ESBD_File_347956_RFB 24-1339 Stainless Steel Gate 5 Pier Plate Walls.pdf

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 1 of 8

Brazos River Authority

Request for Bids

January 17, 2024 RFB No. 24-1339

Dear Prospective Respondent:

Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Agent or other designee of the Brazos River Authority no later than 10:00 AM, February 1, 2024 for Stainless Steel for Gate 5 Pier Plate Walls. All qualified firms including Small, Minority, Women Owned Businesses and Historically Underutilized Businesses are encouraged to submit bids in response to this request.

Bids must be submitted and received no later than the due date and time specified. Any Bid received later than the specified time, shall not be considered. The BRA is NOT responsible for ensuring the delivery of Bids.

Refer to Section 12. Delivery of Bid Submittals for instructions on submitting a response to this solicitation.

Bid must be clearly identified as follows on the outside of the sealed physical submission or the electronic submission subject line. The BRA shall not be responsible for submissions that are not properly identified.

Proper identification of Respondent’s bid is the sole responsibility of the Respondent and failure to do so may result in the submission not being included in the bid opening:

RFB TITLE: Stainless Steel for Gate 5 Pier Plate Walls

RFB NO: 24-1339

RFB DUE DATE: 10:00 AM, February 1, 2024

The BRA shall have the right to accept or reject any or all Bids, or any part thereof, and to waive any technicalities in the interest of the BRA.

BRA will evaluate all relevant health, safety and business factors on all solicitations to determine when to initiate a notice to proceed on all projects, delivery of goods and/or services or procurement of construction related services to best attempt to balance BRA needs and to protect the health and safety of BRA employees, the employees of respondents and the public at large.

Sincerely, Allison Sheeler, CTCD Purchasing Agent

4600 Cobbs Drive • Waco, Texas 76710

254-761-3153

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 2 of 8

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PURCHASING POLICY

The Brazos River Authority (BRA) will ensure that purchases of equipment, materials, supplies, and/or services conform with Texas Procurement law as applicable to the BRA, are cost effective, and contribute to the competitiveness of the BRA and its customers.

Procurement activities will be conducted in an open and fair manner with equal opportunity provided to all qualified parties. The BRA will provide equal contracting opportunities as provided by all applicable State and Federal laws to small business enterprises, Historically Underutilized Businesses and Disadvantaged Business enterprises.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

The Work consists of the furnishing of all labor, materials, services, equipment, and appliances required for the delivery and the supplying of products and/or services as described herein and in the contract documents.

1. BID SUBMISSION: Bids must be received no later than the Bid opening date and time specified above. All Bids received after closing time will not be considered.

A. To be considered as eligible, a Respondent shall have complied with all legal requirements to permit him to operate in the State of Texas.

B. Bids must be emailed, mailed or hand delivered to be considered.

2. WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS: No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after Bid opening, except by 1) either mutual consent of the BRA and Respondent; or 2) previously submitted Bids may be withdrawn upon written request received from Respondent prior to time established for receipt of Bids.

3. SIGNATURE ON BIDS: To be valid, Bids must be signed by an authorized person. By such signature, Respondent agrees to strictly abide by the terms, conditions, and Scope of work embodied in this Request for Bids.

4. EXAMINATION OF BID DOCUMENTS: Before submitting a Bid, all Respondents shall examine the complete Request for Bids, including Bid Notice, Instruction to Respondent, and Scope of Services, all of which are part of the Bid Documents.

5. ADDENDA: Unless otherwise stated in the Bid, answers to all questions, inquiries, and request for additional information will be issued in the form of Addenda. During the Bid period, prospective Respondent may be advised by Addenda of additions, deletions from, or changes in the requirements of the Bid Documents. The BRA will not be responsible for the authenticity or correctness of oral interpretations of the Bid documents or for information obtained in any other manner than through the media of Addenda. Receipt of each Addendum shall be acknowledged by Respondent.

Any questions concerning this Bid should be emailed to Allison Sheeler, Purchasing Agent, no later than five (5) days prior to the opening of the Bid at submissions@brazos.org. This is to allow the BRA sufficient time to respond to inquiries and provide information to all interested Respondents by Addendum. Unless otherwise stated in the Bid, Addenda will be posted on the BRA web site at www.brazos.org, Doing Business, Purchasing and Professional Services, Request for Bids.

Respondent is responsible for checking the BRA web site (www.brazos.org) for updates and Addenda until the time at which the submission is due. Failure to respond to all requirements, including those Addenda, shall be grounds for rejection of your Bid.

6. TAXATION: The BRA is exempt under the Texas Sales Tax and Use Tax Laws, and the Respondent shall not include such taxes in the Bid.

7. QUALIFICATION OF RESPONDENTS: The BRA reserves the right to reject any Bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such Respondent fails to satisfy the BRA that such Respondent is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete the Work contemplated herein. Conditional Bids will not be accepted.

8. CONSIDERATION OF BIDS: Unless stated otherwise in the Advertisement or Request for Bids, the properly identified Bids received on time will be opened publicly and read aloud. Respondents are invited to be present.

9. COMPLIANCE WITH SCOPE OF SERVICES AND RIGHT OF

SELECTION: The Respondent shall abide by and comply with the true intent of the scope of services and not take advantage of any unintentional error or omission.

10. QUANTITIES: Unless stated otherwise in this Bid, the BRA is obligated during the period stipulated to purchase all of its normal requirements from the successful Respondent and the Respondent is obligated to supply the quantities which the BRA requires for its operation. The quantities stated are given as a general guide for bidding but are not guaranteed amounts, they represent the best estimated usage. The BRA reserves the option to purchase more or less of these services at the Bid price.

11. REPRESENTATIONS: By execution and submission of this Bid, the Respondent hereby represents and warrants to the BRA that Respondent has read and understands the Bid Documents and this Bid is made in accordance with the Bid Documents.

12. INDEMNIFICATION:

THE RESPONDENT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS

OF ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS AND

SHALL EXONERATE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE

BRA FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR DAMAGES RESULTING

FROM FAILURE TO DO SO.

IN ADDITION, THE RESPONDENT AGREES TO INDEMNIFY,

KEEP, SAVE AND HOLD THE BRA HARMLESS FROM ANY AND

ALL ACTIONS, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, JUDGMENTS, COSTS

AND EXPENSES INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES,

IN CASE AN ACTION IS FILED OR DOES IN ANY WAY ACCRUE

AGAINST THE BRA, ITS OFFICIALS, OFFICERS, AND

EMPLOYEES IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE AWARDED CONTRACT

FOR ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF THE RESPONDENT

IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES UNDER THE AWARDED

CONTRACT, OR THAT MAY RESULT FROM THE CARELESSNESS

OR LACK OF SKILL OF THE RESPONDENT OR THE

RESPONDENT’S OFFICERS, AGENT, CONTRACTORS, ASSIGNS

OR EMPLOYEES. IN THE EVENT A JUDGMENT IS RECOVERED

AGAINST THE BRA FOR ANY SUCH LIABILITY, COSTS OR

EXPENSES, SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE

AGAINST THE RESPONDENT.

IT IS SPECIFICALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY THE

RESPONDENT THAT SUCH INDEMNITY IS INDEMNITY BY THE

RESPONDENT TO INDEMNIFY AND PROTECT THE BRA FROM

LIABILITY, CLAIMS, SUITS, LOSSES, DAMAGES OR CAUSES OF

ACTION DUE TO THE RESPONDENT’S NEGLIGENCE, ERROR OR

OMISSION.

13. EVALUATION FACTORS: Respondents may furnish pricing for all or any portion of the solicitation (unless otherwise specified). The BRA may evaluate and award a contract for any item or group of items shown on the Solicitation, or any combination deemed most advantageous to the BRA. Bids that specify an "All or None" award

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 3 of 8 may be considered if a single award is advantageous. In the event of a mathematical discrepancy on the Bid Form, the BRA will only consider the price determined to be most advantageous to the BRA.

14. CRITERIA FOR AWARD: The BRA shall determine and select the Lowest Responsible Bidder from the Vendor/Provider, based solely upon the criteria contained within the bid documents.

15. TERMINATION:

The awarded contract may be terminated at any time by the BRA, in BRA’s sole discretion, for any cause or for convenience without penalty or liability. Upon receipt of such notice, the supplier shall immediately discontinue all services and actions. The BRA shall pay the Respondent promptly the accrued and unpaid amounts due for services to the date of termination, to the extent the services are approved by the BRA.

16. CHANGE OF CONTRACT PRICE:

The agreed upon contract price shall not be exceeded without the prior written consent of the BRA and may only be modified by a written amendment to the contract executed by both BRA and Respondent.

17. PAYMENT: Unless otherwise specified, payment for services and/or product will be processed within thirty (30) days from invoice date and acceptance of work and/or product. Invoices presented for payment must be submitted in accordance with instructions contained on the purchase order including reference to purchase order number and submittal to the correct address for processing. Unit price on invoice shall be in two (2) decimal places only, i.e., $ .XX.

The BRA has set a goal to have as much paperwork submitted electronically. Respondents are asked to submit invoices electronically to the following Accounts Payable email address:

accounts. payable@brazos.org. Respondents who use the electronic service should not mail the original invoice.

18. CONFIDENTIALITY OF DOCUMENTS: The BRA is subject to the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). Any information submitted to the BRA by a Respondent shall be considered non-confidential and available to the public, except as follows:

In the event a Respondent considers a specific portion of their Bid to be confidential and subject to an exception to disclosure under the PIA, such portion must be clearly identified and marked "CONFIDENTIAL". Do not mark an entire submittal confidential, as this is not in conformance with the PIA and is not acceptable. Only the specific portion or portions of the Bid that the Respondent considers to be confidential pursuant to the PIA should be marked. IF AN

ENTIRE BID IS MARKED CONFIDENTIAL, THE BRA WILL NOT

TREAT ANY PORTION OF THE BID AS CONFIDENTIAL AND THE

BID MAY BE REJECTED AS NON-CONFORMING. The BRA will honor notations of confidentiality made in accordance with this paragraph and decline to release such information initially. However, final determination of whether a particular portion of a Bid may in fact be withheld pursuant to the PIA will be made by the Texas Attorney General or a court of competent jurisdiction.

In the event a public information request is received for a portion of a Bid that has been marked confidential, the BRA shall ask the affected Respondent if the information may be released. If the release is agreed to, the BRA shall release the information.

If the release is denied, the matter shall be referred to the Texas Attorney General's Office in accordance with the process set forth in the PIA. The Respondent shall be fully and solely responsible for submitting arguments and evidence within the statutory timeframes to the Texas Attorney General’s Office regarding its claim of confidentiality. The BRA will NOT submit arguments on behalf of the Respondent.

The Texas Attorney General's office shall rule on the matter. In the event that it is determined by opinion or order of the Texas Attorney General or a court of competent jurisdiction that such information may not be withheld, then such information will be made available to the requester. If it is determined that the information may be withheld, BRA will withhold the information from the requestor.

Pricing information contained in Bids or contracts is not considered confidential under the PIA and will be disclosed without making a request to the Texas Attorney General.

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 4 of 8

REQUEST FOR BIDS

STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS

RFB NO. 24-1339

SUBMITTAL SCHEDULE

Bids are posted on the BRA website and prospective Respondents should check www.brazos.org> Doing Business>, Purchasing & Professional Services>, Request for Bids for potential updates to Bid requirements.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

RFB is available to download from the BRA website at http://www.brazos.org/Doing- Business/Purchasing-Professional- Services/Request-for-Bids, and click on “View this RFB”.

4:00 PM, Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Last date and time to ask questions or request additional information. Email questions to submissions@brazos.org.

4:00 PM, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Post response to questions received as of the deadline or as soon thereafter, as an Addendum on the BRA website – www.brazos.org/ Doing Business/Purchasing and Professional Services/Request for Bids.

10:00 AM, Thursday, February 1, 2024

Bids are due.

11:00 AM, Thursday, February 1, 2024

Bids will be opened and read out loud virtually at the link below…………………… https://youtube.com/live/QkWTSbIwQws?feature=share

Local time prevailing.

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 5 of 8

1. General The BRA is requesting bids for stainless steel to replace portions of the steel pier plate walls of the flood gates of Morris Sheppard Dam at Possum Kingdom Lake.

2. Scope of Services Bid shall remain valid for a minimum of 14 business days after bid opening date. This solicitation is for material and material delivery only – installation will be performed by BRA personnel. Vendor shall provide the following stainless-steel components:

A316 L Stainless Steel Material List:

1. 500 feet of 2” x 2” x 1/4” thick tubing (10’-20’ Lengths)

2. 500 feet of 1/2” thick x 1-3/4” wide flat bar (10’-20’ Lengths)

3. 500 feet of 2” x 2” x 3/8” thick angle (10’-20’ Lengths)

4. 24 plates each at 5’ wide x 10’ long x 1/2” thick

All stainless steel must meet the following qualifications and or specifications:

1. All material must be A316L stainless steel.

2. Supplier is required to furnish Mill Certifications for all of the material.

3. Country of Melt must be in the United States of America.

4. Nichol content must be 10.0%-14.0%

5. Material must be delivered FOB 301 Observation Point Road Graford, Texas 76449

6. Upon delivery BRA will inspect for quality assurance and accuracy (Deflection and dimensions meet qualifications).

Vendor shall protect the materials from damage prior to and during delivery. Materials damaged or not meeting the specifications shall be immediately returned for replacement for repair.

3. Base Bid Bid price to include all labor, materials, tools, equipment and incidentals necessary to satisfactorily design, fabricate, manufacture, furnish, deliver components.

4. Information Required in the RFB Submittal - Tab Format The BRA specifically requests succinct submittals tailored to the general and discipline-specific scope of services summarized above. All submittals become the property of the BRA. Each Bid submittal shall include the information requested below.

Tab A: Include the following:

(1) Date your company was established and a brief history; number of employees; provide number and location of offices.

(2) Provide name, title and office location of person who will be the principal contact for the BRA and the billing location if different.

Tab B: Include the following:

(1) Complete and submit the attached Request for Bids – Bid Form

(2) Complete and submit the attached W-9 form, or if foreign entity submit the appropriate tax document information.

(3) Complete and submit the attached Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire [CIQ] form.

(4) Complete and submit the Non-Collusion Affidavit form.

(5) Complete and submit the Vendor Compliance to State Law form.

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 6 of 8

5. RFB Inquiries All inquiries, including clarifying questions, related to this RFB shall only be directed to the Purchasing Agent via e-mail to submissions@brazos.org. The Purchasing Agent will direct any inquiries to the appropriate BRA staff, a response will be issued and if warranted, an Addendum will be posted on the BRA’s website at www.brazos.org. Failure to adhere to this restriction during the advertising, evaluation, and selection phases will result in the rejection of a Respondent’s Bid.

6. Respondent’s Past Performance BRA will consider Respondent’s past performance and may conduct reference checks with other entities regarding past performance. BRA may examine Respondent’s performance including, but not limited to:

the Comptroller of Public Accounts Statewide Procurement Divisions Vendor Performance Tracking System, notices of termination, cure notices, assessments of liquidated damages, litigation, audit reports, repeated negative performance, records of repeated non-responsiveness to performance issues, and non-renewals of contracts. Such sources of Respondent performance may include any governmental entity, whether an agency or political subdivision of the State of Texas, another state, or the Federal government.

Further, BRA may initiate such examinations of Respondent performance based upon media reports. Any such investigations shall be at the sole discretion of BRA, and any negative findings, as determined by BRA, may result in non-award to Respondent.

7. Conflict of Interest Pursuant to Chapter 176 of the Local Government Code, any person or agent of a person who contracts or seeks to contract for the sale or purchase of property, goods, or services with a local government entity (i.e., Brazos River Authority) must disclose in the Conflicts of Interest Questionnaire Form ("CIQ") the person's affiliation or business relationship that might cause a conflict of interest with the local government entity. By law, the CIQ must be filed with the BRA Records Management Officer no later than seven (7) days after the date the person begins contract discussions or negotiations with the BRA, or submits an application or response to a Request for Bids, correspondence, or another writing related to a potential agreement with the BRA. Updated Questionnaires must be filed in conformance with Chapter 176.

A copy of the CIQ is attached. If you have any questions about compliance, please consult your own legal counsel. Compliance is the individual responsibility of each person or agent of a person who is subject to the filing requirement. An offense under Chapter 176 carries a penalty up to a Class A misdemeanor.

8. Term of Agreement The services of the PROVIDER shall commence on the Effective Date of this Contract and shall continue until the Work is completed.

9. Contract The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible Respondent. The executed contract between BRA and the selected Respondent shall be a BRA standard purchase order. Contract terms are not subject to modification and Respondent will be expected to execute the contract in substantially the form provided. Respondent should not base a bid on an expectation that BRA will modify its contract terms.

The BRA reserves the right to award contract(s) without any negotiations and reserves the right to not make awards. The BRA reserves the right to conduct studies and other investigations as necessary to evaluate any submittal. Submission of a bid confers no legal right upon any Respondent.

The decision of BRA, or its designee with regard to the above, shall be administratively final. BRA, in its sole discretion, may waive administrative deficiencies and/or minor technicalities in submittals received.

10. Testing The BRA reserves the right to inspect and test the submitted product. The BRA in its sole Discretion may disqualify a submitted product as non-conforming to the specifications if the product does not meet the requirements of the specifications during testing.

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 7 of 8

11. Recycled and Recyclable Products The BRA encourages the use of recycled products and products that may be recycled or reused.

12. Delivery of Bid Submittals Bids may be submitted in one of the following manners:

Electronic Transmission. Email transmission to submissions@brazos.org. Emailed bid submissions shall be an attachment, in a Portable Document Format (PDF). Bids shall be clearly identified in the Subject Line as follows: RFB Title, RFB Number and RFB Due Date. The BRA shall not be responsible for submissions that are not properly identified. Proper identification of Respondent’s bid is the sole responsibility of the Respondent and failure to do so may result in the submission not being included in the bid opening.

Drop Box Submission Prior to Bid Submission Deadline: Hand delivery of one sealed, clearly identified original signed paper copy submission may be received up to the bid submission deadline contained in the solicitation at the Brazos River Authority, 4600 Cobbs Drive, Waco, TX. 76710, utilizing the secure drop box located at the office building. The BRA shall not be responsible for submissions that are not properly identified. Proper identification of Respondent’s bid is the sole responsibility of the Respondent and failure to do so may result in the submission not being included in the bid opening.

Mail-In Delivery: Mailed by commercial carrier, overnight or express mail, one sealed clearly identified original signed paper copy submission may be accepted by the Purchasing Agent or other designee up to the bid submission deadline contained in the solicitation at the Brazos River Authority, 4600 Cobbs Drive, Waco, Tx. 76710. The BRA shall not be responsible for submissions that are not properly identified. Proper identification of Respondent’s bid is the sole responsibility of the Respondent and failure to do so may result in the submission not being included in the bid opening.

RFB No. 24-1339 STAINLESS STEEL FOR GATE 5 PIER PLATE WALLS Page 8 of 8

Brazos River Authority

Base

Bid Item Description Quantity Bid Amount

1 500 feet of 2” x 2” x 1/4” thick tubing (10’-20’ Lengths) 1 $_____________

2 500 feet of 1/2” thick x 1-3/4” wide flat bar (10’-20’ Lengths) 1 $_____________

3 500 feet of 2” x 2” x 3/8” thick angle (10’-20’ Lengths) 1 $_____________

4 5’ wide x 10’ long x 1/2” thick plate 24 $_____________

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REQUEST FOR BIDS AND

RECEIPT OF ADDENDA

RESPONDENT MUST ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS REQUEST FOR BIDS AND ADDENDA BY

SIGNING BELOW AND SUBMITTING THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WITH YOUR BID. FAILURE TO

SIGN THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL DISQUALIFY THE BID AS NON-RESPONSIVE. SIGNATURE

SHALL BE HAND WRITTEN.

This acknowledgement shall become part of your response and the subsequent contract documents if applicable.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REQUEST FOR BIDS:

Respondent hereby acknowledges that it has received and read the Request for Bids and all Addenda, and that this Bid is made in accordance with the provisions thereof. Respondent acknowledges that this Bid meets or exceeds all terms, requirements, conditions, and/or specifications set forth in the Request for Bids and Addenda, and exceptions or deviations from such terms, requirements, conditions, and/or specifications, if any, have been clearly and conspicuously identified as such in the Bid.

Does your company have 10 or more full time employees? Check one box only.

Name of Firm (Respondent)

Signature – Authorized Representative

Printed Name

Date

E-mail Address

Telephone

Yes

No

Form W-9 (Rev. October 2018) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

Go to www.irs.gov/FormW9 for instructions and the latest information.

Give Form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS.

P ri n t o r ty p e

S ee

S p e c if ic

I n s tr u c ti o n s o n p ag e

3.

1 Name (as shown on your income tax return). Name is required on this line; do not leave this line blank.

2 Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above

3 Check appropriate box for federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one of the following seven boxes.

Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC

C Corporation S Corporation Partnership Trust/estate

Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=Partnership)

Note: Check the appropriate box in the line above for the tax classification of the single-member owner. Do not check LLC if the LLC is classified as a single-member LLC that is disregarded from the owner unless the owner of the LLC is another LLC that is not disregarded from the owner for U.S. federal tax purposes. Otherwise, a single-member LLC that is disregarded from the owner should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner.

Other (see instructions)

4 Exemptions (codes apply only to certain entities, not individuals; see instructions on page 3):

Exempt payee code (if any)

Exemption from FATCA reporting code (if any)

(Applies to accounts maintained outside the U.S.)

5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) See instructions.

6 City, state, and ZIP code

Requester’s name and address (optional)

7 List account number(s) here (optional)

Part I Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the instructions for Part I, later. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN, later.

Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1. Also see What Name and Number To Give the Requester for guidelines on whose number to enter.

Social security number or Employer identification number

Part II Certification

Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and

2. I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue

Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and

3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and

4. The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.

Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions for Part II, later.

Sign Here

Signature of

U.S. person Date

General Instructions Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Future developments. For the latest information about developments related to Form W-9 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/FormW9.

Purpose of Form An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information returns include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid)

• Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds)

• Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross proceeds)

• Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other transactions by brokers)

• Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions)

• Form 1099-K (merchant card and third party network transactions)

• Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest), 1098-T (tuition)

• Form 1099-C (canceled debt)

• Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property)

Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN.

If you do not return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding, later.

Cat. No. 10231X Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018)

Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018) Page 2

By signing the filled-out form, you:

1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),

2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or

3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners' share of effectively connected income, and

4. Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are exempt from the FATCA reporting, is correct. See What is FATCA reporting, later, for further information.

Note: If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

• An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien;

• A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States;

• An estate (other than a foreign estate); or

• A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax under section 1446 on any foreign partners’ share of effectively connected taxable income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, the rules under section 1446 require a partnership to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the section 1446 withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid section 1446 withholding on your share of partnership income.

In the cases below, the following person must give Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States.

• In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the entity;

• In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the trust; and

• In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign

Entities).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items.

1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

2. The treaty article addressing the income.

3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233.

Backup Withholding What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 24% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,

2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the instructions for Part II for details),

3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,

4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or

5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.

See Exempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Also see Special rules for partnerships, earlier.

What is FATCA Reporting?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all United States account holders that are specified United States persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, later, and the Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Updating Your Information You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018) Page 3

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Line 1

You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The name should match the name on your tax return.

If this Form W-9 is for a joint account (other than an account maintained by a foreign financial institution (FFI)), list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9. If you are providing Form W-9 to an FFI to document a joint account, each holder of the account that is a U.S. person must provide a Form W-9.

a. Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

Note: ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ you filed with your application.

b. Sole proprietor or single-member LLC. Enter your individual name as shown on your 1040/1040A/1040EZ on line 1. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.

c. Partnership, LLC that is not a single-member LLC, C corporation, or S corporation. Enter the entity's name as shown on the entity's tax return on line 1 and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

d. Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

e. Disregarded entity. For U.S. federal tax purposes, an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner is treated as a “disregarded entity.” See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2)(iii). Enter the owner's name on line 1. The name of the entity entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a U.S.

person, the U.S. owner's name is required to be provided on line 1. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity's name on line 2, “Business name/disregarded entity name.” If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8 instead of a Form W-9.

This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.

Line 2

If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, you may enter it on line 2.

Line 3

Check the appropriate box on line 3 for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box on line 3.

IF the entity/person on line 1 is a(n) . . .

THEN check the box for . . .

• Corporation Corporation

• Individual

• Sole proprietorship, or

• Single-member limited liability company (LLC) owned by an individual and disregarded for U.S.

federal tax purposes.

Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC

• LLC treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes,

• LLC that has filed Form 8832 or 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, or

• LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner but the owner is another LLC that is not disregarded for U.S. federal tax purposes.

Limited liability company and enter the appropriate tax classification.

(P= Partnership; C= C corporation;

or S= S corporation)

• Partnership Partnership

• Trust/estate Trust/estate

Line 4, Exemptions

If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space on line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.

Exempt payee code.

• Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding.

• Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, including interest and dividends.

• Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions.

• Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys’ fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form 1099-MISC.

The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space in line 4.

1—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2)

2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities

3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities

4—A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities

5—A corporation

6—A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or possession

7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

8—A real estate investment trust

9—An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940

10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a)

11—A financial institution

12—A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian

13—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section

Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018) Page 4

The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13.

IF the payment is for . . . THEN the payment is exempt for . . .

Interest and dividend payments All exempt payees except for 7

Broker transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations.

S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.

Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends

Exempt payees 1 through 4

Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,0001

Generally, exempt payees 1 through 52

Payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions

Exempt payees 1 through 4

1 See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.

2 However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any similar indication) written or printed on the line for a FATCA exemption code.

A—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37)

B—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities

C—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities

D—A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)

E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)

F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state

G—A real estate investment trust

H—A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940

I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a)

J—A bank as defined in section 581

K—A broker

L—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)

M—A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan

Note: You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be completed.

Line 5

Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number).

This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns. If this address differs from the one the requester already has on file, write NEW at the top. If a new address is provided, there is still a chance the old address will be used until the payor changes your address in their records.

Line 6

Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN.

If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note: See What Name and Number To Give the Requester, later, for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately.

To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online at www.SSA.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification

Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. Go to www.irs.gov/Forms to view, download, or print Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4. Or, you can go to www.irs.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have Form W-7 and/or SS-4 mailed to you within 10 business days.

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments.

You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note: Entering “Applied For”…