Attachment 1 - Solicitation Terms and Conditions 1232SA26Q0225.pdf

Maintenance Services for USDA-NASS’ BlueCrest Rival Folder/Inserter

1232SA26Q0225

Statement of Requirement Provide labor and equipment to perform maintenance services on United States Department Agricultural (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), National Operations Division (NOD), Print Mail Center (PMC) owned BlueCrest Rival Folder/Inserter to ensure continuous operational status of this equipment in accordance with Attachment 2 – Statement of Work.

Line Item Description Qty

Unit of Measure Total Amount

0001 Maintenance Services on Rival Folder/Inserter - Base Year 1 Yr $_________________ 1001 Maintenance Services on Rival Folder/Inserter - Option Year One 1 Yr $_________________ 2001 Maintenance Services on Rival Folder/Inserter - Option Year Two 1 Yr $_________________ 3001 Maintenance Services on Rival Folder/Inserter - Option Year Three 1 Yr $_________________ 4001 Maintenance Services on Rival Folder/Inserter - Option Year Four 1 Yr $_________________ 5001 Maintenance Services on Rival Folder/Inserter – 6th Mo. Extension 6 Month $_________________ Overall Total for Base Year plus option years $_________________

Technical Data Technical data and supporting documentation associated with this solicitation are available through the following sources:

1. Solicitation Attachments The following documents are included as attachments to this solicitation and can be accessed via the “Attachments/Links” section of the posting.

• Attachment 2 - Performance Work Statement

• Attachment 3 – J&A Restriction of Competition

• Attachment 4 – Price Schedule

Place of Performance

USDA-NASS-NOD-PMC

9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132

Period of Performance Base Year: 4/1/2026 – 3/31/2027 Option Year One: 4/1/2027 – 3/31/2028 Option Year Two: 4/1/2028 – 3/31/2029 Option Year Three: 4/1/2029 – 3/31/2030 Option Year Four: 4/1/2030 – 3/31/2031

Noncompetitive Contract Action USDA-NASS-NOD-PMC intends to award on a sole source award to DMT Solutions Global Corporation dba BlueCrest, Inc. (BlueCrest).

BlueCrest designed and maintained Direct Connect (DC) proprietary operating system that will be provided to control the Rival mail inserting system functions. Components that are incorporated into the DC operating system, e.g. bar code scanners, Master Track motion control, in-line ink jet printers, etc., are configured to “seamlessly” integrate into the proprietary DC operating system to ensure control of their functions within a BlueCrest mail insertion system. Please see Attachment 3 – J&A Restriction of Competition.

Qualification Requirements Offerors, or the product or service, are not required to meet a qualification requirement to be eligible for award.

Award Type It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price requirements contract consisting of one (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods shall be awarded as a result of this synopsis/solicitation.

The total duration of this contract shall not exceed five (5) years. The Government intends to make one award from this solicitation. Therefore, to be considered responsive, contractors must submit pricing for all items.

Evaluation and Basis for Award The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services is not applicable to this solicitation. In lieu of this provision, quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.203 based on the criteria listed below. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

Price: The offeror shall provide pricing as requested in the attached spreadsheet titled “Attachment 4 – Price Schedule”. Any quantity price discounts and discounts for prompt payment should be included in this section. Total price evaluation will be for the base period, all option periods and in accordance with FAR 52.217-8, up to a six-month extension period.

Failure to propose pricing for the base period and all option periods on individual line items may result in a quotation being excluded from further consideration. The offeror’s quotation will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204, to determine if it is fair and reasonable.

For purposes of evaluation, the potential need to exercise the option under FAR 52.217-8 to extend a period of performance for a maximum period of six (6) months beyond any period of performance will be considered the same for all offerors. The Government will consider that if the extension of service clause (FAR 52.217-8) is exercised, it will be on the exact same rates and terms, other than length of performance, as the period of performance being extended. For purposes of evaluation only, the Government will use the rates specified in the last option period and add the cost of six months to the prices proposed for the base period and all option periods to determine total evaluated price of the contract. The Government will determine whether the price, including the options available under FAR 52.217-8, is fair and reasonable.

Technical Acceptability: Technical Acceptability will be evaluated to receive an overall rating of "acceptable" or "unacceptable." This will be based on the offeror's ability to provide a sound and compliant approach that meets all requirements and shows a thorough understanding of them. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure their quotation clearly demonstrates their capability to meet these requirements. All offerors must provide the following minimum information and documentation with their quotations to be considered responsive and have their offers evaluated:

• Detailed explanation of the offeror’s ability to perform the required services. A simple statement of capabilities will not suffice. The offeror must address how they will accomplish the requirements of section 3.0 of Statement of Work.

Past Performance: The Government may utilize any references provided by the Contractor, along with information available from past awards/orders with the USDA and any information found using sources such as Federal Government sources or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to determine if the Contractor has acceptable or neutral Past Performance. The offeror shall provide documentation of Past Performance demonstrating timely and completed delivery of similar orders (three relevant and recent references). Past Performance will be evaluated using the following rating system:

• Acceptable: The contractor shows a demonstrated ability to deliver products that meet requirements in prior or current awards including timely delivery, business relations, and adherence to award terms.

• Neutral: Offeror does not have a past performance record.

• Unacceptable: The contractor has a documented history of failing to deliver products that meet requirements in prior or current awards including missed delivery deadlines, lack of responsiveness, or unethical behavior.

Evaluation Method: The Government will evaluate quotations based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria. Only the lowest priced offer will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability.

Should the lowest priced offer not receive an acceptable technical or past performance rating, the process will continue in order of lowest priced offer until the lowest price, technically acceptable offer with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified.

Rejection of Unreasonable Quotes: The Government may reject any quotation that is evaluated to be unreasonable in terms of commitments, including contract terms and conditions, or unreasonably high or low in cost when compared to Government estimates or price competition, such that the quotation is deemed to reflect an inherent lack of competence or failure to comprehend the complexity and risks that are involved.

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Aquiculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions The clauses and provisions contained herein are applicable to any order awarded as a result of this solicitation. The terms and conditions set forth herein supersede all other terms and conditions.

Acceptance of the order in accordance with (IAW) FAR 12.201-1(b)(2) constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions contained herein.

As part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), system updates may lag policy updates. The System for Award Management (SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in this solicitation. Contracting officers will rely on representations from offers based on provisions in the solicitation. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation 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 the clause may be accessed electronically at Internet address https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025) ☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.212-4 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.222-50 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Sep 2025) 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Sep 2025) 52.240-91 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) of 52.240-91 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025)

The following clauses are applicable if checked:

☒ 52.204-13 System for Award Management—Maintenance (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Sep 2025) ☒ 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Sep 2025) ☒ 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Aside (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Mar 2020).

☒ 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) ☒ 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35 ☒ 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36 ☒ 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.223-23 Sustainable Products and Services ☒ 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer— System for Award Management (Oct 2018)

The Contractor shall comply with the following FAR Clauses for Commercial Services.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

☒ 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) ☒ 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014)

Other Applicable Clauses 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) 30 calendar days prior to contract expiration 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) 30 Calendar days prior to contract expiration and 60 days

(c) five years and 6 months.

AGAR Clauses 452.203-71 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance (Dec 2025)

(a) By entering into this contract, the Contractor certifies that:

(1) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and it will remain compliant for the duration of the contract.

(2) Neither it nor any subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution, and the Contractor and any subcontractor or teaming partner will not do so for the duration of the contract.

(b) If the Contractor participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, the Contractor certifies that it will remain compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The Contractor affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the Contractor is not eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to Contractor’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the Contractor to liability under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) The Contractor must include the provisions of this clause in all subcontract solicitations.

(g) Failure on the part of the Contractor or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate this contract for default.

(End of Clause)

452.204–70 Modification for Contract Closeout (Nov 2025)

(a) If unliquidated funds in the amount of $1000 or less remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer (Contracting Officer) shall issue a unilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification but will not be required to provide a signature. The Contracting Officer shall immediately proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(b) Upon contract closeout for contracts utilizing SAP: if unliquidated funds of more than $1000 remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer shall issue a bilateral modification for deobligation.

The contractor will receive a copy of the modification and will be required to provide a signature.

(The Contracting Officer may also request a “Contractor Release of Claims” be completed by the contractor, although not required for contracts and orders using SAP.) If the bilateral modification and Release of Claims are not returned to the Contracting Officer within 60 days, the Contracting Officer shall release the modification as unilateral and proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(c) Upon contract closeout for contracts utilizing anything other than cost reimbursement, if unliquidated funds of more than $1000 remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer shall issue a bilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification and a ‘‘Contractor Release of Claims’’ and will be required to provide a signature on both forms. If the bilateral modification and Release of Claims are not returned to the Contracting Officer within 120 days, the Contracting Officer shall release the modification as unilateral and proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(End of Clause)

52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference Feb 1998 This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2025) FAR 52.212-1 is amended as follows:

Quotations must be prepared in accordance with the instructions in this section, providing all required documents and information in the format specified. Failure of a quotation to show compliance with these instructions may be grounds for exclusion of the quotation from further consideration. The quotation shall clearly and concisely describe the Offeror's response to the requirements of the solicitation. Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any/all Amendments to this solicitation by the date and time specified in the amendment(s).

Quote submission must include:

(1) The solicitation number; The name, address, SAM Unique Entity ID number, telephone number, and email address of the Offeror; Pricing for all items which prices are requested for set opposite each item; and Names, titles, telephone numbers, and email addresses of persons authorized to negotiate on the Offeror’s behalf with the Government in connection with this solicitation.

(2) Acknowledgement of any solicitation amendment(s).

(3) Active registration at SAM.gov (required at time of quote submission or your quote will not be accepted).

(4) Supporting documentation that describes and demonstrates in specific detail how the quoted product(s) will meet or exceed the minimum salient characteristics of the item(s) being requested.

Submissions All quotes are to be submitted electronically. The Offeror shall provide an electronic copy via email to the Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist in Adobe PDF format.

Late quotes after the established deadline may be considered only if it is in the Government’s best interest and if it will not unduly delay award.

Period for acceptance of offers.

The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

Questions Questions shall be submitted via email to jacob.toft@usda.gov and are due no later than March 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. This will ensure enough time to respond before the solicitation period ends. Please include the solicitation name and number as the subject line of the email.

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation (Jan 2017) 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (Nov 2025) mailto:jacob.toft@usda.gov

The following provisions are applicable if checked:

☒ 52.203-11 Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions (Sep 2024) ☒ 52.204-7 System for Award Management—Registration (Nov 2025)

☐ Alternate I (Nov 2025) to 52.204-7 ☒ 52.204-90 Offeror Identification (Nov 2025) ☒ 52.209-12 Certification Regarding Tax Matters (Oct 2025)

Other Applicable FAR Provisions

52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (Nov 2025) 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation (Apr 1984)

AGAR Provisions 452.203-70 Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certification (Dec 2025)

(a) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that:

(3) It is compliant with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws and the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution.

(4) Neither it nor any proposed subcontractor or teaming partner operates or funds any program, policy, or initiative that promotes DEI in a manner that violates any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or the Equal Protection principles of the U.S. Constitution.

(b) If the offeror participates in, facilitates, or funds programs that implicate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, including but not limited to grants to or for schools, colleges, universities, 4-H programs, non-governmental organization (NGO) programs, sports programs, and education-related grants to prisons or other detention facilities, by submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that it is compliant with those laws, including the requirements set forth in Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.

(c) The offeror affirms that the above requirements are conditions of payment that go to the essence of the contract and are therefore material terms of the contract. Payments under the contract are predicated on compliance with the above requirements, and therefore the offeror will not be eligible for funding under the contract or to retain any funding under the contract absent compliance with the above requirements.

(d) This certification reflects a change in the Government’s position regarding the materiality of the foregoing requirements and therefore any prior payment of similar claims does not reflect the materiality of the foregoing requirements to this contract.

(e) Submission of a knowing false statement relating to offeror’s compliance with the above requirements and/or eligibility for the contract may subject the offeror to liability under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729, and/or criminal liability, including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 287 and 1001.

(f) Failure on the part of the offeror or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate the contract for default.

(End of Provision)

NOTICE FOR FILING AGENCY PROTESTS

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ombudsman Program

The USDA is committed to issuing solicitations and awarding contracts in a fair and prompt manner.

The Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) was established to address protest issues within the agency, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming litigation. Operating independently, OPAP offers relief comparable to that granted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Interested parties are encouraged to resolve concerns through USDA’s internal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process before pursuing external forums such as the GAO.

Concerns may be addressed informally or through a formal agency protest filed with either the Contracting Officer or the Ombudsman.

Informal Forum with the Ombudsman

1. Initial Point of Contact: Interested parties who believe a specific USDA procurement is unfair or otherwise defective should first direct their concerns to the applicable Contracting Officer.

2. Escalation: If the Contracting Officer is unable to address their concerns, interested parties are encouraged to contact the USDA Ombudsman for Agency Protests. Under this informal process, the agency is not required to suspend contract award performance. Utilization of the informal forum does not suspend any time requirement for filing a formal protest with the agency or other forums.

3. Required Information: To ensure a timely response, interested parties should provide the following information to the Ombudsman: solicitation/contract number, contracting office, Contracting Officer, and solicitation closing date (if applicable).

Formal Agency Protest with the Ombudsman

1. Effort to Resolve: Prior to submitting a formal agency protest, protesters must first use their best efforts to resolve their concerns with the Contracting Officer through open and frank discussions.

2. Independent Review: If the protester’s concerns remain unresolved, an Independent Review is available by the Ombudsman. The protester may file a formal agency protest with either the Contracting Officer or, alternatively, with the Ombudsman under the OPAP program. Contract awards or performance will be suspended during the protest period unless justified in writing for urgent and compelling reasons or determined in writing to be in the best interest of the Government.

3. Resolution Timeline: The agency’s goal is to resolve protests within 35 calendar days from the date of filing.

4. Required Information: Protests shall include the information set forth in FAR 33.104(a)(3).

Failure to submit the required information may result in a delay or dismissal of the protest.

5. Timeliness: Protests must be filed within the timeframes specified in FAR 33.104.

6. Submission: Formal protests under the OPAP program should be submitted electronically to SPE.inquiry@usda.gov and the Contracting Officer.

Election of Forum. By initiating a protest with the USDA, the protester agrees not to pursue the same matter with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or any other external forum while the agency protest is pending. If a protest is filed externally, the agency protest will be dismissed.

mailto:SPE.inquiry@usda.gov