75N91021R00045 Amendment 2 10.19.2021_.pdf

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing items 8 and 15, and returning or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

3. EFFECTIVE DATE 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUISITION NUMBER 5. PROJECT NUMBER (If applicable)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6) CODE

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

FACILITY CODE

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended. is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER

NUMBER IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15C. DATE SIGNED

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

PAGE OF PAGES

6. ISSUED BY CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (X)

CODE

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

Previous edition unusable

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

Amendment 0002

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

Rukshani Levy

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The purpose of this amendment is to: 1) Provide responses to questions received; 2) revise Section M, Att 4, 11 and 15;

and 3) Revise Section I.4 to include FAR 52.223-99.

Office of Acquisitions National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health 9609 Medical Center Dr Bethesda, MD 20892-9705

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

75N91021R00045

1 1 4

10/19/2021

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

10/19/2021

75N91021R00045 Amendment 2

Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) Field and Biospecimen Support Services

75N91021R00045 Amendment 2 I. Questions and Answers:

1. On page 78, Sample Task Order 1 does not include any Labor Hours. Can you explain what should be included for this task?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Task Order 1 is firm fixed price and therefore does not include labor hours.

2. Can you please confirm whether the quoted Labor Hours on page 78 reflect an annual total for each Task Order or for the 10 year contract period?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Labor Hours on page 78 reflect an annual total for the corresponding Sample Task Order.

3. In review of Att 6 - Statement of Work Sample Task Order 3, I am wondering if there is any available information about volume within this scope.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This will support the work for the entire Division. The Division has eight branches/labs and over 70 investigators. Description of the project can be found on www.dceg.cancer.gov. To assist with proposal preparation, the Government provides the following uniform cost assumptions. This information is furnished for information only and is not to be considered restrictive for proposal purposes. The Government encourages the Offeror to come up with its own estimates if these assumptions are not realistic.

Samples for fresh processing will be received by the Contractor from approximately ten DCEG epidemiological studies. For the purposes of cost estimating, the following quantities should be used:

N per Month Base 12 months Participants 60 720 Biospecimens* 60 720 Bioproducts** 1400 16,800 Aliquots shipped 5000 60,000

*Biospecimens to be received include, but are not limited to, whole blood (SST, ACD, heparin, EDTA), urine, bone marrow, dust, fixed tissue, and buccal samples **Bioproducts to be generated from fresh samples include, but are not limited to, plasma, PAXgene, RBC, serum, DNA, buffy coat, urine, cryopreserved whole blood (Cryo WB), frozen whole blood (-80oC Frozen WB), PBMCs, MNCs, packed cells and blood clots.

Please see revised attachment 15.

http://www.dceg.cancer.gov/

4. Will the Government confirm that the requirement for Offerors to demonstrate compliance with the NIH Policy on Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency (page 100 of the solicitation; Section L.2.b.5) is not applicable to this opportunity? NIH Guide Notice (NOT- OD-15-103) indicates this requirement applies only to extramurally funded original research grant applications.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: NIH Policy on Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency is applicable to all solicitations involving research and development.

5. Page 1 of the Additional Technical Proposal Instructions (Attachment 11) states, “All Offerors must submit a proposal which responds to Task Order 1 and at least one Sample Task Order.” However, page 1 also states, “Task Order 1 will only be evaluated on cost and will not be technically evaluated.” Please clarify: are offerors required to submit a technical proposal for Task Order 1?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A technical proposal is not required for Task Order 1 however a business proposal is required.

6. If a technical proposal for Task Order 1 is required, do responses have the same 40-page limit as the Sample Task Orders? Are the sections Technical Approach, Organizational Experience, Resource Management & Staffing Approach, and Facilities & Equipment required for Task Order 1?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A technical proposal is not required for Task Order 1.

7. Will the Government extend the submission deadline by 2 weeks to allow Offerors sufficient time to review answers to questions and prepare comprehensive proposals?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No

8. The Statement of Work in Task Area C mentions the receipt and processing of several different biospecimens. In order to provide accurate pricing and processing times we would like to know an amount or range of samples that are expected to be processed in Section C-Specimen Processing of the Technical requirements.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This is a sample task order and the amount/range of samples for receipt and processing will vary by future task orders. For the purpose of this sample task order, please see response to question 3 and revised attachment 15.

9. Section E-Transfer of Biospecimens of the Technical Requirements for Task Area C asks the receipt and processing of specimens. To ensure accurate amount of storage could you please provide a range or approximate amount of specimens to be received by the Short-Term Repository?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: This is a sample task order and the amount/range of samples for short-term repository will vary by future task orders. Please see response to question 3 and revised attachment 15.

10. Attachment 1, Section II. FORMATTING AND PAGE LIMITATIONS, Page 2, Section B. Page Limitations states that “The total page count of the Technical proposal shall not exceed 40 pages per sample task order.” As Task Area A is required to be addressed regardless of any other task order being responded to, does that mean offerors are to be given 40 pages to respond to Task Area A plus 40 pages to respond to additional task areas?

11. The Additional Technical Proposal Instructions (Attachment 11, page 1) indicate that the Task Area for Task Order 1 is A – Transition In/Out;, however Task Order 1 is for kick off activities and the statement of work does not include a transition. Please confirm that we should describe our approach to the technical requirements identified in the Task Order 1 Statement of Work.

12. Since Task Order 1 has a limited scope, may we limit that proposal to the technical approach only and exclude organizational experience and capabilities of personnel, resource management and staffing approach, and facilities and equipment?

13. The General Proposal Instructions (page 88) state that human subjects protections should be addressed as a SEPARATE FILE of the Technical Proposal entitled “HUMAN SUBJECTS.”

Since human subjects protection applies to all sample task orders, may we address our approach to compliance as an attachment to the full proposal, rather than separately in each sample task order proposal?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, Human Subjects can be addressed one time in an attachment to the full technical proposal that is excluded from the page limit.

14. Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award (page 122) indicates that the offeror’s proposal must demonstrate compliance with Section 508, electronic and information technology accessibility requirements in our technical proposal and provide examples of 508 compliant documents. Since these requirements apply to all sample task orders, may we provide the requested information and documents as an attachment to the full proposal?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, Section 508 can be addressed one time in an attachment to the full technical proposal that is excluded from the page limit.

15. Articles H.25 (pages 33-49) includes information security and cloud computing requirements that are applicable to all sample tasks. May we address compliance once as an attachment to the full proposal?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No, the Offeror should address information security and cloud computing as applicable to their unique approach to each requirement.

16. The submission instructions specify that a single PDF should be submitted for each of the volumes and the associated business Excel sheet. Is a Zip file acceptable for the examples of 508 compliant documents?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Examples of 508 compliant should be attached to the Offerors technical proposal using the “paperclip method” in the same manner as attachments to this solicitation were presented. Zip files are not accepted in eCPS.

17. Since no immediate awards are anticipated for the sample task orders 2-5, is it necessary to include the Summary of Related Activity Forms for proposed personnel?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, Sample Task Orders are used to evaluate the Offerors capabilities and should be responded to as if they are going to be awarded.

18. The RFP (page 117) requires inclusion of a Data Sharing Plan in the technical proposal.

Since this applies to all task orders, may we provide our plan as an attachment to the full proposal?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, the Data Sharing Plan can be addressed one time in an

19. The additional business proposal instructions (Attachment 15, page 2) indicate that bidders should anticipate a combined total of 9 hours for the kick off meeting and capability presentation, including preparation. Given that Task Order 1 is Fixed Price, are bidders held to bidding exactly 9 hours? In other words, for Task Order 1, may bidders propose a number of hours that is less than or more than 9 hours?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, bidders may propose a number of hours that is less than or more than 9 hours.

20. May bidders submit the budget for Task Order 1 (Fixed Price) in its own format, and only submit budgets for Sample Task Orders 2 through 5 (Cost Reimbursement, Level of Effort) using the Attachment 17 Breakdown of Proposed Estimated Costs (plus fee) Excel spreadsheet?

21. Regarding the small business subcontracting plan (SBSP) requirement: The response to this RFP consists mainly of proposals for sample tasks that will not be immediately awarded.

Additionally, bidders have no way of knowing the scope and how best to involve small businesses in future task orders that will be issued under the 10-year period of performance of this IDIQ. The RFP includes a ceiling of $320 million for the IDIQ but no individual contractor would expect to be awarded task orders summing to that value. Given this uncertainty, can the Government provide a uniform assumption for the total contract amount that bidders can use to prepare a SBSP for the IDIQ?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Offerors should submit a small business subcontracting plan (SBSP) assuming the maximum ceiling amount of $320 million dollars.

22. Will the Government allow a 10-point font to be used for tabular content and an 8-point font for graphics?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes

23. What guidance can the Government provide regarding how to present past performance for “key personnel who have relevant experience” as specified on RFP p83? Should these contracts be listed as completed?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: As stated in the solicitation, “Offerors may also submit past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant to the instant acquisition.” However, contracts not completed should not be listed as such. Offerors should clearly identify when past performance is from a predecessor company, key personnel, or subcontract, etc.

24. Should offerors include the Other Considerations section described on RFP p87 as an appendix? If not, where should this information be included?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Other Considerations should be included within the Offerors Technical proposal where they best enhance the Offeror’s unique capabilities.

25. RFP p88, Section 4: Human Subjects states: “IMPORTANT NOTE TO OFFERORS:

The following subparagraphs shall be addressed, as applicable, in a SEPARATE FILE of the Technical Proposal entitled, ‘HUMAN SUBJECTS.’” Please confirm that the Human Subjects section of an offeror’s response can be put in an appendix that is excluded from the page limit.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, Human Subjects can be addressed one time in an

26. RFP p101, Section a: Sharing Research Data states: “…the offeror must submit a plan in its technical proposal for data sharing or state why data sharing is not possible.” Please confirm that this plan can be put in an appendix that is excluded from the page limit.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, the Data Sharing Plan can be addressed one time in an

27. RFP pgs 118-122. Sample Task Orders 3, 4, and 5 include the following criterion under RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING APPROACH (15 POINTS): “d. Adequacy of the Project Management Plan for the Task Order/Sample Task Order.” Should this criterion also be included in the list of criteria for Sample Task Order 2?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, please see revised Section M 6. Sample Task Order 2 Criterion 3: Resource Management and Staffing Approach.

28. RFP p123 states, “The offeror/contractor shall provide at least one complex document or file in each of the following formats [Adobe PDF, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Word] along with a completed respective Section 508 conformance checklist, demonstrating and documenting the offeror’s ability to produce digital contents for accessibility and for Section 508-conformance.” However, the FAQ page for the eCPS system states, “You can only submit PDF documents, with the exception of the Electronic Cost Proposal Excel Workbook.” Please clarify:

are the Section 508 example files and conformance checklists to be submitted by contractors post-award?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Examples of 508 compliant should be attached to the Offerors technical proposal using the “paperclip method” in the same manner as attachments to this solicitation were presented at time of proposal submission.

29. Will the Government allow offerors to submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template (VPAT) in lieu of providing example files and Section 508 conformance checklists?

30. Regarding the list of General Task Order Requirements in Attachment 3, does the Government require a direct response to the 10 items in the list within each of their Sample Task Order technical proposals?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No, a technical proposal is not required for the base statement of work.

31. If yes, will the Government consider allowing a single response to the General Task Order Requirements included as an appendix, given the 40-page response limit and number of individual SOW requirements to address in each Sample TO technical proposal?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A technical proposal is not required for the base statement of

32. The Statement of Work for Task Order 1 (Attachment 4) requests an “overall project management plan for the contract and task orders.” Under which Technical Criterion should this plan be provided so that it can be evaluated?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A technical proposal is not required for Task Order 1. Offerors should be present their overall project management plan for the contract and task orders as part of the deliverables due after award of Task Order 1. Please see revised Statement of Work TO1.

Please see revised attachment 4.

33. The instructions for Attachment 10 (Technical Proposal Cost Information/Summary of Labor and Direct Costs) state, “Submit this information as a portion of the Technical Proposal.”

Because Attachment 10 contains pricing information, will the Government allow the attachment to be submitted as a separate Excel file, instead of including it within the technical volume PDF?

34. Instructions on page 5 of Attachment 11 mention “Labor Categories” but no labor categories are provided. Similarly, Attachment 4 states that the contractor will include “a range of labor categories” under Activity 3. Did the Government intend to provide a list of labor categories and requirements? If yes, will the Government provide the list of labor categories and experience/education requirements for each category?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The Offeror should provide the appropriate labor categories necessary to perform their unique approach described in their technical proposal.

35. Regarding Attachment 16, HHS Subcontracting Plan Template, because this is a multiple award IDIQ, what should be specified as the Total Contract Amount in the Small Business Subcontracting Plan?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Offerors should submit a small business subcontracting plan (SBSP) assuming the maximum ceiling amount of $320 million dollars.

36. Will the Government confirm that Attachment 24, PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information, is not required at the time of proposal submission since the RFP does not provide the necessary information about current and planned DCEG study protocols?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Yes, Attachment 24, PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information is not needed for the sample task orders.

37. Please clarify: do cost proposals for all subcontractors need to be provided or only for those subcontractors whose anticipated value exceeds the threshold for Certified Cost or Pricing Data?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Cost proposals for all subcontractors and consultants are required regardless of value.

38. Is the threshold for obtaining Certified Cost or Pricing Data from subcontractors applicable to this RFP $2,000,000 or $750,000?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: As stated in FAR 15.404-3 Certified Cost or Pricing Data is applicable at the $2,000,000 threshold when adequate competition is not present.

39. Can subcontractors’ proposals containing proprietary information be submitted directly to the Government? If so, could the Government provide instructions for submission? Should the submission be via email or through the eCPS website?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Subcontractors’ proposals containing proprietary information can be emailed directly to kari.peterson@nih.gov. Subcontractors must clearly identify the RFP number, who the prime contractor is, and point of contact. The prime contractor must provide include the overall subcontract totals in their cost proposal and clearly state that supporting information is proprietary information and to emailed directly.

mailto:kari.peterson@nih.gov

40. Please confirm Sample Task order font size for text is 12 points.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Font size for text is 12 points.

41. Please confirm that offerors are only required to price the labor hours and assumptions in Attachment 15.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Offerors must provide pricing for all elements included in their technical proposal.

42. Please confirm that we are only pricing for the base periods.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Pricing is only required for the period of performance of each sample task order.

43. Attachment 1 calls for electronic submission. Please clarify if a paper copy is needed.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: No paper copy is needed.

44. Does Attachment 2 need to be filled out prior to proposal submission?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Advanced submission of Attachment 2 is preferrable, but not required.

45. Task order 1 is not a "sample task order". Is a section 2 needed for task order 1?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Section 2: Technical Discussions for Each Sample Task Order is not required for Task Order 1.

46. Attachment 1 calls for electronic submission. Please clarify if a paper copy is needed.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A paper copy is not required.

47. What is the page limit for the base contract?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: A technical proposal is not required for the base statement of

48. Sections 1 & 2 do not specify an executive summary. May we include an executive summary? If so, what header/section should be used?

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Vendors are asked to present what they think is best for the proposal. If to be included, the title of Executive Summary should be included in section 2 of the technical proposal.

49. Please provide a list of PII that will be collected by task area, and how it will be transmitted.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: At this time, we assume the following such variables that could directly identify an individual (e.g., name, address, SSN, telephone number, email address; Tasks Areas B-E) or that could describe an individual (e.g., gender, race, birth date, geographic indicator; Task Areas B-E). This list is not inclusive of all PII that may be collected in future task orders. We anticipate this this information will be transmitted in a secure form via a cloud storage platform. The PII requirements will be specified at the time of the task order.

50. Please provide a list of CUI that will be collected and processed by task area.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The main CUI identified is the PII, which have been addressed in question 50, including privacy records (e.g., death records, genetic information, health information). Any CUI requirements will be specified at the time of the task order.

51. Please provide what task areas will require endpoint security.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: Offerors are responsible to comply with all requirements of Article H.25 HHS SECURITY AND PRIVACY LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND IT PROCUREMENTS of the solicitation. Minimum endpoint security requirements may be established for future task areas and will be specified at the time of the task order. For the purposes of evaluation, offerors should identify areas of their unique approach that would present security risks and propose solutions to reduce those risks.

II Revisions Sections of the RFP:

Section M 6. Page 118, 119

SAMPLE TASK ORDER 2 CRITERION 3: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND

STAFFING APPROACH (15 POINTS)

1. Demonstrated effective overall management approach and its relevance to both the General Task Order Requirements included in the Base SOW and Sample Task Order

SOW.

2. Demonstrated ability to provide timely, responsive, and specific support for this award.

3. Demonstrated adequacy of the communication plan involving effective communication and rapid interventions when issues arise.

4. Adequacy of the Project Management Plan for the Task Order/Sample Task Order.

Att 4 – Statement of Work TO 1, pg 1

Project Title: Contract Initiation/Kick-Off

Task Area: A (Contract Transition In/Out)

NOTE: A technical proposal is not required for Task Order 1. Offerors are to include in their proposals a response that specifies specify the methods by which this Task Order will be accomplished and the overall project management plan for the contract and task orders as part of the deliverables of this task due after award of the task order. Offerors should refer to the Additional Technical Proposal Instructions and Additional Business Proposal Instructions for guidance regarding preparation of their proposals. This Task Order will be awarded at the time of the base contract award.

Att 11 – Additional Technical Proposal Instructions, pg 2

General Notes

1. All Offerors must adhere to the following page limitations:

• TECHNICAL PROPOSAL: Not-to-exceed a total of 40 pages per sample task order.

• APPENDICES AND ATTACHMENTS: May be in addition to the 40-page limit for the Technical Proposal and include, but not limited to commitment letters, CVs, summary of related activities, etc. Human Subjects Section, Section 508, Data Sharing Plan, etc.

Att 15 – Additional Business Proposal Instructions, pg 2-3

Sample Task Order 3 - Biospecimen Activities and Assay Support Task Order Type: Cost Reimbursement, Level of Effort Period of Performance: Base Period of twelve months

Labor/Scope Assumptions: The table below includes the estimated level of effort for direct labor hours for each period of performance. The Government estimates that the Contractor will need to provide not less than 80% nor more than 120% of the labor hours noted for each period. Negotiated fixed fee will be reduced in the event the actual hours worked are less than 80% of the negotiated hours included in the award. No additional fee will be paid for hours provided in excess of 100% - 120% of the hours negotiated and included in the award. Estimated hours exclude subcontract and consultant hours.

Estimated Labor Hours for Task Order 3

Labor Hours Year 1 Total 16,640

Please use the following assumptions (i.e. plug-in numbers) for these areas:

• specimen shipping: $25,000

Samples for fresh processing will be received by the Contractor from approximately ten DCEG epidemiological studies. For the purposes of cost estimating, the following quantities should be used:

N per Month Base 12 months Participants 60 720 Biospecimens* 60 720 Bioproducts** 1400 16,800 Aliquots shipped 5000 60,000

*Biospecimens to be received include, but are not limited to, whole blood (SST, ACD, heparin, EDTA), urine, bone marrow, dust, fixed tissue, and buccal samples **Bioproducts to be generated from fresh samples include, but are not limited to, plasma, PAXgene, RBC, serum, DNA, buffy coat, urine, cryopreserved whole blood (Cryo WB), frozen whole blood (-80oC Frozen WB), PBMCs, MNCs, packed cells and blood clots.

III SECTION I.4. ADDITIONAL FAR CONTRACT CLAUSES INCLUDED IN FULL

TEXT is hereby revised to add the following:

FAR Clause 52.223-99, ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY

PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (DEVIATION) (OCT 2021)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause –

United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States;

(2) The District of Columbia;

(3) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands;

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands;

and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Compliance. The Contractor shall comply with all guidance, including guidance conveyed through Frequently Asked Questions, as amended during the performance of this contract, for Contractor or subcontractor workplace locations published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force Guidance) at https:/www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/ .

(d) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts at any tier that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101 on the date of subcontract award, and are for services, including construction, performed in whole or in part within the United States or its outlying areas.

(End of clause)

End of Amendment