AG-3187-S-17-0045_RFQ.doc

AG-3187-S-16-XXXX

RFP Content Analysis

USDA Forest Service

AG-3187-S-17-0045

USDA Forest Service Lumber Indices for Use in Stumpage Rate Adjustment on Timber Sales Request For Quote

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES

B.1 Base Year

Option Year One

Option Year Two

Option Year Three

Option Year Four

SECTION C

STATEMENT OF WORK

AGAR 452.211-72 Statement of Work/Specifications (FEB 1988).

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities (except as otherwise specified), to perform the Statement of Work located at Section J, Attachment 1 of the solicitation/agreement.

SECTION D

PACKAGING AND MARKING

Nothing is included under this section.

SECTION E

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (Aug 1996)

SECTION F

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

52.242-15 Stop-Work Order (Aug 1989)

52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (Apr 1984)

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988)

The contract period shall extend for one calendar year from the date of award with four option periods for a total of five years from the date of award. At the option of the Government, the contract may be renewed for additional periods not to exceed a total of 60 months, provided the Contracting Officer serves notice of renewal at least 30 days prior to contract expiration.

Base Period:

TBD at time of award

Option Period I:

TBD at time of award

Option Period II:

TBD at time of award

Option Period III:

TBD at time of award

Option Period IV:

TBD at time of award

Place of Performance

The work specified shall be performed at the contractor’s place of business. No office space will be provided at any U.S. Government facility.

SECTION G

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (Feb 1993)

(a) Recompetition of service contracts may in some cases result in lowering the compensation (salaries and fringe benefits) paid or furnished professional employees. This lowering can be detrimental in obtaining the quality of professional services needed for adequate contract performance. It is therefore in the Government’s best interest that professional employees, as defined in 29 CFR 541, be properly and fairly compensated. As part of their proposals, offerors will submit a total compensation plan setting forth salaries and fringe benefits proposed for the professional employees who will work under the contract. The Government will evaluate the plan to assure that it reflects a sound management approach and understanding of the contract requirements. This evaluation will include an assessment of the offeror’s ability to provide uninterrupted high-quality work. The professional compensation proposed will be considered in terms of its impact upon recruiting and retention, its realism, and its consistency with a total plan for compensation. Supporting information will include data, such as recognized national and regional compensation surveys and studies of professional, public and private organizations, used in establishing the total compensation structure.

(b) The compensation levels proposed should reflect a clear understanding of work to be performed and should indicate the capability of the proposed compensation structure to obtain and keep suitably qualified personnel to meet mission objectives. The salary rates or ranges must take into account differences in skills, the complexity of various disciplines, and professional job difficulty. Additionally, proposals envisioning compensation levels lower than those of predecessor contractors for the same work will be evaluated on the basis of maintaining program continuity, uninterrupted high-quality work, and availability of required competent professional service employees. Offerors are cautioned that lowered compensation for essentially the same professional work may indicate lack of sound management judgment and lack of understanding of the requirement.

(c) The Government is concerned with the quality and stability of the work force to be employed on this contract. Professional compensation that is unrealistically low or not in reasonable relationship to the various job categories, since it may impair the Contractor’s ability to attract and retain competent professional service employees, may be viewed as evidence of failure to comprehend the complexity of the contract requirements.

(d) Failure to comply with these provisions may constitute sufficient cause to justify rejection of a proposal.

INVOICING AND PAYMENT

Payments to the contractor shall be made on the basis of proper and acceptable invoices submitted monthly for the actual percentage of services completed by the contractor and shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section I Contract Clauses.

Original invoices are to be forwarded directly to the Contracting Officer, utilizing the IPP invoice processing system located at the following web address:

https://www.ipp.fms.treas.gov/ Invoices shall only be accepted in the electronic format.

TRAVEL

Should there be a need for travel by the contractor during the performance of this contract, the contractor must first receive permission from the CO. And all travel shall be in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations. All travel costs should be at the lowest cost to the Government.

The contractor will be reimbursed for such travel as follows:

A. Commercial Carriers:

Current Commercial Coach or

Tourist Rate

B. Taxi:

Actual Expense

C. Auto Expense:

1. Commercial--

Actual Expense, as per the Federal

Travel Regulations (FTR) located on www.gsa.gov

2. Private (POV)--

As per the Federal Travel

Regulations (FTR), located on www.gsa.gov D. Subsistence:

As per the Federal Travel

Regulations (FTR), located on www.gsa.gov

SECTION H

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996)

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required, the location for which will be provided later in the “Successful Offeror’s” award letter.

The post award conference will be held within 5 days of the date of award.

H.2 AGAR 452.237-74 Key Personnel (FEB 1988) At least one person must have a thorough knowledge of lumber grading standards and milling practices such as a Lumber Mill and Grading Specialist. At least one person must have a thorough knowledge of data management such as a Data Systems Manager. No credentials are necessary, but grading will be based upon breadth and years of experience. During the first ninety (90) days of performance, the Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel unless the substitution is necessitated by illness, death, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by paragraph (3.) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (3.) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions. The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutions should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel. Substitutions will not be accepted unless specifically agreed upon in writing by the CO or designee.

H.3 AGAR 452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure (FEB 1988)

a. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, the contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep all information which is obtained or otherwise unavailable to the general public, in the strictest of confidence. The Contractor acquires neither possessory nor proprietary interests in such information. The Contractor agrees not to publish, reproduce, or otherwise divulge such information in whole or in part, in any manner or form, at any time, during or following contract performance, nor authorize or permit others to do so. The Contractor agrees to take such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a “need to know basis.” The Contractor agrees to immediately notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative, in the event that he or she determines or had reason to suspect a breach of any of these requirements or restrictions, and to provide written notification as soon as possible.

b. The Contractor agrees to include the above clause or equivalent language in any agreement or subcontract hereunder.

c. The Contractor agrees not to disclose any information concerning the work under this contract to any persons or entities unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer.

H.4 Non-Personal Services

(a) This contract is a non-personal services contract. No personal services will be performed under this contract. The Contractor shall not perform any inherently governmental actions under this contract. The services rendered by the Contractor are rendered in the capacity of an independent Contractor. The Government retains no direct control over the services provided by the Contractor.

(b) No Contractor employee shall hold himself/herself out to be a Government employee, agent or representative. All Contractor personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. Contractors must also ensure that all documents or reports produced are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

H.5 Organizational Conflict of Interest

a. The Contractor warrants that, to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or Circumstances, which could give, rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, or that the Contractor has disclosed all such relevant information.

b. The Contractor agrees that if an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest is discovered after award, the Contractor will make a full disclosure in writing to the Contracting Officer. This disclosure shall include a description of actions, which the Contractor has taken or proposes to take, after consultation with the Contracting Officer, to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize the actual or potential conflict.

c. Remedies - The Government may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if it deems such termination necessary to avoid an organizational conflict of interest. If the Contractor was aware of a potential organizational conflict of interest prior to award or discovered an actual or potential conflict after award and did not disclose or misrepresented relevant information to the Contracting Officer, the Government may terminate the contracts for default, or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.

d. The Contractor further agrees to insert in any subcontract or consultant agreement hereunder, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (d).

e. At the individual level, the Contractor will be required to warrant that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, and except as otherwise set forth in this contract, it does not have any organizational conflict of interest as defined in FAR 2.101 and FAR Subpart 9.5.

f. The Contractor agrees that, if after placement of this contract it discovers an organizational conflict of interest with respect to the Contract, the Contractor shall make an immediate and full disclosure in writing to the Contracting Officer that shall include a description of the action that the Contractor has taken or proposes to take to avoid, eliminate or neutralize the conflict. The Government may, however, terminate the Contract for the convenience of the Government if it would be in the best interest of the Government.

g. Undisclosed Organization Conflicts of Interest will be grounds for Termination for Default.

H.6 Standards of Conduct In performing the contract(s), Contractor personnel may be required to interact with Government officials and non- Government officials at various levels. The Contractor shall ensure that all its personnel assigned to this contract conduct their work in a courteous, professional and responsible manner, both in appearance and indeed.

H.7 Indemnification The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Government, its agents and employees, harmless against any financial loss or liability, including costs and expenses, arising from any negligent or wrongful act, or omission, or malpractice, on the part of the Contractor, or any of its agents or employees, during the Contractor’s performance under a the contract. The Contractor also agrees that if the Government suffers any financial loss or liability because of any negligent or wrongful act, or omission, or malpractice, by the Contractor, or any of its agents or employees, the Government may offset any such sums against any money in the Government’s possession, which would otherwise be due and payable to the Contractor.

H.8 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests Notwithstanding any other provision in this contract or any statement or restriction in the Contractor's proposal, by entering into this contract, the Contractor acknowledges that the Government will release the contract unit prices contained in Section B of this contract in their entirety in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests without giving the Contractor advance notice of the release. With respect to a FOIA request for any part of the Contractor's technical proposal that is either set forth or incorporated by reference in this contract, before responding to the FOIA request the Government will afford the Contractor an opportunity to explain why it believes some or all of the relevant parts of the technical proposal may be exempt from release under the FOIA.

SECTION I

CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): http://www.arnet.gov/far/ and the Agriculture Acquisition Regulations at http://www.usda.gov/da/procure/agar/subchaph.html#l1.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (48 CFR CHAPTER 1)

Clause

Title

FAR 52.204-7

System for Award Management. (Jul 2013)

FAR 52.204-13

System for Award Management Maintenance. (July 2013)

FAR 52.204-9

Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel. (Jan 2011)

FAR 52.232-39

Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. (June 2013)

FAR 52.203-17

Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To

Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights. (April 2014)

FAR 52.203-7

Anti-Kickback Procedures (May 2014)

FAR 52.232-40

Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors.

(Dec 2013)

FAR 52.225-25

Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain

Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and

Certifications. (OCT 2015)

FAR 52.203-11

Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence

Certain Federal Transactions. (Sept 2007)

FAR 52.203-12

Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions.

(Oct 2010)

FAR 52.229-3

Federal, State, and Local Taxes (Feb 2013)

FAR 52-243-1

Changes Fixed Price (Aug 1987)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

Clause

Title

452.224-70 Confidentiality of Information (FEB 1988)

452.237-76 Progress Reporting (FEB 1988)

452.237-78 Contracts with Consulting Firms for Services (FEB 1988)

FAR 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 60 days of contract expiration.

Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Dec 2015)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--

“United States'' means the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“Worker''—

(1) Means any person engaged in performing work on, or in connection with, a contract covered by Executive Order 13658, and—

(i) Whose wages under such contract are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. chapter 8), the Service Contract Labor Standards statute (41 U.S.C. chapter 67), or the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute (40 U.S.C. chapter 31, subchapter IV);

(ii) Other than individuals employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity, as those terms are defined in 29 CFR part 541; and

(iii) Regardless of the contractual relationship alleged to exist between the individual and the employer.

(2) Includes workers performing on, or in connection with, the contract whose wages are calculated pursuant to special certificates issued under 29 U.S.C. 214(c).

(3) Also includes any person working on, or in connection with, the contract and individually registered in a bona fide apprenticeship or training program registered with the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship, or with a State Apprenticeship Agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship.

(b) Executive Order Minimum Wage rate.

(1) The Contractor shall pay to workers, while performing in the United States, and performing on, or in connection with, this contract, a minimum hourly wage rate of $10.10 per hour beginning January 1, 2015.

(2) The Contractor shall adjust the minimum wage paid, if necessary, beginning January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, to meet the applicable annual E.O. minimum wage. The Administrator of the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (the Administrator) will publish annual determinations in the Federal Register no later than 90 days before the effective date of the new E.O. minimum wage rate. The Administrator will also publish the applicable E.O. minimum wage on www.wdol.gov (or any successor Web site) and a general notice on all wage determinations issued under the Service Contract Labor Standards statute or the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute, that will provide information on the E.O. minimum wage and how to obtain annual updates. The applicable published E.O. minimum wage is incorporated by reference into this contract.

(3)

(i) The Contractor may request a price adjustment only after the effective date of the new annual E.O. minimum wage determination. Prices will be adjusted only for increased labor costs (including subcontractor labor costs) as a result of an increase in the annual E.O. minimum wage, and for associated labor costs (including those for subcontractors). Associated labor costs shall include increases or decreases that result from changes in social security and unemployment taxes and workers' compensation insurance, but will not otherwise include any amount for general and administrative costs, overhead, or profit.

(ii) Subcontractors may be entitled to adjustments due to the new minimum wage, pursuant to paragraph (b)(2). Contractors shall consider any subcontractor requests for such price adjustment.

(iii) The Contracting Officer will not adjust the contract price under this clause for any costs other than those identified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this clause, and will not provide duplicate price adjustments with any price adjustment under clauses implementing the Service Contract Labor Standards statute or the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute.

(4) The Contractor warrants that the prices in this contract do not include allowance for any contingency to cover increased costs for which adjustment is provided under this clause.

(5) A pay period under this clause may not be longer than semi-monthly, but may be shorter to comply with any applicable law or other requirement under this contract establishing a shorter pay period. Workers shall be paid no later than one pay period following the end of the regular pay period in which such wages were earned or accrued.

(6) The Contractor shall pay, unconditionally to each worker, all wages due free and clear without subsequent rebate or kickback. The Contractor may make deductions that reduce a worker's wages below the E.O. minimum wage rate only if done in accordance with 29 CFR 10.23, Deductions.

(7) The Contractor shall not discharge any part of its minimum wage obligation under this clause by furnishing fringe benefits or, with respect to workers whose wages are governed by the Service Contract Labor Standards statute, the cash equivalent thereof.

(8) Nothing in this clause shall excuse the Contractor from compliance with any applicable Federal or State prevailing wage law or any applicable law or municipal ordinance establishing a minimum wage higher than the E.O. minimum wage. However, wage increases under such other laws or municipal ordinances are not subject to price adjustment under this subpart.

(9) The Contractor shall pay the E.O. minimum wage rate whenever it is higher than any applicable collective bargaining agreement(s) wage rate.

(10) The Contractor shall follow the policies and procedures in 29 CFR 10.24(b) and 10.28 for treatment of workers engaged in an occupation in which they customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips.

(c)

(1) This clause applies to workers as defined in paragraph (a). As provided in that definition--

(i) Workers are covered regardless of the contractual relationship alleged to exist between the contractor or subcontractor and the worker;

(ii) Workers with disabilities whose wages are calculated pursuant to special certificates issued under 29 U.S.C. 214(c) are covered; and

(iii) Workers who are registered in a bona fide apprenticeship program or training program registered with the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship, or with a State Apprenticeship Agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship, are covered.

(2) This clause does not apply to--

(i) Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)-covered individuals performing in connection with contracts covered by the E.O., i.e. those individuals who perform duties necessary to the performance of the contract, but who are not directly engaged in performing the specific work called for by the contract, and who spend less than 20 percent of their hours worked in a particular workweek performing in connection with such contracts;

(ii) Individuals exempted from the minimum wage requirements of the FLSA under 29 U.S.C. 213(a) and 214(a) and (b), unless otherwise covered by the Service Contract Labor Standards statute, or the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute. These individuals include but are not limited to--

(A) Learners, apprentices, or messengers whose wages are calculated pursuant to special certificates issued under 29 U.S.C. 214(a).

(B) Students whose wages are calculated pursuant to special certificates issued under 29 U.S.C. 214(b).

(C) Those employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity (29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1) and 29 CFR part 541).

(d) Notice. The Contractor shall notify all workers performing work on, or in connection with, this contract of the applicable E.O. minimum wage rate under this clause. With respect to workers covered by the Service Contract Labor Standards statute or the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute, the Contractor may meet this requirement by posting, in a prominent and accessible place at the worksite, the applicable wage determination under those statutes. With respect to workers whose wages are governed by the FLSA, the Contractor shall post notice, utilizing the poster provided by the Administrator, which can be obtained at www.dol.gov/whd/govcontracts, in a prominent and accessible place at the worksite. Contractors that customarily post notices to workers electronically may post the notice electronically provided the electronic posting is displayed prominently on any Web site that is maintained by the contractor, whether external or internal, and customarily used for notices to workers about terms and conditions of employment.

(e) Payroll Records.

(1) The Contractor shall make and maintain records, for three years after completion of the work, containing the following information for each worker:

(i) Name, address, and social security number;

(ii) The worker's occupation(s) or classification(s);

(iii) The rate or rates of wages paid;

(iv) The number of daily and weekly hours worked by each worker;

(v) Any deductions made; and

(vi) Total wages paid.

(2) The Contractor shall make records pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this clause available for inspection and transcription by authorized representatives of the Administrator. The Contractor shall also make such records available upon request of the Contracting Officer.

(3) The Contractor shall make a copy of the contract available, as applicable, for inspection or transcription by authorized representatives of the Administrator.

(4) Failure to comply with this paragraph (e) shall be a violation of 29 CFR 10.26 and this contract. Upon direction of the Administrator or upon the Contracting Officer's own action, payment shall be withheld until such time as the noncompliance is corrected.

(5) Nothing in this clause limits or otherwise modifies the Contractor's payroll and recordkeeping obligations, if any, under the Service Contract Labor Standards statute, the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute, the Fair Labor Standards Act, or any other applicable law.

(f) Access. The Contractor shall permit authorized representatives of the Administrator to conduct investigations, including interviewing workers at the worksite during normal working hours.

(g) Withholding. The Contracting Officer, upon his or her own action or upon written request of the Administrator, will withhold funds or cause funds to be withheld, from the Contractor under this or any other Federal contract with the same Contractor, sufficient to pay workers the full amount of wages required by this clause.

(h) Disputes. Department of Labor has set forth in 29 CFR 10.51,Disputes concerning contractor compliance, the procedures for resolving disputes concerning a contractor's compliance with Department of Labor regulations at 29 CFR part 10. Such disputes shall be resolved in accordance with those procedures and not the Disputes clause of this contract. These disputes include disputes between the Contractor (or any of its subcontractors) and the contracting agency, the Department of Labor, or the workers or their representatives.

(i) Antiretaliation. The Contractor shall not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any worker because such worker has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to compliance with the E.O. or this clause, or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding.

(j) Subcontractor compliance. The Contractor is responsible for subcontractor compliance with the requirements of this clause and may be held liable for unpaid wages due subcontractor workers.

(k) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (k) in all subcontracts, regardless of dollar value, that are subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards statute or the Wage Rate Requirements (Construction) statute, and are to be performed in whole or in part in the United States.

AGAR 452.219-70 Size Standard and NIAC Code Information (NOV 1996)

The NIACS Code(s) and business size standard(s) describing the products and/or services to be acquired under this solicitation are listed below: Contract line item(s):

NAICS 813910 – Business Association Small Business Size Standard: Annual Revenues of $7.5M

(End of provision)

Commercial Contract Clauses

FAR 52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (May 2015)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights --

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C.3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71,Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence.

(g) Invoice.

(1) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice and three copies (or electronic invoice, if authorized) to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices. An invoice must include --

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

(iii) Contract number, contract line item number and, if applicable, the order number;

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered;

(v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading;

(vi) Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

(vii) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent;

(viii) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and

(ix) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Contractor shall include its TIN on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(x) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

(A) The Contractor shall include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to be a proper invoice, the Contractor shall have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance with the applicable solicitation provision, contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures.

(C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay by EFT.

(2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR part 1315.

(h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees and agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark or copyright, arising out of the performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and proceedings.

(i) Payment.

(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract.

(2) Prompt Payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315.

(3) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). If the Government makes payment by EFT, see 52.212-5(b) for the appropriate EFT clause.

(4) Discount. In connection with any discount offered for early payment, time shall be computed from the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date which appears on the payment check or the specified payment date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made.

(5) Overpayments. If the Contractor becomes aware of a duplicate contract financing or invoice payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid on a contract financing or invoice payment, the Contractor shall—

(i) Remit the overpayment amount to the payment office cited in the contract along with a description of the overpayment including the—

(A) Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment);

(B) Affected contract number and delivery order number, if applicable;

(C) Affected contract line item or subline item, if applicable; and

(D) Contractor point of contact.

(ii) Provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer.

(6) Interest.

(i) All amounts that become payable by the Contractor to the Government under this contract shall bear simple interest from the date due until paid unless paid within 30 days of becoming due. The interest rate shall be the interest rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in 41 U.S.C. 7109, which is applicable to the period in which the amount becomes due, as provided in (i)(6)(v) of this clause, and then at the rate applicable for each six-month period at fixed by the Secretary until the amount is paid.

(ii) The Government may issue a demand for payment to the Contractor upon finding a debt is due under the contract.

(iii) Final decisions. The Contracting Officer will issue a final decision as required by 33.211 if—

(A) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor are unable to reach agreement on the existence or amount of a debt within 30 days;

(B) The Contractor fails to liquidate a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer within the timeline specified in the demand for payment unless the amounts were not repaid because the Contractor has requested an installment payment agreement; or

(C) The Contractor requests a deferment of collection on a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer (see 32.607-2).

(iv) If a demand for payment was previously issued for the debt, the demand for payment included in the final decision shall identify the same due date as the original demand for payment.

(v) Amounts shall be due at the earliest of the following dates:

(A) The date fixed under this contract.

(B) The date of the first written demand for payment, including any demand for payment resulting from a default termination.

(vi) The interest charge shall be computed for the actual number of calendar days involved beginning on the due date and ending on—

(A) The date on which the designated office receives payment from the Contractor;

(B) The date of issuance of a Government check to the Contractor from which an amount otherwise payable has been withheld as a credit against the contract debt; or

(C) The date on which an amount withheld and applied to the contract debt would otherwise have become payable to the Contractor.

(vii) The interest charge made under this clause may be reduced under the procedures prescribed in 32.608-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation in effect on the date of this contract.

(j) Risk of loss. Unless the contract specifically provides otherwise, risk of loss or damage to the supplies provided under this contract shall remain with the Contractor until, and shall pass to the Government upon:

(1) Delivery of the supplies to a carrier, if transportation is f.o.b. origin; or

(2) Delivery of the supplies to the Government at the destination specified in the contract, if transportation is f.o.b. destination.

(k) Taxes. The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties.

(l) Termination for the Government’s convenience. The Government reserves the right to terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Contractor shall immediately stop all work hereunder and shall immediately cause any and all of its suppliers and subcontractors to cease work. Subject to the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a percentage of the contract price reflecting the percentage of the work performed prior to the notice of termination, plus reasonable charges the Contractor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Government using its standard record keeping system, have resulted from the termination. The Contractor shall not be required to comply with the cost accounting standards or contract cost principles for this purpose. This paragraph does not give the Government any right to audit the Contractor’s records. The Contractor shall not be paid for any work performed or costs incurred which reasonably could have been avoided.

(m) Termination for cause. The Government may terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for cause in the event of any default by the Contractor, or if the Contractor fails to comply with any contract terms and conditions, or fails to provide the Government, upon request, with adequate assurances of future performance. In the event of termination for cause, the Government shall not be liable to the Contractor for any amount for supplies or services not accepted, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Government for any and all rights and remedies provided by law. If it is determined that the Government improperly terminated this contract for default, such termination shall be deemed a termination for convenience.

(n) Title. Unless specified elsewhere in this contract, title to items furnished under this contract shall pass to the Government upon acceptance, regardless of when or where the Government takes physical possession.

(o) Warranty. The Contractor warrants and implies that the items delivered hereunder are merchantable and fit for use for the particular purpose described in this contract.

(p) Limitation of liability. Except as otherwise provided by an express warranty, the Contractor will not be liable to the Government for consequential damages resulting from any defect or deficiencies in accepted items.

(q) Other compliances. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this contract.

(r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 41 U.S.C. 4712 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity.

(s) Order of precedence. Any inconsistencies in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order:

(1) The schedule of supplies/services.

(2) The Assignments, Disputes, Payments, Invoice, Other Compliances, Compliance with Laws Unique to Government Contracts, and Unauthorized Obligations paragraphs of this clause.

(3) The clause at 52.212-5.

(4) Addenda to this solicitation or contract, including any license agreements for computer software.

(5) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation.

(6) Other paragraphs of this clause.

(7) The Standard Form 1449.

(8) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments.

(9) The specification.

(t) System for Award Management (SAM).

(1) Unless exempted by an addendum to this contract, the Contractor is responsible during performance and through final payment of any contract for the accuracy and completeness of the data within the SAM database, and for any liability resulting from the Government’s reliance on inaccurate or incomplete data. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the Contractor is required to review and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or subsequent updates its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating information in the SAM does not alter the terms and conditions of this contract and is not a substitute for a properly executed contractual document.

(2)

(i) If a Contractor has legally changed its business name, “doing business as” name, or division name (whichever is shown on the contract), or has transferred the assets used in performing the contract, but has not completed the necessary requirements regarding novation and change-of-name agreements in Subpart 42.12, the Contractor shall provide the responsible Contracting Officer a minimum of one business day’s written notification of its intention to:

(A) Change the name in the SAM database;

(B) Comply with the requirements of Subpart 42.12 of the FAR;

(C) Agree in writing to the timeline and procedures specified by the responsible Contracting Officer. The Contractor must provide with the notification sufficient documentation to support the legally changed name.

(ii) If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (t)(2)(i) of this clause, or fails to perform the agreement at paragraph (t)(2)(i)(C) of this clause, and, in the absence of a properly executed novation or change-of-name agreement, the SAM information that shows the Contractor to be other than the Contractor indicated in the contract will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the “Suspension of Payment” paragraph of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) clause of this contract.

(3) The Contractor shall not change the name or address for EFT payments or manual payments, as appropriate, in the SAM record to reflect an assignee for the purpose of assignment of claims (see FAR Subpart 32.8, Assignment of Claims). Assignees shall be separately registered in the SAM database. Information provided to the Contractor’s SAM record that indicates payments, including those made by EFT, to an ultimate recipient other than that Contractor will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the “Suspension of payment” paragraph of the EFT clause of this contract.

(4) Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via SAM accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

(u) Unauthorized Obligations.

(1) Except as stated in paragraph (u)(2) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under this contract is subject to any End Use License Agreement (EULA), Terms of Service (TOS), or similar legal instrument or agreement, that includes any clause requiring the Government to indemnify the Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (31 U.S.C. 1341), the following shall govern:

(i) Any such clause is unenforceable against the Government.

(ii) Neither the Government nor any Government authorized end user shall be deemed to have agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. If the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement is invoked through an “I agree” click box or other comparable mechanism (e.g., “click-wrap” or “browse-wrap” agreements), execution does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause.

(iii) Any such clause is deemed to be stricken from the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement.

(2) Paragraph (u)(1) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and procedures.

(v) Incorporation by reference. The Contractor’s representations and certifications, including those completed electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM), are incorporated by reference into the contract.

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (May 2015)

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

(1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Dec 2014)

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Public Laws 108-77, 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the contracting officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

52.203-13

Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct

(Oct 2015) 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).

52.204-14

Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Jan 2014)

(Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

52.209-6

Protecting the Government’s Interest When

Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Oct 2015)

52.209-9

Updates of Publicly Available Information

Regarding Responsibility Matters (Jul 2013) (41

U.S.C. 2313).

52.219-8

Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014)

(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

52.222-26

Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016).

52.222-35

Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) 52.222-36

Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul

2014) (29 U.S.C. 793).

52.223-18

Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text

Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011) (E.O. 13513).

52.232-33

Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for

Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(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 items:

52.222-17

Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014)

(E.O. 13495)

52.222-41

Service Contract Labor Standards (May 2014) (41

U.S.C. chapter 67.).

52.222-42

Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires

(May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter

67).

52.222-55

Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658

(Dec 2015) (E.O. 13658).

(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, 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…