Combined Synopsis Solicitation - VISN 2 Bread and Bakery Products FY25-27.docx

Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05.

This solicitation is set-aside for Small Business.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 311812 – Commercial Bakeries, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The FSC/PSC is 8920 – Bakery and Cereal Products.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 2 (NCO 2), is seeking to purchase bread and bakery products for five (5) medical centers within the VISN 2 New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network – Syracuse, Buffalo, Batavia, Bath, and Canandaigua.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the items listed in the Statement of Work below. Interested vendors may submit proposals for any of the facilities listed. Vendors must bid on all items for a particular facility (or facilities) or the bid will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for award. Individual contracts will be awarded for each facility.

Statement of Work for Bread and Bakery Products

Veterans Integrated Service Network 2 (VISN 2)

1. OVERVIEW: The Contractor shall provide bread and bakery products to one or more* of the five (5) VA Medical Center facilities (hereafter referred to as the VA) located at the following locations:

Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Avenue Bath, NY 14810

Canandaigua VA Medical Center 400 Fort Hill Avenue Canandaigua, NY 14424

Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Avenue Syracuse, NY 13210

VA Western New York Healthcare System - Buffalo 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215

VA Western New York Healthcare System - Batavia 222 Richmond Avenue Batavia, NY 14202

* Interested vendors may submit proposals for any of the facilities listed above. Vendors must bid on all items for a particular facility (or facilities) or the bid will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered for award.

The VA intends to award one firm-fixed-price contract for the provision of bread and bakery products at each facility, for a total of five contracts. The quantities listed in this Statement of Work are estimated requirements for the Nutrition & Food Services. The Contractor shall be a United States (US) Vendor and a US citizen.

2. SCOPE OF WORK:

A. General: The scope of this requirement involves providing bread and bakery products, which conform to the specifications outlined and referenced herein to the VA’s Nutrition & Food Service, located at the addresses shown in paragraph 1 above.

B. Quantities: The quantities listed in this Statement of Work represent the estimated quantities that will be ordered over the base period and option year. The actual quantity ordered may vary from this estimate but shall not exceed the total estimated quantity for the base and two (2) option years without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

C. Period of Performance: The period of performance for the provision of bread and bakery products shall be a base period from October 01, 2024 through September 30, 2025 with the possibility of two (2) one-year option periods from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2027. The decision to exercise one or more of the option years rests solely with the Government.

***Please provide pricing information on tables below***

D. The following items shall be delivered to the VA Medical Center, 76 Veterans Ave Bath NY 14810. Requirements are for the period 10/01/2024 through 9/30/2027:

VAMC Bath, NY Base Year - October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025

TOTAL AGGREGATE PRICE BASE PERIOD:

VAMC Bath, NY Option Year 1 - October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026

TOTAL AGGREGATE PRICE OPTION YEAR 1:

VAMC Bath, NY Option Year 2 - October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027

TOTAL AGGREGATE PRICE OPTION YEAR 2:

VAMC Bath

Base Year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, $

Option Year 1 October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, $

Option Year 2 October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, $

Total Aggregate Price Base + 2 one-year options $

E. The following items shall be delivered to the VA Medical Center, 800 Fort Hill Ave Canandaigua NY 14424. Requirements are for the period 10/01/2024 through 9/30/2027:

VAMC Canandaigua, NY Base Year - October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025

VAMC Canandaigua, NY Option Year 1 - October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026

VAMC Canandaigua, NY Option Year 2 - October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027

VAMC Canandaigua

Base Year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, $

Option Year 1 October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, $

Option Year 2 October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, $

Total Aggregate Price Base + 2 one-year options $

F. The following items shall be delivered to the VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210. Requirements are for the period 10/01/2024 through 9/30/2027:

VAMC Syracuse, NY Base Year - October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025

VAMC Syracuse, NY Option Year 1 - October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026

VAMC Syracuse, NY Option Year 2 - October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027

VAMC Syracuse

Base Year October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, $

Option Year 1 October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, $

Option Year 2 October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, $

Total Aggregate Price Base + 2 one-year options $

G. The following items shall be delivered to the VA Medical Center, 3495 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215. Requirements are for the period 10/01/2024 through 9/30/2027:

VAMC Buffalo, NY Base Year - October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

TOTAL AGREGATE PRICE BASE PERIOD:

VAMC Buffalo, NY Option Year 1 - October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026

TOTAL AGREGATE PRICE OPTION YEAR 1:

VAMC Buffalo, NY Option Year 2 - October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027

TOTAL AGREGATE PRICE OPTION YEAR 2:

VAMC Buffalo

Base Year October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2025 $

Option Year 1 October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 $

Option Year 2 October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 $

Total Aggregate Price Base + 2 one-year options $

H. The following items shall be delivered to the VA Medical Center, 222 Richmond Avenue, Batavia, NY 14202. Requirements are for the period 10/01/2024 through 9/30/2027:

VAMC Batavia, NY Base Year - October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025

TOTAL AGREGATE PRICE BASE PERIOD:

VAMC Batavia, NY Option Year 1 - October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026

TOTAL AGREGATE PRICE OPTION YEAR 1:

VAMC Batavia, NY Option Year 2 - October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027

TOTAL AGREGATE PRICE OPTION YEAR 2:

VAMC Batavia

Base Year October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2025 $

Option Year 1 October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 $

Option Year 2 October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 $

Total Aggregate Price Base + 2 one-year options $

3. RECOGNIZED FEDERAL HOLIDAYS:

Contractor shall not be required to deliver products on national holidays as listed above and any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday.

4. DISASTERS / EMERGENCIES:

The Contractor must be able to always ensure delivery to the VA, inclusive of disasters, and/or any other emergency condition. The VA may place a special order in preparation for, or in response to, a disaster or emergency. For anticipatory situations, such orders will be placed 24 hours or less in advance. In an emergency, the Contractor will be notified with the amount and type of products required by the VA that shall be delivered within 24 hours of order placement. The order may be placed for larger quantities than the normal weekly order. The Contractor shall provide both the Contracting Officer and the COR with its designated point of contact and contact information for emergency orders.

5. SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:

A. The delivered products shall meet the specifications as listed in the attached Pricing Schedule document and comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace. All deliveries shall conform in every respect to the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C) and regulations, promulgated hereunder.

B. Contractor's Certification. By submitting an offer, the contractor certifies that the product offered meets the specified salient characteristics and requirements of the Federal Hospital Subsistence Guide (DOD/DLAH4235.1) conforms to the producer's own specifications and standards, including product characteristics, manufacturing procedures, quality control procedures, and storage and handling territories, or possessions; and is sold in the commercial market. The Government reserves the right to determine proof of such conformance prior to the first delivery from point of origin and any time thereafter, up to and including, delivery at destination as may be necessary to determine conformance with the terms of the contract.

6. ALTERNATE ITEMS, PACKAGING, and PACKING:

A. Offers may propose alternate items, packaging, or packing. Offerors shall clearly indicate, in their offer, the quantity, packaging size, unit or other different features upon which the offer is submitted. Evaluation of the alternate item will be made against a common denominator (i.e., weight, package quantity, etc.). Offers are reminded that the alternate item must meet all the requirements of the Government specifications.

B. Environmental Standards. Should the contractor manufacturer and provide company brand bread and roll products, the contractor should utilize, if possible, recycled materials for containers if they meet the FDA sanitary standards for the specified commodity. List recycled materials for containers if they meet the FDA sanitary standards for the specified commodity.

7. PRODUCT QUALITY AND FRESHNESS:

A. Product conformance. The fresh or frozen bread provided shall meet the salient characteristics of the CID cited, conform to the producer's own specifications, standards, and quality assurance practices, and be the same fresh or frozen bread offered for sale in the commercial market. The Government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance.

B. Quality assurance. When required, the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, shall determine the quality assurance of the fresh or frozen bread according to the requirements of the CID or applicable standards or specifications. The fresh or frozen bread shall be examined or analyzed in accordance with applicable provision in the CID, solicitation, contract, or purchase order, and, when applicable, the United States Standards for Condition of Food Container Manual (USDA, eff. 10/2013) in effect on the date of the offer.

C. Age requirement. Fresh bread shall be delivered less than 24 hours old upon arrival at the receiving point. Failure to comply with this provision will be considered grounds for default of contract.

D. All products furnished under this contract shall be processed and packed under sanitary conditions in strict accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), using the best commercial practices that are standard for the industry. All containers shall be clean, sound, and securely covered or sealed to provide adequate protection from dirt, filth, or contamination. All ingredients shall be clean, sound, wholesome, and free from evidence of rodent or insect infestation. Failure to comply with this provision will be considered grounds for default of contract.

E. Ingredients for fresh or frozen bread shall consist of flour, water, salt, yeast, emulsifiers or stabilizers, and other ingredients appropriate for the type of bread specified in the schedule of items. The fresh or frozen bread shall include mold inhibitors of proper levels as allowed by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

F. Enriched flour. When the bread is enriched, the wheat flour used for the bread shall conform to the U.S. Standards of Identity for Enriched Flour (21 CFR 137.165) and shall be milled from a variety of hard and/or soft wheat.

G. Appearance and color. The fresh or frozen bread shall have a uniformly brown crust characteristic of the product. The fresh or frozen bread shall have a typical volume, characteristic grain, and be evenly baked without evidence of foreign odors or flavors, burnt, scorched, stale, rancid, or moldy. The delivered fresh or frozen bread shall not be crushed or damaged.

H. Unless otherwise specified in the item specification or solicitation, marking shall be in accordance with best commercial practice.

I. Any commercial or additional labeling, as specified, which complies with the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and regulations promulgated there under, is acceptable.

J. Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be considered on an equal basis with those manufactured using inch-pound units, providing they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376B. If a product is manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request should be made to the Contracting Officer to determine if the product is acceptable. The COR, in accordance with the Contracting Officer, will accept or reject the product.

K. Additional packaging, packing, and/or marking requirements can be found in the Addendum to 52.212-4, Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items.

8. INSPECTION OF PLANTS:

An inspection may be made of the premises and employees of the bidders, prior to making an award and conditions found will be considered in awarding a contract. Inspection may also be made at any time during the life of the contract and, if it is found that the contractor is not complying with specifications, deliveries will be rejected, and the products covered by this contract will be procured on the open market. Any excess cost occasioned by this action will be charged against the contractor account.

THE BIDDER CERTIFIES THAT (CHECK ONE):

· Within the past six months no inspection of the physical facilities of this plant has been conducted by any agency of the Federal Government.

OR

· An inspection of the physical facilities of the plant was conducted by the

____________________________agency on ___________________ and this plant was ACCEPTED/REJECTED for furnishing its product to the Federal Government.

9. SOURCE OF MANUFACTURE:

Items supplied under this contract are required to originate from a sanitarily approved source. The supplier must identify the source of manufacture on the primary container or in the accompanying shipping documents. The identification on the primary container may consist of either the manufacturing plant name and address or a manufacturing plant code. When the manufacturing plant is identified on the shipping documents accompanying the delivery, the plant shall be identified by its complete name, address, and plant code. Preference will be given to locally sourced vendors.

10. ORDERING:

A. The VA Upstate New York Healthcare System facilities shall place orders no less than 2 workdays prior to required delivery date, upon delivery at the receiving location, items ordered shall be less than 24 hours of age. Orders shall not be placed more than 5 days prior to required delivery date, with the Government reserving the right to adjust orders 24-hours prior to scheduled delivery. Orders will be placed by the COR or his/her designee. Each order will show ship to and bill to addresses and purchase order number (if required).

B. Quantities shown on previous pages represent the quantities estimated to be ordered over the delivery period. Quotes will be evaluated based on the estimated quantities. Actual quantities ordered may vary among the line items.

C. The items listed in this contract are required subsistence items for the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Medical Center at the address listed in paragraph 1 of this document. Products and deliveries are to be in accordance with the terms, conditions, and schedules noted herein. The period of performance is a base period of October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, with two (2) one-year option periods from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. Prices quoted will be F.O.B. destination.

CUSTOMER SERVICE POINT OF CONTACT: The Contractor shall provide a designated point of contact and toll-free number (if applicable) for resolution of customer service problems to include at a minimum delivery of damaged or incorrect items.

Contractor Point of Contact:

(Name) (Title) (Telephone Number) (Fax Number) (E-mail Address)

11. PACKING LIST:

There shall be a packing list enclosed with any shipments made under this contract. The packing list shall show the following as a minimum: Contractor’s name and address; VA Purchase Order Number (if one is provided); the VA Facility and Service placing the order; the items shipped; and quantity.

12. RETURN POLICY:

Offerors shall clearly indicate their return policy with their quote. Defective product or incorrect product shipped by Contractor error shall be replaced at no cost to the Government. Product shipped by Government error may be returned subject to the Contractor’s normal return policy. Offerors shall provide the name and telephone number for reporting delivery/product problems for each VA location.

13. UTILIZATION OF CONTRACT:

Delivery orders will be issued on an as-needed basis.

14. DELIVERIES AND INVOICING:

A. Deliveries shall occur up to four times per week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., excluding federal holidays. Requests for deliveries on different days and/or at a different time shall be submitted to and approved by the Contracting Officer and his/her designee in writing.

B. Deliveries and invoicing for the Nutrition and Food Services must be accomplished separately at the Nutrition & Food Services Departments at the respective facilities listed in paragraph 1 of this document. Invoices must contain at a minimum the purchase order and itemized list of products delivered, unit prices, and total price.

C. While performing under this contract, all vehicles used by the Contractor shall be locked and the keys removed when not in use. This is intended to protect the Contractor’s property as well as the safety of patients and staff at the medical centers.

D. While performing under this contract, all vehicles used by the Contractor shall have temperature tracking systems in place on the refrigerated trucks to ensure they are being maintained in accordance with federal safety & sanitation guidelines.

E. Invoices shall be issued to the VA Financial Service Center and to the Chief, Nutrition and Food Services. Invoices shall be identified with proper delivery order number (purchase order number) and shall reflect all deliveries made against the delivery order. End of the month deliveries shall not be billed against the following month delivery order.

F. Invoices shall be submitted weekly and shall include the following per FAR Clause 52.212-4(g):

· Contractor’s business name and address

· Contractor’s Tax Identification Number (TIN)

· Invoice date

· Date(s) of services provided

· Contract number

· Total amount billed

· Purchase Order number

NOTE: Failure to include the above information may result in delay of payment. Invoices will be returned to the Contractor for completion if there are any omissions.

15. PAYMENTS:

Payments under this contract shall be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) by the VA Finance Services Center. See Clause 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management for further information.

16. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is considered to be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

(1) Technical – ability to provide all line items for a specific facility

(2) Past Performance

(3) Price

Past Performance: To evaluate past performance, the Government will review exclusion records in the System for Award Management. If the offeror has previously been awarded contracts with the Government for similar requirements, they should provide the contract number for those contracts.

17. CONTRACT SPECIALIST (CS):

The Contract Specialist (CS) named below is responsible for the overall administration of the contract.

Jonathan Kilgore Department of Veterans Affairs

The awarded Contractor(s) is advised that only the Contract Specialist, acting within the scope of the contract and his/her duties and responsibilities and, after advice and consultation with the Contracting Officer, has the authority to make changes which effect contract prices, quality, quantity, delivery terms and conditions, term of contract. In no event shall any understanding or agreement, contract modification, change order, or other matters in deviation from the terms of this contract between the Contractor and a person other than the Contracting Officer, be effective or binding upon the Government. All such actions must be formalized by the proper contractual document executed by the Contracting Officer.

18. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR):

The following individuals have been designated as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to monitor and certify receipt of services rendered under these contracts:

Krista D. Jones Chief, Nutrition & Food Services Finger Lakes Health Care System 76 Veterans Ave Bath NY 14810

Krista D. Jones Chief, Nutrition & Food Services Finger Lakes Health Care System 400 Fort Hill Ave Canandaigua NY 14424

Sarah L. Barnes, MS, RDN Chief, Nutrition & Food Services VA Medical Center 800 Irving Avenue Syracuse, NY 13210

Julie Hockenberry Nutrition & Food Service Manager VA Western New York Healthcare System - Buffalo 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215

Julie Hockenberry Nutrition & Food Service Manager VA Western New York Healthcare System - Batavia 222 Richmond Avenue Batavia, NY 14202

The contract type is firm-fixed-price, FOB Destination. The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is most advantageous to the Government, with past performance and price considered, prices being rated higher than past performance. All future information about this acquisition, including solicitation amendments, will also be distributed through this site. Interested vendors are responsible for monitoring this site to insure they have the most-up-to-date information about this solicitation. All quotes must be received by 3 September 2024 at 4:00 p.m. EST. Quotes must be emailed to the address below. Payment will be made using electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

NOTE: Offerors must be registered and current in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov to be considered for award. Any offeror that submits a quote for the facility named above and is not registered in SAM will be considered ineligible.

The point of contact for all information regarding this solicitation is:

Jonathan Kilgore Contract Specialist Network Contracting Office 2 151 Knollcroft Road, Building 2, Room 314/315 Lyons NJ 07939 jonathan.kilgore@va.gov

The anticipated award date is 09/30/2024.

The contract period of performance shall be a base period from October 01, 2024 through September 30, 2025 with the possibility of two (2) one-year option periods from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2027.

Delivery terms – FOB Destination.

Place of Performance/Place of Delivery Five (5) VA Medical Center facilities located in New York state. See section 1 of the Statement of Work for further details.

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

1. FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offerors–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” The following solicitation provisions are incorporated into the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1:

52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

52.204-16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING (AUG 2020)

52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021) 52.204-29 FEDERAL ACQUISITION SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY ACT ORDERS—REPRESENTATION AND DISCLOSURES (DEC 2023)

52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

852.239-75 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE (FEB 2023) ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021) Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The version of FAR 52.212-1 in the addendum is tailored for Simplified Acquisition Procedures and supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212-1 contained in the FAR.

The following provision is incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the Request for Quote (RFQ). However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits a quote, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees if the acquisition—

(1) Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold; or

(2) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the quoter waives the price evaluation preference; or

(3) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b) Submission of Quotes. Submit signed and dated quotes to the office specified in this Request for Quote (RFQ) at or before the exact time specified. Quotes may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the RFQ. As a minimum, quotes must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotations;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the quoter;

(4) A technical description of the items being quoted in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the quoter shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment Request for Quotation amendments;

(10) Past performance will not be considered in simplified acquisition procurements.

(11) Quote should include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Quotes that fail to furnish required representations and certifications, information requested in (1) to (9), and accept the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of Quotes. The quoter agrees to hold the prices in its quote firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of quotes, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of quotes. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender’s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during testing.

(e) Multiple Quotes. Quoters are encouraged to submit multiple quotes presenting alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each quote submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, revisions, and withdrawals of quotes.

(1) Quoters are responsible for submitting quotes so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that quotes are due.

(2) Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotes is "late" and may not be considered unless it is received before purchase order issuance and the Contracting Officer (CO) determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotations cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotes by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude a notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of quotes will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(g) Issuance of Purchase Order. The Government may issue a purchase order to one or more quoters as identified in the Request for Quote (RFQ). Therefore, the quoter’s initial quote should contain the best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public’s best interest. The Contracting Officer (CO) may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may issue a purchase order for any item or group of items of a quotation, unless the quoter qualifies the quotation by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, quotations may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to issue a purchase order for a quantity less than the quantity quoted, at the unit prices quoted, unless the quoter specifies otherwise in the quotation.

(1) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to- GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925, Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST ( https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).

(ii) Quick Search ( http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by-

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard ( https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier (UEI). Applies to all quotes that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and quotes at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The quoter must enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its quote, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the quoters name and address. The quoter also must enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the UEI. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the quoter to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the quoter does not have a UEI, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for UEI establishment directly to obtain one. The quoter should indicate that it is a quoter for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the UEI.

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Requests for information. The CO will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this Request for Quotation (RFQ). However, quoters may request information on purchase order(s) resulting from this solicitation with the CO.

(End of Provision)

2. FAR 52.212-2, “Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services”

ADDENDUM to 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

(a) Basis for Award. The Government will issue a purchase order to the responsible quoter whose quotation conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

(b) The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations:

(1) Technical or Quality

(2) Past Performance

(3) Price

(c) Evaluation Approach. The Government will evaluate quotations using the comparative evaluation process outlined in FAR 13.106-2 (b) (3), where quotations will be compared to one another to determine which provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a quotation other than the lowest price that provides additional benefit(s). Quotations may exceed minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to select a quotation that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation, but is not required to do so. Each response must meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government is not requesting or accepting alternate quotations. The evaluation will consider the following:

(1) Technical or Quality: The quotation will be evaluated to the extent to which it can meet and/or exceed the Government’s requirements as outlined in the solicitation and based on the information requested in the instructions to quoters section of the solicitation.

(2) Past Performance: The past performance evaluation will assess the relative risks associated with a quoter’s likelihood of success in fulfilling the solicitation’s requirements as indicated by the quoter’s record of past performance. The past performance evaluation may be based on the contracting officer’s knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired; Customer surveys, and past performance questionnaire replies; Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) at http://www.cpars.gov/; or any other reasonable basis.

(3) Price: The Government will evaluate the price by adding the total of all line item prices, including all options. The Total Evaluated Price will be that sum.

(d) Options. The Government will evaluate quotations for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement.

3. FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services”

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

www.sam.gov registration is required to be complete at time of submission of response.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

· FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” (NOV 2023)

The following clauses are incorporated into the Addendum to FAR 52.212-4:

52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS (NOV 2023)

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE (AUG 2020)

52.216-2 ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT-STANDARD SUPPLIES (NOV 2021)

52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

52.217-6 OPTION FOR INCREASED QUANTITY (MAR 1989)

52.217-7 OPTIONS FOR INCREASED QUANTITY-SEPARATELY PRICED LINE ITEM (MAR 1989)

52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

852.215-70 SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS EVALUATION FACTORS (DEVIATION)

852.215-71 EVALUATION FACTOR COMMITMENTS (OCT 2019)

852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2018)

852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020

852.246-71 REJECTED GOODS (OCT 2018)

852.247-71 DELIVERY LOCATION (OCT 2018)

852.247-73 PACKING FOR DOMESTIC SHIPMENT (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.212-5, “Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services” (MAY 2024)

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

(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 Kapersky 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 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:

(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).

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

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

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

(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).

(18)(i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

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

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

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

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

(32) 52.222-19, Child Labor--Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2024)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(46) 52.223-23, Sustainable Products and Services (May 2024) ( E.O. 14057, 7 U.S.C. 8102, 42 U.S.C. 6962, 42 U.S.C. 8259b, and 42 U.S.C. 7671l)

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

(49)(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.

(51) 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).

(55) 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) ( E.O. 13513)

(59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(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, 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.