ABL-23037 RFQ.docx

OMB Approval No. 9000-0009

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

(THIS IS NOT AN ORDER)

Of Pages

1. REQUEST NO.

ABL-23037

2. DATE ISSUED

09/03/2023

3. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NO.

5a. ISSUED BY: U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE, NOAA, NMFS, AUKE BAY LABORATORIES

17109 PT LENA LOOP RD, JUNEAU, AK 99801

6. DELIVER BY (Date)

5b. FOR INFORMATION CALL (NO COLLECT CALLS)

7. DELIVERY

HEATHER M MAHLE

HEATHER.MAHLE@NOAA.GOV

AREA CODE

NUMBER

789-6021

9. DESTINATION

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE USDOC/NOAA

AFSC, AUKE BAY LABORATORIES, TSMRI FACILITY

8. TO:

a. NAME

b. COMPANY

b. STREET ADDRESS

17109 PT. LENA LOOP ROAD

c. STREET ADDRESS

c. CITY

JUNEAU

d. CITY

e. STATE

AK

e. ZIP CODE 99801

10. PLEASE FURNISH QUOTATIONS TO THE ISSUING OFFICE IN BLOCK 5a ON OR BEFORE 4:00PM 09/18/2023 IMPORTANT: This is a request for information, and quotations furnished are not offers. If you are unable to quote, please so indicate on this form and return it to the address in Block 5a. This request does not commit the Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local Taxes)

ITEM NO.

(a)

SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(b)

QUANTITY

(c)

UNIT

(d)

UNIT PRICE

(e)

AMOUNT

(f)

TSMRI PARKINGLOT PAVING

JOB

b. 20 CALENDAR DAYS %

c. 30 CALENDAR DAYS %

d. CALENDAR DAYS

NUMBER

PERCENTAGE

NOTE: Additional provisions and representations [ ] are [ ] are not attached.

QUOTATION

15. DATE OF QUOTATION

a. NAME OF QUOTER

16. SIGNER

b. STREET ADDRESS

c. CITY, STATE, ZIP

AREA CODE

c. TITLE (type or print)

Authorized for Local Reproduction STANDARD FORM 18 (Rev. 6-95) Previous Edition Not Usable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

QUOTED BY:______________________________ DATE:______________________

COMPANY NAME:_________________________ EMAIL:______________________

PHONE:______________________________ SMALL BUSINESS: Yes No (Indicate One)

FAX:_________________________________ TAX ID NUMBER:__________________

ADDRESS:_____________________________ UNIQ ID: __________________________

_____________________________________ CAGE CODE: ______________

FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE (if Applicable):______ ____________________________

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code & Small Business Size 238990 - All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Send Your Response to Heather Mahle at heather.mahle@noaa.gov & Reference Solicitation # (ABL#) in the Subject Line:

Award will only be issued to Vendors/Contractors who are active at www.sam.gov.

PLEASE RETURN PAGE 1, 2, 50, AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

Site visits must be scheduled and completed before September 9, 2023.

Award anticipated September 19, 2023 Work should be done by April 30, 2023

Statement of Need Parking Pad Asphalt Repair Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute Lena Point NOAA Facility Juneau, Alaska

The Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute in Juneau, Alaska is soliciting bids for patching of the parking pad at the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute. There are four areas of repair that total between 800 and 1,200 square feet. The existing pavement has been cut out for the installation of a light pole and removal of a gate operator.

Scope of work includes:

· Grade area to drain and compact.

· Apply tack coating to all adjoining asphalt edges.

· Haul, place, and compact 2" hot mix asphalt as shown on drawings.

· All labor, materials, and equipment to perform this work

The extent of the paving has been identified on the photos below.

The certification and accreditation requirements of Clause 1352.239-73 do not apply.

INVOICING

October 1, 2023, when NOAA implements the Department of Commerce Business Applications Solution, the Contractor must submit payment requests electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (the IPP) System. The Contractor PAGE 71 OF 100 must use the IPP website to register, access, and submit payment requests. The IPP website address is https://www.ipp.gov. "Payment request" means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment to the Contractor. To be considered proper, invoices must be prepared in accordance with, and contain all elements specified in, the contract payment clause (e.g., FAR 52.212-4(g), FAR 52.232-25(a)(3), FAR 52.232-26(a)(2), FAR 52.232-27(a)(2)). All supporting documents required by the Contracting Officer must be included as attachments to payment requests submitted through the IPP. If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to submit payment requests through the IPP due to a threat to national security; a matter of unusual or compelling urgency; or because the political, financial, or communications infrastructure of a foreign country does not support access to the IPP, the Contractor must request an exception in writing. Contact the Contracting Officer for more information about requesting an exception. (End of Clause)

Prior to October 2023, please submit all invoices to abl.invoice@noaa.gov

In compliance with the Prompt Payment Act, the Financial Management Division will pay an invoice in accordance with the terms set forth in the contracts with vendors if a "proper invoice" is received. A "proper invoice" has:

1. Name of the vendor and an invoice date

2. Purchase order number

3. Description, price and quantity of property and services actually delivered or rendered

4. Payment terms are “Net 30”.

6. Name, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of the responsible official to whom payment is to be made

WARD CRITERIA

Award will be made to the lowest price, technically acceptable. The following factors will be used to determine Technical Acceptability of each offer:

1. Technical Capability of the services offered to meet the needs of the Government.

1. Expertise, Experience and Education of proposed contract personnel.

1. Past Performance

PART I - CONSTRUCTION PURCHASE ORDER CLAUSES

(FIXED-PRICE)

UPDATED THROUGH FAC 2023-02 (MAR 2023) (DEVIATION 2023-03) (DEC 2022)

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html (End of Clause)

While Driving

JUN 2020

FAR 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses (Nov 2020)

(a) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the date of the clause.

(b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Department of Commerce (48 CFR 1352) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the name of the regulation.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution and Completion of Work (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 30 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than APRIL 30, 2023. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

Alternate I (Apr 1984). The completion date is based on the assumption that the successful offeror will receive the notice to proceed by September 25, 2023. The completion date will be extended by the number of calendar days after the above date that the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, except to the extent that the delay in issuance of the notice to proceed results from the failure of the Contractor to execute the contract and give the required performance and payment bonds within the time specified in the offer.

(End of Clause)

52.225-9 Buy American—Construction Materials (OCT 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item—

(1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is–

(i) A commercial product (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of “commercial product” at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101);

(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and

(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

"Construction material" means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction site by the Contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the building or work. The term also includes an item brought to the site preassembled from articles, materials, or supplies. However, emergency life safety systems, such as emergency lighting, fire alarm, and audio evacuation systems, that are discrete systems incorporated into a public building or work and that are produced as complete systems, are evaluated as a single and distinct construction material regardless of when or how the individual parts or components of those systems are delivered to the construction site. Materials purchased directly by the Government are supplies, not construction material.

Cost of components means—

(1) For components purchased by the Contractor, the acquisition cost, including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the construction material (whether or not such costs are paid to a domestic firm), and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued); or

(2) For components manufactured by the Contractor, all costs associated with the manufacture of the component, including transportation costs as described in paragraph (1) of this definition, plus allocable overhead costs, but excluding profit. Cost of components does not include any costs associated with the manufacture of the construction material.

Critical component means a component that is mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States and deemed critical to the U.S. supply chain. The list of critical components is at FAR 25.105.

Critical item means a domestic construction material or domestic end product that is deemed critical to U.S. supply chain resiliency. The list of critical items is at FAR 25.105.

Domestic construction material means—

(1) For construction material that does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both-

(i) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in the United States; or

(ii) A construction material manufactured in the United States, if–

(A)The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 60 percent of the cost of all its components, except that the percentage will be 65 percent for items delivered in calendar years 2024 through 2028 and 75 percent for items delivered starting in calendar year 2029. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind for which nonavailability determinations have been made are treated as domestic. Components of unknown origin are treated as foreign; or

(B) The construction material is a COTS item; or

(2) For construction material that consists wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, a construction material manufactured in the United States if the cost of foreign iron and steel constitutes less than 5 percent of the cost of all components used in such construction material. The cost of foreign iron and steel includes but is not limited to the cost of foreign iron or steel mill products (such as bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the construction material and a good faith estimate of the cost of all foreign iron or steel components excluding COTS fasteners. Iron or steel components of unknown origin are treated as foreign. If the construction material contains multiple components, the cost of all the materials used in such construction material is calculated in accordance with the definition of "cost of components".

Fastener means a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. Examples of fasteners are nuts, bolts, pins, rivets, nails, clips, and screws.

Foreign construction material means a construction material other than a domestic construction material.

Foreign iron and steel means iron or steel products not produced in the United States. Produced in the United States means that all manufacturing processes of the iron or steel must take place in the United States, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, except metallurgical processes involving refinement of steel additives. The origin of the elements of the iron or steel is not relevant to the determination of whether it is domestic or foreign.

Predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both means that the cost of the iron and steel content exceeds 50 percent of the total cost of all its components. The cost of iron and steel is the cost of the iron or steel mill products (such as bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the product and a good faith estimate of the cost of iron or steel components excluding COTS fasteners.

Steel means an alloy that includes at least 50 percent iron, between 0.02 and 2 percent carbon, and may include other elements.

"United States" means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

(b) Domestic preference. (1) This clause implements 41 U.S.C.chapter 83, Buy American, by providing a preference for domestic construction material. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1907, the domestic content test of the Buy American statute is waived for construction material that is a COTS item, except that for construction material that consists wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the domestic content test is applied only to the iron and steel content of the construction materials, excluding COTS fasteners. (See FAR 12.505(a)(2)). The Contractor shall use only domestic construction material in performing this contract, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this clause.

(2) This requirement does not apply to information technology that is a commercial product or to the construction materials or components listed by the Government as follows:

________________________________________________[Contracting Officer to list applicable excepted materials or indicate "none"]

(3) The Contracting Officer may add other foreign construction material to the list in paragraph (b)(2) of this clause if the Government determines that-

(i)The cost of domestic construction material would be unreasonable.

(A) For domestic construction material that is not a critical item or does not contain critical components.

(1)The cost of a particular domestic construction material subject to the requirements of the Buy American statute is unreasonable when the cost of such material exceeds the cost of foreign material by more than 20 percent;

(2)For construction material that is not a COTS item and does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, if the cost of a particular domestic construction material is determined to be unreasonable or there is no domestic offer received, and the low offer is for foreign construction material that is manufactured in the United States and does not exceed 55 percent domestic content, the Contracting Officer will treat the lowest offer of foreign construction material that exceeds 55 percent domestic content as a domestic offer and determine whether the cost of that offer is unreasonable by applying the evaluation factor listed in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A)(1) of this clause.

(3)The procedures in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(A)(2) of this clause will no longer apply as of January 1, 2030.

(B) For domestic construction material that is a critical item or contains critical components. (1)The cost of a particular domestic construction material that is a critical item or contains critical components, subject to the requirements of the Buy American statute, is unreasonable when the cost of such material exceeds the cost of foreign material by more than 20 percent plus the additional preference factor identified for the critical item or construction material containing critical components listed at FAR 25.105.

(2)For construction material that does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, if the cost of a particular domestic construction material is determined to be unreasonable or there is no domestic offer received, and the low offer is for foreign construction material that does not exceed 55 percent domestic content, the Contracting Officer will treat the lowest foreign offer of construction material that is manufactured in the United States and exceeds 55 percent domestic content as a domestic offer, and determine whether the cost of that offer is unreasonable by applying the evaluation factor listed in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B)(1) of this clause.

(3)The procedures in paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B)(2) of this clause will no longer apply as of January 1, 2030.

(ii) The application of the restriction of the Buy American statute to a particular construction material would be impracticable or inconsistent with the public interest; or

(iii) The construction material is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality.

(c) Request for determination of inapplicability of the Buy American statute. (1) (i) Any Contractor request to use foreign construction material in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause shall include adequate information for Government evaluation of the request, including-

(A) A description of the foreign and domestic construction materials;

(B) Unit of measure;

(C) Quantity;

(D) Price;

(E) Time of delivery or availability;

(F) Location of the construction project;

(G) Name and address of the proposed supplier; and

(H) A detailed justification of the reason for use of foreign construction materials cited in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause.

(ii) A request based on unreasonable cost shall include a reasonable survey of the market and a completed price comparison table in the format in paragraph (d) of this clause.

(iii) The price of construction material shall include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free certificate may be issued).

(iv) Any Contractor request for a determination submitted after contract award shall explain why the Contractor could not reasonably foresee the need for such determination and could not have requested the determination before contract award. If the Contractor does not submit a satisfactory explanation, the Contracting Officer need not make a determination.

(2) If the Government determines after contract award that an exception to the Buy American statute applies and the Contracting Officer and the Contractor negotiate adequate consideration, the Contracting Officer will modify the contract to allow use of the foreign construction material. However, when the basis for the exception is the unreasonable price of a domestic construction material, adequate consideration is not less than the differential established in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this clause.

(3) Unless the Government determines that an exception to the Buy American statute applies, use of foreign construction material is noncompliant with the Buy American statute.

(d) Data. To permit evaluation of requests under paragraph (c) of this clause based on unreasonable cost, the Contractor shall include the following information and any applicable supporting data based on the survey of suppliers:

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PRICE COMPARISON

Item 1:

Domestic construction material

[* Include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued)].

[List name, address, telephone number, and contact for suppliers surveyed. Attach copy of response; if oral, attach summary.] [Include other applicable supporting information.] Alternate I (Oct 2022). As prescribed in 25.1102(a)(3) substitute the following sentence for the first sentence in paragraph (1)(ii)(A) of the definition of “domestic construction material” in paragraph (a):

(A) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds __ percent of the cost of all its components. [ Contracting officer to insert the percentage. ]

FAR 52.228-10 Vehicular and General Public Liability Insurance (Apr 1984)

(a) The Contractor, at the Contractor’s expense, agrees to maintain, during the continuance of this contract, vehicular liability and general public liability insurance with limits of liability for—

(1) Bodily injury of not less than $200,000.00 for each person and $500,000.00 for each occurrence; and

(2) Property damage of not less than $20,000.00 for each accident and $500,000.00 in the aggregate.

(b) The Contractor also agrees to maintain workers’ compensation and other legally required insurance with respect to the Contractor’s own employees and agents.

(End of clause) FAR 52.228-13 Alternative Payment Protections (JULY 2000)

(a) The Contractor shall submit one of the following payment protections if quote and resulting award is over $30,000:

· Irrevocable Letter of Credit

· Payment Bond

· Cashier’s Check

(b) The amount of the payment protection shall be 100 percent of the contract price.

(c) The submission of the payment protection is required within seven (7) days of contract award.

(d) The payment protection shall provide protection for the full contract performance period plus a one-year period.

(e) Except for escrow agreements and payment bonds, which provide their own protection procedures, the Contracting Officer is authorized to access funds under the payment protection when it has been alleged in writing by a supplier of labor or material that a nonpayment has occurred, and to withhold such funds pending resolution by administrative or judicial proceedings or mutual agreement of the parties.

(f) When a tripartite escrow agreement is used, the Contractor shall utilize only suppliers of labor and material that signed the escrow agreement.

(End of clause)

COMMERCE ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (CAR)

CAR 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority (April 2010)

The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of this contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely in the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract terms and conditions, including price.

CAR 1352.201-72 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) (April 2010)

(a) The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will be identified under separate cover after award. The COR may be changed at any time by the Government without prior notice to the contractor by issuance of a new appointment letter. The location of the COR will be provided at the issuance of the COR appointment letter.

(b) The responsibilities and limitations of the COR are as follows:

(1) The COR is responsible for the technical aspects of the contract and serves as technical liaison with the contractor. The COR is also responsible for the final inspection and acceptance of all deliverables and such other responsibilities as may be specified in the contract.

(2) The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or otherwise obligate the Government or authorize any changes which affect the contract price, terms or conditions. Any contractor request for changes shall be referred to the Contracting Officer directly or through the COR. No such changes shall be made without the express written prior authorization of the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer may designate assistant or alternate COR(s) to act for the COR by naming such assistant/alternate(s) in writing and transmitting a copy of such designation to the contractor.

CAR 1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws (April 2010)

The contractor shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations which deal with or relate to performance in accord with the terms of the contract.

CAR 1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest (APR 2010)

(g) Waiver. The parties recognize that this clause has potential effects which will survive the performance of this contract and that it is impossible to foresee each circumstance to which it might be applied in the future. Accordingly, the contractor may at any time seek a waiver from the Head of the Contracting Activity by submitting such waiver request to the Contracting Officer, including a full written description of the requested waiver and the reasons in support thereof.

CAR 1352.246-70 Place of Acceptance (April 2010)

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

b. The place of acceptance will be:

Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute 1709 Pt Lena Loop Rd Juneau, Alaska 99801 (End of clause)

CAR 1352.270-70 Period of Performance (APR 2010)

(a) The base period of performance of this contract is from Award Date through April 30, 2022. If an option is exercised, the period of performance shall be extended through the end of that option period.

(End of clause)

CAR 1352.242-70 Postaward Conference (April 2010)

A postaward conference with the successful offeror may be required. If required, the Contracting Officer will contact the contractor within 10 days of contract award to arrange the conference.

(End of clause)

1352.237-71 Security processing requirements—low risk contracts (APR 2010)

(a) Investigative Requirements for Low Risk Contracts. All contractor (and subcontractor) personnel proposed to be employed under a Low Risk contract shall undergo security processing by the Department's Office of Security before being eligible to work on the premises of any Department of Commerce owned, leased, or controlled facility in the United States or overseas, or to obtain access to a Department of Commerce IT system. All Department of Commerce security processing pertinent to this contract will be conducted at no cost to the contractor.

(b) Investigative requirements for Non-IT Service Contracts are:

(1) Contracts more than 180 days—National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).

(2) Contracts less than 180 days—Special Agency Check (SAC).

(c) Investigative requirements for IT Service Contracts are:

(1) Contracts more than 180 days—National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).

(2) Contracts less than 180 days—National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).

(d) In addition to the investigations noted above, non-U.S. citizens must have a background check that includes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency check.

(e) Additional Requirements for Foreign Nationals (Non-U.S. Citizens). Non-U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) to be employed under this contract within the United States must have:

(1) Official legal status in the United States;

(2) Continuously resided in the United States for the last two years; and

(3) Obtained advance approval from the servicing Security Officer in consultation with the Office of Security headquarters.

(f) DOC Security Processing Requirements for Low Risk Non-IT Service Contracts. Processing requirements for Low Risk non-IT Service Contracts are as follows:

(1) Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed in Low Risk non-IT service contracts for more than 180 days. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF–85. The contract employee must also complete fingerprinting.

(2) Contract employees employed in Low Risk non-IT service contracts for less than 180 days require processing of Form OFI–86C Special Agreement Check (SAC), to be processed. The Sponsor will forward a completed Form OFI–86C, FD–258, Fingerprint Chart, and Credit Release Authorization to the servicing Security Officer, who will send the investigative packet to the Office of Personnel Management for processing.

(3) Any contract employee with a favorable SAC who remains on the contract over 180 days will be required to have a NACI conducted to continue working on the job site.

(4) For Low Risk non-IT service contracts, the scope of the SAC will include checks of the Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII), other agency files (INVA), Defense Clearance Investigations Index (DCII), FBI Fingerprint (FBIF), and the FBI Information Management Division (FBIN).

(5) In addition, for those individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents), the Sponsor may request a Customs Enforcement SAC on Form OFI–86C, by checking Block #7, Item I. In Block 13, the Sponsor should enter the employee's Alien Registration Receipt Card number to aid in verification.

(6) Copies of the appropriate forms can be obtained from the Sponsor or the Office of Security. Upon receipt of the required forms, the Sponsor will forward the forms to the servicing Security Officer. The Security Officer will process the forms and advise the Sponsor and the Contracting Officer whether the contract employee can commence work prior to completion of the suitability determination based on the type of work and risk to the facility ( i.e. , adequate controls and restrictions are in place). The Sponsor will notify the contractor of favorable or unfavorable findings of the suitability determinations. The Contracting Officer will notify the contractor of an approved contract start date.

(g) Security Processing Requirements for Low Risk IT Service Contracts. Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed under Low Risk IT service contracts.

(1) Contract employees employed in all Low Risk IT service contracts will require a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) to be processed. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF–85. Fingerprints and a Credit Release Authorization must be completed within three working days from start of work, and provided to the Servicing Security Officer, who will forward the investigative package to OPM.

(2) For Low Risk IT service contracts, individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) must undergo a NACI that includes an agency check conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service. The Sponsor must request the ICE check as a part of the NAC.

(h) Notification of Disqualifying Information. If the Office of Security receives disqualifying information on a contract employee, the Sponsor and Contracting Officer will be notified. The Sponsor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer for the immediate removal of the employee from duty requiring access to Departmental facilities or IT systems. Contract employees may be barred from working on the premises of a facility for any of the following reasons:

(1) Conviction of a felony crime of violence or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(2) Falsification of information entered on security screening forms or of other documents submitted to the Department.

(3) Improper conduct once performing on the contract, including criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct or other conduct prejudicial to the Government regardless of whether the conduct was directly related to the contract.

(4) Any behavior judged to pose a potential threat to Departmental information systems, personnel, property, or other assets.

(i) Failure to comply with security processing requirements may result in termination of the contract or removal of contract employees from Department of Commerce facilities or denial of access to IT systems.

(j) Access to National Security Information. Compliance with these requirements shall not be construed as providing a contract employee clearance to have access to national security information.

(k) The contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts.

(End of clause)

NOAA ACQUISITION MANUAL (NAM) CONTRACT POLICY LANGUAGE

NAM 1330-52.242-304 NOAA ACQUISITION AND GRANTS OFFICE OMBUDSMAN (OCT 2022)

a. The NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) Ombudsman is available to organizations to promote responsible and meaningful exchanges of information. Generally, the purpose of these exchanges will be to:

1. Allow contractors to better prepare for and propose on business opportunities.

0. Advise as to technologies and solutions within the marketplace that the Government may not be aware of, or is not fully benefiting from.

0. Identify constraints in transparency and process.

b. The AGO Ombudsman will objectively, reasonably, and responsibly collaborate with parties and recommend fair, impartial, and constructive solutions to the matters presented to him/her. Further, the AGO Ombudsman will maintain the reasonable and responsible confidentiality of the source of a concern, when such a request has been formally made by an authorized officer of an organization seeking to do business with, or already doing business with NOAA.

c. Before consulting with the AGO Ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations with the respective contracting officer for resolution. However, direct access to the AGO Ombudsman may be sought when an interested party questions the objectivity or equity of a contracting officer’s decision, or when there is a bona fide reason to believe that reasonable, responsible, and objective consideration will not be received from an assigned contracting officer.

d. There are several constraints to the scope of the AGO Ombudsman’s authority, for instance:

1. Consulting with the AGO Ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines of any formal process (e.g., protests, claims, debriefings, employee employer actions, activities involving A-76 competition performance decisions, judicial or congressional hearings, or proposal, amendment, modification or deliverable due dates, etc.).

0. The AGO Ombudsman cannot participate in the evaluation of proposals, source selection processes, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes.

0. The AGO Ombudsman is not authorized to generate or alter laws, judicial decisions, rules, policies, or formal guidance.

0. The AGO Ombudsman is not authorized to develop or alter opportunity announcements, solicitations, contracts, or their terms or conditions.

0. The AGO Ombudsman cannot overrule the authorized decisions or determinations of the contracting officer.

0. The AGO Ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds AGO, NOAA, the Department of Commerce, or the U.S. Government.

0. The AGO Ombudsman is not NOAA’s agent relative to the service of magistrate or judicial process and cannot be used to extend service of process to another party (whether federal, public, or a private entity).

e. After review and analysis of a filed concern or recommendation, the AGO Ombudsman may refer the interested party to another more suitable federal official for consideration. Moreover, concerns, disagreements, and/or recommendations that cannot be resolved by the AGO Ombudsman will need to be pursued through more formal venues.

f. The AGO Ombudsman is not to be contacted to request copies of forms and/or documents under the purview of a contracting officer. Such documents include Requests for Information, solicitations, amendments, contracts, modifications, or conference materials.

g. Questions regarding items (a) through (f) within this language shall be directed to ago.ombudsman@noaa.gov

(End of solicitation and contract language)

NAM 1330-52.237-70 CONTRACTOR COMMUNICATIONS

(a) A contractor employee shall be identified both by the individual’s name and the contractor’s name when:

(b) Any written correspondence from a contractor or any contractor employee shall be printed on company/organization letterhead or otherwise clearly identify the sender as an employee of the company or organization and shall identify the contract number.

(c) Contractors and/or contractor employees shall clearly identify themselves as such in any verbal communications, whether in informal discussion or a formal meeting.

NAM 1330-52.243-70 REQUESTS FOR EQUITABLE ADJUSTMENT (OCT 2017)

(a) The amount of any request for equitable adjustment to contract terms shall accurately reflect the contract adjustment for which the contractor believes the Government is liable. The request shall include only costs for performing the change. All indirect costs included in the request shall be properly allocable to the change in accordance with applicable acquisition regulations.

(b) Any request for equitable adjustment to contract terms that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold shall bear, at the time of submission, the following certificate executed by an individual authorized to certify the request on behalf of the Contractor:

I certify that the request is made in good faith, and that the supporting data are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Official’s Name) (Title)

(c) The certification in paragraph (b) of this clause requires full disclosure of all relevant facts, including:

Certified cost or pricing data, if required, in accordance with subsection 15.403-4 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); and Data other than certified cost or pricing data, in accordance with subsection 15.403-3 of the FAR, including actual cost data and data to support any estimated costs, even if certified cost or pricing data are not required.

(d) The certification requirement in paragraph (b) of this clause does not apply to:

Requests for routine contract payments; for example, requests for payment for accepted supplies and services, routine vouchers under a cost-reimbursement type contract, or progress payment invoices; or Final adjustments under an incentive provision of the contract.

(End of contract language)

1330-52.237-72 CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO NOAA FACILITIES (SEPT 2017)

(a)(1) The performance of this contract requires employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members (“contractor employees”) to have access to and to the extent authorized, mobility within, a NOAA facility.

(2) NOAA may close and or otherwise deny contractor employees access to a NOAA facility for a portion of a business day or longer for various reasons including, but not limited, to the following events:

(i) Federal public holidays for federal employees in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 6103;

(ii) Fires, floods, earthquakes, and unusually severe weather, including but not limited to snow storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes;

(iii) Occupational safety or health hazards;

(iv) Lapse in Appropriations; or

(v) Federal Statute, Executive Order, Presidential Proclamation, or any other unforeseen reason.

(3) In such events, the contractor employees may be denied access to a NOAA facility that is ordinarily available for the contractor to perform work or make delivery, as required by the contract.

(b) In all instances where contractors are denied access or required to vacate a NOAA facility, in part or in whole, the contractor shall be responsible to ensure contractor personnel working under the contract comply. If the circumstances permit, the contracting officer will provide direction to the contractor, either directly or through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), which could include continuing on-site performance during the NOAA facility closure period; however, if Government oversight is required and is not available, on-site performance shall not be allowed.

In the absence of such direction, the contractor shall exercise sound judgment to minimize unnecessary contract costs and performance impacts, for example, performing required work off-site if possible or reassigning personnel to other activities if appropriate.

(c) The contractor shall be responsible for monitoring the Office of Personnel Management at www.opm.gov, the local radio, television stations, NOAA web sites, and other communication channels. Once the facility is accessible, the contractor shall resume contract performance as required by the contract.

(d) For the period that NOAA facilities were not accessible to contractors who required access in order to perform the services, the contracting officer may—

(1)…