RFP_-_AG-3198-S-16-166P.pdf

RFP# AG-3198-S-16-166P

June 15, 2016

Subject: Request for Proposal # AG-3198-S-16-166P/ Formative Research on Team Nutrition Cooks!

To: Prospective Offerors:

Attached is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Formative Research on Team Nutrition Cooks! Activity modules and collateral materials to include:

• Implementation of all 5 Team Nutrition Cooks! modules in at least 3 settings participating in the

Afterschool Snacks Program or the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and serving 8-12 year old children.

• Preparation of a data collection package to be submitted by FNS to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval to conduct formative research under the Agency’s generic clearance.

• Conducting formative research with program operators, parent/caregivers, and children regarding the activities, recipes, and materials.

• Modification of Team Nutrition Cooks! materials to increase their usability, effectiveness and appeal to the target audience based upon findings from the formative research and as agreed upon by

FNS.

The USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) intend to use source selection tradeoff procedures to award a contract to the most advantageous offeror.

Quotations are due by 2PM Eastern Daylight Time, July 28, 2016.

Sincerely, SEAN MERRITT

Contracting Officer

TABLE OF CONTENT

SECTION 1 SOLICITATION DESCRIPTION

1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

SECTION 2 CONTRACT CLAUSES

2.0 FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998)

2.1 Clauses Incorporated In Full Text:

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—

Commercial Items (MAR 2016)

SECTION 3- CONTRACT DOCUMENT, EXHIBITS, or ATTACHMENTS

3.0 Attachments

SECTION 4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

4.0 Quality Control:

4.1 Subcontractors/or Staff:

4.2 Organizational Conflict of Interest:

4.3 Security:

4.4 Section 508 – Accessibility of Electronic and Information Technology:

4.5 Data Rights:

4.6 Printing

4.7 Paperwork Reduction Act:

SECTION 5- CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

5.0 Post Award Conference:

5.1 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

5.2 Contractor Performance Assessment Rating:

5.3 Administrative Submittals:

5.4 Deliverables

5.5 Submission of Invoices:

SECTION 6 PROVISIONS

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (Jul 2013)

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items (Jan 1999)

52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items (Nov 2013)

SECTION 1 SOLICITATION DESCRIPTION

1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This solicitation shall be conducted under FAR Part 12 in conjunction with FAR Part 13 procedures. This solicitation is to award a commercial item, performance based, combination firm fixed-price contract.

SECTION 2 CONTRACT CLAUSES

2.0 FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998)

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

http://www.arnet.gov/far/.

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items (Jul 2013)

Addendum to 52.212-4

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (Sep 2013)

AGAR 452.209 – 71 Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for

Corporate Applicants

AGAR 452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure (FEB 1988)

2.1 Clauses Incorporated In Full Text:

52.217-7 - Option for Increased Quantity—Separately Priced Line Item (Mar 1989)

The Government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within [insert in the clause the period of time in which the Contracting Officer has to exercise the option]. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that like items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

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 http://www.arnet.gov/far/ 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.

AGAR 452.237-74 – Key Personnel (Feb 1988)

(a) The Contractor shall assign to this contract the following key personnel:

Subject Matter Expert

(b) 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 (c) below. After the initial 90-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by paragraph (c) to the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

(c) 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 substitutes 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.

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive

Orders—Commercial Items (MAR 2016)

(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 (NOV

2015).

(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 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

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

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

___(1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEP 2006), with

Alternate I (OCT 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

___(2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Oct 2015) (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

(Oct 2015) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___(5) [Reserved]

__ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (JAN 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

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

Contracts (JAN 2014) (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. (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

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

Matters (JUL 2013) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

__(10) [Reserved]

__ (11)(i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (NOV 2011) (15

U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011) of 52.219-3.

__ (12)(i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business

Concerns (OCT 2014) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (JAN 2011) of 52.219-4.

___(13) [Reserved]

_X_(14)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C.

644).

__(ii) Alternate I (NOV 2011).

__(iii) Alternate II (NOV 2011).

___(15)(i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (JUN 2003) (15 U.S.C.

644).

___(ii) Alternate I (OCT 1995) of 52.219-7.

___(iii) Alternate II (MAR 2004) of 52.219-7.

_X_ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(2) and (3)).

___ (17)(i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Oct 2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

___(ii) Alternate I (OCT 2001) of 52.219-9.

___(iii) Alternate II (OCT 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (iv) Alternate III (Oct 2015) of 52.219-9.

__(18) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__(19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

___(20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (JAN 1999) (15 U.S.C.

637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__(21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside

(NOV 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

__ (22) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (JUL 2013) (15

U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

___ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically

Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Dec 2015) (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 (Dec

2015) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

_X__(25) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O. 11755).

__ (26) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2016)

(E.O. 13126).

_X__ (27) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

_X__ (28) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (APR 2015) (E.O. 11246).

__X_ (29) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_(30) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (July 2014) (29 U.S.C.

793).

_X__(31) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

___ (32) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations

Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_(33)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (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).

___ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015). (E. O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

___(35)(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.)

__(36)(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.

__(37)(i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT -Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s

13423 and 13514).

(ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-14.

___(38) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) (42

U.S.C. 8259b).

___(39)(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__(40) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While

Driving (AUG 2011)

___(41) 52.225-1, Buy American—Supplies (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

___(42)(i) 52.225-3, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act (MAY

2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19

U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 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 (MAY 2014) of 52.225-3.

___(iii) Alternate II (MAY 2014) of 52.225-3.

___(iv) Alternate III (MAY 2014) of 52.225-3.

__ (43) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (FEB 2016) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

___(44) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the

Department of the Treasury).

___(45) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United

States (JUL 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for

Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

___(46) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (NOV 2007) (42 U.S.C.

5150).

___(47) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area

(NOV 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___(48) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (FEB 2002) (41

U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___(49) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (OCT 1995) (41

U.S.C.4505, 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

_X_ (50) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award

Management (JUL 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (51) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than System for Award

Management (JUL 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (52) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___(53) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

___(54)(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (FEB

2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

___(ii) Alternate I (APR 2003) 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 items:

___ (1) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (May 2014) (E.O. 13495).

___(2) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___(3) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C.

206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___(4) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price

Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C.

chapter 67).

___(5) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price

Adjustment (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

___(6) 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).

_X__(7) 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).

___ (8) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015).

___(9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (MAY

2014) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

___(10) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (SEP 2008) (31 U.S.C.

5112(p)(1)).

(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 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) of this paragraph in a subcontract for commercial items. 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 (Oct 2015) (41 U.S.C.

3509).

(ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (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 $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(iii) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (MAY 2014) (E.O. 13495). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (l) of FAR clause 52.222-17.

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

(v) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (APR 2015) (E.O. 11246).

(vi) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(vii) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (July 2014) (29 U.S.C.

793).

(viii) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(ix) 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.

(x) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xi) __(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (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).

(xii) 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).

(xiii) 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).

(xiv) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015) (E. O. 12989).

(xv) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015).

(xvi) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United

States (JUL 2013) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for

Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. 2302 Note).

(xvii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (MAY 2014)

(42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xviii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (FEB

2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b) 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 items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

SECTION 3- CONTRACT DOCUMENT, EXHIBITS, or ATTACHMENTS

3.0 Attachments

Attachment I - Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Attachment II – Past Performance Questionnaire

Attachment III - PROGRESS SCHEDULE SPECIFICATION

SECTION 4 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

4.0 Quality Control:

The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS and required schedule see Attachment III

The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. The

Contractor shall submit the Quality Control Plan (QCP) with submission of their proposal.

Three copies of a comprehensive QCP shall be submitted to the CO and COR within 5 days when changes are made thereafter. After acceptance of the quality control plan the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

The Contractor shall identify and submit the name of the quality control (QC) manager 15 days after receipt of award. This person shall have 5years experience overseeing a quality control program and be responsible for reviewing documentation prior to submitting to the FNCS COR.

4.1 Subcontractors/or Staff:

The contractor is responsible for overseeing all work in accordance with the contract. The

Contracting Officer may require, in writing, that the Contractor remove from the work any employee the Contracting Officer deems incompetent, careless, or otherwise objectionable.

4.2 Organizational Conflict of Interest:

Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational

Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the

Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting

Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the

Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

4.3 Security:

The Contractor shall be responsible for properly protecting all information used, gathered, or developed as a result of this contract in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

The Contractor shall implement procedures that ensure appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established for the security and confidentiality of government information, data, and/or equipment. The Contractor’s procedures shall be consistent with

Government, OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Information Resources, the

Computer Security Act of 1987, the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2014

(FISMA), and the Privacy Act. Upon completion of the contract, the contractor shall return all information and information resources provided during the life of the contract and certify that all

USDA information has been purged from any contractor-owned system(s) that have been used to process USDA information. In addition, during all activities and operations on government premises, the Contractor shall comply with the policies, rules, procedures and regulations governing the conduct of personnel or protection of government facilities and data as expressed by USDA, written or oral.

4.4 Section 508 – Accessibility of Electronic and Information Technology:

(a) This requirement is subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by the workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220). Specifically, subsection

508(a)(1) requires that when the Federal Government procures Electronic and Information

Technology (EIT), the EIT must allow Federal employees and individuals of the public with disabilities comparable access to and use of information and data that is provided to Federal employees and individuals of the public without disabilities.

(b) The EIT accessibility standards at 36 CFR Part 1194 were developed by the Architectural and

Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ("Access Board") and apply to contracts and task/delivery orders, awarded under indefinite quantity contracts on or after June 25, 2001.

(c) Each Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) product or service furnished under this contract shall comply with the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards

(36 CFR 1194), as specified in the contract, as a minimum. If the Contracting Officer determines any furnished product or service is not in compliance with the contract, the

Contracting Officer will promptly inform the Contractor in writing. The Contractor shall, without charge to the Government, repair or replace the non-compliant products or services within the period of time to be specified by the Government in writing. If such repair or replacement is not completed within the time specified, the Government shall have the following recourses:

1. Cancellation of the contract, delivery or task order, purchase or line item without termination liabilities; or

2. In the case of custom Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) being developed by a contractor for the Government, the Government shall have the right to have any necessary changes made or repairs performed by itself or by another firm for the noncompliant EIT, with the contractor liable for reimbursement to the Government for any expenses incurred thereby.

(d) The contractor must ensure that all EIT products that are less than fully compliant with the accessibility standards are provided pursuant to extensive market research and are the most current compliant products or services available to satisfy the contract requirements.

(e) For every EIT product or service accepted under this contact by the Government that does not comply with 36 CFR 1194, the contractor shall, at the discretion of the Government, make every effort to replace or upgrade it with a compliant equivalent product or service, if commercially available and cost neutral, on either a contract specified refresh cycle for the product or service, or on a contract effective option/renewal date; whichever shall occur first. To access more information regarding Section 508: http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm.

4.5 Data Rights:

The Government has unlimited rights to all programs/documents/materials produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

4.6 Printing:

Unless otherwise specified in this contract, the Contractor shall not engage in, nor subcontract for, any printing (as that term is defined in Title I of the Government Printing and Binding

Regulations in effect on the effective date of this contract) in connection with the performance of work under this contract. Provided, however, that performance of a requirement under this contract involving the duplication of less than 5,000 units in the aggregate of multiple pages, will not be deemed to be printing. For the purpose of this paragraph, such pages may not exceed a maximum image size of 10 3/4 by 14 1/4 inches.

4.7 Paperwork Reduction Act:

In the event that it becomes a contractual requirement to collect identical information from ten or more public respondents, the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C., 3501 et seq., shall apply to this contract. In such an event, the Contractor shall not expend any funds to take any other action whatsoever to solicit information from any of the public respondents until the Contracting

Officer has notified the Contractor in writing that the required Office of Management and Budget clearance has been obtained. The Contractor shall provide to the Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR) or to the Contracting Officer such information as will facilitate obtaining such clearance.

http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm

SECTION 5- CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

5.0 Post Award Conference:

Within one week after the orientation meeting, the contractor shall submit to FNS an electronic copy of the draft Summary Memorandum documenting the discussion. It shall summarize the meeting, including an elaboration of project objectives, decisions reached, and identification of any outstanding issues and strategies for resolving them. The final meeting summary (in electronic form) shall incorporate FNS’s comments and be provided to FNS within one week of receiving FNS feedback.

(a) The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements of the contract. This authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the contractor effects any change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting

Officer, the changes 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.

(b) Only the Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist have the authority to contact the contractor to discuss costs and/or technical requirements of the contract.

(c) Contact from other government employees could result in unauthorized commitments.

Government representatives who are working on, or asked to work on, a particular contractual issue should inform and coordinate the activity with the Contracting Officer or COR. The COR must be a part of all contacts and meetings with the contractor that pertain to scope or cost.

Depending on the nature of the meeting, the COR must also give advance notification to the

Contracting Officer or Contract Specialist. All contacts with the contractor must be documented and retained with the COR’s contract correspondence file.

As deemed appropriate, one copy must be forwarded to the Contracting Officer. Examples of documented contacts are providing technical direction, work plan instructions, deliverable rejection, potential changes to the Performance Based Work Statement or delivery schedule, costs and subcontractor or consultant recommendations.

(d) The contractor shall designate one individual to be contacted during the period of the contract for handle contract administration in a prompt and timely manner:

Name:*

Title:*

Phone:*

Email:*

*to be completed by Contractor

(e) Contracting Officer (CO): Sean Merritt

(f) Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Will be provided at award.

5.1 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

Definitions:

“Contracting Officer’s Representative” – The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is designated by the Contracting Officer, in writing, and is contract order specific. The COR is the technical representative for all technical requirements of the specific contract.

“Contracting Officer” – The Contracting Officer (CO) is the exclusive agent of the Government with the authority to enter into, and administer contracts. Thus, the CO has the responsibility to see that all requirements of the law and regulation are followed. The CO is the only individual with authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts. The CO ensures performance of all necessary actions for effecting contracting, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract and safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships.

The COR is not authorized nor has authority to:

Award, agree to, or sign any contract, delivery order or task order. All contractual agreements, commitments, or modifications shall be made only by the CO.

Make any commitments or otherwise obligate the Government, or to make any changes to the contract.

Grant deviations from or waive any of the terms and conditions of the contract.

Impose or place a demand upon the contractor to perform any task or permit any substitution not specifically provided for in the contract.

Increase the dollar limit of the contract, or authorize work beyond the dollar limit of the contract, or authorize the expenditure of funds.

Give direction to the contractor or to the employees of the contractor except as provided for in the contract.

Change the period of performance.

Authorize the purchase of equipment, except as required under the contract.

Authorize the furnishing of Government property, except as required under the contract.

Authorize subcontracting or the use of consultants.

Approve shifts of funding between line items of the budget.

Approve travel and relocation expense over and above that provided for in the contract.

Authorize the use of overtime.

When, in the opinion of the contractor, the COR requests effort outside the existing scope of work, the contractor shall promptly notify the contracting officer in writing. No action shall be taken by the contractor under such direction until the contracting officer has issued a modification to the contract; or until the issue has been otherwise resolved.

5.2 Contractor Performance Assessment Rating:

(a) Pursuant to FAR 42.1502, this contract is subject to Contractor Performance Assessment

Rating System (CPARS) (if over $150,000). CPARS is an automated centralized information system accessible via the internet that maintains reports of contractor performance for each contract. CPARS is located at http://nslcptsmh.navsea.navy.mil/.

Further information on CPARS is available at the website.

(b) Under CPARS, the Government will conduct annual evaluations of the contractor’s performance. The contractor has thirty (30) days after the Government’s evaluation is completed to comment on evaluation. The opportunity to review and comment is limited to this time period and will not be extended. Failure to review the report at this time will not prevent the Government from using the report.

(c) The contractor may request a meeting to discuss the CPAR. The meeting is to be requested via-e-mail to the CPARS Program Manager no later than seven days following receipt of the CPAR. A meeting will then be held during the contractor’s 30-day review period.

(d) The CPARS system requires the Government to assign the contractor a UserID and password in order to view and comment on the evaluation. Provide the name(s) of at least one individual (not more than three) that will be assigned as your Contractor

Representative for CPARS.

Name Phone E-mail Address

5.3 Administrative Submittals:

Administrative submittals shall be certified by the Quality Control representative. Submittals are any documents submitted to the Government for review or reference

5.4 Deliverables

The Government will work diligently to review and return deliverables. However, the

Government has 10 days to review to accept or reject deliverables. If the deliverable(s) are rejected the Government will provide comments. If rejected the 10 days starts over.

5.5 Submission of Invoices:

(a) Invoices shall be submitted to: http://www.ipp.gov/Contractors/index.htm in accordance with the “Authorized Payment Schedule” for each contract/task/order. The contractor shall submit a monthly NAS update at a monthly interval with the monthly progress invoice throughout the life of the project. The submission of an acceptable, updated schedule to the Government is a condition precedent to processing of the Contractor’s pay request for the monthly invoice (see

Network Analysis Schedule). The contractor shall submit the monthly NAS update to the following email address: contractor_schedules@fns.usda.gov.

http://nslcptsmh.navsea.navy.mil/ http://www.ipp.gov/vendors/index.htm mailto:contractor_schedules@fns.usda.gov

To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice must include the following information and/or attached documentation:

1. Name and address of the business concern;

2. Invoice number and invoice date;

3. Contract number, Delivery Order number, Purchase Order number, Task Order number, or other authorization for delivery of property or services actually delivered or rendered;

4. Description, unit price, extended price, and quantity of property and services actually delivered or rendered with supporting documentation (i.e. travel receipts, etc.).

5. Shipping and payment terms;

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

7. A certification statement saying that the funds have only been used for work for this contract;

8. Name, title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice;

9. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or DUNS+4; and

10. Contractors MUST note FINAL INVOICE on the final invoice when submitted upon final delivery of all supplies/equipment or completion of the contract. USDA and the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) – http://www.ipp.gov/Contractors/index.htm

The IPP is a government-wide secure web-based payment information service offered free of charge to government agencies and their suppliers by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s

Financial Management Service (FMS).

One-time enrollment in IPP means that you will receive a series of e-mails from Treasury services. The first email will have the IPP Logon ID and link to the IPP application. A second e-mail, containing the password will be sent within 24 hours. Once you receive these emails, please login to the IPP application and complete the registration process.

Benefits of registering with IPP include the ability for your company to create invoices directly from a contract award and submit them electronically, as well as:

e-mail notification when invoice(s) are paid online payment history remittance download

The e-mail notification of payment is sent when a payment is distributed to your bank account and will include all pertinent payment information. Attached is a list of contract awards that will be processed via IPP.

http://www.ipp.gov/vendors/index.htm

The IPP Customer Support Desk is available to assist users Monday through Friday (excluding bank holidays) from 8:00AM - 6:00PM ET, including answering any questions related to accessing IPP or completing the registration process. Their toll-free number is 866-973-3131 or they can be reached at: IPPCustomerSupport@fms.treas.gov. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Controller Operations Division Help Desk at: 1-877-243-3072 or via e-mail at: cod.help@usda.gov.

mailto:IPPCustomerSupport@fms.treas.gov mailto:cod.help@usda.gov

SECTION 6 PROVISIONS

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items (Jul 2013)

Addendum to 52.212-1 Incorporated by Reference

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.arnet.gov/far/.

Addendum to 52.212-1 Provisions Incorporated in Full Text.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

The Government Shall Not Pay Cost Incurred in Submission of Proposal:

This solicitation does not commit the Government to pay any cost incurred in the submission of the proposal or in making necessary studies of designs for the preparation thereof, nor to contract for services or supplies.

Incorporation of Proposals:

As a practice the Government will not incorporate contractor proposals, unless specifically stated. The Contractor SHALL meet all stated contractual requirements as stated in the solicitation.

Proposed Products and/or Services that Exceeds Minimum Requirements:

For each evaluation FACTOR (title this section “Exceeds Minimum Requirements” under each respective FACTOR); list no more than five significant areas of the FACTOR that exceeded the minimum requirement. For example-

EXCEEDS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

http://www.arnet.gov/far/

FACTOR 1: Technical Approach. 1) Brief description of area(s) that exceeds, 2) Page and paragraph of proposal, 3) Why it exceeds the minimum requirements of the RFQ, and 4) Why it is deemed a strength to the project.

The Government will evaluate the exceed(s) requirements provided to determine whether the proposed products and/or services exceeds the minimum requirements outlined in the RFQ and if it does exceed the minimum requirement it may be documented as a strength.

Assumptions:

All assumptions will be evaluated as part of the individual factor to which they apply. The

Government reserves the right to reject any proposal that includes any assumption that may impact satisfying the Government’s minimum requirements.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Technical and Price Proposal Content and Format:

Offerors shall submit:

Volume I: Technical Proposal

Shall Include:

FACTOR 1: Technical Approach

FACTOR 2: Management Approach

FACTOR 3: Past Performance

Volume II: Price Proposal

Shall Include:

FACTOR 4: Price

Technical Proposal Content and Format:

Responses must be legible, double spaced in a type size not smaller than 12 point font with a one-inch margin on all sides, on paper not larger than eight and a half by eleven inches and not exceeding the page limits established in this solicitation.

The Technical Proposal shall not exceed 15 pages in length, double spacing, 12 point font, one inch margins; resumes and other business information are excluded from the page limit.

Pages shall be numbered consecutively; a page printed on both sided shall be counted as two pages. Pages submitted in excess of the page limitations stated above will be removed and not evaluated.

Note: Technical proposal shall not include any reference to pricing.

Offerors shall provide a cover sheet with the solicitation #, title, date of submittal, acknowledgement of any amendments, Offeror’s name, address, Taxpayer ID number, CAGE code, and Offeror’s POC name, phone number, and email address. The cover sheet shall not count against any page limitation. Mark each SECTION with the correct SECTION letter and contain the information cited below for that SECTION.

Offerors shall submit, as part of their proposal, a table of content referencing the page and paragraph numbers that contain their response/methodology/narrative, on an item-by-item basis to all of the requirements and evaluation criteria listed in the following paragraphs and sub-paragraphs.

SECTION A – Technical Approach

The offerors shall provide a clear and concise written narrative of the technical approach to accomplish each area of concentration outlined in the Performance Work Statement. The proposal shall reflect a substantive understanding of the scope, complexity and requirements associated with the project described in the Performance Work Statement. In addition, the offerors shall provide sufficient detail to indicate a technical understanding of, and capability for, performing all the aspect of the PWS. Identify all uncertainties and make specific proposals for the resolution of any uncertainties.

SECTION B – Management Approach

1) Provide a Project Management Plan for the overall organization that addresses the planning, initiation, implementation, conduct, monitoring and completion of tasks identified in the

Statement of Work. If consultants and/or subcontractors are proposed, include a plan to manage, coordinate, and oversee the work performed by consultants and/or subcontractor(s).

2) Provide a Staffing Plan that describes roles, responsibilities, and level of effort for all technical personnel, including all proposed subcontractors and consultants. Provide an administrative and technical framework indicating clear lines of authority and responsibility for all proposed personnel. Include a chart of the proposed organizational/management structure for the project.

3) Provide a written narrative on the process that will be used to ensure that the Quality Control representative reviews and certifies that all deliverables and submittals meet the requirements of the contract prior to being submitted to the Government for review. The plan must include a description of the quality control methods that will be used to ensure the effective and efficient initiation, implementation, management, and oversight of contract requirements.

4) Provide resumes with the experience, training, expertise and qualifications for all proposed key technical personnel.

Staffing proposed by the offeror shall indicate their labor category, hours per labor category, total staffing hours and work to be performed per labor category: Use the below format.

USE THE BELOW TABLE FORMAT:

Labor Categories Hours

Per

Labor

Category

Work to be Performed Per Labor Category

Staffing Total Hours

SECTION C – Past Performance

The past performance evaluation factor assesses the degree of confidence the Government has in an offeror’s ability to provide products and services that meet users’ needs, based on a demonstrated record of performance.

The Offerors shall provide a description of past performance which contains three (3) relevant projects within the past three years to include contracts or task orders for work of the same or similar to the requirements specified in the PWS. This list must include the contract number, value, description, and technical/contracting points of contact (POC’s). The POC’s names, telephone numbers, agency and e-mail addresses must also be included. Offeror shall send a copy of the Past Performance Questionnaire (see attachment 2) to one contact person from a minimum of three references described above for them to complete the performance questionnaire and send it to the Government via e-mail. The Government is not responsible if one or more references fail to provide a completed Performance Questionnaire. Offerors are also advised that the Government reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from any sources, including Government sources within and outside of USDA and sources outside of the Government.

Price Proposal Content and Format:

Price:

Offeror shall provide the total firm fixed price per CLIN item.

Offeror shall provide a firm fixed price payment schedule.

Use the following pricing table formats:

Chart #1

CLIN CLIN DESCRIPTION CLIN

AMOUNT

001 Conduct formative research on Activity Guides, Family

Handouts and Skills Videos

002 Modify five (5) Activity Guides for Program Operators and five (5) Family Handouts based on feedback from focus groups and pilot testing

003 Option - Modify five (5) Skills Videos based on feedback from focus groups and pilot - provide two drafts and one final deliverable of each Skills Video

TOTAL FFP, including Option line items $

004 *NOT TO EXCEED TRAVEL $

TOTAL $

*Travel in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) contained in 41 Code of Federal

Regulations (CFR), Chapters 300 through 304. This is a cost reimbursable line item. Travel shall not be made unless authorized by the COR. Payment will be made for actual expenses with proper supporting documentation.

Chart #2

CLIN CLIN/PAYMENT DESCRIPTION CLIN

AMOUNT

PAYMENT

AMOUNT

TOTAL(S)

52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items (Jan 1999)

Basis of award:

Proposals received in response to this solicitation will be evaluated by FNS using source selection procedures. The contract award will be based upon an assessment of each offeror’s ability to satisfy the solicitation requirements. The Government will make award to that responsible offeror’s proposal, conforming to the solicitation that is most advantageous to the

Government, price and other factors considered. An award may be made to other than the offeror who offers the lowest price proposal or to other than the best technical proposal.

Relative Importance:

Award will be made to the offeror whose technical proposal and price provide the best value to the government. Factor 1: (Technical Approach) is more important than Factor 2: (Management

Approach), Factor 2: (Management Approach) is more important than Factor 3: (Past

Performance). As a whole, Factors 1, 2, 3, are more important than Factor 4 (Price).

The solicitation will be evaluated using the following factors:

Factor 1 - Technical Approach:

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s technical approach by evaluating the quality of the technical solution for meeting the Government’s minimum requirements and the managing of any associated risk. The Government assessment will consider the potential for disruption of schedule, increased costs, degradation of quality or performance, the need for increased

Government oversight, or the…