36C25624R0018_Solicitation_HOU_Ambulance.docx

36C25624R0018

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

UEI:

EFT:

PHONE:

FAX:

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

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

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

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

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

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

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

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

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

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

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

36C25624R0018 12-20-2023 Brian Hendren Brian.Hendren@va.gov 479-444-5011 01- -2024

:00 AM

CST

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Network Contracting Office 16 2575 Keystone Crossing Fayetteville AR 72703 X X 621910 $22.5 Million N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Blvd.

Houston TX 77030 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks Network Contracting Office 16 2575 Keystone Crossing Fayetteville AR 72703

FSC e-Invoice Payment http://www.fsc.va.gov/fsc/einvoice.asp Invoice Setup Information 1-877-489-6135 invoice must be submitted electronically 1-877-489-6135 See CONTINUATION Page Non-personal Services: Contractor shall provide patient transportation services on an as needed basis in accordance with the Performance Work Statement and all federal, state, and local regulations.

All questions must be submitted to brian.hendren@va.gov no later than /202 4:30 PM (CST). Answers to questions will be provided via solicitation amendment. No telephone requests will be accepted or returned.

Contract type is Fixed Unit Price, Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity type contract (IDIQ) with a 60-month ordering period.

Please pay close attention to Addendum FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X David Miller Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C256 Brian.Hendren@va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Network Contracting Office 16 2575 Keystone Crossing Fayetteville AR 72703

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

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

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION (ALL QUANTITIES ARE ESTIMATES)

Advanced Life Support, Emergency Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Ordering Period 1 POP Begin: 02-16-2024 POP End: 02-15-2025

Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Non-Emergent Advance Life Support Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) specialized care of patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring comprehensive care and constant monitoring by appropriately trained individuals.

Mileage Trip Outside the Base Rate.

Waiting Time (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 30-minute increments).

Dry Run/No Show Service is requested, contractor responds, but patient is not transported due to a cancellation or patient refusal Ordering Period 1

Advanced Life Support, Emergency Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Ordering Period 2 POP Begin: 02-16-2025 POP End: 02-15-2026

Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Non-Emergent Advance Life Support Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) specialized care of patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring comprehensive care and constant monitoring by appropriately trained individuals.

Mileage Trip Outside the Base Rate.

Waiting Time (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 30-minute increments).

Dry Run/No Show Service is requested, contractor responds, but patient is not transported due to a cancellation or patient refusal Ordering Period 2

Advanced Life Support, Emergency Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Ordering Period 3 POP Begin: 02-16-2026 POP End: 02-15-2027

Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Non-Emergent Advance Life Support Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) specialized care of patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring comprehensive care and constant monitoring by appropriately trained individuals.

Mileage Trip Outside the Base Rate.

Waiting Time (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 30-minute increments).

Dry Run/No Show Service is requested, contractor responds, but patient is not transported due to a cancellation or patient refusal Ordering Period 3

Advanced Life Support, Emergency Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Ordering Period 4 POP Begin: 02-16-2027 POP End: 02-15-2028

Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Non-Emergent Advance Life Support Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) specialized care of patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring comprehensive care and constant monitoring by appropriately trained individuals.

Mileage Trip Outside the Base Rate.

Waiting Time (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 30-minute increments).

Dry Run/No Show Service is requested, contractor responds, but patient is not transported due to a cancellation or patient refusal Ordering Period 4

Advanced Life Support, Emergency Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Ordering Period 5 POP Begin: 02-16-2028 POP End: 02-15-2029

Basic Life Support, Non-Emergency Transport, (base rate, to include first 40 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Non-Emergent Advance Life Support Transport, Level 1 (ALS 1) (base rate to include first 40 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) specialized care of patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring comprehensive care and constant monitoring by appropriately trained individuals.

Mileage Trip Outside the Base Rate.

Waiting Time (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 30-minute increments).

Dry Run/No Show Service is requested, contractor responds, but patient is not transported due to a cancellation or patient refusal Ordering Period 5

GRAND TOTAL

Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.3 SECTION B APPENDIX

INVOICES:

a) Invoices shall be submitted monthly in arrears in accordance with: 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2018).

b) Payments shall be made in arrears upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice.

c) In order to comply with the Improper Payment Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 (IPERA), the VA has mandated electronic invoice submission to the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC). VAFSC has partnered with Tungsten Network e-Invoicing network, for submissions of all electronic invoices to VA. Tungsten Network electronic invoicing is free to all VA vendors. In order to submit electronic invoices, all VA vendors must register with Tungsten Network by submitting an email to VA.Registration@Tungsten-Network.com or calling 1-877-752-0900 option 2 for Enrollment.

d) Contractor shall submit an electronic invoice monthly in arrears to the Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC) e-Invoice through the website at https://portal.Tungsten-Network.com/Login.aspx. For questions regarding the submission of VA electronic invoices, Tungsten Network customer service may be contacted at 1-877-489-6135.

e) All invoices shall reference the vendor name and address, customer name, contract number, appropriate obligation/funding order number, description of services provided, quantity, unit price, and total invoice amount (any additional info). Invoices shall also include any payment discount terms.

GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS (See SF1449 Block 18):

a. All invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2018)

b. Facsimile, e-mail, and scanned documents are not acceptable forms of submission for payment requests.

c. VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System - The Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC) uses a third-party contractor, Tungsten Network e-Invoice, to transition vendors from paper to electronic invoice submission. Please go to this website: http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veterans-affairs-us/ to begin submitting electronic invoices, free of charge.

d. As of July 1, 2020, the VA10091 form has been eliminated and the VAFSC is requiring our vendors to update and add their information in the Customer Engagement Portal (CEP) at https://www.cep.fsc.va.gov/. This is for new vendors being added to FMS only.

e. For assistance setting up e-Invoice, the below information is provided:

i. * Tungsten Network e-Invoice Setup Information: 1-877-489-6135 * Tungsten Network e-Invoice email: VA.Registration@Tungsten-Network.com * FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: 1-877-353-9791 * FSC e-invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov

FUTURE VET RIDE INVOICE PROCEDURES

Upon notification from the Contracting Officer, the vendor must receive training and begin implementation of invoices via Vet Ride within 30 days.

f) Invoices must be submitted via the electronic HCFA 1500 in the VetRide Third-Party Portal or other VA approved software. These invoices shall not include patient information, but shall include the following:

· Contractor Name

· Contract Number

· Current Purchase Order Number

· Date of service

· Total amount invoiced including a summary of the total number of charges that align with the line items of this contract (ie. total number of BLS Base Rate, total BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

· An itemized list of charges or services rendered that align with the line items of this contract (ie. BLS Base Rate, BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

Additionally, a copy of the invoice along with secondary documentation shall be provided to the COR. This may be delivered via fax, email, or hand carried. The secondary documentation must include the following information:

· Contractor name and telephone number for billing questions

· Contract Number

· Current Purchase Order Number

· Dates of service

· Name of the patient

· Date and time of pick-up/drop-off

· Address for pick-up/drop-off

· Daily itemized listing of transports and charges that align with the line items of this contract. List shall include patient’s name, the last four digits of the SSN, date of transport, and pick‐up/drop‐off points.

· Total amount invoiced including a summary of the total number of charges that align with the line items of this contract (i.e., total number of BLS Base Rate, total BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE VA BENEFICIARIES, THIRD PARTY INSURANCES, MEDICARE OR MEDICAID TO BE BILLED FOR THE SERVICES PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT.

PRICE SCHEDULE

Contractor must provide firm-fixed unit pricing and total pricing for all line items listed in the following Price Schedule for all ordering periods. All prices and rates shall be for loaded (patient onboard) services and mileage only. The Government shall not pay for unloaded (no patient) services or mileage with the exception of “Dry Run/No Shows” annotated under CLINs ending in 0007. Transportation services listed shall include any bridge, tunnel or road toll charges. Contractor shall not bill the VA for any such separate charges.

The solicitation and resulting contract contains FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services. Evaluation of options under FAR 52.217-8 will be accomplished by adding six months of the offeror's price for the last potential period of performance under this contract to the offeror's total price. Offerors must price only the ordering periods specified in the contract line item numbers (CLINs) schedule, and shall not submit a price for the potential six-month extension of services under FAR 52.217-8. The Government reserves the right to exercise the extension under FAR 52.217-8 before the end of any of the contractor's performance periods and will be exercised at the price and/or rates in effect at the time the clause is exercised. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the extension.”

The guaranteed minimum award amount is $100,000.00 and will be met in the initial fiscal year of the contract award. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum award amount.

The maximum aggregate value of orders placed under this contract shall not exceed $49,000,000.00. This amount shall not be exceeded by any individual order, or combination of orders placed. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer when they have invoiced for 80% of the contract ceiling amount.

Orders may be issued by mail, email, or facsimile. Orders will be priced based on the price(s) in effect on the date the order is signed by the Contracting Officer. Orders may only be placed by warranted contracting officers of VHA Network Contracting Office 16 (NCO 16) and authorized Ordering Officers. Ordering officers may be authorized to place orders against this contract. The Contracting Officer will furnish the Contractor with the names of individuals authorized as ordering officers, by separate memorandum upon issuance of the contract.

All quantities listed in the price schedule are estimated quantities only and shall be considered nonbinding. Contractor shall invoice for the actual quantity of services performed under each line item. The Contractor shall track the aggregate quantity of services performed under each line item for each ordering period and provide to the COR quarterly, or more frequently if requested.

All line items in this contract are specified as PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 621910 - Ambulance Services & PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: V225 - Transportation/Travel/Relocation - Travel/Lodging/Recruitment: Ambulance.

(End of Section B Appendix)

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

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

C.1 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from 02/16/2024 through 02/15/2029.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) A delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when—

(1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;

(2) If sent by fax, the Government transmits the order to the Contractor’s fax number; or

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either—

(i) Posts a copy of the delivery order or task order to a Government document access system, and notice is sent to the Contractor; or

(ii) Distributes the delivery order or task order via email to the Contractor’s email address.

(d) Orders may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized in the contract.

(End of Clause)

C.2 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $100,000.00, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor—

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $5,000,000.00;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $10,000,000.00; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 5 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within 7 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(End of Clause)

C.3 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the expiration of the final task order.

(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 90 days of the current period of performance end date.

(End of Clause)

C.5 VAAR 852.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (DEC 2022)

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

(End of Clause) C.6 VAAR 852.211-76 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES - REIMBURSEMENT FOR DATA BREACH COSTS (FEB 2023) ALTERNATE I (FEB 2023)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause, ‘‘contract’’ means any contract, agreement, order or other instrument and encompasses the definition set forth in FAR 2.101.

(b) Non-disclosure requirements. As a condition of performance under a contract, order, agreement, or other instrument that requires access to sensitive personal information as defined in VAAR 802.101, the following is expressly required—

(1) The Contractor, subcontractor, their employees or business associates shall not, directly or through an affiliate or employee of the Contractor, subcontractor, or business associate, disclose sensitive personal information to any other person unless the disclosure is lawful and is expressly permitted under the contract; and

(2) The Contractor, subcontractor, their employees or business associates shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of any security incident that occurs involving sensitive personal information.

(c) Liquidated damages. If the Contractor or any of its agents fails to protect VA sensitive personal information or otherwise engages in conduct which results in a data breach, the Contractor shall, in place of actual damages, pay to the Government liquidated damages of [$85.00] per affected individual in order to cover costs related to the notification, data breach analysis and credit monitoring. In the event the Contractor provides payment of actual damages in an amount determined to be adequate by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer may forgo collection of liquidated damages.

(d) Purpose of liquidated damages. Based on the results from VA’s determination that there was a data breach caused by Contractor’s or any of its agents’ failure to protect or otherwise engaging in conduct to cause a data breach of VA sensitive personal information, and as directed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall be responsible for paying to the VA liquidated damages in the amount of [$85.00] per affected individual to cover the cost of the following:

(1) Notification related costs.

(2) Credit monitoring reports.

(3) Data breach analysis and impact.

(4) Fraud alerts.

(5) Identity theft insurance.

(e) Relationship to termination clause, if applicable. If the Government terminates this contract in whole or in part under the Termination for cause paragraph, FAR 52.212-4(m), Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services, the Contractor is liable for damages accruing until the Government reasonably obtains delivery or performance of similar supplies or services. These damages are in addition to costs of repurchase as may be required under the Termination clause.

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

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

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

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

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

(End of Clause)

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

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

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

(End of Clause)

C.9 VAAR 852.228-71 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE (MAR 2018)

(a) Indemnification. The Contractor expressly agrees to indemnify and save the Government, its officers, agents, servants, and employees harmless from and against any and all claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability, however caused, resulting from, arising out of, or in any way connected with the performance of work under this contract. Further, it is agreed that any negligence or alleged negligence of the Government, its officers, agents, servants, and employees, shall not be a bar to a claim for indemnification unless the act or omission of the Government, its officers, agents, servants, and employees is the sole, competent, and producing cause of such claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability. At the option of the Contractor, and subject to the approval by the Contracting Officer, insurance coverage may be employed as guaranty of indemnification.

(b) Insurance. Satisfactory insurance coverage is a condition precedent to award of this contract. In general, a successful bidder must present satisfactory evidence of full compliance with State and local requirements, or those below stipulated, whichever are the greater. More specifically, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability coverage will conform to applicable State law requirements for the service defined, whereas general liability and automobile liability of comprehensive type shall, in the absence of higher statutory minimums, be required in the amounts per vehicle used of not less than $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage. State-approved sources of insurance coverage ordinarily will be deemed acceptable to the Department of Veterans Affairs, subject to timely certifications by such sources of the types and limits of the coverages afforded by the sources to the bidder.

(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 852.237-72 CRIME CONTROL ACT—REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE (OCT 2019)

(a) Public Law 101-647, also known as the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Act), imposes responsibilities on certain individuals who, while engaged in a professional capacity or activity, as defined in the Act, on Federal land or in a federally-operated (or contracted) facility, learn of facts that give the individual reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse.

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of the Act. The Act also applies to all applicable subcontracts awarded under this contract. Accordingly, the Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, and any subcontractor staff, is made aware of, understands, and complies with the provisions of the Act.

(End of Clause)

C.12 VAAR 852.237-74 NON-DISCRIMINATION IN SERVICE DELIVERY (OCT 2019)

It is the policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs that no person otherwise eligible will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in the administration of VA programs and services based on non-merit factors such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability (physical or mental). By acceptance of this contract, the Contractor agrees to comply with this policy in supporting the program and in performing the services called for under this contract. The Contractor shall include this clause in all subcontracts awarded under this contract for supporting or performing the specified program and services. Accordingly, the Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees, and any subcontractor staff, is made aware of, understands, and complies with this policy.

(End of Clause)

C.13 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

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

(End of Clause)

C.14 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.15 MANDATORY WRITTEN DISCLOSURES

Mandatory written disclosures required by FAR clause 52.203-13 to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (OIG) must be made electronically through the VA OIG Hotline at http://www.va.gov/oig/contacts/hotline.asp and clicking on "FAR clause 52.203-13 Reporting." If you experience difficulty accessing the website, call the Hotline at 1-800-488-8244 for further instructions.

(End of Clause)

C.16 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

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

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

(End of Clause)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.17 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2023)

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

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

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

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

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

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

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

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

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

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

[X] (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (NOV 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

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

[X] (4) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

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

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

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

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

[X] (10) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[X] (11) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

[] (12) [Reserved] [] (13) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[X] (14) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (15) [Reserved] [X] (16)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

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

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

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

[] (18) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[] (19)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

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

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

[] (iv) Alternate III (JUN 2020) of 52.219-9.

[] (v) Alternate IV (SEP 2023) of 52.219-9.

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

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

[X] (21) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

[] (22) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[] (23) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[X] (24) (i) 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (SEP 2023) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

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

[] (25) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[] (26) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[] (27) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[] (28) l(26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) (15 U.S.C. 657s).

[X] (29) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O. 11755).

[] (30) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (DEC 2022) (E.O. 13126).

[X] (31) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

[X] (32)(i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

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

[X] (33)(i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

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

[X] (34)(i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

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

[X] (35) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[X] (36) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

[X] (37)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[X] (38) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

[] (39)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (MAY 2008) (42 U.S.C.6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAY 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[] (40) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (41) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[] (42)(i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

[] (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2015) of 52.223-13.

[] (43)(i) 52.223-14,…