36C26321Q0810.docx

36C26321Q0810

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

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. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

618-21-4-109-3069 36C26321Q0810 08-11-2021 Cameron Rick 651-293-3036 08-20-2021 23:59

CDT

36C263 Department of Veterans Affairs

NETWORK 23 CONTRACTING OFFICE

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul MN 55101 Cameron Rick cameron.rick@va.gov X 541380 $16.5 Million N/A X 36C618 Department of Veterans Affairs Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis MN 55417 36C263 Department of Veterans Affairs

NETWORK 23 CONTRACTING OFFICE

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul MN 55101

Y Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 See CONTINUATION Page his solicitation is to provide service to the Minneapolis VAMC, see attached Statement of Work, Viable Environmental Sample Testing, base year plus 4 option years.

Note block 30 - this document must be signed and returned to the Contracting Officer by the Offer Due Date in order to be considered. Email ALL required and completed documents to:

Cameron Rick at cameron.rick@va.gov.

Submit any written questions via email by August 17, 2021.

**No telephonic questions will be accepted.* Responses to questions will be posted as an amendment to the solicitation.

Solicitation will close at 11:59 PM CST on August 20, 2021.

See CONTINUATION Page 618-3610160-109-822400 Pharmacy- 2580 Non-Medical Contract and-010022400 618-21-4-109-3069 X X X Pamela Phillips 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 36C263 Pamela Phillips

NETWORK 23 CONTRACTING OFFICE

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul MN 55101

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.

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center PO Box 149971

Austin TX 78714-9971 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

Statement of Work for Viable Environmental Testing for MVAHCS Cleanrooms (for 2021 requirements) The Minneapolis VA Health Care System, hereinafter referred to as MVAHCS, requires the services of a contractor to provide viable environmental laboratory testing on environmental samples taken by MVAHCS staff. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 797 (USP <797>) sets federal regulation regarding conditions & practices for sterile compounding that MVAHCS must adhere to. It includes minimum practice and quality standards for compounded sterile preparations (CSPs); therefore, contractor shall meet at a minimum all standards listed in the USP <797>.

Frequency of testing is based on the type of sterile compounding the facility does. Quantities as listed are estimated yearly requirements. The MVAHCS attempts to be as accurate as possible when providing estimated quantities, however, actual quantities required may vary from quantities as listed.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS:

a. Initial fingertip cultures (GFT)

b. Bi-annual (every 6 months) GFT testing of employees working in the sterile compounding area

c. Quarterly (every 3 months) testing of the IV room environment air

d. Monthly testing of select IV area surfaces.

e. The MVAHCS may require additional testing to be added during the life of this contract. Those additional tests shall be added to the current year at the discretion of the CO and COR.

The above types of testing involve utilization of Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) media plates supplemented with neutralizing additives (e.g. lecithin and polysorbate 80) to identify bacterial and fungal contamination within the compounding area. The plates are supplied by the vendor. Certificates of Analysis (COA’s) from the manufacturer must be provided with all growth media to verify that the media meets the expected growth promotion, pH and sterilization requirements. Sampling will be done by MVAHCS staff on an ongoing basis. Plates will be returned to the contractor at time of sampling for incubation, CFU count and identification when over the action level (or if requested) for microbial growth.

Incubation must follow USP <797> regulations. For gloved fingertip testing (GFT), Environmental testing (surface and air) plates are incubated at a temperature of 30-35 degrees Celsius for 48 to 72 hours then followed by incubation at 20-25 degrees Celsius for 5-7 days. Media will be inverted during incubation to prevent condensate from dropping onto the agar and affecting the accuracy of the CFU reading. If microbial growth exceeds action levels per USP <797>, the contractor will utilize a microbiologist to identify and report identification of the organism to the genus level.

SUBMISSIONS/REPORTS/INVOICES:

Plates from each sampling area will be submitted as a group along with contractor provided submission form. Contractor will document date, time and name of individual receiving the samples to ensure chain of custody. An email will be generated by the contractor to select MVAHCS staff whenever a sample is received by the contractor to include submission form with documentation of receipt.

Contractor will create a report that delineates group name of samples submitted and includes information on each individual sample plate. For each sample the report will indicate the number of colonies observed after initial incubation at 30-35 degrees Celsius and number of colonies observed after final incubation at 20-25 degrees Celsius. If microbial growth exceeds action levels per USP <797>, the contractor will utilize a microbiologist to identify and report identification of the organism to the genus level. Reports will specify dates and temperatures of each incubation period. An email will be generated when a final report is available.

Submission forms, reports and invoices will be available online and be accessible via password protected access and be viewable 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Reports will be retained online and viewable for at least 1 year. Reports must be in a format that is printable and able to be saved to a VA computer file.

MVAHCS requires the ability to drop off samples. Testing facility must be within a 50 mile radius from the Minneapolis VA.

EMPLOYEE TESTING:

Sampling of GFT will be done by MVAHCS staff. New employees must pass GFTs including 3 plates for each hand with TSA (total of 6 plates). Current employees require bi-annual (every 6 months) GFT. Testing will be completed for approximately 30-60 employees (potentially more). Each current employee must pass GFT testing of 1 plate for each hand with TSA (total of 2 plates). Failures will require additional testing.

SERVICES REQUIRED:

a. Gloved Fingertip Testing: approximately 350 plates

1. TSA plates, incubation and enumeration of colonies

2. Microbial Identification Streak Plate Sub-culturing at no additional charge

3. 3 TSA plates x 2 hands x ~5 new employees per year equals a minimum of 30 plates, 30 technicians plus ~35 pharmacists x 2 hands x bi-annual testing equals a minimum of 260 plates, plus an additional ~60 plates needed for retesting equals a minimum of 350 plates.

4. If microbial growth exceeds action levels per USP <797>, the contractor will identify and report identification of the organism to the genus level.

b. Air Sampling: approximately 104 plates

1. Rodac plates (special sized TSA to fit SAS air sampler model SAS SUPER 100/180), incubation & enumeration of colonies for each plate. Approximately 104 plates per year or more if environmental issues arise. We currently have 7 IV areas with a total of 26 air testing sites multiplied by quarterly testing equals a minimum of 104 plates.

2. If microbial growth exceeds action levels per USP <797>, the contractor will identify and report identification of the organism to the genus level.

c. Surface Sampling: approximately 528 plates

1. Rodac plates (TSA), incubation and enumeration of colonies for multiple sites in each room (varies depending on # of hoods, counters, etc. in each room).

2. Surface sampling is conducted monthly; 7 IV areas with a total of 44 surface areas to be tested multiplied by 12 months equals a minimum of 528 plates per year. Additional testing may be required resulting in an approximate maximum of plates to 660.

3. If microbial growth exceeds action levels per USP <797>, the contractor will identify and report identification of the organism to the genus level.

d. Forms for submission to be provided by the contractor.

e. TSA plates for sampling to be provided by contractor, including cost of shipping plates to VA. (VA will cover cost of shipping plates back to vendor for incubation.)

f. Final reports to be provided by the contractor.

g. Contractor must maintain an AIHA-Environmental Microbiological Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP) certification or equivalent. Provide a copy of the certificate at time of the solicitation.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The MVAHCS shall award a firm, fixed-price commercial services contract for all items listed in the Schedule of Items. The effective period of the contract shall be from date of award through twelve (12) months with the option to extend the contract for additional 12- month periods, at the discretion of the VA, for up to four (4) additional years.

CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL:

The Contractor Quality Control (QC) Plan, with which the contractor proposes to implement the requirements of FAR Clause 52.246-4, entitled “Inspection of Services-Fixed-Price”, shall identify personnel, procedures, instructions, records, and forms to be used. After contract award, and prior to commencement of work, the contractor’s Quality Control Plan shall be received, reviewed, and formally accepted in writing by the Contracting Officer Representative. In general, the contractor’s quality control plan must address how they intend to assure compliance with the requirements of the contract.

Coordination Meeting: Prior to the beginning of the contract, the contractor shall meet with the Contracting Officer or designated representative and discuss the contractor’s quality control system. During the meeting, a mutual understanding of the system details shall be developed, including the forms for recording the CQC operations, control activities, testing, and the interrelationship of contractor’s inspection and control with the Government’s Quality Assurance. Minutes of the meeting shall be prepared by the contractor and signed by both the contractor and the Contracting Officer. The minutes shall become a part of the contract file. There may also be occasions when subsequent conferences will be called to reconfirm mutual understandings.

a. The Quality Control Plan shall include as a minimum, the following:

1. A description of the quality control organization, including chart showing lines of authority and acknowledgement that the CQC staff shall report to the project manager or someone higher in the contractor’s organization.

2. The qualifications, duties, responsibilities, and authorities of each person assigned a quality control function.

3. Control testing procedures for each specific test performed will be submitted and approved prior to the start of the test.

4. Reporting procedures, including proposed reporting formats and distribution of the documents. Report covers both conforming and defective work.

5. Procedures to correct deficiencies to ensure that they do not recur.

The Government reserves the right to require the contractor to make changes in his CQC Plan and operations as necessary to obtain the quality specified. These changes must be submitted to and approved by the Contracting Officer. Notification of Changes: The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing of any proposed changes. Proposed changes are subject to acceptance by the Contracting Officer.

b. QC System Manager: The contractor shall identify an individual, within his organization, who shall be responsible for overall management of QC and have authority to act in all CQC matters for the contractor.

Quality Assurance Plan:

The following performance measures will be regularly tracked and monitored throughout the effective period of this contract by the Technical Representatives and reported to the Contracting Officer. Acceptable performance on these measures, along with other factors, will be the primary indices of contractor performance and a key consideration in contract renewal decisions.

Performance will be monitored using the following criteria:

Reports will specify dates and temperatures of each incubation period for each plate.

Government Roles and Responsibilities The MVAHCS shall designate a Technical Representative to coordinate and monitor the work to be completed under this contract. Susan Jacobson, Program Manager/USP797 Compounding Sterile Products and Lynn Peterka, Administrative Officer and Pharmacy Contract COR will be designated as the representatives to coordinate these services. The contact information is listed below.

Technical Representative(s) Susan R. Jacobson and Mara Satter Pharmacy Program Managers/USP797 Compounding Sterile Products Minneapolis VA Health Care System One Veterans Drive, Pharmacy (119) Minneapolis, MN 55417

(612) 467-2040 Susan.jacboson1@va.gov Mara.Satter@va.gov

Lynn Peterka Administrative Officer/Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Minneapolis VA Health Care System One Veterans Drive, Pharmacy (119) Minneapolis, MN 55417 (612)-629-7929 Lynn.peterka@va.gov

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Bi-Annual IV Competency Testing for all IV Compounding Employees Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 09-01-2021 POP End: 08-31-2022

Quarterly Air Sampling Testing for all Pharmacy IV Sterile Compounding Areas

Monthly Surface Sampling for all Pharmacy IV Compounding Areas

Bi-Annual IV Competency Testing for all IV Compounding Employees Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 09-01-2022 POP End: 08-31-2023

Quarterly Air Sampling Testing for all Pharmacy IV Sterile Compounding Areas

Monthly Surface Sampling for all Pharmacy IV Compounding Areas

Bi-Annual IV Competency Testing for all IV Compounding Employees Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 09-01-2023 POP End: 08-31-2024

Quarterly Air Sampling Testing for all Pharmacy IV Sterile Compounding Areas

Monthly Surface Sampling for all Pharmacy IV Compounding Areas

Bi-Annual IV Competency Testing for all IV Compounding Employees Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 09-01-2024 POP End: 08-31-2025

Quarterly Air Sampling Testing for all Pharmacy IV Sterile Compounding Areas

Monthly Surface Sampling for all Pharmacy IV Compounding Areas

Bi-Annual IV Competency Testing for all IV Compounding Employees Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 09-01-2025 POP End: 08-31-2026

Quarterly Air Sampling Testing for all Pharmacy IV Sterile Compounding Areas

Monthly Surface Sampling for all Pharmacy IV Compounding Areas

Page 1 of Page 1 of

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)

(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 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 32.608-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation 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; 41 U.S.C. 4712 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 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 ITEMS 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 52.217-8 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 from the end of the contract.

(End of Clause)

52.217-8 ADDENDUM:

For the purposes of the award of this Contract, the Government intends to evaluate the option to extend services, provided 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 for no 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. 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.

C.3 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 30 days from the end of the contract; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 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.4 SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with FAR 28.307-2 and FAR 52.228-5, the following minimum coverage shall apply to this contract:

(a) Workers' compensation and employers liability: Contractors are required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers' compensation and occupational disease statutes. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, they shall be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a Contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000 is required, except in States with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit workers' compensation to be written by private carriers.

(b) General Liability: $500,000.00 per occurrences.

(c) Automobile liability: $200,000.00 per person; $500,000.00 per occurrence and $20,000.00 property damage.

(d) The successful bidder must present to the Contracting Officer, prior to award, evidence of general liability insurance without any exclusionary clauses for asbestos that would void the general liability coverage.

(End of Clause) C.5 VAAR 852.212-70 PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES APPLICABLE TO VA ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS (APR 2020)

(a) The Contractor agrees to comply with any provision or clause that is incorporated herein by reference to implement agency policy applicable to acquisition of commercial items or components. The following provisions and clauses that have been checked by the Contracting Officer are incorporated by reference.

[X] 852.203–70, Commercial Advertising.

[] 852.209–70, Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

[] 852.211–70, Equipment Operation and Maintenance Manuals.

[] 852.214–71, Restrictions on Alternate Item(s).

[] 852.214–72, Alternate Item(s). [Note: this is a fillable clause.] [] 852.214–73, Alternate Packaging and Packing.

[] 852.214–74, Marking of Bid Samples.

[X] 852.215–70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors.

[X] 852.215–71, Evaluation Factor Commitments.

[] 852.216–71, Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

[] 852.216–72, Proportional Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

[] 852.216–73, Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care for Veterans.

[] 852.216–74, Economic Price Adjustment—Medicaid Labor Rates.

[] 852.216–75, Economic Price Adjustment—Fuel Surcharge.

[] 852.219–9, VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements.

[] 852.219–10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

[] 852.219–11, VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

[] 852.222–70, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards—Nursing Home Care for Veterans.

[] 852.228–70, Bond Premium Adjustment.

[] 852.228–71, Indemnification and Insurance.

[] 852.228–72, Assisting Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in Obtaining Bonds.

[X] 852.232–72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

[X] 852.233–70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution.

[X] 852.233–71, Alternate Protest Procedure.

[] 852.237–70, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance.

[] 852.246–71, Rejected Goods.

[] 852.246–72, Frozen Processed Foods.

[] 852.246–73, Noncompliance with Packaging, Packing, and/or Marking Requirements.

[X] 852.270–1, Representatives of Contracting Officers.

[] 852.271–72, Time Spent by Counselee in Counseling Process.

[] 852.271–73, Use and Publication of Counseling Results.

[] 852.271–74, Inspection.

[] 852.271–75, Extension of Contract Period.

[X] 852.273–70, Late Offers.

[] 852.273–71, Alternative Negotiation Techniques.

[] 852.273–72, Alternative Evaluation.

[] 852.273–73, Evaluation—Health-Care Resources.

[] 852.273–74, Award without Exchanges.

(b) All requests for quotations, solicitations, and contracts for commercial item services to be provided to beneficiaries must include the following clause:

[] 852.237–74, Nondiscrimination in Service Delivery.

(End of Clause) C.6 VAAR 852.219-75 SUBCONTRACTING COMMITMENTS MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUL 2018)

(a) This solicitation includes the clause: 852.215-70 Service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small business evaluation factors. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include the clause 852.215-71 Evaluation factor commitments.

(b) The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) to assist in assessing Contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments incorporated into the contract. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data to review such business records regarding contract compliance with this requirement.

(c) All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the Contracting Officer in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs.

(d) Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the Contracting Officer to assess the Contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments.

(End of Clause)

C.7 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):

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Clause)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

C.8 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2021) (JUL 2020) (DEVIATION)

(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 items:

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

(2) 52.204–23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115–91).

(3) 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (AUG 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115–232).

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

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

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

[X] (1) 52.203–6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020), with Alternate I (OCT 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

[] (2) 52.203–13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (JUN 2020) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

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

[X] (4) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

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

[] (7) 52.204–15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111–117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (8) 52.209–6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (JUN 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

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

[] (10) [Reserved] [] (11)(i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-3.

[X] (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (MAR 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-4.

[] (13) [Reserved] [] (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

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

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

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

[X] (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[] (17)(i) 52.219–9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JUN 2020) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

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

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

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

[] (v) Alternate IV (JUN 2020) of 52.219–9.

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

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

[] (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (MAR 2020) (15…