A22 - FAR Clauses - Provisions.docx

FAR Clauses:

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):

https://www.acquisition.gov Revolutionary FAR Overhaul | Acquisition.GOV

FAR clauses incorporated in full text:

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services.

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 1 day of the contract expiration date.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services (MAY 2024) [(DEVIATION FEB 2025)]

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Biobased product means a product determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be a commercial product or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products, including renewable domestic agricultural materials and forestry materials, or that is an intermediate ingredient or feedstock. The term includes, with respect to forestry materials, forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding the market share the product holds, the age of the product, or whether the market for the product is new or emerging. (7 U.S.C. 8101) (7 CFR part 4270.2).

Recovered material means waste materials and by-products recovered or diverted from solid waste, but the term does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process. ( 42 U.S.C. 6903).

Sustainable products and services means:

(1) Products containing recovered material designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (42 U.S.C. 6962) (40 CFR part 247) (https://www.epa.gov/smm/comprehensive-procurement-guideline-cpg-program#products).

(2) Energy- and water-efficient products that are ENERGY STAR® certified or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated products ( 42 U.S.C. 8259b) (10 CFR part 436, subpart C) (https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/search-energy-efficient-products and https://www.energystar.gov/products?s=mega).

(3) Biobased products meeting the content requirement of the USDA under the BioPreferred® program (7 U.S.C. 8101) (7 CFR part 4270.2) (https://www.biopreferred.gov).

(4) Acceptable chemicals, products, and manufacturing processes listed under EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, which ensures a safe and smooth transition away from substances that contribute to the depletion of stratospheric ozone ( 42 U.S.C. 7671l) ( 40 CFR part 82, subpart G) (https://www.epa.gov/snap).

(b) Requirements.

(a) The sustainable products and services, including the purchasing program and type of product or service, that are applicable to this contract, and any products or services that are not subject to this clause, will be set forth in the statement of work or elsewhere in the contract.

(b) The Contractor shall ensure that the sustainable products and services required by this contract are—

· Delivered to the Government;

· Furnished for use by the Government;

· Incorporated into the construction of a public building or public work; and

· Furnished for use in performing services under this contract, where the cost of the products is a direct cost to this contract (versus costs which are normally applied to the Contractor's general and administrative expenses or indirect costs). This includes services performed by contractors performing management and operation of Government-owned facilities to the same extent that, at the time of award, an agency would be required to comply if an agency operated or supported the facility.

(c) Resource. The Green Procurement Compilation (GPC) available at https://sftool.gov/greenprocurement provides a comprehensive list of sustainable products and services and sustainable acquisition guidance. The Contractor should review the GPC when determining which statutory purchasing programs apply to a specific product or service.

(End of clause)

HHSAR 352.204-72 Records management (FEB 2024) (DEVIATION)

(a) Applicability. This clause applies to contracts that include Federal records, as defined in paragraph (b).

(b) Definition. As used in this clause—

Federal record means all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them. See 44 U.S.C. 3301.

(3) The term Federal record—

· Includes HHS records;

(ii) Does not include personal materials;

(iii)Applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to their contract;

And

(iv) May include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables.

(c) Recorded information means all traditional forms of records, regardless of physical form or characteristics, including information created, manipulated, communicated, or stored in digital or electronic form. (See 44 U.S.C. 3301.)

(d) Personal materials means documentary materials belonging to an individual that are not used to conduct agency business. Personal files are excluded from the definition of Federal records and are not owned by the Government. (See 36 CFR 1220.18.)

(c) Requirements.

(4) The Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR chapter XII subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all Federal records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.

(5) In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.

(6) In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, the Contractor shall maintain all Federal records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.

(7) The Contractor is responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of Federal records, including all forms of mutilation. Federal records may not be removed from the legal custody of HHS or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Contracting Officer. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. The Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of Federal records.

(8) The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the contract. The Contractor shall ensure that appropriate personnel are trained to adhere to these contract requirements, and that applicable, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of information, data, documentary material, Federal records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove Federal Records from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government’s behalf, without the express written permission of the Contracting Officer. When information, data, documentary material, Federal records and/or equipment are no longer required, it shall be returned to HHS control or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or as otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer. Destruction of Federal records is expressly prohibited unless in accordance with paragraph (c)(4).

(9) The Contractor shall only use Government information technology equipment for purposes specifically authorized by the contract and in accordance with HHS policy.

(10) The Contractor shall not create or maintain any Federal records containing any non-public HHS information that are not specifically authorized by the contract.

(a) The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

(b) All Contractor employees assigned to this contract handle Federal records are required to take HHS-provided records management training. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.

(d) Subcontract flowdown. The Contractor shall incorporate the substance of this clause, its terms and requirements including this paragraph, in all subcontracts under this contract.

(End of clause) HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (Feb 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

(1) “ 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)

HHSAR 352.239-79 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Notice (Feb 2024) (Deviation)

(a) Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, all information and communication technology (ICT) supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, and services support developed, HHSAR Conformed Copy Part 352 (eCFR copy date 03/06/2025) Last Updated: 04/28/2025 Status: DEVIATED HHSAR 352-111 Navigate to: HHSAR Part 352 TOC | Notes | Summary of HHSAR CDs | Structure of HHSAR acquired, maintained or delivered under this contract or order must comply with the Revised 508 Standards, which are located at 36 C.F.R. 1194.1 and Appendices A, B, and C, and are available at https://www.access-board.gov/ict/. Information about Section 508 is available at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html. (b) Additional Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract or order may be identified in the specification, statement of work, or performance work statement. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, and services support provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the contract, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense. (c) In the event of a modification(s) to this contract or order, which adds new ICT supplies or services or revises the type of, or specifications for, supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support, the Contracting Officer shall require that the Contractor submit a completed HHS Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Checklist (see https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html) or an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) (based on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) see https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat), and any other additional information necessary to assist the Government in determining that the ICT supplies or services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, and services support provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the contract, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense. (d) If this is an Indefinite-Delivery type contract, a Blanket Purchase Agreement or a Basic Ordering Agreement, the task/delivery order requests that include ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support will define the specifications and accessibility standards for the order. In those cases, the Contractor shall be required to provide a completed HHS Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Checklist (see https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html) or an ACR (based on the VPAT see https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat), and any other additional information necessary to assist the Government in determining that the ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support conform to Section 508 accessibility standards. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies and services provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the provided documentation, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense. (e) The contractor shall identify to the Contracting Officer any perceived exception or exemption to Section 508 requirements.

(End of clause)

CDCG.02 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) (Jul 2017) Performance of the work hereunder shall be subject to the technical directions of the designated COR for this contract.

As used herein, technical directions are directions to the Contractor which fill in details, suggests possible lines of inquiry, or otherwise completes the general scope of work set forth herein. These technical directions must be within the general scope of work and may not alter the scope of work or cause changes of such a nature as to justify an adjustment in the stated contract price/cost, or any stated limitation thereof.

In the event that the Contractor believes full implementation of any of these directions may exceed the scope of the contract, he or she shall notify the originator of the technical direction and the Contracting Officer, immediately or as soon as possible, in a letter or e-mail separate of any required report(s). No technical direction, nor its fulfillment, shall alter or abrogate the rights and obligations fixed in this contract.

The Government COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of this contract. Contract changes shall be made only by the Contracting Officer through properly written modification(s) to the contract.

The Government will provide the Contractor with a copy of the COR delegation memorandum upon request.

CDCG.03 Contracting Officer (Jul 1999)

a. The Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds. No person other than the Contracting Officer can make any changes to the terms, conditions, general provisions, or other stipulations of this contract.

b. No information, other than that which may be contained in an authorized modification to this contract, duly issued by the Contracting Officer, which may be received from any person employed by the United States Government, or otherwise, shall be considered grounds for deviation from any stipulation of this contract.

CDCG.07 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (Jan 2026)

a. The Government shall use electronic funds transfer to the maximum extent possible when making payments under this contract. FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer –System for Award Management, requires the contractor to designate in writing a financial institution for receipt of electronic funds transfer payments.

b. In the case that EFT information is not within the System of Award Management, FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management, requires mandatory submission of Contractor’s EFT information directly to the office designated in this contract to receive that information (hereafter: “designated office”); see below. The contractor shall submit the EFT information within the form titled “ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form” to the address indicated below. Note: The form is either attached to this contract (see Section J, List of Attachments) or may be obtained from the CDC Office of Financial Resources at 678-475-4500 or cpbapinv@cdc.gov.

c. In cases where the contractor has previously provided such information, i.e., pursuant to a prior contract/order, and been enrolled in the program, the form is not required unless the designated financial institution has changed.

d. The completed form shall be mailed or sent via facsimile after award, but no later than 15 calendar days before an invoice is submitted, to the following address:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Financial Resources (OFR) P.O. Box 15580 Atlanta, GA 30333

CDCH.12 Observance of Legal Holidays and Unscheduled Facility Closures (On-site Performance) (Jan 2026)

(a) Holidays – The Government observes the holidays as listed by the Office of Personnel Management, as well as:

Any other day designated by Federal Statute Any other day designated by Executive Order Any other day designated by Presidential proclamation

For purposes of contract performance, the Contractor shall observe the above holidays on the date observed by the Government. Observance of such days shall not be cause for an additional period of performance or entitlement to compensation except as otherwise set forth in the contract. No form of holiday or other premium compensation will be reimbursed; however, this does not preclude reimbursement for overtime work authorized in advance and in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(b) Unscheduled Facility Closures

In the event Government facilities are closed due to inclement weather, potentially hazardous or unsafe conditions, or other special circumstances, contractor personnel assigned to work within those facilities are automatically dismissed. Notwithstanding the terms herein, the contractor shall comply with any specific contract terms that require a level of ongoing support for critical operations during times of facility closure. The contractor may also continue to provide support under a scheduled telework arrangement in accordance with the terms of the contract if the contract expressly authorizes telework in writing.

(c) Cost Impact Accounting for costs associated with an unscheduled facility closure is unique to each contract, but the contractor shall mitigate costs to the degree it is reasonably possible.

CDCH.14 Records Management Obligations (Jun 2020) A. Applicability The following applies to all Contractors whose employees create, work with, or otherwise handle Federal records, as defined in Section B, regardless of the medium in which the record exists.

B. Definitions “Federal record” as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them.

The term Federal record:

1. includes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records.

2. does not include personal materials.

3. applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to their CDC contract.

4. may include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables.

C. Requirements

1. Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.

2. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.

3. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.

4. CDC and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of CDC or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230.

5. The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the contract. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government’s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to CDC control or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the contract. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4).

6. The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and CDC guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information.

7. The Contractor shall only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with CDC policy.

8. The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any non-public CDC information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

9. The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

10. Training. All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take CDC-provided records management training. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.

D. Flowdown of requirements to subcontractors

1. The Contractor shall incorporate the entire substance of the terms and conditions herein, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts under this contract, and must require written subcontractor acknowledgment of same.

2. Violation by a subcontractor of any provision set forth herein will be attributed to the Contractor.

CDCH.20 Non-Personal Services (Jun 2020)

(a) Personal services shall not be performed under this contract. Although the Government may provide sporadic or occasional instructions within the scope of the contract, the Contractor is responsible for control and supervision of its employees. If the Contractor (including its employees) believes any Government action or communication has been given that would create a personal services relationship between the Government and any Contractor employee, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of this communication or action.

(b) The Contractor shall comply with, and ensure their employees and subcontractors comply with, CDC Policy titled Contractor Identification and Safeguarding of Non-Public Information (Policy No. CDC-IS-2006-01). No Contractor employee shall hold him or herself out to be a Government employee, agent, or representative. No Contractor employee shall state orally or in writing at any time that he or she is acting on behalf of the Government. In all communications with third parties in connection with this contract, Contractor employees shall identify themselves as Contractor employees and specify the name of the company for which they work. The Contractor is limited to performing the services identified in the contract statement of work and shall not interpret any communication with anyone as a permissible change in contract scope or as authorization to perform work not described in the contract. All contract changes will be incorporated by a modification signed by the Contracting Officer.

(c) The Contractor shall ensure that all its employees and subcontractor employees working on this contract are informed of the terms and conditions herein. The Contractor agrees that this is a non-personal services contract; and that for all the purposes of the contract, the Contractor is not, nor shall it hold itself out to be an agent or partner of, or joint venture with, the Government. The Contractor shall notify its employees that they shall neither supervise nor accept supervision from Government employees. The substance of the terms herein shall be included in all subcontracts at any tier.

(d) The terms and conditions above do not limit the Government's rights under other terms of the contract, including those related to the Government's right to inspect and accept or reject the services performed under this contract.

CDCL.02 Alternate Protest Procedure (Sep 2024)

(a) In accordance with FAR 33.103(d)(4), interested parties may request an independent review of their agency protest at a level above the contracting officer. This independent review is available as an alternative to consideration by the contracting officer of a protest or is available as an appeal of a contracting officer decision on a protest. A protest must clearly identify any request regarding the above.

(b) Protests or appeals described in (a) shall be submitted to the Associate Director for Acquisition Services, Office of Acquisition Services, Office of Financial Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by email at ftg4@cdc.gov.

(1) Protests will not be considered if the interested party has a protest on the same or similar issue(s) pending with the Contracting Officer.

CDCL.03 – Disclosure of Artificial Intelligence Use in Contract Performance (May 2026) Offerors must affirmatively identify in their proposal whether or not Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI, is planned, expected, or may be used in the performance of this contract. If planned or potential AI use is identified, offerors must submit an AI Compliance and Risk Management Plan in accordance with CDCH.10 using the template provided.

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

As prescribed in 12.205(a)(1), insert a clause substantially as follows:

Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

(a) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. As a minimum, offers shall include—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, telephone number of the Offeror;

(3) The Offeror’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, if applicable, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator;

(4) Information necessary to evaluate the factors contained in the provision at 52.212-2 or as described in the solicitation;

(5) Responses to provisions that require Offeror completion of information, representations, and certifications (other than those collected via the System for Award Management (SAM)); and

(6) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and any solicitation amendments.

(b) Period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(c) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers and any modifications or revisions to the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

(2) Any offer, modification, or revision received after the time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(4) Offerors may withdraw their offers by written notice to the Government received at any time before award.

(d) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. Therefore, the Offeror’s initial offer should contain the Offeror’s best terms. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the lowest offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(e) Debriefings. If a postaward debriefing is given to requesting Offerors, the Government will disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed Offeror’s offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful Offeror and the debriefed Offeror and past performance information on the debriefed Offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all Offerors when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award.

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful Offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed Offeror as to whether the agency followed source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities.

(End of provision)

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

As prescribed in 12.205(a)(2), insert a provision substantially as follows:

Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

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

1. Technical: The Offeror shall demonstrate its technical capability to provide all services required under the Statement of Work (SOW) for all Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs). The Government will evaluate the Offeror's understanding of the requirements and its ability to successfully perform the services specified in the SOW. Offerors must submit pricing for all CLINs identified in the solicitation. Partial quotations will not be accepted or evaluated and may be determined ineligible for award.

2. Price

- Evaluation factors other than price when combined are signficantly more important than price.

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

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

(End of provision)

352.239-78 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Notice. (Deviation) As prescribed in 339.203-70(a), insert the following provision: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE (FEB 2024) (DEVIATION) (a) Any offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established HHS Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/index.html. (b) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this solicitation are stated in the clause at 352.239-79 Information and Communication Technology Accessibility. In order to facilitate the Government’s determination whether proposed ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, and documentation meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an appropriate HHS Section 508 Accessibility Conformance Checklist (see https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/accessibility-checklists/index.html) or an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) (based on the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) see https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat), in accordance with the completion instructions. The purpose of the checklists and conformance reports are to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed ICT supplies, products, platforms, information, and documentation conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. Checklists and ACRs evaluate—in detail—whether the ICT conforms to specific Section 508 accessibility standards and identifies remediation efforts needed to address conformance issues. (c) If an offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies, products, platforms, information, documentation, or services support to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense. (d) In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed ICT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an Accessibility Conformance Report, in accordance with its completion instructions and tailored to the requirements in the solicitation. The purpose of the Report is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed ICT supplies conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows offerors or developers to self-evaluate their supplies and document, in detail, whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template are available at https://Section508.gov/. HHSAR Conformed Copy Part 352 (eCFR copy date 03/06/2025) Last Updated: 04/28/2025 Status: DEVIATED HHSAR 352-109 Navigate to: HHSAR Part 352 TOC | Notes | Summary of HHSAR CDs | Structure of HHSAR (e) In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed ICT services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must provide enough information to assist the Government in determining that the ICT services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards, including any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. (f) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any inability to conform to Section 508 requirements. If an offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense. (g) Items delivered as electronic content must be accessible to HHS acceptance criteria. Checklist for various formats are available at http://508.hhs.gov/. Materials, other than items incidental to contract management, that are final items for delivery should be accompanied by the appropriate checklist, except upon approval of the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative.

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