.208-70 SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS EVALUATION FACTORS—ORDERS OR BPAS (NOV 2022)

(a) In an effort to increase contracting opportunities for Veterans, depending on the evaluation factors included in the solicitation, VA will evaluate responses received based on the schedule Contractor’s VIP-verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business/veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB/VOSB) status; and/or their proposed use of VIP-listed SDVOSB/VOSB as subcontractors or teaming partners.

(b) To receive credit under this clause a contractor or subcontractor must be listed, at time of submission of offer/quotes and at time of award, as an eligible SDVOSB/VOSB in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database at https://www.vetbiz.va.gov/vip/.

(c) A VIP-listed SDVOSB schedule holder will receive full credit, and a VIP-listed VOSB schedule holder will receive partial credit for the SDVOSB/VOSB status evaluation factor.

(d) Offerors other than SDVOSBs or VOSBs proposing to use VIP-listed SDVOSBs/VOSBs as subcontractors/teaming partners, will receive some consideration under this evaluation factor. To receive consideration, offerors must provide in their proposals:

(1) The name(s) and contact information of the VIP-listed SDVOSB(s)/VOSB(s) with whom they intend to team or subcontract.

(2) A brief description of the proposed team or subcontractor(s) arrangement.

(3) The approximate dollar value of the proposed teaming arrangements or subcontract(s).

(4) Evidence of teaming partner/ subcontractor’s VIP database registration and verification.

(e) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(g), any business concern that is determined by VA to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented a company’s SDVOSB/VOSB status is subject to debarment for a period of not less than five years. This includes the debarment of all principals in the business.

(End of Clause) C.7 VAAR 852.215-70 SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS EVALUATION FACTORS (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)

(a) In an effort to achieve socioeconomic small business goals, VA shall evaluate offerors based on their service-disabled veteran-owned or veteran-owned small business certification status and their proposed use of eligible certified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) and certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) as subcontractors.

(b) Eligible and certified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses offerors will receive full credit, and offerors qualifying as veteran-owned small businesses will receive partial credit for the certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Status evaluation factor. To receive credit, an offeror must be listed at the time of submission of offers and at time of award, as a certified SDVOSB/VOSB in the SBA certification database on the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program portal at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ (see 13 CFR 128) and be otherwise eligible in accordance with SBA size standards for the acquisition and limitations on subcontracting requirements set forth in SBA regulations (see 13 CFR 121, 125 and 128.).

(c) Non-Veteran offerors proposing to use certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs as subcontractors will receive some consideration under this evaluation factor. Offerors must state in their proposals the names of the certified SDVOSBs and VOSBs with whom they intend to subcontract and provide a brief description of the proposed subcontracts and the approximate dollar values of the proposed subcontracts. In addition, the proposed subcontractors must be listed at the time of submission of offers and at time of award, as a certified SDVOSB/VOSB in the SBA certification database.

(d) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(g), any business concern that is determined by VA to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented a company’s SDVOSB/VOSB status is subject to debarment for a period of not less than five years. This includes the debarment of all principals in the business.

(End of Clause)

C.8 VAAR 852.215-71 EVALUATION FACTOR COMMITMENTS (OCT 2019)

(a) The offeror agrees, if awarded a contract, to use the service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) or veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) proposed as subcontractors in accordance with 852.215–70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors, or to substitute one or more SDVOSBs or VOSBs for subcontract work of the same or similar value.

(b) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(g), any business concern that is determined by VA to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented a company’s SDVOSB/VOSB status is subject to debarment for a period of not less than five years. This includes the debarment of all principals in the business.

(End of Clause)

C.9 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.10 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) for the purpose of performing certain tasks/duties in the administration of the contract. Such designation will be in writing through an ACO Letter of Delegation and will identify the responsibilities and limitations of the ACO. A copy of the ACO Letter of Delegation will be furnished to the Contractor.

(End of Clause) (End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.11 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2024)

(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 products and commercial services:

(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 Covered Entities (DEC 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115–91).

(3) 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–232).

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

(5) 52.232–40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 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 products and commercial services:

[] (1) 52.203–6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

[] (2) 52.203–13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) (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) 52.203–17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

[] (5) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (6) [Reserved] [X] (7) 52.204–14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[] (8) 52.204–15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (9) 52.204–27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117–328).

[] (10) 52.204–28, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and Multi-Agency Contracts. (DEC 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

[X] (11)(i) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders— Prohibition. (DEC 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

[] (ii) Alternate I (DEC 2023) of 52.204–30.

[] (12) 52.209–6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (13) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

[] (14) [Reserved] [] (15) 52.219–3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (16) 52.219–4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (17) [Reserved] [X] (18)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-6.

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

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-7.

[] (20) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[] (21)(i) 52.219–9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023) (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 (SEP 2023) of 52.219–9.

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

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13.

[] (23) 52.219–14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

[] (24) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[] (25) 52.219–27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[X] (26) (i) 52.219–28, Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

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

[] (27) 52.219–29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[] (28) 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 (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[X] (29) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[] (30) 52.219–33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

[X] (31) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O. 11755).

[] (32) 52.222–19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2024) (E.O. 13126).

[X] (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

[X] (34)(i) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

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

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

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

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

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

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

[] (38) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

[X] (39)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (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).

[] (40) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

[] (41)(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.)

[] (42) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (MAY 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

[] (43) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (MAY 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

[] (44) 52.223-20, Aerosols. (MAY 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

[] (45) 52.223-21, Foams (MAY 2024). (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

[X] (46) 52.223-23, Sustainable Products and Services (MAY 2024) (E.O. 14057, 7 U.S.C. 8102, 42 U.S.C. 6962, 42 U.S.C. 8259b, and 42 U.S.C. 7671I).

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

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

[] (48)(i) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (OCT 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

[] (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2022) of 52.225-1.

[] (49)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (NOV 2023) (19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Public Law 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 [Reserved].

[] (iii) Alternate II (DEC 2022) of 52.225-3.

[] (iv) Alternate III (FEB 2024) of 52.225-3.

[] (v) Alternate IV (OCT 2022) of 52.225-3.

[] (50) 52.225–5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2023) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note [X] (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

[] (52) 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. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

[] (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (NOV 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

[] (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (NOV 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

[X] (55) 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (MAY 2024) (E.O. 13513) [] (56) 52.229–12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021).

[] (57) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

[] (58) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

[X] (59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (60) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award Management (JUL 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (61) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[] (62) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

[] (63) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017)(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

[] (64)(i) 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).

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

[] (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2021) 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 products and commercial services:

[X] (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[X] (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

[X] (3) 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).

[] (4) 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).

[] (5) 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).

[] (6) 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).

[X] (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (JAN 2022).

[X] (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) (E.O. 13706).

[] (9) 52.226–6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (JUN 2020) (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, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, 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 or 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) 52.203–17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712).

(iii) 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)).

(iv) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (DEC 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115–91).

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

(vi) 52.204–27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117–328).

(vii) (A) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders— Prohibition. (DEC 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

(B) Alternate I (DEC 2023) of 52.204–30.

(viii) 52.219–8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (FEB 2024) (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.

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

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

(xi) 52.222–35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

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

(xiii) 52.222–37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xiv) 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.

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

(xvi)(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).

(xvii) 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).

(xviii) 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).

(xix) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022) (E. O. 12989).

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

(xxi) 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2022) (E.O. 13706).

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

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

(xxiii) 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. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

(xxiv) 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.

(xxv) 52.232–40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (c) of 52.232–40.

(xxvi) 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.

(End of Clause)

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SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

D.1 See attached document: P07 WD No. 2015-4865 Rev. 24.

D.2 See attached document: Image 1.

D.3 See attached document: Image 2.

D.4 See attached document: Image 3.

D.5 See attached document: Image 4.

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SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES 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 following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation: