36C26024Q0457.docx

36C26024Q0457

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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

36C26024Q0457 04-1 -2024 Hector Gonzalez hector.gonzalez1@va.gov 04- -2024 17:00

PDT

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 20 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661 X 334516 1000 Employees N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Boise VAMC 500 W Fort Street Boise ID 83702 36C260 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 20 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661

Dept of Veterans Affairs

FMS-VA-2(101)

Financial Services Center

PO BOX 149971

Austin TX 78714-9971 See CONTINUATION Page

a. Location: Boise VA Medical Center.

b. Supplies Being Solicitated: Hemoglogin A1c tests cost per test/reportable result (CPRR).

c. This is a Base Plus Four Purchase Order.

Base Year: 8/15/2024 - 8/14/2025 Option Year One (1): 8/15/2025 - 8/14/2025 Option Year Two (2): 8/15/2026 - 8/14/2027 Option Year Three (3): 8/15/2027 - 8/14/2028 Option Year Four (4): 8/15/2028 - 8/14/2029

d. Please see the Continuation Pages below for details regarding the submission of quotes, E.1 52.212-1.

e. For further information, please contact Hector Gonzalez at hector.gonzalez1@va.gov.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X One Jose Ronstadt Contracting Officer Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

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

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C260 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 20 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

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

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing POP: 8/15/24-8/14/25 New Base+4 contract needed for equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 08-15-2024 POP End: 08-14-2025

Equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing POP: 8/15/25-8/14/26 New Base+4 contract needed for equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 08-15-2025 POP End: 08-14-2026

Equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing POP: 8/15/26-8/14/27 New Base+4 contract needed for equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 08-15-2026 POP End: 08-14-2027

Equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing POP:8/15/27-8/14/28 New Base+4 contract needed for equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 08-15-2027 POP End: 08-14-2028

Equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing POP:8/15/28-8/14/29 New Base+4 contract needed for equipment lease/service/consumables for CPRR A1C Testing Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 08-15-2028 POP End: 08-14-2029

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

500 W FORT STREET

BOISE, ID 83702 4501

USA

Page 1 of

B.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

1 Scope Contractor of equipment will be supplied at a discount, directly to General Supplies and Services (GSS) and shall provide all equipment, reagents, standards, supplies, consumable/disposable items, parts, accessories and any other item required for the proper operation of the contractor owned analyzers and peripherals for the generation of hemoglobin A1c testing cost per test/reportable result (CPRR) services on behalf of Boise VA Medical Center/or other VISN 20 facility. A services component will also be included in the contract, to provide maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and training. Equipment supplies and services shall be required for a 1-year task order. Equipment supplies and services shall be provided at Boise VA and/or any other VISN20 facility.

2 General requirements Clinical laboratory analyzer for Glycohemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C) testing instrument shall be capable of producing accurate and reproducible assays on EDTA whole blood specimens by established in vitro diagnostic methods. The A1c result shall provide accurate test assay result for sample specimens up to the manufacturer's defined maximum test per hour without excessive malfunctions, breakdowns, or service calls.

2.1 Time for analyses must be less than 50 seconds per sample.

2.2 Offered equipment shall be new equipment. Remanufactured and discontinued models will not be accepted.

2.3 The awarded contractor shall provide all upgrades to the equipment hardware and operating system software, at no additional cost to the Government. These enhancements shall be delivered and installed at the medical facility within 60 days of issuance to the commercial market.

2.4 An operator’s manual shall be furnished with each instrument supplied to VA and updates to manual shall be provided in a timely manner.

2.5 Editable electronic copy in CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) format of operating procedures and related training and maintenance documents shall be furnished with each instrument supplied to the VA.

2.5.1 System must be certified by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP).

2.5.2 All proposed equipment must fit the existing tabletop space at the facility, without the need for renovation work. Small scale re-arrangement of furniture is acceptable. Fitting existing space shall include conforming to the current structural parameters of each lab, in each facility, in terms of delivery, installation and lab space. (i.e. equipment size, weight, packaged size for delivery, electrical/voltage).

2.5.3 Clinical Laboratory assays currently performed at the facility shall include, but may not be limited to the following assays:

Glycohemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C).

2.5.4 Pricing: The (CPT) Per Test shall include all costs for:

2.5.4.1 Equipment use, reagents, calibrators, microbials, consumable/disposable items, parts, accessories and any other items required for the proper operation of the contractor’s equipment and necessary for the generation and reporting of a patient test result.

2.5.4.2 All necessary maintenance to keep equipment in manufacturer’s operating conditions, both preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs.

2.5.4.3 Training for facility personnel operating equipment.

2.5.5 The awarded contractor is required to provide delivery, installation, set-up, validation, and method comparison, including all supplies provided by the vendor, and decontamination, packaging and removal of equipment at completion of this agreement at no additional charge to the Government.

3 system requirements The instrument testing for Glycohemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C) shall have random access capability (if discrete testing is required) and be able to simultaneously perform the complete profile as described below:

3.1 Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), and the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP).

3.2 System shall have a Coefficient Variation (CV) of less than 2.5%

3.3 A bi-directional, bar-coded computer interface compatible with the current VA laboratory information system. The fully operational interface (both hardware and software) shall be immediately available for implementation to the VA computerized hospital information system.

3.4 Equipment must be able to support multiple barcode formats (Code 128) that may be enabled concurrently. Equipment must accept, at a minimum, 10 characters in specimen identifier that is alphanumeric.

3.5 Smart consumables - RFID technology used on all consumables: cartridge, prefilter, buffers and washes. Chip contains lot #, expiration date, open vial stability information, used & remaining tests, set values, etc.

3.6 STAT area available.

3.7 Automated specimen handling/loading system.

3.8 No requirements for sample pre-treatment unless sample dilution required for acceptable total peak area count result.

3.9 Minimal reagent preparation

3.10 Minimal Maintenance

3.11 Ability to store and transmit records (at least 24 hours of instrument throughput) in case of interface outage.

3.12 On board reagent stability sufficient to accommodate both high and medium volume use. Contractor to provide expiration dates of at least three (3) months for reagents.

3.13 Capability to store at least two years or 100,000 patient results in database for immediate recall

3.14 Instrument must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and shall have the following:

3.14.1 Ability to monitor instrument performance.

3.14.2 On Board reagent inventory system.

3.14.3 Minimal carryover.

3.14.4 High volume cartridge for 10,000 tests requires only 1 calibration. Calibrators reconstituted automatically by the system.

3.14.5 Redundant buffers & wash on-board. Buffers and wash can be changed while the system is running.

3.14.6 Result review automation/auto-verification functionality with on-board Advisor software:

● review chromatography

● flag normal vs abnormal results

● allow for batch result releasing

● eliminate the need for printing results individually

● standardize result review across operators

3.14.7 Automatic sample repeat without operator intervention when rule triggered. viii. System must use ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

3.14.8 Complete separation of the labile and stabile hemoglobin A1C.

3.14.9 Methodology that provides no interference from common hemoglobin (Hb) variants, including Hb AS, AC, AD and AE.

3.14.10 Able to detect and report HbA1c in the presence of Hemoglobin F, up to 30% HbF.

3.14.11 Able to detect and report HbA1c in the presence of Hemoglobin A2.

3.15 A total equipment footprint that when installed in the laboratory shall not impact the functionality/operations of that laboratory.

3.16 Software allows run to stop if calibration or QC fails - avoids loss of an entire run.

3.17 Direct primary tube sampling from blood collection tubes. Must be cap piercing and require no pretreatment. Must read the barcode of each sample. Can perform offline dilution if required (i.e. short draws)

3.18 Analyzer needs to detect low reagent volumes and alert end-user through software.

3.19 Probe detects bottom of patient sample tube in order to optimize whole blood sampling.

3.20 QC requirements – 2 levels of QC every 24 hours

3.21 Calibration must be easily performed and must maintain stability on the analyzer between calibrations. Calibrators must be traceable to a recognized national standards organization as stated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and/or College of Clinical Pathology (CAP).

3.22 Capability to detect out of range quality control.

3.23 Remote support capability with secure software is available with VA approval.

3.24 On- board QC data management system with a minimum storage capacity of 4 QC files and includes Levy-Jennings graphs. Analyzer must have the ability to capture, store and electronically transfer QC data

3.25 Time for analyses must be less than 50 seconds per sample 80 samples per hour.

4 INTERFACE AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 HL7 interfaceable equipment will:

4.1.1 Communicates by serial connection and bi-directional with Data Innovations.

4.1.2 Patient name, SSN, and result will be communicated.

4.1.3 Connectivity with Unity Real-time

4.1.4 Connection thru DI for validation and available for auto verification

4.2 Hard drive will be removed from the equipment at the end of the contract and retained by VAMC, Boise.

4.3 All storage devices shall remain in the custody of the Boise VAMC. Should a unit need to be sent off site for repair or replacement, any and all storage devices must first be removed and delivered to the Facility Information Security Officer (FISO). The FISO shall place the devices in storage pending return of unit or process for disposal per VA Handbook 6500.1.

4.4 The vendor shall be responsible for adhering to the following statements as they relate to the contract. Boise VA in coordination with their site Information Security Officer (ISO) shall monitor the work performed by contractor personnel, including sub-contractors, on a periodic basis to make sure contractor personnel are following the stated security requirements.

4.5 The vendor shall not use or disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) other than as permitted or required by the agreement or as required by law. If an ISA/MOU is not initiated, then the vendor will be required to come on site for installation and technical support The vendor will be accompanied by BVAMC laboratory personnel while on site performing installation or technical support.

4.6 The vendor shall use appropriate safeguards to prevent use or disclosure of the PHI other than is provided for by this agreement.

4.7 The vendor Laboratory shall report immediately any breach of safeguards and mitigate any harmful effects related to the use or disclosure of PHI by the Reference Laboratory or any of its agents, including sub-contractors.

4.8 The contractor, their personnel, and their subcontractors shall be subject to the Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks regarding information and information system security as delineated in this contract.

5 CONSUMABLE/REAGENT REQUIREMENTS

5.1 All consumable supplies (reagents, standards, disposables, parts, accessories, etc.) required for the proper operation of the contractor's equipment and necessary to perform tests on the equipment shall be included.

5.2 If the consumables are found to be defective and unsuitable for use with the contractor's equipment, or the contractor has failed to comply with the requirements for routine supply delivery, the contractor shall deliver the consumable supplies within a period of twenty-four hours after receipt of the verbal order for priority delivery from the Government activity. If either circumstance has occurred, the contractor shall deliver to the respective Lab Facility, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department, in the most expeditious manner possible, without additional cost to the Government, the necessary consumables in sufficient quantity as required to allow operation of the contractor's equipment for one week (under normal Government test load volume). If additional requests for emergency supply delivery are required by the Government, they shall be honored by the contractor until the arrival at the Government site of the monthly standing order/routine supplies delivery. Failure to reserve adequate inventory may result in default.

5.3 The contractor shall maintain on Government provided space a continuously stocked inventory of calibrators, reagents, supplies, disposables, parts, accessories, and any other material required to properly perform tests on the offered equipment. These items shall be of the highest quality ensuring sensitivity, specificity and tested to assure precision and accuracy. The quality of the products shall be high enough to satisfy proficiency testing standards of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).

5.4 Start-Up Reagents. The Contractor shall provide all reagents, calibrators, controls, consumable/disposable items, parts, accessories and any other item included on the list of supplies defined in the Federal Supply Schedule contract and required to establish instruments for operation for performance of acceptance testing. Do we provide all startup material? The Contractor shall perform, to the satisfaction of the Government, all validation studies including precision, method comparison with current analyzer, accuracy (recovery), linearity (reportable range), calibration verification, verification of reference interval, and determination of sensitivity and specificity at no cost to the Government. The Contractor shall perform all 6 of the statistical analysis as stated in the Method Performance/Validation section above and report data in an organized, clearly comprehensible format.

6 Maintenance, repair, and upgrade requirements

6.1 Except for the specific maintenance and repair requirements stated herein, which shall have precedence; preventive maintenance, emergency repair, maintenance credit for equipment malfunction, and replacement laboratory equipment shall be performed and provided in accordance with the terms, conditions, and provisions of contractor's existing Federal Supply Service Contract.

6.2 Contractor shall provide telephone assistance 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

6.3 Contractor will provide on-site or depot (returned to contractor) service, as needed to keep the equipment in good working order. On site, or depot service will be provided at no cost to the customer, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time), excluding national holidays. Vendor to be responsible for scheduled preventative maintenance (twice a year).

6.3.1 Contractor provides repair/replacement services for both inoperable and/or damaged parts consisting of initial diagnosis, testing to ensure equipment is in an operational status.

6.4 Contractor shall supply malfunction reports upon each repair.

6.5 Contractor shall provide upgrades to both the equipment hardware and software in order to maintain the integrity of the system and the state-of –the art technology, at no additional charge to the Government. These shall be provided as they become commercially available and at the same time as they are being provided to commercial customers. This requirement applies to “system upgrades” that enhance the models of equipment being offered, i.e. new version of software, correction of hardware defect, upgrade due to significant changes in the hardware operational capability, upgrade offered to commercial customers at no additional charge, upgrade to replace models of equipment no longer Contractor supported.

7 training requirements

7.1 On-site training and key operator training shall be provided.

7.2 The Contractor shall provide an ongoing on-site instrument training program that is coordinated with and timely to the equipment installation to cover operation of the system, data manipulation, and basic trouble shooting and repair.

7.3 A training program that involves off-site travel shall be paid for by the contractor and shall include the cost of airfare, transportation, room, and board for 1 government participant.

7.4 Educational Material. Updated education materials are provided for both train- the-trainers and end users by the contractor at no additional charge.

8 PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Contractor performance shall be measured annually by the Chemistry Supervisor on quality of equipment performance and customer service provided.

8. TRANSITION PERIOD

8.1 Upon award of the contract, the transition period for the awarded contractor to have all A1C Hemoglobin equipment and peripherals installed at the effected facility shall be 60 calendar days after award. During this same period all initial training of VA personnel in the operation and maintenance of said equipment shall also be completed.

8.2 No later than 90 calendar days after award, the contractor shall have completed full transition of all services under this agreement to include all correlation studies, validations, etc., and shall have full and sole responsibility for equipment, supplies and services under the awarded contract.

8.3 Billing by Contractor starts on the first day of patient testing after all installation, training, and method validations have been completed and accepted in writing by the Contract Specialist (no later than 90 calendar days from time of award). At this time, the awarded contractor shall have completed full transition of all equipment, supplies and services under this agreement and shall have full and sole responsibility for equipment, supplies and services under the awarded contract

9 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

9.1 Contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies and services in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein for the participating medical facility.

9.2 If, for any reason, a contractor ceases testing of any A1C Hemoglobin assays, the contractor must notify the VA contracting officer or equivalent 60 days prior to the assays being discontinued. Until a new solicitation can be issued or the problem resolved, the contractor shall be held liable for all costs if performance is ceased, as the lab facility may have to resort to outsourcing the tests in order to continue patient care.

9.3 Identification of Possible Follow-on Work.

9.3.1 Additional equipment and supplies requested above and beyond the contract quote will be costed at the same quote as the beginning of the contract.

9.4 Identification of Potential Conflicts of Interest (COI).

9.4.1 No COI exists.

9.5 Identification of Non-Disclosure Requirements.

9.5.1 The Contractor will be required to sign a Privacy Act Confidentiality Statement. Any breach of confidentiality and/or unauthorized release of information is subject to a penalty of $5,000 to $10,000 for each offense. Any individual making unauthorized disclosure may be criminally liable for violations of the Act

9.6 Packaging, Packing and Shipping Instructions.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service 500 West Fort Street Boise, ID 83702 Statement of Work A1C Analyzer

9.6.1 Any consumables placed on backorder status by the contractor must be brought to the attention of the COTR within 3 days of status. Consumables may be purchased through the VA primer vendor program and will be available within thirty (30) days of receipt of order.

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 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 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 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.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

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

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

(End of Clause)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.3 52.217-6 OPTION FOR INCREASED QUANTITY (MAR 1989)

The Government may increase the quantity of supplies called for in the Schedule at the unit price specified. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days. Delivery of the added items shall continue at the same rate as the like items called for under the contract unless the parties otherwise agree.

(End of Clause)

C.4 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 60 days.

(End of Clause)

C.5 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 60 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five (5) years.

(End of Clause)

C.6 VAAR 852.215-71 EVALUATION FACTOR COMMITMENTS (OCT 2019)

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

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

(End of Clause)

C.7 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

(1) Contract financing payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001;

(2) Designated agency office means the office designated by the purchase order, agreement, or contract to first receive and review invoices. This office can be contractually designated as the receiving entity. This office may be different from the office issuing the payment;

(3) Electronic form means an automated system transmitting information electronically according to the accepted electronic data transmission methods and formats identified in paragraph (c) of this clause. Facsimile, email, and scanned documents are not acceptable electronic forms for submission of payment requests;

(4) Invoice payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001; and

(5) Payment request means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment submitted by the contractor under this contract.

(b) Electronic payment requests. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the contractor shall submit payment requests in electronic form. Purchases paid with a Government-wide commercial purchase card are considered to be an electronic transaction for purposes of this rule, and therefore no additional electronic invoice submission is required.

(c) Data transmission. A contractor must ensure that the data transmission method and format are through one of the following:

(1) VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System at the current website address provided in the contract.

(2) Any system that conforms to the X12 electronic data interchange (EDI) formats established by the Accredited Standards Center (ASC) and chartered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

(d) Invoice requirements. Invoices shall comply with FAR 32.905.

(e) Exceptions. If, based on one of the circumstances in this paragraph (e), the Contracting Officer directs that payment requests be made by mail, the Contractor shall submit payment requests by mail through the United States Postal Service to the designated agency office. Submission of payment requests by mail may be required for—

(1) Awards made to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States;

(2) Classified contracts or purchases when electronic submission and processing of payment requests could compromise the safeguarding of classified or privacy information;

(3) Contracts awarded by contracting officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to national emergencies;

(4) Solicitations or contracts in which the designated agency office is a VA entity other than the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, Texas; or

(5) Solicitations or contracts in which the VA designated agency office does not have electronic invoicing capability as described above.

(End of Clause)

C.8 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

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

(End of Clause)

C.9 VAAR 852.247-73 PACKING FOR DOMESTIC SHIPMENT (OCT 2018)

Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carriers and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with regulations of carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.

(End of Clause) C.10 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (DEC 2023) (DEVIATION) (JAN 2024)

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

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on…