Solicitation_AG-63PX-S-16-0007.doc

Solicitation: AG-63PX-S-16-0007 Publication Production Services Page 27 of 27

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

AG-63PX-S-16-0007

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

Attn: AG-63PX-S-16-0007

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

(Hour)

(Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated:

15A.

NAME AND ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code and extension)

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

FORMCHECKBOX

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

FORMCHECKBOX

10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (

FORMCHECKBOX

41 U.S.C. 253(c) (

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

PART I – THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS – Publication Production Services

Number Pages

Editing

Proofreading

Preparing manuscript files for layout (Same rate as proofreading)

Consultation with Author n/a

Consultation with Editorial Staff n/a

Option Year Pricing - Unit prices are subject to negotiation prior to option renewals.

AGAR 452.216-73 Minimum and Maximum Contract Amounts (FEB 198) During the period specified in FAR clause 52.216-18, ORDERING, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $500, but not in excess of $250,000 (includes base and four option years).

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988) The period of performance of this contract is from date of award through 12 months from date of base award and through 12 months from date of award for four option years.

OTHER SCHEDULE INFORMATION

Return pages: 1 through 3 with your Proposal via:

USDA Forest Service

Northern Research Station

Attn: AG-63PX-S-16-0007 1992 Folwell Avenue

St. Paul, MN 55108 or email: mikeash@fs.fed.us Offeror must be registered in the System for Award Management www.sam.gov prior to receiving a Federal contract.

Submit the following information with proposal:

DUNS Number: ____________________________ and

Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN): __________________________

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE STATEMENT OF WORK

A. INTRODUCTION

The Contractor shall provide editing, proofreading and other quality control, consultation with the author to revise a manuscript, consultation with the editorial staff on style issues, preparing files for layout, and other related assignments.

Under this contract, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA Forest Service), Northern Research Station (NRS) Office of Communications and Science Delivery, Production Services group will order editing and proofreading services for all NRS Staff.

In general, documents, manuscripts, and publications covered by this contract will be prepared with the reader in mind and, generally, within the following parameters:

1. Subject Matter. Topics include technical/scientific related to forestry, climate change, silviculture, forest inventory and analysis, biometrics, forest economics, wildlife, and other environment-related topics

2. Audience. The type of audience may be specified on the Task Order and may range from high school graduate and general public, to top-level management in administrative, technical, and scientific fields or to Congressional Committees and Executive Staff.

3. Methods. The format and style, techniques, and method of presentation shall be consonant with Forest Service standards, guides, styles, practices, type of production planned, and with the particular audience identified.

B. BACKGROUND

We will be relying on contracting services to supplement NRS publication staff in developing administrative documents and publications. Publications inform the general public, other government agencies, Congress, and/or cooperators of Forest Service programs.

Under the direction of the USDA Forest Service, the Contractor will edit, prepare, and deliver hard copy or electronic files that will be used for publications, both printed and electronic publishing.

C. SCOPE

Period of Performance: The Contractor shall furnish service in support of USDA Forest Service publications programs from date of award through 12 months, or until the maximum delivery orders have been reached.

Under this procurement, the total value of task orders issued will be a minimum of $500, and a maximum of $250,000 (includes one base and four option years).

The USDA Forest Service NRS may purchase from any source deemed appropriate for services or supplies that the Contracting Officer (CO) determines are not normally available through the Contractor or those the Forest Service is required to procure through USDA. Examples might include highly technical, subject specific manuscripts, the subject of which is beyond the scope of the contractor.

Prices include all costs for or derived from administration, consultation, contract program planning (that may or may not result in a Task Order), or for review of work in progress or deliverables, or for negotiating specific approaches and schedules and work levels; supervision and control; facilities and equipment; common materials and supplies; overhead, services, and labor; and for pickup and delivery as may be necessary for satisfactory performance.

Hand delivery or tracked delivery service is required on all Task Orders and deliverables. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, email and ftp sites may be used for the delivery of documents.

All materials identified in each Task Order shall be delivered by the Contractor - FOB Destination to the Forest Service facility or personnel cited in the Task Order.

Projected work requests for a twelve (12) month period for the Office of Communications and Science Delivery.

The following number of orders, pages, pieces, or other items cited herein are ESTIMATES ONLY; such estimates are based upon the previous experience and averages during the period FY11 – FY14. NO GUARANTEE IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED THAT THE NUMBERS CITED HEREIN ARE EITHER THE MAXIMUM OR THE MINIMUM QUANTITIES THAT MAY BE ORDERED DURING THE TERM OF THIS CONTRACT.

(for 12 months) Estimated Pages/Pieces per Order

Forest Service Research Series:

Resource Bulletins

D. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

The Contractor shall use the following MANDATORY STANDARDS, GUIDES, REFERENCES, AND AUTHORITIES in the production of all deliverables unless specific written instructions to the contrary are issued by the ordering office.

1. Primary Documents

a. GPO Style Manual, 2008

b. Webster’s New International Dictionary

c. PNW Writers Guide for Literature Cited (current edition). Pacific Northwest Research Station.

(Available through NRS Production Services, Contracting Officer’s Representative)

2. Additional Documents

a. Checklist of United States Trees, Agriculture Handbook No. 541, by Elbert L. Little, Jr., published by USDA Forest Service

b. PLANTS database. http://plants.usda.gov/

c. Other documents or guides as needed and specified by the USDA Forest Service that might be unique to the project, i.e., commercial publisher specifications

E. KEY PERSONNEL

1. Contractor

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

a. Project Manager. The standards for the Project Manager are defined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Handbook X-118, Qualification Standards for Positions under the General Schedules, GS-1082-13, Information Ars Series (available at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-III/A/num-NDX.HTM). In addition to writing and editing experience, the project manager should have a working knowledge of publication processes.

b. Senior Writer/Editor. The standards for Senior Writer/Editor are defined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Handbook X-118, Qualification Standards for Positions under the General Schedules, GS-1082-12, Writing and Editing Series (available at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-III/A/num-NDX.HTM).

During the first 60 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 CO within 15 calendar days after the occurrence of any of these events and provide the information required by the following paragraph. After the initial 60-day period, the Contractor shall submit the information required by the following paragraph to the CO at least 15 days prior to making any permanent substitutions.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the CO. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the person being replaced. The CO 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.

2. Government.

The CO will appoint by letter a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), who will have the responsibility of ensuring that the work conforms to the requirement of the contract and such other responsibilities and authorities as may be specified in the letter of authorization. The resultant Contractor is hereby forewarned that— absent the requisite authority of the COR to make any such changes—it may be held fully responsible for any changes not authorized in advance, in writing, by the CO; may be denied compensation or other relief for any additional work performed that is not so authorized; and may also be required—at no additional cost to the Government—to take all corrective action necessitated by reason of the unauthorized changes.

F. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. General

All materials and data produced by the Contractor in performance under this contract, or in work in support thereof, are and shall be the sole property of the U.S. Government. Unlimited rights in ownership, usage, and equity for such materials and data are and shall be transferred without reservation to the U.S. Government.

For all items deliverable to the U.S. Government under this contract, the Contractor shall identify the source of all material used in production or preparation of those items for which the source is not the original output and work of the Contractor and Contractor’s employees. Such material includes, but is not limited to, writing, artwork, photography, tables, graphs, logos, and symbols.

The Contractor shall exclude from the deliverable items all material for which the Contractor does not have full, exclusive, and unlimited rights in usage, and in the transfer of such rights of ownership and usage to the U.S. Government, except as provided:

a. Releases. For all material that previously was published, used, or developed by sources other than the Contractor and the Contractor’s employees, the Contractor shall obtain, prior to inclusion of that material in the deliverable items, all necessary releases, permission, and rights for unrestricted usage by the U.S. Government of such material, whether or not the material was copyrighted.

b. Document. The documents containing releases, permission, and rights for usage shall be delivered to the U.S. Government with the materials.

2. Task Items

The following describes specific requirements, methods, and technical controls for the performance of work under this contract. Categories of work are listed as Task Items with levels within each item. Task Items, and levels within each item, may be ordered separately or in addition to other Task Items.

Page counts for any Task Item are based on the following formats:

a. Format I. A page (8-1/2 x 11 inches) having a standardized image area that accommodates an average of 550 terms of typed or display-set material, or combinations of illustrations and typed material (10- to 12 -point type) with a proportional reduction in the number of terms in the image area.

b. Format II. A similar page (8-1/2 x 11 inches) having an average of 650 terms (8- or 9-point type) in the image area.

c.

Format III. A page (5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches) having a standardized image area that accommodates an average of 400 terms (9- to 10-point type) of typed or display-set material, or combinations of illustrations and typed material with a proportional reduction in the number of terms in the image area.

Detailed instructions covering basic, standard grammatical rules, spelling, abbreviation, or writing style, or detailed instructions on the preparation of related drafting, illustrating, or other art and graphic services may not be included in all orders for services.

3. Editing

a. Description: Editing includes revising and reorganizing text to improve readability and precision and correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style. Editing may also include developing abstracts, indexes, tables, captions, references, citations, and footnotes.

Editing shall be performed to—

i. Develop material in a format consistent with approved outline and style as shown in guides and instructions on Task Orders.

ii. Divide subject matter to present related data within sections and subsections and to avoid overlapping and duplication.

iii. Make contents, lists, appendices, indexes, and other data consistent with text, guides, and with continuity so that work appears to be that of one person.

iv. Eliminate use of passive construction and, wherever possible, use the active present construction.

v. Maintain consistency in use of tense.

b. Contract Management Requirements

i. Staff Qualifications. Editing shall be performed by the Contractor’s professional staff. The senior writer/editor must meet standards as defined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Handbook X-118 Qualification Standards for Positions Under the General Schedules, GS-1082-12 Information Arts Series (available at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-III/A/num-NDX.HTM). The standard for the journey-level editor is GS-1082-9.

ii. Deliverables. All material produced by the Contractor for which only EDITING has been requested shall be delivered as a double-spaced typed manuscript with marks that reflects the editor’s work OR in a MS Word document using the track-edit function.

The manuscript shall be suitable for reading and technical review by the Forest Service authors or management staff, who are NOT trained or knowledgeable in editorial marking.

The typed manuscript shall be reviewed and corrected by the Contractor’s quality control personnel prior to delivery. THE PRODUCTION (INCORPORATION OF CONTRACTOR EDITOR’S MARKS), QUALITY CONTROL, CORRECTION, AND SINGLE FACSIMILE COPY OF THE DOUBLE-SPACED TYPED MANUSCRIPT ARE NOT SEPARATE ITEMS CHARGEABLE UNDER “PROOFREADING,” OR “MATERIALS.”

In addition to, or instead of, a double-spaced typed manuscript, the Government may order a red-line edit directly on Government furnished manuscripts.

The contract editor should query any obscure or confusing statements in Government-furnished material. The contractor should maintain notes concerning resolution of queries and provide these notes to Government technical and editorial staff. The contract editor shall avoid confusing or distorting the intent of the material.

c. Levels of Work

i. Editing, Level A. Comprehensive review of Government-furnished material, including:

a) Ensuring accuracy in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

b) Checking completeness, accuracy, consistency, and format of tables, bibliographies, references, and footnotes.

c) Eliminating wordiness and reviewing the content for logic.

d) Ensuring manuscript adheres to chosen style (in most cases, GPO style).

e) Ensuring that acronyms are defined on first use and used consistently throughout the manuscript.

f) Checking construction of verbs, nouns, etc., for parallel construction, consistency, and correct style.

g) Querying, as appropriate, external text references to Forest Service publications and directives.

h) Verifying cross-references, text citations, and callouts.

i) Maintaining consistency in subjunctive construction.

j) Querying use of jargon, clichés, and redundancies.

k) Querying text written in the passive voice and suggesting rewrites.

l) Identifying and eliminating bias (e.g., gender, race, ethnic) in text.

Editors qualified at or above the journey level shall perform work.

ii. Editing, Level B. Includes restructuring up to one-third of the Government-furnished material to ensure that it is well organized, clearly written, and communicates with its audiences. LEVEL B EDITING INCLUDES ALL APPLICABLE ELEMENTS OF LEVEL A, Level B includes reorganizing and rewriting text that—

a) Is unclear or redundant.

b) Has unsupported conclusions or gaps in logic.

c) Contains jargon and clichés.

d) Is written in the passive voice.

e) Does not contain parallel construction.

f) Contains biased language.

g) Is not written with a natural rhythm.

Work shall be performed by writers or editors qualified at the Senior Level.

iii. Editing, Level C. I LEVEL C EDITING INCLUDES ALL APPLICABLE ELEMENTS OF LEVELS A AND B, and also includes restructuring of up to two-thirds, but more than one-third of Government-furnished material to ensure that it is well organized, clearly written, and communicates with its audiences.

Work shall be performed by writers or editors qualified at the Senior Level.

4. Proofreading

a. Description. Consists of cross-reading and proper marking of errors and queries of Government-furnished manuscripts, drafts, and final copy.

Proofreading may be ordered for ONLY COMPARISON of manuscript and composition.

QUALITY CONTROL OF CONTRACTOR-PRODUCED MATERIAL IS NOT CHARGEABLE UNDER THIS ITEM. ALL MATERIALS PRODUCED BY THE CONTRACTOR MUST BE DELIVERED CORRECTED AND IN THE PROPER AND CONSISTENT STYLE.

b. Contract Management Requirements.

i. Staff Qualifications. A qualified proofreader or editor shall perform work.

ii. Deliverables. Proofreader shall mark the copy to indicate discrepancies in style, format, or internal consistency. Unless otherwise noted on the Task Order, proofreading shall ensure that copy is prepared in accordance with the technical specifications herein or internal standards provided by the Task Order.

5. Consultation with Author for Revisions

a. Description. Upon completion of editing, the Contractor MAY be asked to return the edited manuscript directly to the author and to work with the author to appropriately revise the manuscript, based on the Contractor’s recommendations. Throughout this process, the COTR will be kept apprised of the progress, questions, and disagreements the author may have with the Contractor’s recommendations. If the Contractor and author cannot agree on an aspect of the final, revised manuscript, the COTR will make any and all decisions regarding the final form of the manuscript, or any portion therein.

b. Contract Management Requirements.

i. Staff Qualifications. A qualified editor shall perform the work.

ii. Deliverables. Editor shall complete this task by obtaining a final manuscript, with all related files, in a form ready for layout in accordance with the technical specifications herein or internal standards provided by the Task Order.

6. Preparation of Files for Layout

a. Description. The Contractor may be asked to prepare final files for layout. This task includes:

i. Assuring all manuscript text is in final form, and includes an abstract, author affiliation, library card, any applicable disclaimers, cover artwork.

ii. Literature cited section is in proper style; that citations that include Internet URLs are accurate

iii. All figures are present, complete, and in a format required for layout

iv. All tables are present, complete, and in a format required for layout

v. Files are organized in such a way that the layout staff can locate and understand all aspects of the manuscript

b. Contract Management Requirements.

i. Staff Qualifications. A qualified editor shall perform the work.

ii. Deliverables. Electronic files are submitted submitted to the Production Services office in accordance with the technical specifications herein or internal standards provided by the Task Order.

7. Consultation with editorial group, layout staff, or production services group leader on status of projects, revisions, editing and style guidelines, or other administrative matters.

a. Description. The Contractor may be asked to participate in group conferences for a variety of reasons. Conferences should be no more than 1 hour in duration. There should be no more than 3 conferences per project. The Contractor also will be asked to consult with layout staff and serve as a liaison between the author and production staff, where appropriate.

b. Contract Management Requirements.

i. Staff Qualifications. A qualified editor shall perform the work.

ii. Deliverables. Contractor will provide a list or activities (and time duration) for each task performed under “consultation” services.

G. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TASK ITEMS

1. Liaison and Response Time

The Government will notify the Contractor of the need for services by telephone or email. Within 3 days after the Government notifies the Contractor of the need for services, the Contractor shall pick up, or shall receive via email, a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Government. At the Government’s discretion, the government will send materials to the contractor.

a. Normal/Routine Schedule. All such requests and the Contractor’s response time shall be within the hours beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding official Government nonwork days.

b. Critical Schedule. The Contractor’s response time shall be within 5 days after the Government notifies the Contractor of the Government’s need for such services. Additional time to respond may be requested by contractor for circumstances including vacation, illness, or other out-of-office time.

2. Procedures for Estimating/Ordering

a. Request for Estimate. For each job, the Government will provide the source data and/or a Request for Proposal that contains all the specifications for making an estimate and performing the work. The Request for Proposal will include the specific Task Items requested and respective levels thereof.

b. Contract Estimate.

i. Response Time.

a) For routine work on normal schedule, the Contractor shall provide an informal estimate of the cost and time of performance within 120 working hours (5 days) or sooner if specified, after receiving Government’s written Request for Proposal. Written confirmation of such estimates shall be provided to the Government within 48 working hours after receiving the Government’s Request for Estimate. Use of telefax or email are acceptable methods for providing estimates to the Government.

b) For critical schedule work and short time allowances (e.g., “rush job,” “short delivery time,” “overtime work”), the Contractor shall provide an informal estimate of costs and time within 24 hour after receiving Government’s written Request for Proposal. Written confirmation shall be provided to the Government within 8 hours after receiving the Government’s oral or written Request for Estimate.

ii. Estimating Procedures. The Contractor shall include sufficient information with the Estimate to show a complete understanding of the task and of the requirements of costs and time for performance of the work:

a) As necessary to prepare an Estimate based on a thorough understanding of work requirements, the Contractor shall request clarification of information provided on the Request for Estimate.

b) The cost cited on the Contractor’s estimate shall include all costs for completion of the work as described in the Request for Proposal and will be based on the current year pricing for each Task Item as defined in the Schedule of Items. Pricing for Task Items on the Schedule of Items should include overhead costs, such as consultation of Contractor with Government employees.

c) The time requirements cited on the Contractor’s Estimate shall include the number of working days required to deliver the completed work to the facilities cited by the Government. If the time exceeds the due date specified by the Government on the Request for Proposal, the Contractor must negotiate a new deadline with the COTR.

d) As may be required by changes in directions, deadlines, or inaccurate estimate of costs or time, the Contractor shall prepare an Amended Estimate, as described under Amendment to the Task Order.

iii. Task Order. The estimated units of labor and quantity of materials will be negotiated on an individual job basis and will be ordered by the CO or COTR issuing a formal Task Order specifying services, instructions, and delivery requirements.

a) The Contractor should not begin work until a Task Order is received. The Government will not pay for work performed without the issuance of a Task Order.

b) The Contractor shall not perform work in excess of the total value cited on the pertinent Task Order and formal amendments thereto. The Government is not obligated to pay for work performed in excess of the Task Order or formal amendments.

c) The number of calendar days for delivery is established by the CO or COTR on the basis of Government need and is not to exceed the work capacity of the Contractor as set forth in the Minimum Daily Productivity Standards, unless the Contractor accepts the excess of work without overtime charges or overtime work is authorized.

iv. Amendment to Task Order. Amendments based on changes in directions, increased quantities, or inaccurate estimate of costs or time will be negotiated on an individual job basis. Amendments to Task Orders are required for any change in the original Task Order prior to doing the excess work.

a) PRIOR TO DOING EXCESS WORK, the Contractor shall prepare an Amended Estimate of Costs and Time that would be required to perform the excess work.

b) If acceptable to the Government, the Government will authorize the additional work and costs thereof by issuing an Amendment to the Task Order.

c) AFTER COMPLETION OF A JOB, the Contractor shall not SUBMIT AN AMENDMENT FOR WORK PERFORMED in excess of the total value cited on the pertinent Task Order and formal amendments thereto. The Government is not obligated to pay for work performed in excess of the Task Order or formal amendments.

v. Delivery. The proper delivery of a final product or service shall be made by no later than midnight on the date specified on the Task Order.

vi. Invoice. After delivery of an acceptable final product or service to the Government, and after the COTR has notified the contractor that the work is acceptable, the Contractor may submit an invoice for payment based on the value cited in the original Task Order or formal amendment.

The Contractor shall be paid for units worked or delivered and accepted on such orders up to the value cited in the original Task Order or in a formal Amendment to the Task Order. No additional payment will be authorized beyond the value specified in the original Task Order or formal amendment.

3. Minimum Daily Productivity Standards

The following table sets forth the schedule of minimum daily productivity standards required on Task Orders issued by the Forest Service. It will also be used as the basis for establishing schedules for completion of work and delivery thereof on each Task Order issued under this contract.

(8 hr day)

Editing

Preparing manuscript files for layout

(same rate as proofreading) 100 pages

4. Inspection, Acceptance, Qualifications and Quality Control

a. The Contractor shall provide and maintain an internal quality control system acceptable to the Government and covering all services under this contract. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during contract performance.

b. Unless specifically accepted by the Government, final work submitted by the Contractor shall be inspected by the Government for both technical- and publication-related matters. The Government shall perform inspection in a manner that will not unduly delay the work.

i. Subsequent reviews may be required when Contractor’s work is corrected or rejected because of errors or unacceptable work by the Contractor, as described in Performance.

ii. Rework caused by errors or unacceptable quality made by the Contractor is “CORRECTION,” and is NOT chargeable to the Government, and NO INCREASE WILL BE ALLOWED IN PRICE OR TIME for completion and delivery of the work.

iii. Rework caused by any changes made by the Government is “CHANGING,” or “AUTHOR’S ALTERATIONS,” and such rework is chargeable to the Government when such rework and resulting estimates of additional cost and time are approved PRIOR TO DOING SUCH ADDITIONAL WORK (as evidenced by an amended Task Order).

c. The Contractor shall advise the COTR of any need to have cognizant Government Staff personnel review technical validity of subject matter BEFORE the Contractor contacts the cognizant Government Staff personnel. The Contractor shall review publication-related matters with the COTR who issued the applicable Task Order.

5. Quality Assurance

The Government shall monitor and evaluate Contractor’s performance by examining a random sample of each LOT delivered.

a. LOT. Includes all deliverables resulting from work cited in the single Task Order.

i. For publication material, a LOT includes all deliverables of text and related illustrations and tables cited in the Task Order. The number of PAGES in the SAMPLE is based on the number of PAGES in the Lot for each specified FORMAT.

ii. For “stand-alone” Graphic Units, a LOT includes all finished artwork cited in the Task Order. The SAMPLE is the total work in the LOT.

b. SAMPLE. The size or portion of the LOT examined for determination of acceptability is based on the number of units in the LOT. The Government shall review the SAMPLE to determine Contractor’s compliance with specific requirements:

i. DIRECTIONS in the Task Orders (including descriptions, notes, samples, etc., attached thereto).

ii. APPLICABLE SPECIFICATIONS, STANDARDS, GUIDES.

iii. LEVEL of ACCURACY in work.

iv. TIMELINESS of Contractor’s delivery.

c. The objective of PERFORMANCE EVALUATION is to maintain a quality level in which the error rate does not exceed .00025 (.025 percent) across all projects. The PERFORMANCE EVALUATION shall determine ACCEPTABILITY of the LOT, based on the maximum number of allowable ERRORS in the SAMPLE.

d. ERROR. Presentation of material that is contrary to the guides, standards, or directions that are pertinent to the deliverables or to the tasks cited in the Request for Proposal, Estimate, Task Order, or other instructions provided to the Contractor.

e. The MAXIMUM NUMBER of ERRORS that are allowable in the SAMPLE, and the resulting PERCENTAGE of ERROR RATE are provided in tables 3a through 3d, herein.

i. Each defect/mistake is counted as one ERROR only, and is included in the total number of ERRORS in the SAMPLE, regardless of the category or level of work in which any error may have occurred.

ii. The Government shall return to the Contractor any LOT for which ERRORS are noted in the SAMPLE; the Contractor shall review the LOT and correct ALL ERRORS in the LOT, including those not identified by the Government.

iii. The Government shall make subsequent reviews for any LOT in which the ERRORS noted in the SAMPLE exceed the number allowed; the Contractor shall correct ALL ERRORS in the LOT. This process shall be repeated and payment on the applicable invoice shall be withheld until the SAMPLE reflects acceptable work as described herein. Payment for work that is delivered late will depend solely on the Government’s determination of usability of any LOT that is delivered late. Determination of usability shall be made by the CO and shall be final.

PART II--CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I--CONTRACT CLAUSES

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. The full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses: www.arnet.gov/far/ www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

52.202-1 Definitions (NOV 2013) 52.203-3 Gratuities (APR 1984)

52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees (MAY 2014)

52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (SEP 2006)

52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures (MAY 2014)

52.203-8 Cancellation, Rescission, and Recovery of Funds for Illegal or Improper Activity (MAY 2014)

52.203-10 Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity (MAY 2014)

52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (OCT 2010)

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To Inform

Employees of Whistleblower Rights. (APR 2014)

52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double- Sided on Recycled Paper (MAY 2011)

52.204-7 System for Award Management (JUL 2013) 52.204-8 Annual Representations and Certifications (JAN 2005) 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance.(JUL 2013)

52.204-15 Service Contract Reporting Requirements For Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (JAN

2014) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (AUG 2013)

52.215-2 Audit and Records -- Negotiation (OCT 2010)

52.215-8 Order of Precedence--Uniform Contract Format (OCT 1997)

52.216-2 Economic Price Adjustment – Standard Supplies (JAN 1997)

52.217-2 Cancellation Under Multiyear Contracts (OCT 1997

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (MAY 2004) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Nov 2011)

52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUN 2003)

52.222-4 Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act -- Overtime Compensation

(MAY 2014)

52.222-17 Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers (MAY 2014)

52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015)

52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (APR 2015)

52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and other Eligible Veterans (JUL 2014)

52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2014))

52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and other Eligible Veterans (JUL 2014) 52.222-41 Service Contract Act of 1965, as Amended (MAY 2014) 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act--Price Adjustment (Multiple

Year and Option Contracts) (NOV 2014) 52.222-46 Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (FEB 1993)

52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification (MAY 2012)

52.223-2 Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction

Contracts (Sep 2013) 52.223-6 Drug-Free Workplace (MAY 2001)

52.223-17 Affirmative Procurement of EPA-Designated Items in Service and Construction

Contracts. (MAY 2008)

52.223-15 Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (DEC 2007) 52.227-1 Authorization and Consent DEC 2007)

52.227-2 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copyright Infringement (DEC 2007)

52.227-14 Rights in Data General (MAY 2014)

52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes (APR 2013)

52.232-1 Payments (APR 84)

52.232-8 Discounts for Prompt Payment (FEB 2002)

52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments (APR 1984)

52.232-11 Extras (APR 1984)

52.232-17 Interest (MAY 2014) 52.232-19 Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (APR 1984) 52.232-25 Prompt Payment (JUL 2013)

52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Central Contractor Registration (JUL 2013) 52.233-1 Disputes (MAY 2014)

52.233-3 Protest After Award (AUG 1996)

52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004)

52.242-13 Bankruptcy (JUL 1995)

52.242-17 Government Delay of Work (APR 1984) 52.243-1 Changes--Fixed-Price (AUG 1987)--Alternate I (APR 1984)

52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items (Apr 2015) 52.245-2 Government Property Installation Operation Services. (APR 2012) 52.246-4 Inspection of Services--Fixed-Price (AUG 1996)

52.246-25 Limitation of Liability—Services (FEB 1997)

52.249-2 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (MAY 2004)

52.249-8 Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service) (APR 1984) 52.253-1 Computer Generated Forms (JAN 1991)

AGRICULTURE ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 4) CLAUSES

452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure (FEB 1988)

52.204-7 -- System for Award Management. (Jul 2013)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

“Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number” means the 9-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to identify unique business entities.

“Data Universal Numbering System+4 (DUNS+4) number” means the DUNS number means the number assigned by D&B plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned by a business concern. (D&B has no affiliation with this 4-character suffix.) This 4-character suffix may be assigned at the discretion of the business concern to establish additional System for Award Management records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see the FAR at Subpart 32.11) for the same concern.

“Registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database” means that—

(1) The Offeror has entered all mandatory information, including the DUNS number or the DUNS+4 number, the Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) code, as well as data required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (see Subpart 4.14), into the SAM database; and

(2) The offeror has completed the Core, Assertions, and Representations and Certification, and Points of contact sections of the registration in the SAM database;

(3) The Government has validated all mandatory data fields, to include validation of the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Offeror will be required to provide consent for TIN validation to the Government as a part of the SAM registration process.

(4) The Government has marked the record “Active”.

(b)

(1) By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation.

(2) The offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation “DUNS” or “DUNS+4” followed by the DUNS or DUNS+4 number that identifies the offeror’s name and address exactly as stated in the offer. The DUNS number will be used by the Contracting Officer to verify that the offeror is registered in the SAM database.

(c) If the offeror does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one.

(1) An offeror may obtain a DUNS number—

(i) Via the internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or if the offeror does not have internet access, it may call Dun and Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 if located within the United States; or

(ii) If located outside the United States, by contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office. The offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a U.S. Government contract when contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office.

(2) The offeror should be prepared to provide the following information:

(i) Company legal business name.

(ii) Tradestyle, doing business, or other name by which your entity is commonly recognized.

(iii) Company physical street address, city, state and Zip Code.

(iv) Company mailing address, city, state and Zip Code (if separate from physical).

(v) Company telephone number.

(vi) Date the company was started.

(vii) Number of employees at your location.

(viii) Chief executive officer/key manager.

(ix) Line of business (industry).

(x) Company Headquarters name and address (reporting relationship within your entity).

(d) If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror.

(e) Processing time, which normally takes 48 hours, should be taken into consideration when registering. Offerors who are not registered should consider applying for registration immediately upon receipt of this solicitation.

(f) Offerors may obtain information on registration at https://www.acquisition.gov.

(End of Provision)

Alternate I (Jul 2013). As prescribed in 4.1105(a)(2), substitute the following paragraph (b)(1) for paragraph (b)(1) of the basic provision:

(b)

(1) By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation. If registration prior to award is not possible, the awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management within 30 days after award or before three days prior to submission of the first invoice, whichever occurs first.

52.216-18 Ordering (OCT 1995)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from date of award through 12 months from date of base award and through 12 months from date of award for option year(s).

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) If mailed, a delivery order or task order is considered "issued" when the Government deposits the order in the mail. Orders may be issued orally, by facsimile, or by electronic commerce methods only if authorized in the Schedule.

52.216-19 Order Limitations (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $500.00, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor--

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of $50,000.00;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of $50,000.00; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 30 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within five days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity (OCT 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after 12 months from award of contract.

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

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 10 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 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 five (5) years.

52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) In compliance with the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, and the regulations of the Secretary of Labor (29 CFR Part 4), this clause identifies the classes of service employees expected to be employed under the contract and states the wages and fringe benefits payable to each if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5341 or 5332.

This Statement is for Information Only: It is not a Wage Determination

52.246-20 Warranty of Services (MAY 2001)

(a) Definition. "Acceptance," as used in this clause, means the act of an authorized representative of the Government by which the Government…