015_Title_Search_and_Closing_SOW_-_Connecticut_(1).pdf

Statement of Work for Title Search and Preliminary Title Commitment, Pre-Acquisition Title Update, and Closing Services for

NRCS Easement Programs

I. Objective The objective of the RFQ is to obtain title search and preliminary title commitment, pre-acquisition title commitment update, closing services and final title policy for acquisitions of program easements on behalf of the United States of America, acting by and through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture. A firm fixed price contract is anticipated.

More than one award may be made from this solicitation.

II. Scope

The preliminary title search and commitment and pre-acquisition title commitment update will need to be performed by the Contractor. After this work is completed, submitted, and approved by the USDA Office of General Counsel, NRCS will complete certain other tasks before submitting a Notice to Proceed to the Contractor to close the transaction.

The United States is in the process of obtaining easements on properties in various counties of Connecticut. Easements are of various sizes and the estimated acreage and estimated easement cost of each parcel is attached. A copy of the instrument with which the landowner took title to the property, location map, and conservation plan map will be provided upon award.

III. Timeline

1. Preliminary title commitment is complete – 30 days after receipt of order.

2. Pre-acquisition title commitment update is complete – 30 days after receipt of surveyed easement boundary legal description and owner’s policy amount from NRCS.

3. Closing package provided to NRCS – 30 days after instructions via Notice to Proceed are issued to the Contractor.

4. Warranty Easement Deed- Recorded no more than 30 days after easement acceptance by NRCS and returned to NRCS no more than 21 days after recording.

IV. Standards and Responsibilities The Contractor is responsible for having a current knowledge of all requirements of Connecticut laws in connection with title searches, closing real estate transactions and title clearance, including but not limited to any State, County, municipality or any additional fee(s) which will be incurred.

Quotes submitted must be inclusive of all fees applicable. No additional allowances for such fees will be made post award.

The title insurance company and their issuing agents must be on the United States Attorney General’s list of approved companies and must comply with all Connecticut laws, including title insurance reserves requirements. The Contractor must be licensed to do title insurance business in

Connecticut and must be approved by the Connecticut State Insurance Commissioner.

V. Description of Services

Title Search and Preliminary Title Commitment:

The Contractor must submit an ALTA Closing Protection Letter, or its equivalent, to the Contracting Officer within 5 business days after notice of award.

The Contractor shall obtain the original executed preliminary title commitment covering each property (including any parcels crossed for ingress/egress). The title commitment must be from a Connecticut licensed title insurance company and must commit to issuing the final title policy to the “United States of America” using the 9/28/91 ALTA Government Policy forms (as Revised 12/3/12 when applicable). A copy can be found at http://www.alta.org/forms/index.cfm. The amount of the owner’s coverage should be listed as “To Be Determined” or words of similar effect.

The preliminary title commitment must be sent to the Contracting Officer with all exceptions noted in the title commitment and include a copy of all exceptions (with the exception of deeds of trusts, mortgages, and tax liens).

The preliminary title commitment must be completed and delivered within 30 business days after notice of award. Upon receipt by the Contracting Officer, NRCS will review the preliminary title commitment and determine if the initial title search portion of the task is complete.

Pre-Acquisition Update to Title Commitment:

The Contractor will provide the Contracting Officer with an updated title commitment upon receipt of the surveyed easement boundary legal description and owner’s policy amount from NRCS. This update must be provided to NRCS within 30 days from the date of receipt. The Contractor agrees to update the effective date of the title commitment, the amount shown on the commitment to include the amount of the owner’s coverage for the easement (as provided by NRCS), and to update the title commitment to include the surveyed easement boundary legal description as the property legal description for the commitment. An invoice for the supporting services outlined and applicable to the title search, preliminary title commitment and pre-acquisition update to the title commitment may be submitted once the pre-acquisition update to the title commitment is reviewed and approved.

Closing Services:

Upon receipt by the Contracting Officer of the preliminary title commitment, the NRCS will review documents and consult with the Contractor regarding title issues that must be cleared.

Once all title issues have been cleared, or agreement is reached with lien holders to subordinate their interests, NRCS will make an offer to purchase to the landowner.

The final policy must provide for survey coverage, if available in the geographic area. Exemptions for rights of parties in possession (or a similar exception) will be removed when removal requires a certification or affidavit from the seller.

http://www.alta.org/forms/index.cfm

Once NRCS receives an approved pre-acquisition updated title commitment, NRCS will forward the updated title commitment and related documentation to the USDA Office of General Counsel (OGC) for a Preliminary Title Opinion (PTO). If any outstanding issues remain, NRCS will work with OGC to determine which exceptions are acceptable and which exceptions must be cured.

If NRCS is to proceed with closing on said properties, NRCS will provide the Contractor with the Warranty Easement Deed, Preliminary Title Opinion from OGC, and other documents needed by the closing agent to close including, but not limited to, subordination agreements, legal survey, and ingress/egress descriptions.

The Contractor will establish an Escrow account for the payment of the Easement associated with this closing and be responsible for Form 1099 reporting of the payment through the Internal Revenue Service.

The Contractor will close the transaction, record the deeds and other instruments as necessary, and ensure that the following have occurred:

1. No new encumbrances have been recorded against the subject property since the date of the updated title commitment. If any new encumbrances have been recorded against the subject property since the date of the above-referenced title commitment, notify the Contracting Officer immediately and do not proceed until further instructions are received.

2. The Contractor has received the properly executed Warranty Easement Deed from the Landowner.

3. The Contractor is prepared to secure the policy of title insurance referred to below.

4. All items required to be removed, released, subordinated or otherwise handled as set forth in the Preliminary Title Opinion have been completed and the applicable clearance documents recorded.

5. All taxes, homeowners’ assessments, etc. are paid to the date the Warranty Easement Deed is recorded. The Contractor will establish an Escrow account to withhold funds from the purchase price for the payment of all taxes and assessments which have accrued as a lien to the property, but are not yet due and payable. The amount funds escrowed for payment must be sufficient to cover the amount of all taxes and assessments accrued through date the Warranty Easement Deed is recorded. The Contractor may apply the escrowed funds directly to the taxes and assessments payment(s) once they become due and payable, or the Contractor may release the escrowed funds directly to the landowner if verification can be obtained that all taxes and assessments payment(s) have been paid in full through the date the Warranty Easement Deed is recorded.

6. Comply with any listed title commitments requirements.

Immediately following closing, the Contractor will issue a policy of title insurance on ALTA U.S. Policy 9/28/91 form, in the amount of the purchase price as of the time and date of the recording of the Warranty Easement Deed to the United States of America. Said policy of title insurance will be free and clear of any and all encumbrances to the title except those shown as acceptable in the OGC’s PTO, and insure the Government’s interest in the easement area and the right of ingress and egress thereto. The final policy should reflect the execution and recording information pertaining to the insured easement, such as: Perpetual Easement granted by to United States of America, by and through the Commodity Credit Corporation by WARRANTY EASEMENT DEED dated “DATE” and recorded “DATE” in Deed Record Recorder of County, Connecticut.

pages in the Office of the

The easement will be recorded no more than 30 days after NRCS’s acceptance of the closing documents. The Contractor will return the following package to the Contracting Officer within 21 days of the documents being recorded at the County Recorder’s Office with exclusion of number 5 mentioned below.

1. Policy of title Insurance (original and one copy).

2. Recorder’s certified original Warranty Easement Deed to the United States of America.

3. Original and one copy of executed settlement statements.

4. Recorder’s certified copies of any clearance documents, including subordination agreements.

5. NOTE: The invoice covering the agreed-to price (i.e., contract award amount) for the services provided shall be submitted after final opinion has been rendered back to NRCS from OGC. Payment will not take place until this process has been exercised.

The Contractor’s quote for this service shall include all prices associated with the closing of the easement, which may include but are not limited to, travel expenses, copy costs, title insurance fees, title clearing fees, recording costs, title update costs, etc.

VI. Conflict of Interest

The Contractor will not close on an easement purchase for a spouse, children, partners, or business associates, nor have a financial interest in the real estate to be covered by the proposed easement.

VII. Non-Disclosure

Work performance required by this Scope of Work will involve access to potentially sensitive information about governmental and landowner issues. All Contractor personnel must comply with the terms of AGAR 452.224-70, confidentiality of Information, as well as provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U. S. C. 552a. Additionally, the Contractor’s employees shall comply with privacy of personal information relating to natural resources conservation programs in accordance with Section 1244 of Title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171).

VIII. Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoice Payment Platform (IPP)

Invoices must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Payment Platform System (IPP) or the Contractor must be willing to accept payment by Government purchase card. The Contractor must use the IPP website (https://www.ipp.gov) to register, access, and use IPP for submitting invoices.

https://www.ipp.gov/

Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by calling (866) 973-3131.

Manually sent invoices will take longer to process, however are deemed acceptable.

Title Search and Closing Services Provisions/Clauses

52.212-1 - Instructions to Offeror’s - Commercial Items

(April 2014)

52.212-2 - Evaluation - Commercial Items. (Oct 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

lowest price/technically acceptable

A firm fixed priced award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price and proposals meeting or exceeding the non-cost factors IAW FAR Part 15.101-2 – Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. The non-cost factors associated with this request are as follows.

• Your firm must be a small business

• Your first must be able to do work under NAICS 541191

• You firm must have an active SAM.GOV registration at time of award and during performance

Technical and past performance, when combined, are Indiana ’s [Contracting Officer state, in accordance with FAR 15.304, the relative importance of all other evaluation factors, when combined, when compared to price.]

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

52.212-3 -- Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items. (Dec 2014)

52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items. (Dec 2014)

52.212-5 -- Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items.

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2014)

(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 re-performance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or re-performance 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 Government-wide 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, contract 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.

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(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 contract 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— https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_232.html%23wp1153351 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_232.html%23wp1153375 http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t29t32+1665+30++%2831%29%20%20AND%20%28%2831%29%20ADJ%20USC%29%3ACITE%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20 http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t29t32+1665+30++%2831%29%20%20AND%20%28%2831%29%20ADJ%20USC%29%3ACITE%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_212_213.html%23wp1203358 http://uscode.house.gov/ https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2033_2.html%23wp1079912

(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.

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(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) System for Award Management (SAM).

(1) Unless exempted by an addendum to this contract, the Contractor is responsible during performance and through final payment of any contract for the accuracy and completeness of the data within the SAM database, and for any liability resulting from the Government’s reliance on inaccurate or incomplete data. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the Contractor is required to review and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or subsequent updates its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating information in the SAM does not alter the terms and conditions of this contract and is not a substitute for a properly executed contractual document.

(2)(i) If a Contractor has legally changed its business name, “doing business as” name, or division name (whichever is shown on the contract), or has transferred the assets used in performing the contract, but has not completed the necessary requirements regarding novation and change-of-name agreements in FAR Subpart 42.12, the Contractor shall provide the responsible Contracting Officer a minimum of one business day’s written notification of its intention to (A) change the name in the SAM database;

(B) comply with the requirements of Subpart 42.12; and (C) agree in writing to the timeline and procedures specified by the responsible Contracting Officer. The Contractor must provide with the notification sufficient documentation to support the legally changed name.

(ii) If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (t)(2)(i) of this clause, or fails to perform the agreement at paragraph (t)(2)(i)(C) of this clause, and, in the absence of a properly executed http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/ https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_212_213.html%23wp1203358 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/FormsStandard68.html%23wp1189284 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2042_12.html%23wp1084217 https://acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2042_12.html%23wp1084217 novation or change-of-name agreement, the SAM information that shows the Contractor to be other than the Contractor indicated in the contract will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the “Suspension of Payment” paragraph of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) clause of this contract.

(3) The Contractor shall not change the name or address for EFT payments or manual payments, as appropriate, in the SAM record to reflect an assignee for the purpose of assignment of claims (see Subpart 32.8, Assignment of Claims). Assignees shall be separately registered in the SAM database.

Information provided to the Contractor’s SAM record that indicates payments, including those made by EFT, to an ultimate recipient other than that Contractor will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the “Suspension of payment” paragraph of the EFT clause of this contract.

(4) Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via SAM accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

(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)

452.224-70 Confidentiality of Information. (FEB 1988)

(a) Confidential information, as used in this clause, means -- (1) information or data of a personal nature, proprietary about an individual, or (2) information or data submitted by or pertaining to an organization.

(b) In addition to the types of confidential information described in (a)(1) and (2) above, information which might require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure may derive from studies or research, during which public disclosure of primarily invalidated findings could create an erroneous conclusion which might threaten public health or safety if acted upon.

(c) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify elsewhere in this contract specific information and/or categories of information which the Government will furnish to the Contractor or that the Contractor is expected to generate which is confidential. Similarly, the contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify such confidential information from time to time during the performance of the contract. Failure to agree will be settled pursuant to the "Disputes" clause.

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(d) If it is established that information to be utilized under this contract is subject to the Privacy Act, the Contractor will follow the rules and procedures of disclosure set forth in the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and implementing regulations and policies, with respect to systems of records determined to be subject to the Privacy Act.

(e) Confidential information, as defined in (a) (1) and (2) above, shall not be disclosed without the prior written consent of the individual, institution or organization.

(f) Written advance notice of at least 45 days will be provided to the Contracting Officer of the Contractor's intent to release findings of studies or research, which have the possibility of adverse effects on the public or the Federal agency, as described in (b) above. If the Contracting Officer does not pose any objections in writing within the 45 day period, the contractor may proceed with disclosure. Disagreements not resolved by the Contractor and Contracting Officer will be settled pursuant to the "Disputes" clause.

(g) Whenever the Contractor is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of material under the contract, or if the material in question is subject to the Privacy Act or is confidential information subject to the provisions of this clause, the Contractor shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer prior to any release, disclosure, dissemination, or publication.

(h) The provisions of paragraph (e) of this clause shall not apply when the information is subject to conflicting or overlapping provisions in other Federal, State or local laws.

(End of Clause)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Items.

As prescribed in 12.301(b)(4), insert the following clause:

CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS (DEC 2014)

(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) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Dec 2014)

(2) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

___Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

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

(4) 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:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

_x_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

_x_ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

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

__ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2013) (Pub. L.

109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (5) [Reserved].

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Jan 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Aug 2013) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (10) [Reserved].

__ (11)(i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011) of 52.219-3.

__ (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2011) of 52.219-4.

__ (13) [Reserved] __ (14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011).

__ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011).

__ (15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

__ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

__ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

__ (iv) Alternate III (Oct 2014) of 52.219-9.

__ (18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011)(15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

__ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657 f).

__ (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

__ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

__ (26) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan 2014) (E.O. 13126).

__ (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

__ (28) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

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__ (29) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jul 2014)(38 U.S.C. 4212).

_x_ (30) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

__ (31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUL 2014) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_x_ (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

__ (33) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (AUG 2013). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

__ (34)(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (35)(i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) (E.O. 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-13.

__ (36)(i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (E.O. 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14.

__ (37) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__ (38)(i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (JUN 2014) (E.O.

13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

__ (39) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) (E.O.

13513).

__ (40) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

__ (41)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (May 2014) (41 U.S.C.

chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L.

103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112- 43.

__ (ii) Alternate I (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

__ (iii) Alternate II (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

__ (iv) Alternate III (May 2014) of 52.225-3.

__ (42) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2013) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

__ (43) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (June 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (44) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Jul 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

__ (45) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (46) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (47) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

__ (48) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

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