CEBP - DOL111RQ20383 - Solicitation.doc

DOL111RQ20383 - Increasing the Effectiveness of ETA Activities Through Peer Review of Research Products and Relevant Staff Training

B.1

COST/PRICE SCHEDULE

Period of Performance is twelve months from the date of award, plus two, one-year options.

Base Year

Option Year 1

Option Year 2

2.0 BACKGROUND:

Background

Increasingly, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) recognizes the growing need to raise the effectiveness of its programs by incorporating evidence-based practices in its policy development, program designs, provision of technical assistance and other program-related activity. Incorporating evidence-based practices in each stage of program development will require new ways of thinking and conceptualizing and will require guidance for ETA staff on how to proceed given the limited staff experience with evidence-based programming.

Coincident to this evolving recognition, ETA desires that its sponsored research, demonstrations, and evaluations be peer reviewed to help ensure that they produce scientifically valid evidence. In addition, ETA wishes to obtain a peer review of its evaluation program. This review will be similar in nature to the review process for individual research, demonstration and evaluation projects.

Under this contract, the contractor will assist ETA by performing and organizing peer reviews of selected projects, conducting a review of ETA’s evaluation projects and annual spending plans and creating and delivering a program staff briefing that will impart an understanding of evidence-based practices and how they apply to the implementation of ETA’s strategic workforce development priorities.

3.0 STATEMENT OF WORK:

Tasks

The evaluation will encompass a total of one base and four option years, provided the government exercises the complete set of options detailed below. (Projected timelines are inclusive of all contractual options.)

The contractor shall perform the following tasks:

Base year:

1. Peer review of the specific study designs. Following development of draft design plans for specific projects, contractor will conduct a peer review to assess whether the proposed study design contains any serious flaws. Each review will be conducted by two contractor staff and one external, respected social science researcher selected in consultation with ETA. The review will not seek to provide feedback on all aspects of the proposed study design but rather will concentrate on identifying any serious methodological shortcomings.

2. Peer review of specific project’s interim and/or final reports. Once each study is underway, contractor will use a peer review process to assess whether the study is producing (or for a final report, has produced) valid evidence. Each interim report will be reviewed by two contractor staff. Each final report will be reviewed by two contractor staff and one external, respected social science researcher selected in consultation with ETA. A checklist of key items to guide the review will be created by contractor in consultation with ETA.

3. Peer review of ETA evaluation program. This review will be conducted by one contractor staff and two external, respected social science researchers selected in consultation with ETA. This peer review of will assess the policy/program importance of evaluations commissioned by ETA over the past five years (2006-2010), their quality, and the extent to which they draw on earlier ETA/outside research findings, so as to build cumulative evidence.

4. Training for program office staff. This briefing will impart an understanding of the term “evidence-based practices” and the context for how OMB is incorporating evidence-based practices across the Federal government. It will include examples of how evidence-based practices have influenced the development of policy and program designs by Federal, state and local governments and how agencies are incorporating evidence-based practices into their design and provision of technical assistance, including dissemination of best practices. It will also include sharing strategies for finding and identifying workforce development and related evidence-based practices and an understanding of the type of information and/or resources that practitioners will need to increase their replication of evidence-based research.

First Option year:

At the Government’s discretion and pending funds availability, DOL may exercise an option for increased quantity of services in the form of:

1. Additional peer review of the specific study designs. Following development of draft design plans for specific projects, contractor will conduct a peer review to assess whether the proposed study design contains any serious flaws. Each review will be conducted by two contractor staff and one external, respected social science researcher selected in consultation with ETA. The review will not seek to provide feedback on all aspects of the proposed study design but rather will concentrate on identifying any serious methodological shortcomings.

2. Additional peer review of specific project’s interim and/or final reports. Once each study is underway, contractor will use a peer review process to assess whether the study is producing (or for a final report, has produced) valid evidence. Each interim report will be reviewed by two contractor staff. Each final report will be reviewed by two contractor staff and one external, respected social science researcher selected in consultation with ETA. A checklist of key items to guide the review will be created by contractor in consultation with ETA.

3. Additional peer review of ETA evaluation program. This review will be conducted by one contractor staff and two external, respected social science researchers selected in consultation with ETA. This peer review of will assess the policy/program importance of evaluations commissioned by ETA over the past five years (2007-2011), their quality, and the extent to which they draw on earlier ETA/outside research findings so as to build cumulative evidence.

4. Annual training for program office staff. This briefing will impart an understanding of the term “evidence-based practices” and the context for how OMB is incorporating evidence-based practices across the Federal government. It will include examples of how evidence-based practices have influenced the development of policy and program designs by Federal, state and local governments and how agencies are incorporating evidence-based practices into their design and provision of technical assistance, including dissemination of best practices. It will also include sharing strategies for finding and identifying workforce development and related evidence-based practices and an understanding of the type of information and/or resources that practitioners will need to increase their replication of evidence-based research.

Second Option year:

At the Government’s discretion and pending funds availability, DOL may exercise an option for increased quantity of services in the form of:

1. Additional peer review of the specific study designs. Following development of draft design plans for specific projects, contractor will conduct a peer review to assess whether the proposed study design contains any serious flaws. Each review will be conducted by two contractor staff and one external, respected social science researcher selected in consultation with ETA. The review will not seek to provide feedback on all aspects of the proposed study design but rather will concentrate on identifying any serious methodological shortcomings.

2. Additional peer review of specific project’s interim and/or final reports. Once each study is underway, contractor will use a peer review process to assess whether the study is producing (or for a final report, has produced) valid evidence. Each interim report will be reviewed by two contractor staff. Each final report will be reviewed by two contractor staff and one external, respected social science researcher selected in consultation with ETA. A checklist of key items to guide the review will be created by contractor in consultation with ETA.

3. Additional peer review of ETA evaluation program. This review will be conducted by one contractor staff and two external, respected social science researchers selected in consultation with ETA. This peer review of will assess the policy/program importance of evaluations commissioned by ETA over the past five years (2008-2012), their quality, and the extent to which they draw on earlier ETA/outside research findings so as to build cumulative evidence.

4. Annual training for program office staff. This briefing will impart an understanding of the term “evidence-based practices” and the context for how OMB is incorporating evidence-based practices across the Federal government. It will include examples of how evidence-based practices have influenced the development of policy and program designs by Federal, state and local governments and how agencies are incorporating evidence-based practices into their design and provision of technical assistance, including dissemination of best practices. It will also include sharing strategies for finding and identifying workforce development and related evidence-based practices and an understanding of the type of information and/or resources that practitioners will need to increase their replication of evidence-based research.

Deliverables

The contractor shall submit the following reports and other documents to the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative designated for the contract. All documents shall be submitted electronically.

1. Monthly Progress Reports. The first such report will be due 30 calendar days after the contract beginning date and subsequent reports will be due monthly thereafter. Reports should address monthly progress of tasks specified in the statement of work, identification of problems and plans for the resolution of those problems, and plans for the upcoming month.

2. Reports on peer reviews of study designs. Following a peer review of each study design, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the findings of the peer review process, including suggestions to remedy any design flaws that are identified. There may be up to four-to-six such reports during the base period of performance and each option period.

3. Reports on peer reviews of interim and final reports. Following a peer review of an interim report, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the review’s findings, including whether the study is producing valid evidence. Following a peer review of a final report, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the review’s findings, including whether the study has produced valid evidence. There may be up to four-to-six such reports during the base period of performance and each option period.

4. Annual reports on the peer review of ETA’s evaluation program. Following each peer review, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the review’s findings, including a rating of ETA’s overall evaluation efforts.

5. Training materials for ETA staff engaged in guiding and advising the public workforce system. These materials and documents shall be delivered in draft two weeks prior to each scheduled briefing.

5.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance is Washington, D.C.

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of this evaluation will be one base year plus two one year options to be exercised at the discretion of the Government.

7.0 TYPE OF CONTRACT

The Government anticipates awarding a fixed price type contract.

8.0 REPORTS/DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall submit the following reports and other documents to the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative designated for the contract. All documents shall be submitted electronically.

· Monthly Progress Reports. The first such report will be due 30 calendar days after the contract beginning date and subsequent reports will be due monthly thereafter. Reports should address monthly progress of tasks specified in the statement of work, identification of problems and plans for the resolution of those problems, and plans for the upcoming month.

· Reports on peer reviews of study designs. Following a peer review of each study design, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the findings of the peer review process, including suggestions to remedy any design flaws that are identified. There may be up to four-to-six such reports during the base period of performance and each option period.

· Reports on peer reviews of interim and final reports. Following a peer review of an interim report, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the review’s findings, including whether the study is producing valid evidence. Following a peer review of a final report, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the review’s findings, including whether the study has produced valid evidence. There may be up to four-to-six such reports during the base period of performance and each option period.

· Annual reports on the peer review of ETA’s evaluation program. Following each peer review, contractor shall prepare and submit a brief report on the review’s findings, including a rating of ETA’s overall evaluation efforts.

· Training materials for ETA staff engaged in guiding and advising the public workforce system. These materials and documents shall be delivered in draft two weeks prior to each scheduled briefing.

9.0 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

52.242-15

STOP-WORK ORDER ALTERNATE I

AUG 1989

10.0 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.arnet.gov/far

11.0 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT

11.1 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

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

Hand-Carried Address:

U.S. Department of Labor, ETA/OGCM

Division of Contract Services

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-4655

Washington DC 20210

Mailing Address:

U.S. Department of Labor, ETA/OGCM

Division of Contract Services

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Room N-4655

Washington DC 20210

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

11.2 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS-- COMMERCIAL ITEMS (AUG 2009)

An offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov. If an offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically at the ORCA website, the offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (m) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision--

"Emerging small business" means a small business concern whose size is no greater than 50 percent of the numerical size standard for the NAICS code designated.

"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.

"Inverted domestic corporation" means a foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), i.e., a corporation that used to be incorporated in the United States, or used to be a partnership in the United States, but now is incorporated in a foreign country, or is a subsidiary whose parent corporation is incorporated in a foreign country, that meets the criteria specified in 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 Federal Supply Classes (FSC) 1000-9999, except--

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

(2) Federal Supply Group (FSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) FSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) FSG 89, Food and Related Consumables;

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

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

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

(8) FSC 9610, Ores;

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

(10) FSC 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.

"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.

"Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern"--

(1) Means a small business concern--

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned 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.

(2) Service-disabled veteran 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).

"Small business concern" means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR Part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

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

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned 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.

(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 posted on the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website.

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically via the ORCA website at http://orca.bpn.gov. After reviewing the ORCA database 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 Items, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs .

(c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas. Check all that apply.

(1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a small business concern.

(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) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business 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 as part of its offer that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern.

(4) 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, for general statistical purposes, that it [ ] is, [ ] is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR 124.1002.

(5) 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.

Note: Complete paragraphs (c)(6) and (c)(7) only if this solicitation is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(6) 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.

(7) 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:

(8) Small Business Size for the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program and for the Targeted Industry Categories under the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program. [Complete only if the offeror has represented itself to be a small business concern under the size standards for this solicitation.]

(i) [Complete only for solicitations indicated in an addendum as being set-aside for emerging small businesses in one of the designated industry groups (DIGs).] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it [ ] is, [ ] is not an emerging small business.

(ii) [Complete only for solicitations indicated in an addendum as being for one of the targeted industry categories (TICs) or designated industry groups (DIGs).] Offeror represents as follows:

(A) Offeror's number of employees for the past 12 months (check the Employees column if size standard stated in the solicitation is expressed in terms of number of employees); or

(B) Offeror's average annual gross revenue for the last 3 fiscal years (check the Average Annual Gross Number of Revenues column if size standard stated in the solicitation is expressed in terms of annual receipts).

(Check one of the following):

Number of Employees Average Annual Gross Revenues

__ 50 or fewer __ $1 million or less

__ 51--100 __ $1,000,001--$2 million

__ 101--250 __ $2,000,001--$3.5 million

__ 251--500 __ $3,500,001--$5 million

__ 501--750 __ $5,000,001--$10 million

__ 751--1,000 __ $10,000,001--$17 million

__ Over 1,000 __ Over $17 million

(9) [Complete only if the solicitation contains the clause at FAR 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns, or FAR 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program--Disadvantaged Status and Reporting, and the offeror desires a benefit based on its disadvantaged status.]

(i) General. The offeror represents that either--

(A) It [ ] is, [ ] is not certified by the Small Business Administration as a small disadvantaged business concern and identified, on the date of this representation, as a certified small disadvantaged business concern in the database maintained by the Small Business Administration (PRO-Net), and that no material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has occurred since its certification, and, where the concern is owned by one or more individuals claiming disadvantaged status, the net worth of each individual upon whom the certification is based does not exceed $750,000 after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR 124.104(c)(2); or

(B) It [ ] has, [ ] has not submitted a completed application to the Small Business Administration or a Private Certifier to be certified as a small disadvantaged business concern in accordance with 13 CFR 124, Subpart B, and a decision on that application is pending, and that no material change in disadvantaged ownership and control has occurred since its application was submitted.

(ii) [ ] Joint Ventures under the Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns. The offeror represents, as part of its offer, that it is a joint venture that complies with the requirements in 13 CFR 124.1002(f) and that the representation in paragraph (c)(9)(i) of this provision is accurate for the small disadvantaged business concern that is participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name of the small disadvantaged business concern that is participating in the joint venture: ___________________.]

(10) 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, on the List of Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration, and no material change in ownership and control, principal office, or HUBZone employee percentage has occurred since it was certified by the Small Business Administration in accordance with 13 CFR Part 126; and

(ii) It [ ] is, [ ] is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR Part 126, and the representation in paragraph (c)(10)(i) of this provision is accurate for the HUBZone small business concern or concerns that are participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name or names of the HUBZone small business concern or concerns that are participating in the joint venture:____________.] Each HUBZone small business concern participating in the joint venture shall submit a separate signed copy of the HUBZone representation.

(d) 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--

(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 $100,000.) 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 Act Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies, is included in this solicitation.)

(1) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has considered components of unknown origin to have been mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products, i.e., an end product that is not a COTS item and does not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of "domestic end product." The terms "commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "component," "domestic end product," "end product," "foreign end product," and "United States" are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American Act--Supplies."

(2) Foreign End Products:

Line Item No Country of Origin

[List as necessary]

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

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

(i) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) or (g)(1)(iii) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has considered components of unknown origin to have been mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The terms "Bahrainian, Moroccan, Omani, or Peruvian end product," "commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "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 Act-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act."

(ii) The offeror certifies that the following supplies are Free Trade Agreement country end products (other than Bahrainian, Moroccan, Omani, or Peruvian end products) or Israeli end products as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act":

Free Trade Agreement Country End Products (Other than Bahrainian, Moroccan, Omani, or Peruvian End Products) or Israeli End Products:

Line Item No. Country of Origin

[List as necessary]

(iii) The offeror shall list those supplies that are foreign end products (other than those listed in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this provision) as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act." The offeror shall list as other foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products, i.e., an end product that is not a COTS item and does not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of "domestic end product."

Other Foreign End Products:

Line Item No. Country of Origin

[List as necessary]

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

(2) Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act Certificate, Alternate I. If Alternate I to the clause at FAR 52.225-3 is included in this solicitation, substitute the following paragraph (g)(1)(ii) for paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of the basic provision:

(g)(1)(ii) The offeror certifies that the following supplies are Canadian end products as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act":

Canadian End Products:

Line Item No.

[List as necessary]

(3) Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act Certificate, Alternate II. If Alternate II to the clause at FAR 52.225-3 is included in this solicitation, substitute the following paragraph (g)(1)(ii) for paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of the basic provision:

(g)(1)(ii) The offeror certifies that the following supplies are Canadian end products or Israeli end products as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American Act--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act":

Canadian or Israeli End Products:

Line Item No.

Country of Origin

[List as necessary]

(4) Trade Agreements Certificate. (Applies only if the clause at FAR 52.225-5, Trade Agreements, is included in this solicitation.)

(i) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (g)(4)(ii) of this provision, is a U.S.-made, designated country end product, as defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Trade Agreements."

(ii) The offeror shall list as other end products those end products that are not U.S.-made or designated country, end products.

Other End Products:

Line Item No. Country of Origin

[List as necessary]

(iii) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of FAR Part 25. For line items covered by the WTO GPA, the Government will evaluate offers of U.S.-made or designated country end products without regard to the restrictions of the Buy American Act. The Government will consider for award only offers of U.S.-made or designated country end products unless the Contracting Officer determines that there are no offers for such products or that the offers for such products are insufficient to fulfill the requirements of the solicitation.

(h) Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (Executive Order 12689). (Applies only if the contract value is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.) The offeror certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that the offeror and/or any of its principals--

(1) [ ] Are, [ ] are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for the award of contracts by any Federal agency;

(2) [ ] Have, [ ] have not, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a Federal, state or local government contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or state antitrust statutes relating to the submission of offers; or Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion, violating Federal criminal tax laws, or receiving stolen property;

(3) [ ] Are, [ ] are not presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a Government entity with, commission of any of these offenses enumerated in paragraph (h)(2) of this clause; and

(4) [ ] Have, [ ] have not, within a three-year period preceding this offer, been notified of any delinquent Federal taxes in an amount that exceeds $3,000 for which the liability remains unsatisfied.

(i) Taxes are considered delinquent if both of the following criteria apply:

(A) The tax liability is finally determined. The liability is finally determined if it has been assessed. A liability is not finally determined if there is a pending administrative or judicial challenge. In the case of a judicial challenge to the liability, the liability is not finally determined until all judicial appeal rights have been exhausted.

(B) The taxpayer is delinquent in making payment. A taxpayer is delinquent if the taxpayer has failed to pay the tax liability when full payment was due and required. A taxpayer is not delinquent in cases where enforced collection action is precluded.

(ii) Examples.

(A) The taxpayer has received a statutory notice of deficiency, under I.R.C. Sec. 6212, which entitles the taxpayer to seek Tax Court review of a proposed tax deficiency. This is not a delinquent tax because it is not a final tax liability. Should the taxpayer seek Tax Court review, this will not be a final tax liability until the taxpayer has exercised all judicial appeal rights.

(B) The IRS has filed a notice of Federal tax lien with respect to an assessed tax liability, and the taxpayer has been issued a notice under I.R.C. Sec. 6320 entitling the taxpayer to request a hearing with the IRS Office of Appeals contesting the lien filing, and to further appeal to the Tax Court if the IRS determines to sustain the lien filing. In the course of the hearing, the taxpayer is entitled to contest the underlying tax liability because the taxpayer has had no prior opportunity to contest the liability. This is not a delinquent tax because it is not a final tax liability. Should the taxpayer seek tax court review, this will not be a final tax liability until the taxpayer has exercised all judicial appeal rights.

(C) The taxpayer has entered into an installment agreement pursuant to I.R.C. Sec. 6159. The taxpayer is making timely payments and is in full compliance with the agreement terms. The taxpayer is not delinquent because the taxpayer is not currently required to make full payment.

(D) The taxpayer has filed for bankruptcy protection. The taxpayer is not delinquent because enforced collection action is stayed under 11 U.S.C. 362 (the Bankruptcy Code).

(i) Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products (Executive Order 13126).

(1) Listed end products.

Listed End Product Listed Countries of Origin

(2) Certification. [If the Contracting Officer has identified end products and countries of origin in paragraph (i)(1) of this provision, then the offeror must certify to either (i)(2)(i) or (i)(2)(ii) by checking the appropriate block.]

[ ] (i) The offeror will not supply any end product listed in paragraph (i)(1) of this provision that was mined, produced, or manufactured in the corresponding country as listed for that product.

[ ] (ii) The offeror may supply an end product listed in paragraph (i)(1) of this provision that was mined, produced, or manufactured in the corresponding country as listed for that product. The offeror certifies that it has made a good faith effort to determine whether forced or indentured child labor was used to mine, produce, or manufacture any such end product furnished under this contract. On the basis of those efforts, the offeror certifies that it is not aware of any such use of child labor.

(j) Place of manufacture. (Does not apply unless the solicitation is predominantly for the acquisition of manufactured end products.) For statistical purposes only, the offeror shall indicate whether the place of manufacture of the end products it expects to provide in response to this solicitation is predominantly--

(1) __ In the United States (Check this box if the total anticipated price of offered end products manufactured in the United States exceeds the total anticipated price of offered end products manufactured outside the United States); or

(2) __ Outside the United States.

(k) Certificates regarding exemptions from the application of the Service Contract Act. (Certification by the offeror as to its compliance with respect to the contract also constitutes its certification as to compliance by its subcontractor if it subcontracts out the exempt services.)

[ ] (1) Maintenance, calibration, or repair of certain equipment as described in FAR 22.1003-4(c)(1). The offeror [ ] does [ ] does not certify that--

(i) The items of equipment to be serviced under this contract are used regularly for other than Governmental purposes and are sold or traded by the offeror (or subcontractor in the case of an exempt subcontract) in substantial quantities to the general public in the course of normal business operations;

(ii) The services will be furnished at prices which are, or are based on, established catalog or market prices (see FAR 22.1003- 4(c)(2)(ii)) for the maintenance, calibration, or repair of such equipment; and

(iii) The compensation (wage and fringe benefits) plan for all service employees performing work under the contract will be the same as that used for these employees and equivalent employees servicing the same equipment of commercial customers.

[ ] (2) Certain services as described in FAR 22.1003- 4(d)(1). The offeror [ ] does [ ] does not certify that--

(i) The services under the contract are offered and sold regularly to non-Governmental customers, and are provided by the offeror (or subcontractor in the case of an exempt subcontract) to the general public in substantial quantities in the course of normal business operations;

(ii) The contract services will be furnished at prices that are, or are based on, established catalog or market prices (see FAR 22.1003-4(d)(2)(iii));

(iii) Each service employee who will perform the services under the contract will spend only a small portion of his or her time (a monthly average of less than 20 percent of the available hours on an annualized basis, or less than 20 percent of available hours during the contract period if the contract period is less than a month) servicing the Government contract; and

(iv) The compensation (wage and fringe benefits) plan for all service employees performing work under the contract is the same as that used for these employees and equivalent employees servicing commercial customers.

(3) If paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this clause applies--

(i) If the offeror does not certify to the conditions in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) and the Contracting Officer did not attach a Service Contract Act wage determination to the solicitation, the offeror shall notify the Contracting Officer as soon as possible; and

(ii) The Contracting Officer may not make an award to the offeror if the offeror fails to execute the certification in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this clause or to contact the Contracting Officer as required in paragraph (k)(3)(i) of this clause.

(l) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) (26 U.S.C. 6109, 31 U.S.C. 7701). (Not applicable if the offeror is required to provide this information to a central contractor registration database to be eligible for award.)

(1) All offerors must submit the information required in paragraphs (l)(3) through (l)(5) of this provision to comply with debt collection requirements of 31 U.S.C. 7701(c) and 3325(d), reporting requirements of 26 U.S.C. 6041, 6041A, and 6050M, and implementing regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

(2) The TIN may be used by the Government to collect and report on any delinquent amounts arising out of the offeror's relationship with the Government (31 U.S.C. 7701(c)(3)). If the resulting contract is subject to the payment reporting requirements described in FAR 4.904, the TIN provided hereunder may be matched with IRS records to verify the accuracy of the offeror's TIN.

(3) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

[ ] TIN: _____________________.

[ ] TIN has been applied for.

[ ] TIN is not required because:

[ ] Offeror is a nonresident alien, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership that does not have income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and does not have an office or place of business or a fiscal paying agent in the United States;

[ ] Offeror is an agency or instrumentality of a foreign government;

[ ] Offeror is an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government.

(4) Type of organization.

[ ] Sole proprietorship;

[ ] Partnership;

[ ] Corporate entity (not tax-exempt);

[ ] Corporate entity (tax-exempt);

[ ] Government entity (Federal, State, or local);

[ ] Foreign government;

[ ] International organization per 26 CFR 1.6049-4;

[ ] Other _________________________.

(5) Common parent.

[ ] Offeror is not owned or controlled by a common parent;

[ ] Name and TIN of common parent:

Name _____________________.

TIN _____________________.

(m) Restricted Business Operations in Sudan. By submission of its offer, the offeror certifies that the offeror does not conduct any restricted business operations in Sudan.

(n) Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations. (1) Relation to Internal Revenue Code. A foreign entity that is treated as an inverted domestic corporation for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code at 26 U.S.C. 7874 (or would be except that the inversion transactions were completed on or before March 4, 2003), is also an inverted domestic corporation for purposes of 6 U.S.C. 395 and for this solicitation provision (see FAR 9.108).

(2) Representation. By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that it is not an inverted domestic corporation and is not a subsidiary of one.

11.3 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS-- COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAR 2009)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the Government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights—

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, as amended (41 U.S.C. 601-613). Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers.