36C25924Q0385.docx

36C25924Q0385

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

36C259-23-AP-5042

36C25924Q0385 06-17-2024 Tania Urenda 303-712-5730 07-15-2024

9AM

MDT

36C259 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111 X 334516 1000 Employees N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Oklahoma City VA Health Care System Various locations. See Statement of Work for addresses.

36C259 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

Submitted Electronically Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Service Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 See CONTINUATION Page Contractor shall provide Cost Per Test or a Reagent Rental Agreement for Rapid Molecular CLIA-Waived Testing for multiple locations within the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System.

This solicitation is full and open.

This is a FAR Part 13 procurement. There will be one awardee.

Review and follow the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions To Offerors - Commercial Items & Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Items.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X Juanita Street

VA-VHA-RPOW-2023-0066

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

(continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

B.1.1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

B.1.1.1. CONTRACTOR: Name: ________________________

B.1.1.2. GOVERNMENT: Tania Urenda, Contracting Officer Department of Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Network NCO 19 Contracting 6162 S. Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Telephone: 303.712.5730

B.1.2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

B.1.3. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

c. Other [X] MONTHLY IN ARREARS B.1.4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically to the VA Financial Services Center for payment processing, free of charge. For any questions about the e-invoicing program, please contact the FSC at the phone number or email address listed below:

1. OB10/Tungsten e-Invoice Setup Information: (877) 752-0900

1. OB10/Tungsten e-Invoice email: USClientServices@ob10.com

1. FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: (877) 353-9791

1. FSC e-invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov

1. The following two codes will be required when creating a vendor profile in OB10:

OB10 Buyer Number AAA544240062 Promo Code: VAPC7Y18

B.1.5. DUNS NUMBER: Please provide the Dun and Bradstreet Number assigned to your firm in the space provided: _______________________

B.1.6. CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE ENTITY ID (SAM): Please provide the Contractor’s Unique Entity ID number to be utilized for this contract: _________________________ B.1.7. TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: Please provide the tax identification number to be utilized for this contract: _________________________ B.1.8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK - Rapid Molecular Point of Care SARS-CoV-2 / Influenza and Strep A Testing

1. INTRODUCTION:

The Contractor shall provide Cost Per Test (CPT) or a Reagent Rental Agreement (RRA) for waived rapid molecular Point-of-Care (POC) testing for the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for Oklahoma City VA Health Care System at the following locations:

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Ardmore, OK 73401

Ft Sill, OK 73503

Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Oklahoma City, OK 73135

Stillwater, OK 74075

Wichita Falls, TX 76306

Clinton VA Clinic

315 W. Gary Blvd.

Clinton, Ok 73601

Norman, OK 73069

Yukon, OK 73099

Enid, OK 73701

Shawnee, OK 74804

2. PURPOSE:

To improve the veteran experience with greater access, shorter wait times, and improved customer service, utilizing state of the art technology for rapid diagnosis and treatment of COVID /Influenza viral infections and Group A bacterial infections in the medical center Emergency Department and Express Care clinics as well as eleven remote Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENT:

Cost Per Test (CPT) or a Reagent Rental Agreement (RRA) requirement for FDA-approved or authorized by FDA under an EUA, CLIA-waived, rapid, molecular based, interfaced, point of care analyzers and assay for each of the following:

A. Detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, & Influenza B viruses simultaneously in nasal or nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimens B. Detection of Strep A in throat swab specimens.

4. DEFINITIONS:

A. Cost per Test: This is the per-test cost, inclusive of all aspects of performance which are built-in to the price for the point of care test kits. This includes provision of the following at no additional cost:

a. Point of Care analyzers including all hardware and software required for testing and result transmission to network software that can download the patient result into his/her VA electronic patient record.

b. All reagents, standards, controls, supplies, parts, accessories, and any other item required for the proper operation of the contractor’s equipment.

c. All quality control (provide control material or credit to purchase controls from other vendor), calibration and correlation study testing that is prescribed by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

d. All necessary maintenance to keep the equipment in good operation condition (this element includes both preventive maintenance and emergency repairs)

e. Connectivity hardware, software, license fees, upgrades, and maintenance for the connectivity system.

f. Training for all personnel operating the equipment at each of the installation sites.

g. Delivery, installation, verification, and removal of equipment.

h. Provide all upgrades to the equipment hardware and operating system software within 60 days of issuance.

B. Reagent Rental Agreement: This is a per-kit cost, inclusive of all aspects of performance which are built-in to the price for the point of care test kits. This includes provision of the following at no additional cost:

a. Point of Care analyzers including all hardware and software required for testing and result transmission to network software that can download the patient result into his/her VA electronic patient record.

b. All reagents, standards, controls, supplies, parts, accessories, and any other item required for the proper operation of the contractor’s equipment.

c. All quality control (provide control material or credit to purchase controls from other vendor), calibration and correlation study testing that is prescribed by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

d. All necessary maintenance to keep the equipment in good operation condition (this element includes both preventive maintenance and emergency repairs)

e. Connectivity hardware, software, license fees, upgrades, and maintenance for the connectivity system.

f. Training for all personnel operating the equipment at each of the installation sites.

g. Delivery, installation, verification, and removal of equipment.

h. Provide all upgrades to the equipment hardware and operating system software within 60 days of issuance.

5. CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION:

a. Results must interface through our UNIPOC data management system middleware to post patient test results into the hospital’s laboratory information system, VISTA/CPRS.

b. The cost for installation, initial and annual license fees, upgrades, hardware and software needed will be built into the CPT price or RRA price for the point of care tests kits.

c. Software must be able to be housed on a virtual server environment.

i. Software must have the ability to report to clinical staff if area gets out of temperature and humidity range, through email notification, cell phone text, and installed software (i.e., Desktop Alert notifications).

ii. Applicable virtual server database licenses must be provided.

iii. Client software must be compatible with baseline VA Office of Information and Technology (OIT) Windows 10 image.

iv. The software should be Technical Reference Model (TRM) approved prior to bid. http://trm.oit.va.gov/

v. Must run on VA approved web browser(s) with secure socket layer (SSL)

d. Server Operating System (OS) shall be Windows version 2016 or newer.

i. The system also needs to be Federal Information Processing Standard (140-2) certified.

6. COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE:

a. Exchange program for malfunctioning units and guarantee for a replacement unit to be sent within 24 hours of notification.

b. Provide technical support service to assist in troubleshooting 24-hours per day, seven days per week including Federal holidays.

c. On-Site service provided for all analyzers following determination that site service is required.

7. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

A. Analyzer and Assay:

a. FDA cleared/approved.

b. Considered waived complexity by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) approved for point of care testing.

c. Capable of producing rapid (< 30 minutes), accurate and reproducible results

d. SARS-Cov-2/Influenza A/B simultaneous testing by established molecular in vitro diagnostic methods.

e. Strep A testing by established molecular in vitro diagnostic methods.

f. Assay updated routinely for inclusivity of all known circulating viral sub- and sero-types to ensure maximum detection of Influenza/SARS-CoV-2 and Strep A infections.

g. Have minimal sample manipulation and user hands-on requirements.

B. Test Quantity:

a. Test quantities are solely dependent upon severity and timing of annual Flu/COVID Season. Yearly quantities provided are estimates based upon prior history of actual volumes and are not a guaranteed minimum.

b. Equipment shall be provided, regardless of the test use ratio per testing unit used by an individual site.

c. No test minimum or maximum requirements shall be applied.

d. Estimated annual tests required:

i. SARS-CoV-2/FLU A/FLU B – 6,000

ii. STREP A – 4,000

C. Maximum Size:

The analyzers shall be bench-top models that fit within an area of 12 inches wide x 15 inches deep x 12 inches high (12”W x 15”D x 12”H).

D. Delivery of Analyzers and Supplies:

a. All analyzers shall be delivered directly to the locations of final use.

b. All supplies (reagents, quality control, cartridges, kits, consumables, etc.) shall be delivered to the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center Clinical Laboratory for further distribution to the rest of the locations listed in Section 1 of the Statement of Work (Introduction) table above.

8. TRANSITION PERIOD: All equipment and peripherals delivered and installed, and personnel trained at each participating facility within 30 days of award.

9. INVOICING: Payments shall be made 30 days in arrears upon receipt of a proper invoice.

10. CLARIFICATION/RESTATEMENT SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENT:

A. FDA approved (IVD) B. CLIA waived complexity.

C. Rapid = sample to result in 30 minutes or less D. Molecular based = reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) E. ≥90% sensitivity and specificity detecting SARS-Cov-2, Influenza A and Influenza B viruses in nasal or nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimens and Strep A in throat swabs.

F. Middleware solution for point of care (POC) testing connectivity that can be used to post patient test results into the hospital’s laboratory information system:

a. Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA)

b. Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)

c. Cerner

B.3 SCHEDULE

Note: Delivery of Analyzers and Supplies:

a. All analyzers shall be delivered directly to the locations of final use.

b. All supplies (reagents, quality control, cartridges, kits, consumables, etc.) shall be delivered to the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center Clinical Laboratory for further distribution to the rest of the locations listed in Section 1 of the Statement of Work (Introduction) table above.

Ordering Period 1: August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025 Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (All locations)

Estimated Ordering Period 1 Cost:

Ordering Period 2: August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026 Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (All locations)

Estimated Ordering Period 2 Cost:

Ordering Period 3: August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027

Estimated Ordering Period 3 Cost:

Ordering Period 4: August 1, 2027 through July 31, 2028

Estimated Ordering Period 4 Cost:

Ordering Period 5: August 1, 2028 through July 31, 2029

Estimated Ordering Period 5 Cost:

B.4 OKLAHOMA CITY VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM PRICE TOTALS FOR FIVE YEARS

Offerors are encouraged to offer discounts due to the anticipated volume of tests required.

Ordering Period 1

Ordering Period 2

Ordering Period 3

Ordering Period 4

Ordering Period 5

TOTAL BPA PRICE FOR FIVE YEARS

36C25924Q0385

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B.5 INTRODUCTION

In the spirit of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and hereby enter into a cooperative agreement, otherwise referred to as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), to further reduce the administrative costs of acquiring supplies/services.

The agreement details all with accompanying prices and descriptions, which may be ordered under this BPA.

All orders placed against this BPA are subject to the terms and conditions of all the clauses and provisions in full text or incorporated by reference in this document.

B.6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Contractor agrees to the following terms of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) EXCLUSIVELY WITH the Department of Veterans Affairs:

B.7 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is hereby established between and the Department of Veterans Affairs under the following terms and conditions incorporated in this BPA:

Primary Point of Contact: ___________________________ Alternate Point of Contact: __________________________

UEI NUMBER: ___________________________

DUNS NUMBER:___________________________

Cognizant Office:

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office, NCO 19 6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

B.8 PRICING DATA

1. The prices included on the BPA list (or applicable "discounted" rates submitted in a proposal response to an RFQ resulting in award) that are in effect on the effective date of an order shall govern that order's basic performance period. With regard to any option years, which are later exercised, the proposed option year rates as incorporated into the order award are in effect until such time, if applicable, that the contractor has been authorized a rate increase culminating from a negotiation with the Contracting Officer.

2. The BPA holder can voluntarily reduce offered prices at any time by giving 24-hour advance notice (by facsimile or electronic-mail) to the Department of Veterans Affairs/Contracting Officer. This BPA also allows for additional discounts if a "large order" is placed at one time. An advanced notice is not required for discounts offered for only an individual order. Whether an order is large enough to warrant such a discount is subject to the discretion of the BPA holder.

3. The BPA holder may also increase BPA prices at any time. Any BPA price increase shall not take effect until the Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Officer receives written notification (U.S. mail, facsimile, or electronic-mail). Any order already issued shall not be affected by any change to BPA pricing. The prices offered under this BPA will undergo annual review by the Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Officer.

B.9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE BPA

a. The Government may extend the term of this BPA by written notice to the Contractor at any time prior to the expiration of the BPA, provided that the Government shall give the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the BPA expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

b. If the Government exercises this option, the extended BPA shall be considered to include this option provision.

B.10 AUTHORIZED LIMITS

The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that individual BPA Orders placed against this Agreement may reach $600,000.00/per Order. This Order Limit may be increased by mutual agreement of the parties as necessary, in whole or part. The authorized Ceiling Limit of the Agreement is set at $3,000,000.00 over the period covered by the Agreement; this ceiling is also not a guarantee. The Ceiling Limit may also be raised in association with Order Limit increases or other conditions which, by mutual agreement of the parties, maybe considered necessary. Authorization for individual orders above the stated order and/or Ceiling Limits must be coordinated through the Contracting Officer before larger valued orders can be issued and prior to commencement of work. All unauthorized work, regardless of amount, will be processed through the ratification process.

B.11 OBLIGATION OF FUNDS

This BPA does not obligate any funds. The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized orders actually issued under the BPA by the Contracting Officer.

B.12 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

This BPA expires on 07-31-2025 or such later ending date as determined by the exercise of any option.

B.13 AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS

Individuals Authorized to Place Orders:

DVA authorizes the following entities to place orders: NCO 19 Contracting Officers

B.14 ORDER FORMAT

Orders will be placed against this BPA via e-mail, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), FAX, or in hardcopy format. Each individual BPA Order will describe the tasks, services and deliverables required.

B.15 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES

The primary Contracting Officer (CO) for this Agreement is:

The Primary Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for projects under this Agreement is: None

B.16 FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

Unless specifically authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer, no services will be provided and no charges will be incurred and/or billed to any order on this contract on any of the Federal Holidays listed below.

Independence Day

B.17 BPA EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION

All support BPA holder personnel will be required to wear company identification badges in order to distinguish themselves from Government (organic) employees. When conversing with Government personnel during business meetings and over the telephone, support BPA holder personnel shall identify themselves as such to avoid situations arising where sensitive topics might be better discussed solely between Government employees. Where practicable, support BPA holders occupying collocated space with their Government program customer should identify their workspace area with their name and company affiliation.

B.18 MANAGEMENT CONTROL

The BPA holder shall provide to the Contracting Officer (CO) a list of all teaming partners or subcontractors within 30 calendar days after order award. As subcontractors and/or teaming partners are added, and/or deleted, an updated listing will be provided to the CO within 30 calendar days of such change. All BPA holder personnel shall display identification badges at all times while charging hours to the order or at a government or government contractor location. Authorized Government personnel shall accompany all visits to Department of Veterans Affairs Program Offices, unless other specific arrangements have been made.

B.19 INVOICES

a. Inspection and acceptance shall be accomplished as follows: The Government, for all services furnished under any resulting order, hereby designates the COR in the program office as the point of final inspection and acceptance. The BPA holder will submit each invoice, including all back-up data, to the Contracting Officer (CO) for review and signature. When the CO receives an accurate and complete invoice, he/she will return a signed copy to the BPA holder within five (5) working days. If the invoice is incomplete or inaccurate, the CO will return the unsigned invoice to the BPA holder for correction. The Contracting Officer will then forward the signed invoice to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for payment. Final payment for each order will be accomplished by final invoice accompanied by a receiving report.

b. An itemized invoice shall be submitted to the CO at least monthly or upon expiration of this BPA, whichever occurs first, for all deliveries made during a billing period and for which payment has not been received. Copies of delivery tickets shall support these invoices. "Approved-for-payment" invoices will be submitted to the payment address specified on each individual order issued under this BPA.

B.20 GENERAL SUPPLY ORDERS

A properly appointed Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Officer will request a quote from the Contractor based upon the requirements of the individual calls/orders, usually in the form of a Statement of Work (SOW). The information provided to the Contractor will include the place of performance, required period of performance, and other particular task requirements. Travel may be required (reimbursement of travel expenses will be IAW applicable Federal travel regulations). The vendor will reply within 30 business days with a Firm-Fixed-Price quote depending on the details required by the SOW. The Contractor may offer additional spot discounts on any order, as they deem appropriate. All subcontractor activity must be clearly identified in each new order proposal as applicable.

B.21 PRECEDENCE

36C25924Q0385 The Terms and conditions included in this BPA apply to all purchases made pursuant to it. In the event of an inconsistency between the provisions of this BPA and the Contractor's invoice, the provisions of this BPA will take precedence.

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SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 BPA ORDER RFQ INTRODUCTORY LANGUAGE

The terms and conditions of the contractor's BPA (including any agreement modifications) apply to task or delivery orders issued under the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), otherwise called the agreement, as a result of this RFQ. When a lower price has been established, or when the delivery terms, FOB terms, or ordering requirements have been modified by the task/delivery order, those modified terms will apply to all purchases made pursuant to it and take precedence over the Agreement. Any unique terms and conditions of an order issued under the agreement that are not already part of the agreement, will govern. In the event of an inconsistency between the terms and conditions of a BPA and task/delivery order terms, other than those identified above, the terms of the BPA will take precedence.

C.2 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2023)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(g) Invoice.

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

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Payment.—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(D) Contractor point of contact.

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

(6) Interest.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(A) The date fixed under this contract.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity.

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

(1) The schedule of supplies/services.

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

(3) The clause at 52.212-5.

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

(5) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation.

(6) Other paragraphs of this clause.

(7) The Standard Form 1449.

(8) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments

(9) The specification.

(t) [Reserved]

(u) Unauthorized Obligations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(End of Clause) 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.3 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days.

(End of Clause) For the purposes of the award of this Contract, the Government intends to evaluate the option to extend services under FAR 52.217-8 as follows:

The evaluation will consider the possibility that the option can be exercised at any time, and can be exercised in increments of one to six months, but not for more than a total of six months during the life of the contract. The evaluation will assume that the prices for any option exercised under FAR 52.217-8 will be at the same rates as those in effect under the contract at the time the option is exercised. The evaluation will therefore assume that the addition of the price or prices of any possible extension or extensions under FAR 52.217-8 to the total price for the basic requirement and the total price for the priced options has the same effect on the total price of all proposals relative to each other, and will not affect the ranking of proposals based on price, unless, after reviewing the proposals, the Government determines that there is a basis for finding otherwise. This evaluation will not obligate the Government to exercise any option under FAR 52.217-8. The `specified' rates under this clause will be those rates in effect under the contract each time an option is exercised under this clause.

C.4 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

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

(End of Clause)

C.5 IT CONTRACT SECURITY

VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY/PRIVACY

1. GENERAL

Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security.

2. ACCESS TO VA INFORMATION AND VA INFORMATION SYSTEMS

a. A contractor/subcontractor shall 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.