HT942523R0049_Amend 0002 (with track changes).docx

COMBINED SYNOPIS/SOLICTATION INSTRUCTIONS

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation and award prescribed in FAR Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and no other solicitation will be issued.

The NAICS code is 541714, “Research and Development in Biotechnology (Except Nanobiotechnology”, PSC AN14, with a size standard of 1,000 employees. This is a requirement that is set aside 100% for women-owned small businesses.

This is a non-personal services contract to provide Clinical Research Support for Travis Air Force Base (AFB) David Grant Medical Center/Clinical Investigation Facility (CIF).

This combined synopsis/solicitation is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). The resulting contract is expected to be firm-fixed-price.

Please refer and “Instructions and Evaluation” for submission instructions & for details on proposal evaluation.

Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Alt I (Dev), titled, “Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation 2023-O0002) ,” with its offer.

Clinical Research Support

FFP

Clinical Research Support IAW PWS Attachment 1 Labor Categories FOB: Destination

PSC CD: AN14

NET AMT

Other Direct Costs

COST

Other Direct Costs

ESTIMATED COST

FFP

Optional 52.217-8 six month Clinical Research Support IAW PWS Attachment 1 Labor Categories

NET AMT

COST

Other Direct Costs

ESTIMATED COST

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE TERMS

Supplies/services will be inspected/accepted at:

DELIVERY INFORMATION

14-MAY-2024

CITLALITL LEON

AF BPN NO MILSBILLS PROCESSES

10 BODIN CIR BLDG 777 RM 1A416

TRAVIS AFB CA 94535-1809

707-423-7644

F3Z453

14-MAY-2024

F3Z453

14-NOV-2024

F3Z453

14-NOV-2024

F3Z453

INSTRUCTIONS AND EVALUATION

Proposal Instructions and Evaluation Criteria (52.212-2 EVALUATION--COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021))

Proposal Instructions The Offeror’s submission shall include two separate parts: a Non-Price proposal and a Price proposal.

a. Point of Contact (POC):

Questions shall be sent via E-mail to the POCs for this Request for Proposal (RFP), Chasen Deener, chasen.n.deener.civ@health.mil and Jennifer McMurry, jennifer.m.mcmurry.civ@health.mil. The Offeror is responsible for verifying receipt by the POC.

b. Proposal Questions: Questions may be submitted to the POC via email No Later than 3 April 2023 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Follow-up/additional questions will not be accepted after this date.

c. Proposal Due Date: No Later Than: 11 April 2023 at 03:00 PM Eastern Time.

d. Electronic Submission: Offerors are invited to submit a proposal in accordance with 1. Proposal Content and Format Instructions, to arrive electronically through the Solicitation Module of the PIEE suite at https://piee.eb.mil/ website no later than the proposal due date for this solicitation (see Proposal Instructions (c)). The Government does not authorize submission of telegraphic, facsimile, paper or CDROM offers via hand carry or mail carrier for this solicitation. Proposals submitted by mail or hand carried will not be evaluated. Proposals sent through proprietary or third party File Transfer Protocol (FTP) sites or DoD SAFE will not be retrieved. Proposals will not be accepted via email directly to the USAMRAA POC or other USAMRAA email inbox. It is the responsibility of the Offeror to confirm receipt of proposals. All proposals received after the exact time specified for receipt shall be treated as late submissions and will not be considered except under facts and circumstances allowed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

The proposal due date is identified earlier in solicitation.

Submitting your proposal: The Solicitation Module of the PIEE suite application is used to send large files to individuals which would normally be too large to send via email. All parts of the solicitation must be submitted using the Solicitation Module of the PIEE suite. Before you can submit a proposal you must establish a PIEE account. You can register for PIEE at the following link: Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (eb.mil) . It is recommended you begin the account registration process immediately upon reviewing this solicitation regardless if you intend to submit a proposal or not. Web based PIEE training can be found at: Solicitation Training | PIEE (eb.mil). For instructions on how to post an offer, please refer to the Posting Offer demo: https://pieetraining.eb.mil/wbt/sol/Posting_Offer.pdf .

Your submission should include two separate parts: a Non-Price proposal and a Price proposal.

1. Proposal Content and Format Instructions.

The Offeror’s submission shall include two (2) separate parts: a Non-Price proposal and a Price proposal.

a. Administrative Format Instructions:

(1) Page Limits: Non-price proposals are limited to ten (10) single-sided pages. Pages should be numbered consecutively throughout the document and not by sections. For any sections of a proposal with a defined page limit, pages exceeding the specified limit will be removed and not forwarded for evaluation. The following sections are not subject to the ten (10) page limit* listed above:

· Table of Contents;

· Title page;

· Contractor Task Order POC Cover Page; and

· Staffing Matrix.

· Resumes and letters of intent for Key Personnel (all labor categories).

· Business Associate Agreement (signed)

(2) Formatting: Proposal content shall be no smaller than Times New Roman size 12 font with 1” margins. Exhibits, graphics, charts, captions, etc., shall be no smaller than size 10 font.

(3) Contractor Award POC: The Offeror shall include its proposed POCs as a cover page to its non-price proposal. The Offeror shall provide a POC authorized to hold discussions/negotiations with the Government who has the full authority to bind the Offeror to a task order. This will include electronic performance reports produced via the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). This cover page is excluded from any non-price proposal page limits. Information required for each POC includes: First name, last name, title, e-mail address, phone number, Fax number, and level of authority.

2. Non-Price Proposal (Part 1) Evaluation Criteria Instructions:

The Offeror’s non-price proposal shall clearly reflect the offeror’s approach to execute and comply with the performance requirements identified in the PWS, regardless of the Government’s estimated effort. Your non-price proposal, including any supporting documentation, is to be clear and concise. The level of effort proposed must be consistent with the proposed solution outlined in your non-price proposal.

The evaluation factors are in descending order of importance:

Factor I (non-price) – Management Approach Factor II (non-price) – Past Performance Factor III – Price

Award of this order will be made on a competitive best value basis, using “best value tradeoff” among price and non-price factors. The Government may elect to award to other than the lowest priced Offeror, or other than the Offeror with the highest rated non-price proposal. Past Performance will be evaluated independently from the other non-price evaluation factors using different standards identified herein.

The Offeror’s non-price proposal shall contain the following:

(a) Mandatory Documentation Pass/Fail Criteria: The offeror shall make a clear statement in the Non-Price Proposal, that the proposal is valid for not less than 180 calendar days from the proposal due date. The Offeror shall provide its approach that clearly reflects how it plans to accomplish the work identified in the PWS, regardless of the Government’s estimated effort. The Offeror shall provide as a part of its Non-price proposal the following required:

1. Human Use Documentation: The offeror shall include in their proposal, proof of an active (i.e., not expired) FWA. If a subcontractor may perform human subject research, they shall have their own active (i.e., not expired) FWA. The subcontractors FWA must be possessed by the subcontractor and they are not allowed to work under the prime contractor’s FWA. You must state clearly if a subcontractor personnel will not be performing human subject research and that is why proof of an active FWA is absent. Proof of each active FWA must include: Entity name as it appears on FWA and full FWA number as posted on the HHS website

(b) Management Approach (Factor I):

Management Approach. The management approach will be evaluated to the degree to which the Offeror’s approach demonstrates:

· Demonstrate an ability to recruit (as demonstrated by the resumes provided) and retain personnel with the experience, capabilities and security clearance required to successfully perform the work outlined in this RFP;

· Compliance (and safeguards) with governing laws and regulations (e.g., human-subject use research and animal use research

· Demonstrative association with DHA’s mission and more specifically Travis’ mission. See Travis Air Force Base website for David Grant USAF Medical Center – Clinical Investigation Facility and use this as a basis for your response.

· Section G Addendum related information: Health Care Workers, clinical positions, continuity of service, CUI, on site requirements, invoicing/status report matching, FTE definition, small business participation (including limitations on subcontracting), key personnel, safety and environmental considerations; and

· Section H Addendum related information: human research, including active FWA information, medical liability insurance information, animal research.

*Note: When providing information on the Offeror’s invoicing, it should be addressed that the Offeror will bill the Government for hours actual worked (that is, their approach includes not billing the Government for positions while they are vacant).

Resumes: The Offeror must present a resume for each position. Resumes should include: the individual’s name, descriptions of past/current responsibilities, relevant work experience, and any certification in the main program areas. Proposed personnel shall demonstrate sufficiently to the proposal evaluator(s) that the person proposed has the knowledge and experience relevant to accomplish the required tasks. DO NOT include Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, home address, or personal telephone number of the person on the resume. Award does not constitute confirmation of selection for the position. Each resume will be evaluated post award by the client for confirmation of hiring versus hiring of incumbent personnel. The resumes presented in the Offeror’s proposal will be interpreted as the Offerors ability to find and recruit qualified personnel. A signature from the resume candidate is not required. However, some written communication representing the candidate’s interest in the position (e.g., email) shall be retained by the Offeror (and available to the Contracting Officer if requested).

Estimated level of effort in the PWS: The Government estimates that this task order will require an approximate level of effort as outlined in the PWS, in particular Attachment 1 Labor Categories to the PWS. Please note that the Government estimate is only put in place for Offerors to ascertain the approximate or estimated level of effort for this task and to allow Offerors to better understand the general scope of this effort. Offerors are encouraged and expected to submit a level of effort consistent with their management approach.

(c) Past Performance (Factor II)

The Offeror is not required to submit any information regarding Past Performance. The Government will consider information obtained through other sources (Contractor Performance Assessment Report System (CPARS), Federal Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Electronic Document Access (EDA), etc.). Past performance information will be utilized to determine the acceptability of the contractor’s past performance as it relates to the Government’s requirements as described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). In the case of an Offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Offeror will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. The Offeror will receive a neutral rating.

3. Price Proposal Content (Factor Part III):

Offerors’ price proposal shall include proposal price assumptions, a price breakdown by labor categories and rates as outlined in the RFP. The offeror shall complete Attachment 6– Pricing Sheet for the entire 12-month period and the six (6) month Option to Extend Services in accordance with FAR 52.217-8.

FAR 52.217-8 – Option to Extend Services: The Government will evaluate offers by establishing a Total Evaluated Price which will consist of the total price proposed for all base contract line items, option contract line items, and the amount associated with FAR 52.217-8. The amount evaluated under FAR 52.217-8 will be calculated using the rates proposed for the last option period, prorated six (6) months.

(a) Other Direct Costs (ODC):

The offeror shall propose ODCs necessary to complete the requirement to include travel cost and other miscellaneous). Other than travel related costs (such as registration), there are no ODCs.

(b) Supplemental Pricing Sheet:

Offerors shall submit supplemental Pricing information in the specified format identified in the RFP Attachment 6 – Pricing Sheet. The Offeror shall ensure mathematical computations are correct. Errors in addition or multiplication may preclude the Government from being able to fully and properly evaluate a price proposal. No fee for profit is to be applied to ODCs and Travel. No fee for profit is to be applied to the fee for profit portion of subcontractor costs (that is, no compounded fee for profit).

(c) Estimated Level of Effort: The Government estimates that this order will require an approximate level of effort, as outlined below, to accomplish the tasks identified in the RFP. Please note that the Government estimate is only put in place for Offerors to ascertain the approximate or estimated level of effort for this task. However, this is not to be construed as either mandatory or necessarily the best technical approach. It is only in place as a reference to allow Offerors to better understand the general scope of this effort from the Government’s perspective. The Government is seeking the best level of reasonable effort and labor mix your company has determined is right to accomplish the mission contained in this task statement. Offerors are not bound to propose these labor categories or quantities, rather Offerors are expected to provide their best reasonable solution citing the labor mix and quantity required to accomplish the tasks. If Offerors have determined either the following labor categories or overall level of effort provided are consistent with their technical solution, Offerors are strongly encouraged and expected to submit a reasonable level of effort consistent with all of the price and non-price aspects of their approach. Reasonableness is to be determined by the Government.

(Estimated levels of effort is based on 1,912 hours, accounting for 11 Federal holidays and two weeks personal leave. Any deviation from this must be explained in the Offeror’s response for Section G Addendum, Attachment 3; and subject to approval by the Government)

4. Additional Information:

a. Alternate Proposals: Only one proposal will be accepted by the Government.

b. Incumbent: This is an existing requirement. The incumbent is Ripple Effect Communications, Inc. (W81XWH-22-F-0102). A non-redacted version of the contract is available to the public.

Tradeoff Evaluation Standard Definitions

Rating Standards & Standard Definitions

Technical Rating Method

of the requirements and contains multiple strengths and/or at least one significant strength.

Past Performance Relevancy Rating Standards for the Non-Price Proposal

Past Performance Confidence Assessments Rating Standards for the Non-Price Proposal

The offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on the factor of past performance.

Best Value Tradeoff Evaluation Standard Definitions

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE – CLINICAL RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES

Performance Work Statement

Global Requirement

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated Combat Support Agency that enables the Army, Navy, and the Air Force medical services to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force to Combatant Commands in both peacetime and wartime. The DHA supports the delivery of integrated, affordable, and high-quality health services to Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries and is responsible for driving greater integration of clinical and business processes across the MHS. Its mission is to lead the MHS integration of readiness and health to deliver the Quadruple Aim: increased readiness, better health, better care, and lower cost. Its priorities include: (1) great outcomes, (2) ready medical force; (3) satisfied patients, and (4) fulfilled staff.

The mission of the DHA Clinical Investigation Program (CIP) is to facilitate research and training to support Graduate Health Sciences Education and other allied health programs of the Military Services, to further enhance patient care in the MHS, and to contribute to medical readiness solutions. DHA CIP objectives include: (1) responding to the needs of the MHS and the dynamic nature of the health sciences; (2) developing and employing health readiness solutions; (3) improving the quality of patient care in the MHS; and (4) contributing to the high professional standing and accreditation of Graduate Health Sciences Education.

Travis Air Force Base (AFB) David Grant Medical Center/Clinical Investigation Facility (CIF) is responsible for assisting with the execution of DoD medical research requirements accomplished through the performance of clinical studies and programs. These approved clinical investigation and training projects are often of high visibility within the DoD, the Federal Government, and with the United States Congress and require administration and management to meet the expectations of the funding source, to ensure the projects are conducted efficiently, to permit the timely execution and oversight of such projects, and to comply with regulatory requirements.

Specific Requirements

Activities to accomplish the aforementioned requirement to completion include (but are not limited to): Provide subject matter expertise support services and supplies/equipment to the CIF to include clinical research support services as defined in Attachment 1.

Deliverables (Performance Milestones)

The section below specifies what the Government wants accomplished by the end of the contract (deliverable), the interim deliverables (or performance milestones) needed to measure performance, and when accomplishment of these milestones need to occur (schedule). This is also the section that will be referenced for the technical evaluation of offers.

The final deliverable is: Technical report outlining determinations and findings is due in final form at the time of period of performance completion to the COR. All documents and data deliverables will be in electronic format and all content will remain property of the government.

Interim performance milestones are: Electronically deliver to the Government client a monthly report that correlates with the monthly invoice. The monthly report shall address the processes and protocols contained in Attachment 1 Labor Categories.

The staffing processes, qualifications, and associated protocols (available at this time) needed to accomplish the above deliverable requirement(s) to completion are included in the Attachment 1.

The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan is contained in Attachment 2.

Additional requirements are contained in Attachment 3 - Section G Addendum–Contract Administration Data and Attachment 4 - Section H Addendum–Special Contract Requirements. A signed Attachment 5 - Business Associate Agreement is required during proposal submittal.

The period of performance shall be for 12 months with a priced 52.217-8 six-month extension.

Other Direct Costs (including Travel)

Other Direct Costs (ODC): There are no ODCs required to perform this PWS. Registration fees incurred during travel shall be included on travel expense reports.

Travel: Travel destinations are defined below. Otherwise, they will be defined on an as needed basis in writing (e.g., email) by the technical point of contact. All travel will need to be approved the technical point of contact and COR in writing (e.g., email) and within scope and budget. Otherwise, a modification to the task order will be required. For proposal purposes, the offeror shall use a figure of NTE $21K (before contractor burdens). Travel to medically related conferences are the most typical travel destinations.

· Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS)

· 4 days + 2 travel days

· Traveler(s): Senior Program Manager, Program Manager (total 2 people)

· Notes: Contractor employee attendance may vary depending on their involvement with specific research when helping present research data.

· Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)

· 3 days + 2 travel days

· Traveler(s): Clinical Research Nurse (total 1 person)

· International Association of Clinical Research Nurses Conference (IACRN)

· 3 days + 2 travel days

· Traveler(s): Clinical Research Nurse (total 1 person)

· Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)

· 4 days + 2 travel days

· Traveler(s): Chief ROC, Clinical Research Nurse (total 2 people)

· Notes: Location alternates

· DoD T2 Training Workshop

· 4 days + 2 travel days

· Traveler(s): Chief ROC

· Notes: Location alternates

· NASA Research Symposium – “Designing Research Campaigns for Biological and Physical Sciences in Space”

· 4 days + 2 travel days

· Traveler(s): Senior Program Manager, Program Manager (total 2 people)

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT

52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

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

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision-

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

(b) Prohibition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Representations. The Offeror represents that--

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

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

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

(e) Disclosures.

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

(i) For covered equipment--

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

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

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

(ii) For covered services--

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

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

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

(i) For covered equipment--

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

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

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

(ii) For covered services--

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

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

(End of provision)

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAR 2023)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the solicitation. However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code 541519, if the acquisition--

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

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

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

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show--

(1) The solicitation number;

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

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

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

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

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

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

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

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

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

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers:

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and--

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

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

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror's name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity.