N3220522R4035 PD2 Solicitation.docx

N3220522R4035

Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Section C - Descriptions and Specifications

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT

ACRONYM TABLE

CONUS

CPARS

Contiguous United States Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System

PDF

PII

Portable Document Format Personally Identifiable Information

SCOPE OF WORK

1. The contractor shall prepare for and accomplish the VR, overhaul, or alterations of the USNS ROBERT E. PEARY (AKE-5) as specified herein and IAW the WI package as provided in Attachment J-1 – WI Package (Specifications). Unless otherwise specified, all work shall be performed at the contractor’s shipyard.

2. In performing the WIs specified, the contractor shall be responsible for all of the following related work (in case of a discrepancy, the terms and conditions stated in the WIs take precedence over the following terms and conditions):

a. Providing the necessary management, procurement, production, testing, technical capability and resources, and quality assurance services.

b. Ensuring the timely procurement of CFM/CFP and the timely reporting, receipt, storage, installation, and accountability of GFM/GFP IAW FAR 52.245-1 and DFARS 252.211-7007, 252.245-7001, 252.245-7002, 252.245-7003, and 252.245-7004.

c. Using progress measurement systems to determine the physical progress of completed work for each of the elements in the scheduling plan, including material and manpower control, engineering, production, tests and trials IAW the CDRL and the contractor's own Technical Proposal, and the WI package. The progressing system shall permit a direct comparison of the physical progress of completed work to the planned performance measurement baseline for each of the elements in the scheduling plan.

d. Using management procedures and systems to identify behind-schedule conditions and unfavorable schedule variances based on the TPSN submitted with the contractor’s proposal. The applied procedures and systems shall provide timely identification of scheduling problem areas to permit prompt management action to correct unsatisfactory conditions.

e. Developing a performance milestone schedule/critical path chart to measure scheduled performance. Deviations from the milestone schedule/critical path chart dates in WI 0013 must be submitted to and approved by the KO. A performance milestone schedule and critical path chart shall be developed and submitted IAW the WI Package. The performance milestone schedule shall include and clearly identify primary and parallel critical paths. The resource loaded performance milestone schedule shall include, at a minimum, those milestones identified in WI 0013.

f. Using approved quality control procedures as required by this contract and the WI package to ensure procured material and performed production work conforms to the required quality standards.

g. Ensuring the ship's equipment and systems remain configured to existing baselines with regard to procured material, production work, and software.

h. Applying stringent configuration control procedures to ensure that configuration baselines are maintained for procured material and production work.

i. Providing for staging and storing of material (both Government-furnished and contractor-furnished) and LLTM for use in the availabilities from the date of award.

j. Managing all subcontractors’ performance during the availability. Ensure subcontractor work is to the same quality and standards as expected from the prime contractor. Develop and maintain a subcontractor management plan. The plan shall ensure that all communication and control of subcontractors is maintained by the prime contractor.

k. Employing good judgment and sound engineering practice and principles, particularly when WIs do not describe all details of accomplishing the work. The contractor shall be expected to have, either organically or through subcontractors, access to competent engineers who have a history of working solutions in a maritime environment.

3. Contract work shall be performed by an eligible contractor as defined below.

a. The contractor shall be capable of performing the full scope of the requirement stated herein within its own facilities, utilizing its own shop(s) and work force, or be capable of subcontracting for these elements beyond its managerial, technical, or physical capability or capacity. The contractor shall assume full responsibility for the integrated scheduling, cost, and quality of subcontractor performance.

b. The contractor shall be a company recognized as engaged in ship repair work and possess an organization capable of the full scope of planning, engineering, quality control, shipboard/offship production and component/system testing and trials. The contractor shall provide industry certifications such as: MSRA, ABR, or ISO Certification that would further emphasize the contractor's ability to perform the work. To be determined responsible, the contractor shall submit acceptable evidence to demonstrate its ability to accomplish the work. This will include a conclusive demonstration of having the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them (including, as appropriate, such elements as production control procedures, property control systems, quality assurance measures, and safety programs applicable to materials to be produced or services to be performed by the prospective contractor and/or subcontractors) at the time of award. The contractor’s proposal shall provide a documented and positive demonstration of established organizational elements as set forth below. These characteristics will be evaluated to determine a firm's eligibility for contract award:

1) Administration/Management Control. Established organization geared toward ship repair at all levels of size, value, and complexity, and toward technology innovation and process improvement. Clear lines of authority. Delegation of responsibility. Mid-level managerial positions in place. Competent and experienced employees with ship repair experience. Capability to develop and integrate planning, estimating, and scheduling functions. Defined managerial responsibilities for production, quality assurance, material procurement/control, and subcontractor control.

2) Financial Control. Segregation of accounting costs. Adequate accounting system. Favorable cash flow-ratios. Availability of a line of credit or other source of financial income to support the work effort. Prompt payment of subcontractors and suppliers.

3) Production Control. A production organization. On board (or ability to obtain) trade mix/skills to perform ship repair work. Control of production efforts. Integration of other key functions with production. Use of scheduling techniques. Methods of progressing. Training available to trades employees.

4) Production Technical Support. Engineering and design support capabilities (in-house or subcontracted) with sufficient capability to diagnose and evaluate technical problems and issues and to make competent technical recommendations to MSC when necessary and appropriate. The offeror shall be fully cognizant of ABS rules and USCG regulations and how they apply and impact this specification package.

5) Material/Procurement Control. A material purchasing department with staff. Procedures for control of material (purchasing, monitoring, receipt, inspection, segregation, issuance, nonconformance, and disposal). An inventory system – ordering, tagging warehousing. CFM/GFM storage, control and protection. Existing environmentally-controlled warehouse space. Material handling equipment. Familiarity with the Navy logistics support system.

6) Subcontractor Control. Procedures for selecting, scheduling, managing, monitoring and controlling subcontractors.

7) Quality Control/Test and Trials. A quality control organization/department/staff. Quality assurance procedures/manual. Calibration and metrology system availability. Test memo writing capability. Nondestructive Testing capabilities. Welding procedures and welders’ qualifications. Ability to perform trend analysis. Quality control system shall be certified or equivalent to ISO 9001:2001 standards.

8) Safety/Security. Safety Organization/Manager or Engineer. Safety manual/procedures. Safety training. First-aid capabilities or medical services. Fire protection/procedures. Physical yard security/security procedures.

9) Hazardous Material/Waste Control. Proper procedures and facilities to meet the legal requirements for removal, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. Segregated storage. Documentation of licensed subcontractors responsible for control of hazardous waste removal, storage, and disposal. Appropriate state/federal agency-issued hazardous waste generator number. Disposal records which indicate type of material, date, and place of disposal.

10) Facilities. Although facility requirements may vary with the work authorized for a specific ship, the contractor must be a ship repair company that possesses or has available the following facilities:

· Pier, with services in place, accessible to the CLASS size ship for berthing

· Structural Shop

· Machine Shop

· Pipe Shop

· Electrical/Electronic Shop

· Carpentry Shop

· Rigging Equipment

· Dry-dock – when required for docking of vessel in performance of the specification

11) Agreements. To be determined responsible, a prospective contractor must possess an MSRA, ABR or submit acceptable evidence in lieu of the aforementioned to effectively communicate and demonstrate its ability to obtain required resources.

c. The government reserves the right to perform a site survey(s) for verification of policies, procedures, capabilities and facilities prior to award.

4. Asbestos removal requirements.

a. During the performance of this contract the contractor and subcontractors may be required to perform work which involves the removal or disturbance of asbestos or asbestos-containing products. This requirement applies to each instance of asbestos removal or disturbance.

b. The contractor shall comply with the precautions required in 29 CFR 1910.1001, 29 CFR 1926.58 and 40 CFR Part 61 and all other applicable Federal, state, and local restrictions. The contractor shall forward a copy of all required notices, licenses and permits to the KO immediately upon issuance or receipt.

c. The latest change to the Federal, state, and local regulations in effect at the time of issuance of the contract shall govern. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory and is necessary to protect the employees of the contractor and Naval personnel from exposure to asbestos fibers in excess of the OSHA Action level airborne concentration (currently 0.1 f/cc of air).

d. During removal or disturbance, the contractor shall control airborne asbestos concentrations outside the removal boundary to less than 0.1 f/cc at all times.

e. After removal or disturbance is complete, the areas within the removal boundary shall not be released for re-occupancy until clearance air sampling demonstrates these spaces have concentrations of asbestos less than 0.1 f/cc.

f. In all respects, the performance of air sampling and analysis shall be performed IAW the OSHA Reference Method (Appendix A of 29 CFR 1910.1001), with the following additional specifications:

1) Aggressive clearance sampling shall be performed on 25 mm cassettes at 2.0 liters per minute for a minimum of four (4) hours.

2) In performing the clearance sampling, the pump shall be placed within the compartment where the removal or disturbance occurred. When this operation is conducted in a multilevel space, at least one pump shall be placed on each level.

3) Air sampling shall be performed by a person competent in sampling procedures and overseen by a CIH by the ABIH.

4) Laboratory analysis of samples shall be performed by a participant in the AIHA PAT Program rated proficient for asbestos and air.

g. Personal sampling shall be conducted using breathing zone air samples which are representative of the 8-hour TWA exposure of each individual. Samples shall be collected and analyzed using the OSHA Reference Method contained in either 29 CFR 1910.1001 (as amended) or 29 CFR 1926.58 (as amended).

h. The contractor agrees to indemnify MSC for any fines assessed by Federal, state, or local agencies, for the contractor's failure to properly follow applicable regulations.

i. The contractor shall insert this instruction in all subcontracts entered into under this contract.

5. Post-award substitution of any major subcontractor should not be effected unless the proposed substitution is submitted to the KO and official approval is obtained. The post-award substitution or insertion of a second-tier subcontractor will be treated in the same manner as the substitution of a major subcontractor and requires specific approval by the KO.

6. Substitution of key personnel.

a. The contractor agrees to assign to this contract those persons identified as key personnel who are necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contract and whose resumes were submitted with the proposal. No substitution of key personnel shall be made except IAW these instructions.

b. All proposed substitutions must be submitted, in writing, at least seven (7) days in advance of the proposed substitutions to the KO and must provide the information required by paragraph “c” below.

c. All requests for substitution must provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution, a resume for the proposed substitute, and any other information as requested by the KO. All proposed substitutes must have qualifications equal to or higher than the qualifications of the person to be replaced. The KO or his authorized representative will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the contractor of the approval or disapproval thereof.

7. It is anticipated the ship will arrive at the contractor’s yard on or about 8 August 2022. All work shall be completed in no more than 46 calendar days from the actual start date designated by the Government at the time of contract award.

8. The place of performance for this contract shall be the contractor’s facility.

Table 1: List of WIs:

Category A WIs

Category B WIs

Section D - Packaging and Marking

WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL (WPM) - ADDITIONAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

In accordance with the requirements of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, the following commercial heat treatment process has been approved by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) and is required for all Wood Packaging Material (WPM). WPM is defined as wood pallets, skids, load boards, pallet collars, wooden boxes, reels, dunnage, crates, frames, and cleats. Packaging materials exempt from the requirements are materials that have undergone a manufacturing process such as corrugated fiberboard, plywood, particleboard, veneer and oriented strand board. All WPM shall be constructed from Heat Treated (HT to 56 degrees Centigrade for 30 minutes) lumber and certified by an accredited agency recognized by the ALSC in accordance with Wood Packaging Material Policy and Wood Packaging Material Enforcement Regulations (see URL: http://www.alsc.org). All materials must include certification markings in accordance with ALSC standards and be placed in an unobstructed area that will be readily visible to inspectors. Pallet markings shall be applied to the stringer or block on diagonally opposite sides and ends of the pallet and be contrasting and clearly visible. All dunnage used in configuring and/or securing the load shall also comply with ISPM 15 and be marked with an ALSC approved "DUNNAGE" stamp. Failure to comply with the requirements of this restriction may result in refusal, destruction, or treatment of materials at the point of entry.

(end of instructions)

Section E - Inspection and Acceptance

Section F - Delivery and Performance

DELIVERY INFORMATION

Section G - Contract Administration data

252.232-7006 WIDE AREA WORKFLOW PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (DEC 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

“Department of Defense Activity Address Code (DoDAAC)” is a six position code that uniquely identifies a unit, activity, or organization.

“Document type” means the type of payment request or receiving report available for creation in Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF).

“Local processing office (LPO)” is the office responsible for payment certification when payment certification is done external to the entitlement system.

“Payment request” and “receiving report” are defined in the clause at 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports.

(b) Electronic invoicing. The WAWF system provides the method to electronically process vendor payment requests and receiving reports, as authorized by Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.232-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests and Receiving Reports.

(c) WAWF access. To access WAWF, the Contractor shall—

(1) Have a designated electronic business point of contact in the System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov; and

(2) Be registered to use WAWF at https://wawf.eb.mil/ following the step-by-step procedures for self-registration available at this web site.

(d) WAWF training. The Contractor should follow the training instructions of the WAWF Web-Based Training Course and use the Practice Training Site before submitting payment requests through WAWF. Both can be accessed by selecting the “Web Based Training” link on the WAWF home page at https://wawf.eb.mil/

(e) WAWF methods of document submission. Document submissions may be via web entry, Electronic Data Interchange, or File Transfer Protocol.

(f) WAWF payment instructions. The Contractor shall use the following information when submitting payment requests and receiving reports in WAWF for this contract or task or delivery order:

(1) Document type. The Contractor shall submit payment requests using the following document type(s):

(i) For cost-type line items, including labor-hour or time-and-materials, submit a cost voucher.

(ii) For fixed price line items—

(A) That require shipment of a deliverable, submit the invoice and receiving report specified by the ContractingOfficer.

NOT APPLICABLE

(B) For services that do not require shipment of a deliverable, submit either the Invoice 2in1, which meets therequirements for the invoice and receiving report, or the applicable invoice and receiving report, as specified by theContracting Officer.

INVOICE COMBO

(iii) For customary progress payments based on costs incurred, submit a progress payment request.

(iv) For performance based payments, submit a performance based payment request.

(v) For commercial item financing, submit a commercial item financing request.

(2) Fast Pay requests are only permitted when Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.213-1 is included in thecontract.

[Note: The Contractor may use a WAWF “combo” document type to create some combinations of invoice and receiving report in one step.]

(3) Document routing. The Contractor shall use the information in the Routing Data Table below only to fill inapplicable fields in WAWF when creating payment requests and receiving reports in the system.

Issue By DoDAAC

Ship From Code

Mark For Code

Accept at Other DoDAAC

DCAA Auditor DoDAAC

Other DoDAAC(s)

(5) Receiving report. The Contractor shall ensure a receiving report meets the requirements of DFARS Appendix F.

(g) WAWF point of contact.

(1) The Contractor may obtain clarification regarding invoicing in WAWF from the following contracting activity’s WAWF point of contact.

disa.global.servicedesk.mbx.eb-ticket-requests@mail.mil

(2) Contact the WAWF helpdesk at 866-618-5988, 801-605-7095 if assistance is needed.

(End of clause)

MSC SPECIFIC WIDE AREA WORKFLOW (WAWF) INSTRUCTIONS (AUG 2012)

The information contained in this instruction is supplemental to DFARS 252.232-7006.

The information contained in the table in DFARS 252.232-7006 is for WAWF purposes only. Information included in DFARS 252.232-7006 and this WAWF instruction apply only to WAWF Invoicing and WAWF Receiving Reports. Contradictory information elsewhere in this contract, e.g. Ship to DoDAAC, shall be followed per the terms and conditions of the contract.

When entering the invoice into WAWF, the Contractor shall fill in the DoDAAC fields or DoDAAC extensions exactly as shown in the table in DFARS 252.232-7006. Fields that should not be filled in when entering the invoice into WAWF will be indicated with the direction, “Leave Blank.”

In some situations the WAWF system will pre-populate the “Pay DoDAAC,” “Admin By DoDAAC” and “Issue By DoDAAC.” The Contractor shall verify that those DoDAACs automatically entered by the WAWF system match the information in the table in DFARS 252.232-7006. If these DoDAACs do not match, then the Contractor shall correct the field(s).

If Receiving Reports are required, ensure that the “Inspection” and “Acceptance” defaults of “destination” for both fields are not changed in the WAWF online interface.

The CLINs on the WAWF invoice shall be entered exactly as set forth in the contract document including CLIN number (e.g. 0001), Quantity (may be adjusted for actual quantity or dollar value delivered and invoiced), and Unit Price (e.g. $1.00). The dollar amounts on each CLIN or SubCLIN on the WAWF invoice shall reflect final performance values, but in no instance can the dollar amount for each CLIN or SubCLIN exceed what is specified in the contract document. The Contractor shall bill to the lowest level, e.g., the SubCLIN level. The Quantity and Unit of Measure fields must be filled out exactly as indicated in the CLINs and SubCLINs to reduce the possibility of the invoice being delayed or rejected during processing.

Before closing out of an invoice session in WAWF, but after submitting the document or documents, the Contractor will be given the option to send additional email notifications by clicking on the “Send More Email Notifications” link that appears on the page. The Contractor shall click on this link and add the Technical Point of Contact’s (TPOC) or Contracting Officer’s Representative’s (COR) email address in the first email address block and add any other additional email addresses desired in the following blocks. This additional notification to the Government is important to ensure the acceptor/receiver is aware that the invoice documents have been submitted into the WAWF system.

(End of instructions)

Section I - Contract Clauses

52.211-11 LIQUIDATED DAMAGES--SUPPLIES, SERVICES, OR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (SEP 2000)

(a) If the Contractor fails to deliver the supplies or perform the services within the time specified in this contract, the Contractor shall, in place of actual damages, pay to the Government liquidated damages of $139,776.00 per calendar day of delay [Contracting Officer insert amount].

(b) If the Government terminates this contract in whole or in part under the Default--Fixed-Price Supply and Service clause, the Contractor is liable for liquidated damages accruing until the Government reasonably obtains delivery or performance of similar supplies or services. These liquidated damages are in addition to excess costs of repurchase under the Termination clause.

(c) The Contractor will not be charged with liquidated damages when the delay in delivery or performance is beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor as defined in the Default--Fixed-Price Supply and Service clause in this contract.

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

The Government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 3 days. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that like items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

52.222-19 CHILD LABOR—COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES AND REMEDIES (DEVIATION 2020-O0019) (JUL 2020)

(a) Applicability. This clause does not apply to the extent that the Contractor is supplying end products mined, produced, or manufactured in—

(1) Israel, and the anticipated value of the acquisition is $50,000 or more;

(2) Mexico, and the anticipated value of the acquisition is $83,099 or more; or

(3) Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, or the United Kingdom and the anticipated value of the acquisition is $182,000 or more.

(b) Cooperation with Authorities. To enforce the laws prohibiting the manufacture or importation of products mined, produced, or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor, authorized officials may need to conduct investigations to determine whether forced or indentured child labor was used to mine, produce, or manufacture any product furnished under this contract. If the solicitation includes the provision 52.222-18, Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products, or the equivalent at 52.212-3(i), the Contractor agrees to cooperate fully with authorized officials of the contracting agency, the Department of the Treasury, or the Department of Justice by providing reasonable access to records, documents, persons, or premises upon reasonable request by the authorized officials.

(c) Violations. The Government may impose remedies set forth in paragraph (d) for the following violations:

(1) The Contractor has submitted a false certification regarding knowledge of the use of forced or indentured child labor for listed end products.

(2) The Contractor has failed to cooperate, if required, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this clause, with an investigation of the use of forced or indentured child labor by an Inspector General, Attorney General, or the Secretary of the Treasury.

(3) The Contractor uses forced or indentured child labor in its mining, production, or manufacturing processes.

(4) The Contractor has furnished under the contract end products or components that have been mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or indentured child labor. (The Government will not pursue remedies at paragraph (d)(2) or paragraph (d)(3) of this clause unless sufficient evidence indicates that the Contractor knew of the violation.)

(d) Remedies.

(1) The Contracting Officer may terminate the contract.

(2) The suspending official may suspend the Contractor in accordance with procedures in FAR Subpart 9.4.

(3) The debarring official may debar the Contractor for a period not to exceed 3 years in accordance with the procedures in FAR Subpart 9.4.

52.229-12 TAX ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS (FEB 2021)

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

Foreign person means any person other than a United States person.

United States person, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 7701(a)(30), means--

(1) A citizen or resident of the United States;

(2) A domestic partnership;

(3) A domestic corporation;

(4) Any estate (other than a foreign estate, within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 7701(a)(31)); and

(5) Any trust if--

(i) A court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust; and

(ii) One or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

(b) This clause applies only to foreign persons. It implements 26 U.S.C. 5000C and its implementing regulations at 26 CFR 1.5000C-1 through 1.5000C-7.

(c)(1) If the Contractor is a foreign person and has only a partial or no exemption to the withholding, the Contractor shall include the Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Form W-14, Certificate of Foreign Contracting Party Receiving Federal Procurement Payments, with each voucher or invoice submitted under this contract throughout the period in which this status is applicable. The excise tax withholding is applied at the payment level, not at the contract level. The Contractor should revise each IRS Form W-14 submission to reflect the exemption (if any) that applies to that particular invoice, such as a different exemption applying. In the absence of a completed IRS Form W-14 accompanying a payment request, the default withholding percentage is 2 percent for the section 5000C withholding for that payment request. Information about IRS Form W-14 and its separate instructions is available via the internet at www.irs.gov/w14.

(2) If the Contractor is a foreign person and has indicated in its offer in the provision 52.229-11, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements--Notice and Representation, that it is fully exempt from the withholding, and certified the full exemption on the IRS Form W-14, and if that full exemption no longer applies due to a change in circumstances during the performance of the contract that causes the Contractor to become subject to the withholding for the 2 percent excise tax then the Contractor shall--

(i) Notify the Contracting Officer within 30 days of a change in circumstances that causes the Contractor to be subject to the excise tax withholding under 26 U.S.C. 5000C; and

(ii) Comply with paragraph (c)(1) of this clause.

(d) The Government will withhold a full 2 percent of each payment unless the Contractor claims an exemption. If the Contractor enters a ratio in Line 12 of the IRS Form W-14, the result of Line 11 divided by Line 10, the Government will withhold from each payment an amount equal to 2 percent multiplied by the contract ratio. If the Contractor marks box 9 of the IRS Form W-14 (rather than completes Lines 10 through 12), the Contractor must identify and enter the specific exempt and nonexempt amounts in Line 15 of the IRS Form W-14; the Government will then withhold 2 percent only from the nonexempt amount. See the IRS Form W-14 and its instructions.

(e) Exemptions from the withholding under this clause are described at 26 CFR 1.5000C-1(d)(5) through (7). Any exemption claimed and self-certified on the IRS Form W-14 is subject to audit by the IRS. Any disputes regarding the imposition and collection of the 26 U.S.C. 5000C tax are adjudicated by the IRS as the 26 U.S.C. 5000C tax is a tax matter, not a contract issue.

(f) Taxes imposed under 26 U.S.C. 5000C may not be--

(1) Included in the contract price; nor

(2) Reimbursed.

(g) A taxpayer may, for a fee, seek advice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to the proper tax treatment of a transaction. This is called a private letter ruling. Also, the IRS may publish a revenue ruling, which is an official interpretation by the IRS of the Internal Revenue Code, related statutes, tax treaties, and regulations. A revenue ruling is the conclusion of the IRS on how the law is applied to a specific set of facts. For questions relating to the interpretation of the IRS regulations go to https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions.

52.243-7 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES (JAN 2017)

(a) Definitions.

"Contracting Officer," as used in this clause, does not include any representative of the Contracting Officer.

"Specifically authorized representative (SAR)," as used in this clause, means any person the Contracting Officer has so designated by written notice (a copy of which shall be provided to the Contractor) which shall refer to this subparagraph and shall be issued to the designated representative before the SAR exercises such authority.

(b) Notice. The primary purpose of this clause is to obtain prompt reporting of Government conduct that the Contractor considers to constitute a change to this contract. Except for changes identified as such in writing and signed by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall notify the Administrative Contracting Officer in writing, within calendar days from the date that the Contractor identifies any Government conduct (including actions, inactions, and written or oral communications) that the Contractor regards as a change to the contract terms and conditions. On the basis of the most accurate information available to the Contractor, the notice shall state--

(1) The date, nature, and circumstances of the conduct regarded as a change;

(2) The name, function, and activity of each Government individual and Contractor official or employee involved in or knowledgeable about such conduct;

(3) The identification of any documents and the substance of any oral communication involved in such conduct;

(4) In the instance of alleged acceleration of scheduled performance or delivery, the basis upon which it arose;

(5) The particular elements of contract performance for which the Contractor may seek an equitable adjustment under this clause, including--

(i) What line items have been or may be affected by the alleged change;

(ii) What labor or materials or both have been or may be added, deleted, or wasted by the alleged change;

(iii) To the extent practicable, what delay and disruption in the manner and sequence of performance and effect on continued performance have been or may be caused by the alleged change;

(iv) What adjustments to contract price, delivery schedule, and other provisions affected by the alleged change are estimated; and

(6) The Contractor's estimate of the time by which the Government must respond to the Contractor's notice to minimize cost, delay or disruption of performance.

(c) Continued performance. Following submission of the notice required by (b) above, the Contractor shall diligently continue performance of this contract to the maximum extent possible in accordance with its terms and conditions as construed by the Contractor, unless the notice reports a direction of the Contracting Officer or a communication from a SAR of the Contracting Officer, in either of which events the Contractor shall continue performance;…