D_RFQ_NIMH gases.pdf

COMPETITIVE COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION

75N95024Q00025

Title: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) refrigerated liquid gases and related leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services for Airgas bulk gas tanks.

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

(2) The solicitation number is 75N95024Q00025 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).

a. This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) FAR Subpart 13.5—Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12— Acquisition of Commercial Items; and is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(3) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-05, dated August 08, 2023.

(4) The associated NAICS code is 325120 and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

This requirement is full and open competition with no set-aside restrictions.

(5) Description: Attachment A: Purchase Description

(6) Delivery: Attachment A: Purchase Description

(7) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

a. Small Business Subcontracting Plan: Offerors shall complete HHS Subcontracting Plan and submit it at SBCX, direct link is https://osdbu.hhs.gov/subcontracting/d87d14f1-42db-4ea8-9271-ceb9ed4aed9d

Pursuant to NIH’s priority of Small Business participation, Offerors shall be required to submit a subcontracting plan in accordance with the terms of the clause entitled "Small Business Subcontracting Plan," at FAR Clause No. 52.219-9 (Sep 2023), Alternate II (Nov 2016), will be applicable to any resultant contract.

(8) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

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. Responses shall be evaluated using the evaluation criteria set forth in Attachment B: Technical Evaluation Factors

b. Options:

(i) FAR clause 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services. (Nov 1999).

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 5 days. (End of clause)

(ii) FAR clause 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000).

https://osdbu.hhs.gov/subcontracting/d87d14f1-42db-4ea8-9271-ceb9ed4aed9d https://osdbu.hhs.gov/subcontracting/d87d14f1-42db-4ea8-9271-ceb9ed4aed9d

The Government may extend the term of this order by written notice to the Contractor any time prior to order expiration; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 5 days before the order expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. If the Government exercises this option, the extended task order shall be considered to include this option clause.

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.

(9) The Offerors should include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3 (if not completed electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) ), Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, with its offer.

(10) The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The invoice instructions at FAR 52.212-4(g) are replaced with the NIH IPP Invoice and Payment Provisions (4/2022) attached to this Solicitation. Attachment D.

(11) The FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders–Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

(12) The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices.

a. FAR 52.216-18 Ordering

b. FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations

(13) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.

(14) Requests for clarification/Questions shall be submitted no later than January 25, 2024 by 12:00 p.m. electronically via email to polina.klimenkova@nih.gov ; email subject line: “Question – RFQ 75N95024Q00025 NIMH Refrigerated Liquid Gases”.

When submitting requests for clarification/question, Offerors must cite the relevant section, paragraph, and page number associated with the question being posed. Requests for clarification/questions should be written in a way that enables clear understanding of the Offerors’ issues or concerns. Statements expressing opinions, sentiments, or conjectures are not considered valid inquiries and will not be provided a response. Further, Offerors are reminded that the Government will not address hypothetical questions aimed at receiving a potential evaluation decision. Responses to requests for clarification/questions will not disclose proprietary information of the Offerors.

(15) Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include:

unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance; special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations.

mailto:polina.klimenkova@nih.gov

Offerors shall complete Attachment C: Price Schedule Template and submit it with their response.

In addition, the vendor Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.

All responses to this solicitation shall be submitted electronically via email to polina.klimenkova@nih.gov.

Email subject line: “Response-RFQ 75N95024Q00025 NIMH Refrigerated Liquid Gases.”

The response must be received on or before February 5, 2024 by 12:00 pm Eastern Time.

http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:polina.klimenkova@nih.gov

Attachment A: PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Title of Project:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) refrigerated liquid gases and related leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services for Airgas bulk gas tanks.

2. Statement of Need and Purpose:

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Office of Acquisition (OA), on behalf of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a requirement for refrigerated liquid gases for use in biomedical research for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) main campus in Bethesda, Maryland Building 49 and related leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services for Airgas bulk gas tanks.

3. Background Information and Objective:

The current contract with Airgas USA, LLC will expire in April 2024. It is incumbent that we have another contract in place by this date since the procurement and delivery of refrigerated liquid gases is essential for our scientific research within the laboratories of Building 49. Without this contract in place, our research would not be able to move forward, and many ongoing experiments would be either destroyed or severely curtailed.

4. Purchase Description:

The refrigerated liquid gases are nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide into Airgas bulk gas tanks. The related leasing, maintenance and telemetry services are for those Airgas bulk gas tanks with installed telemetry system to each tank.

5. Salient Characteristics:

The Contractor shall provide the following:

5.1 Gas quality as specified below:

a) Nitrogen NF (Approved for Human Drug Use)

• Odor: None

• ppm O2: <5.00

• ppm CO: <10.00

• Nitrogen: >99.00

b) Oxygen USP (Approved for Human Drug Use)

• Odor: None

• % O2: >99.50

• % CO2: <0.03

• %CO: <0.001

c) Carbon Dioxide: (Medical Grade)

• % CO2: >99.9

• ppm O2: <100.00 (< 0.0100%)

• ppm CO: <10.00 (<0.0010%)

• ppm N2: <0.0375 (<0.0375%)

• ppm Total Hydrocarbons: <20.00 (<0.0020%)

• ppm Moisture (H2O): <32.00 (<0.0032%)

• Dew Point: -51 degrees C @ atmospheric pressure

5.2 Related leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services for Airgas bulk gas tanks as specified below:

a) The bulk gas tanks for the refrigerated liquid gases are Airgas owned tanks with installed telemetry system to each tank. The three tanks are located outside NIH Building 49 Loading Dock in a secured gated area; 49 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892.

Bulk Tank Airgas Tank ID Manufacturer Serial Number

Year Built

Capacity

Nitrogen 68757 KK 1006 2015 500 Gallon

Oxygen 94241 TM900 B1217 1988 5 Ton

Carbon Dioxide

9610 N20 VJ6 Y1494 1999 6 Ton

b) The lease of the Airgas owned tanks shall be determined on monthly billing and shall include necessary maintenance of all tanks including but not limited to piping, valves, and fittings. Annual complete inspection on all tanks shall be done and included in the lease.

The performance of each tank shall be such that the loss of liquid from evaporation will not exceed 0.5% of the tank’s full capacity per 24 hours. The pressure of the boil-off gas for each tank shall be adjustable to a maximum pressure of 100 psig normal operating pressure will be 25 psig. Plumbing of the boil off gas must be structured so that the gas can be captured and used heat exchangers shall be provided to maintain the set pressure in the tanks, and to warm the nitrogen gas during periods of heavy withdrawal.

c) Lease on monthly billing the telemetry system for each tank to determine the remaining amounts of gases available in each tank as well as other critical information including temperature, pressure, gas purity, and power usage. Access and password to this telemetry system is given to current government employee responsible for monitoring and ordering gas deliveries.

6. Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be for a period of five (5) years.

7. Contract Type:

The Government anticipates award of a single-award Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract type with payment based on the fully loaded unit prices.

• Delivery of supplies and/or performance of services shall be made only as authorized by individual delivery/task orders issued in accordance with Section 9: Ordering Procedures.

• The Government will order up to the maximum aggregate specified in table one below and the minimum aggregate specified in table two below for the contract five (5) years period of performance.

• There is no limit on the number of orders that the Government may issue.

8. Quantity:

Table One

Description Maximum Aggregate for the contract five (5) years period of performance

Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

19,000 Gallons

Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

110,000 Gallons

Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

414,000 Pounds

Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

$78,000 TBD (current is $72,000 total/$1,200.00/month x 5 year)

Table Two

Description Minimum Aggregate for the contract five (5) years period of performance

Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

1,000 Gallons

Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

4,000 Gallons

Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

15,000 Pounds

Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

Zero dollars

9. Ordering procedures:

Any supplies and services to be furnished under this IDIQ contract must be ordered by the issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the Contracting Officer. Such orders may be issued monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually as supplies/services are required during the term of the contract.

Each delivery/task order issued under the IDIQ contract will include details regarding the supplies to be provided and/or services to be performed, and the order contract type. Fixed-price orders for the acquisition of commercial supplies/services shall be used to the maximum extent practicable with each delivery/task order.

All delivery/task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this IDIQ contract. In the event of a conflict between a delivery/task order and the contract, the contract shall control.

10. Delivery:

Delivery of the refrigerated liquid gases shall be within 72 hours (3 days) after receipt of delivery/task order to the following address:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) 49 Convent Drive, Building 49 Back Loading Dock, Bethesda MD 20892

Regular delivery times are between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am but is subject to change on a Government basis. All tanks shall be identified by name and number. Tanks are secured in a gated area by back loading dock. The combination to the lock on the access gate will be given to the delivery company.

Attachment B: Technical Evaluation Factors

1. The Government will evaluate all responses received using the evaluation criteria set forth hereby.

2. The Government will award a contract resulting from this requirement on the basis of best value, technical factors and price considered. The best value analysis will take into consideration the results of the technical evaluation, price evaluation, and the ability to complete the work within the Government's required schedule. The analysis will document that the award represents the best value (considering price, technical features, administrative costs, etc.) to meet the Government’s needs. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. The Government reserves the right to award a contract to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government, technical merit, price, and other factors considered.

3. All aspects of the response are subject to discussion, including price, technical approach and terms and conditions. However, the Government reserves the right to not conduct discussions prior to award. If conducted, at the completion of discussions, the contractor will ensure his technical plan and price quote reflects the mutual understandings of the requirement and if requested, submit a revised technical plan and price quote to the Contracting Officer. The technical plan should consist of the contractor’s intent and approach to this particular effort, any considerations that should be made by the government, as well as any additional information that expresses the Contractor’s position above others for this effort.

4. If an award will be made without conducting discussions, contractors may be given the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of their quote (e.g., an adverse past performance information to which the contractor has not previously had an opportunity to respond) or to resolve minor or clerical errors.

5. The Government may request clarifying information from the contractor, as it relates to its quote.

6. The Government reserves the right to make a single award as a result of the RFQ. In addition, the RFQ may be amended or canceled as necessary to meet the Government’s requirements.

7. The Government reserves the right to make an award without further discussions of the quotes received. Therefore, it is important that your quote be submitted initially on the most favorable terms from both the technical and costs standpoints.

8. Technical proposals will be evaluated using below adjectival rating:

Adjective Risk Level Description Excellent Very Low The proposal has exceptional merit and reflects an excellent approach which will clearly result in the superior attainment of all requirements and objectives.

This clearly achievable approach includes several advantageous characteristics of substance, and very few disadvantages, which can be expected to result in outstanding performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is very low as the proposal provides solutions which are unquestionably feasible and practical. These solutions are further considered very low risk in that they are exceptionally clear and precise, fully supported, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the requirements.

Good Low The proposal demonstrates a sound approach which is expected to meet all requirements and objectives. This sound approach includes advantageous characteristics of substance, and few relatively minor disadvantages, which collectively can be expected to result in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is low as the proposal contains solutions which are considered feasible and practical. These solutions are further considered to reflect low risk in that they are clear and precise, supported, and demonstrate an understanding of the requirements.

Acceptable Neutral The proposal demonstrates an approach which is capable of meeting all requirements and objectives. The approach includes both advantageous and disadvantageous characteristics of substance, where the advantages are not outweighed by the disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages are likely to result in acceptable performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is moderate, as the proposal solutions are generally feasible and practical. These solutions may also be considered to reflect moderate risk in that they may be somewhat clear and precise, partially supported, and/or demonstrate a general understanding of the requirements.

Marginal High The proposal demonstrates an approach which may not be capable of meeting all requirements and objectives.

The approach has disadvantages of substance and advantages, which if they exist, are outweighed by the disadvantages. Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages present a low or questionable likelihood of resulting in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is high as the proposal contains solutions which may not be feasible and practical. These solutions may also be considered to reflect high risk in that they lack clarity and precision, are generally unsupported, and/or do not demonstrate a complete understanding of the requirements.

Unacceptable Very High The proposal demonstrates an approach which, based on a very high risk, will very likely incapable of meeting all requirements and objectives. This approach has several disadvantages of substance, and advantages which, if they exist, are outweighed by disadvantages.

Collectively, the advantages and disadvantages are unlikely to result in satisfactory performance. The risk of unsuccessful performance is very high as the proposal contains solutions which are not feasible and practical.

The solutions may also be considered to reflect very high risk in that they lack any clarity or precision.

9. Technical Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria in the manner described below:

9.1 Technical Approach

The Contractor’s proposal shall address each area of the purchase description in sufficient detail to demonstrate a clear understanding of the specific characteristics needed to fulfill these requirements. The proposed technical approach shall be evaluated for the capability of the contractor to deliver oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide that meets or exceeds specifications set forth in this solicitation. Contractor is required to respond to calls within 2 hours via phone and within 24 hours of an on-site service. Additionally, the contractor is to provide annual and thorough inspections on all tanks including the telemetry system described in this solicitation. The inspection shall include a complete inspection of the condition of the tanks including the piping, valves, and fittings. Capability in these areas shall be viewed favorably.

9.2 Management

This criterion will assess Offeror’s management approach and organizational structure for the ability to successfully oversee performance under this requirement without disruption of schedule, degradation of performance, and/or increase in costs.

9.3 Past Performance

This criterion will assess Offeror’s proposal for information that demonstrates commitment to customer satisfaction and timely delivery of high-quality services.

The Contractor shall provide at least two (2) past performance references completed during the past five (5) years with knowledge of the contractor’s relevant skills and experience related to the requirements outlined in the purchase description.

References shall include the following information:

1) Name of Organization. Contact Name and Title

2) Description of requirement and specific responsibilities of the Offeror as they relate to the purchase description

3) Point of contact name, title, phone, and e-mail

4) Total contract value

5) Contract period of performance

10. Price/Cost

The cost/price proposal submitted will be evaluated for fair and reasonableness pricing. Offerors shall complete Attachment C: Price Schedule Template and submit it with the response. For a price to be considered reasonable, it must represent a price to the Government that a prudent person would pay when consideration is given to prices in the market.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) refrigerated liquid gases.

Attachment C: Price Schedule Template

Contractor Name: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UEI: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Year One (April 27, 2024 – April 26, 2025):

Item Number Description Unit Unit Price ($)

0001 Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

0002 Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

0003 Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

Pound

0004 Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

12 Month

Year Two (April 27, 2025 – April 26, 2026):

Item Number Description Unit Unit Price ($)

1001 Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

1002 Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

1003 Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

Pound

1004 Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

12 Month

Year Three (April 27, 2026 – April 26, 2027):

Item Number Description Unit Unit Price ($)

2001 Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

2002 Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

2003 Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

Pound

2004 Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

12 Month

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) refrigerated liquid gases

Year Four (April 27, 2027 – April 26, 2028):

Item Number Description Unit Unit Price ($)

3001 Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

3002 Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

3003 Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

Pound

3004 Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

12 Month

Year Five (April 27, 2028 – April 26, 2029):

Item Number Description Unit Unit Price ($)

4001 Nitrogen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

4002 Oxygen as specified in the purchase description

Gallon

4003 Carbon Dioxide as specified in the purchase description

Pound

4004 Leasing, maintenance, and telemetry services as specified in the purchase description

12 Month

Updated on April 21, 2022

Invoice and Payment Provisions (Vendor has Transitioned to IPP)

The following clause is applicable to all Purchase Orders, Task or Delivery Orders, and Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Calls: Prompt Payment (Jan 2017) FAR 52.232-25. Highlights of this clause and NIH implementation requirements follow:

I. Invoice Requirements A. An invoice is the Contractor's bill or written request for payment under the contract for supplies delivered or services performed. A proper invoice is an "Original" which must include the items listed in subdivisions 1 through 12, below, in addition to the requirements of FAR 32.9. If the invoice does not comply with these requirements, the Contractor will be notified of the defect within 7 days after the date the designated billing office received the invoice (3 days for meat, meat food products, or fish, and 5 days for perishable agricultural commodities, dairy products, edible fats, or oils) with a statement of the reasons why it is not a proper invoice. (See exceptions under II., below.) Untimely notification will be considered in the computation of any interest penalty owed the Contractor.

1. Vendor/Contractor: Name, Address, Point of Contact for the invoice (Name, title, telephone number, e-mail and mailing address of point of contact).

2. Remit-to address (Name and complete mailing address to send payment).

3. Remittance name must match exactly with name on original order/contract. If the

Remittance name differs from the Legal Business Name, then both names must appear on the invoice.

4. Invoice date.

5. Unique invoice #s for all invoices per vendor regardless of site.

6. NBS document number formats must be included for awards created in the NBS: Contract

Number; Purchase Order Number; Task or Delivery Order Number and Source Award Number (e.g., Indefinite Delivery Contract number; General Services Administration number); or, BPA Call Number and BPA Parent Award Number.

7. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which is in the System for Award Management (SAM) and replaces the Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.

8. Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). In those rare cases where a contractor does not have a UEI number or TIN, a Vendor Identification Number (VIN) must be referenced on the invoice. The VIN is the number that appears after the contractor’s name on the face page of the award document.

9. Identify that payment is to be made using a three-way match.

10. Description of supplies/services that match the description on the award, by line billed.*

11. Freight or delivery charge must be billed as shown on the award. If it is included in the item price do not bill it separately. If identified in the award as a separate line item, it must be billed separately.

12. Quantity, Unit of Measure, Unit Price, Extended Price of supplies delivered or services performed, as applicable, and that match the line items specified in the award.*

ATTACHMENT D

NOTE: If your invoice must differ from the line items on the award, please contact the Contracting Officer before submitting the invoice. A modification to the order or contract may be needed before the invoice can be submitted and paid.

Shipping costs will be reimbursed only if authorized by the Contract/Purchase Order. If authorized, shipping costs must be itemized. Where shipping costs exceed $100, the invoice must be supported by a bill of lading or a paid carrier's receipt.

B. The Contractor shall submit invoices to the Department of Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) at https://www.ipp.gov with a copy to the approving official, as directed below.

The Contractor shall submit a copy of the electronic invoice to the following Approving Official (Contracting Officer) and Contracting Officer’s Representative:

Approving Official: Contracting Officer Name- Email Address-

Contracting Officer’s Representative Name- Email Address-

II. Invoice Payment A. Except as indicated in paragraph B., below, the due date for making invoice payments by the designated payment office shall be the later of the following two events:

1. The 30th day after the designated billing office has received a proper invoice.

2. The 30th day after Government acceptance of supplies delivered or services performed.

B. The due date for making invoice payments for meat and meat food products, perishable agricultural commodities, dairy products, and edible fats or oils, shall be in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act, as amended.

III. Interest Penalties A. An interest penalty shall be paid automatically, if payment is not made by the due date and the conditions listed below are met, if applicable.

1. A proper invoice was received by the designated billing office.

2. A receiving report or other Government documentation authorizing payment was processed and there was no disagreement over quantity, quality, or contractor compliance with a term or condition.

3. In the case of a final invoice for any balance of funds due the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed, the amount was not subject to further settlement https://www.ipp.gov/ actions between the Government and the Contractor.

B. Determination of interest and penalties due will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act, as amended, the Contract Disputes Act, and regulations issued by the Office of Management and Budget.

IV. PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS, FAR

52.232-40 (November 2021)

(a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor.

(b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment Act.

(c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services.

(End of Clause)

V. HHSAR 352.232-71 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (February 2, 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Payment request means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), ‘‘Content of Invoices’’ and the applicable Payment clause included in this contract.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) or successor system. Information regarding IPP, including IPP Customer Support contact information, is available at www.ipp.gov or any successor site.

(c) The Contractor may submit payment requests using other than IPP only when the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing in accordance with HHS procedures.

(d) If alternate payment procedures are authorized, the Contractor shall include a copy of the Contracting Officer’s written authorization with each payment request.

(End of Clause) http://www.ipp.gov/