RFQ NBRS Plaques 2024.docx

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS PLAQUE PRODUCTION SERVICES

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. Solicitation NBRS-Q-1-2024 is for commercial services under FAR Part 12 and is being conducted in conjunction with FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC Number/Effective Date: 2024-05 / 05-22-2024. The NAICS Code is 323111, Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books), and the size standard is 650 employees.

The U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Program (NBRS) is one of the Department’s longest-running recognition programs. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes exemplary public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gaps among diverse groups of students. An awards ceremony is held in their honor each year where each school is presented with an award plaque. Customized plaques are required to recognize each of the awardees.

This is a Request for Quotation for information on custom plaque production. The entity selected to receive an offer from ED is required to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and to maintain active registration during the life of the purchase order. SAM can be accessed at https://www.sam.gov. Quoters shall include their SAM Unique Entity ID (UEI) number in their quote. If the quoter does not have a UEI, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for UEI establishment directly to obtain one. The quoter should indicate that it is an offeror for a government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the UEI. The quoter selected for an offer from the Department will need to provide Offeror Representations and Certifications prior to any award.

REQUIREMENTS

Custom plaques as follows:

ITEM: Plaques 12X15 Rosewood finish frame with custom foil art medallion 5.875" diameter x .125" thick clear acrylic medallion with gold foil hot stamp imprint with blue background print, satin brass plate personalized 3.875" x 5.875" with black imprint inscription matted on blue suede. Each plaque must have packaging and mailing labels so that items can be mailed to awardees. Packaging - Poly bagged, corrugated carton labeled with school name.

DESCRIPTION: Mating should be dark blue; medallion is clear plastic with gold inscription. Personalized plate is satin brass with imprinted black inscription. (See Attached Photo)

QTY = 385, shipped to address below, zip code 20202.

Each plaque must be individually labeled and boxed with foam to ensure they will not be damaged during moving and shipping. It is imperative that the plaques be completed and boxed in full alphabetical order prior to shipping to the Department of Education on or before October 15, 2024. Upon receipt and final review, should corrections or changes be needed, the company must be able to provide corrected items within two days of notification from Department Staff; these items must be shipped within a two day window to ensure inclusion for final shipping to the venue on or before Wednesday, October 25, 2024. Damages include but are not limited to (replacements that correct spelling errors, damage to frame, plaque or color correction, etc.).

Note: The actual number of custom plaques may increase or decrease slightly. The quantity of 385 above is an estimate. The vendor is requested to provide firm fixed pricing for plaque production, shipping, corrections, etc. and should include in its Assumptions any minimum and maximum number of plaques allowable at the quoted price.

QUOTE INSTRUCTIONS:

The Department intends to award a contract for a Base Period covering plaques for 2024 and two option periods covering plaques for the 2025 and 2026 program years. Firm-fixed-price quotes shall include the following:

1. A brief corporate capabilities section

2. A brief description of the materials to be used to produce the plaques. Descriptions of the materials to be used should include the type of wood, acrylic, imprinting, etc.

3. A sample plaque shipped to the address below.

4. A detailed cost quote including shipping/delivery costs and estimated time needed for production for a Base Period and two Twelve-Month Option Periods.

Vendors are required to provide a sample that meets the requirements specified in this RFQ with their quote.

Sample plaques shall be shipped to the below address:

Aba Kumi U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, RM 5C220 Washington, DC 20202

QUOTE EVALUATION:

Quotes will be evaluated based on technical quality and price. Quality will be evaluated on compliance with product specifications, quality of materials (wood, brass plate, acrylic medallion, etc.) used, appearance of imprint, overall construction, and finish. Quotes will be evaluated based on best value to the government. Technical quality is significantly more important than cost or price.

Terms and Conditions

The following FAR and EDAR provisions and clauses apply to the RFQ and any resulting purchase order.

1. 52.252.-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998)

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

Education Department Acquisition Regulation (EDAR) provisions can be reviewed at EDAR | Acquisition.GOV.

Federal Acquisition Regulation provisions and clauses can be reviewed at:

FAR | Acquisition.GOV.

2. 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (May 2024)

3. 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Nov 2023)

4. 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. (May 2024) Under 52.212-5, the Contracting Officer has indicated the following clauses as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

X (2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

X (3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

X (4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

X (5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) ( 31 U.S.C. 3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

X (6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) ( 31 U.S.C. 3553).

X (7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 ( 19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.]

X (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

X (9) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

X (12) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

X (18) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) ( 15 U.S.C. 644).

X (26) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Feb 2024) ( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

X (31) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

X (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

X (34) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

X (36) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jul 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

X (46) 52.223-23, Sustainable Products and Services (May 2024) ( E.O. 14057, 7 U.S.C. 8102, 42 U.S.C.

6962, 42 U.S.C. 8259b, and 42 U.S.C. 7671l).

X (48) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Oct 2022) X (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

X (55) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) (E.O. 13513).

X (59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

(c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] X (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) ( 41 U.S.C. chapter67).

X (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) ( 29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

X (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages for Contractor Workers Under Executive Order 14026 (Jan 2022).

X (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) (E.O. 13706).

X (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) ( 42 U.S.C. 1792).

5. FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days of contract expiration provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 36 months.

6. EDAR 3452.224-70 Release of Information Under the Freedom of Information Act (MAY 2011)

7. EDAR 3452.237-71 Observance of Administrative Closures (MAY 2011)

8. 3452.239-71 DEPARTMENT INFORMATION SECURITY AND PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS (OCT 2023)

(a) The Contractor shall, at all times, maintain compliance with the most current version of Department security requirements as set forth in "Department Information Security and Privacy Requirements." These requirements are posted at http://www.ed.gov/fund/contract/about/bsp.html.

(b) The Contractor shall be notified when the "Department Information Security and Privacy Requirements" have been updated.

(c) If any such change causes a material increase or decrease in the cost of, or the time required for, performance of any part of the work under this contract, whether or not changed by the order, the Contractor may request an equitable adjustment to the contract price or the delivery schedule, as applicable. The Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the contract price, the delivery schedule, or both, and shall modify the contract.

(d) The Contractor must assert its right to an equitable adjustment under this clause within 30 days from the date of receipt of notice of the changed requirement. However, if the Contracting Officer determines that the facts justify it, the Contracting Officer may receive and act upon the Contractor`s request for equitable adjustment submitted before final payment of the contract. Failure to agree to any adjustment shall be a dispute under the Disputes clause. However, nothing in this clause shall excuse the Contractor from proceeding with the contract as changed.

(e) The Contractor shall incorporate the substance of this clause, its terms and requirements, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts, and require written subcontractor acknowledgement of the same. Violation by a subcontractor of any provision set forth in this clause will be attributed to the Contractor.

(f) Failure to comply with this clause, including the embedded Department Information Security and Privacy Requirements, may result in a termination of the contract for default or cause.

(g) Performance of this contract does include XX does not include the following: access to, collection of, or maintenance of information on behalf of the Department; or Department information technology (IT) products, systems, or hardware that are (1) used or operated by the Contractor on behalf of the Department, or (2) used in the performance of services or the furnishing of products. IT products, systems, hardware, and services include agency-hosted, outsourced, and cloud-based solutions, as well as incidental IT equipment that is acquired by the Contractor to support contract performance. When "does include" is selected, the categorizations shown below apply:

(1) In accordance with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS 199), Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, the Information Security Categorization applicable to each security objective has been determined to be:

(2) Performance of this contract does involve XX does not involve Personally Identifiable information (PII) as defined in OMB A-130 (2016).

(3) Performance of this contract does involve XX does not involve "Controlled Unclassified Information" as defined in 32 CFR 2002.4(h).

9. EDAR 3452.242-73 Accessibility of Meetings, Conferences, and Seminars to Persons with Disabilities (MAY 2011)

10. 306-1c: Invoice and Contract Financing Requests Submission - IPP (May 2018)

(a) Payments shall be rendered in accordance with the identified payment schedule(s), and any other incorporated payment clause(s), specified rates, and/or fixed price amounts.

(b) The Contractor shall submit invoices electronically by means of the web-based system, Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), which can be accessed at http://www.ipp.gov/. All submitted invoices must be accompanied by supporting documentation in accordance with the contract's terms and conditions. The supporting documentation shall be submitted in the following formats: Adobe Acrobat (pdf), Microsoft Word (doc), Pictures (jpeg), Microsoft Excel (excel), or Microsoft Outlook message (msg).

(c) Invoice Number Format - The format for the invoice shall be the contract number followed by the invoice number. The invoice number shall have no spaces, dashes, or other special characters. The invoice number cannot exceed 21 characters. An example of an acceptable invoice number format follows:

IPP Invoice No.: 91990018C000115897126 (Note that the last three digits ["341"] from the Contractor's invoice number were removed due to the 21 character limitation.)

(d) If the Contractor has not already established an IPP account that is active, an IPP account will be automatically created on behalf of the Contractor. The automatically created IPP account will be issued to the Designated Primary Administrator, which will be the individual that has been identified in the "Accounts Receivable POC" section of the Contractor's System for Award Management (SAM) registration located at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

(e) Within ten (10) business days of the Contractor entering or updating the Accounts Receivable POC information within the Contractor's SAM registration, the Designated Primary Administrator will receive an email from the IPP Customer Support Team containing the Designated Primary Administrator's IPP username. Within 24 hours of receiving the initial email, the Designated Primary Administrator will receive a second email containing their IPP password. Once both emails have been received, the Designated Primary Administrator must log into IPP and complete the registration process.

(f) The Contractor's Designated Primary Administrator will be authorized to further designate other administrators under the Contractor's IPP account who may submit invoices on behalf of the Contractor.

(g) The Contractor must ensure that the "Accounts Receivable POC" section of its SAM registration is accurate and up to date.

(h) In the event that an invoice is rejected, the Contractor shall make the necessary corrections and resubmit the invoice by means of IPP. Any questions, concerns, or issues regarding the use of IPP should be directed to the IPP Customer Support Team, as identified at http://www.ipp.gov/.

QUOTE SUBMISSION

Please email questions to Gary Weaver (Gary.Weaver@ed.gov) by 12pm EST on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Written quotes are due via email to Gary Weaver, Contracting Officer, at Gary.Weaver@ed.gov by 12:00 pm EST on Monday, July 29, 2024. Sample plaques are due at the location specified above on the quote due date. Interested parties should advise the Contracting Officer as soon as possible if there are concerns completing and submitting a sample plaque by the quote due date.

ATTACHMENTS

· Plaque Proof--2023NBRS-GAP

· Plaque Proofs--2023NBRS-HP

· NBRS School 2024 Logo