Combined Synopsis and Solicitation Snowpack Modeling 20250731 LCJ.docx

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICTITATION

For

SNOWPACK MODELING TO SUPPORT WATER SUPPLY FORECASTING

12FPC325R0050

(a) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(b) This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is being issued to establish a Firm Fixed-Price contract for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)- National Water and Climate Center (NWCC), in support of developing a long-term, historical, physically based snowpack modeling is sought to enhance existing NWCC forecasting methods. The Government anticipates the award of one firm fixed priced contract resulting from this solicitation. An award will be made to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) quote.

(c) This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05 effective May 22, 2024. Provisions and clauses incorporated by reference have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text.

(d) This solicitation is being conducted as a 100% small business set-aside. The applicable NAICS code is 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services with the average annual revenue of $19.0 million. For more information on size standards visit http://www.sba.gov/size.

(e) Description of Services: The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, supplies, materials, and incidentals necessary in accordance with the Statement of Work, provisions and clauses, and current wage determination(s) hereby made a part of this solicitation.

(f) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance: The period of performance will be from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027.Timelines are for delivery from project start. An accelerated delivery schedule is preferred. See Statement of Work (SOW) for Project Timeline, Deliverables schedule.

(1) January 1, 2026: Complete modeling for a single basin for the entire period of record (WY 1980 to WY 2025) with applied forcing data bias adjustments and snowpack data assimilation as possible. Deliver gridded, daily model results and summarized data products to NWCC. Invoice opportunity for work completed (15% contract total).

(2) February 1, 2026: Demonstrate real-time modeling capability for initial model domain. Invoice opportunity for near real-time modeling capability (10% contract total).

(3) July 1, 2026: Complete optimized/debiased model runs for half of the remaining model domains for the entire historical period of record (WY 1980 to WY 2025). Invoice opportunity for work completed (25% contract total).

(4) January 1, 2027: Complete optimized/debiased model runs for all remaining model domains for the entire historical period of record (WY 1980 to WY 2025). Final bias correction, data assimilation and model performance reports complete. Invoice opportunity for work completed (30% contract total).

(5) Water Year 2027: Initiate real-time modeling capability for all model domains for first available full water year. Provide near real-time daily SWE grids, subbasin and elevation band summaries. Invoice for work completed (20% contract total).

(g) The following Clauses/provisions apply to this solicitation:

FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services An award will be made to the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) quote. The lowest priced responsible quote will be selected for award. Quotes will be ranked by price by summing the value of all quoted line items. One (1) Firm Fixed Price (FPP) contract award will be issued for the aggregate of all items to a responsible quoter who submits the lowest priced quote. Your quotation should contain your best price terms. The Government intends to evaluate quotes and award a contract with or without discussions with quoters. Once the LPTA quote is determined, the evaluation will end, and no other quotes shall be evaluated.

Evaluated factors include Price and three (3) Technical Factors. The evaluation team will give the Technical Factor an “Acceptable “or “Unacceptable.” The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotes:

1. Price. Pricing that is unrealistically low, may be considered an indication that the offeror does not possess adequate understanding of the requirement or the requisite technical capability to successfully perform the work.

Instructions to Quoter: Quoters should complete prices on Attachment 2, Quote Sheet.

Evaluation Criteria: To evaluate quotes for award purposes, the Government will apply the quoters’ proposed firm fixed-prices/rates to the estimated quantities included in the solicitation These prices will be evaluated to determine reasonableness of the price. A comparison of the proposed prices, government estimate, and/or market values will be used. Quoters are put on notice that any proposals that are unrealistic in terms of technical commitment or unrealistically low in price will be deemed reflective of an inherent lack of technical competence or indicative of failure to comprehend the complexity of contract requirements and may be grounds for rejection of the proposal.

2. Technical Factor 1: Personnel Qualifications/Technical Capability: Technical capability includes qualifications, experience, capacity, and strategy for executing the work. The prospective contractor shall demonstrate the ability to accomplish each of the following requirements detailed in the scope of work.

Begin work by October 1, 2025.

Employ a physically based snowpack model capable of high resolution (<=100m) modeling which captures the spatial and temporal context of basin scale seasonal snowpack.

Use high-resolution (<5km), hourly, gridded weather products as model forcing data.

Use lidar derived bare earth elevation data to initiate the snowpack model if available. Comprehensive lidar-derived vegetation parameterization should also be included within the model if available. This includes characterization of large fire scars, if applicable, as terrain, vegetation, and disturbance at fine scales are an important control on snowpack accumulation and evolution.

Assimilate remote sensing data into the model including snow depth, albedo, and snow-covered area as available. Provide data assimilation reports of the changes and results Implement spatial and temporal bias correction methods for model forcing variables with a focus on precipitation data. The need for bias-corrected input fields should be based on comparison to existing weather and snow monitoring station measurements, including the SNOTEL network. Bias correction methods must be capable of being deployed in near real-time to be applicable for operational water supply forecasting.

Deliver a report quantifying model performance / error in snowpack state variables (to include depth, density, and SWE) based on comparisons between model results and snow measurements from observation stations (including the SNOTEL network) across all model runs for each modeling domain.

Deliver daily gridded snowpack state and flux fields, and any derived snowpack summary products for WY 1980 to WY 2025 from the physically-based snowpack model.

Deliver daily gridded bias-corrected forcing fields for WY 1980 to WY 2025 and a summary report of the bias correction methods and comparisons to observations (including observations from the SNOTEL network).

Deliver documentation detailing model operation, input data sources, and calibration / validation results.

Demonstrate the capability of near real-time modeling to support operational streamflow forecasting by providing model output and derived data products at the specified latency. This includes: 1) near real-time daily SWE grids, summarized by subbasin and elevation bands; 2) analysis reports on a semimonthly basis (1st and 16th day of the month) from December 1 through July 16 detailing distributed snowpack state variables (SWE, cold content and surface water input) how they have changed since the previous report.

Deliver summary data in a format to facilitate integration and testing within the existing NWCC water supply forecasting system and architecture.

3. Technical Factor 2: Compliance / Capacity, Management Capability.

Instructions to Quoter: The quoter shall submit a well-defined approach to successfully accomplish, as a team, the work described in the statement of work. The offeror shall describe how they currently have the capacity and how they plan to meet production deadlines and schedules of the contract. The quoter shall also include a description of their quality assurance and quality control procedures. A description should be provided that demonstrates the offeror’s understanding of the site access logistics in “the state”, data collection protocol, and equipment required to collect data and meet production goals.

Evaluation Criteria: Quoters will be evaluated on the ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the Statement of Work (SOW).

4. Technical Factor 3: Past Experience.

An evaluation panel will conduct a past experience evaluation that examines a quoters recent and relevant past performance record to determine a contractor’s relevant history for work of similar size and score performed within the past five (5) years. The technical evaluation will consider the currency and relevance of the information, source of the information, and context of the data. The purpose of this technical factor evaluation is to allow the Government to assess the quoters’ ability to perform the effort described in this solicitation, based on the quoters historical experience.

Instructions to Quoter: Provide a list of no more than three (3) of the most relevant contracts performed for Federal agencies and commercial customers within the last five (5) years. Only references for relevant and recent past efforts/contracts are desired. The Government will evaluate relevant performance relative to the requirements of this RFQ, and the attached SOW. The Government will use information submitted by the quoter to independently verify Contractor Responsibility. The Government may review past performance records, such as CPARS, FAPIIS, verifying references, etc. Items that will be considered are general trends in the quoters performance, the number and severity of problems, the effectiveness of any corrective actions taken, and the offeror's overall performance record. The past performance should include the following information: (a) Company/Government Name, (b) complete address, (c) point of contact, (d) telephone/fax number, (e) contract number, (f) contract type, (g) contract amount at award, (h) contract amount at completion, and (i) brief description of work provided.

A written notice of award or acceptance of a quote, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful quoter within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

Quotes are required to complete the paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision. This must be completed at SAM.gov and the registration must be in an “Active” status.

FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition and the following additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to this acquisition:

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer 7 has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] __ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020), with Alternate I (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

__ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

__ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

__ (4) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900(a).

X (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (6) [Reserved].

_X (7) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

__ (8) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

X (9) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

__ (10) 52.204-28, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and Multi-Agency Contracts. (Dec 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

__ (11) __ (i) 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (Dec 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

__(ii) Alternate I (Dec 2023) of 52.204–30.

__ (12) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

__ (13) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

__ (14) [Reserved].

__ (15) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (16) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

__ (17) [Reserved] X (18) X (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

__(19) __ (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

__(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

__ (20) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

__ (21) __ (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

__(ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__(iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

__(iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

__(v) Alternate IV (Sep 2023) of 52.219-9.

__ (22) __ (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-13.

__ (23) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637s).

__ (24) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

__ (25) 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

X (26)

(i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

__(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-28.

__ (27) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (28) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

__ (29) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

__ (30) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Sep 2021) (15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

_X (31) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

__ (32) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb 2024).

_X (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

_X (34)

(i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

__(ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

_X_ (35)

(i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

__(ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

_X_ (36)

(i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

__(ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

_X_ (37) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (38) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X_ (39)

(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

__(ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

_X_ (40) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

__ (41)

(i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__(ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

__ (42) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (43) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (44)

(i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__(ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13.

__ (45)

(i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__(ii) Alternate I (Jun2014) of 52.223-14.

__(46) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (May 2020) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

__(47)

(i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT®-Registered Personal Computer Products (Oct 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514).

__(ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

_X_(48) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O. 13513).

__ (49) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (50) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693).

__ (51)

(i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

__(ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

__ (52)

(i) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Oct 2022) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83).

__(ii) Alternate I (Oct 2022) of 52.225-1.

__ (53)

(i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (NOV 2023) (19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, 19 U.S.C. chapter 29 (sections 4501-4732), Public Law 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43.

__(ii) Alternate I [Reserved].

__(iii) Alternate II (Dec 2022) of 52.225-3.

__(iv) Alternate III (Feb 2024) of 52.225-3.

__(v) Alternate IV (Oct 2022) of 52.225-3.

__ (54) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (NOV 2023) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

__ (55) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

__ (56) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

__ (57) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (58) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

__ (59) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Feb 2021).

__ (60) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

__ (61) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4505, 10 U.S.C. 3805).

_X_ (62) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (63) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (64) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

__ (65) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

__ (66) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(13)).

__ (67)

(i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

__(ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

__(iii) Alternate II (Nov 2021) of 52.247-64.

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] _X_ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter67).

_X_ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

_X_ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (May 2014) (29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

__ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

_X (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

_X (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O. 13706).

__ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1), in a subcontract for commercial products or commercial services. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause-

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

(ii) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) (41 U.S.C. 4712).

(iii) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions).

(iv) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(v) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance 12 Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(vi) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

(vii)

(A) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (Dec 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

(B) Alternate I (Dec 2023) of 52.204–30.

(viii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(ix) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

(x) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2015) (E.O.11246).

(xi) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xii) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(xiii) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(xiv) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(xv) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xvi)

(A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O 13627).

(B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

(xvii) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014)(41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xviii) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

(xix) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (E.O. 12989).

(xx) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

(xxi) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O. 13706).

(xxii)

(A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(B) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

(xxiii) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Part V, Subpart G Note).

(xxiv) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42 U.S.C. 1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xxv) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) (31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (c) of 52.232-40.

(xxvi) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Nov 2021) (46 U.S.C. 55305 and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial products and commercial services a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of clause) FAR 52.233-2, Service of Protest.

Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from the Contracting Officer.

The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

AGAR 452.204-70 Modification for Contract Closeout Upon contract closeout for contracts utilizing anything other than cost reimbursement:

(a) If unliquidated funds in the amount of $1000 or less remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer (CO) 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 CO 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 CO 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 CO 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 CO within 60 days, the CO 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 CO 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 CO within 120 days, the CO 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.

FAR Clauses by Reference

(h) Additional Information:

CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements of this contract. This authority remains solely with the CO. In the event that the Contractor effects any change at the direction of any person other than the CO, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and NO adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any INCREASE in costs incurred as a result thereof.

ELECTRONIC INVOICING AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS – INVOICE PAYMENT PLATFORM (IPP)

Invoices must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Payment Platform System (IPP). The Contractor must use the IPP website (https://www.ipp.gov) to register, access, and use IPP for submitting invoices. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by calling (866)973-3131.

Invoices submitted by means other than IPP will not be accepted unless the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing.

(i) Please refer to the following documents which are hereby incorporated and made a part of this solicitation:

Attachment 1 – Statement of Work (2 pages) Attachment 2 – Quote Sheet Attachment 3 – Vendor Information Sheet

(j) Quotes are due no later than August 15, 2025, 1:00pm EST.

(k) Questions are due August 8, 2025, 1:00pm EST, to Lydia Jensen, Contracting Specialist at Lydia.Jensen@usda.gov

(l) Quotes shall be directed as follows:

Emailed quotes will be accepted. Quotes shall be submitted on company letterhead, signed, dated and sent via email to Lydia Jensen, Contract Specialist at Lydia.Jensen@usda.gov no later than August 15, 2025, 1:00pm EST.

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