36C25924Q0677.docx

36C25924Q0677

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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

36C259-24-AP-2819

36C25924Q0677 08-08-2024 Alejandra Sierra 303-712-5715 08-21-2024 10:00

MDT

36C259 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village

CO

80111 X X 561410 $19 Million N/A X

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 Transcription Services in accordance with the statement of work and conditions of this Blanket Purchase Agreement for the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center.

See "Schedule" for schedule of Transcription Services.

Period of performance: 9/01/2024 - 8/31/2029 This is an SDVOSB set aside using FAR Part 13.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X Alejandra Sierra

VA-VHA-SAOC-2018-2823EC7F

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

(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: __________________________ Title: ___________________________ Company: _______________________ Address: _________________________ Telephone#: _______________________

FAX #: ___________________________

E-mail address: _____________________

B.1.1.2. GOVERNMENT: Alejandra Sierra, Contract Specialist Department of Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Network NCO 19 Contracting 6162 S. Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Telephone: (303) 712-5715 E-mail: Alejandra Sierra@va.gov NCO19lab@va.gov

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

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (SAM), or

[N/A] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

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

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

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

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

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

• 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 your firms Unique Entity DI: __________________

B.1.7. TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: Please provide the tax identification number to be utilized for this contract: ______________

B.1.8. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Services required herein shall be for the following time period:

Ordering Period 1: September 01, 2024 through September 31, 2025 Ordering Period 2: September 01, 2025 through September 31, 2026 Ordering Period 3: September 01, 2026 through September 31, 2027 Ordering Period 4: September 01, 2027 through September 31, 2028 Ordering Period 5: September 01, 2028 through September 31, 2029

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

36C25924Q0677

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Transcription Services This statement of work is issued by Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMR VAMC) for Research Service and the Center of Innovation.

1. Background:

The contractor shall provide Transcription Services and deliverables for The Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center on an as needed basis.

RMR VAMC researchers and staff conduct interviews with Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and providers for the purpose of conducting rigorous research and evaluation studies, determining Best Practices, and evaluating current Standards of Care methods. These interviews require transcription to completely analyze and report out on projects utilizing these interviews. The number of studies varies from time to time and there is no set monthly amount to be determined since interviews occur at various points during the year (often dependent on notification of VA union approval or phase of project implementation).

2. Scope of Work:

Transcription Services

1. The contractor shall take audio recordings of varying quality and compose verbatim transcriptions of any verbal communication contained in the audio into a text/word file that ae provided by the VA.

2. Transcribers shall need expertise in medical terminology as required by the project.

3. Transcriptions shall be completed in a timely manner with audio files being transcribed within a week of receipt of the audio file. Contractor will have the capacity to meet transcription needs in urgency no sooner than 48 hrs and will be made aware of urgent turnaround times at receipt of the audio file.

3. Formatting

1. Speakers shall be labeled: Interviewer (Abbreviated: I, (I1, I2, if multiple Interviewers), and Participant (Abbreviated: P, P1, P2, etc. for focus groups and small group interviews).

2. Remove verbal fillers from transcribed files (such as “um”).

3. The Footer and/or Header will include the file name as provided in the name of the audio file provided and page numbers listed with both current page and number of pages (Example: 1 of 5).

4. All transcriptions will be in a format of 12 pt font and double spaced with an additional line space between speakers.

5. Accuracy

1. Audio, upload, or technical issues should be flagged, and communication from Contractor to VA to problem solve with staff as soon as they arise.

2. Transcribed interviews must undergo multiple steps of thorough proofing by different people to identify missed words, typos, etc.

3. The contractor shall be responsible for all proofreading.

4. Transcribed work received by VA which contains omissions, spelling/grammatical errors, and/or is completed in a manner which is unacceptable to VA shall be returned to the contractor for correction at no additional charge to the government. Transcribed interviews returned to the contractor will be corrected by the contractor and returned to VA within 48 hours of receipt of notification at no additional cost to the government.

5. General Contract Requirements

1. The contractor shall maintain a dedicated account manager that will coordinate and communicate to the Point Of Contact (POC), Contracting Officer (CO), and/ or transcription manager as needed. The account manager shall manage all task orders under this contract and communicate with a key staff member from each task order.

2. The contractor shall assign a Project Manager (which can be different or the same as the account manager) for the purpose of supervising and training contractor personnel and ensuring compliance with the provisions of the contract. The Project Manager shall have the full authority to act on behalf of the contractor to handle day-to-day operations and problems or concerns as they arise.

3. The contractor shall refer ambiguous items needing correction or clarification to the designated VA staff member or task order lead designee for clarification or correction and do so by means of e-mail or telephone.

4. The contractor shall not subcontract or upload work to another transcription firm or entity and is not authorized to download or upload or transfer VA documents to and from the VA in a manner not authorized and in accordance to VA policy. Due to security and privacy concerns associated with the sensitive data that is the subject of this contract, without exception, all transcription, verification, and uploading of reports must be physically located and the work conducted in the United States. All transcription and verification services must be performed in the United States of America, including US territories. No AI should be used in the transcription process. No work will be moved offshore of the United States of America. There are no exceptions.

5. The contractor shall provide account reporting for all task orders awarded amounts and use under the contract to the POC and transcription manager twice in a year. There may also be as needed requests of up-to-date account reporting requested outside of the two required reporting times.

6. The contractor shall utilize VA BOX.com or other agreed upon and compliant means to retrieve audio files. At point of collection the contractor shall record pertinent information for tracking and accounting purposes. A process for how this shall be presented and agreed upon prior to first transcription work on project and used going forward.

6. Privacy and Security

1. This contract requires a Business Association Agreement (BAA) to be put in place with the local VA Privacy Office at Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center.

2. All data to undergo 256 SSL encryption both in transit and at rest.

3. Contractor must provide NIH and CITI trained and certified transcription staff or justified equivalent.

4. Upon request the contractor shall provide written nondisclosure agreement (NDA) to protect individuals’ confidentiality as needed.

5. All transcription systems and processes are to follow and maintain strict HIPPA compliance.

6. All transcription systems and processes must meet local and national IRB regulations and standards depending on the regulating entity for each task order.

8. Unit descriptions

1. Standard Interview transcriptions: Interviews including an individual interviewer and research or evaluation interviewee.

2. Focus Group or Meeting Interviews: Interviews that include multiple interviewees or multiple participants in a meeting. More than one interviewee or facilitator.

3. Pricing will be based on two types of units (1. Standard Interview Transcriptions and 2. Focus Group or Meeting Transcriptions). Contract will provide a stable and fixed price and fee schedule/rate per minute for each of type of unit.

9. Deliverables

10. Contractor Responsibilities

1. The contractor shall provide the following to meet the requirements of this agreement to include all personnel, computers, internet, software management program, transcription equipment (headsets/foot pedals, etc.), reference material, and telephones w/ internet connection. Installation, maintenance, training, updating, and repair to the contractor-owned equipment and software are the sole responsibility of the contractor. There will be no Government furnished equipment provided for services under this agreement.

2. The C&A requirements do not apply, and that a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

11. Government Responsibilities

1. Government will provide supporting audio recordings and will make available appropriate VA contacts as required by the work plan. The government shall release any required approvals in a timely manner and in accordance with the work plan.

B.3 SCHEDULE

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Ordering Period 1 - Period of Performance: 9/14/2024 – 8/31/2025

Ordering Period 1 Total Cost:

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Ordering Period 2 - Period of Performance: 9/14/2025 – 8/31/2026

Ordering Period 2 Total Cost:

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Ordering Period 3 - Period of Performance: 9/14/2026 – 8/31/2027

Ordering Period 3 Total Cost:

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Ordering Period 4 - Period of Performance: 9/14/2027 – 8/31/2028

Ordering Period 4 Total Cost:

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Ordering Period 5 - Period of Performance: 9/14/2028 – 8/31/2029

Ordering Period 5 Total Cost:

B.4 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.5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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

B.6 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:

DUNS NUMBER:

Cognizant Office (Include complete address):

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

B.7 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.8 AUTHORIZED LIMITS

The Government estimates, but does not guarantee, that individual BPA Orders placed against this Agreement may reach $30,000.00/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 $150,000.00 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.9 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.10 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

This BPA expires on 08-31-2029 or such later ending date as determined by the exercise of any option.

B.11 AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS

Individuals Authorized to Place Orders:

DVA authorizes the following entities to place orders:

NCO 19 Contracting Officers

B.12 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.13 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES

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

Alejandra Sierra

alejandra.sierra@va.gov The Primary Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for projects under this Agreement is:

The Secondary Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for projects under this Agreement is:

The Primary and/or Secondary COR will be responsible for technical monitoring of the contractor's performance and deliveries. The COR and the Contractor's Representative shall work together to ensure that all contractual requirements are being met. The COR will interpret specifications or technical portions of the work. The COR is not authorized to perform, formally or informally, any of the following actions:

(1) Promise, award, agree to award, or execute any contract, contract modification, or notice of intent that changes or may change this contract;

(2) Waive or agree to modification of the delivery schedule;

(3) Make any final decision on any contract matter subject to the Disputes Clause;

(4) Terminate, for any reason, the contractor's right to proceed;

(5) Obligate in any way, the payment of money by the Government. Only a warranted Contracting Officer is authorized to obligate funds on this or any other contract action.

The contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing if the COR has taken an action (or fails to take action) or issues directions (written or oral) that the contractor considers to exceed the above limitations.

The contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer information copies of all correspondence to the COR.

B.14 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.15 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.16 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.17 GENERAL SERVICES ORDERS

a. The BPA holder shall furnish all the necessary qualified personnel, materials, facilities and management resources to furnish the services set forth in the Statement of Objectives (SOO) or the Performance Work Statement (PWS) within the terms specified and at the price(s) stated.

b. It is understood and agreed that the BPA holder shall provide Fixed-Price proposals when requested by the Contracting Officer (CO). The contractor's proposal shall be priced using labor rates and labor categories here in provided. The CO will issue Fixed Priced Orders upon completion of negotiations of contractor proposals.

B.18 PRECEDENCE

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 52.224-1 PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION (APR 1984)

The Contractor will be required to design, develop, or operate a system of records on individuals, to accomplish an agency function subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, December 31, 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and applicable agency regulations. Violation of the Act may involve the imposition of criminal penalties.

(End of Clause)

C.5 52.224-2 PRIVACY ACT (APR 1984)

(a) The Contractor agrees to—

(1) Comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (the Act) and the agency rules and regulations issued under the Act in the design, development, or operation of any system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function when the contract specifically identifies—

(i) The systems of records; and

(ii) The design, development, or operation work that the contractor is to perform;

(2) Include the Privacy Act notification contained in this contract in every solicitation and resulting subcontract and in every subcontract awarded without a solicitation, when the work statement in the proposed subcontract requires the design, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals that is subject to the Act; and

(3) Include this clause, including this subparagraph (3), in all subcontracts awarded under this contract which requires the design, development, or operation of such a system of records.

(b) In the event of violations of the Act, a civil action may be brought against the agency involved when the violation concerns the design, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function, and criminal penalties may be imposed upon the officers or employees of the agency when the violation concerns the operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function. For purposes of the Act, when the contract is for the operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function, the Contractor and any employee of the Contractor is considered to be an employee of the agency.

(c) (1) "Operation of a system of records," as used in this clause, means performance of any of the activities associated with maintaining the system of records, including the collection, use, and dissemination of records.

(2) "Record," as used in this clause, means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and that contains the person's name, or the identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a fingerprint or voiceprint or a photograph.

(3) "System of records on individuals," as used in this clause, means a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.

(End of Clause)

C.6 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond September 30 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 September 30 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.7 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

The Contractor shall not make reference in its commercial advertising to Department of Veterans Affairs contracts in a manner that states or implies the Department of Veterans Affairs approves or endorses the Contractor’s products or services or considers the Contractor’s products or services superior to other products or services.

(End of Clause) C.8 VAAR 852.219-73 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR CERTIFIED SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)

(a) Definition. for the Department of Veterans Affairs, ‘‘Service-disabled Veteran-owned small business concern or SDVOSB’’:

(1) Means a small business concern—

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

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

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

(iv) The business has been certified for ownership and control pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127, 13 CFR 128, and is listed as certified in the SBA certification database at https://veterans.