NQIIC_2018_RFP_Amendment.docx

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

This is a multiple award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under which individual task orders will be awarded to procure expert healthcare quality improvement services for the “Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC).” NQIICs are defined as a set of quality improvement contractors that have the capability to achieve large scale improvement results using effective and innovative quality improvement strategies that are data driven, transparent, and empower patients, families and clinicians to make decisions about their healthcare. This program will allow for the full spectrum of quality improvement (QI) work that is in operation under current various QI contracts and task orders. This work may include statutorily required work, such as Quality Innovation Network- Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network work as well as hospital focused large scale quality improvement work, clinician-focused technical assistance work, and other quality improvement work.

B.2 TYPE OF CONTRACT

This is a multiple award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with provisions for pricing arrangements including, but not limited to, Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF), Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee (CPIF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Fixed-Price-Incentive (FPI) and Time and Materials (T&M). Specific tasks and/or work to be performed, will be detailed in, and solicited by, individual Task Orders issued under this IDIQ contract.

NOTE: Please be advised that if the Offeror does not have an accounting system that is adequate for determining costs applicable to the task order (FAR 16.301-3) and for accumulating and segregating costs under a Cost Reimbursement (CR) contract, it will not be eligible to receive award for cost reimbursement type task orders.

B.3 DETERMINATION OF ORDER TYPE/PRICES/COSTS

Each Task Order Request for Proposal (TORP) will state the contract type deemed appropriate by the Government for that Task Order.

B.4 MAXIMUM CONTRACT CEILING AND MINIMUM CONTRACT GUARANTEE

(a) Maximum. The maximum contract ceiling value of all contracts in this multiple award procurement is established at $25 Billion dollars over the life of the contract. Additionally, the government has the right to increase the contract ceiling in the event that the ceiling is reached prior to the end of the period of performance. There is no maximum dollar ceiling for an individual Task Order.

(b) Minimum. The minimum guaranteed award amount for this IDIQ contract is $1,000 dollars (inclusive of cost and fee) per contractor over the life of the contract. The exercise of the option period does not re-establish the contract minimum.

(c) The Government has no obligation to issue Task Orders (TO) to the Contractor beyond the amount specified in paragraph (b) of this clause. Once the conditions of paragraph (b) have been met, the Contractor continues to be afforded fair opportunity, as per FAR 16.505(b)(1), to compete for Task Orders issued through the expiration of the contract or termination of the Contractor’s contract, whichever occurs first.

(d) If no Task Order has been awarded in the first six months of the IDIQ contract period of performance, the contractor may invoice for the minimum ordering guarantee of $1,000:

CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBER (CLIN)

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN)

Cost

* Refer to Section G.1, G.2, G.3 for invoicing information.

(e) The Contractor’s First Task Order Award will be reduced by $1,000 to account for the obligation against the basic IDIQ.

B.5 FIXED FEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE (COST REIMBURSEMENT TASK ORDERS)

The fixed fee will be negotiated on a Task Order by Task Order basis as appropriate.

The fixed fee set forth in each individual CPFF task order under this contract will be paid in installments at the time of each monthly provisional payment

NOTE: The payment of fixed fee is subject to the withholding provisions of FAR 52.216-8, entitled Fixed Fee. Any balance of fixed fee shall be paid to the contractor at the time specified in FAR 52.216-8.

B.6 SCHEDULE FOR PAYMENT FOR FIXED PRICE

The Government shall pay the Contractor for performing this contract the fixed price specified in each individual FFP task order in installments at the time of each monthly payment.

B.7 LABOR RATES (TIME AND MATERIALS (T&M)

a. The following fixed rates shall be utilized for T&M type Task Orders. The Contractor is limited to the negotiated T&M rate ceilings stated below for all T&M Task Orders. Additional labor rates may be required for each particular Task Order and should be submitted for evaluation with the Task Order proposal. T&M rates may need to be modified from time to time based on changing business needs and to avoid windfall profit when high dollar Task Orders are awarded. If it appears to either party that the labor rates require revision, the Government, upon review of documentation submitted by the Contractor, may modify the contract to establish new ceilings, but in no case shall the Government reimburse the Contractor for more than the total estimated cost of each individual Task Order for which the rate(s) may be applied.

T&M Rates will not be established until such time as a T&M Task Order Contract is awarded. At the time of a T&M Task Order award, labor categories and fully burdened labor rates will be included.

B.8 AWARD FEE (COST PLUS AWARD FEE TASK ORDERS)

Should an award fee type task order be issued (i.e., Cost Plus Award Fee), the amount of award fee the Contractor earns, if any, is based on an evaluation by the Government of the quality of the Contractor’s performance. This will be accomplished in accordance with a Performance Evaluation Plan established for individual CPAF task orders. The Government will determine the amount of award fee paid as determined in the plan. NOTE: The determination of the award fee paid amount and the award fee methodology are unilateral decisions made solely at the discretion of the Government. The Government may unilaterally change the Performance Evaluation Plan at any time. However, any revisions to the evaluation criteria in the plan shall be presented to the Contractor prior to the evaluation period in which it will be used.

B.9 INCENTIVE FEE

Should an incentive fee type task order be issued (i.e., Cost Plus Incentive Fee or Fixed Price Incentive Fee), the amount of incentive fee the Contractor earns, if any, is based on an evaluation by the Government of the quality of the Contractor’s performance or cost control parameters or delivery schedule incentives. This will be accomplished in accordance with an Incentive Plan established for each incentive fee task order. The Government will determine the amount of incentive fee as determined in the plan.

B.10 TRAVEL/OTHER DIRECT COSTS/ MATERIAL (Cost Reimbursement Task Orders including T&M)

Travel, Material and Other Direct Costs shall be reimbursed at actual costs incurred in accordance with 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, and the Federal Travel Regulation as applicable. These items will not be separately priced in this contract, but will be set forth, when applicable, on each Task Order.

B.11 TRANSITION SERVICES

Transition will take place at the Task Order level and costs will be identified separately for start-up and phase-out services. Refer to G.26 for additional information.

B.12 MEDICAL RECORDS PHOTOCOPYING

CMS may require the use of electronic transfers of medical records. If applicable, the NQIIC Contractor will be paid for a properly certified invoice/voucher for medical records photocopying costs at a rate of $.12 per page (hardcopies) for reproduction of PPS provider records and $.15 per page (hardcopies) for reproduction of non-PPS institutions and practitioner records, plus first class postage. Specifically, hospitals and other providers (such as critical access hospitals) under a Medicare cost reimbursement system, receive no photocopying reimbursement from the NQIIC Contractor. Capitation providers such as HMOs and dialysis facilities receive $.12 per page. No fixed fee will be paid on photocopying.

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

The Statement of Work (SOW) provides requirements which the Contractor is expected to accomplish to meet minimum contract needs. Specific tasks and/or work to be performed, will be detailed in, and solicited by individual Task Order issued under this IDIQ contract and will be based on requirements as set forth in the Statement of Work, as well as in each applicable Task Order.

Independently, and not as an agent of CMS, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform this Statement of Work.

The NQIIC IDIQ Contract will provide the services as described in Attachment J.1, Statement of Work.

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with the SOW and Schedule of Deliverables (SOD), and any additional requirements set forth in individual Task Orders.

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

This 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 address: https://www.acquisition.gov/

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses:

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a. All work under this contract is subject to inspection and final acceptance by the Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative of the Government.

b. The Government's Contracting Officer Representative is a duly authorized representative of the Government and is responsible for inspection and acceptance of all items to be delivered under this contract.

c. Inspection and acceptance of the Contractor's performance shall be in accordance with the applicable FAR Clauses in Section E.1 above.

E.3 ACCEPTANCE BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICERS REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

All items to be delivered to the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) who will be deemed to have been accepted 30 calendar days after the date of delivery, except as otherwise specified in this contract if written approval or disapproval has not been given within such period. The COR’s acceptance or revision to the items submitted shall be within the general scope of the work stated in this contract.

E.4 PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN (PIP)

A PIP is a description of the work to be performed by the Contractor to improve its performance and eliminate noted deficiencies. In the event a Contractor fails to meet its contract requirements for acceptability, a PIP may be required. The PIP is developed by the Contractor at the direction of the COR and must be approved by the COR and CO prior to implementation. Each PIP will contain a specified timeframe in which the contractor must correct the noted deficiency.

When applicable at the task order level, in the event a Contractor fails to meet its contract requirements for acceptability, a PIP may be required in accordance with QIO Manual Section 15400-15420.

(See https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/qio110c15.pdf)

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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 address: https://www.acquisition.gov/

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses:

52.247-34 F.O.B. DESTINATION (NOV 1991)

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (JAN 2014)

The Base Ordering Period is 5 years from the effective date of the IDIQ contract award. The Government may unilaterally exercise an Optional Ordering Period for an additional 5 years, for a total period of performance of 10 years

The anticipated period of performance of this IDIQ contract is as follows:

(Note: Actual dates will be included at contract award)

F.3 SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverables and reporting requirements will be specified in each individual Task Order and discussed during the negotiation of each Task Order.

F.4 TIME AND PLACE OF DELIVERIES (TASK ORDERS)

(a) The deliverables to be furnished must be delivered in accordance with the delivery schedule as specified in each task order.

(b) Satisfactory performance of each task order under this contract shall be deemed to occur upon delivery and acceptance by the Contracting Officer, or the duly authorized representative, in accordance with the stated delivery schedule of each task order.

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

TBD

Accounting and Appropriation Data shall be included on each invoice/voucher.

G.2 PAYMENTS – VOUCHERS (Cost Reimbursement Contracts) (OCT 2015)

a. GENERAL: The Contractor may submit to the Government a voucher or Standard Form 1034, GENERAL: The Contractor may submit to the Government a voucher or Standard Form 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other Than Personal, for payment in accordance with the instructions below.

b. METHOD OF PAYMENT: CMS shall only make an electronic payment for reimbursement of voucher submissions in accordance with FAR 52.232-33, Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management. In order to receive payments, the contractor shall register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, in accordance with FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

c. ADDRESS CHANGES: The contractor shall notify CMS’ Division of Accounting Operations of all banking and address changes in SAM via the following email address: CCRChanges@cms.hhs.gov.

d. CONTENT OF VOUCHER - Vouchers shall include, at a minimum:

· Contractor’s name and address

· Contractor’s Tax Identification Number (TIN)

· Contractor’s DUNS Number

· Voucher Number to include the designation of the Contract Payment Category Type as follows:

· Contract Payment Category Type TBD upon award

· Contract and Order Number, as applicable;

· Contract line item number (CLIN) and/or Subcontract line item number (SLIN);

· Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price/cost of the items actually delivered or services rendered, i.e., Labor category and labor hours x labor rate = total direct labor dollars, subcontractor costs, travel, other direct costs, overhead rate(s), etc.;

· Shipping and payment terms;

· Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

· Other substantiating documentation or information as required by the contract;

· Name, title, phone number and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent;

· Name, title, phone number of person to notified in the event of a defective voucher;

· Period of performance for delivery date of goods or services provided; and

· Information contained in Section G.1.

· Standard Form (SF) 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other than Personal;

· The SF 1034 shall clearly document costs invoiced under multiple CAN numbers. Each CAN and the respective CAN billed amount shall be clearly delineated.

· CMS Revised Form 719, Quality Improvement Organization Contract Activity and Voucher;

· CMS Form 618, Quality Improvement Organization Voucher Certification;

· Any additional supporting documentation

· Monthly fixed fee clearly and separately identified on the voucher;

· At a minimum, the following additional supporting documentation must be supplied with the monthly invoice:

· A listing of the total direct employee costs charged to the invoice per employee including the hours charged the rate per employee and the total cost per employee.

· Travel Costs (Including Foreign Travel)

· The Contractor shall be reimbursed for travel costs in accordance with FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs.

· Per Diem

· Expenses for subsistence and lodging shall be reimbursed to the Contractor only to the extent where overnight stay is necessary for performance under this contract. Incurred costs shall be considered to be reasonable and allowable only to the extent that they do not exceed, on a daily basis, the maximum per diem rates in effect at the time of travel as set forth in the Federal Travel Regulations. See FAR 31.205-46(2).

· Cost of Materials

· The cost of materials furnished or used under this contract shall be reimbursed in accordance with paragraph (b) of the clause entitled Allowable Costs (FAR 52.216-7) for cost reimbursement contracts and FAR 31.205-26 Material Costs. Expendable material costs for items such as office supplies, report paper, etc., and tools of the trade shall be considered to be included in the contractor's indirect cost pools. The Contractor shall be required to support all material costs claimed.

· Direct Charge Relocation Charges

· In accordance with FAR 31.205-35 Relocation Costs, relocation costs either directly charged or included in the contractor's indirect cost pools, associated with an individual not completing a term of service equal to one year working under this contract, shall be an unallowable cost under this contract.

e. MAILINGS: Vouchers shall be submitted as follows:

1. ELECTRONIC MAIL: The contractor shall submit an electronic copy of the voucher to both of the following individuals:

· Contract Specialist – listed in section G.5; and

· COR – listed in section G.5.

AND

2. REGULAR MAIL: An original hard copy of the voucher shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OFM/Division of Accounting Operations P.O. Box 7520 Baltimore, MD 21207-0520

3. OVERNIGHT MAIL: If the contractor chooses to use an overnight mail carrier, the original hard copy of the voucher shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OFM/Division of Accounting Operations 7500 Security Boulevard/Mailstop: C3-11-03 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

f. PAYMENTS: The Government shall make provisional payments on all vouchers (pending the completion of a final audit of the Contractor's cost records) in accordance with:

· FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost & Payment, and

· FAR 52.232-1, Payments, and

Upon acceptance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of the required supplies/services in accordance with the applicable FAR Inspection and Acceptance clause and the Contracting Officer’s approval.

Reimbursement for vouchers submitted under this contract shall be made not later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of an acceptable voucher from the Contractor requested at the paying office designated above. Any discrepancies determined as a result of the audit could delay the processing of the voucher and may result in the voucher being returned to the Contractor for corrections.

g. INTEREST ON OVERDUE PAYMENT

The Prompt Payment Act, Public Law 97-177 (96 Stat.85.31 U.S.C. 1801) is applicable to payments under this contract and requires the payment of interest on payments made more than 30 calendar days after receipt of an voucher by the Division of Accounting Operations.

Determinations of interest due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-125.

G.3 PAYMENTS - INVOICES (Firm Fixed Price Contracts) (OCT 2015)

a. GENERAL: The Contractor shall submit to the Government an invoice for payment in accordance with the instructions below.

b. METHOD OF PAYMENT: CMS shall only make an electronic payment of invoices in accordance with FAR 52.232-33, Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management. In order to receive payments, the contractor shall register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, in accordance with FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

c. ADDRESS CHANGES: The contractor shall notify CMS’ Division of Accounting Operations of all banking and address changes in SAM via the following email address: CCRChanges@cms.hhs.gov.

d. CONTENT OF INVOICE - Invoices shall include, at a minimum:

· Contractor’s name and address;

· Contractor’s Tax Identification Number (TIN);

· Contractor’s DUNS Number;

· Invoice date;

· Invoice Number to include the designation of the Contract Payment Category Type as follows:

· Contract Payment Category Type TBD upon award

· Contract and Order Number, as applicable;

· Contract line item number (CLIN) and/or Subcontract line item number (SLIN);

· Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items actually delivered or services rendered;

· Shipping and payment terms;

· Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

· Other substantiating documentation or information as required by the contract;

· Name, title, phone number and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent;

· Name, title, phone number of person to notified in the event of a defective invoice;

· Period of performance or delivery date of goods or services provided; and

· Information contained in Section G.1.

e. MAILINGS: Invoices shall be submitted as follows:

1. ELECTRONIC MAIL: The contractor shall submit an electronic copy of the invoice to both of the following individuals:

· Contract Specialist – listed in section G.5; and

· COR – listed in section G.5.

AND

2. REGULAR MAIL: An original hard copy shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OFM/Division of Accounting Operations P.O. Box 7520 Baltimore, MD 21207-0520

3. OVERNIGHT MAIL: If the contractor chooses to use an overnight mail carrier, the original hard copy of the invoice shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OFM/Division of Accounting Operations 7500 Security Boulevard/Mailstop: C3-11-03 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

f. PAYMENTS: The Government shall make payment of all invoices in accordance with

· FAR 52.232-1 Payments, and

· FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (If applicable) upon acceptance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) in accordance with the applicable FAR Inspection and Acceptance clause and the Contracting Officer’s approval, as appropriate.

Reimbursement for invoices submitted under this contract shall be made not later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of an acceptable invoice from the Contractor requested at the paying office designated above. Any discrepancies determined as a result of the audit could delay the processing of the invoice and may result in the invoice being returned to the Contractor for corrections.

g. INTEREST ON OVERDUE PAYMENT

The Prompt Payment Act, Public Law 97-177 (96 Stat.85.31 U.S.C. 1801) is applicable to payments under this contract and requires the payment of interest on payments made more than 30 calendar days after receipt of an invoice by the Division of Accounting Operations.

Determinations of interest due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-125.

G.4 PAYMENTS – VOUCHERS (Time & Materials/Labor Hour Contracts) (OCT 2015)

a. GENERAL: The Contractor shall submit to the Government a voucher or Standard Form 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other Than Personal, for payment in accordance with the instructions below.

b. METHOD OF PAYMENT: CMS shall only make an electronic payment for reimbursement of voucher submissions in accordance with FAR 52.232-33, Payments by Electronic Funds Transfer – System for Award Management. In order to receive payments, the contractor shall register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, in accordance with FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

c. ADDRESS CHANGES: The contractor shall notify CMS’ Division of Accounting Operations of all banking and address changes in SAM via the following email address: CCRChanges@cms.hhs.gov.

d. CONTENT OF VOUCHER - Vouchers shall include, at a minimum:

· Contractor’s name and address

· Contractor’s Tax Identification Number (TIN)

· Contractor’s DUNS Number

· Voucher Number to include the designation of the Contract Payment Category Type as follows:

· Contract Payment Category Type TBD upon award

· Contract and Order Number, as applicable;

· Contract line item number (CLIN) and/or Subcontract line item number (SLIN);

· Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price/cost of the items actually delivered or services rendered, i.e., Labor category and labor hours x labor rate = total direct labor dollars, subcontractor costs, travel, other direct costs, overhead rate(s), etc.;

· Shipping and payment terms;

· Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

· Other substantiating documentation or information as required by the contract;

· Name, title, phone number and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent;

· Name, title, phone number of person to notified in the event of a defective voucher;

· Period of performance for delivery date of goods or services provided; and

· Information contained in Section G.1.

e. MAILINGS: Vouchers shall be submitted as follows:

4. ELECTRONIC MAIL: The contractor shall submit an electronic copy of the voucher to both of the following individuals:

Contract Specialist – listed in section G.5; and COR – listed in section G.5.

AND

5. REGULAR MAIL: An original hard copy of the voucher shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OFM/Division of Accounting Operations P.O. Box 7520 Baltimore, MD 21207-0520

6. OVERNIGHT MAIL: If the contractor chooses to use an overnight mail carrier, the original hard copy of the voucher shall be submitted to the address below:

Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OFM/Division of Accounting Operations 7500 Security Boulevard/Mailstop: C3-11-03 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

f. PAYMENTS: The Government shall make payments on all vouchers in accordance with –

· FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, (if applicable),

· FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost & Payment,

· FAR 52.232-1, Payments, and

· FAR 52.232-7, Payments under Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts upon acceptance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) of the required supplies/services in accordance with the applicable FAR Inspection and Acceptance clause and the Contracting Officer’s approval.

Reimbursement for vouchers submitted under this contract shall be made not later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of an acceptable voucher from the Contractor at the paying office designated above. Any discrepancies determined as a result of the audit could delay the processing of the voucher and may result in the voucher being returned to the Contractor for corrections.

g. INTEREST ON OVERDUE PAYMENT

The Prompt Payment Act, Public Law 97-177 (96 Stat.85.31 U.S.C. 1801) is applicable to payments under this contract and requires the payment of interest on payments made more than 30 calendar days after receipt of an voucher by the Division of Accounting Operations.

Determinations of interest due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-125.

G.5 GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (JUL 2016)

Following are the Government Representatives and their respective roles and responsibilities on this contract:

a. Contracting Officer

As defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101, Definitions, and in accordance with FAR 1.602-1, Authority, “Contracting officers have authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.” There is no other authorized representative or any other Administrative Contracting Officer assigned to this contract to carry out a Contracting Officer’s duties, except for technical direction assigned to the Contracting Officer’s Representative, if applicable.

The Contracting Officer is:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Acquisition & Grants Management Acquisition Support Group Division of Quality Contracts

ATTN: TBD

7500 Security Blvd.

Mail-stop: B3-30-03 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Phone: TBD Email Address: TBD

b. Contract Specialist

Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Contract, the Contract Specialist will assist the Contracting Officer with his/her responsibilities as defined in the FAR.

The Contract Specialist is:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Acquisition & Grants Management Acquisition Support Group Division of Quality Contracts

ATTN: TBD

7500 Security Blvd.

Mail-stop: B3-30-03 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Phone: TBD Email Address: TBD

c. Contracting Officer’s Representative

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, is:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Centre for Clinical Standards and Quality Quality Improvement and Innovation Group

ATTN: TBD

7500 Security Blvd.

Mail-stop: S3-02-01 Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 Phone: TBD Email Address: TBD

In accordance with FAR 1.602-2(d), Responsibilities, the COR’s delegated responsibilities are identified in the Contracting Officer’s appointment memorandum, a copy of which will be furnished to the contractor.

Technical direction must be within the general scope of the work stated in the contract. The term "technical direction" is defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) Directions to the Contractor which direct the contract effort, shift work emphasis between work areas or tasks, require pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fill in details or otherwise serve to accomplish the contractual technical requirements as identified in the Statement of Work or Performance Work Statement; or

(2) Provision of information to the Contractor, which assists in the interpretation of drawings, specifications, or technical portions of the work description.

The COR does not have the authority to:

1. Make changes to contract terms and conditions;

2. Direct the contractor to perform work or make deliveries not specifically required under the contract;

3. Waive or relax the Government’s rights with regard to the Contractor’s compliance with the specifications, price, delivery or any other terms or conditions of the contract;

4. Make any commitments or approve any actions that would create any financial obligation on the part of the Government; or

5. Issue direction that constitutes a “change” as defined in:

FAR 52.243-1, Changes – Fixed Price;

FAR 52.243-2, Changes – Cost Reimbursement;

FAR 52.243-3, Changes – Time and Material and Labor Hour;

FAR 52.243-4, Changes; or, FAR 52.243-5, Changes and Changed Conditions.

All technical direction shall be issued in writing by the COR or, if issued verbally, shall be confirmed in writing by the COR within five (5) business days after issuance.

The Contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of technical direction duly issued by the COR within the scope of his/her authority.

If, in the opinion of the Contractor, any instruction or direction issued by a Government representative constitutes a change to the contract or constitutes a “Change Order” as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the Contractor shall follow the instructions identified in FAR 52.243-7 Notification of Changes.

G.6 CORRESPONDENCE PROCEDURES

To promote timely and effective administration, correspondence (except for invoices), submitted under this contract shall be subject to the following procedures:

a. Technical Correspondence - Technical correspondence (as used herein, this term excludes technical correspondence which proposes or otherwise involves waivers, deviations or modifications to the requirements, terms or conditions of this contract) shall be addressed to the COR/SME with an informational copy of the basic correspondence to the Contracting Officer.

b. Other Correspondence - All other correspondence shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer, in duplicate, with an informational copy of the basic correspondence to the COR/SME.

c. Subject Lines - All correspondence shall contain a subject line, commencing with the contract number.

G.7 SUBCONTRACT CONSENT

A. The NQIIC shall be in compliance with FAR 44.202-2 and FAR 52.244-2 when entering into a subcontract arrangement for the purpose of performing this contract.

B. Each NQIIC shall complete and submit the Subcontract Checklist (provided in Section J, Attachment J.2) in each task order to obtain subcontract consent after award of the contract.

C. Based upon this IDIQ contract and each individual task order, prior consent is required for:

1. All cost reimbursement, time and materials, labor hour subcontracts, and

2. Fixed price subcontracts over the simplified acquisition threshold or 5 percent of the total estimated cost of the contract.

D. For the purpose of this contract provision, consultants are considered subcontractors. Consent is required for any individual or entity that possesses special knowledge or skills and whose fully loaded hourly rate exceeds $175/hr. This applies to individuals who are to be reimbursed under any contract type (including fixed price subcontracts).

Each Task Order will require separate subcontractor consent. Approved subcontractors at the Task Order level will be listed in each individual Task Order.

(For small businesses, if subcontractors are necessary for the IDIQ award, then consent will be provided)

G.8 SUBCONTRACTING PROGRAM AND REPORTING

A non-profit organization is considered a large business and shall submit a subcontracting plan and reports. A for-profit organization shall follow the size standards provided at www.SBA.gov in order to determine the applicability of the subcontracting plan and subsequent reports.

In accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Offerors are required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan for any contract that exceeds $700,000. In accordance with FAR 19.704, Subcontracting Plan Requirements, the subcontracting plan submitted shall be approved by the CO and incorporated as Section J, Attachment J.3 of this contract and made a part hereof.

The term “subcontract” means any agreement (other than one involving an employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government prime Contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services required for the performance of the original contract or subcontract.

The plan shall cover the entire contract period of performance and incorporate the CMS recommendations provided below:

Offerors shall strive to achieve the following DHHS small business utilization goals when developing its small business subcontracting plan.

Of the total dollars subcontracted, 33% should be awarded to Small Businesses.

As a subset of the 33%, the following goals are recommended:

The Contractor shall report all subcontract awards to small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZones, veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. The reports shall be prepared using the electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) via the internet at http://www.esrs.gov. The Individual Subcontracting Report (ISR), formerly SF 294, and the Summary Subcontracting Report (SSR), formerly, SF 295, shall be submitted as follows:

When reporting all subcontracting opportunities in the eSRS, the contractor shall provide a narrative for each task order awarded that addresses the individual goals of each task order and the rationale for attaining/not attaining those goals.

G.9 USE OF GOVERNMENT DATA (REPORTS/FILES/COMPUTER TAPES OR DISCS)

Any data given to the Contractor by the Government shall be used only for the performance of the contract unless the CO specifically permits another use, in writing. Should the CO permit the Contractor the use of Government-supplied data for a purpose other than solely for performance of this contract and if such use could result in a commercially viable product, the CO and the Contractor must negotiate a financial benefit to the Government. This benefit should most often be in the form of a reduction in the price of the contract; however, the CO may negotiate any other benefits he/she determines are adequate compensation for the use of these data.

Upon the request of the CO or the expiration date of this contract, whichever shall come first, the Contractor shall, upon instructions from the CO, return or destroy all data given to the Contractor by the Government. However, the CO may direct that the data be retained by the contractor for a specific period of time, which period shall be subject to agreement by the Contractor. Whether the data are returned, retained, or destroyed shall be the decision of the CO with the exception that the Contractor may refuse to retain the data. The Contractor shall retain no data, copies of data, or parts thereof, in any form, when the CO directs that the data be returned or destroyed. If the data are to be destroyed, the Contractor shall directly furnish evidence of such destruction in a form the CO shall determine is adequate.

G.10 DISSEMINATION, PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION

a. Data and information either provided to the Contractor, or to any subcontractor or generated by activities under this contract or derived from research or studies supported by this contract, shall be used only for the purposes of the contract. It shall not be duplicated, used or disclosed for any purpose other than the fulfillment of the requirements set forth in this contract. This restriction does not limit the contractor's right to use data or information obtained from a non-restrictive source. Any questions concerning "privileged information" shall be referred to the CO.

b. Some data or information may require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure so that preliminary findings which could create erroneous conclusions are not stimulated. Also, some data or information, which relate to policy matters under consideration by the Government, may also require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure so that the open and vigorous debate, within the government, of possible policy options is not damaged.

c. Any questions about use or release of the data or information or handling of material under this contract shall be referred to the CO who must render a written determination. The CO's determinations will reflect the results of internal coordination with appropriate program and legal officials.

d. Any presentation of any report, statistical or analytical material based on information obtained from this contract shall be subject to review by the COR and higher level approval, if required, before dissemination, publication, or distribution. Presentation includes, but is not limited to, papers, articles, professional publications, speeches, testimony or interviews with public print or broadcast media. This does not apply to information that would be available under the Federal Freedom of Information Act.

e. The COR review shall cover accuracy, content, manner of presentation of the information, and also the protection of the privacy of individuals. If the review finds that the Privacy Act is or may be violated, the release/use of the presentation shall be denied until the offending material is removed or until the CO makes a formal determination, in writing, that the privacy of individuals is not being violated.

f. If the review shows that the accuracy, content, or manner of presentation is not correct or is inappropriate in the light of the purpose of the project, the COR shall immediately inform the Contractor, in writing, of the nature of the problem. If the Contractor disagrees, the COR may insist that the presentation contain, in a manner of equal importance, materials which show the government's problem with the presentation.

g. The Contractor agrees to acknowledge support by CMS whenever reports of projects funding, in whole or in part, by this contract are published in any medium. The Contractor shall include in any publication resulting from work under this contract, an acknowledgement substantially, as follows:

"The analyses upon which this publication is based were performed under Contract Number [ ], entitled, "[ ]," sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services."

Any deviation from the above legend shall be approved, in writing, by the CO.

G.11 DATA TO BE DELIVERED

a. Any working papers, interim reports, data given by the Government or first produced by the Contractor under the contract or collected or otherwise obtained by the Contractor under the contract, or results obtained or developed by the Contractor (subcontractor or consultants) pursuant to the fulfillment of this contract are to be delivered, documented, and formatted as directed by the Contracting Officer.

b. In addition, information and/or data, which are held by the Contractor related to the operation of their business and/or institution and which are obtained without the use of Federal funds, shall be considered “PROPRIETARY DATA” and are not subject data to be delivered under this contract.

G.12 PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION

a. The Contractor is responsible for an annual physical inventory accounting for all government property under this contract. The inventory must be conducted by September 30th and the Form 565 Report of Accountable Personal Property, Attachment J.4, submitted by October 31st of each year.

b. The inventory report shall include all items acquired, furnished, rented or leased under the contract. Employees who conduct the inventories should not be the same individuals who maintain the property records. Following the physical inventory, the Contractor shall prepare an inventory report and submit the report to the CMS Property Administrator at the address:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services OOM, Administrative Services Group Division of Property and Space Management Attn: Tyrone Harris, Sr.

7500 Security Boulevard, M/S SLL-13-12…