36C25226B0028.docx

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER

2. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

3. DATE ISSUED

PAGE OF PAGES

4. CONTRACT NUMBER

5. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NUMBER

6. PROJECT NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS)

10. THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK DESCRIBED IN THESE DOCUMENTS (Title, identifying number, date) 12a. THE CONTRACTOR MUST FURNISH ANY REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS?

(If "YES," indicate within how many calendar days after award in Item 12B.)

12b. CALENDAR DAYS

13. ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS:

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 8/2014)

STANDARD FORM 1442

Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 52.236-1(d)

SOLICITATION, OFFER,

AND AWARD

(Construction, Alteration, or Repair)

SOLICITATION

SOLICITATION

IMPORTANT - The "offer" section on the reverse must be fully completed by offeror.

9. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

11. The Contractor shall begin performance within ____________ calendar days and complete it within calendar days after receiving award, notice to proceed. This performance period is mandatory negotiable. (See _____________________________).

YES

NO

a.

Sealed offers in original and ___________________copies to perform the work required are due at the place specified in Item 8 by _____________ (hour) local time _____________________ (date). If this is a sealed bid solicitation, offers must be publicly opened at that time. Sealed envelopes containing offers shall be marked to show the offeror's name and address, the solicitation number, the date and time offers are due.

b.

An offer guarantee is, is not required.

c.

All offers are subject to the (1) work requirements, and (2) other provisions and clauses incorporated in the solicitation in full text or by reference.

d.

Offers providing less than _______________________ calendar days for Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and will be rejected.

36C25226B0028 X 07-28-2026 578-26-4-6805-0069 578-26-016 Department of Veterans Affairs 36C252 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 Department of Veterans Affairs 36C252 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 Juan C. Gaytan 224-610-3644 Project 578-26-016 Renovations Building 217 Phase 2 CON at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141.

Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, qualified supervision, and other items designated in this contract, in accordance with Statement of Work, specifications & drawings to complete Project 578-26-016 Renovations Building 217 Phase 2 CON at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141.

Project Magnitude Range: $2,000,000.00 and $5,000,000.00 NAICS Code is 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction / SBA size standard: $45 Million

This procurement is a 100% set-aside for CVE Verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Firms (SDVOSB) per The authority 38 U.S.C 8127 (Public Law 109-461). In accordance with VAAR 819.7003(b), at the time of the submission of Bid, and prior to award of any contract, the bidder must represent to the CO that it is: (1) a SDVOSB eligible under VAAR Subpart 819-70: (2) a Small Business concern under the NAICS assigned to this acquisition; and (3) Certified SDVOSB listed in the SBA certification database at https://search.certifications.sba.gov/ (see 13 CFR 128).

Submit all questions regarding the solicitation, SOW, specifications, and/or drawings in writing to the Primary POC:

Juan C. Gaytan – Contracting Officer, no later than 3:00PM local time on August 13, 2026.

Questions received after this deadline may not be addressed. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

See 52.236-3 Site Investigation and conditions affecting the work: One site visit is scheduled for August 05, 2026 at 09:30AM local time. Meet at Room 126, Bldg. 2 (Bldg. with Clock tower) at the Edward Hines JR. VA Hospital, Hines, IL.

NOTICE: Contractors MUST acknowledge VAAR 852.219-75 by signing the certification and submitting with bid.

If certification is not included, bid will be considered non-responsive and cannot be considered for award. See page 52- 53 for 852.219-75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting –Certificate of Compliance for Services & Construction (JAN 2023)(Deviation).

If submitting as a joint-venture, officers must include a copy of the joint-venture agreement.

All bidders are responsible for monitoring and downloading any amendments from Contract Opportunities at the following website: https://sam.gov/content/opportunities.

X X 52.211-10 X 13:00

CDT

09-02-2026 X

14. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR

15. TELEPHONE NUMBER

16. REMITTANCE ADDRESS

CODE

FACILITY CODE

17. The offeror agrees to perform the work required at the prices specified below in strict accordance with the terms of the solicitation, if this offer is accepted by the Government in writing within __________ calendar days after the date offers are due.

AMOUNTS

18. The offeror agrees to furnish any required performance and payment bonds.

19. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT

NUMBER

DATE.

20a. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER 20b. SIGNATURE 20c. OFFER DATE

21. ITEMS ACCEPTED:

22. AMOUNT

23. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

24. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

ITEM

25. OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION PURSUANT TO

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) (

26. ADMINISTERED BY

27. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

PHONE:

FAX:

28. NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT

29. AWARD

Your Contractor agrees offer on this solicitation is hereby accepted as to the items listed. This to furnish and deliver all items or perform all work requirements identified award consummates the contract, which consists of (a) the Government on this form and any continuation sheets for the consideration stated in solicitation and your offer, and (b) this contract award. No further cont-this contract. The rights and obligations of the parties to this contract ractual document is necessary.

shall be governed by (a) this contract award, (b) the solicitation, and (c) the clauses, representations, certifications, and specifications incorporated by reference in or attached to this contract.

30a. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTOR OR PERSON AUTHORIZED 31a. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

TO SIGN

30b. SIGNATURE 30c. DATE 31b. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 31c. AWARD DATE

BY

OFFER

AWARD

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 8/2014) BACK

(Include ZIP Code) (Include area code) (Include only if different than Item 14.)

(Insert any number equal to or greater than the minimum requirement stated in Item 13d. Failure to insert any number means the offeror accepts the minimum in Item 13d.)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation -- give number and date of each) (Type or print) (4 copies unless otherwise specified) (Type or print) (Type or print) (Contractor is required to sign this document and return _______ copies to issuing office.)

(Contractor is not required to sign this document.)

(Must be fully completed by offeror) (To be completed by Government)

CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL COMPLETE ITEM 28 OR 29 AS APPLICABLE

Department of Veterans Affairs 36C252 Great Lakes Acquisition Center - HC 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 Juan C. Gaytan

BID SCHEDULE

Work location is on the campus of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital at 5000 S. Fifth Avenue, Hines, IL 60141.

CLIN 0001: BASE BID: Furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, supervision, and all other necessary resources required for Project #578-26-016 (Renovations Building 217 Phase 2 (CON) as required by the statement of work, specifications, and drawings.

CLIN 0001 Requirements - Each to be phased consecutively

i. In addition to the work detailed in the CLIN1 drawings, the Dementia Unit, Equipment Room, Bariatric Rooms, and High Fall Risk Rooms shall also receive Perimeter Sheet Metal:

Note: Attachments 5, 6, and 7, the CLIN1 drawings, specifications, and Basis of Design (BOD) include 11 total Requirements. This solicitation is only for the 7 requirements listed under CLIN1: The Dementia Unit, 2nd Floor Dining Room, Equipment/Nourishment Rooms, High Fall Risk Rooms, Bariatric Rooms, 2nd floor Group Rooms, and Playground. The remaining 4 requirements (Easy Street, Primary Care Clinic and Entrance Lobby, 2nd Floor Patio, and 1st Floor Dining Room) are not included in this project. Any questions regarding the extents of each Requirement should be resolved during the pre-bid RFI phase.

All work shall be completed within 336 calendar days after receipt of the Notice to Proceed.

All-Inclusive Base Bid LUMP SUM: $ ___________________________ BASIS FOR AWARD: Only one contract will be awarded as a result of this solicitation. A single award will be made on CLIN 0001 (BASE BID) NOTICE TO BIDDERS: Award will be made to the responsible bidder who submitted the lowest responsive bid.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS: Work shall not commence until all required submittals are approved by the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). An approved cost-loaded, Critical Path Method (CPM) construction schedule is required prior to commencement of construction. See specifications for details. CPM schedule shall be approved by the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer’s Representative. See specifications for details.

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

FAR 14 Seal bidding:

FAR 14 Sealed Bidding Procedures apply and as such award will be made to the responsible SDVOSB certified Bidder whose bid is the lowest priced and who has otherwise submitted a responsive bid.

INQUIRIES and RFIs:

Inquiries and all correspondence concerning this solicitation document should be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer. YOU ARE INSTRUCTED SPECIFICALLY TO CONTACT ONLY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER ISSUING THE SOLICITATION ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THIS REQUIREMENT.

Requests for information or clarifications to solicitation documents shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer, Juan C. Gaytan, at juan.gaytan@va.gov and for action no later than 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 13, 2026. All RFIs or clarifications sent to the government will have the following SUBJECT Line: RFI-36C25226B0028-[YOUR COMPANY NAME]

PRE-BID CONFERENCE:

A pre-bid conference will occur on Wednesday, August 05, 2026, at 09:30 AM CST. The location is at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, 5000 S. Fifth Avenue Hines, IL 610141. All participants will meet the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) at Bldg. 2, Conference room 126.

BID DUE DATE and BID SUMBISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

No email bid submissions will be considered, only in person hard copy and mailed bid submissions will be accepted.

Minimum Bid submission requirements:

1) VAAR 852.219-75 Limitations on Subcontracting Certification (Properly completed and signed)

2) Bid Bond Guarantee (FAR 52.228-1) provided on Standard Form 24 (Properly Completed and Signed)

3) SF 1442: Properly Signed and Completed

4) Bid Schedule: All Bid Schedule line items must be properly completed

5) FAR 52.209-13(b)(1) or (2): Properly completed

6) FAR 52.229-11(d): Properly completed All submissions must be received no later than the required bid due date and time. All submissions must be received in a sealed envelope and addressed to the following:

ATTN: Juan C. Gaytan Solicitation: 36C25226B0028 Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S. 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee, WI 53214-1476

BID OPENING:

The bid opening will be held in-person at the Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC), Milwaukee, WI. Bid Opening will occur on Wednesday, September 02, 2026 at 1:00PM CST. Contractors will check-in at the front desk and escorted to a designated area. It is the responsibility of all contractors to arrive prior to the Bid Opening time, as the Bid Opening will start promptly at the time listed above. GLAC address is as follows:

Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S. 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee, WI 53214-1476

CONTRACTOR'S SIGNATURE:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 4, contractual documents (e.g. bids, proposals, awards, modifications, etc.) shall be completed and signed by the Contractor as follows:

(a) Individuals. Signed by the individual.

(b) Individual doing business as a firm. Signed by that individual, and the signature shall be followed by the individual's typed, stamped, or printed name and the words, "an individual doing business as __________________ (insert name of firm)".

(c) Partnership. Signed in the partnership name. Prior to award, provide list of all partners and designate which partners have authority to bind the partnership.

(d) Corporations. Signed in the corporate name followed by the word "by" and the signature, and title of the person authorized to sign. Prior to award, provide list of individuals who have authority to bind the corporation.

(e) Joint Ventures. Signed by each participant in the joint venture in the manner prescribed in (a) through (d) above.

(f) Agents. When an agent is to sign the contract, other than as stated in paragraph (a) through

(e) above, the agent's authorization to bind the principal must be established by evidence satisfactory to the contracting officer.

JOINT VENTURE CERTIFICATION:

Any offeror submitting a bid as a joint venture must provide a certification from each SDVOSB joint partner, signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, stating that the parties to the joint venture (1) have entered into a joint venture agreement that fully complies with paragraph (c) of 13 CFR § 128.402 and (2) will perform the contract in compliance with the joint venture agreement. Failure to submit the certification with the offeror’s bid will render the offeror ineligible for award

Special Notes regarding FAR 52.229-3: Federal, State and Local Taxes:

Offerors are hereby notified that under Illinois Admin. Code tit. 86, § 130.2075 - Sales to Construction Contractors, sales of materials to construction contractors for incorporation into real estate owned by governmental bodies are exempt from Retailers' Occupation Tax and Use Tax. Therefore, the contractor’s purchase of such building and construction materials within the State of Illinois to be incorporated into the real property belonging to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is subject to the exemption from Illinois’ Retailer’s Occupation Tax and Use Tax. To take advantage of the tax exemption, the VA will furnish to the contractor at award a State of Illinois Contractor Exempt Purchase Statement for the project involved, and the contractor may present this form when purchasing materials for incorporation into such project.

Notwithstanding FAR 52.229-3, all bids received in response to this solicitation are presumed to reflect this tax exemption, and therefore should not include Illinois’ Retailer’s Occupation Tax or Use Tax on sales of materials for incorporation into VA real estate under this contract.

CONTRACTOR INFORMATION:

Name of Company:

Name:

Title:

Address:

Email Address:

Phone No:

Fax No:

Tax ID Number:

DUNS Number:

Past Performance PoC (within your company), include name and email address:

2.1 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— "Administrative proceeding" means a non-judicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative Proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings, and Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings). This includes administrative proceedings at the Federal and State level but only in connection with performance of a Federal contract or grant. It does not include agency actions such as contract audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables.

"Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000" means—

(1) The total value of all current, active contracts and grants, including all priced options; and

(2) The total value of all current, active orders including all priced options under indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, 8(a), or requirements contracts (including task and delivery and multiple-award Schedules).

"Principal" means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a division or business segment; and similar positions).

(b) The offeror [ ] has [ ] does not have current active Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000.

(c) If the offeror checked "has" in paragraph (b) of this provision, the offeror represents, by submission of this offer, that the information it has entered in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is current, accurate, and complete as of the date of submission of this offer with regard to the following information:

(1) Whether the offeror, and/or any of its principals, has or has not, within the last five years, in connection with the award to or performance by the offeror of a Federal contract or grant, been the subject of a proceeding, at the Federal or State level that resulted in any of the following dispositions:

(i) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction.

(ii) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more.

(iii) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in—

(A) The payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or

(B) The payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000.

(iv) In a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the Contractor if the proceeding could have led to any of the outcomes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(1)(iii) of this provision.

(2) If the offeror has been involved in the last five years in any of the occurrences listed in (c)(1) of this provision, whether the offeror has provided the requested information with regard to each occurrence.

(d) The offeror shall post the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this provision in FAPIIS as required through maintaining an active registration in the System for Award Management, which can be accessed via https://www.sam.gov (see 52.204-7).

(End of Provision)

2.2 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS—CERTIFICATION (NOV 2021)

(a) This provision does not apply to acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold or to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101.

(b) Certification. [Offeror shall check either (1) or (2).] _____ (1) The Offeror certifies that—

(i) It does not engage and has not engaged in any activity that contributed to or was a significant factor in the President’s or Secretary of State’s determination that a foreign country is in violation of its obligations undertaken in any arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament agreement to which the United States is a party, or is not adhering to its arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament commitments in which the United States is a participating state. The determinations are described in the most recent unclassified annual report provided to Congress pursuant to section 403 of the Arms Control and Disarmament Act (22 U.S.C. 2593a). The report is available at https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-arms-control-and-international-security-affairs/bureau-of-arms-control-verification-and-compliance/; and

(ii) No entity owned or controlled by the Offeror has engaged in any activity that contributed to or was a significant factor in the President’s or Secretary of State’s determination that a foreign country is in violation of its obligations undertaken in any arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament agreement to which the United States is a party, or is not adhering to its arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament commitments in which the United States is a participating state. The determinations are described in the most recent unclassified annual report provided to Congress pursuant to section 403 of the Arms Control and Disarmament Act (22 U.S.C. 2593a). The report is available at https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-arms-control-and-international-security-affairs/bureau-of-arms-control-verification-and-compliance/; or

(2) The Offeror is providing separate information with its offer in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this provision.

(c) Procedures for reviewing the annual unclassified report (see paragraph (b)(1) of this provision). For clarity, references to the report in this section refer to the entirety of the annual unclassified report, including any separate reports that are incorporated by reference into the annual unclassified report.

(1) Check the table of contents of the annual unclassified report and the country section headings of the reports incorporated by reference to identify the foreign countries listed there. Determine whether the Offeror or any person owned or controlled by the Offeror may have engaged in any activity related to one or more of such foreign countries.

(2) If there may have been such activity, review all findings in the report associated with those foreign countries to determine whether or not each such foreign country was determined to be in violation of its obligations undertaken in an arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament agreement to which the United States is a party, or to be not adhering to its arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament commitments in which the United States is a participating state. For clarity, in the annual report an explicit certification of noncompliance is equivalent to a determination of violation. However, the following statements in the annual report are not equivalent to a determination of violation:

(i) An inability to certify compliance.

(ii) An inability to conclude compliance.

(iii) A statement about compliance concerns.

(3) If so, determine whether the Offeror or any person owned or controlled by the Offeror has engaged in any activity that contributed to or is a significant factor in the determination in the report that one or more of these foreign countries is in violation of its obligations undertaken in an arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament agreement to which the United States is a party, or is not adhering to its arms control, nonproliferation, or disarmament commitments in which the United States is a participating state. Review the narrative for any such findings reflecting a determination of violation or non-adherence related to those foreign countries in the report, including the finding itself, and to the extent necessary, the conduct giving rise to the compliance or adherence concerns, the analysis of compliance or adherence concerns, and efforts to resolve compliance or adherence concerns.

(4) The Offeror may submit any questions with regard to this report by email to NDAA1290Cert@state.gov. To the extent feasible, the Department of State will respond to such email inquiries within 3 business days.

(d) Do not submit an offer unless—

(1) A certification is provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision and submitted with the offer; or

(2) In accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this provision, the Offeror provides with its offer information that the President of the United States has—

(i) Waived application under U.S.C. 2593e(d) or (e); or

(ii) Determined under 22 U.S.C. 2593e(g)(2) that the entity has ceased all activities for which measures were imposed under 22 U.S.C.2593e(b).

(e) Remedies. The certification in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly submitted a false certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Government, such as suspension or debarment, the Contracting Officer may terminate any contract resulting from the false certification.

(End of Provision)

2.3 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION)

The Government contemplates award of a Firm-Fixed-Price contract resulting from this solicitation.

(End of Provision)

2.4 52.222-5 CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS—SECONDARY SITE OF THE WORK (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION) (a)(1) The offeror must notify the Government if the offeror intends to perform work at any secondary site of the work, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of the FAR clause at 52.222-6, Construction Wage Rate Requirements, of this solicitation.

(2) If the offeror is unsure if a planned work site satisfies the criteria for a secondary site of the work, the offeror must request a determination from the Contracting Officer.

(b)(1) If the wage determination provided by the Government for work at the primary site of the work is not applicable to the secondary site of the work, the offeror must request a wage determination from the Contracting Officer.

(2) The due date for receipt of offers will not be extended as a result of an offeror's request for a wage determination for a secondary site of the work.

(End of Provision)

2.5 52.225-10 NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENT—CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (MAY 2014)

(a) Definitions. "Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "construction material," "domestic construction material," and "foreign construction material," as used in this provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American—Construction Materials" (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-9).

(b) Requests for determinations of inapplicability. An offeror requesting a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American statute should submit the request to the Contracting Officer in time to allow a determination before submission of offers. The offeror shall include the information and applicable supporting data required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 in the request. If an offeror has not requested a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American statute before submitting its offer, or has not received a response to a previous request, the offeror shall include the information and supporting data in the offer.

(c) Evaluation of offers.

(1) The Government will evaluate an offer requesting exception to the requirements of the Buy American statute, based on claimed unreasonable cost of domestic construction material, by adding to the offered price the appropriate percentage of the cost of such foreign construction material, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9.

(2) If evaluation results in a tie between an offeror that requested the substitution of foreign construction material based on unreasonable cost and an offeror that did not request an exception, the Contracting Officer will award to the offeror that did not request an exception based on unreasonable cost.

(d) Alternate offers.

(1) When an offer includes foreign solicitation in paragraph (b)(2) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9, the offeror also may submit an alternate offer based on use of equivalent domestic construction material.

(2) If an alternate offer is submitted, the offeror shall submit a separate Standard Form 1442 for the alternate offer, and a separate price comparison table prepared in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 for the offer that is based on the use of any foreign construction material for which the Government has not yet determined an exception applies.

(3) If the Government determines that a particular exception requested in accordance with paragraph (c) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 does not apply, the Government will evaluate only those offers based on use of the equivalent domestic construction material, and the offeror shall be required to furnish such domestic construction material. An offer based on use of the foreign construction material for which an exception was requested—

(i) Will be rejected as nonresponsive if this acquisition is conducted by sealed bidding; or

(ii) May be accepted if revised during negotiations.

(End of Provision)

2.6 52.228-1 BID GUARANTEE (SEP 1996)

(a) Failure to furnish a bid guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set for opening of bids, may be cause for rejection of the bid.

(b) The bidder shall furnish a bid guarantee in the form of a firm commitment, e.g., bid bond supported by good and sufficient surety or sureties acceptable to the Government, postal money order, certified check, cashier's check, irrevocable letter of credit, or, under Treasury Department regulations, certain bonds or notes of the United States. The Contracting Officer will return bid guarantees, other than bid bonds—

(1) To unsuccessful bidders as soon as practicable after the opening of bids; and

(2) To the successful bidder upon execution of contractual documents and bonds (including any necessary coinsurance or reinsurance agreements), as required by the bid as accepted.

(c) The amount of the bid guarantee shall be 20 percent of the bid price or $1,000,000.00, whichever is less.

(d) If the successful bidder, upon acceptance of its bid by the Government within the period specified for acceptance, fails to execute all contractual documents or furnish executed bond(s) within 10 days after receipt of the forms by the bidder, the Contracting Officer may terminate the contract for default.

(e) In the event the contract is terminated for default, the bidder is liable for any cost of acquiring the work that exceeds the amount of its bid, and the bid guarantee is available to offset the difference.

(End of Provision)

2.7 52.228-17 INDIVIDUAL SURETY—PLEDGE OF ASSETS (BID GUARANTEE) (FEB 2021)

(a) Offerors shall obtain from each person acting as an individual surety on a bid guarantee—

(1) A pledge of assets that meets the eligibility, valuation, and security requirements described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 28.203–1; and

(2) Standard Form 28, Affidavit of Individual Surety.

(b) The Offeror shall include with its offer the information required at paragraph (a) of this provision within the timeframe specified in the provision at FAR 52.228–1, Bid Guarantee, or as otherwise established by the Contracting Officer.

(c) The Contracting Officer may release the security interest on the individual surety’s assets in support of a bid guarantee based upon evidence that the offer supported by the individual surety will not result in contract award.

(End of Provision)

2.8 52.229-11 TAX ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS—NOTICE AND REPRESENTATION (JUN 2020)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Foreign person means any person other than a United States person.

Specified Federal procurement payment means any payment made pursuant to a contract with a foreign contracting party that is for goods, manufactured or produced, or services provided in a foreign country that is not a party to an international procurement agreement with the United States. For purposes of the prior sentence, a foreign country does not include an outlying area.

United States person as defined in 26 U.S.C. 7701(a)(30) means—

(1) A citizen or resident of the United States;

(2) A domestic partnership;

(3) A domestic corporation;

(4) Any estate (other than a foreign estate, within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 701(a)(31)); and

(5) Any trust if—

(i) A court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust; and

(ii) One or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

(b) Unless exempted, there is a 2 percent tax of the amount of a specified Federal procurement payment on any foreign person receiving such payment. See 26 U.S.C. 5000C and its implementing regulations at 26 CFR 1.5000C-1 through 1.5000C-7.

(c) Exemptions from withholding under this provision are described at 26 CFR 1.5000C-1(d)(5) through (7). The Offeror would claim an exemption from the withholding by using the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form W-14, Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments, available via the internet at www.irs.gov/w14. Any exemption claimed and self-certified on the IRS Form W-14 is subject to audit by the IRS. Any disputes regarding the imposition and collection of the 26 U.S.C. 5000C tax are adjudicated by the IRS as the 26 U.S.C. 5000C tax is a tax matter, not a contract issue. The IRS Form W-14 is provided to the acquiring agency rather than to the IRS.

(d) For purposes of withholding under 26 U.S.C. 5000C, the Offeror represents that—

(1) It [ ] is [ ] is not a foreign person; and

(2) If the Offeror indicates “is” in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, then the Offeror represents that—I am claiming on the IRS Form W-14 [ ] a full exemption, or [ ] partial or no exemption [Offeror shall select one] from the excise tax.

(e) If the Offeror represents it is a foreign person in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, then—

(1) The clause at FAR 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements, will be included in any resulting contract; and

(2) The Offeror shall submit with its offer the IRS Form W-14. If the IRS Form W-14 is not submitted with the offer, exemptions will not be applied to any resulting contract and the Government will withhold a full 2 percent of each payment.

(f) If the Offeror selects “is” in paragraph (d)(1) and “partial or no exemption” in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror will be subject to withholding in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements, in any resulting contract.

(g) A taxpayer may, for a fee, seek advice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to the proper tax treatment of a transaction. This is called a private letter ruling. Also, the IRS may publish a revenue ruling, which is an official interpretation by the IRS of the Internal Revenue Code, related statutes, tax treaties, and regulations. A revenue ruling is the conclusion of the IRS on how the law is applied to a specific set of facts. For questions relating to the interpretation of the IRS regulations go to https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions.

(End of Provision)

2.9 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Juan C. Gaytan

Hand-Carried Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs 36C252 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 Mailing Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs 36C252 115 South 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision)

2.10 52.240-90 SECURITY PROHIBITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (NOV 2025) (DEVIATION)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Backhaul, covered article, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, FASCSA order, Intelligence community, interconnection arrangements, national security system, roaming, sensitive compartmented information, sensitive compartmented information system, source, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.240-91, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions.

Business operations means engaging in commerce in any form, including by acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, selling, possessing, leasing, or operating equipment, facilities, personnel, products, services, personal property, real property, or any other apparatus of business or commerce.

Marginalized populations of Sudan means—

(1) Adversely affected groups in regions authorized to receive assistance under section 8(c) of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (Pub. L. 109-344) (50 U.S.C. 1701 note); and

(2) Marginalized areas in Northern Sudan described in section 4(9) of such Act.

Restricted business operations means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate—

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted under specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.

Sensitive technology—

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically—

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

(b) Procedures.

(1) Covered telecommunications and video surveillance. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for “covered telecommunications equipment or services.”

(2) FASCSA Orders.

(i) The Offeror shall search in SAM for the phrase “FASCSA order” for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable FASCSA order described in paragraph (e) of FAR 52.240-91, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions.

(ii) The Offeror shall review the solicitation for any FASCSA orders that are not in SAM but are effective and apply to the solicitation and resultant contract (see FAR 40.204-1(c)(2)).

(iii) FASCSA orders issued after the date of solicitation do not apply unless added by an amendment to the solicitation.

(c) Covered telecommunications equipment or services representations. By submission of its offer, the Offeror represents that, after conducting a reasonable inquiry (that looks at any information in the Offeror’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit)—

(1) It will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation, except as waived by the solicitation, or as disclosed in paragraph (g); and

(2) It does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services, except as waived by the solicitation, or as disclosed in paragraph (g).

(d) FASCSA Representation. By submission of this offer, the offeror represents that it has conducted a reasonable inquiry, and that the offeror does not propose to provide or use in response to this solicitation any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order in effect on the date the solicitation was issued, except as waived by the solicitation, or as disclosed in paragraph (g). A reasonable inquiry will look at any information in the offeror’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit.

(e) Sudan certification. By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies, after conducting a reasonable inquiry (that looks at any information in the offeror’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit), that the offeror does not conduct any restricted business operations in Sudan.

(f) Iran Representation and Certifications.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this provision or if a waiver has been granted in accordance with FAR 40.203-3, the offeror, after conducting a reasonable inquiry (that looks at any information in the offeror’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit), by submission of its offer—

(i) Represents, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that the offeror does not export any sensitive technology to the government of Iran or any entities or individuals owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf or at the direction of, the government of Iran;

(ii) Certifies that the offeror, or any person (as defined at section 15 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-172, 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) owned or controlled by the offeror, does not engage in any activities for which sanctions may be imposed under section 5 of the Act. These sanctioned activities are in the areas of development of the petroleum resources of Iran, production of refined petroleum products in Iran, sale and provision of refined petroleum products to Iran, and contributing to Iran’s ability to acquire or develop certain weapons or technologies; and

(iii) Certifies that the offeror, and any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not knowingly engage in any transaction that exceeds $15,000 with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates, the property and interests in property of which are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (see OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List at https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx)

(2) Exception for trade agreements. The representation and certification requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this provision do not apply if—

(i) This solicitation includes a trade agreements notice or certification (e.g., 52.225-6, Trade Agreements Certificate); and

(ii) The offeror has certified that all the offered products to be supplied are designated country end products or designated country construction material.

(iii) The offeror shall email questions concerning sensitive technology to the Department of State at CISADA106@state.gov.

(g) Disclosure.

(1) If the Offeror is not able to represent compliance with the prohibitions in paragraphs (c) or (d), then the Offeror shall disclose within 72 hours to the contracting office identified in paragraph (g)(2) the following information for each product or service not compliant:

(i) Contract number and order number, if applicable;

(ii) Identification of whether this disclosure relates to paragraph (c) on covered telecommunication equipment or services, or to paragraph (d) on FASCSA orders;

(iii) A description of the products or services that the Contractor identifies or has reason to suspect is prohibited (include brand; model number, such as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable);

(iv) The entity that produced the product or service (include entity name, unique entity identifier, Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) code, facilities responsible for design, fabrication, assembly, packaging, and test of the product, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor (provide manufacturer codes and distributor codes used for the product));

(v) Description of the functionality of the product or service and how that functionality impacts the risk to the product or service;

(vi) An explanation of any factors relevant to determining if the product or service should be permitted by an applicable exception, exemption, or waiver (if the offeror would like the Government to consider a waiver);

(vii) Whether alternative products or services are available that would be compliant with the prohibition;

(viii) If the product or service is related to item maintenance, include the following information on the item being maintained:

(A) Brand;

(B) Model number, OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and

(C) Item description, as applicable.

(ix) Any readily available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended.

(2) If a disclosure is required to be submitted to a contracting office, the offeror shall submit the disclosure as follows:

(i) If a Department of Defense contracting office, the offeror shall submit the disclosure to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil.

(ii) For all other contracting offices, the Offeror shall submit the disclosure to the Contracting Officer.

(3) If the disclosure provided does not contain any of the information required by paragraph (1), and the Offeror later discovers new information that is required by paragraph (1), then the Offeror shall submit a subsequent disclosure within 72 hours of discovering the new information.

(h) Executive agency review of disclosures. The Contracting Officer will review disclosures provided in paragraph (g) to determine if any applicable waiver may be sought.