RFQ AG-9702-S-10-0250.docx

Solicitation No. AG-9702-S-10-0250 Shasta-Trinity NF

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

PAGE OF PAGES

AND/OR DMS REG. 1

US Forest Service, EROC-SW Contracting 1323 Club Dr., Vallejo, CA 9452

Ernst Little (Technical) Yolanda Mitchell (Contracting) 275-1587 638-8441

a. NAME OF CONSIGNEE

April 1, 2010

4:30 MST

submission of this quotation or to contract for supplies or services. Supplies are of domestic origin unless otherwise indicated by quoter. Any representations and/or certifications attached to this Request for Quotations must be completed by the quoter.

11. SCHEDULE (Include applicable Federal, State and local taxes)

*RECOVERY* This RFQ is funded by funds from the American Recovery and Reivestment Act (ARRA)

Shasta Lake Hazardous Fuels Ladder Fuel Reduction (Northwoods Thinning10-02)

Provide all labor, equipment, and materials to perform the work in accordance with the attached specifications, terms and conditions.

Provide quotation on attached Shedule of Items and include a detailed proposal breakout.

12. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

c. COUNTY

AREA CODE

NSN 7540-01-152-8084

Previous edition not usable

Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 53.215-1(a)

SECTION B – SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

1. Furnish all equipment, labor, supplies, supervision, transportation, and incidentals to perform precommercial tree thinning and work in accordance with the specifications contained herein. Government furnished property or materials will not be provided.

2. Schedule of Items:

The contractor shall provide a contract representative for the duration of contract work. The name of this person and an alternate(s) who shall act for the contractor when the contractor is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contractor representative or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contractor representative and alternate(s) must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

3. Contract Completion Requirement:

Item (or Subitem)

Estimated Beginning Date April 15, 2010 or within 10 days of contract award

Contract Time

1 Year from Award

The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate which will assure completion of work within the calendar time specified above. The Government will issue a Notice to Proceed as soon as weather and ground conditions are favorable for work. The count of contract time will start on the date contractor signs the Notice to Proceed. A prework conference will be held as close to the starting date of contract time. If fire danger becomes extreme, the thinning may be stopped until conditions become less severe. No days will be charged against contract time during this time period. Contract time will be suspended if winter weather conditions preclude access to the project area.

If fire danger becomes extreme, the thinning may be stopped until conditions become less severe. No days will be charged against contract time during this time period. Contract time will be suspended if winter weather conditions preclude access to the project area.

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

SHF - SHASTA LAKE UNIT

NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Shasta Lake Hazardous Fuels Ladder Fuel Reduction (Northwoods Thin 10-02)

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Scope of Contract

This project entails the thinning, pruning and piling of vegetation to improve the habitat of endangered species adjacent to Packers Bay on the Shasta Unit of the National Recreation Area (NRA) of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Project specifications are described below in a statement of work (SOW). A legal description of the project area is T34N R4W Sections 28, 29, 32, and 33 (MDM). The contractor will be required to provide professional judgement in implementing this project. The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies and incidentals necessary to complete the contract tasks.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

Location

The project is located approximately 10 miles north of Redding, California T34N R4W Sections 28, 29, 32 and 33 (MDM).

Description

The purpose of this contract is to treat mixed oak woodland to reduce brush species by thinning 179 acres. The height of established brush is approximately 4 to 8 feet. The brush within the establised work area consists primarily of Whiteleaf Manzanita, Greenleaf Manzanita and Brewers Oak with an occassional patch of Ceanothus, Deer Brush, Snowdrop Bush, Poison Oak and Mock Orange. Mixed chaparral occurs primarily on dry slopes (south slopes) and open ridge top areas. Mixed oak woodland occurs throughout the entire unit and is comprised of California Black Oak, Gray Pine, Knobcone Pine and Ponderosa Pine.

Boundaries

See attachment for project area map. It will be the contractors responsibility to work within the designated work area identified on project map. The attached map is intended to show the general shape and location of work areas. Areas flagged in orange (controlled area) are not to be treated and have been deducted from project acreage.

Restrictions on Work

The following Best Management Practices (BMPs), as described in Water Quality Management for Forest System Lands in California (September, 2000) will be implemented:

· Limited Operating Period (L.O.P.): Must follow guidelines set forth in Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA, 19 U.S.C. 1536 (c) ), as amended (1978, 1979, 1982). No treatment will be allowed between January 1st and July 31st if an active bald eagle nest is discovered within ¼ mile of the work site. If an active bald eagle nest is discovered, treatment within ¼ mile of the nest tree (or further if deemed necessary by project biologist) will be subject to this limited operating period (August 1 through December 31)) to assure that project activities would not affect nesting bald eagles. Discovery of nesting osprey or heron rookery may be subject to the same requirement listed above. No known nests are within ¼ mile of the project site.

· No ground disturbing activities or piling will occur within Riparian Reserves. These areas may not be identified on the project map. Consult the project inspector/contract officer’s representative for identification of these areas.

· No piling of material will be allowed on rock outcrops to protect potenial habitat for mollusks and salamanders.

· To limit the spread and establishment of invasive plant species into and out of the project area, all off-road equipment will be washed before moving it into or out of the project area.

· No known archeological sites are located in the work sites. If an archeological site is found notify the project inspector/contract officer’s representative immediately.

· Operation of mechanical equipment may be limited by fire restrictions (PAL). All work must meet the requirements identified in the Shasta-Trinity National Forests Fire Management Plan and current restrictions issued by the Forest due to fire danger.

· Access is limited, primary access is through Packers Bay Road. The contractor must confirm access points with the project inspector/contract officer’s representative prior to commencing work.

Definitions

Controlled Areas (CA) – Contractor shall protect areas flagged in orange on project area map. Wheeled or track-laying equipment shall not be operated within such areas except on established roads.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Desired End Result

The desired end result of this project is to reduce decadent brush and thin existing brush within the treatment area. Maintain 40%-60% crown closure to limit surface light to competing vegetation around living oak woodland. Measurement shall be on area treated.

NEPA Compliance

This project is in compliance with and implementation for the Northwoods Hazardous Fuels Reduction Categorical Exclusion.

WORK STANDARDS

Thinning:

The Contractor shall cut/thin brush and standing live/dead trees 1’-6” diameter. Dead and downed material 3-8” in diameter shall be cut for piling. Stands comprised of hardwoods and conifers shall be thinned to 14-18’ spacing. Brush stands/fields shall be thinned to a spacing of 8-12’ over 65-80% (treated area) with the remaining 20-35% left untreated to create a mosaic across the landscape. Untreated areas shall measure 50-75’ in any direction. The stems of the cut brush and all other woody debris shall be no higher than 4” inches above the level of the general terrain. Selected leave tree priority is 1) Ponderosa Pine, 2)California Black Oak, 3) Douglas Fir, 4) Gray Pine, 5) Knobcone Pine.

Pruning:

All leave trees, conifer and hardwood, shall be pruned to a height of 6-8’ varying pruning height across the unit to create a mosaic and variability. Pruning will be flush with the bole leaving the main bole undamaged.

Piling:

All treated material will be piled with pile size being 4-6’ in all directions. Piles shall be located away from rock outcroppings, riparian reserves, leave trees/brush or other sensitve features so as to avoid impingement when burnt. Piles will be covered by paper(clean burn kraft paper meeting FS and CA ARB requirements), provided by the contractor, in a manner to protect the pile from weather. Paper will be placed with 60-80% of the piled material below the paper. Construction of the piles should be free of dirt and non-burnable material and constructed in a way that minimizes airspace within the pile creating a tight well packed pile.

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT

The Technical Point of Contact is the Contracting Officer’s Representative responsible for the day-to-day management of the project. Questions regarding the technical issues under this contract should be directed to this individual. This individual does not have the authority to change the terms of the conditions of this contract, including time and cost. The contractor will be notified, in writing, of any changes in the Government’s Technical Point of Contact.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and technical contact:

Ben Newburn 14225 Holiday Road Redding, CA 96003

(530) 275-1587 (phone) bnewburn@fs.fed.us (email)

Section G – Contract Administration Data

AGAR 452.215-73 Postaward Conference

A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. Please contact Ben Newburn at (530)275-1587 for a post award conference location and time.

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. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.acquisition.gov/far/ and www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar.html

FAR 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within 03 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work within 1 year from Award. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

FAR 52.246-20 -- Warranty of Services (May 2001)

a) Definitions.

“Acceptance,” as used in this clause, means the act of an authorized representative of the Government by which the Government assumes for itself, or as an agent of another, ownership of existing and identified supplies, or approves specific services, as partial or complete performance of the contract.

(b) Notwithstanding inspection and acceptance by the Government or any provision concerning the conclusiveness thereof, the Contractor warrants that all services performed under this contract will, at the time of acceptance, be free from defects in workmanship and conform to the requirements of this contract. The Contracting Officer shall give written notice of any defect or nonconformance to the Contractor within 30 days from the date of acceptance by the Government. This notice shall state either --

(1) That the Contractor shall correct or reperform any defective or nonconforming services; or

(2) That the Government does not require correction or reperformance.

(c) If the Contractor is required to correct or reperform, it shall be at no cost to the Government, and any services corrected or reperformed by the Contractor shall be subject to this clause to the same extent as work initially performed. If the Contractor fails or refuses to correct or reperform, the Contracting Officer may, by contract or otherwise, correct or replace with similar services and charge to the Contractor the cost occasioned to the Government thereby, or make an equitable adjustment in the contract price.

(d) If the Government does not require correction or reperformance, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the contract price.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.203-15 – Whistleblower Protections Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Mar 2009)

(a) The Contractor shall post notice of employees rights and remedies for whistleblower protections provided under section 1553 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–5).

(b) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause including this paragraph (b) in all subcontracts. (End of clause) FAR 52.204-11 – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Mar 2009)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— “Contract,” as defined in FAR 2.101, means a mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish the supplies or services (including construction) and the buyer to pay for them. It includes all types of commitments that obligate the Government to an expenditure of appropriated funds and that, except as otherwise authorized, are in writing. In addition to bilateral instruments, contracts include (but are not limited to) awards and notices of awards; job orders or task letters issued under basic ordering agreements; letter contracts; orders, such as purchase orders, under which the contract becomes effective by written acceptance or performance; and bilateral contract modifications. Contracts do not include grants and cooperative agreements covered by 31 U.S.C. 6301, et seq. For discussion of various types of contracts, see FAR Part 16.

“First-tier subcontract” means a subcontract awarded directly by a Federal Government prime contractor whose contract is funded by the Recovery Act.

“Jobs created” means an estimate of those new positions created and filled, or previously existing unfilled positions that are filled, as a result of funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This definition covers only prime contractor positions established in the United States and outlying areas (see definition in FAR 2.101). The number shall be expressed as ‘‘full-time equivalent’’ (FTE), calculated cumulatively as all hours worked divided by the total number of hours in a full-time schedule, as defined by the contractor. For instance, two full-time employees and one part-time employee working half days would be reported as 2.5 FTE in each calendar quarter.

“Jobs retained” means an estimate of those previously existing filled positions that are retained as a result of funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). This definition covers only prime contractor positions established in the United States and outlying areas (see definition in FAR 2.101). The number shall be expressed as ‘‘full-time equivalent’’ (FTE), calculated cumulatively as all hours worked divided by the total number of hours in a full-time schedule, as defined by the contractor. For instance, two full-time employees and one part-time employee working half days would be reported as 2.5 FTE in each calendar quarter.

“Total compensation” means the cash and noncash dollar value earned by the executive during the contractor’s past fiscal year of the following (for more information see 17 CFR 229.402(c)(2)):

(1) Salary and bonus.

(2) Awards of stock, stock options, and stock appreciation rights. Use the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) (FAS 123R), Shared Based Payments.

(3) Earnings for services under non-equity incentive plans. Does not include group life, health, hospitalization or medical reimbursement plans that do not discriminate in favor of executives, and are available generally to all salaried employees.

(4) Change in pension value. This is the change in present value of defined benefit and actuarial pension plans.

(5) Above-market earnings on deferred compensation which is not tax-qualified.

(6) Other compensation. For example, severance, termination payments, value of life insurance paid on behalf of the employee, perquisites or property if the value for the executive exceeds $10,000.

(b) This contract requires the contractor to provide products and/or services that are funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Section 1512(c) of the Recovery Act requires each contractor to report on its use of Recovery Act funds under this contract. These reports will be made available to the public.

(c) Reports from contractors for all work funded, in whole or in part, by the Recovery Act, and for which an invoice is submitted prior to June 30, 2009, are due no later than July 10, 2009. Thereafter, reports shall be submitted no later than the 10th day after the end of each calendar quarter.

(d) The Contractor shall report the following information, using the online reporting tool available at http://www.FederalReporting.gov .

(1) The Government contract and order number, as applicable.

(2) The amount of Recovery Act funds invoiced by the contractor for the reporting period. A cumulative amount from all the reports submitted for this action will be maintained by the government’s on-line reporting tool.

(3) A list of all significant services performed or supplies delivered, including construction, for which the contractor invoiced in this calendar quarter.

(4) Program or project title, if any.

(5) A description of the overall purpose and expected outcomes or results of the contract, including significant deliverables and, if appropriate, associated units of measure.

(6) An assessment of the contractor’s progress towards the completion of the overall purpose and expected outcomes or results of the contract (i.e., not started, less than 50 percent completed, completed 50 percent or more, or fully completed). This covers the contract (or portion thereof) funded by the Recovery Act.

(7) A narrative description of the employment impact of work funded by the Recovery Act. This narrative should be cumulative for each calendar quarter and only address the impact on the contractor’s workforce. At a minimum, the contractor shall provide—

(i) A brief description of the types of jobs created and jobs retained in the United States and outlying areas (see definition in FAR 2.101). This description may rely on job titles, broader labor categories, or the contractor’s existing practice for describing jobs as long as the terms used are widely understood and describe the general nature of the work; and

(ii) An estimate of the number of jobs created and jobs retained by the prime contractor, in the United States and outlying areas. A job cannot be reported as both created and retained.

(8) Names and total compensation of each of the five most highly compensated officers of the Contractor for the calendar year in which the contract is awarded if—

(i) In the Contractor’s preceding fiscal year, the Contractor received—

(A) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues from Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants) and cooperative agreements; and

(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants) and cooperative agreements; and

(ii) The public does not have access to information about the compensation of the senior executives through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(9) For subcontracts valued at less than $25,000 or any subcontracts awarded to an individual, or subcontracts awarded to a subcontractor that in the previous tax year had gross income under $300,000, the Contractor shall only report the aggregate number of such first tier subcontracts awarded in the quarter and their aggregate total dollar amount.

(10) For any first-tier subcontract funded in whole or in part under the Recovery Act, that is over $25,000 and not subject to reporting under paragraph 9, the contractor shall require the subcontractor to provide the information described in (i), (ix), (x), and (xi) below to the contractor for the purposes of the quarterly report. The contractor shall advise the subcontractor that the information will be made available to the public as required by section 1512 of the Recovery Act. The contractor shall provide detailed information on these first-tier subcontracts as follows:

(i) Unique identifier (DUNS Number) for the subcontractor receiving the award and for the subcontractor’s parent company, if the subcontractor has a parent company.

(ii) Name of the subcontractor.

(iii) Amount of the subcontract award.

(iv) Date of the subcontract award.

(v) The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.

(vi) Funding agency.

(vii) A description of the products or services (including construction) being provided under the subcontract, including the overall purpose and expected outcomes or results of the subcontract.

(viii) Subcontract number (the contract number assigned by the prime contractor).

(ix) Subcontractor’s physical address including street address, city, state, and country. Also include the nine-digit zip code and congressional district if applicable.

(x) Subcontract primary performance location including street address, city, state, and country. Also include the nine-digit zip code and congressional district if applicable.

(xi) Names and total compensation of each of the subcontractor’s five most highly compensated officers, for the calendar year in which the subcontract is awarded if—

(A) In the subcontractor’s preceding fiscal year, the subcontractor received—

(1) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues in Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants), and cooperative agreements; and

(2) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal contracts (and subcontracts), loans, grants (and subgrants), and cooperative agreements; and

(B) The public does not have access to information about the compensation of the senior executives through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(End of clause) 52.215-2 - Audit and Records – Negotiation with Alternate 1 (Mar 2009)

(a) As used in this clause, “records” includes books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of whether such items are in written form, in the form of computer data, or in any other form.

(b) Examination of costs. If this is a cost-reimbursement, incentive, time-and-materials, labor-hour, or price redeterminable contract, or any combination of these, the Contractor shall maintain and the Contracting Officer, or an authorized representative of the Contracting Officer, shall have the right to examine and audit all records and other evidence sufficient to reflect properly all costs claimed to have been incurred or anticipated to be incurred directly or indirectly in performance of this contract. This right of examination shall include inspection at all reasonable times of the Contractor’s plants, or parts of them, engaged in performing the contract.

(c) Cost or pricing data. If the Contractor has been required to submit cost or pricing data in connection with any pricing action relating to this contract, the Contracting Officer, or an authorized representative of the Contracting Officer, in order to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the cost or pricing data, shall have the right to examine and audit all of the Contractor’s records, including computations and projections, related to --

(1) The proposal for the contract, subcontract, or modification;

(2) The discussions conducted on the proposal(s), including those related to negotiating;

(3) Pricing of the contract, subcontract, or modification; or

(4) Performance of the contract, subcontract or modification.

(d) Comptroller General—

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, an appropriate Inspector General appointed under section 3 or 8G of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or an authorized representative of either of the foregoing officials, shall have access to and the right to—

(i) Examine any of the Contractor’s or any subcontractor’s records that pertain to and involve transactions relating to this contract or a subcontract hereunder; and

(ii) Interview any officer or employee regarding such transactions.

(2) This paragraph may not be construed to require the Contractor or subcontractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor or subcontractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e) Reports. If the Contractor is required to furnish cost, funding, or performance reports, the Contracting Officer or an authorized representative of the Contracting Officer shall have the right to examine and audit the supporting records and materials, for the purpose of evaluating --

(1) The effectiveness of the Contractor’s policies and procedures to produce data compatible with the objectives of these reports; and

(2) The data reported.

(f) Availability. The Contractor shall make available at its office at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this clause, for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), or for any longer period required by statute or by other clauses of this contract. In addition --

(1) If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the Contractor shall make available the records relating to the work terminated until 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement; and

(2) The Contractor shall make available records relating to appeals under the Disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(g)

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this clause, the Contractor shall insert a clause containing all the terms of this clause, including this paragraph (g), in all subcontracts under this contract. The clause may be altered only as necessary to identify properly the contracting parties and the Contracting Officer under the Government prime contract.

(2) The authority of the Inspector General under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this clause does not flow down to subcontracts.

(End of Clause) Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— “Act” means the Service Contract Act of 1965 (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

“Contractor,” when this clause is used in any subcontract, shall be deemed to refer to the subcontractor, except in the term “Government Prime Contractor.”

“Service employee” means any person engaged in the performance of this contract other than any person employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity, as these terms are defined in Part 541 of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as revised. It includes all such persons regardless of any contractual relationship that may be alleged to exist between a Contractor or subcontractor and such persons.

(b) Applicability. This contract is subject to the following provisions and to all other applicable provisions of the Act and regulations of the Secretary of Labor (29 CFR Part 4). This clause does not apply to contracts or subcontracts administratively exempted by the Secretary of Labor or exempted by 41 U.S.C. 356, as interpreted in Subpart C of 29 CFR Part 4.

(c) Compensation.

(1) Each service employee employed in the performance of this contract by the Contractor or any subcontractor shall be paid not less than the minimum monetary wages and shall be furnished fringe benefits in accordance with the wages and fringe benefits determined by the Secretary of Labor, or authorized representative, as specified in any wage determination attached to this contract.

(2)(i) If a wage determination is attached to this contract, the Contractor shall classify any class of service employee which is not listed therein and which is to be employed under the contract (i.e., the work to be performed is not performed by any classification listed in the wage determination) so as to provide a reasonable relationship (i.e., appropriate level of skill comparison) between such unlisted classifications and the classifications listed in the wage determination. Such conformed class of employees shall be paid the monetary wages and furnished the fringe benefits as are determined pursuant to the procedures in this paragraph (c).

(ii) This conforming procedure shall be initiated by the Contractor prior to the performance of contract work by the unlisted class of employee. The Contractor shall submit Standard Form (SF) 1444, Request For Authorization of Additional Classification and Rate, to the Contracting Officer no later than 30 days after the unlisted class of employee performs any contract work. The Contracting Officer shall review the proposed classification and rate and promptly submit the completed SF 1444 (which must include information regarding the agreement or disagreement of the employees’ authorized representatives or the employees themselves together with the agency recommendation), and all pertinent information to the Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. The Wage and Hour Division will approve, modify, or disapprove the action or render a final determination in the event of disagreement within 30 days of receipt or will notify the Contracting Officer within 30 days of receipt that additional time is necessary.

(iii) The final determination of the conformance action by the Wage and Hour Division shall be transmitted to the Contracting Officer who shall promptly notify the Contractor of the action taken. Each affected employee shall be furnished by the Contractor with a written copy of such determination or it shall be posted as a part of the wage determination.

(iv)(A) The process of establishing wage and fringe benefit rates that bear a reasonable relationship to those listed in a wage determination cannot be reduced to any single formula. The approach used may vary from wage determination to wage determination depending on the circumstances. Standard wage and salary administration practices which rank various job classifications by pay grade pursuant to point schemes or other job factors may, for example, be relied upon. Guidance may also be obtained from the way different jobs are rated under Federal pay systems (Federal Wage Board Pay System and the General Schedule) or from other wage determinations issued in the same locality. Basic to the establishment of any conformable wage rate(s) is the concept that a pay relationship should be maintained between job classifications based on the skill required and the duties performed.

(B) In the case of a contract modification, an exercise of an option, or extension of an existing contract, or in any other case where a Contractor succeeds a contract under which the classification in question was previously conformed pursuant to paragraph (c) of this clause, a new conformed wage rate and fringe benefits may be assigned to the conformed classification by indexing (i.e., adjusting) the previous conformed rate and fringe benefits by an amount equal to the average (mean) percentage increase (or decrease, where appropriate) between the wages and fringe benefits specified for all classifications to be used on the contract which are listed in the current wage determination, and those specified for the corresponding classifications in the previously applicable wage determination. Where conforming actions are accomplished in accordance with this paragraph prior to the performance of contract work by the unlisted class of employees, the Contractor shall advise the Contracting Officer of the action taken but the other procedures in subdivision (c)(2)(ii) of this clause need not be followed.

(C) No employee engaged in performing work on this contract shall in any event be paid less than the currently applicable minimum wage specified under section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended.

(v) The wage rate and fringe benefits finally determined under this paragraph (c)(2) of this clause shall be paid to all employees performing in the classification from the first day on which contract work is performed by them in the classification. Failure to pay the unlisted employees the compensation agreed upon by the interested parties and/or finally determined by the Wage and Hour Division retroactive to the date such class of employees commenced contract work shall be a violation of the Act and this contract.

(vi) Upon discovery of failure to comply with paragraph (c)(2) of this clause, the Wage and Hour Division shall make a final determination of conformed classification, wage rate, and/or fringe benefits which shall be retroactive to the date such class or classes of employees commenced contract work.

(3) Adjustment of compensation. If the term of this contract is more than 1 year, the minimum monetary wages and fringe benefits required to be paid or furnished thereunder to service employees under this contract shall be subject to adjustment after 1 year and not less often than once every 2 years, under wage determinations issued by the Wage and Hour Division.

(d) Obligation to furnish fringe benefits. The Contractor or subcontractor may discharge the obligation to furnish fringe benefits specified in the attachment or determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this clause by furnishing equivalent combinations of bona fide fringe benefits, or by making equivalent or differential cash payments, only in accordance with Subpart D of 29 CFR Part 4.

(e) Minimum wage. In the absence of a minimum wage attachment for this contract, neither the Contractor nor any subcontractor under this contract shall pay any person performing work under this contract (regardless of whether the person is a service employee) less than the minimum wage specified by section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Nothing in this clause shall relieve the Contractor or any subcontractor of any other obligation under law or contract for payment of a higher wage to any employee.

(f) Successor contracts. If this contract succeeds a contract subject to the Act under which substantially the same services were furnished in the same locality and service employees were paid wages and fringe benefits provided for in a collective bargaining agreement, in the absence of the minimum wage attachment for this contract setting forth such collectively bargained wage rates and fringe benefits, neither the Contractor nor any subcontractor under this contract shall pay any service employee performing any of the contract work (regardless of whether or not such employee was employed under the predecessor contract), less than the wages and fringe benefits provided for in such collective bargaining agreement, to which such employee would have been entitled if employed under the predecessor contract, including accrued wages and fringe benefits and any prospective increases in wages and fringe benefits provided for under such agreement. No Contractor or subcontractor under this contract may be relieved of the foregoing obligation unless the limitations of 29 CFR 4.1b(b) apply or unless the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary’s authorized representative finds, after a hearing as provided in 29 CFR 4.10 that the wages and/or fringe benefits provided for in such agreement are substantially at variance with those which prevail for services of a character similar in the locality, or determines, as provided in 29 CFR 4.11, that the collective bargaining agreement applicable to service employees employed under the predecessor contract was not entered into as a result of arm’s length negotiations. Where it is found in accordance with the review procedures provided in 29 CFR 4.10 and/or 4.11 and Parts 6 and 8 that some or all of the wages and/or fringe benefits contained in a predecessor Contractor’s collective bargaining agreement are substantially at variance with those which prevail for services of a character similar in the locality, and/or that the collective bargaining agreement applicable to service employees employed under the predecessor contract was not entered into as a result of arm’s length negotiations, the Department will issue a new or revised wage determination setting forth the applicable wage rates and fringe benefits. Such determination shall be made part of the contract or subcontract, in accordance with the decision of the Administrator, the Administrative Law Judge, or the Administrative Review Board, as the case may be, irrespective of whether such issuance occurs prior to or after the award of a contract or subcontract (53 Comp. Gen. 401 (1973)). In the case of a wage determination issued solely as a result of a finding of substantial variance, such determination shall be effective as of the date of the final administrative decision.

(g) Notification to employees. The Contractor and any subcontractor under this contract shall notify each service employee commencing work on this contract of the minimum monetary wage and any fringe benefits required to be paid pursuant to this contract, or shall post the wage determination attached to this contract. The poster provided by the Department of Labor (Publication WH 1313) shall be posted in a prominent and accessible place at the worksite. Failure to comply with this requirement is a violation of section 2(a)(4) of the Act and of this contract.

(h) Safe and sanitary working conditions. The Contractor or subcontractor shall not permit any part of the services called for by this contract to be performed in buildings or surroundings or under working conditions provided by or under the control or supervision of the Contractor or subcontractor which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to the health or safety of the service employees. The Contractor or subcontractor shall comply with the safety and health standards applied under 29 CFR Part 1925.

(i) Records.

(1) The Contractor and each subcontractor performing work subject to the Act shall make and maintain for 3 years from the completion of the work, and make them available for inspection and transcription by authorized representatives of the Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, a record of the following:

(i) For each employee subject to the Act—

(A) Name and address and social security number;

(B) Correct work classification or classifications, rate or rates of monetary wages paid and fringe benefits provided, rate or rates of payments in lieu of fringe benefits, and total daily and weekly compensation;

(C) Daily and weekly hours worked by each employee; and

(D) Any deductions, rebates, or refunds from the total daily or weekly compensation of each employee.

(ii) For those classes of service employees not included in any wage determination attached to this contract, wage rates or fringe benefits determined by the interested parties or by the Administrator or authorized representative under the terms of paragraph (c) of this clause. A copy of the report required by subdivision (c)(2)(ii) of this clause will fulfill this requirement.

(iii) Any list of the predecessor Contractor’s employees which had been furnished to the Contractor as prescribed by paragraph (n) of this clause.

(2) The Contractor shall also make available a copy of this contract for inspection or transcription by authorized representatives of the Wage and Hour Division.

(3) Failure to make and maintain or to make available these records for inspection and transcription shall be a violation of the regulations and this contract, and in the case of failure to produce these records, the Contracting Officer, upon direction of the Department of Labor and notification to the Contractor, shall take action to cause suspension of any further payment or advance of funds until the violation ceases.

(4) The Contractor shall permit authorized representatives of the Wage and Hour Division to conduct interviews with employees at the worksite during normal working hours.

(j) Pay periods. The Contractor shall unconditionally pay to each employee subject to the Act all wages due free and clear and without subsequent deduction (except as otherwise provided by law or regulations, 29 CFR Part 4), rebate, or kickback on any account. These payments shall be made no later than one pay period following the end of the regular pay period in which the wages were earned or accrued. A pay period under this Act may not be of any duration longer than semi-monthly.

(k) Withholding of payments and termination of contract. The Contracting Officer shall withhold or cause to be withheld from the Government Prime Contractor under this or any other Government contract with the Prime Contractor such sums as an appropriate official of the Department of Labor requests or such sums as the Contracting Officer decides may be necessary to pay underpaid employees employed by the Contractor or subcontractor. In the event of failure to pay any employees subject to the Act all or part of the wages or fringe benefits due under the Act, the Contracting Officer may, after authorization or by direction of the Department of Labor and written notification to the Contractor, take action to cause suspension of any further payment or advance of funds until such violations have ceased. Additionally, any failure to comply with the requirements of this clause may be grounds for termination of the right to proceed with the contract work. In such event, the Government may enter into other contracts or arrangements for completion of the work, charging the Contractor in default with any additional cost.

(l) Subcontracts. The Contractor agrees to insert this clause in all subcontracts subject to the Act.

(m) Collective bargaining agreements applicable to service employees. If wages to be paid or fringe benefits to be furnished any service employees employed by the Government Prime Contractor or any subcontractor under the contract are provided for in a collective bargaining agreement which is or will be effective during any period in which the contract is being performed, the Government Prime Contractor shall report such fact to the Contracting Officer, together with full information as to the application and accrual of such wages and fringe benefits, including any prospective increases, to service employees engaged in work on the contract, and a copy of the collective bargaining agreement. Such report shall be made upon commencing performance of the contract, in the case of collective bargaining agreements effective at such time, and in the case of such agreements or provisions or amendments thereof effective at a later time during the period of contract performance such agreements shall be reported promptly after negotiation thereof.

(n) Seniority list. Not less than 10 days prior to completion of any contract being performed at a Federal facility where service employees may be retained in the performance of the succeeding contract and subject to a wage determination which contains vacation or other benefit provisions based upon length of service with a Contractor (predecessor) or successor (29 CFR 4.173), the incumbent Prime Contractor shall furnish the Contracting Officer a certified list of the names of all service employees on the Contractor’s or subcontractor’s payroll during the last month of contract performance. Such list shall also contain anniversary dates of employment on the contract either with the current or predecessor Contractors of each such service employee. The Contracting Officer shall turn over such list to the successor Contractor at the commencement of the succeeding contract.

(o) Rulings and interpretations. Rulings and interpretations of the Act are contained in Regulations, 29 CFR Part 4.

(p) Contractor’s certification.

(1) By entering into this contract, the Contractor (and officials thereof) certifies that neither it (nor he or she) nor any person or firm who has a substantial interest in the Contractor’s firm is a person or firm ineligible to be awarded Government contracts by virtue of the sanctions imposed under section 5 of the Act.

(2) No part of this contract shall be subcontracted to any person or firm ineligible for award of a Government contract under section 5 of the Act.

(3) The penalty for making false statements is prescribed in the U.S. Criminal Code, 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(q) Variations, tolerances, and exemptions involving employment. Notwithstanding any of the provisions in paragraphs (b) through (o) of this clause, the following employees may be employed in accordance with the following variations, tolerances, and exemptions, which the Secretary of Labor, pursuant to section 4(b) of the Act prior to its amendment by Pub. L. 92-473, found to be necessary and proper in the public interest or to avoid serious impairment of the conduct of Government business:

(1) Apprentices, student-learners, and workers whose earning capacity is impaired by age, physical or mental deficiency, or injury may be employed at wages lower than the minimum wages otherwise required by section 2(a)(1) or 2(b)(1) of the Act without diminishing any fringe benefits or cash payments in lieu thereof required under section 2(a)(2) of the Act, in accordance with the conditions and procedures prescribed for the employment of apprentices, student-learners, handicapped persons, and handicapped clients of sheltered workshops under section 14 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, in the regulations issued by the Administrator (29 CFR parts 520, 521, 524, and 525).

(2) The Administrator will issue certificates under the Act for the employment of apprentices, student-learners, handicapped persons, or handicapped clients of sheltered workshops not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, or subject to different minimum rates of pay under the two acts, authorizing appropriate rates of minimum wages (but without changing requirements concerning fringe benefits or supplementary cash payments in lieu thereof), applying procedures prescribed by the applicable regulations issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 CFR parts 520, 521, 524, and 525).

(3) The Administrator will also withdraw, annul, or cancel such certificates in accordance with the regulations in 29 CFR parts 525 and 528.

(r) Apprentices. Apprentices will be permitted to work at less than the predetermined rate for the work they perform when they are employed and individually registered in a bona fide apprenticeship program registered with a State Apprenticeship Agency which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, or if no such recognized agency exists in a State, under a program registered with the Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer, and Labor Services (OATELS), U.S. Department of Labor.