36C25619Q0874-001.pdf

36C25619Q0874

SECTION A - COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

General Information

Document Type: Combined Solicitation/Synopsis Solicitation Number: 36C25619Q0874 Posted Date: May 21, 2019 Site Visit:

Questions Due Date/Time:

June 4, 2019 / 9:00am (CST) June 7, 2019 / 10:00am (CST)

Response Due Date/Time: June 18, 2019 / 10:00am (CST) Product or Service Code: D322 (IT & Telecommunications – Internet) Set Aside: SDVSOB NAICS Code: 517919 (Dial-up Internet service providers, using client-supplied telecommunications connections) Size Standard:

POC:

$32.5M John L. Walker, Jr. / john.walker15@va.gov

Contracting Office Address

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 16 Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Bldg. 100 Houston, TX 77030

Description:

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2019-02 (effective 05/06/2019).

Contractor is required to be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Small Business Administration (SBA). Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) registration will be verified in Vendor Information Pages (VIP). Quotes may be considered non-compliant and rejected if the Contracting Officer is unable to verify active registration status in the appropriate systems.

The MEDVAMC is seeking a contractor to provide Commercial High-Speed Internet Access services in accordance with the below Scope of Work (SOW). Estimated Base Period of Performance: July 1, 2019 thru June 30, 2020 (plus 4 (four) 1 (one) year options to be exercised at the Government’s discretion.

mailto:john.walker15@va.gov

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 Name: ___________________________________ Address: _____________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________

DUNS#: _____________________________________

Tax ID#: _____________________________________ GSA/FSS, NAC, SEWP Contract # (if applicable) ___________________________

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C256

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 16 Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe BLVD Houston TX 77030 4298

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Monthly

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.

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Service Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971

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

AMENDMENT NO DATE

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM

NUMBE

R

DESCRIPTION OF

SUPPLIES/SERVIC

ES

QUANTIT

Y

UNI

T UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

12.00 MO ________________ ________________

The Contractor shall provide Commercial High-Speed Internet access and connections to the CAVHS sites in the Eugene J.

Towbin Healthcare Center (Bldg. 3) and the John L. McClellan Veterans Hospital (Room GD-101) IAW the PWS.

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 07-01-2019 POP End: 06-30-2020 access and connections to the CAVHS sites in the Eugene J.

Towbin Healthcare Center (Bldg. 3) and the John L. McClellan Veterans Hospital (Room GD-101) IAW the PWS.

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 07-01-2020 POP End: 06-30-2021 access and connections to the CAVHS sites in the Eugene J.

Towbin Healthcare Center (Bldg. 3) and the John L. McClellan Veterans Hospital (Room GD-101) IAW the PWS.

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 07-01-2021 POP End: 06-30-2022 access and connections to the CAVHS sites in the Eugene J.

Towbin Healthcare Center (Bldg. 3) and the John L. McClellan Veterans Hospital (Room GD-101) IAW the PWS.

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 07-01-2022 POP End: 06-30-2023

12.00 MO ________________

The Contractor shall provide Commercial High-Speed Internet access and connections to the CAVHS sites in the Eugene J.

Towbin Healthcare Center (Bldg. 3) and the John L. McClellan Veterans Hospital (Room GD-101) IAW the PWS.

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 07-01-2023 POP End: 06-30-2024

GRAND TOTAL ________________

i. Prior to exercising any option, the Contracting Officer shall ensure it is still in the governments best interest to do so, price and other factors considered.

ii. Any extension, in accordance with FAR 52.217-8, shall utilize Option 4 pricing.

Thus, the offeror’s total price for the purpose of evaluation shall include the base period, 1st option, 2nd option, 3rd option, 4th option, and ½ of the 4th option. As indicated in FAR 52.217-8, the government will have the option provision to extend the performance of the contract up to an additional 6 months when the contractor is provided written notice. Thus, providing separate price for the option six-month extension period is not required.

B.3 REGISTRATION WITH CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

SYSTEM (CPARS)

a. As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.1502 and 42.1503, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed $250,000. The FAR requires that the Contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, Contractor Performance Assessment System (CPARS), which is maintained by the Naval Sea Logistics Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. CPARS has connectivity with the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies. PPIRS is the system used to collect and retrieve performance assessment reports used in source selection determinations and completed CPARS report cards transferred to PPIRS. CPARS also includes access to the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). FAPIIS is a web-enabled application accessed via CPARS for contractor responsibility determination information.

a. As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.1502 and 42.1503, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed $250,000. The FAR requires that the Contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, Contractor Performance Assessment System (CPARS), which is maintained by the Naval Sea Logistics Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. CPARS has connectivity with the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies. PPIRS is the system used to collect and retrieve performance assessment reports used in source selection determinations and completed CPARS report cards transferred to PPIRS. CPARS also includes access to the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). FAPIIS is a web-enabled application accessed via CPARS for contractor responsibility determination information.

B.4 VAAR 852.219-74 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—

MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

(a) This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

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

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

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

(End of Clause)

B.5 SCOPE OF WORK

Title: Commercial High-Speed Internet Services

Background:

Commercial High-Speed Internet Access at the Little Rock and North Little Rock medical campuses will allow continued patient and guest internet connectivity. Internet independent (air gapped) of the Government network allows for current uses to include high speed wireless access points in patient waiting areas, kiosks for venders i.e. Retrax, connectivity of electronic communications boards, and expansion of MyHealthyVet to continue. This access will also be used to support the roll out of a campus wide Veterans Guest Internet (VGI) The current internet source is not adequate in bandwidth/speed and requires upgrade to meet the patient needs, and those of public affairs distributing current information on message boards throughout both locations. Current service is being provided by a 12Mb DSL contract on month to month extensions for the message boards and 37 access points. Additional wireless routers have slowed the system and make ordinary use of the internet unusable. The current system is not capable of the bandwidth expansion necessary to create a Veterans Guest Internet. This is for new internet service, not an expansion of the current DSL. The system will serve 4000 unique users daily.

1. SCOPE: The Contractor shall provide all labor, tools, materials, supplies, equipment, cabling, supervision and transportation required to provide High-Speed Internet Services to the CAVHS facilities. The contractor shall provide services to the demarcation point and routing equipment capable of managing the provider’s signal.

1.1. Tasks - The Contractor shall:

• Provide a fiber path onto VA Fort Roots property, building 3 and John L. McClellan (JLM) hospital to include all cabling necessary.

• Provide a Handoff Router at Fort Roots building 3, and room GD-101 at the JLM Medical Center

• Provide 4 (four) each EDI 1Gbps x 1Gbs connections or greater internet service at the JLM facility

• Provide 5 (five) each EDI 1Gbps x 1Gbps connections or greater internet service at Building 3 located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive / 29 Block minimum

• Provide and configure security routers at each demarcation plus firewall with Network Address Translation (NAT)/Port Address Translation (PAT) for internet access points to interface with the worldwide web. Security device shall protect against spyware, viruses, malicious apps, data leakage, and botnets as a minimum.

• Provide programmer access to all equipment provided

• Provide Operator/Programmer instructions on system

1.2. Responsibility – The Contractor shall maintain:

• Cabling to property

• Demarcation routers/security device

• High-Speed Internet Circuit

2. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: The Contractor shall ensure High-Speed Internet meets or exceeds 1Gbps x 1Gbps Ethernet Dedicated Internet Circuit.

3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

a. Eugene J. Towbin Memorial Healthcare Center 2200 Fort Roots Drive (Building 3) North Little Rock, AR 72114

b. John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital 4300 W 7th Street (Room GD-101) Little Rock, AR 72205

4. OPERATIONAL COVERAGE: Access to communication rooms shall be as follows, unless prior coordination with Engineering Services is made.

4.1 Normal work hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (excluding Federal Holidays).

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

5. QUALITY CONTROL: The service provider shall provide a description of their Quality Control Plan (QCP) for review. All installation, if required, must be made in accordance with industry accepted design and installation methods in compliance with current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Tentative Interim Amendments (TIA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Electrical Code (NEC), and Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) standards. Veterans Affairs Engineering and Information Technology shall have final review, approval, and be the accepting authority for all telecommunications infrastructure, design, installation, materials, and methods in all phases of the design and installation process.

6. CERTIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM: Installers, if required, shall be certified by the manufacturer of the system(s) they are installing and shall certify installation for the manufacturer’s warranty.

6.1 Installers shall:

• Have the necessary tools and test equipment

• Provide trained technicians to operate the equipment

• Be able to test, record, and produce drawings

• Provide material that is new and free of defects (delivered to the job site in original packaging)

• Be professional in all interactions with staff, CAVHS employees and patients

• Maintain a professional appearance at all times (wear appropriate attire)

• Display contract badges while on CAVHS campus

• Follow campus rules while on CAVHS campus

7. ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS: CAVHS Engineering shall supply the Contractor with the minimum logical (technical) and/or physical access to CAVHS information and telecommunication systems for contractor employees and sub-contractors to:

• Perform services outlined in the SOW

• Perform necessary maintenance functions for performance of the contract

7.1. Use of Information: CAVHS information provided to the Contractor for either the performance or administration of this contract shall only be used for those purposes. No other use is permitted without the CO’s express written authorization.

7.2. Service Providers: The service provider shall not make copies of CAVHS information, electronic or otherwise, except as necessary to perform the terms of the agreement or to preserve electronic information stored on Providers electronic storage media for restoration in case any electronic equipment or data used by the provider needs to be restored to an operating state.

7.3. Contractor owned IT devices: The installed system is for public use and will in no way be connected to any Veterans Administration information systems. The C&A requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

7.4. Privacy Act: Work on this project may expose personnel to Privacy Information.

Personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable agency rules and regulations.

8. CHANGES TO CONTRACT OR SOW: Changes to this SOW or the impending contract shall only be authorized and approved through written correspondence form the CO. A copy of each change shall be kept in a project folder along with all other documents or items pertaining to the project. Costs incurred by the Contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the Contractor.

9. PAYMENT: The Contractor shall submit requests for payment electronically to the VA’s Tungsten Network. Invoices shall be paid monthly in arrears for all authorized work performed upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice submitted to:

https://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp. Invoices must include contract number, purchase order number, location inspected/treated and date inspected/treated. Non-performance or late performance may result in delayed or reduced payment under this contract.

(End of Performance Work Statement)

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS (OCT 2018)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(g) Invoice.

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

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EFT.

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

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

(i) Payment.—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(D) Contractor point of contact.

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

(6) Interest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(A) The date fixed under this contract.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts;

18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 41 U.S.C. 4712 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity.

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

(1) The schedule of supplies/services.

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

(3) The clause at 52.212-5.

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

(5) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation.

(6) Other paragraphs of this clause.

(7) The Standard Form 1449.

(8) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments

(9) The specification.

(t) [Reserved]

(u) Unauthorized Obligations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(End of Clause)

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

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

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

(End of Clause)

FAR

Number

Title Date

52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

AND REQUIREMENT TO INFORM EMPLOYEES OF

WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS

APR 2014

52.204-4 PRINTED OR COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED ON

POSTCONSUMER FIBER CONTENT PAPER

MAY 2011

52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT OCT 2018

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE

MAINTENANCE

JUL 2016

52.228-5 INSURANCE—WORK ON A GOVERNMENT

INSTALLATION

JAN 1997

52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL

BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS

DEC 2013

52.237-2 PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS,

EQUIPMENT, AND VEGETATION

APR 1984

52.237-3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES JAN 1991

C.3 SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with FAR 28.307-2 and FAR 52.228-5, the following minimum coverage shall apply to this contract:

(a) Workers' compensation and employers liability: Contractors are required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers' compensation and occupational disease statutes. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, they shall be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a Contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000 is required, except in States with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit workers' compensation to be written by private carriers.

(b) General Liability: $500,000.00 per occurrences.

(c) Automobile liability: $200,000.00 per person; $500,000.00 per occurrence and $20,000.00 property damage.

(d) The successful bidder must present to the Contracting Officer, prior to award, evidence of general liability insurance without any exclusionary clauses for asbestos that would void the general liability coverage.

(End of Clause)

C.4 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 30 days.

(End of Clause)

C.5 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 30 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 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.

C.6 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR

(APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond 06-30-2020. The Government's obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond 06-30-2020, until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(End of Clause)

C.7 52.237-1 SITE VISIT (APR 1984)

Offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

(End of Provision)

C.8 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.9 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2016)(DEVIATION)

(a) Definition. For the Department of Veterans Affairs, “Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern or SDVSOB”:

(1) Means a small business concern:

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or eligible surviving spouses (see VAAR 802.201 Surviving Spouse definition);

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans (or eligible surviving spouses) or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran;

(iii) The business meets Federal small business size standards for the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code identified in the solicitation document;

(iv) The business has been verified for ownership and control pursuant to 38 CFR 74 and is so listed in the Vendor Information Pages database, (https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov); and https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/

(v) The business will comply with subcontracting limitations in 13 CFR 125.6, as applicable

(2) “Service-disabled veteran” means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

(b) General.

(1) Offers are solicited only from verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns.

Offers received from concerns that are not verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns shall not be considered.

(2) Any award resulting from this solicitation shall be made to a verified service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern.

(c) Agreement. A service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern agrees that in the performance of the contract, the concern will comply with the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR §125.6.

(d) A joint venture may be considered a service-disabled veteran owned small business concern if the joint venture complies with the requirements in 13 CFR 125.15, provided that any reference therein to SDVO SBC is to be construed to apply to a VA verified SDVOSB as appropriate.

(e) Any service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern (non-manufacturer) must meet the requirements in FAR 19.102(f) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to receive a benefit under this program.

(End of Clause)

C.10 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.11 VAAR 852.237-70 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (APR 1984)

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

C.12 VAAR 852.270-1 REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTRACTING OFFICERS

(JAN 2008)

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 shall be furnished to the contractor.

(End of Clause)

C.13 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO

IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(JAN 2019)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[] (5) [Reserved]

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

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

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

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

[] (10) [Reserved]

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

657a).

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

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

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

[] (13) [Reserved]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13126).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[X] (33)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (JAN 2019) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22…