Combined Synop-Newspaper Delivery.pdf

Newspaper Delivery and Digital Subscriptions

Solicitation # 34300024Q0047

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission) is issuing this Request for Quotations (RFQ) for newspaper delivery services and digital subscriptions.

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format at FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The Solicitation Number is 34300024Q0047. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the purpose of procuring newspapers to be delivered to the Commission and digital newspaper subscriptions. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

(iii) The solicitation contains provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-06, effective 07/31/2024.

(iv) This procurement is a 100% Small Business Set-aside, NAICS code 424920 Book, Periodical and newspaper Merchant Wholesalers. The current size standard is 200 employees.

(v) LINE ITEMS: Offerors shall propose a single fixed price for the entirety of the requirement.

CLIN DESCRIPTION QTY UNIT Price

00001 Newspaper Delivery and subscriptions Base Year 1 YR

10001 Newspaper Delivery and subscriptions Option Year 1 1 YR

20001 Newspaper Delivery and subscriptions Option Year 2 1 YR

30001 Newspaper Delivery and subscriptions Option Year 3 1 EA

40001 Newspaper Delivery and subscriptions Option Year 4 1 EA $

Total: $

(vi) Description of requirements:

The USITC requires the daily delivery of print newspapers to its front door at 500 E.

Street,S.W.,Washington, D.C. by 7:00 AM, local time on the morning of the newspaper’s publication.

Weekend editions of newspapers are to be delivered on the following Monday morning by 7:00 AM, local time. On Federal holidays, newspapers are to be delivered the following business day. The Contractor shall deliver the newspapers tied and bundled and wrapped to protect the papers from the elements (wind/rain/snow/ice, etc.). The required publications are listed below:

Subscriptions:

9 seats - Web based access to New York Times

Print Papers:

3 Print papers of the New York Times, Monday – Friday.

2 Print papers of the New York Times, Saturday and Sunday 3 Print papers of the Washington Post print, Monday - Friday 2 Print papers of the Washington Post, Saturday and Sunday 3 Print papers of the Wall Street Journal, Monday – Friday

(vii) Period of Performance:

Base Year: 9/1/2024-8/31/2025 Option Year 1: 9/1/2025-8/31/2026 Option Year 2: 9/1/2026-8/31/2027 Option Year 3: 9/1/2027-8/31/2028 Option Year 4: 9/1/2028-8/31/2029

Location/Delivery (FOB Destination):

U.S. International Trade Commission 500 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20436

(viii) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors -Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Sep 2023) applies to this acquisition.

(ix) FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation -Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021).

LOWEST PRICE, TECHNICALLY ACCEPTABLE (LPTA) -Award will be made to the lowest priced offeror, who meets or exceeds the minimum acceptability standards.

Unreasonably proposed prices may be grounds for eliminating a quotation from competition either on the basis that the offeror does not understand the requirement, or the offeror has submitted an unreasonable quotation. Award will be made to the offeror presenting the lowest total price, which meets the following requirements:

The Government reserves the right not to make an award as a result of this competition if, in the opinion of the Government, none of the offers would provide satisfactory performance at a price that is considered fair and reasonable and/or economically feasible.

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s quoted price for reasonableness. Price reasonableness will be determined based on competition as well as established commercial prices for same or similar products.

(x) The Offeror shall submit, with its offer, a completed copy of the FAR provision 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items, with its quotation.

(xi) FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023) applies to this acquisition

(xii) FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, ( 2024), Paragraph (a), and the following clauses in Paragraph (b): 52.219-6; 52.219-28; 52.222-3; 52.222-21; 52.222-26; 52.222-35; 52.222-36;

52.222-50; 52-223-18; 52.232-33. The full text of the referenced FAR clause may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquistion.gov/far/.

Clauses Incorporated by Reference https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_219_6 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_219_28 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquistion.gov/far/

Clause Database Clause Number Clause Title

FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications. (Dec 2014)

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (Nov 2023)

FAR 52.225-25

Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran— Representation and Certification (Jun 2020)

FAR 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. (JUN 2013)

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors. (Mar 2023)

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.farsite.hill.af.mil www.acquisition.gov

(xiii) Additional Contract Requirements

CORRESPONDENCE

To promote timely and effective administration, correspondence shall be subject to the following procedures:

(a) Technical correspondence shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer’s Representative

(COR) with an information copy to the Contracting Officer (CO);

(b) All contractual correspondence, shall be addressed to the Contracting Officer listed below.

POINTS OF CONTACT

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract shall require maximum coordination between the Commission and the Contractor.

The COR shall be designated on authority by the CO to monitor all technical aspects and assist in the administration of this contract. A copy of the COR’s letter of designation http://www.farsite.hill.af.mil/ http://www.acquisition.gov/ shall be issued to the COR with a copy furnished to the Contractor, stating the responsibilities and limitations of the COR. This letter shall clarify to all parties of the contract, the responsibilities of the COR. The duties of the COR include but are not limited to: 1) assuring the Contractor’s compliance with the technical requirements; 2) performing or arranging necessary inspections in connection with the technical performance; 3) maintaining both written and oral communications with the Contractor;

4) notifying the Contractor and the CO of any deficiencies observed; 5) monitoring the Contractor’s overall performance; and 6) certifying all invoices/vouchers for acceptance of services provided for payment.

The COR does NOT have the authority to alter the Contractor’s obligations, direct changes that fall within purview of the General Provisions clause entitled “Changes,” or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or cost under this contract.

If because of technical discussions it is desirable to alter/change contractual obligations within the Scope of Work, the CO shall issue such changes in writing.

Contracting Officer (CO)

All contract administration shall be effected by the CO. Communications pertaining to contract administration matters shall be addressed to the CO. No changes in or deviations from this contract are authorized unless directed in writing by the CO.

The CO is the only person authorized to make or approve any changes in any of the requirements of the contract and notwithstanding any provisions contained elsewhere in this contract. The said authority remains solely with the CO. The CO is authorized to appoint a Contract Specialist to perform administrative contracting functions for this contract. In the event, the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the CO, the change shall be considered to have been made without the authority of the CO and no adjustment shall be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof. The CO is also responsible for making the final decisions on matters under dispute, unsatisfactory conformance, as well as contract terminations for convenience or default.

Meaghann Peak is hereby designated as the CO. The CO may change at any time by the Government without prior notice to the Contractor, but notification of the change, including the name and address of the successor CO, shall be promptly provided to the Contractor in writing.

Name: Meaghann Peak Title: Contracting Officer Location: U S International Trade Commission 500 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20436 Phone: 202-708-2208 Email: meaghann.peak@usitc.gov

AUTHORITY TO OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT

mailto:meaghann.peak@usitc.gov

The Contracting Officer is the only individual who can legally commit or obligate the Government to the expenditure of public funds. No cost chargeable to the contract can be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract or specific authorization from the Contracting Officer.

SUBMISSION OF INVOICES

Invoice(s) shall be submitted through the U. S. Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), which provides for secure electronic submission and receipt of invoices.

https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/index

IPP Customer Support may be reached at 866-973-3131 or IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov, is available to assist users of the system.

PLEASE NOTE: When entering the invoice(s) in IPP, ensure the period of performance being invoiced is included in the Description field. Please use the format “MM/DD/YYYY to

MM/DD/YYYY.”

i. Name and address of the contractor

ii. Invoice date and invoice number

iii. Purchase Order Number (34300024Pxxxx)

iv. Description, price, and quantity of services/supplies actually rendered/delivered

v. Delivery date/period of performance covered by the invoice

vi. Payment terms

vii. Name and address of the contractor’s Point of Contact, and a “Remit To” address that corresponds to the remittance address of the Purchase Order

viii. Name, title, phone number, email address of contact person to be notified in the event of a defective invoice.

ix. Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

ACCEPTANCE

Following inspection and evaluation of services provided by the Contractor and determining that the Contractor has fully complied with contract requirements, the COR shall indicate acceptance of the services by signing properly prepared and delivered invoices for such services within three working days after receipt of properly submitted invoice.

PAYMENT FOR UNAUTHORIZED WORK

No payment will be made for any unauthorized changes to the work specified herein. This includes any services performed by the Contractor on his or her own volition or at the request of an individual other than a duly appointed CO and/or COR. Only a duly appointed CO is authorized to change the specifications, terms and conditions under this effort.

NOTICE OF DELAY

If, because of technical difficulties, the contractor becomes unable to complete the work as described herein, notwithstanding the exercise of good faith and diligent efforts in performing the work called for under this contract, the Contractor shall give the Contracting Officer written notice of the https://www.ipp.gov/vendors/index mailto:IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov anticipated delay and the reasons for it. The notice and reasons shall be delivered promptly after the condition creating the anticipated delay becomes known to the Contractor.

(xiv) DPAS: NOT APPLICABLE

(xv) Due Date of Offers

Questions Due Date:

Questions shall be received by the Government, via email to Meaghann.peak@usitc.gov, on or before 10:00 a.m. E.T., Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Quotations Due Date:

Written Quotation shall be received by the Government, via email to Meaghann.peak@usitc.gov, on or before 10:00 a.m. E.T., Monday, August 26, 2023.

The Point of Contact for this solicitation is Meaghann Peak, meaghann.peak@usitc.gov. Please indicate in the Subject Line of the email Newspaper Delivery and Subscriptions – 34300024Q0047.

mailto:meaghann.peak@usitc.gov

52.252-2 -- Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998)