RFQ _conservation_technician.docx

COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION NOTICE - 75N97024Q00037

1.0 TITLE

Conservation Technician Collection Management Program

GENERAL INFORMATION

Solicitation Number: 75N97024Q00037 Posted Date: 6/13/2024 Response Date: 6/20/2024 Product/Service Code: R499 – Support - Professional: Other NAICS Code: 541990 - All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, National Library of Medicine, 6707 Democracy Blvd, Suite 105, Bethesda MD 20892-5488.

DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM), User Services and Collection Division (USCD) requires the services of a full-time onsite conservation technician.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice, and shall be processed in accordance with FAR part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures Commercial Items.

This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation, 75N97024Q00037, is issued as a request for quote (RFQ) and includes all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through FAR Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-05 (05/22/2024), simplified acquisition procedures for commercial items.

The North American Industry Classification System code is 541990 and the business size standard is $19.5 million.

Only one award will be made because of this solicitation. This will be awarded as a labor hour type contract.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), one of the five national libraries in the United States, is the world’s largest research library in a single scientific and professional field. NLM’s primary mission, as mandated by the Congress, is to serve the health professions. To support this mission NLM comprehensively collects materials in biomedical subjects and provides researchers with sources both rare in availability and exhaustive in scope.

The NLM’s Collection Management Program preserves, protects, manages, and maintains a pre-eminent collection of the world’s medical literature including print monograph and serial volumes, manuscripts, pamphlets, theses, audiovisuals, and visual materials including fine prints, photographs, posters, and ephemera.

2.1 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this procurement is to obtain the services of a full-time onsite conservation technician for the National Library of Medicine.

3.0 SCOPE

NLM requires the services of an experienced conservation technician specializing in book and manuscript repair. The conservation technician shall:

1. Repair a variety of valuable and unique bound and manuscript materials which include, but are not limited to books, pamphlets, and broadsides.

2. Design and construct protective enclosures.

3. Perform collection maintenance including property stamping, book plating and shelf cleaning.

4. Provide photography services for internal projects and specific digital initiatives.

5. Use NLM’s conservation database to track treatments.

6. Use NLM’s work order system (Exlibris’ Alma software) to track items in specific workflows.

4.0 CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS/ AND PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

Independently, and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall provide one onsite conservation technician with a full-time equivalent (40 hours per week) schedule. The conservation technician repairs a variety of valuable and unique bound and selected paper materials. Treatments include, but are not limited to cleaning, removal of adhesives and stains, mending tears and voids, tipping in loose pages, and repairing damaged book covers, spines and text blocks. Specialized knowledge in the safe use and storage of hazardous chemicals is required.

Other services include the following:

a. Inputs treatment reports into the NLM conservation database.

b. Recommends specific conservation supplies.

c. Participates in book and paper-training sessions with other staff.

d. Assists in salvage and recovery of affected collections after a water or fire emergency affecting collections.

e. Photographs collection items to support internal projects and digitization workflows.

4.1 MATERIALS HANDLING

While working onsite at NLM the Contractor shall follow these rules:

a. Prohibit eating or drinking (except bottled water) in areas where NLM materials are kept or work is performed.

b. Handle NLM materials with clean hands. Clean hands are hands washed with soap and water; no lotions, creams, or hand sanitizer shall be used prior to handling NLM materials.

c. Use pencils (no pens) when working with NLM materials.

d. Handle books gently, using supports and weights as necessary. Turn pages carefully to prevent the paper from breaking along the edges or inner margin.

e. Keep fragile items in envelopes or boxes when they are not in use.

4.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Conservation technician shall establish production control procedures to monitor the progress of the work and maintain the required quality of workmanship and services. The COR/NLM staff will review a sampling of conserved materials. Mistakes in conservation treatments shall not exceed 5% of completed work. The Contractor shall bring any problems that arise to the attention of the COR.

4.3 LABOR CATEGORY

Conservation Technician performs a variety of repairs on a wide range of bound and paper collection items; photographs objects for documentation; cleans items using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes; prepares items for storage; creates storage enclosures; creates condition and treatment reports; enters condition, treatment, and photo documentation into NLM online conservation database; participates in collection salvage and recovery as needed; recommends specific conservation supplies and equipment.

4.4 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

The onsite conservation technician must have the following qualifications:

· At least 5 years of book and manuscript repair experience.

· Demonstrate specific knowledge in the subject of book and paper manuscript repair including but not limited to leather, cloth, and paper bound collections and repair of historic and modern paper collections including but not limited to manuscripts, pamphlets, and broadsides.

· Demonstrate experience using a variety of complex conservation treatments including but not limited to cleaning with solvents, removal of adhesives and stains, loss compensation, mending tears and voids, and flattening for paper collections. The technician must also have experience doing rebacks, board and case repairs to leather, cloth and paper bound items and creating storage enclosures.

· Effective verbal and written communication between the COR, program manager, and NLM\NIH staff.

The onsite conservation technician shall submit a detailed resume describing their training, academic background, bench experience, availability and professional references including one reference from a conservator.

4.5 KEY PERSONNEL

The onsite conservation technician shall be considered key personnel for this contract. Contractor staff must pass an NIH background check and take required NIH trainings to be approved to receive an NIH ID badge. The NIH badge must be issued before the Contractor staff may access government-furnished equipment and software, in other words, before work on this contract may commence. When working onsite at NLM, the vendor shall always wear an NIH identification badge.

4.6 MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS

After an initial kick-off meeting with Contractor management and staff:

The COR shall regularly communicate with the Contractor staff via in- person conversation, email, telephone, or MS Teams chat/meetings, as necessary, to resolve problems expeditiously. Backup coverage shall be provided in the event work duties or personal leave prevent the COR from being available for more than one business day. Check-in meetings shall occur at least once every two weeks.

4.7 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY/EQUIPMENT/INFORMATION

The Government is responsible for shall furnish necessary computer equipment and network access for regular communications and documentation. The conservation technician shall work in a fully equipped conservation laboratory in Building 38, National Library of Medicine.

4.8 GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY

The Government is responsible for:

a. Provide training to all Contractor staff at the NLM in the proper handling of NLM materials.

b. Ensuring that the Contractor has access to the physical items to be conserved.

c. Reviewing a sampling of conserved materials.

5.0 TYPE OF ORDER

This is a labor hour purchase order.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be for a one-year base period with one, 12-month option period as follows:

Base Period: 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 Option Period One: 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2026

7.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The principal place of performance is at the National Library of Medicine on the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, MD.

The services shall be performed at the following address.

8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20894

8.0 REPORT(S)/DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The contractor staff shall submit a monthly statistical summary of work accomplished electronically to the COR via Microsoft Word/Excel.

All information and data related to this project that the contractor gathers or obtains shall be both protected from unauthorized release and considered the property of the government. The contracting officer shall be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, any data, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this contract. Press releases, marketing material, or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, must not be publicized without the written approval of the contracting officer.

9.0 PAYMENT

The following clause is applicable to all Purchase Orders, Task or Delivery Orders, and Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Calls: Prompt Payment (Jan 2017) FAR 52.232-25. Highlights of this clause and NIH implementation requirements follow:

I. Invoice Requirements A. An invoice is the Contractor's bill or written request for payment under the contract for supplies delivered or services performed. A proper invoice is an "Original" which must include the items listed in subdivisions 1 through 12, below, in addition to the requirements of FAR 32.9. If the invoice does not comply with these requirements, the Contractor will be notified of the defect within 7 days after the date the designated billing office received the invoice (3 days for meat, meat food products, or fish, and 5 days for perishable agricultural commodities, dairy products, edible fats, or oils) with a statement of the reasons why it is not a proper invoice. (See exceptions under II., below.) Untimely notification will be considered in the computation of any interest penalty owed to the Contractor.

1. Vendor/Contractor: Name, Address, Point of Contact for the invoice (Name, title, telephone number, e-mail and mailing address of point of contact).

2. Remit-to address (Name and complete mailing address to send payment).

3. Remittance name must match exactly with name on original order/contract. If the Remittance name differs from the Legal Business Name, then both names must appear on the invoice.

4. Invoice date.

5. Unique invoice #s for all invoices per vendor regardless of site.

6. NBS document number formats must be included for awards created in the NBS: Contract Number; Purchase Order Number; Task or Delivery Order Number and Source Award Number (e.g., Indefinite Delivery Contract number; General Services Administration number); or BPA Call Number and BPA Parent Award Number.

7. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which is in the System for Award Management (SAM) and replaces the Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.

8. Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). In those rare cases where a contractor does not have a UEI number or TIN, a Vendor Identification Number (VIN) must be referenced on the invoice. The VIN is the number that appears after the contractor’s name on the face page of the award document.

9. Identify that payment is to be made using a three-way match.

10. Description of supplies/services that match the description on the award, by line billed.*

11. Freight or delivery charge must be billed as shown on the award. If it is included in the item price do not bill it separately. If identified in the award as a separate line item, it must be billed separately.

12. Quantity, Unit of Measure, Unit Price, Extended Price of supplies delivered or services performed, as applicable, and that match the line items specified in the award.* NOTE: If your invoice must differ from the line items on the award, please contact the Contracting Officer before submitting the invoice. A modification to the order or contract may be needed before the invoice can be submitted and paid. Shipping costs will be reimbursed only if authorized by the Contract/Purchase Order. If authorized, shipping costs must be itemized. Where shipping costs exceed $100, the invoice must be supported by a bill of lading or a paid carrier's receipt.

B. The Contractor shall submit invoices to the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) at https://www.ipp.gov with a copy to the approving official, as directed below.

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the electronic invoice to the following Approving Official (Contracting Officer) and Contracting Officer’s Representative:

Approving Official: Elena Chaparro Salgado Name- Email Address: leonelena2@nih.gov Contracting Officer’s Representative: Marie Preston Name- Email Address: marie.preston@nih.gov II. Invoice Payment A. Except as indicated in paragraph B., below, the due date for making invoice payments by the designated payment office shall be the later of the following two events:

1. The 30th day after the designated billing office has received a proper invoice.

2. The 30th day after Government acceptance of supplies delivered or services performed.

B. The due date for making invoice payments for meat and meat food products, perishable agricultural commodities, dairy products, and edible fats or oils, shall be in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act, as amended.

III. Interest Penalties A. An interest penalty shall be paid automatically if payment is not made by the due date and the conditions listed below are met, if applicable.

1. A proper invoice was received by the designated billing office.

2. A receiving report or other Government documentation authorizing payment was processed and there was no disagreement over quantity, quality, or contractor compliance with a term or condition.

3. In the case of a final invoice for any balance of funds due the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed, the amount was not subject to further settlement actions between the Government and the Contractor.

B. Determination of interest and penalties due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act, as amended, the Contract Disputes Act, and regulations issued by the Office of Management and Budget.

IV. PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS, FAR 52.232-40 (November 2021)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment Act.

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services.

(End of Clause) V. HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (February 2, 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), “Content of Invoices’’ and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system. Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site.

(c) The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

(d) If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contracting Officer’s written authorization with each payment request.

(End of Clause)

10.0 PURCHASE ORDER CLAUSES

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (May 2024)

(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 products and commercial services:

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

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

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

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 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 products and commercial services:

__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020), with Alternate I (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

x(2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

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

x (4) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

x (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(6) [Reserved].

x (7) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111- 117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (8) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (9) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a Byte Dance Covered Application (Jun 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

__ (10) 52.204-28, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and Multi-Agency Contracts. (Dec 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

__ (11)(i) 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (Dec 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

(ii) Alternate I (Dec 2023) of 52.204-30.

__ (12) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

x (13) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

(14) [Reserved].

__ (15) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (16) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

(17) [Reserved] x(18)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

__ (19)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

__ (20) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (21)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

(ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

(iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

(iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

(v) Alternate IV (Sep 2023) of 52.219-9.

(22)(i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-13.

(23) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637s).

__ (24) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (25) 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (Feb 2024)(15 U.S.C. 657f).

x (26)(i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-28.

__ (27) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (28) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (29) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

(30) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Sep 2021) (15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

x (31) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

x (32) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb 2024).

x (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

x (34)(i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

x (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

(35)(i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

__ (36)(i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

(37) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (38) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

x (39)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

x (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

x (40) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

__ (41)(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.)

__ (42) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (May 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

__ (43) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (May 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

(44) 52.223-20, Aerosols (May 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

(45) 52.223-21, Foams (May 2024) (42 U.S.C. 7671, et seq.).

(46) 52.223-23, Sustainable Products and Services (May 2024) (E.O. 14057, 7 U.S.C. 8102, 42 U.S.C. 6962, 42 U.S.C. 8259b, and 42 U.S.C. 7671l).

x (47)(i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

(ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

(48((i) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Oct 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

(ii) Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1.

__ (49)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (NOV 2023) (19 U.S.C. 3301note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Public Law 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 [Reserved].

(iii) Alternate II (Dec 2022) of 52.225-3.

(iv) Alternate III (Feb 2024) of 52.225-3.

(v) Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2023) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

__ (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (52) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

__ (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

x (55) 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) (E.O. 13513).

(56) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Feb 2021).

__ (57) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (58) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

x (59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (60) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(61) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

x (62) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (63) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

__ (64)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

(ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

(iii) Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, 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 products and commercial services:

x (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter67).

x (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

x (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment

(Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

x (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (May 2014) ( 29U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

_x(6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

x (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

x(8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O. 13706).

__ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1), in a subcontract for commercial products or commercial services. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause-

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712).

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

(iv) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(v) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(vi) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a Byte Dance Covered Application (Jun 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

(vii) (A)52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (Dec 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

(B) Alternate I (Dec 2023) of 52.204–30.

(viii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(ix) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

(x) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2015) (E.O.11246).

(xi) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xii) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(xiii) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xiv) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xv) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xvi) (A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O 13627).

Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(xvii) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014)(41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xviii) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xix) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (E.O. 12989).

(xx) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

(xxi) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O. 13706).

(xxii)

(A)52.224-3, Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(B) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

(xxiii) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

(xxiv) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xxv) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (c) of 52.232-40.

(xxvi) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(4) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial products and commercial services a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of clause) 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services. (Nov 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 20 days.

(End of clause)

52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. (Mar 2000)

a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least _20 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 24 months.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and/or http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) PROVISIONS:

11.0 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021) The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products or Commercial Services. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition.

(1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) ( https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

(d) Representation. The Offeror represents that—

(1) It □ will, □ will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds "will" in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that— It □ does, □ does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Offeror responds "does" in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(e) Disclosures.

(1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "will" in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "does" in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and/or http://www.hhs.gov/policies/hhsar/.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) PROVISIONS:

12.0 SUBMISSION AND QUOTATION INSTRUCTIONS

All questions concerning this Request for Quote (RFQ) must be submitted via e-mail to Contract Specialist, Elena Salgado at elena.leon2@nih.gov no later than 11:00 A.M. ET, Monday, June 17, 2024 (06/17/2024). Please be advised that the Government reserves the right to transmit any questions and answers of a common interest to all prospective Contractors.

Quoters shall provide one original quotation via email to Contract Specialist, Elena Salgado at elena.leon2@nih.gov no later than 1:00 P.M. ET, Thursday, June 20, 2024 (06/20/2024).

Please reference solicitation number 75N97024Q00037 on all correspondence.

Quotes must be prepared in two SEPARATE volumes: Volume I - "Technical Volume", Volume II - "Price Volume". Each volume shall be separate and complete in itself so that the evaluation of one may be accomplished independently of the evaluation of the other. The Request for Quotation (RFQ) number should be included on the front cover of each volume. All Quoters shall have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov.

The Government will evaluate quotes in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Section 13 of this solicitation.

This solicitation does not commit the Government to pay any of the costs associated with the preparation and submission of quotes. In addition, the Contracting Officer is the only individual authorized to legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this requirement. By submitting a quote in response to this solicitation, it is understood that quotes shall become a part of the official contract file.

12.1 TECHNICAL VOLUME INSTRUCTIONS (VOLUME I)

Technical volumes shall be limited to 15 double-spaced pages, with 1-inch margins, and using not less than 12-point font. Quoters are encouraged to be succinct and economical in their presentation. Excessive volume and elaborate presentation are unnecessary. NOTE: The maximum page limit does not include cover page, table of contents, or any documents provided as part of the Technical Appendices.

The technical volume must not contain references to price/cost; however, resource information, such as data concerning labor hours and categories, materials, subcontracts, etc., must be contained in the technical volume so that the quoter’s understanding of the scope of work may be evaluated.