Court Reporting RFQ Amendment_3 dtd 6Feb23_final.docx

Court Reporting Services

Blanket Purchase Agreement

Request for Quotation (RFQ)

1333BJ23Q01150001

Amendment 3 dated Feb 6, 2023

Table of Contents

SECTION 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION/DESCRIPTION

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) anticipates award of up to four (4) Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to support its recurring need for court reporting services. This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 12 & 13.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and no further written solicitation will be issued.

This solicitation 1333BJ23Q01150001 is issued as an RFQ. This request for quote (RFQ) shall not be construed as a commitment of any kind on behalf of the Federal Government. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reserves the right not to proceed with issuing a BPA, or multiple BPAs, if it is determined to be in the best interest not to do so. The BPA does not obligate funding, nor commit the Government to a minimum order. All funding will be obligated on a Firm Fixed Price Not to Exceed (NTE) on subsequent BPA Call (BPC) order.

This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 23-01.

This is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside.

NAICS code 561492,Court Reporting and Stenotype Services, Size standard $16.5M.

PSC: R606, Support – Administrative: Court Reporting.

The successful contractor will provide Court Reporting services in accordance with the attached Statement of Work (SOW) for a period of 1 year, with 4 Option Years. As we anticipate award of up to fourtwo BPAs, no work is guaranteed.

The period of performance and location of services to be performed are detailed in the Statement of Work below.

The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, is applicable (see below).

The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition (see RFQ Section 2).

The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition (see Section 2).

RFQ questions are due by January 24, 2023, 5:00 PM, EST. Please direct all questions to the Contract Specialist, Michelle.Ellis@USPTO.gov and the Contracting Officer, Kelly.Gustafson@uspto.gov. Phone calls are not accepted. See Section 4.5 for details on question submissions.

Completed offers shall be emailed to the Contract Specialist, Michelle.Ellis@USPTO.gov and the Contracting Officer, Kelly.Gustafson@uspto.gov, by Feb 13, 2023, 2:00 PM EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.

1.1 ADDITIONAL BPA TERMS AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

1.1.1 ORDERING AUTHORITY

The USPTO is the only authorized ordering authority and may place call orders in support of any USPTO customers. Any exceptions to this ordering authority must be provided in writing by the Contracting Officer.

1.1.2 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of the contract, the administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the USPTO and the Contractor. The USPTO will provide Contracting Officer’s Representative (CORs) and Points of Contact (POCs) directly within the BPA call.

(a) The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of the contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in the 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 price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof. Communications pertaining to contract administration matters will be addressed to the Contracting Officer. No changes in or deviation from the scope of work shall be affected without a Supplemental Agreement executed by the Contracting Officer authorizing such changes.

Authority to Obligate the Government: The Contracting Officer is the ONLY PERSON AUTHORIZED to make or approve any changes of the requirements of this BPA and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this BPA, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer.

(b) Contracting Officer's Representative A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be designated on authority of the Contracting Officer to monitor all technical aspects and assist in administering the contract. The types of actions within the purview of the COR's authority are to assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; to perform or cause to be performed inspections necessary in connection with performance of the contract; to maintain both written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning the aspects of the contract within his/her purview; to issue written interpretations of technical requirements of Government specifications; to monitor the Contractor's performance under the contract and notify the Contractor and Contracting Officer of any deficiencies observed. A letter of designation will be Issued to the COR with a copy supplied to the Contractor, stating the responsibilities and limitations of the COR. This letter will clarify to all parties to the contract the responsibilities of the COR. At no time may the scope of work, price, delivery dates, or other mutually agreed upon terms or provisions of the contract be changed without being executed in writing by the Contracting Officer authorizing such changes.

COR may be changed at any time by the Government without prior notice to the Contractor but notification of the change, including the name and address of the successor COR, will be promptly provided to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer in writing.

The responsibilities and limitations of the COR are as follows:

(1) The COR is responsible for the technical aspects of the project and technical liaison with the Contractor. The COR is also responsible for the final inspection and acceptance of all reports, 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 expressed prior authorization of the Contracting Officer. The COR may designate assistant COR(s) to act for him by naming such assistant in writing and transmitting a copy of such designation through the Contracting Officer to the Contractor.

1.2 NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF DELAYS

In the event the Contractor encounters difficulty in meeting performance requirements, or has knowledge that any actual or potential situation is delaying or threatens to delay the timely performance of this contract, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer with a copy to the COR, in writing. The notification shall include pertinent details; provided, however, that this data shall not be construed as a waiver by the Government of any schedules or data or of rights on remedies provided by law or under this contract. Failure to give timely notice, however, may preclude later consideration of any request for an extension of the contract delivery period.

This notice shall state circumstances and estimated extent of the delay. Each such notice submitted to the Government, shall be evaluated on its own merit, and the Contractor shall be notified, in writing, by the Contracting Officer of the Government's decision.

1.3 Acquisitions and Mergers

This BPA shall survive unto Contractor, its Successors, rights and assignments. The terms and conditions in this BPA shall survive the acquisition or merger of Contractor by or with another entity. Contractor shall ensure these survivorship terms are included in any such merger or acquisition agreement, including a duty on the part of the surviving entity to abide by the terms of this BPA.

1.4 Annual Review for Best Value

This BPA(s) will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains the best value for the Government in accordance with FAR 13.303-6

1.5 BPA On-Ramp Procedures:

The Government reserves the right to reopen competition at any time during the term of the BPA based on its assessment of the marketplace. When an on-ramp is used, the Government will advertise the reopening of the competition, and awardees shall meet the criteria established in the initial solicitation.

Existing BPA holders will not be required to resubmit quotes. The evaluation and selection of awardees for any on-ramp will be the same as the evaluation and award criteria used for the initial BPA award(s).

New awardees will be expected to compete with the existing Contractors for Orders. All BPAs awarded as an on-ramp will have the same Period of Performance (POP) as the earliest awarded BPA for the OEM or category, regardless of the BPA effective start date. This may result in a base year period of less than one year for the on-ramped BPA in order to achieve co-termination.

For example:

Scenario #1: Company X is awarded a BPA on 01 Jan 2020 with a 12-month base period. Company Y is “on-ramped” 01 Mar 2020 with a base period of 10 months. On 01 Jan 2021, both companies will be eligible to have option year 1 exercised and remain co-termed for the remainder of the BPA ordering periods.

Scenario #2: Continuing the above example, Company Z is awarded a BPA 01 Jul 2022, while other awardees are in the middle of option year 2, the base period of Company Z will be shortened 6 months so that all awardees will be eligible to have the next option period exercised on the same date. Company Z will be eligible for two less option periods so that all BPAs conclude on the same date.

1.6 BPA Off-Ramp Procedures for Multiple Award BPAs:

If at any point during the period of performance the Contractor decides that it no longer prefers to participate in this USPTO Court Reporting Services Agreement, the Contractor may submit a request to the Contracting Officer to suspend the BPA. The PCO may at his or her sole discretion, accept the request to cease active participation in the BPA. If a Contractor receives this permission and is currently under contract to perform under any Order, the Contractor will be required to continue to perform under the terms of the specific Order. This provision is independent of any other action permitted under the contract terms and conditions.

1.7 Pricing

1.7.1. Base Pricing

Prices for commercial products and services are specified in Attachment 2, BPA Price List. The Contractor shall not charge prices in excess of those listed in this BPA.

The prices in Attachment 2 will be reviewed annually or as required to determine whether a reduction is appropriate in accordance with section 1.7.2.

1.7.2. Most Favored Customer

The Contractor shall ensure the prices under its BPA are as low as the prices it has under any other contract instrument with any customer under like requirements, terms and conditions.

1.7.3. Additional Price and Discount Terms

The USPTO may secure additional discounts at the time of placing an order. Additional discounts are authorized and encourage.

SECTION 2 – PROVISIONS and CLAUSES

2.1 FAR PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018) 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020) 52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror (Aug 2020) 52.204-20 Predecessor of Offeror (Aug 2020) 52.204-22 Alternative Line Item Proposal (Jan 2017) 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021) 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (Oct 2020) 52.209-2 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations-Representation (Nov 2015) 52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018) 52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law (Feb 2016) 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Dec 2022)

2.2 FAR PROVISIONS INCORPORATED IN FUL TEXT

52.209-5 Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Aug 2020)

(a) (1) The Offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that—

(i) The Offeror and/or any of its Principals–

(A) Are □ are not □ presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any Federal agency;

(B) Have □ have not □, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, State, or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, violating Federal criminal tax laws, or receiving stolen property (if offeror checks "have", the offeror shall also see 52.209-7, if included in this solicitation);

(C) Are □ are not □ presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity with, commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this provision;

(D) Have □, have not □, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been notified of any delinquent Federal taxes in an amount that exceeds the threshold at 9.104-5(a)(2) for which the liability remains unsatisfied.

(1) Federal taxes are considered delinquent if both of the following criteria apply:

(i) The tax liability is finally determined. The liability is finally determined if it has been assessed. A liability is not finally determined if there is a pending administrative or judicial challenge. In the case of a judicial challenge to the liability, the liability is not finally determined until all judicial appeal rights have been exhausted.

(ii) The taxpayer is delinquent in making payment. A taxpayer is delinquent if the taxpayer has failed to pay the tax liability when full payment was due and required. A taxpayer is not delinquent in cases where enforced collection action is precluded.

(2) Examples.

(i) The taxpayer has received a statutory notice of deficiency, under I.R.C. § 6212, which entitles the taxpayer to seek Tax Court review of a proposed tax deficiency. This is not a delinquent tax because it is not a final tax liability. Should the taxpayer seek Tax Court review, this will not be a final tax liability until the taxpayer has exercised all judicial appeal rights.

(ii) The IRS has filed a notice of Federal tax lien with respect to an assessed tax liability, and the taxpayer has been issued a notice under I.R.C. § 6320 entitling the taxpayer to request a hearing with the IRS Office of Appeals contesting the lien filing, and to further appeal to the Tax Court if the IRS determines to sustain the lien filing. In the course of the hearing, the taxpayer is entitled to contest the underlying tax liability because the taxpayer has had no prior opportunity to contest the liability. This is not a delinquent tax because it is not a final tax liability. Should the taxpayer seek tax court review, this will not be a final tax liability until the taxpayer has exercised all judicial appeal rights.

(iii) The taxpayer has entered into an installment agreement pursuant to I.R.C. § 6159. The taxpayer is making timely payments and is in full compliance with the agreement terms. The taxpayer is not delinquent because the taxpayer is not currently required to make full payment.

(iv) The taxpayer has filed for bankruptcy protection. The taxpayer is not delinquent because enforced collection action is stayed under 11 U.S.C. 362 (the Bankruptcy Code).

(ii) The Offeror has □ has not □, within a three-year period preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any Federal agency.

(2) "Principal," for the purposes of this certification, means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a division or business segment; and similar positions).

This Certification Concerns a Matter Within the Jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States and the Making of a False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Certification May Render the Maker Subject to Prosecution Under Section 1001, Title 18, United States Code.

(b) The Offeror shall provide immediate written notice to the Contracting Officer if, at any time prior to contract award, the Offeror learns that its certification was erroneous when submitted or has become erroneous by reason of changed circumstances.

(c) A certification that any of the items in paragraph (a) of this provision exists will not necessarily result in withholding of an award under this solicitation. However, the certification will be considered in connection with a determination of the Offeror’s responsibility. Failure of the Offeror to furnish a certification or provide such additional information as requested by the Contracting Officer may render the Offeror nonresponsible.

(d) Nothing contained in the foregoing shall be construed to require establishment of a system of records in order to render, in good faith, the certification required by paragraph (a) of this provision. The knowledge and information of an Offeror is not required to exceed that which is normally possessed by a prudent person in the ordinary course of business dealings.

(e) The certification in paragraph (a) of this provision is a material representation of fact upon which reliance was placed when making award. If it is later determined that the Offeror knowingly rendered an erroneous certification, in addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contracting Officer may terminate the contract resulting from this solicitation for default.

(End of provision)

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (JUL 1990)

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(End of Provision)

2.3 FAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

52.202-1 Definitions (JUN 2020) 52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984) 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011) 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020) 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications (Dec 2014) 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems (JUN 2016) 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021)

2.4 FAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED IN FULL TEXT

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Dec 2022)

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

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

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

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

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

(5) 52.233-3, 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 products and commercial services:

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

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

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

_X_ (4) 52.204-10, 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).

__ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (OCT 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

_X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

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

__ (10) [Reserved].

__ (11) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (12) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) ( 15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (13) [Reserved] _X_ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644).

__ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-6.

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

__ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-7.

_X_ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2016) of 52.219-9.

__ (iv) Alternate III (JUN 2020) of 52.219-9.

__ (v) Alternate IV (SEP 2021) of 52.219-9.

__ (18) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (MAR 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-13.

_X_ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637s).

__ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2021) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 657f).

__ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

__ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

__ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (MAR 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (SEP 2021) ( 15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

_X_ (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O.11755).

X__ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (DEC 2022) (E.O.13126).

_X_ (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

_X_ (30) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O.11246).

__ (ii) Alternate I (FEB 1999) of 52.222-26.

_X_ (31) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JUL 2014) of 52.222-35.

_X_ (32) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) ( 29 U.S.C. 793).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JUL 2014) of 52.222-36.

_X_ (33) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) ( 22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

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

__ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022) (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

__ (37) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) ( 42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (ii) Alternate I (MAY 2008) of 52.223-9 ( 42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (40) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2015) of 52.223-13.

__ (41) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (JUN 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun2014) of 52.223-14.

__ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (MAY 2020) ( 42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__ (43) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (OCT 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JUN 2014) of 52.223-16.

_X_ (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513).

__ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (JUN 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693).

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

__ (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.

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

__ (ii) Alternate I (OCT 2022) of 52.225-1.

__ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (DEC 2022) ( 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Public Law 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43.

__ (ii) Alternate I [Reserved].

__ (iii) Alternate II (DEC 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (iv) Alternate III (JAN 2021) of 52.225-3.

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

__ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (DEC 2022) ( 19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

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

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

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

__ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov2007) ( 42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (55) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021).

__ (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) ( 41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (OCT2018) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

_X_ (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) ( 5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (JAN 2017) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

__ (63) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (NOV 2021) ( 46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

__ (ii) Alternate I (APR 2003) of 52.247-64.

__ (iii) Alternate II (NOV 2021) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

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

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

X__ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018) ( 29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(ii) 52.203-19, 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)).

(iii) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (NOV 2021) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

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

(v) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2022) ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(vi) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

(vii) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2015) (E.O.11246).

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

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

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

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

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

(xiii)

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

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

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

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

(xvi) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (MAY 2022) (E.O. 12989).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(End of clause)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 10 days of contract expiration.

(End of clause)

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

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 10 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 10 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

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

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 60 months.

(End of clause)

2.5 COMMERCE ACQUISITION (CAR) CLAUSES

1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority 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.

(End of clause)

1352.201-72 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) (APR 2010)

(a) To Be Determined (TBD) at BPA Award is hereby designated as the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The COR may be changed at any time by the Government without prior notice to the contractor by a unilateral modification to the contract. The COR is located at:

Phone Number: TBD at time of award E-mail: TBD at time of award

(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.

(End of clause)

1352.208-70 Restrictions on Printing and Duplicating (APR 2010)

(a) The contractor is authorized to duplicate or copy production units provided the requirement does not exceed 5,000 production units of any one page or 25,000 production units in the aggregate of multiple pages. Such pages may not exceed a maximum image size of 10 3/4 by 14 1/4 inches. A “production unit” is one sheet, size 8 1/2 × 11 inches (215 × 280 mm), one side only, and one color ink. Production unit requirements are outlined in the Government Printing and Binding Regulations.

(b) This clause does not preclude writing, editing, preparation of manuscript copy, or preparation of related illustrative material as a part of this contract, or administrative duplicating/copying (for example, necessary forms and instructional materials used by the contractor to respond to the terms of the contract).

(c) Costs associated with printing, duplicating, or copying in excess of the limits in paragraph (a) of this clause are unallowable without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer. If the contractor has reason to believe that any activity required in fulfillment of the contract will necessitate any printing or substantial duplicating or copying, it shall immediately provide written notice to the Contracting Officer and request approval prior to proceeding with the activity. Requests will be processed by the Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR 8.802.

(d) The contractor shall include in each subcontract which may involve a requirement for any printing, duplicating, and copying in excess of the limits specified in paragraph (a) of this clause, a provision substantially the same as this clause, including this paragraph (d).

(End of clause)

1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws (APR 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.

(End of clause)

1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest (APR 2010)

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this clause is to ensure that the contractor and its subcontractors:

(1) Are not biased because of their financial, contractual, organizational, or other interests which relate to the work under this contract, and

(2) Do not obtain any unfair competitive advantage over other parties by virtue of their performance of this contract.

(b) Scope. The restrictions described herein shall apply to performance or participation by the contractor, its parents, affiliates, divisions and subsidiaries, and successors in interest (hereinafter collectively referred to as “contractor”) in the activities covered by this clause as a prime contractor, subcontractor, co-sponsor, joint venturer, consultant, or in any similar capacity. For the purpose of this clause, affiliation occurs when a business concern is controlled by or has the power to control another or when a third party has the power to control both.

(c) Warrant and Disclosure. The warrant and disclosure requirements of this paragraph apply with full force to both the contractor and all subcontractors. The contractor warrants that, to the best of the contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which would give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, and that the contractor has disclosed all relevant information regarding any actual or potential conflict. The contractor agrees it shall make an immediate and full disclosure, in writing, to the Contracting Officer of any potential or actual organizational conflict of interest or the existence of any facts that may cause a reasonably prudent person to question the contractor's impartiality because of the appearance or existence of bias or an unfair competitive advantage. Such disclosure shall include a description of the actions the contractor has taken or proposes to take in order to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate any resulting conflict of interest.

(d) Remedies. The Contracting Officer may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if the Contracting Officer deems such termination necessary to avoid, neutralize or mitigate an actual or apparent organizational conflict of interest. If the contractor fails to disclose facts pertaining to the existence of a potential or actual organizational conflict of interest or misrepresents relevant information to the Contracting Officer, the Government may terminate the contract for default, suspend or debar the contractor from Government contracting, or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.

(e) Subcontracts. The contractor shall include a clause substantially similar to this clause, including paragraphs (f) and (g), in any subcontract or consultant agreement at any tier expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The terms “contract,” “contractor,” and “Contracting Officer” shall be appropriately modified to preserve the Government's rights.

(f) Prime Contractor Responsibilities. The contractor shall obtain from its subcontractors or consultants the disclosure required in FAR 9.507-1, and shall determine in writing whether the interests disclosed present an actual, or significant potential for, an organizational conflict of interest. The contractor shall identify and avoid, neutralize, or mitigate any subcontractor organizational conflict prior to award of the contract to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer. If the subcontractor's organizational conflict cannot be avoided, neutralized, or mitigated, the contractor must obtain the written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into the subcontract. If the contractor becomes aware of a subcontractor's potential or actual organizational conflict of interest after contract award, the contractor agrees that the Contractor may be required to eliminate the subcontractor from its team, at the contractor's own risk.

(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.

(End of clause)

1352.246-70 Place of Acceptance (APR 2010)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract.

(b) The place of acceptance will be: See Attachment 1 Statement of Work (End of clause)

CAR 1352.270-70: Period of Performance (APR 2010)

(a) The base period of performance is from date of award through 2/14/2024. If an option is exercised, the period of performance shall be extended through the end of that option period.

(b) The option periods that may be exercised are as follows:

FAR 52.217-8 Option (6-month extension)

(End of clause)

2.6 USPTO CLAUSES

PTO-04 DATA SECURITY (FEB 2017)

REPRODUCTION AND DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL DATA

Reproduction or disclosure of confidential data provided by the USPTO, or to which the Contractor will have access to as a result of this contract, is prohibited. It is understood that throughout performance of this contract, the Contractor may have access to confidential data which is the sole property of the USPTO, as well as access to proprietary data which is the sole property of other than the contracting parties. The Contractor hereby agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all such data to which access may be obtained throughout contract performance whether title thereto vests in the USPTO or otherwise. The Contractor hereby agrees not to disclose said data, any interpretation thereof or data derivative there from, to unauthorized parties in contravention of these provisions, without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer and any party in which title thereto is wholly vested. The Contractor agrees to immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement has occurred. All Contractor personnel working on any of the described tasks may, at Government request, be required to sign formal non-disclosure and/or conflict of interest agreements to guarantee the protection and integrity of Government information and documents. This clause also applies to any subcontractors and/or consultants used by the Contractor.

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED DATA (IF APPLICABLE)

The Government shall deliver to the Contractor, as may be requested, Government-Furnished Data (GFD) during the performance of this contract. GFD will be delivered to the Contractor as agreed upon.

Title to GFD shall remain in the Government, and the Contractor shall use the GFD only in connection with this contract.

Upon completion of or termination of this contract, the Contractor shall return to the Government all GFD.

RIGHTS IN DATA

When using any FAR clause as prescribed in FAR Subpart 27.4, Rights in Data and Copyrights, that contains the definitions “unlimited rights” and “computer software,” the definitions shall be expanded to include the following:

“Unlimited rights” means the…