75N98022R00004_Language Access Services_RFP.pdf

RFP Number: 75N98022R00004

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RFP TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS

SECTION L - INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION

b. NOTICE OF SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

c. NAICS CODE AND SIZE STANDARD

d. TYPE OF CONTRACT AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

e. TASK ORDERS UNDER MULTIPLE AWARD INDEFINITE DELIVERY CONTRACTS ... 77

f. PERFORMANCE BASED ACQUISITION

g. COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

h. COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO CONTRACT AWARD

i. RELEASE OF INFORMATION

j. PREPARATION COSTS

2. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

a. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Contract Type and General Clauses

2. Authorized Official and Submission of Proposal

3. Separation of Technical and Business Proposals

4. Evaluation of Proposals

5. Potential Award Without Discussions

6. Privacy Act - Treatment of Proposal Information

7. Selection of Offerors

8. Past Performance Information

9. Time-and-Material/Labor-Hour Proposal Requirements--Non-Commercial Item Acquisitions

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10. Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference

b. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Technical Discussions

2. Other Considerations

3. Technical Evaluation

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c. BUSINESS PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Basic Cost/Price Information

2. Proposal Cover Sheet

3. Other Administrative Data

4. Qualifications of the Offeror

SECTION M - EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

1. GENERAL

2. EVALUATION OF OPTIONS

3. TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS

4. PAST PERFORMANCE FACTOR

RFP Number : 75N98022R00004

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PART I - THE SCHEDULE

THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM,

HEREIN CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANY OFFEROR INTERESTED IN

RESPONDING TO THIS SOLICITATION. ANY CONTRACT RESULTING FROM THIS

SOLICITATION WILL INCLUDE IN ITS SECTION A - SOLICITATION/ CONTRACT FORM,

ACCOUNTING, APPROPRIATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE

CONTRACT AWARD.

THE CONTRACT SCHEDULE SET FORTH IN SECTIONS B THROUGH H, HEREIN, CONTAINS

CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THIS SOLICITATION. IT IS NOT AN EXACT

REPRESENTATION OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE AWARDED AS A RESULT

OF THIS SOLICITATION. THE CONTRACT COST OR PRICE AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL

PROVISIONS PERTINENT TO THE OFFEROR (i.e., those relating to the organizational structure [e.g., Non-Profit, Commercial] and specific cost authorizations unique to the Offeror's proposal and requiring Contracting Officer Prior Approval) WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE

NEGOTIATION PROCESS AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RESULTANT CONTRACT. THE

ENCLOSED CONTRACT SCHEDULE IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE OFFEROR WITH THE

NECESSARY INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE

RESULTANT CONTRACT.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

ARTICLE B.1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

The NIH is looking is to provide Language Access Translation and Interpretation Services to each of its 27 Institutes and Centers in addition to subcomponents within the Office of the Director that interface with members of the general public:

Oral language assistance Translation of written materials Translation of Digital information/Web Content (including social media, infographic platforms, multimedia, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, electronic books and others) Other translation and interpretation support as outlined below and in individual task orders.

The anticipated contract type for this requirement is a Hybrid: T&M/Firm Fixed Price. Some services like the Oral Language Assistance are expected to be based on T&M while other translation services can be Fixed Price task orders

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ARTICLE B.2. PRICES/COSTS

a. This is a Multiple Award Indefinite Quantity contract as contemplated by FAR 16.504. The Contractor shall be reimbursed by the Government in an amount not less than a total of $1 (minimum) nor more than a total of $1,501,000 (maximum) for successful performance of this contract.

b. The prices set forth in this ARTICLE will cover the contract period 05/1/2022 through 04/30/23.

c. The Government will compete and award Task Orders based on the work described in SECTION C of this contract.

d. Ordering procedures are described in The TASK ORDER PROCEDURE Article in SECTION G of this contract.

ARTICLE B.3. OPTION PRICES

a. Unless the Government exercises its option pursuant to the option clause referenced in ARTICLE I.3.

ADDITIONAL CONTRACT CLAUSES, this contract consists only of the Base Period specified in the Statement of Work as defined in SECTIONS C and F, for the price set forth in ARTICLE B.2. of this contract.

b. Pursuant to FAR Clause 52.217-8 set forth in ARTICLE I.3. ADDITIONAL CONTRACT CLAUSES of this contract, the Government may, by unilateral contract modification, require the Contractor to perform the Option Period(s) specified in the Statement of Work as defined in SECTIONS C and F of this contract. If the Government exercises this/these option(s), notice must be given before the expiration date of the contract. Specific information regarding the time frame for this notice is set forth in the OPTION PROVISION Article in SECTION H of this contract. The fixed price of this contract will be increased as set forth in paragraph c., below. c. OPTION 1 05/1/2023-04/30/2024 MIN $2 MAX $1,951,200

OPTION 2 05/1/2024-04/30/2025 MIN $3 MAX

$2,001,400 OPTION 3 05/1/2025-04/30/2026 MIN $4

MAX $2,201,600 OPTION 4 05/1/2026-04/30/2027

MIN $5 MAX $2,302,000

d. the delivery and acceptance of the Option Servicedescribed in SECTION C of the contract and identified in the schedule of charges below, the Government shall pay the Contractor the unit price(s) set forth in the Business Proposal.

ARTICLE B.4. ADVANCE UNDERSTANDINGS

Specific elements of cost, which normally require prior written approval of the Contracting Officer before incurrence of the cost (e.g., foreign travel, consultant fees, subcontracts) will be included in this Article if the Contracting Officer has granted his/her approval prior to contract award.

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SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

a. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall be required to furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, material, equipment, and facilities, not otherwise provided by the Government, as needed to perform the Statement of Work, dated 12/17/2021, attached hereto and made a part of this Solicitation (See SECTION J - List of Attachments).

ARTICLE C.1. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All reports required herein shall be submitted in electronic format. In addition, one hardcopy of each report shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer.

All electronic reports submitted shall be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Additional information about testing documents for Section 508 compliance, including guidance and specific checklists, by application, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html under "Making Files Accessible."

All paper/hardcopy documents/reports submitted under this contract shall be printed or copied, double-sided, on at least 30 percent post consumer fiber paper, whenever practicable, in accordance with FAR 4.302(b).

a. Progress Reports

1. In addition to the required reports set forth elsewhere in this Schedule, the preparation and submission of regularly recurring Technical Progress Reports will be required in any contract resulting from this solicitation. These reports will require descriptive information about the activities under taken during the reporting period and will require information about planned activities for future reporting periods. The frequency and specific content of these reports will be determined prior to contract award.

For proposal preparation purposes only, it is estimated that in addition to the required electronic versions are required as follows:

[X] Monthly [ ] Quarterly [ ] Semi-Annually [X] Annually [ ] Annually (with a requirement for a Draft Annual Report) [ ] Final - Upon final completion of the contract [ ] Final - Upon final completion of the contract (with a requirement for a Draft Final Report) http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/index.html

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Reports

2. Reports

Unless otherwise agreed upon, Contractor shall provide a Monthly Progress Report to the Project Officer no later than the close of business on the 5th day of each month. The Contractor shall also submit Monthly Status Reports, summarizing all activities performed during each month. All reports required shall be submitted in electronic format. Contractor shall address the following at a minimumum each Monthly Status Report:

• Descriptive information about the activities undertaken during the reporting period;

• Summary of work accomplished during the previous month;

• Milestones and deliverables;

• Any issues or problems impacting project progress along with their ultimate resolution.

b. Other Reports/Deliverable

1. Section 508 Annual Report

The contractor shall submit an annual Section 508 report in accordance with the schedule set forth by the Contracting Officer (CO)/Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Section 508 Report Template and Instructions for completing the report are available at:

http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/ contracting/technology/vendors.html under "Vendor Information and Documents."

SECTION D - PACKAGING, MARKING AND SHIPPING

All deliverables required under this contract shall be packaged, marked and shipped in accordance with Government specifications. At a minimum, all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. The Contractor shall guarantee that all required materials shall be delivered in immediate usable and acceptable conditions.

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

a. The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will perform inspection and acceptance of materials and services to be provided.

b. For the purpose of this SECTION, TBD is the authorized representative of the Contracting Officer.

c. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at:

d. This contract incorporates the following clause by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available.

http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/contracting/technology/vendors.html http://www.hhs.gov/web/508/contracting/technology/vendors.html

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FAR Clause 52.246-4, Inspection of Services - Fixed Price (August 1996).

FAR Clause 52.246-6, Inspection Time-and Material and Labor Hour

(May 2001). Alternate I (April 1984) is not applicable to this contract.

FAR Clause 52.246-16, Responsibility for Supplies (April 1984)

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

ARTICLE F.1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

a. The period of performance of this contract shall be from 05/1/2022 through 4/30/2022.

b. If the Government exercises its option(s) pursuant to the OPTION PROVISION Article in Section H of this contract, the period of performance will be increased as listed below:

Option Option Period

Option 1 5/1/2023-4/30/2024

Option 2

5/1/2024-4/30/2025

Option 3 5/1/2025-4/30/26 Option 4 5/1/2026-4/30/2027

ARTICLE F.2. DELIVERIES

a. Satisfactory performance of this contract shall be deemed to occur upon performance of the work described in the Description Article in SECTION C of this contract and upon delivery and acceptance by the Contracting Officer, or the duly authorized representative, of the Services specified in the Delivery Schedule which are described in SECTION C of this contract.

b. Unless otherwise specified, deliveries shall be made to the Delivery Point specified above Mondays through Fridays (excluding Federal Holidays) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST only. Supplies or services scheduled for delivery on a Federal holiday shall be made the following day.

ARTICLE F.3. TIME OF DELIVERY

a. The Government requires delivery based on individual task orders.

ARTICLE F.4. CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, FAR 52.252-2 (FEBRUARY

1998)

This contract incorporates the following clause(s) by reference, with the same force and effect as if it were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make its full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar.

https://www.acquisition.gov/?q=browsefar

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FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSE:

52.242-15, Stop Work Order (August 1989)

Alternate I (April 1984) is applicable to this contract.

52.242-17, Government Delay of Work (April 1984).

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

ARTICLE G.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The following Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will represent the Government for the purpose of this contract:

TBD

The COR is responsible for: (1) monitoring the Contractor's technical progress, including the surveillance and assessment of performance and recommending to the Contracting Officer changes in requirements;

(2) interpreting the statement of work and any other technical performance requirements; (3) performing technical evaluation as required; (4) performing technical inspections and acceptances required by this contract; and (5) assisting in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance.

[The alternate COR is responsible for carrying out the duties of the COR only in the event that the COR can no longer perform his/her duties as assigned.]

The Contracting Officer is the only person with authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the Contracting Officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the statement of work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the Contractor for any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract; or (6) sign written licensing agreements. Any signed agreement shall be incorporated by reference in Section K of the contract

The Government may unilaterally change its COR designation.

ARTICLE G.2. KEY PERSONNEL, HHSAR 352.237-75 (December 2015)

The key personnel specified in this contract are considered to be essential to work performance. At least 30 days prior to the contractor voluntarily diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs or contracts the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and shall submit a justification for the diversion or replacement and a request to replace the individual. The request must identify the proposed replacement and provide an explanation of how the replacement's skills, experience, and credentials meet or exceed the requirements of the contract (including, when applicable, Human Subjects Testing requirements). If the employee of the contractor is terminated for cause or separates from the contractor voluntarily with less than thirty days notice, the Contractor shall provide the maximum notice practicable under the circumstances. The Contractor shall not divert, replace, or announce any such change to key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer. The contract will be modified to add or delete key personnel as necessary to reflect the agreement of the parties.

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(End of Clause)

The following individual(s) is/are considered to be essential to the work being performed hereunder:

Name Title

ARTICLE G.3. METHOD OF ORDERING

a. Orders issued under this contract may be placed as follows:

[X] in writing

[ ] via telephone

[ ] via facsimile (fax)

[X] via electronic mail (e-mail)

[ ] Oral [Oral Orders will be confirmed in writing within days of issuance. [ ] Other Specify:

b. The Contracting Officer is authorized to issue orders and provide written confirmation of oral orders, if applicable, under the contract.

ARTICLE G.4. TASK ORDER PROCEDURE

This contract provides for the issuance of Task Orders on a negotiated basis as follows:

a. General

Only the Contracting Officer may issue Task Orders to the Contractor, providing specific authorization or direction to perform work within the scope of the contract and as specified in the Statement of Work.

Unless specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall not commence work until a fully executed Task Order has been awarded. The Contractor may incur costs under this contract in performance of task orders and task order modifications issued in accordance with this ARTICLE.

No other costs are authorized unless otherwise specified in the contract or expressly authorized by the Contracting Officer.

b. Requesting Task Order Proposals.

The Contracting Officer or a designated individual may solicit responses to requirements from Contractors within a technical area covered by a task order requirement in writing. A Task Order Request for Proposals (TORFP) will be prepared and issued for each task order requirement.

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Generally, the Task Order Request for Proposal (TORFP) will include but is not limited to the following:

1. Statement of Work;

2. Reporting Requirements and Deliverables;

3. Proposal Due Date and Location to Deliver Proposals;

4. Period of Performance of Task Order;

5. Anticipated type of Task Order;

6. Technical Proposal Instructions;

7. Business proposal Instructions

8. Evaluation Factors for Award

All contract clauses contained this contract shall be incorporated in the TORFP and the resultant task order. If conflicts exist between the contract clauses and the information outlined in the task order, the contract language takes precedence over the information in the task order.

Contractors are not required to propose on all TORFPs. Those eligible Contractors that decide not to submit a proposal shall advise the Contracting Officer, in writing, of their intention not to submit a proposal on or before the closing date and time established in the TORFP. An election not to propose on a given TORFP will not negatively affect or prohibit a Contractor from competing on future TORFPs.

However, it may affect the Contractor's eligibility for continuations or extensions of the resultant Task Order.

c. Competitive Ordering Process.

1. All Contractors within a technical area will receive e-mail notification advising of the availability of each proposed task order requirement. All proposed task orders will incorporate all terms of this contract unless otherwise specified in the proposed task order.

2. Contractors will be provided an adequate time to prepare and submit responses based on the Contracting Officer's consideration of the estimated dollar value and complexity of proposed task order. Responses will not be considered a proposal as defined in FAR Part 15. However, the Contractor shall provide information sufficient for consideration in accordance with FAR Part 16.

Each TORFP will indicate the criteria for the evaluation of proposals. The responses shall demonstrate capability for each criterion to be evaluated. Generally, the Contractor will be asked to demonstrate the following as appropriate:

● Understanding of the requirements;

● Experience and capability on similar tasks;

● Technical approach, methods and procedures for satisfying the requirements with a discussion of potential problems to be encountered and proposed solutions and/or risk mitigation strategies.

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● Procedures for assuring quality of work, products, and deliverables;

● Plan for managing the task order, including meeting requirements and schedules, and performance measures (if applicable);

● Staffing plan with skill levels and level of effort for each individual proposed. Generally, resumes will be required for proposed personnel (if not previously submitted);

● References to evaluate past performance; and

● Cost/Price to perform the task order.

d. Evaluation and Award of Task Order Proposals

The Government will evaluate the Task Order proposals against the requirements of the TORFP.

Specifically, the technical evaluation factors, cost/price, past performance and any other factor specifically identified in the TORFP will be used for evaluation of each proposal. In addition, the TORFP will identify the basis for selecting a contractor for award. Generally, technical factors will be significantly more important than cost or price, however, each TORFP will specify how the award decision will be made.

Upon completion of evaluations, the Contracting Officer will issue a task order to the contractor whose proposal is most advantageous to the government

The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor(s) of the selection decision in writing.

e. Fair Opportunity

1. In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(i), each awardee will be given a fair opportunity to be considered for each order issued over $3,500 unless the following exception(s) apply:

i. The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

ii. Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

iii. The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

iv. It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

2. All awardees will be given a fair opportunity to be considered in accordance with the FAR as follows:

i. For orders exceeding $3,500 up to the simplified acquisition threshold, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(ii);

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ii. For orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold up to $5.5 Million, in accordance with 16.505(b)(1)(iii); and,

iii. For orders exceeding $5.5 Million, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(iv).

a. Inquiries regarding payment of invoices shall be directed to the designated billing office, (301) 496-6452.

b. The Contractor shall include the following certification on every invoice for reimbursable costs incurred with Fiscal Year funds subject to HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation in SECTION I of this contract. For billing purposes, certified invoices are required for the billing period during which the applicable Fiscal Year funds were initially charged through the final billing period utilizing the applicable Fiscal Year funds:

"I hereby certify that the salaries charged in this invoice are in compliance with HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation in SECTION I of the above referenced contract."

ARTICLE G.5. INVOICE SUBMISSION

a. Invoice Instructions for NIH Fixed-Price Type Contracts, NIH(RC)-2, are attached and made part of this contract. The Contractor shall follow the attached instructions and submission procedures specified below to meet the requirements of a "proper invoice" pursuant to FAR Subpart 32.9, Prompt Payment.

b. Inquiries regarding payment of invoices shall be directed to the designated billing office, (301) 496-6088.

ARTICLE G.6. POST AWARD EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE

a. Contractor Performance Evaluations

Interim and Final evaluations of Contractor performance will be prepared on this contract in accordance with FAR Subpart 42.15. The Final performance evaluation will be prepared at the time of completion of work. In addition to the Final evaluation, Interim evaluation(s) will be prepared Annually as follows on [Insert Dates].

Interim and Final evaluations will be provided to the Contractor as soon as practicable after completion of the evaluation. The Contractor will be permitted thirty days to review the document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement. If agreement cannot be reached between the parties, the matter will be referred to an individual one level above the Contracting Officer, whose decision will be final.

Copies of the evaluations, Contractor responses, and review comments, if any, will be retained as part of the contract file, and may be used to support future award decisions.

b. Electronic Access to Contractor Performance Evaluations

Contractors may access evaluations through a secure Web site for review and comment at the following address:

http://www.cpars.gov http://www.cpars.gov/

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ARTICLE G.7. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

If this RFP will result in the acquisition or use of Government Property provided by the contracting agency or if the Contracting Officer authorizes in the preaward negotiation process, the acquisition of property (other than real property), this ARTICLE will include applicable provisions and incorporate the HHS Publication, entitled, "HHS Contracting Guide for Contract of Government Property," which can be found at:

http://oamp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/ files/appendix_q_hhs_contracting_guide.pdf.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

ARTICLE H.1. HUMAN SUBJECTS

It is hereby understood and agreed that research involving human subjects shall not be conducted under this contract, and that no material developed, modified, or delivered by or to the Government under this contract, or any subsequent modification of such material, will be used by the Contractor or made available by the Contractor for use by anyone other than the Government, for experimental or therapeutic use involving humans without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

ARTICLE H.2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING

The Contractor shall clearly state, when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money: (1) the percentage of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money; (2) the dollar amount of Federal funds for the project or program; and (3) the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by nongovernmental sources.

ARTICLE H.3. OPTION PROVISION

Unless the Government exercises its option pursuant to the Option Clause set forth in SECTION I., the contract will consist only of the Base Period of the Statement of Work as defined in Sections C and F of the contract. Pursuant to FAR Clause 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract set forth in SECTION I. of this contract, the Government may, by unilateral contract modification, require the Contractor to perform additional options set forth in the Statement of Work and also defined in Sections C and F of the contract. If the Government exercises this option, notice must be given at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of this contract, and the price of the contract will be increased as set forth in the OPTION PRICES Article in SECTION B of this contract.

ARTICLE H.4. ACCESS TO NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) ELECTRONIC MAIL

All Contractor staff that have access to and use of NIH electronic mail (e-mail) must identify themselves as contractors on all outgoing e-mail messages, including those that are sent in reply or are forwarded to another user. To best comply with this requirement, the Contractor staff shall set up an e-mail signature ("AutoSignature") or an electronic business card ("V-card") on each Contractor employee's computer system and/or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that will automatically display "Contractor" in the signature area of all e-mails sent.

http://oamp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/appendix_q_hhs_contracting_guide.pdf http://oamp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/appendix_q_hhs_contracting_guide.pdf

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ARTICLE H.5. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

a. Confidential information, as used in this article, means information or data of a personal nature about an individual, or proprietary information or data submitted by or pertaining to an institution or organization.

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

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

d. Confidential information, as defined in paragraph (a) of this article, shall not be disclosed without the prior written consent of the individual, institution, or organization.

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

f. Contracting Officer determinations will reflect the result of internal coordination with appropriate program and legal officials.

g. The provisions of paragraph (d) of this article shall not apply to conflicting or overlapping provisions in other Federal, State or local laws.

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I - CONTRACT CLAUSES

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE I.1. GENERAL CLAUSE LISTING(S) WILL BE APPLICABLE TO

MOST CONTRACTS RESULTING FROM THIS RFP. HOWEVER, THE ORGANIZATIONAL

STRUCTURE OF THE SUCCESSFUL OFFEROR(S) WILL DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC GENERAL

CLAUSE LISTING TO BE CONTAINED IN THE CONTRACT(S) AWARDED FROM THIS RFP:

The complete listing of these clauses may be accessed at:

https://oamp.od.nih.gov/DGS/reference-material-prospective-offerors-and-contractors

ARTICLE I.1. GENERAL CLAUSES FOR A NEGOTIATED FIXED-PRICE

SERVICE CONTRACT

ARTICLE I.1. GENERAL CLAUSES FOR A TIME AND MATERIAL OR A LABOR HOUR

CONTRACT

https://oamp.od.nih.gov/DGS/reference-material-prospective-offerors-and-contractors https://oamp.od.nih.gov/DGS/reference-material-prospective-offerors-and-contractors

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a. FAR Clause 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (October 2015) is deleted in its entirety.

b. FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General (May 2014) is deleted in its entirety.

c. Alternate I, (December 1991), of FAR Clause 52.233-1, Disputes (May 2014) is added.

d. Alternate I (April 1984) of FAR Clause 52.243-1, Changes, Fixed Price (August 1987), is hereby deleted in its entirety and Alternate II (April 1984) of FAR Clause 52.243-1, Changes, Fixed Price (August 1987), is substituted therefor.

e. FAR Clause 52.249-4, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form) (April 1984), is deleted in its entirety and FAR Clause 52.249-2, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed Price) (April 2012) is substituted therefor.

ARTICLE I.3. ADDITIONAL CONTRACT CLAUSES

Additional clauses other than those listed below which are based on the type of contract/Contractor shall be determined during negotiations. Any contract awarded from this solicitation will contain the following:

This contract incorporates the following clauses by reference, (unless otherwise noted), 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.

a. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

1. FAR Clause 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (October 2015).

2. FAR Clause 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (August 2020).

3. FAR Clause 52.216-4, Economic Price Adjustment - Labor and Material (January 2017).

4. FAR Clause 52.216-20, Definite Quantity (October 1995).

"(d) ...the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after [insert date]..."

5. FAR Clause 52.217-6, Option for Increased Quantity (March 1989).

". . The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within [INSERT THE PERIOD OF TIME IN

WHICH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER HAS TO EXERCISE THE OPTION]

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6. FAR Clause 52.217-7, Option for Increased Quantity - Separately Priced Line Item

(March 1989). ". The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within [INSERT THE PERIOD OF TIME IN

WHICH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER HAS TO EXERCISE THE OPTION]

7. FAR Clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (November 1999).

"..The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within

[INSERT THE PERIOD OF TIME WITHIN

WHICH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER MAY EXERCISE THE OPTION].

8. FAR Clause 52.222-29, Notification of Visa Denial (April 2015).

9. FAR Clause 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).

10. FAR Clause 52.223-13 Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment

(June 2014) Alternate I (Oct 2015) is not applicable to this contract.

11. FAR Clause 52.223-14 Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (June

2014) Alternate I (June 2014) is not applicable to this contract.

12. FAR Clause 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (October 2015).

Alternate I (June 2014) is not applicable to this contract.

13. FAR Clause 52.224-1, Privacy Act Notification (April 1984).

14. FAR Clause 52.224-2, Privacy Act (April 1984).

15. FAR Clause 52.226-1, Utilization of Indian organizations and Indian-owned Economic Enterprises (June 2000).

16. FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data - General (May 2014).

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17. Alternate I (December 2007), FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data--General (May 2014).

18. Alternate II (December 2007), FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data--General (May 2014).

Additional purposes for which the limited rights data may be used are:

19. Alternate III (December 2007), FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data--General (May 2014).

Additions to, or limitations on, the restricted rights set forth in the Restricted Rights Notice of subparagraph (g)(4) of the clause are expressly stated as follows:

20. Alternate V (December 2007), FAR Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data--General (May 2014).

Specific data items that are not subject to paragraph (j) include:

21. FAR Clause 52.227-16, Additional Data Requirements (June 1987).

22. FAR Clause 52.227-17, Rights in Data--Special Works (December 2007).

23. FAR Clause 52.227-18, Rights in Data--Existing Works (December 2007).

24. FAR Clause 52.227-19, Commercial Computer Software License (December 2007).

25. FAR Clause 52.242-3, Penalties for Unallowable Costs (May 2014).

26. FAR Clause 52.242-4, Certification of Final Indirect Costs (January 1997).

27. FAR Clause 52.245-1, Government Property (Jan 2017).

28. FAR Clause 52.245-9, Use and Charges (April 2012).

29. FAR Clause 52.246-24, Limitation of Liability - High-Value Items (February 1997).

Alternate I (April 1984) is not applicable to this contract

b. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ACQUISITION REGULATION

(HHSAR) (48 CHAPTER 3) CLAUSES:

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1. HHSAR Clause 352.231-70, Salary Rate Limitation (December 2015)

Note: The Salary Rate Limitation is at the Executive Level II Rate.

See the following website for Executive Schedule rates of pay:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data- oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/.

( For current year rates, click on Salaries and Wages/Executive Schedule/Rates of Pay for the Executive Schedule. For prior year rates, click on Salaries and Wages/select Another Year at the top of the page/Executive Schedule/Rates of Pay for the Executive Schedule. Rates are effective January 1 of each calendar year unless otherwise noted.)

c. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) RESEARCH CONTRACTING

(RC) CLAUSES: The following clauses are attached and made a part of this contract:

1. NIH (RC)-9, Disputes (Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General

Determinations and Findings (D&F), 9/28/79, 4/1/84).

ARTICLE I.4. ADDITIONAL FAR CONTRACT CLAUSES INCLUDED IN FULL TEXT

Additional clauses other than those listed below which are based on the type of contract/Contractor shall be determined during negotiations. Any contract awarded from this solicitation will contain the following:

This contract incorporates the following clauses in full text.

a. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

1. FAR Clause 52.204-21, Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (June 2016)

a. Definitions . As used in this clause--

"Covered contractor information system" means an information system that is owned or operated by a contractor that processes, stores, or transmits Federal contract information.

"Federal contract information" means information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government, but not including information provided by the Government to the public (such as on public Web sites) or simple transactional information, such as necessary to process payments.

"Information" means any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

- 20 -cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 4009).

"Information system" means a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information (44 U.S.C.

3502).

"Safeguarding" means measures or controls that are prescribed to protect information systems.

b. Safeguarding requirements and procedures.

1. The Contractor shall apply the following basic safeguarding requirements and procedures to protect covered contractor information systems. Requirements and procedures for basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems shall include, at a minimum, the following security controls:

i. Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).

ii. Limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.

iii. Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems.

iv. Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems.

v. Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.

vi. Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational information systems.

vii. Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

viii. Limit physical access to organizational information systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals.

ix. Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

x. Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational information systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the information systems.

xi. Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

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xii. Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.

xiii. Provide protection from malicious code at appropriate locations within organizational information systems.

xiv. Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.

xv. Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

2. Other requirements. This clause does not relieve the Contractor of any other specific safeguarding requirements specified by Federal agencies and departments relating to covered contractor information systems generally or other Federal safeguarding requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) as established by Executive Order 13556.

c. Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

2. FAR Clause 52.216-2, Economic Price Adjustment--Standard Supplies (January 1997).

a. The Contractor warrants that the unit price stated in the Schedule for Translation and Interpretation Services The term "established price" means a price that--

1. Is an established catalog or market price for a commercial item sold in substantial quantities to the general public; and

2. Is the net price after applying any standard trade discounts offered by the Contractor.

b. The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of the amount and effective date of each decrease in any applicable established price. Each corresponding contract unit price shall be decreased by the same percentage that the established price is decreased. The decrease shall apply to those items delivered on and after the effective date of the decrease in the Contractor's established price, and this contract shall be modified accordingly.

c. If the Contractor's applicable established price is increased after the contract date, the corresponding contract unit price shall be increased, upon the Contractor's written request to the Contracting Officer, by the same percentage that the established price is increased, and the contract shall be modified accordingly, subject to the following limitations:

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1. The aggregate of the increases in any contract unit price under this clause shall not exceed 10 percent of the original contract unit price.

2. The increased contract unit price shall be effective--

i. On the effective date of the increase in the applicable established price if the Contracting Officer receives the Contractor's written request within 10 days thereafter; or

ii. If the written request is received later, on the date the Contracting Officer receives the request.

3. The increased contract unit price shall not apply to quantities scheduled under the contract for delivery before the effective date of the increased contract unit price, unless failure to deliver before that date results from causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor, within the meaning of the Default clause.

4. No modification increasing a contract unit price shall be executed under this paragraph (c) until the Contracting Officer verifies the increase in the applicable established price.

5. Within 30 days after receipt of the Contractor's written request, the Contracting Officer may cancel, without liability to either party, any undelivered portion of the contract items affected by the requested increase.

d. During the time allowed for the cancellation provided for in paragraph (c)(5) of this clause, and thereafter if there is no cancellation, the Contractor shall continue deliveries according to the contract delivery schedule, and the Government shall pay for such deliveries at the contract unit price, increased to the extent provided by paragraph (c) of this clause.

3. FAR Clause 52.216-18, Ordering (August 2020).

a. Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from 05/01/2022 through 04/30/2023 .

b. All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

c. If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods only if authorized in the Schedule.

(End of clause)

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4. FAR Clause 52.216-22, Indefinite Quantity (October 1995)

a. This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

b. Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

c. Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

d. Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order.

The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 05/1/2022 .

a. FAR Clause 52.222-55 Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (November 2020)

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

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

Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement

Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items. (Jul 2021)

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(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.203-19, 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 and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L.

115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video

Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

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

(5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 ( 19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting

Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

_X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (June

2020), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

_X (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Jun 2020) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

_X (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) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract

Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

(5) [Reserved].

_X (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L.

111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_X (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-

Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

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_X (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Jun 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

_X (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding

Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

(10) [Reserved].

(11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Mar

2020) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-3.

(12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-4.

(13)…