Peanut_Soliciation_-_Final.docx

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24 & 30

7. FOR SOLICITATION INFORMATION CONTACT:

a. NAME Beverly Brown BeverlyS.Brown@ams.usda.gov

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (no collect calls) 901-384-3099 ext. 3103

8. OFFER DUE DATE/

LOCAL TIME

3:00 PM CT 07/12/2013

USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Programs 3275 Appling Road Memphis, TN 38133

|X| SMALL BUSINESS |_| EMERGING SMALL

BUSINESS

|_| HUBZONE SMALL |_| 8(A)

BUSINESS

|_| SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

SIZE

STANDARD:

$14.0 million

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINATION

UNLESS BLOCK IS MARKED

See Schedule

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

|_| 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

|_| RFQ |_| IFB |X| RFP

USDA, AMS, Fruit & Vegetable Program 1400 Independence Ave, SW Room 1406-S Washington, DC 20250

See Block 9

FACILITY

USDA, Office of Finance and Management National Finance Center PO Box 60075 New Orleans, LA 70160

TELEPHONE NO.

|X| SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

SEE ATTACHED SCHEDULE

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

|X| 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED.

|_| 27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED.

ADDENDA |X| ARE |_| ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ADDENDA |_| ARE |_| ARE NOT ATTACHED.

Beverly Brown

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 3/2005)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

II. SF1449 CONTINUATION:

A. Schedule of Items:

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

02 Option Period 1, Verification Period: 09/01/14 - 08/31/15 1 Ea ________ ________

03 Option Period II, Verification Period: 09/01/15 - 08/31/16 1 Ea ________ ________

04 Option Period III, Verification Period: 09/01/16 - 08/31/17 1 Ea ________ ________

05 Option Period IV, Verification Period: 09/01/17 - 08/31/18 1 Ea ________ ________

B. Invoicing: Invoices shall be submitted to the following address:

USDA, AMS, F&V, MOAD

ATTN: Laurel May Marketing Order and Agreement Division Room 1406-South STOP 0237 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20250-0226

III. – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT:

PEANUT STANDARDS VERIFICATION

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. BACKGROUND

Peanuts in the United States are produced and marketed with the support of Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies including the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Several State and private agencies assist locally throughout various parts of the marketing chain. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) requires all peanuts marketed in the United States to be inspected and graded by Federal or Federal-State inspectors. Imported peanuts are subject to the same quality and handling standards as domestically produced peanuts. As provided under the Farm Bill, the Peanut Standards Board (Board), which is comprised of peanut industry members, consults with USDA on the establishment and revision of peanut standards.

QUALITY AND STANDARDS:

The Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States (Standards), as amended (7 CFR part 996), were established in 2002 and further modified in 2003. The Standards regulate both the incoming quality of farmers’ stock peanuts and the outgoing quality of peanuts prepared for human consumption. The Standards are applicable to all peanuts produced in or imported into the United States. Grading and inspections are performed by Federal or State inspectors authorized by AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program’s (F&V) Specialty Crops Inspection Division. Inspectors also assign positive lot identification (PLI) for each lot, which follows the lot through the entire marketing chain. Aflatoxin testing and certification is performed by laboratories authorized by AMS’s Science and Technology Programs. Working closely with the AMS F&V Marketing Order and Agreement Division (MOAD), which oversees the Peanut Standards Program, the contractor verifies compliance with the Standards through routine visits to handler facilities and review of inspection and certification documentation. The contractor prepares and forwards case referrals regarding violations to MOAD for enforcement action.

INCOMING AND OUTGOING INSPECTION PROCESSES:

After harvesting and field drying, “farmer stock” peanuts (harvested peanuts that have not been shelled, cleaned, or crushed) are delivered to a buying point. Buying points are facilities owned by handlers to acquire, inspect, and store peanuts delivered from producers. Buying points are usually located within a few miles of where the peanuts are harvested. Upon arrival, peanuts are inspected and graded to establish the field-run quality and value of the product.

Authorized Federal or Federal-State inspectors draw samples by inserting a pneumatic sampler (a long tube with a vacuum attached) into the peanuts in the wagon and withdrawing a representative quantity of peanuts according a specified methodology. From this sample, the inspector determines the milled content, size of pods, percentage of damaged kernels, amount of foreign material, and kernel moisture content. These values are used to determine the grade or classification of the incoming peanuts.

The Standards define three classifications of incoming peanuts: Segregation I, Segregation II, and Segregation III. The classifications refer mainly to the amount of damage and defects found in the kernels. Peanut shellers buy only Segregation I peanuts for use in edible products. The peanuts that are not classified as Segregation I are crushed for oil or diverted to other exempt uses such as animal feed.

Segregation I peanuts move on to the shelling process, where they are stored at handlers’ large, bulk warehouses. Upon removal from the warehouse, the peanuts are cleaned of stones, soil, bits of vines, and other foreign material. The cleaned peanuts then move by conveyor belt through the shelling machines, in which the peanuts are forced through perforated grates, which separate the kernels from the shells. Numerous shakers separate the kernels from the pods. The kernels are then passed over various screens where they are sorted by size into market grades. The kernels are further inspected with electronic eyes, which eliminate the discolored or defective kernels, as well as any remaining foreign material.

Following the cleaning and shelling process, inspectors take samples of the “milled” product for use in the outgoing quality inspection. Imported lots are sampled and inspected at the port-of-entry or at some other location upon arrival in the U.S. All lots are assigned PLI tags at this time, and the PLI tag and documentation follows the assigned lot through the remaining inspection, testing, and marketing chain. The samples are analyzed for moisture, damage, defect, and foreign material. Additional samples are drawn from lots meeting the other quality requirements, and are sent to USDA or USDA-approved laboratories for aflatoxin analysis. A total of up to three tests, as specified in § 996.40 of the Standards, may be required to determine whether the lot is “negative” for aflatoxin, meaning that the aflatoxin content is 15 parts per billion (ppb) or less. If so, the lot is certified and may be shipped for human consumption. Failing lots may be remilled or blanched and then remilled by USDA-approved remillers or blanchers prior to retesting. Otherwise, failing lots are so identified and may be diverted for exempted uses, or may be exported in the case of imports.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

All peanut handlers, importers, remillers, and blanchers are required to maintain PLI on all products (passing and failing) that have been milled and blanched. The PLI tags created and issued by the inspectors during the outgoing or “milled” inspection are color-coded to make lots easier to identify during the subsequent marketing process. Red tags designate those lots that failed to meet outgoing requirements. PLI is maintained on all lot containers. However, once a lot is removed from its container and remilled or blanched, the PLI is lost. A new lot designation with appropriate tags is assigned at the end of the process, and the new lot is subsequently reinspected.

All outgoing inspection certificates and aflatoxin testing results (approximately 90,000 annually) are forwarded to the contractor, who is responsible for monitoring and tracking inspection results in a database.

VIOLATIONS:

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to receive or acquire peanuts intended for subsequent human consumption unless those peanuts have been inspected and certified as meeting the incoming quality requirements specified under § 996.30 of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to ship for human consumption or otherwise dispose of shelled or cleaned inshell peanuts that have not been positive lot identified by an authorized inspector as provided under § 996.40(a) of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to ship for human consumption peanuts that have not been chemically analyzed by a USDA or USDA-approved laboratory and certified “negative” as to aflatoxin as specified under §§ 996.31 – 996.60 of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to ship for human consumption peanuts that have not been inspected and certified as meeting the outgoing minimum quality requirements as specified under §§ 996.31 – 996.60 of the Standards.

It is a violation of the Standards for handlers or importers to fail to submit or maintain reports as specified under § 996.71 of the Standards.

II. OBJECTIVE

The contractor’s primary objective is to verify handler and importer compliance with the established peanut quality and handling standards.

III. SCOPE

AMS provides program oversight and requires the services of a private contractor (contractor) for verification of compliance with the Standards. The contractor will be responsible for performing the required duties as listed below under accountability, compliance, and violations.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The contractor must be able to obtain proof in the form of documentation from the peanut handler that supports the final disposition of failing and remilled lots. The contractor is not responsible for monitoring all incoming inspection results, but only those lots that are considered non-edible (Segregations II and III), in which case the peanut handler must provide adequate documentation to the contractor that supports the non-edible lots were properly disposed.

COMPLIANCE:

The contractor’s compliance efforts focus on ensuring that failing and non-edible quality grades of peanuts do not enter the human consumption marketing chain. Routine surveillance of shelling plants, blanchers, and crushers is a necessary component of the compliance program.

The frequency of visits to handler facilities depends upon the size of the operation and its activities. Regular communications between the inspectors and the contractor is essential in monitoring the activities at different handler operations.

VIOLATIONS:

The contractor is responsible for investigating all complaints of alleged violations. The contractor must maintain an internal record keeping system of complaints received and follow-up actions taken.

The contractor must report all violation cases to AMS, even if the handler or importer took corrective action.

The contractor will send violation cases to AMS as case referrals for review and potential action immediately after substantiating the violations. Referrals should include sufficient information to describe all of the facts of the case and provide all of the necessary documentation to substantiate the violation on its merits. The contractor must ensure that adequate evidence or exhibits have been collected that support the allegations.

IV. CONTRACTOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Reporting and Record Keeping Responsibilities:

a. Publishes all notices as necessary and/or as directed by AMS;

b. Assembles, compiles, and analyzes all information necessary in connection with the performance of the official duties of the contractor;

c. Prepares all resolutions setting forth actions of the contractor as required by AMS;

d. Implements AMS policies;

e. Collects confidential information for AMS compliance purposes;

f. Keeps all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) confidential;

g. Maintains all books and records in accordance with AMS policies and procedures;

h. Prepares reports for AMS;

2. Compliance Oversight:

a. Conducts handler visits on a routine basis as needed and seasonal basis to observe and confirm compliance with the Peanut Standards;

b. Receives, investigates, documents, and reports to AMS complaints of violations;

c. Reviews handler reports for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness;

d. Monitors the disposition of lots that are shipped to exempted outlets using handler records;

e. Prepares correspondence relating to compliance and/or enforcement activities;

f. Tracks and monitors compliance of all outgoing peanut inspection certificates;

g. Tracks and monitors compliance of all aflatoxin lab certificates;

h. Tracks and monitors compliance of all non-edible lots (including incoming inspection certificates);

i. Compiles and reviews monthly acquisition reports from handlers;

j. Monitors compliance of AMS policies and discusses compliance issues with handlers and AMS compliance personnel;

k. Observes cold storage areas and loading docks, if applicable;

l. Conducts handler audits.

3. Enforcement Activities:

a. Prepares case referral reports in a timely manner for enforcement purposes by AMS;

b. Provides AMS with additional information on compliance cases, upon request.

IV. CONTRACT CLAUSES

FAR 52.212-4--Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (Feb 2012)

(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 the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, as amended (41 U.S.C. 601-613). 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—Central Contractor Registration, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than Central Contractor Registration), 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 Section 611 of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-563), 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. 3701, et seq., Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act; 41 U.S.C. 51-58, Anti-Kickback Act of 1986; 41 U.S.C. 265 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. 423 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, and Compliance with Laws Unique to Government Contracts 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) Central Contractor Registration (CCR).

(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 CCR database, and for any liability resulting from the Government’s reliance on inaccurate or incomplete data. To remain registered in the CCR 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 CCR database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating information in the CCR 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 CCR 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 CCR 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 CCR 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 CCR database. Information provided to the Contractor’s CCR 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 CCR accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov or by calling 1-888-227-2423, or 269-961-5757.

FAR 52.217-9 -- Option to Extend the Term of the Contract. (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

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

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years.

AGAR 452.224-70 CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION (FEB 1988)

(a) Confidential information, as used in this clause, means--

(1) information or data of a personal nature, proprietary about an individual, or (2) information or data submitted by or pertaining to an organization.

(b) In addition to the types of confidential information described in (a)(1) and (2) above, information which might require special consideration with regard to the timing of its disclosure may derive from studies or research, during which public disclosure of primarily invalidated findings could create an erroneous conclusion which might threaten public health or safety if acted upon.

(c) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify elsewhere in this contract specific information and/or categories of information which the Government will furnish to the Contractor or that the Contractor is expected to generate which is confidential.

Similarly, the Contracting Officer and the Contractor may, by mutual consent, identify such confidential information from time to time during the performance of the contract. Failure to agree will be settled pursuant to the "Disputes" clause.

(d) If it is established that information to be utilized under this contract is subject to the Privacy Act, the Contractor will follow the rules and procedures of disclosure set forth in the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and implementing regulations and policies, with respect to systems of records determined to be subject to the Privacy Act.

(e) Confidential information, as defined in (a)(1) and (2) above, shall not be disclosed without the prior written consent of the individual, institution or organization.

(f) Written advance notice of at least 45 days will be provided to the Contracting Officer of the Contractor's intent to release findings of studies or research, which have the possibility of adverse effects on the public or the Federal agency, as described in (b) above. If the Contracting Officer does not pose any objections in writing within the 45 day period, the Contractor may proceed with disclosure. Disagreements not resolved by the Contractor and Contracting Officer will be settled pursuant to the "Disputes" clause.

(g) Whenever the Contractor is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of material under the contract, or if the material in question is subject to the Privacy Act or is confidential information subject to the provisions of this clause, the Contractor shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer prior to any release, disclosure, dissemination, or publication.

(h) The provisions of paragraph (e) of this clause shall not apply when the information is subject to conflicting or overlapping provisions in other Federal, State or local laws.

AGAR 452.237-75 RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep all information contained in source documents or other media furnished by the Government in the strictest confidence.

The Contractor also agrees not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or in part in any manner or form, or to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor's possession, 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 in writing, the Contracting Officer, named herein, in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

(b) The Contractor agrees not to disclose any information concerning the work under this contract to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer. The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.

AGAR 452.209 – 70 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION (DEVIATION 2012-01) (FEB 2012):

(a) Awards made under this solicitation are subject to the provisions contained in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. No. 112-55), Division A, Sections 738 and 739 regarding corporate felony convictions and corporate federal tax delinquencies. To comply with these provisions, all offerors must complete paragraph (1) of this representation, and all corporate offerors also must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of this representation.

(b) The Offeror represents that –

(1) The Offeror is [ ], is not [ ] (check one) an entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the various territories of the United States including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands. (Note that this includes both for-profit and non-profit organizations.)

If the Offeror checked “is” above, the Offeror must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of the representation. If Offeror checked “is not” above, Offeror may leave the remainder of the representation blank.

(2) (i) The Offeror has [ ], has not [ ] (check one) been convicted of a felony criminal violation under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of offer.

(ii) The Offeror has [ ], has not [ ] (check one) had any officer or agent of Offeror convicted of a felony criminal violation for actions taken on behalf of Offeror under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of offer.

(3) The Offeror does [ ], does not [ ] (check one) have any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability.

AGAR 452.209 – 71 ASSURANCE REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION OR TAX DELINQUENT STATUS FOR CORPORATE APPLICANTS:

(a) This award is subject to the provisions contained in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012, P.L. No. 112-55, Division A, Sections 738 and 739 regarding corporate felony convictions and corporate federal tax delinquencies. Accordingly, by accepting this award the contractor acknowledges that it –

(1) does not have a tax delinquency, meaning that it is not subject to any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, and

(2) has not been convicted (or had an officer or agent acting on its behalf convicted) of a felony criminal violation under any Federal or State law within 24 months preceding the award, unless a suspending and debarring official of the United States Department of Agriculture has considered suspension or debarment of the awardee, or such officer or agent, based on these convictions and/or tax delinquencies and determined that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.

(b) If the awardee fails to comply with these provisions, the AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Programs may terminate this contract for default and may recover any funds the awardee has received in violation of sections 738 or 739.

FAR 52.212-5 -- Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items. (Jan 2013)

(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) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

____ Alternate I (AUG 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(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) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

(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:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] _X_ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

___ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

___ (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 (Aug 2012) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5).

_X_ (6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’ Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (7) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Feb 2012) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

_X_ (8) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (May 2012) (section 738 of Division C of Public Law 112-74, section 740 of Division C of Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Pub. L. 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Pub. L. 110-161).

___ (9) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (10) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (11) [Reserved] _X_ (12) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2011).

___ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2011).

___ (13) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

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

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

___ (14) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

___ (15) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jan 2011) (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 (July 2010) of 52.219-9.

___ (16) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

_X__ (17) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

___ (18) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

___ (19) (i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (Oct 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer).

___ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23.

___ (20) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Dec 2010) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

___ (21) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

___ (22) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

_X_ (23) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

___ (24) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

___ (25) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Apr 2012) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

_X_ (26) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

___ (27) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Mar 2012) (E.O. 13126).

_X_ (28) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

_X_ (29) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

_X_ (30) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (31) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).

_X_ (32) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (33) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

___ (34) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jul 2012). (Executive Order 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) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

___ (37) (i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (Dec 2007) (E.O. 13423).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Dec 2007) of 52.223-16.

_X_ (38) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Aug 2011).

___ (39) 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d).

___ (40) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (Nov 2012) (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, Pub. L. 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 (Mar 2012) of 52.225-3.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2012) of 52.225-3.

___ (iv) Alternate III (Nov 2012) of 52.225-3.

___ (41) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Nov 2012) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

_X_ (42) 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).

___ (43) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (44) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (45) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___ (46) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

_X_ (47) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (48) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (49) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (50) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

___ (51) (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:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ___ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (7) 52.222-17, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (Jan 2013) (E.O. 13495).

___ (8) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247).

___ (9) 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,…