36C78619Q0188-001.docx

36C78619Q0188

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

TBD

36C78619Q0188 04-23-2019 Antionette Collins-Somerville 540-658-7203 05-23-2019

12:00PM EST

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

75 BARRETT HEIGHTS

ROAD,SUITE

STAFFORD VA 22556

X 611710 $15 Million X N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration 75 Barrett Heights Roaf , Suite 309 Stafford VA 22556 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration 75 Barrett Height Road, Suite 309 Stafford VA 22556 http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer -campaigns/veterans-affairs/

1-877-752-0900

THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR A FIRM FIXED PRICED, MULTIPLE

AWARD CONTRACT FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE VETERANS

LEGACY PROGRAM (VLP) FOR A PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR JUNE

1, 2019 THROUGH MAY 31, 2020

PLEASE SEE PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

*FUNDS TO BE OBLIGATED THROUGH TASK ORDER*

X X Joselito Roman Contracting Officer Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(Continued from Standard Form 1449, block 18A)

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

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer: Kellyann Bruno Department of Veterans Affairs NCA Contracting Service 425 I Street, NW Washington DC 20001

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:

1. Invoices shall be submitted in arrears for cumulative work performed at completion of requirement and the Government has accepted the items.

1. Invoices shall be submitted electronically.

1. Required Contents of Invoice: If any information below is missing from an invoice, the invoice shall be subject to being rejected and returned for revision.

1. Contractor Information (Name, Complete Address, Telephone Number)

1. Date of Invoice

1. Unique Invoice Number

1. Each invoice may be submitted only once. If the need exists to submit a corrected invoice, the original invoice number should be noted with “COR” added at the end of the invoice number on the revised invoice. Where possible “CORRECTED INVOICE” shall be clearly noted.

1. Purchase Order Number (Only one purchase order may be included on each invoice submitted)

1. Total Dollar Amount Invoiced

1. Certificate of Conformance

· This certifies that (Contractor’s Name) furnished the above listed supplies or services called for by the above listed purchase order number in accordance with all applicable requirements. We further certify that the supplies or services are the quality specified and conform in all respects with the contract requirements.

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.

http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veterans-affairs/

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

6. MISSING PAGES: It is the responsibility of the Offeror to examine this Solicitation to verify that he, or she, has received all pages. In addition, in compiling this package, some pages may have been duplicated. If the Offeror feels that pages are missing or duplicated, the Offeror is encouraged to contact the Contracting Officer at the telephone number shown in Block 7B, Standard Form 1449, Solicitation / Contract/Order for Commercial Items.

7. NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR(S): Prospective awardees SHALL be registered with SAM at http://www.sam.gov, Prior to Award and through final payment, and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://www.sam.gov prior to award and through final payment. Contract will not be awarded until SAM registration has been completed.

The Quote Package shall include the following:

· Completed and signed original SF1449

· Completed Section B (Contract Admin. & Price Schedule)

· Completed Business Management Questionnaire/Past Performance (Section D)

· Completed FAR Provision 52.212-3 “Certifications and Representations”

· Prospective Offerors shall be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov.

Please note – If any of the Quote Package information is not provided by the quote due date, your quote package may be found non-responsive.

OFFERORS MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN ALL INFORMATION DESIGNATED IN FAR PROVISION 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS, PARAGRAPH (b) AND IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK OF THIS SOLICITATION. SUBMITTAL BY POTENTIAL OFFERORS, PRIOR TO THE TIME SPECIFIED IN BLOCK 8 of SF 1449 IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARD AND THE INFORMATION SHALL BE FORWARDED TO THE ADDRESS IN BLOCK 9.

Failure to submit all required documentation may result in your submission being determined non-responsive and removed from further consideration.

B.2 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

DEVELOPMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL

PROGRAM FOR NCA VETERANS LEGACY PROGRAM (VLP)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this request for quotes (RFQ) submitted in response to this Statement of Objectives (SOO) is to solicit fully developed quotes from universities in partnership with public schools (K-12) that will engage in a program of development of research-based educational outreach materials as part of the National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) Veterans Legacy Program (VLP). Quotes submitted in response to this SOO should include other one or more of NCA’s cemeteries in the region. The partnership may also include in their scope state Veteran cemeteries and/or tribal Veteran cemeteries.

University faculty may come from a variety of disciplines in the humanities, creative arts, digital humanities or Education, e.g. history, graphic design, film, American studies, etc. The schools and teachers with whom university faculty partner can come from a single school or multiple schools, representing any grade(s) and subject(s). The scope and depth of this partnership can vary but NCA will require a formalized expression of this partnership between the institute of higher education (IHE) and the local educational authority (LEA), such as a letter of commitment or a memorandum of agreement.

2.0 BACKGROUND

As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, NCA is a federal agency authorized to conduct educational outreach programming in support of the agency’s primary mission of providing burial benefits to eligible veterans and their dependents (Title 38, U.S. Code, Chapters 23 and 24). As a result of this statutory outreach mission, NCA conducts educational programming to raise public awareness of national cemeteries and NCA’s mission through sharing the stories of service and sacrifice of veterans interred in NCA cemeteries.

Currently, NCA manages 136 national cemeteries, with 4.5 million gravesites.

The Veterans Legacy Program was launched by NCA on Memorial Day 2016 with the goal of extending memorialization of the veterans’ legacy enshrined in the national cemeteries. NCA’s initial suite of products included in-print lesson plans, digital maps, and other materials written to support the educational outreach needs of two national cemeteries in the pilot program, Riverside (CA) National Cemetery and Beaufort (SC) National Cemetery (http://www.cem.va.gov/legacy/index.asp). In 2017, NCA further developed the program with various academic partners. NCA’s long term goal is to develop educational outreach materials for all 136 of its national cemeteries, eventually, in media and formats that reflect the latest in research, instructional technology, and best practices.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day are typically the target dates for a public launch of the next generation of VLP materials for schools and public outreach, and we encourage offerors to include events at the cemeteries around those observances that allow students an opportunity to share their research with the community. Actual timetables of work can be negotiated, depending on unique local circumstances.

With this SOO, NCA is seeking quotes from qualified universities partnered with public school (K-12) institutions in engaging in a program of development of research-based educational outreach materials as part of the National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) Veterans Legacy Program (VLP). NCA has launched VLP to promote memorialization of the nation’s veterans’ legacy enshrined in national cemeteries. Responses to this SOO will contribute to VLP’s “Local Legacy, National Heritage” program, which seeks to create an experience of learning that builds community and commemoration of veterans’ legacy, by sharing positive narratives, which may be used to teach, both about the unique individual qualities of the Veteran and about Veterans as a community.

3. OBJECTIVE OR SCOPE OF EFFORT

Offerors are requested to submit a quote to support the memorialization of the nation’s veterans’ legacy enshrined in national cemeteries in the following areas:

1. Outreach Materials:

· A framework of digital and non-digital outreach based on student research focused on the Veteran National Cemetery (or Cemeteries).

2. Educational Materials:

· A framework of digital instructional materials relevant to the grade-level of K-12 students involved (e.g. lesson plans)

3. Extended Memorialization:

· A way to present the students’ research in a way that is appropriate to their discipline and accessible to the public (specific means of hosting extended memorialization can be negotiated with NCA, e.g. site hosting)

4. PERIOD AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The contract is expected to have a period of performance of twelve (12) months after date of award, with the intention that at least two full academic semesters or equivalent are included in the period of performance, with ample time in between instructional terms to allow for research and production.

5. OPERATING CONSTRAINTS

TRAVEL: The government anticipates travel to perform the tasks associated with the effort, as well as to attend program-related meetings throughout the period of performance. Travel expenses for program participants from IHE and/or LEA to a national cemetery can be included as a line item detailing those costs, to include visits to the cemeteries within scope of the quote . All travel must conform to Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/FTR.pdf. The number of visits to the cemeteries, for students and team members, can be at least two but no more than five. Travel expenses for one, two-day program-related meeting with NCA leadership in Washington, DC can cover up to two members the team.

SCOPE and STRUCTURE or program: We recognize that some partnerships may differ in terms of size, internal capacity and support. We ask proposers to acknowledge what their team’s capacity will be and seek to create a distribution of award amounts to empower students and faculty from institutions of varying size.

Programs may be of a “class project” size, which would include one or two instructors of faculty rank collaborating on a project in their classes. Digital presentation of Veteran biographies is expected at this scale as well as contribution to commemorative observances at the national cemetery.

A “community-based project” would include a larger faculty team, working with students through courses and/or direct recruitment. At this level, we expect production of Veteran biographies with digital presentation, as well as creating community-based events to showcase them, at least one of which must be at the national cemetery of focus.

Projects that offer “innovation in Veteran storytelling” would include a faculty team of any size (3+) engaging students at undergraduate and graduate levels through a variety of disciplines or methodologies. Veteran biographies would be shared digitally and through other means. Community-based outreach includes an extensive partnership with area K-12 students, teachers, and school leaders. “Innovation” is determined by the disciplinary context of the intellectual leadership of the program. This can be artistic, literary, digital, cartographical, social, or educational.

For scale of project, we ask offerors to budget accordingly and fairly, consistent with fair market value of proposed work. These awards are intended to provision student research, digital production of research materials, and fair compensation for contributing leaders, in that order of priority. (More specific information about budgeting can be found below). RFQs at each level will state that inclusion of the student-veteran community in some way will be preferred.

Please note that for all products produced under this contract, the offeror will retain copyright to all intellectual property. VA will retain non-exclusive usage rights to products developed under this contract. Neither VA nor the offeror may use any work product of this contract for any commercial purposes. All work product and external communications will be co-branded with the offeror’s institution and VA. Guidance on appropriate and lawful use of VA logo and branding will be shared with the offeror upon award.

6. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES/REQUIRED RESULTS

The Government intends to evaluate quotes and award a contract without discussions (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Therefore, the Offeror’s initial quote should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. Offerors are cautioned to submit sufficient information and in the format specified in the quote instructions. Communication conducted to resolve minor or clerical errors would not constitute discussions and the Contracting Officer reserves the right to award a contract without the opportunity for quotes revisions or discussions.

The Offeror shall provide a quote which demonstrates their best approach for attaining the following required results:

A. Team: The team of contributing scholars must consist of at least two members from accredited institutions of higher education (IHEs) within the area of focus, each of whom is a faculty member who holds an advanced degree in their field and has evidence of demonstrated scholarly output. The team will designate a single Point of Contact (POC). An external Project Manager may be hired if no one from the institution is qualified. (Response for this Factor will not exceed 5 pages, font size 12 – Page size 8 ½ X 11)

B. Student research products: Faculty members shall define a framework of at least two digital media products produced for educational outreach based on student-generated research. The final products must be publicly accessible examples of applied cemetery research. Published research about Veterans should share positive narratives, which celebrate Veteran service and will be used to inspire and to teach, both about the unique individual qualities of the Veteran and about Veterans as a community.

(Response for this Factor will not exceed 5 pages, font size 12 – Page size 8 ½ X 11)

C. Instructional materials: Faculty members shall include the development of at least five lesson plans appropriate to the schools, grades, and subjects of teachers and K-12 students in the partnership. These lesson plans can take multiple forms. Lessons can build upon each other to form a complete instructional unit. Examples could be online learning modules, service learning projects incorporating historical inquiry, etc. Though designing lesson plans around a visit to the National Cemetery is ideal, lesson plans can be designed using virtual means and methods. Regardless of chosen format, lesson plans must meet a standard of criteria, as follows:

4.C.1 Standards Aligned: Lesson plans must be explicitly aligned to relevant state and national standards, e.g. Common Core, NCSS, etc.

4.C.2 Complete: Lesson plans must include all resources, materials, and aids required for successful school-based implementation of the lesson.

4.C.3 Accessible: In keeping with the Universal Design for Learning framework, lesson plans must be able to be used and understood by everyone. Goals, Assessments, Materials, and Methods should be thoughtfully designed and articulated, using a variety of materials and pedagogical approaches. Designing the lesson plan(s) for a diversity of learners improves learning outcomes for all.

4.C.4 Cross-Curricular: Lesson plans should be multi-disciplinary, e.g. teaching literacy using historical documents, mapping cemeteries using GIS, etc.

4.C.5 Student-centered: Students must be active participants in their learning.

4.C.6 Source rich: Available primary sources and place-based resources (related to National Cemetery) must be utilized in the lesson planning process.

(Response for this Factor will not exceed 5 pages, font size 12 – Page size 8 ½ X 11)

D. Extended memorialization: Faculty members shall define how they plan to use the student research to extend memorialization of the veterans’ legacy enshrined in the National Cemetery or cemeteries of focus to community, state, and possibly national audiences.

(Response for this Factor will not exceed 5 pages, font size 12 – Page size 8 ½ X 11)

E. Collection of program assessment data: Faculty members shall design assessment instruments for their students and the K-12 students showing how this participation in this program affected students’ performance in their subject of inquiry, e.g. history, film, Education, American studies social studies, English Language Arts, art. Data should be anonymously sampled but demonstrated to be valid and reliable.

(Response for this Factor will not exceed 5 pages, font size 12 – Page size 8 ½ X 11)

F. Past Performance: The Government will rate past performance based on quality of service, using references provided by the Offeror and other information available to the Government. In order to be considered, the past performance must be relevant to this solicitation, i.e., similar in size, scope, and complexity

Price: Proposed Budget: In the proposed budget please indicate in the cost for each of the items specified below. Note that the following list is neither inclusive nor definitive of costs that will be covered; if the scope and nature of your quote requires additional items than what is covered here, please include them in the appropriate section (see below).

NCA will support the following: reasonable additional compensation for full-time university instructional faculty named in the quote; indirect costs (IDCs) appropriate for humanities and Education programs (required to disclose; NCA reserves the right to negotiate for lower IDCs); production costs for produced materials; participating students, faculty and staff between host institution and national cemeteries, cost of workforce in direct support of program; transportation expenses for university students, school staff and students between host institution(s) and national cemetery; and costs for extended memorialization, if applicable. As well, please include in your budget reasonable anticipated expenses for two team members to attend a meeting of all VLP awardees with VLP Program leadership in Washington, DC (or another city in the continental US to be specified later). This Program meeting would entail no more than two full business days.

Proposed budget can include any expenses directly related to student-centered events at national cemeteries. The following will not be supported by NCA: ordinary wages and benefits; instructional materials (e.g. textbooks); undergraduate or graduate tuition; acquisition of computer or network hardware or software not used solely for this work; food and beverages; video equipment (cameras, lighting, etc.); and clothing. The goal of this program is to fund time and access for students to conduct research and the expense of digital production.

Costs not covered by this award include: course buy-outs; additional faculty, of any rank; computers (other than those to be used by students in the coursed of their research, if necessary); cell phones; summer funding; any additional compensation for faculty that exceeds fair contribution to the project; research or conference travel for anything not directly related to VLP activity; catering; branded giveaways (e.g. mugs, pens, etc.); and anything that does not directly contribute to the advancement of student research under VLP.

Please include in your proposed budget a justification for each line item. VA reserves the right to negotiate the proposed budget in whole or part.

Price shall be evaluated to determine whether or not it is fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR Part 15.4. Prices will be submitted on the Price Schedule included in the solicitation Deliverables will be developed according to a timetable negotiated by NCA and faculty member(s) representing IHE, with final deliverables received by NCA no later than December 15, 2019, unless otherwise negotiated.

7.0 KEY PERSONNEL

7.1 Labor Categories:

Project Manager (PM) Performs day-to-day management of contract support operations, possibly involving multiple tasks and groups of personnel at multiple locations, on a single project. Demonstrates skills in the scope of work encompassed by the SOO; provides technical guidance to the project team in performance of the work, and reviews the quality of all work products. Organizes, directs, and coordinates the planning and production of all contract support activities. Responsible for staffing, project planning, project financials, and staff direction and oversight. Maintains and manages the client interface at the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) levels of the client organization. Assists the NCA Program Manager as required in managing contract performance.

The Contractor shall deliver documentation in electronic format, unless otherwise directed in Section B of the solicitation/contract. Acceptable electronic media include: MS Office applications or Adobe pdf applications.

8.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION:

A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be identified for this contract. The Contractor shall coordinate the service to be performed for the project with the COR before the start of work. The Contractor shall coordinate work with the activities of the cemetery and the COR. The COR will provide Quality Assurance oversight to ensure contract work is being performed accurately and on schedule.

The COR will provide on-site support in relation to resources available. The Contractor shall perform all on-site activities with respect and dignity for cemetery visitors and funeral operations. Work may need to be temporarily suspended or shifted to other areas due to occasional active burial operations.

The Contractor will be required to provide a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), i.e. a quality control plan, in line with the attached performance matrix 10 days after the contract is issued. The Government will have three days to review and either approve or return for adjustments.

9.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED INFORMATION

VA will provide the Contractor with access to local National Cemetery data.

10.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

None.

11. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to contract success.

The Contractor will provide a narrative for each element (A-E) listed below. In the narrative explain: (1) How it will satisfy each of the desired results/objectives specified in the SOO; and (2) The timeline for providing it.

In order to be found technically acceptable, the following criteria must be met: (1) The Offerors quote contains at least the minimum requirements outlined below (A – E), and (2) The Offeror presents a sound plan for providing it.

A. Team: The team of contributing scholars must consist of at least two members from accredited institutions of higher education (IHEs) within the area of focus, each of whom is a faculty member who holds an advanced degree in their field and has evidence of demonstrated scholarly output. The team will designate a single Point of Contact (POC). An external Project Manager may be included if no one on faculty is able to assume that role diligently.

B. Student research products: Faculty members shall define a framework of at least two digital media products produced for educational outreach based on student-generated research. The final products must be publicly accessible examples of applied cemetery research. Published research about Veterans should share positive narratives, which celebrate Veteran service and will be used to inspire and to teach, both about the unique individual qualities of the Veteran and about Veterans as a community.

C. Instructional materials: Faculty members shall include the development of at least five lesson plans appropriate to the schools, grades, and subjects of teachers and K-12 students in the partnership. These lesson plans can take multiple forms. Lessons can build upon each other to form a complete instructional unit. Examples could be online learning modules, service learning projects incorporating historical inquiry, etc. Though designing lesson plans around a visit to the National Cemetery is ideal, lesson plans can be designed using virtual means and methods. Regardless of chosen format, lesson plans must meet a standard of criteria, as follows:

4.C.1 Standards Aligned: Lesson plans must be explicitly aligned to relevant state and national standards, e.g. Common Core, NCSS, etc.

4.C.2 Complete: Lesson plans must include all resources, materials, and aids required for successful school-based implementation of the lesson.

4.C.3 Accessible: In keeping with the Universal Design for Learning framework, lesson plans must be able to be used and understood by everyone. Goals, Assessments, Materials, and Methods should be thoughtfully designed and articulated, using a variety of materials and pedagogical approaches. Designing the lesson plan(s) for a diversity of learners improves learning outcomes for all.

4.C.4 Cross-Curricular: Lesson plans should be multi-disciplinary, e.g. teaching literacy using historical documents, mapping cemeteries using GIS, etc.

4.C.5 Student-centered: Students must be active participants in their learning.

4.C.6 Source rich: Available primary sources and place-based resources (related to National Cemetery) must be utilized in the lesson planning process.

D. Extended memorialization: Faculty members shall define how they plan to use the student research to extend memorialization of the veterans’ legacy enshrined in the National Cemetery or cemeteries of focus, or state Veteran cemetery or tribal Veterans cemetery, if applicable.

E. Collection of program assessment data: Faculty members shall design assessment instruments for their students and the K-12 students showing how this participation in this program affected students’ performance in their subject of inquiry, e.g. history, film, Education, American studies social studies, English Language Arts, art. Data should be anonymously sampled but demonstrated to be valid and reliable.

The quote must meet the minimum criteria in terms of Factors 6 B-E

Paragraph

-No grammar or spelling errors Faculty oversight

-Meeting all Factor 6-C criteria

Faculty and teacher oversight

-Should showcase students’ research Faculty and professional oversight

-Instruments must be valid and reliable -Data shared must be aggregated and disaggregated by population Faculty oversight

12. EVALUATION:

a. Each quote is for a project focusing on at least one NCA National Cemetery. The number of quotes accepted for award will depend upon the number of acceptable quotes submitted and is subject to available funding. An award for these will be made to the Offeror providing the best value to the Government using the tradeoff process under best value. It may be in the Government’s best interest to consider an award to other than the lowest priced Offeror or other than highest technically rated Offeror. Offerors are advised that if the technical quotes are essentially equal, the award may be made on the basis of the lowest cost.

b. Evaluation of the technical factors will be conducted according to a Best Value Tradeoff approach, according to the following rubric:

A. Team: The team of contributing scholars must consist of at least two members from accredited institutions of higher education (IHEs) within the area of focus, each of whom is a faculty member who holds an advanced degree in their field and has evidence of demonstrated scholarly output. The team will designate a single Point of Contact (POC). If an external Project Manager is included, they must show experience and qualifications demonstrating a successful history of project management on funded programs.

B. Student research products: Faculty members shall define a framework of at least two digital media products produced for educational outreach based on student-generated research. The final products must be publicly accessible examples of applied cemetery research.

C. Instructional materials: Faculty members shall include the development of at least five lesson plans appropriate to the schools, grades, and subjects of teachers and K-12 students in the partnership. These lesson plans can take multiple forms. Lessons can build upon each other to form a complete instructional unit. Examples could be online learning modules, service learning projects incorporating historical inquiry, etc. Though designing lesson plans around a visit to the National Cemetery is ideal, lesson plans can be designed using virtual means and methods. Regardless of chosen format, lesson plans must meet a standard of criteria, as follows:

4.C.1 Standards Aligned: Lesson plans must be explicitly aligned to relevant state and national standards, e.g. Common Core, NCSS, etc.

4.C.2 Complete: Lesson plans must include all resources, materials, and aids required for successful school-based implementation of the lesson.

4.C.3 Accessible: In keeping with the Universal Design for Learning framework, lesson plans must be able to be used and understood by everyone. Goals, Assessments, Materials, and Methods should be thoughtfully designed and articulated, using a variety of materials and pedagogical approaches. Designing the lesson plan(s) for a diversity of learners improves learning outcomes for all.

4.C.4 Cross-Curricular: Lesson plans should be multi-disciplinary, e.g. teaching literacy using historical documents, mapping cemeteries using GIS, etc.

4.C.5 Student-centered: Students must be active participants in their learning.

4.C.6 Source rich: Available primary sources and place-based resources (related to National Cemetery) must be utilized in the lesson planning process.

D. Extended memorialization: Faculty members shall define how they plan to use the student research to extend memorialization of the veterans’ legacy enshrined in the National Cemetery or cemeteries of focus to community, state, or national audiences.

E. Collection of program assessment data: Faculty members shall design assessment instruments for their students and the K-12 students showing how this participation in this program affected students’ performance in their subject of inquiry, e.g. history, film, Education, American studies social studies, English Language Arts, art. Data should be anonymously sampled but demonstrated to be valid and reliable.

Evaluation Rating Scale for Factors

13. PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS

The Government will evaluate past performance risk using the following adjectival ratings:

The Past Performance Approach shall be evaluated based on Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQs), the Contractor’s Past Performance Narrative, and any other sources determined to be relevant in order to make a determination of risk. All past performance information shall be evaluated for quality, timeliness, and relevance (i.e., experience in providing services similar in size, scope, or complexity as those described in the RFQ). The Government shall make determination of relevance. If no past performance information is readily available, the contractor may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

END

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

The National Cemetery Administration desires to enter a Firm Fixed Price contract with universities in partnership with public schools (K-12) that will engage in a program of development of research-based educational outreach materials as part of the National Cemetery Administration’s (NCA) Veterans Legacy Program (VLP).

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 06-01-2019 POP End: 05-31-2020

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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.