36C25724Q0989.docx

36C25724Q0989

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office 17

5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Teresa Arzola Teresa.Arzola@va.gov 210.740.3729

Please submit all quotes via email

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Texas Valley Coastal Bend HealthCare System

ATTN: Pathology & Laboratory Service

2601 Veterans Drive

Harlingen Texas

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number 36C25724Q0989 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-06.

The NAICS Code for this request for quotes is 492110 (1,500 Employees). A total service-disabled veteran owned business set-aside is used for this solicitation.

The items being requested are as follows:

The service being requested is for pick-up and delivery for the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, 2601 Veterans Dr., Harlingen, TX 78550.

The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The evaluation criteria are technical acceptability and price. Under technical includes the ability to provide the requested service in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Offerors are to provide a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer.

The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. There are no addenda to this clause.

The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following clauses cited in this clause are applicable:

1. FAR 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (JAN 2017)

2. FAR 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (DEC 2023)

3. FAR 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021)

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

5. FAR 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (MAR 2023)

6. FAR 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996)

7. FAR 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004)

8. FAR 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (NOV 2021)

9. FAR 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV 2023)

10. FAR 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontractor Awards (JUN 2020)

11. FAR 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016)

12. FAR 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023)

13. FAR 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Prohibition (DEC 2023)

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

15. FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (FEB 2024)

16. FAR 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders(MAR 2020)

17. FAR 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for, Sole -Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran -Owned Small Business(SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (FEB 2024)

18. FAR 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (FEB 2024)

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

20. FAR 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016)

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

22. FAR 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020)

23. FAR 52.222-37, Employment Records on Veterans (JUN 2020)

24. FAR 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010)

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

26. FAR 52.223–23, Sustainable Products and Services(MAY 2024)

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

28. FAR 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (MAY 2024)

29. FAR 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021)

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

31. FAR 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standard (AUG 2018)

32. FAR 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014)

33. FAR 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018)

34. FAR 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract labor Standards-Price Adjustment (MAY 2014)

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

36. FAR 52.222-62, Paid Sick leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN2022)

Additional Terms and Conditions:

1. FAR 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (NOV2023)

2. FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

3. FAR 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011)

4. FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)

5. FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

6. FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000)

7. FAR 52.232-18, Availability of Funds (APR 1984)

8. FAR 52.237-3, Continuity of Services (JAN 1991)

9. VAAR 852.201-70, Contracting Officer’s Representative (DEC 2022)

10. VAAR 852.203–70, Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018)

11. VAAR 852.204-70, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (MAY 2020)

12. VAAR 852.219-73, VA Notice of Total Set-Aside for Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (JAN2023) (Deviation)

13. VAAR 852.219.75, VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (Deviation)

14. VAAR 852.232.72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018)

15. VAAR 852.242-71, Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020)

Additional Provisions:

1. FAR 52.201-1, Acquisition 360, Voluntary Survey (SEP 2023)

2. FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020)

3. FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020)

4. FAR 52.204-24, Representation Regarding Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG 2019)

5. FAR 52.204-29, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures (DEC 2023)

6. FAR 52.209-7, Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018)

7. FAR 52.229-11, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements – Notice and Representation (JUN 2020)

8. FAR 52.233-2, Service of Protest (SEP 2006)

9. VAAR 852.215-72, Notice of Intent to Re-Solicit (OCT 2019)

10. VAAR 852.233-70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution (OCT 2018)

11. VAAR 852.233-71, Alternate Protest Procedures (OCT 2018)

12. VAAR 852.273-70, Late Offers (NOV 2021)

See attached RFQ document for more information.

Late quotes or documentation may be accepted if advantageous to the Government. All comments or inquiries are to be submitted in writing via email to the Point of Contact, referenced in this notice on or before October 3, 2024, 9:00 AM Central Standard Time.

Vendors interested in providing the required supplies will need to submit all required documentation, detailed in the attached RFQ document, by email to Teresa Arzola at Teresa.arzola@va.gov, no later than October 8, 2024, 9:00 AM Central Standard Time.

See attached document: RFQ 36C25724Q0989.

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

Page 1 of

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

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

36C25724Q0989 09-24-2024 Teresa Arzola 210.740.3729 10-08-2024

9:00 AM

CDT

36C671 Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240 X X 492110 1500 Employees N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Texas Valley Coastal Bend HC System ATTN:Pathology & Laboratory Service 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen TX 78550 36C671 Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240

This is accomplished through the Tungsten Network located at:

http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp This is mandatory and the sole method for submitting invoices.

(877) 353-9791

(512) 460-5540 See CONTINUATION Page This solicitation is for Laboratory Courier Services.

This will be a base plus four (4) option year contract which will start on 11/01/2024-10/31/2029.

Technical questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Teresa Arzola, in writing at Teresa.Arzola@va.gov no later than 10/03/2024, 9:00 AM CST.

See CONTINUATION Page x X x Page 1 of 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: TBD

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C257 Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240

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.

This is accomplished through the Tungsten Network located at: http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

This is mandatory and the sole-method for submitting invoices.

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

36C25724Q0989

Page 1 of Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (TVCBHCS) has a continued need for medical courier services. The Government must not exercise any supervision or control over the service providers providing the services described herein. The contractor will provide all necessary vehicles, labor, transportation, equipment, material, personnel, gasoline, insurance, directional materials and supplies during normal and after duty hours (Mon-Fri, 8:00am to 7:30pm), five (5) days a week pickup and delivery of routine and emergency reagents, blood and/or blood products, lab products and specimens, and office supplies to locations outlined in the Price/Cost Schedule for the TVCBHCS.

1. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

1.1. PERSONNEL POLICY:

The Contractor must be responsible for protecting the personnel furnishing services under this contract. To carry out that responsibility, the Contractor will provide the following:

· Workers’ compensation

· Professional liability insurance

· Health examinations including: (a) Annual TB Skin Test and recent (within the last year) chest X~ Ray if there is a history of positive TB Skin Test, (b) Evidence of Hepatitis B immunity (hepatitis immune titer, if provider has had the series of shots; if no immunity, evidence that provider has started the Hepatitis B vaccination series), (c) Evidence of a Hepatitis C titer, (d) Varicella titer if provider has not had chicken pox and any other immunizations required.

· Income tax withholding, and

· Social Security Payment

Note: The Contractor, its employees, agents, and subcontractors will not be considered VA employees for any purpose.

1.2. Contractor Responsibilities: (Contractor must confirm they meet all the following requirements at solicitation)

A. Must be licensed and have professional and automobile liability insurance.

B. Couriers must carry cell phones, two-way radios, or pagers for communication purposes.

C. Services must be performed with a company vehicle and a uniformed driver to transport laboratory specimens.

D. The Contractor’s personnel must present a neat appearance and be easily recognized as a contract employee.

E. The Contractor’s employees must wear identification tags that include the company’s name and logo.

F. Contractor’s vehicle must have the company name/logo prominently displayed. In lieu of commercial vehicle, personal vehicle is acceptable. Contractor must provide plastic transport containers to place specimen bags to avoid the possibility of damage due to leaks/spills.

G. After award and prior to the start date, the contractor must provide the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) a copy their employee training certificates, drivers’ licenses, vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration.

H. All couriers transporting laboratory test specimens must be trained and tested as specified in the training requirements of 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart H. Written statement documenting Universal Precautions training, Hazardous Materials training, and training that meets all laws and regulations of the US Department of Transportation and the Centers for Disease Control governing the transport of clinical specimens must be provided to the COR annually.

I. All couriers must maintain a valid driver’s license for the type of vehicle operated as required by the States of Texas.

J. A record of each driver as to character and physical capabilities of performing the duties as a courier must be maintained and made available to the COR for inspection upon request.

K. The contract manager, drivers, and alternates, must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. The name of this person, and an alternate, or alternates, who must act for the contractor when the manager is absent, must be designated in writing to the COR. An updated listing will be provided as changes in personnel occur.

3. TASK SPECIFICATIONS

WORK HOURS:

The Contractor as defined herein must furnish the services covered by this contract at the times specified in Section 4 of the Contract.

The following terms have the following meanings:

I. Work Hours: Service is to be available Monday thru Friday during normal and after duty hours, five (5) days per week.

· Normal Duty Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST.

· After Duty Hours are 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM CST

II. Contractor may be required to work on the National Holidays observed by the Federal Government, on an as needed basis.

The recognized Federal holidays are: New Year’s Day (1st), Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday (3rd Monday in January), Washington’s Birthday (3rd Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (19th of June), Independence Day (4th of July), Labor Day (1st Monday in September), Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October), Veterans Day (November11th), Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), Christmas Day (December 25th) and any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. When one of the designated holidays falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a legal holiday. When a legal holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a holiday by U.S. Government agencies.

3.1. Specific Tasks

Courier Services will consist of the following:

A. The Courier will pick up the laboratory test specimens in locked coolers. Locked coolers will be provided by TVCBHCS.

B. The pickup/delivery must be performed within a 30-minute window of the initial request for pickup. Pickup/delivery times greater than 30 minutes require a telephone call to the COR stating the reasons why this requirement was not met.

C. The condition of the laboratory test specimens will be checked at time of delivery by Government personnel.

D. A daily tracking log will be provided by the clinics and will be completed and submitted to the Laboratory.

E. The items to be transported under this contract consist of biological specimens that will be transported to/from the locations listed in section 4. The specimens are a combination of room temperature, refrigerated, and/or frozen specimens and other items defined under the Statement of Work.

F. Laboratory test specimens, i.e., body fluids (blood, urine, and stool), will be properly packaged in inner containers according to meets all laws and regulations of the US Department of Transportation and the Centers for Disease Control governing the transport of clinical specimens and stored at the proper temperature by Government personnel.

G. Test specimens stored in the refrigerated cooler must remain upright during transportation. Test specimens that are stored at room temperature can be placed near the top of the refrigerated cooler during transport.

H. Drivers:

· All drivers must be of legal age (the age of 18 years) and must maintain neat, clean, and professional appearance and be easily recognized as contractor employees by wearing appropriate identification.

· All drivers must maintain courteous and professional manner towards all VA employees.

· All drivers must limit communication to scope of contract and avoid socializing with all VA patients during pickup and delivery.

· Drivers must be able to speak, understand and write English.

· All couriers transporting specimens under this contract must possess a valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and registration and have two-way radios, cell phones, or pagers for communication purposes. Drivers must be licensed in accordance with the State of Texas, to include any special licensure required for the transporting required items.

· Under no circumstances must any person other than the driver assigned ride in a vehicle or handle items being transported. Driver must not make non-emergent stops, for any reason, during the transport of items under this contract.

· No pets and no smoking are allowed in vehicle when transporting items under this contract.

I. Inclement Weather and Emergency Provision:

· The contractor must contact the COR or designee if conditions exist which may affect their ability to perform contract requirements.

· The contractor must have an established contingency plan for problems which may be experienced in the transport time frame (i.e., breakdown, accident, inclement weather).

· If there is a delay within 30 minutes of the timeframe established, COR or designee must be notified immediately.

· The contractor must arrange alternative transportation for delivery of specimens, mail and supplies in the event the driver is unable to complete deliveries.

· The contractor must provide a list of driver’s names and names of alternate drivers for each route, in case of emergency. Included in the list must be contact phone numbers or pagers and names of each driver. Updated lists must be provided to the COR annually and when changes have occurred.

· Emergency is defined as a vehicle breakdown, traffic and/or accident.

J. Vehicle:

· All vehicles used in performance of this contract must be registered, licensed, and meet the minimum vehicle requirements as mandated by the Department of Transportation.

· The Government reserves the right to inspect the vehicles and investigate the responsibility of contractor to perform the work outlined in the contract. The Contractor must provide all vehicles needed to perform this effort.

· Each vehicle must be adequately stocked with at least one up-to date complete “SPILL KIT” for a bio-hazard cleanup in case of leakage or accidental discharge.

· The Contractor must maintain proper temperature in vehicles to preserve laboratory specimens and medical supplies.

· There must be climate control in the vehicles, so that the internal vehicle temperature can be maintained at a temperature between 65ºF and 85ºF.

· The vehicle must meet the requirement that all efforts must be made to assure that all items are delivered upright, without spoilage/damage from temperature conditions, rough handling and/or negligence.

· The courier who is to transport must place the secured, locked container in a secured, confined area in the vehicle.

· Avoid situations/conditions where the container can be a projectile object in case of sudden breaking of the vehicle.

· The vehicles must not be abandoned between transports from facility to destination. All items must not be left in an unsecured vehicle at any time.

· Under no circumstances should any items transported under this contract be left in the vehicle overnight.

· It is recommended that vehicles are equipped with helpful carrying devices such as hand trucks or other suitable apparatus to assist with transporting items under this contract. These items will not be provided by the Government.

3.2. Quality Control

A. The Contractor must develop and maintain a quality control program that ensures courier services are performed in accordance with these specifications.

B. The contractor must develop and implement procedures to track, identify, prevent, remedy, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services.

C. The contractor must provide a method to accept and resolve customer complaints and notify the customer of the resolution.

D. The contractor must immediately notify the COR upon receipt of a customer complaint so joint validation may be accomplished.

E. The contractor is responsible for quality control and specification compliance.

F. Quality Assurance will be performed by the Government who will evaluate the contractor’s performance using customer complaint, and may at the Government’s discretion, inspect each task to incur conformance and acceptance prior to payment. All specimens must be transported in accordance with all Department of Transportation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Codes of Federal Regulations (CFR) 29 and 49. The Contractor must ensure the confidentiality of all patient information being transported and will be held liable in the event of breach of confidentiality. The Contractor must comply with the provisions of the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579).

G. All items must be transported in accordance with all local, state, and Federal regulations. All efforts must be made to assure that all items are delivered without spoilage/damage from temperature conditions, rough handling and/or negligence.

H. If the courier services cannot be performed due to inclement weather, the COR must be notified in advance.

I. The COR must be notified within two hours, by phone and confirmed through email, if the Contractor has knowledge of any conditions which may adversely affect the Contractor’s ability to perform under the terms and conditions as stated in the specifications of this requirement.

J. In the event of a lost or broken specimen, the contractor must submit a written report to the COR within twenty-four hours explaining the circumstances. Failure to provide the report within this timeframe will be cause further review by the Government to determine if the infraction warrants suspension/termination of the contract.

K. The contractor must always provide quality customer service and must not receive more than five complaints or referrals to the COR per year.

4. DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The VA reserves the right to change the pickup time and location, if it is beneficial to the Government.

Route Name Address City ST Days Time

M-F 11:30

15:30

From

VA Outpatient Clinic

901 E Hackberry Ave McAllen

TX

M-F

14:00

5. OTHER CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Period of Performance:

Base + 4 Option Years

Base November 1,2024-October 31, 2025

Physical Security:

1. The Contractor must be responsible for safeguarding all Government equipment, information and property provided to Contractor personnel while performing the services described herein.

2. The Contractor assumes all liability risks for work performed under this contract.

3. The Contractor must assume total liability for all contract employees.

4. The Contractor must perform to the standards of the contract.

Service Contract Act:

The Service Contract Act applies to this contract. Current Service Contract Act Wage Determinations for the service areas will be attached to the contract. Employees performing under this contract must be paid at least the pay and fringe benefits described therein.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR):

The COR will be identified by a separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which will be provided to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially regarding changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

Contract Administration:

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under this contract. The Contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to contract administration. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue changes that will affect price, quantity, or quality of performance of this contract. In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change must be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof. All changes to the contract will be issued via an amendment and/or modification in writing from the Contracting Officer to the Contractor.

Invoices:

Invoices are to be submitted electronically; monthly, in arrears of the start of the services performed each month. Electronic invoices can be submitted at no additional cost through Tungsten.

Acceptance:

The COR is responsible for acceptance of services and/or the processing of receiving reports for the services provided to the Government. Monthly reports will be sent to the COR.

Information System Officer and Information Protection:

The contractor will not have access to VA Desktop computers or access to online resources belonging to the Government.

Privacy Officer:

The Contractor will have access to protected Patient Health Information (PHI) and will have capability of accessing patient information during the services provided to the VA and if removal of equipment from the VA is required, any memory storage device will remain in VA control and will not be removed from VA custody. All research data available for Contractor analysis is de-identified.

Records Manager:

1. Contractor must comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.

2. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.

3. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor must maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.

4. TVCBHCS and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of TVCBHCS or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to TVCBHCS. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230.

5. The Contractor must immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records, or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the contract. The Contractor must ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor must not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government’s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it must be returned to TVCBHCS control, or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government must be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the contract. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4).

6. The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and TVCBHCS guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information.

7. The Contractor must only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with TVCBHCS policy.

8. The Contractor must not create or maintain any records containing any non-public TVCBHCS information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

9. The Contractor must not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

10. The TVCBHCS owns the rights to all data and records produced as part of this contract. All deliverables under the contract are the property of the U.S. Government for which TVCBHCS must have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Any Contractor rights in the data or deliverables must be identified as required by FAR 52.227-11 through FAR 52.227-20.

11. Training. All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take VHA-provided records management training, Talent Management System (TMS) Item #10176, Privacy and Information Security, Rules of Behavior. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.

6. TUBERCULIN SKIN TEST:

6.1. A tuberculin skin test must be required for all employees before reporting to TVCBHCS and then annually. Annual tests must be required for all negative results, completed during the anniversary month of initial test. Positive results should not be tested annually. All results forwarded to the Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COR). This test verifies the presence of tuberculosis (TB) (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The Mantoux skin test uses TB antigens called purified protein derivative (PPD). The test cannot tell if the infection is active or inactive (latent).

7. Required Registration with Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)

7.1. As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.15, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates contractor past performance on all contracts that exceed $100,000 and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. 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, the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), which is maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CPARS database information is shared with the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies.

7.2. Each contractor whose contract award is estimated to exceed $100,000 is required to register with the NIH CPARS database at the following web address: https://cpscontractor.nih.gov. Help in registering can be obtained by contacting CPARS Support E-mail (CPARS-support-l@list.nih.gov) or by calling (301) 451-2771. Registration should occur no later than thirty days after contract award and must be kept current should there be any change to the contractor’s registered representative.

7.3. For contracts with a period of one year or less, the Contracting Officer will perform a single evaluation when the contract is complete. For contracts exceeding one year, the Contracting Officer will evaluate the contractor’s performance annually. Interim reports will be filed each year until the last year of the contract, when the final report will be completed. The report must be assigned in CPARS to the contractor’s designated representative for comment. The contractor representative will have thirty days to submit any comments and re-assign the report to the VA Contracting Officer.

7.4. Failure to have a current registration with the NIH CPARS database, or to re-assign the report to the VA Contracting Officer within those thirty days, will result in the Government’s evaluation being placed on file in the database with a statement that the contractor failed to respond.

8. VA Handbook 6500.6 Appendix C Paragraph 2 - ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS

8.1. A contractor/subcontractor must request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order.

8.2. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures.

8.3. Contract personnel who require access to national security programs must have a valid security clearance. National Industrial Security Program (NISP) was established by Executive Order 12829 to ensure that cleared U.S. defense industry contract personnel safeguard the classified information in their possession while performing work on contracts, programs, bids, or research and development efforts. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not have a Memorandum of Agreement with Defense Security Service (DSS). Verification of a Security Clearance must be processed through the Special Security Officer located in the Planning and National Security Service within the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness.

8.4. Custom software development and outsourced operations must be located in the U.S. to the maximum extent practical. If such services are proposed to be performed abroad and are not disallowed by other VA policy or mandates, the contractor/subcontractor must state where all non-U.S. services are provided and detail a security plan, deemed to be acceptable by VA, specifically to address mitigation of the resulting problems of communication, control, data protection, and so forth. Location within the U.S. may be an evaluation factor.

8.5. The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor’s employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination.

9. VA Handbook 6500.6 Appendix C Paragraph 6 - SECURITY INCIDENT INVESTIGATION

9.1. The term “security incident” means an event that has, or could have, resulted in unauthorized access to, loss or damage to VA assets, or sensitive information, or an action that breaches VA security procedures. The contractor/subcontractor must immediately notify the COR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Officer for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/subcontractor has access.

9.2. To the extent known by the contractor/subcontractor, the contractor/subcontractor’s notice to VA must identify the information involved, the circumstances surrounding the incident (including to whom, how, when, and where the VA information or assets were placed at risk or compromised), and any other information that the contractor/subcontractor considers relevant.

9.3. With respect to unsecured protected health information, the business associate is deemed to have discovered a data breach when the business associate knew or should have known of a breach of such information. Upon discovery, the business associate must notify the covered entity of the breach. Notifications need to be made in accordance with the executed business associate agreement.

9.4. In instances of theft or break-in or other criminal activity, the contractor/subcontractor must concurrently report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement entity (or entities) of jurisdiction, including the VA OIG and Security and Law Enforcement. The contractor, its employees, and its subcontractors and their employees must cooperate with VA and any law enforcement authority responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible criminal law violation(s) associated with any incident. The contractor/subcontractor must cooperate with VA in any civil litigation to recover VA information, obtain monetary or other compensation from a third party for damages arising from any incident, or obtain injunctive relief against any third party arising from, or related to, the incident.

10. VA Handbook 6500.6 Appendix C Paragraph 9 – TRAINING

10.1. All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems must complete the following before being granted access to VA information and its systems:

10.1.1. Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Contractor Rules of Behavior, Appendix E relating to access to VA information and information systems.

10.1.2. Successfully complete the VA Cyber Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training and annually complete required security training.

10.1.3. Successfully complete the appropriate VA privacy training and annually complete required privacy training; and

10.1.4. Successfully complete any additional cyber security or privacy training, as required for VA personnel with equivalent information system access [to be defined by the VA program official and provided to the Contracting Officer for inclusion in the solicitation document – e.g., any role-based information security training required in accordance with NIST Special Publication 800-16, Information Technology Security Training Requirements.]

10.2. The contractor must provide to the Contracting Officer and/or the COR a copy of the training certificates and certification of signing the Contractor Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required.

10.3. Failure to complete the mandatory annual training and sign the Rules of Behavior annually, within the timeframe required, is grounds for suspension or termination of all physical or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until the training and documents are complete.

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM LAREDO OUTPATIENT CLINIC (LOPC) TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS. BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 11/01/2024 - 10/31/2024 Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 11-01-2024 POP End: 10-31-2025 PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 492110 - Couriers and Express Delivery Services PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: R602 - Support - Administrative: Courier/Messenger

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM MCALLEN OUTPATIENT CLINIC (MOPC) TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS. BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 11/01/2024 - 10/31/2024

POP Begin: 11-01-2024 POP End: 10-31-2025

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM BROWNSVILLE OUTPATIENT CLINIC TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

POP Begin: 11-01-2024 POP End: 10-31-2025

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM LAREDO OUTPATIENT CLINIC (LOPC) TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 11-01-2025 POP End: 10-31-2026

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM MCALLEN OUTPATIENT CLINIC (MOPC) TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

POP Begin: 11-01-2025 POP End: 10-31-2026

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM BROWNSVILLE OUTPATIENT CLINIC TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

POP Begin: 11-01-2025 POP End: 10-31-2026

PICK-UP AND DELIVERIES FROM LAREDO OUTPATIENT CLINIC (LOPC) TO HARLINGEN HCC MAIN LABORATORY ON THE 3RD FLOOR SHALL BE MADE DAILY FROM EACH LOCATION MONDAY THRU FRIDAY EXCEPT ON FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 11-01-2026 POP End: 10-31-2027

PICK-UP…