COMBINED SYNOPSIS for 16PBGC26Q0003.pdf

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR

Octus Subscriptions

General Information

Document Type: Sole Source Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Solicitation Number: 16PBGC26Q0003 Posted Date: 12/23/2026 Original Response Date: 01/07/2026 Current Response Date: 01/07/2026 Product or Service Code: DA10 - IT AND TELECOM - Business

Application/Application Set Aside: Total Small Business NAICS Code: 519290 - Web Search Portals and All Other

Information Services Size Standard 1000 employees

Contracting Office Address 445 12th ST SW Washington, D.C. 20024

Description The purpose of this requirement is to procure 10 subscriptions to Octus to obtain access to the web search portal, geared towards providing access to data points on leveraged financial news, analysis, data, etc. This procurement will support Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) Corporate Finance and Restructuring Department’s (CFRD) need to have access to analysis and insights on the key issues in various relevant high-yield bond, distressed debt, leveraged loan, and restructuring market situations. The platform is required to deliver its services from investment communities, trading desks, investment banks and leveraged finance markets, legal and financial advisors, restructuring and turnaround practitioners, private equity firms, and law firms. CFRD needs additional information regarding high yield bonds and leveraged loans. Access to the same information used by commercial lenders is required, as this information is vital to termination decisions of CFRD.

Section 1 - Summary & Schedule of Supplies or Services Section 2 - Work Statement/List of Supplies & Quantities Section 3 - Attachments and Exhibits

Attachments and Exhibits Section 4 - Instructions to Offerors Section 5 - Evaluation & Basis for Award

Section 5: Evaluation & Basis for Award FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management. (NOV 2024) FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (OCT 2018) FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting. (AUG 2020) FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance. (AUG 2020) FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023)...8 FAR 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options. (JUL 1990) FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes. (FEB 2013) FAR 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations. (JUN 2013) FAR 52.242-13 Bankruptcy. (JUL 1995) FAR 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications. (DEC 2014) FAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. (NOV 2021) FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021) FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. (OCT 2020) FAR 52.204-29 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures.

(DEC 2023)

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2021) FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. ((OCT 2025)(DEVIATION FEB 2025)) FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2023) FAR 52.217-9 Option To Extend the Term of the Contract. (MAR 2000) FAR 52.229-11 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements-Notice and Representation. (JUN 2020) FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998) FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998) PBGC 52.201-7000 Contracting Officer's Representative (JUN 2017)

PBGC 52.204-7000 RECORDS MANAGEMENT (SEP 2017)

PBGC 52.209-7001 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (AUG 2017)

PBGC 52.232-7005 LIMITATION OF FUNDS (APR 2018)

PBGC 52.232-7009 SUBMISSION OF ELECTRONIC INVOICING USING INVOICE PROCESSING

PLATFORM (IPP) FOR TIME AND MATERIAL, LABOR-HOURS, AND FIXED PRICE (FEB 2023)

PBGC 52.232-7011 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS - NO OR PARTIAL FUNDING (NOV 2023)

PBGC 52.239-7000 SECTION 508 ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS (MAR2020)

PBGC 52.246-7000 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF DELIVERABLES (JAN 2012)

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (OCT 2025) (DEVIATION FEB 2025)

Section 1 - Summary & Schedule of Supplies or Services

1.1 Introduction

The Government anticipates awarding a single purchase order for a commercial services in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12 and the procedures of FAR subpart 13.5.

The Contractor shall provide the required access to Octus, as defined in Section 2 of this Request for Quotation (RFQ). The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 519290.

The Government anticipates a 12-month base period of performance of Feb 1, 2026 - Jan 31, 2027, with four twelve-month option periods available. The Contractor shall complete the Pricing Schedule below.

1.2 Pricing Schedule

Unit Price Quantity Total

Base Period

Octus Subscription 10

Option Period 1

Octus Subscription 10

Option Period 2

Octus Subscription 10

Option Period 3

Octus Subscription 10

Option Period 4

Octus Subscription 10

Total

Section 2 - Work Statement/List of Supplies & Quantities

PBGC requires Octus Subscriptions for 10 users.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

Base Year: Feb 1, 2026 - January 31, 2027 Option Year 1: Feb 1, 2027 - January 31, 2028 Option Year 2: Feb 1, 2028 - January 31, 2029 Option Year 3: Feb 1, 2029 - January 31, 2030 Option Year 4: Feb 1, 2030 - January 31, 2031

Section 3 - Attachments and Exhibits

Attachments and Exhibits

Attachment Number Title Date

Section 4 - Instructions to Offerors

4.1 Commitment of the Government

This solicitation does not commit the Government to award a purchase order.

4.2 Communications

All communications concerning the RFQ, including any of a technical nature, shall be made by email to the CO John Fales at fales.john@pgbc.gov . All questions, technical or otherwise, in response to this solicitation shall be in writing and received by the Government on or before Jan 2, 2026 by 10 am Eastern Time. Questions shall identify the applicable section, page number and paragraph. The Government will provide a list of all questions received with the Government responses in the form of an amendment to the RFQ. The Government will not consider questions received after this date.

4.3 Quote Submission Due Date and Time

The Contractor must submit its quotation for receipt by the CO by January 7, 2026 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

4.4 Quote Compliance Check

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN THE QUOTE BEING FOUND

NON-COMPLIANT AND INELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER EVALUATION OR AWARD.

SAM registration must be active at the time of the quotation submission.

4.5 Quote Preparation Instructions – General

Quote shall conform to the RFQ clauses and provisions and be prepared in accordance with this section.

Section 5 - Evaluation & Basis for Award

Section 5: Evaluation & Basis for Award

This is a FAR Part 12 requirement that utilizes FAR Part 13 evaluation procedures. The Government intends to award a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for this requirement upon the Quoter's submission of a Technically Acceptable quote containing fair and reasonable pricing. The Government reserves the right to award no contract at all, depending on the quality of the quote received. The Government will make an award to the contractor who conforms to the requirements outlined in the solicitation’s Section 1: “Pricing Schedule” and is determined to be Technically Acceptable.

Criteria for acceptability are as follows:

a) Technical Acceptability - The Government will evaluate the quotation to ensure that it is compliant with the requirements of the solicitation and its Section 3: “Instructions to Quoters” and that the quotation meets the technical requirements outlined in the solicitation.

To be technically acceptable, the Quoter shall:

a) Provide a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) for the products specified in Section 1: “Description of Supplies” of the solicitation.

b) The completed price schedule shall include a quoted unit price and a total price per CLIN, as well as a total firm fixed price for all CLINs.

b) Price Reasonableness Price will be evaluated based on information included in the price quotation. Price will not be point scored, assigned a numerical weight, nor adjectivally rated. For evaluation purposes only, the total evaluated price is the sum of the total prices submitted for (a) the base period, (b) all option periods.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. The Contractor's compliance is material to the Government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code, and certifies that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order of January 21, 2025 (Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity), which revokes Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965 (Equal Employment Opportunity), Contractors are no longer required to complete the associated representations found at FAR 52.212-3(d) nor comply with clauses (or portions of clauses) implementing Executive Order 11246 (i.e., FAR 52.222-26, FAR 52.212-5); however, for 90 days from the date of President Trump’s aforementioned order, Federal Contractors may continue to comply with the regulatory scheme in effect on January 20, 2025.

FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management. (NOV 2024)

FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (OCT 2018)

FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting. (AUG 2020)

FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance. (AUG 2020)

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023)

FAR 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options. (JUL 1990)

FAR 52.229-3 Federal, State, and Local Taxes. (FEB 2013)

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

FAR 52.242-13 Bankruptcy. (JUL 1995)

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

The Contractor's representations and certifications, including those completed electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM), are incorporated by reference into the contract.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. (NOV 2021)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause-

Covered contractor information system means an information system that is owned or operated by a contractor that processes, stores, or transmits Federal contract information.

Federal contract information means information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government, but not including information provided by the Government to the public (such as on public Web sites) or simple transactional information, such as necessary to process payments.

Information means any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 4009).

Information system means a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information (44 U.S.C.

3502).

Safeguarding means measures or controls that are prescribed to protect information systems.

(b) Safeguarding requirements and procedures. (1) The Contractor shall apply the following basic safeguarding requirements and procedures to protect covered contractor information systems.

Requirements and procedures for basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems shall include, at a minimum, the following security controls:

(i) Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).

(ii) Limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.

(iii) Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems.

(iv) Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems.

(v) Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.

(vi) Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational information systems.

(vii) Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

(viii) Limit physical access to organizational information systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals.

(ix) Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

(x) Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational information systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the information systems.

(xi) Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

(xii) Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.

(xiii) Provide protection from malicious code at appropriate locations within organizational information systems.

(xiv) Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.

(xv) Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

(2) Other requirements. This clause does not relieve the Contractor of any other specific safeguarding requirements specified by Federal agencies and departments relating to covered contractor information systems generally or other Federal safeguarding requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) as established by Executive Order 13556.

(c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021)

The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision-

Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to-

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to-

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services."

(d) Representations. The Offeror represents that-

(1) It [ ] will, [ ] will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Offeror responds "will" in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that-

It [ ] does, [ ] does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Offeror shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Offeror responds "does" in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(e) Disclosures. (1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "will" in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment-

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services-

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Offeror has responded "does" in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment-

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment (include entity name, unique entity identifier, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services-

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: Brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. (OCT 2020)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" and "reasonable inquiry" have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Procedures. The Offeror shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for "covered telecommunications equipment or services".

(c) Representations. (1) The Offeror represents that it [ ] does, [ ] does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument.

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry for purposes of this representation, the offeror represents that it [ ] does, [ ] does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.

(End of provision)

FAR 52.204-29 Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures.

(DEC 2023)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, Covered article, FASCSA order, Intelligence community, National security system, Reasonable inquiry, Sensitive compartmented information, Sensitive compartmented information system, and Source have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204- 30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Prohibition.

(b) Prohibition. Contractors are prohibited from providing or using as part of the performance of the contract any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the prohibition is set out in an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) order, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Prohibition.

(c) Procedures. (1) The Offeror shall search for the phrase "FASCSA order" in the System for Award Management (SAM)(https://www.sam.gov) for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable FASCSA order described in paragraph (b)(1) of FAR 52.204-30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders- Prohibition.

(2) The Offeror shall review the solicitation for any FASCSA orders that are not in SAM, but are effective and do apply to the solicitation and resultant contract (see FAR 4.2303(c)(2)).

(3) FASCSA orders issued after the date of solicitation do not apply unless added by an amendment to the solicitation.

(d) Representation. By submission of this offer, the offeror represents that it has conducted a reasonable inquiry, and that the offeror does not propose to provide or use in response to this solicitation any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order in effect on the date the solicitation was issued, except as waived by the solicitation, or as disclosed in paragraph (e).

(e) Disclosures. The purpose for this disclosure is so the Government may decide whether to issue a waiver. For any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is subject to an applicable FASCSA order, and the Offeror is unable to represent compliance, then the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(1) Name of the product or service provided to the Government;

(2) Name of the covered article or source subject to a FASCSA order;

(3) If applicable, name of the vendor, including the Commercial and Government Entity code and unique entity identifier (if known), that supplied the covered article or the product or service to the Offeror;

(4) Brand;

(5) Model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number);

(6) Item description;

(7) Reason why the applicable covered article or the product or service is being provided or used;

(f) Executive agency review of disclosures. The contracting officer will review disclosures provided in paragraph (e) to determine if any waiver may be sought. A contracting officer may choose not to pursue a waiver for covered articles or sources otherwise subject to a FASCSA order and may instead make an award to an offeror that does not require a waiver.

(End of provision)

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

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Technical Acceptability Price

(Contracting Officer shall insert the significant evaluation factors, such as (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; (ii) price; (iii) past performance (see FAR 15.304); and include them in the relative order of importance of the evaluation factors, such as in descending order of importance.)

Technical and past performance, when combined, are more important than price. (Contracting Officer state, in accordance with FAR 15.304, the relative importance of all other evaluation factors, when combined, when compared to price.)

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror 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), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

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

(OCT 2025)(DEVIATION FEB 2025)

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision-

Covered telecommunications equipment or services has the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States and who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 13 CFR part 127, and the concern is certified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier in accordance with 13 CFR 127.300. It automatically qualifies as a women-owned small business eligible under the WOSB Program.

Forced or indentured child labor means all work or service-

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

Highest-level owner means the entity that owns or controls an immediate owner of the offeror, or that owns or controls one or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror. No entity owns or exercises control of the highest level owner.

Immediate owner means an entity, other than the offeror, that has direct control of the offeror.

Indicators of control include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: Ownership or interlocking management, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, and the common use of employees.

Inverted domestic corporation means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

Manufactured end product means any end product in product and service codes (PSCs) 1000- 9999, except-

(1) PSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Product or Service Group (PSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) PSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) PSG 89, Subsistence;

(5) PSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

(6) PSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) PSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) PSC 9610, Ores;

(9) PSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) PSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

Place of manufacture means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

Predecessor means an entity that is replaced by a successor and includes any predecessors of the predecessor.

Reasonable inquiry has the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

Restricted business operations means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174). Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate-

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.

Sensitive technology-

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically-

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

Service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concern means a small business concern-

(1)(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran; or

(2) A small business concern eligible under the SDVOSB Program in accordance with 13 CFR part 128 (see subpart 19.14).

(3) Service-disabled veteran, as used in this definition, means a veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service-connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C.

101(16), and who is registered in the Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem, or successor system that is maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration, as a service-disabled veteran.

Service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concern eligible under the SDVOSB Program means an SDVOSB concern that-

(1) Effective January 1, 2024, is designated in the System for Award Management (SAM) as certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in accordance with 13 CFR 128.300; or

(2) Has represented that it is an SDVOSB concern in SAM and submitted a complete application for certification to SBA on or before December 31, 2023.

Service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) Program means a program that authorizes contracting officers to limit competition, including award on a sole-source basis, to SDVOSB concerns eligible under the SDVOSB Program.

Small business concern-(1) Means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field of operation, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

(2) Affiliates, as used in this definition, means business concerns, one of whom directly or indirectly controls or has the power to control the others, or a third party or parties control or have the power to control the others. In determining whether affiliation exists, consideration is given to all appropriate factors including common ownership, common management, and contractual relationships. SBA determines affiliation based on the factors set forth at 13 CFR 121.103.

Small disadvantaged business concern, consistent with 13 CFR 124.1001, means a small business concern under the size standard applicable to the acquisition, that-

(1) Is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned (as defined at 13 CFR 124.105) by-

(i) One or more socially disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.103) and economically disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.104) individuals who are citizens of the United States; and

(ii) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage has a net worth not exceeding the threshold at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2) after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2); and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled (as defined at 13.CFR 124.106) by individuals, who meet the criteria in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) of this definition.

Subsidiary means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned-

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

Successor means an entity that has replaced a predecessor by acquiring the assets and carrying out the affairs of the predecessor under a new name (often through acquisition or merger). The term "successor" does not include new offices/divisions of the same company or a company that only changes its name. The extent of the responsibility of the successor for the liabilities of the predecessor may vary, depending on State law and specific circumstances.

Veteran-owned small business concern means a small business concern-

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned and controlled by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C. 101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

Women-owned business concern means a concern which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of its stock is owned by one or more women; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Women-owned small business concern means a small business concern-

(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

Women-owned small business (WOSB) concern eligible under the WOSB Program (in accordance with 13 CFR part 127), means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States, and the concern is certified by SBA or an approved third-party certifier in accordance with 13 CFR 127.300.

(b)(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the Offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications in SAM.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard(s) applicable to the NAICS code(s) referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs _________.

[Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (v) of this provision that the offeror has completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any.

These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted electronically on

SAM.]

(c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii). Check all that apply.

(1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that-

(i) It ___ is, ___ is not a small business concern; or

(ii) It ___ is, ___ is not a small business joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 121.103(h) and 13 CFR 125.8(a) and (b). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: _________.]

(2) Veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it ___ is, ___ is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

(3) SDVOSB concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it ___ is, ___ is not an SDVOSB concern.

(4) SDVOSB concern joint venture eligible under the SDVOSB Program. The offeror represents that it ___ is, ___ is not an SDVOSB joint venture eligible under the SDVOSB Program that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 128.402. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as an SDVOSB concern in paragraph (c)(3) of this provision.] [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture:__.]

(5) Small disadvantaged business concern. (Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.) The offeror represents that it ___ is, ___ is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1001.

(6) Women-owned small business concern. (Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.) The offeror represents that it ___ is, ___ is not a women-owned small business concern.

(7) WOSB joint venture eligible under the WOSB Program. The offeror represents that it ___ is, ___ is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 127.506(a) through (c). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: _______________.]

(8) Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) joint venture.

The offeror represents that it ___ is, ___ is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 127.506(a) through (c). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: _____________.]

Note to paragraphs (c)(9) and (10): Complete paragraphs (c)(9) and (10) only if this solicitation is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(9) Women-owned business concern (other than small business concern). (Complete only if the offeror is a women-owned business concern and did not represent itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.) The offeror represents that it ___ is, a women-owned business concern.

(10) Tie bid priority for labor surplus area concerns. If this is an invitation for bid, small business offerors may identify the labor surplus areas in which costs to be incurred on account of manufacturing or production (by offeror or first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price: ____________________.

(11) HUBZone small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that-

(i) It ___ is, ___ is not a HUBZone small business concern listed, on the date of this representation, as having been certified by SBA as a HUBZone small business concern in the Dynamic Small Business Search and SAM, and will attempt to maintain an employment rate of HUBZone residents of 35 percent of its employees during performance of a HUBZone contract (see 13 CFR 126.200(e)(1)); and

(ii) It ___ is, ___ is not a HUBZone joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR 126.616(a) through (c). [The offeror shall enter the name and unique entity identifier of each party to the joint venture: _________.] Each HUBZone small business concern participating in the HUBZone joint venture shall provide representation of its HUBZone status.

(d) [Reserved] Representations required to implement provisions of Executive Order 11246-

(1) Previous contracts and compliance. The offeror represents that-

(i) It ___ has, ___ has not participated in a previous contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this solicitation; and

(ii) It ___ has, ___ has not filed all required compliance reports.

(2) Affirmative Action Compliance. The offeror represents that-

John Fales Cross-Out

(i) It ___ has developed and has on file, ___ has not developed and does not have on file, at each establishment, affirmative action programs required by rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor (41 CFR parts 60-1 and 60-2), or

(ii) It ___ has not previously had contracts subject to the written affirmative action programs requirement of the rules and regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

(e) Certification Regarding Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (31 U.S.C. 1352).

(Applies only if the contract is expected to exceed $200,000.) By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress or an employee of a Member of Congress on his or her behalf in connection with the award of any resultant contract. If any registrants under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 have made a lobbying contact on behalf of the offeror with respect to this contract, the offeror shall complete and submit, with its offer, OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, to provide the name of the registrants. The offeror need not report regularly employed officers or employees of the offeror to whom payments of reasonable compensation were made.

(f) Buy American Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies, is included in this solicitation.)

(1)(i) The Offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (f)(3) of this provision contains a critical component.

(ii) The Offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products.

For those foreign end products that do not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the Offeror shall also indicate whether these foreign end products exceed 55 percent domestic content, except for those that are COTS items. If the percentage of the domestic content is unknown, select "no".

(iii) The Offeror shall separately list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component (see FAR 25.105).

(iv) The terms "commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "critical component," "domestic end product," "end product," "foreign end product," and "United States" are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American-Supplies."

(2) Foreign End Products:

Line item No. Country of origin Exceeds 55% domestic content (yes/no)

[List as necessary]

(3) Domestic end products containing a critical component:

Line Item No. ____________

(4) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of FAR part 25.

(g)(1) Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at FAR 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act, is included in this solicitation.)

(i)(A) The Offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (g)(1)(iv) of this provision contains a critical component.

(B) The terms "Bahraini, Moroccan, Omani, Panamanian, or Peruvian end product," "commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "critical component," "domestic end product," "end product," "foreign end product," "Free Trade Agreement country," "Free Trade Agreement country end product," "Israeli end product," and "United States" are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American-Free Trade…