RFP-797-655A-03-0001-R6-0002000.docx

65 V A – R6, Amendment 0002

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7.

ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF

PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE

OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERE

D CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendmen t, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF

CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF

SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 03-27-2020 003B6B Department of Veterans Affairs OPAL / National Acquisition Center Building 37 1st Avenue, One Block North of Cermak Hines IL 60141 003B6B Department of Veterans Affairs OPAL / National Acquisition Center Building 37 1st Avenue, One Block North of Cermak Hines IL 60141 To all Offerors/Bidders

RFP-797-655A-03-0001-R6

12-22-2017

X X X

Solicitation Updates

ITEM 1)

Revises Electronic Acceptance of Offers (Mar 2020) and Scope of Solicitation (Jan 2020) section "New Items, Refurbished Items, and "Grey Market Goods"

ITEM 2)

Adds, re moves, and revises FAR and GSAR clauses andprovisions and solicitation special language.

ITEM 3)

Revises Small Business Subcontracting Plan Template(April 2019), Agent Authorization Form (Mar 2018), Signatory Authority Form (Jan 2020), and Proposal Checklist (Mar 2020).

ITEM 4)

Revises Document 03 – Price Proposal Preparation (Dec 2019). See Excel file attachment.

ITEM 1

ELECTRONIC ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS (MAR 2020)

Beginning on January 1, 2015, VA FSS ceased accepting paper offers and began the acceptance of electronic offers. Any paper offers will be returned without consideration. The following protocol must be followed to avoid the return of your offer.

· File Format

· Fill-in documents may be submitted as Word or pdf documents. However, documents requiring a wet signature must be submitted separately in a pdf format if the offeror chooses to submit the fill-in documents in Word.

· Excel files should be submitted in their original Excel format.

· eMail Address: All potential contractors are required to submit an FSS offer electronically to FSSOffersandExtensions@va.gov.

· eMail Subject Line: Identify in the subject line FSS-Offer-Schedule ID-Company Name.

· eMail Attachments: Unless otherwise directed, we do NOT accept hard copies of offers, CDs, or thumb drives. Additionally, we are unable to accept zip files which may require you to submit your offer package in multiple e-mails if the total size of the e-mail exceeds 10MB. It is essential that you identify the number of emails you are sending in the subject line to ensure that we receive your entire offer package.

EXAMPLE: FSS-Offer-Schedule ID-Company Name-1 of # (FSS-Offer 65IIA-ABC Medical – 1 of 4)

· Documents Requiring Signature: Documents requiring signature include, but are not limited to, SF-1449, Signatory Authority, letters of supply, etc. Please note that the SF1449 signature date must be no earlier than 10 calendar days prior to submission of the proposal. Failure to comply with this date restriction will result in your proposal being returned to you without further consideration. Signatures requirements are outlined below.

Offeror/Contractor and the VA agree to be bound by digital signatures with the same force and effect as wet signatures. A digital signature—a type of electronic signature—is a mathematical algorithm routinely used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a document. Digital signatures create a virtual fingerprint that is unique to a person or entity and are used to identify users and protect information in digital documents. Digital signatures are significantly more secure than other forms of electronic signatures.

VA FSS will only accept digital signatures and will not accept other types of electronic signatures described herein. While digital signatures are a form of electronic signature, not all electronic signatures are digital signatures. Electronic signatures—also called e-signatures—are any sound, symbol, or process that shows the intent to sign something. This could be an image (e.g. JPEG, PNG, etc.) of your hand-written signature, a stamp, or a recorded verbal confirmation. An electronic signature could even be your typed name on the signature line of a document.

Digital signatures will be deemed original signatures. PLEASE NOTE, a scanned copy of a document with your wet signature, although not considered a digital signature, remains acceptable. Offeror agrees to store and maintain as auditable records all digitally signed electronic documents for no less than 3 years after final payment.

SCOPE OF SOLICITATION (JAN 2020)

The Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program is also known as the GSA Schedules Program or the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. The FSS program is directed and managed by GSA and provides Federal agencies with a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and services at prices associated with volume buying. Indefinite-delivery, indefinite quantity contracts are awarded to provide supplies and services at stated prices for given periods of time. GSA has delegated authority to the VA to manage the Schedules for medical supplies under the VA FSS program.

This solicitation is issued to establish contracts which may be used on a nonmandatory basis by eligible users, as a source of supply for the supplies or services described herein, for domestic and/or overseas delivery. At a minimum, contract holders are required to deliver their products within the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and U.S. territories. Domestic delivery also includes a port or consolidation point, within the aforementioned areas, for orders received from overseas activities. Offerors who cannot provide the required geographic coverage will not be considered for award. This solicitation further requires that offered prices cover delivery to destinations (i.e. F.O.B. destination) located within the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Offerors can choose whether or not prices cover delivery f.o.b. destination to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Additionally, the solicitation defines the number of calendar days after receipt of order (ARO) within which delivery must be made.

Special Item Numbers (SINs): FSS solicitations set forth broad categories of accepted products/services, referred to as Special Item Numbers (SINs), listed in the Continuation of SF1449 in Vendor Response Document 02. Offerors are not required to submit their entire catalog of products/services but are free to choose which items they will offer as long as those items fall within one of the solicitation’s pre-defined SIN categories. Items that do not fall within one of these SINs are considered to be out of scope of the solicitation and cannot be awarded. An item’s acceptability under the schedule may be further restricted by the Trade Agreements Act, limitations on certain types of commercial items, and a determination of fair and reasonable pricing.

New Items vs. Refurbished or “Grey Market Goods” This solicitation is for the award of new items only. The Contractor shall provide only new equipment and new parts for the required products described herein. Absolutely no “grey market goods” or refurbished products or parts shall be provided under any delivery order or warranty repair. Grey market goods are defined as genuine branded goods sold outside of an authorized sales-territory (or by non-authorized dealers in an authorized territory) at prices lower than being charged in authorized sales territories (or by authorized dealers). All equipment must be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Trade Agreements Act The Trade Agreements Act is applicable to all Schedules. In exercising its authority under FAR Part 25, Foreign Acquisition, purchases by Ordering Activities are restricted to either U.S.-made or designated country end products. A U.S.-made product can be either 1) an article that is mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States, or 2) an article that is substantially transformed in the United States into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed. It is the offeror’s responsibility to verify that all offered products are U.S. made or designated country end products as defined in clause FAR 52.225-5. When an item consists of components from various countries and the components are assembled in a designated country, the test to determine country of origin is substantial transformation (see FAR 25.001(c)(2)). Offerors requiring a determination on substantial transformation can go to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Regulations and Rulings.

Commercial Items - Limitations Per GSA regulations at 538.271(a), MAS awards are for commercial items as defined in FAR 2.101. Certain types of “custom” items fall under this definition as modified commercial items. For example, FSS accepts configurable items, such as configurable wheelchairs, and custom count items, such as pharmaceutical tablets packaged in quantities specifically for the Government. FSS, however, has made a business decision not to award contracts for the following:

· Custom Packs

· Non-Configurable Custom Products Made to Individual Specifications, including, but not limited to, such items as custom orthotics, custom dental products, and prescription eyeglasses.

Additionally, per the commercial item definition at FAR 2.101, FSS cannot award contracts to installation, maintenance, and repair service companies who do not also provide similar services to the general public (i.e. Government only service providers).

FDA Regulatory Requirements Offerors of products classified as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shall be in compliance with the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, as amended, and regulations promulgated there under (codified in 21 CFR Parts 800-1299). Offerors of medical devices not in compliance with these regulations shall not be considered for award under this solicitation.

Notice of Additional Requirements - Ordering Level In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this solicitation, the contractor may, in the performance of orders issued under this contract, be responsible for further requirements at the ordering level. For more information on these potential, additional requirements, please see the note in Solicitation Document 01 after FAR clause 52.216-18 Ordering.

Please note that the VA does not promote the use of any company’s specific Schedule contract. Vendors should be aware that obtaining a VA Schedule contract is not a guarantee of sales. Vendors awarded a VA Schedule contract will need to market their supplies and services to Government customers as they would to commercial customers. A listing of eligible schedule users can be found at on GSA’s website at http://gsa.federalschedules.com/resources/eligible-gsa-schedule-users/.

ITEM 2

Below is a chart of all added, deleted, and revised regulations and special language, providing the old and new regulation name/number where applicable. Immediately following this chart is the full text of all added and revised regulations and special language.

ADDED REGULATIONS

52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (DEC 2019) The Offeror shall not complete the representation in 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 the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— “Covered telecommunications equipment or services”, “critical technology”, and “substantial or essential component” have the meanings provided in clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. 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. Contractors are not prohibited from providing—

(1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(2) Telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or 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) Representation. The Offeror represents that 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.

(e) Disclosures. If the Offeror has represented in paragraph (d) of this provision that it “will” provide covered telecommunications equipment or services”, the Offeror shall provide the following information as part of the offer—

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

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

(3) For services, the entity providing the covered telecommunications services (include entity name, unique entity identifier, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, if known); and

(4) For equipment, 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).

52.204-25 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (AUG 2019)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Covered foreign country means The People’s Republic of China.

Covered telecommunications equipment or services means-

(1) Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

(2) For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

(3) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or

(4) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

Critical technology means-

(1) Defense articles or defense services included on the United States Munitions List set forth in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations;

(2) Items included on the Commerce Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, and controlled—

(i) Pursuant to multilateral regimes, including for reasons relating to national security, chemical and biological weapons proliferation, nuclear nonproliferation, or missile technology; or

(ii) For reasons relating to regional stability or surreptitious listening;

(3) Specially designed and prepared nuclear equipment, parts and components, materials, software, and technology covered by part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to assistance to foreign atomic energy activities);

(4) Nuclear facilities, equipment, and material covered by part 110 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to export and import of nuclear equipment and material);

(5) Select agents and toxins covered by part 331 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 of title 9 of such Code, or part 73 of title 42 of such Code; or

(6) Emerging and foundational technologies controlled pursuant to section 1758 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817).

Substantial or essential component means any component necessary for the proper function or performance of a piece of equipment, system, or service.

(b) Prohibition. 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. The Contractor is prohibited from providing to the Government 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, unless an exception at paragraph (c) of this clause applies or the covered telecommunication equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in Federal Acquisition Regulation 4.2104.

(c) Exceptions. This clause does not prohibit contractors from providing—

(1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

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

(d) Reporting requirement.

(1) In the event the Contractor identifies covered telecommunications equipment or services used as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, during contract performance, or the Contractor is notified of such by a subcontractor at any tier or by any other source, the Contractor shall report the information in paragraph (d)(2) of this clause to the Contracting Officer, unless elsewhere in this contract are established procedures for reporting the information; in the case of the Department of Defense, the Contractor shall report to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil. For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer for the indefinite delivery contract and the Contracting Officer(s) for any affected order or, in the case of the Department of Defense, identify both the indefinite delivery contract and any affected orders in the report provided at https://dibnet.dod.mil.

(2) The Contractor shall report the following information pursuant to paragraph (d)(1)of this clause:

(i) Within one business day from the date of such identification or notification: the contract number; the order number(s), if applicable; supplier name; supplier unique entity identifier (if known); supplier Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (if known); brand; model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number); item description; and any readily available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended.

(ii) Within 10 business days of submitting the information in paragraph (d)(2)(i)of this clause: any further available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended. In addition, the Contractor shall describe the efforts it undertook to prevent use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services, and any additional efforts that will be incorporated to prevent future use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services.

(e) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts and other contractual instruments, including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items.

52.216-32 TASK-ORDER AND DELIVERY-ORDER OMBUDSMAN (SEP 2019, ALTERNATE I – SEP 2019)

(a) In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4106(g), the Agency has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this contract. The Ombudsman must review complaints from the Contractor concerning all task-order and delivery-order actions for this contract and ensure the Contractor is afforded a fair opportunity for consideration in the award of orders, consistent with the procedures in the contract.

D. Edward Keller, Jr.

810 Vermont Ave NW/003A2 Washington DC 20420 variskmanagement@va.gov https://www.va.gov/oal/business/ombudsman.asp

(b) Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timeline for any other process (e.g., protests).

(c) Before consulting with the Ombudsman, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the Ombudsman may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

(d) Contracts used by multiple agencies.

(1) This is a contract that is used by multiple agencies. Complaints from Contractors concerning orders placed under contracts used by multiple agencies are primarily reviewed by the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity.

(2) The ordering activity has designated the following task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for this order:

[The ordering activity's contracting officer to insert the name, address, telephone number, and email address for the ordering activity's Ombudsman or provide the URL address where this information may be found.]

(3) Before consulting with the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity, the Contractor is encouraged to first address complaints with the ordering activity's Contracting Officer for resolution. When requested by the Contractor, the task-order and delivery-order Ombudsman for the ordering activity may keep the identity of the concerned party or entity confidential, unless prohibited by law or agency procedure.

52.217-5 EVALUATION OF OFFERS (JUL 1990)

Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

52.229-3 FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES (FEB 2013)

(a) As used in this clause- “After-imposed Federal tax” means any new or increased Federal excise tax or duty, or tax that was exempted or excluded on the contract date but whose exemption was later revoked or reduced during the contract period, on the transactions or property covered by this contract that the Contractor is required to pay or bear as the result of legislative, judicial, or administrative action taking effect after the contract date. It does not include social security tax or other employment taxes.

“After-relieved Federal tax” means any amount of Federal excise tax or duty, except social security or other employment taxes, that would otherwise have been payable on the transactions or property covered by this contract, but which the Contractor is not required to pay or bear, or for which the Contractor obtains a refund or drawback, as the result of legislative, judicial, or administrative action taking effect after the contract date.

“All applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties” means all taxes and duties, in effect on the contract date, that the taxing authority is imposing and collecting on the transactions or property covered by this contract.

“Contract date” means the date set for bid opening or, if this is a negotiated contract or a modification, the effective date of this contract or modification.

“Local taxes” includes taxes imposed by a possession or territory of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Northern Mariana Islands, if the contract is performed wholly or partly in any of those areas.

(b) (1) The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties, except as provided in subparagraph (b)(2)(i) of this clause.

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

(i) Included in the contract price; nor

(ii) Reimbursed.

(c) The contract price shall be increased by the amount of any after-imposed Federal tax, provided the Contractor warrants in writing that no amount for such newly imposed Federal excise tax or duty or rate increase was included in the contract price, as a contingency reserve or otherwise.

(d) The contract price shall be decreased by the amount of any after-relieved Federal tax.

(e) The contract price shall be decreased by the amount of any Federal excise tax or duty, except social security or other employment taxes, that the Contractor is required to pay or bear, or does not obtain a refund of, through the Contractor’s fault, negligence, or failure to follow instructions of the Contracting Officer.

(f) No adjustment shall be made in the contract price under this clause unless the amount of the adjustment exceeds $250.

(g) The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of all matters relating to any Federal excise tax or duty that reasonably may be expected to result in either an increase or decrease in the contract price and shall take appropriate action as the Contracting Officer directs.

(h) The Government shall, without liability, furnish evidence appropriate to establish exemption from any Federal, State, or local tax when the Contractor requests such evidence and a reasonable basis exists to sustain the exemption.

52.232-23 ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS (MAY 2014)

Note: Please note that paragraph (a) of this clause is replaced by language set forth in clause 552.232-23 Assignment of Claims located in the Regulations Incorporated by Reference section of this Document (incorporated under 552.212-71).

(a) The Contractor, under the Assignment of Claims Act, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 3727, 41 U.S.C. 6305 (hereafter referred to as “the Act”), may assign its rights to be paid amounts due or to become due as a result of the performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency. The assignee under such an assignment may thereafter further assign or reassign its right under the original assignment to any type of financing institution described in the preceding sentence.

(b) Any assignment or reassignment authorized under the Act and this clause shall cover all unpaid amounts payable under this contract, and shall not be made to more than one party, except that an assignment or reassignment may be made to one party as agent or trustee for two or more parties participating in the financing of this contract.

(c) The Contractor shall not furnish or disclose to any assignee under this contract any classified document (including this contract) or information related to work under this contract until the Contracting Officer authorizes such action in writing.

52.246-2 INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES—FIXED-PRICE (AUG 1996)

(a) Definition. “Supplies,” as used in this clause, includes but is not limited to raw materials, components, intermediate assemblies, end products, and lots of supplies.

(b) The Contractor shall provide and maintain an inspection system acceptable to the Government covering supplies under this contract and shall tender to the Government for acceptance only supplies that have been inspected in accordance with the inspection system and have been found by the Contractor to be in conformity with contract requirements. As part of the system, the Contractor shall prepare records evidencing all inspections made under the system and the outcome. These records shall be kept complete and made available to the Government during contract performance and for as long afterwards as the contract requires. The Government may perform reviews and evaluations as reasonably necessary to ascertain compliance with this paragraph. These reviews and evaluations shall be conducted in a manner that will not unduly delay the contract work. The right of review, whether exercised or not, does not relieve the Contractor of the obligations under the contract.

(c) The Government has the right to inspect and test all supplies called for by the contract, to the extent practicable, at all places and times, including the period of manufacture, and in any event before acceptance. The Government shall perform inspections and tests in a manner that will not unduly delay the work. The Government assumes no contractual obligation to perform any inspection and test for the benefit of the Contractor unless specifically set forth elsewhere in this contract.

(d) If the Government performs inspection or test on the premises of the Contractor or a subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish, and shall require subcontractors to furnish, at no increase in contract price, all reasonable facilities and assistance for the safe and convenient performance of these duties. Except as otherwise provided in the contract, the Government shall bear the expense of Government inspections or tests made at other than the Contractor’s or subcontractor’s premises; provided, that in case of rejection, the Government shall not be liable for any reduction in the value of inspection or test samples.

(e) (1) When supplies are not ready at the time specified by the Contractor for inspection or test, the Contracting Officer may charge to the Contractor the additional cost of inspection or test.

(2) The Contracting Officer may also charge the Contractor for any additional cost of inspection or test when prior rejection makes reinspection or retest necessary.

(f) The Government has the right either to reject or to require correction of nonconforming supplies. Supplies are nonconforming when they are defective in material or workmanship or are otherwise not in conformity with contract requirements. The Government may reject nonconforming supplies with or without disposition instructions.

(g) The Contractor shall remove supplies rejected or required to be corrected. However, the Contracting Officer may require or permit correction in place, promptly after notice, by and at the expense of the Contractor. The Contractor shall not tender for acceptance corrected or rejected supplies without disclosing the former rejection or requirement for correction, and, when required, shall disclose the corrective action taken.

(h) If the Contractor fails to promptly remove, replace, or correct rejected supplies that are required to be removed or to be replaced or corrected, the Government may either (1) by contract or otherwise, remove, replace, or correct the supplies and charge the cost to the Contractor or (2) terminate the contract for default. Unless the Contractor corrects or replaces the supplies within the delivery schedule, the Contracting Officer may require their delivery and make an equitable price reduction. Failure to agree to a price reduction shall be a dispute.

(i) (1) If this contract provides for the performance of Government quality assurance at source, and if requested by the Government, the Contractor shall furnish advance notification of the time—

(i) When Contractor inspection or tests will be performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract; and

(ii) When the supplies will be ready for Government inspection.

(2) The Government’s request shall specify the period and method of the advance notification and the Government representative to whom it shall be furnished. Requests shall not require more than 2 workdays of advance notification if the Government representative is in residence in the Contractor’s plant, nor more than 7 workdays in other instances.

(j) The Government shall accept or reject supplies as promptly as practicable after delivery, unless otherwise provided in the contract. Government failure to inspect and accept or reject the supplies shall not relieve the Contractor from responsibility, nor impose liability on the Government, for nonconforming supplies.

(k) Inspections and tests by the Government do not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for defects or other failures to meet contract requirements discovered before acceptance. Acceptance shall be conclusive, except for latent defects, fraud, gross mistakes amounting to fraud, or as otherwise provided in the contract.

(l) If acceptance is not conclusive for any of the reasons in paragraph (k) hereof, the Government, in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law, or under other provisions of this contract, shall have the right to require the Contractor (1) at no increase in contract price, to correct or replace the defective or nonconforming supplies at the original point of delivery or at the Contractor’s plant at the Contracting Officer’s election, and in accordance with a reasonable delivery schedule as may be agreed upon between the Contractor and the Contracting Officer; provided, that the Contracting Officer may require a reduction in contract price if the Contractor fails to meet such delivery schedule, or (2) within a reasonable time after receipt by the Contractor of notice of defects or nonconformance, to repay such portion of the contract as is equitable under the circumstances if the Contracting Officer elects not to require correction or replacement. When supplies are returned to the Contractor, the Contractor shall bear the transportation cost from the original point of delivery to the Contractor’s plant and return to the original point when that point is not the Contractor’s plant. If the Contractor fails to perform or act as required in paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this clause and does not cure such failure within a period of 10 days (or such longer period as the Contracting Officer may authorize in writing) after receipt of notice from the Contracting Officer specifying such failure, the Government shall have the right by contract or otherwise to replace or correct such supplies and charge to the Contractor the cost occasioned the Government thereby.

552.238-72 INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS (MAY 2019)

The information collection requirements contained in this solicitation/contract are either required by regulation or approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act and assigned OMB Control No. 3090-0163.

552.238-73 IDENTIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC OFFICE EQUIPMENT PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE HANDICAPPED (SEP 1991)

552.238-84 DISCOUNTS FOR PROMPT PAYMENT (MAY 2019)

(a) Discounts for early payment (hereinafter referred to as “discounts” or “the discount”) will be considered in evaluating the relationship of the Offeror's concessions to the Government vis-a-vis the Offeror's concessions to its commercial and Federal non-schedule customers, but only to the extent indicated in this clause.

(b) Discounts will not be considered to determine the low Offeror in the situation described in the “Offers on Identical Products” provision of this solicitation.

(c) Uneconomical discounts will not be considered as meeting the criteria for award established by the Government. In this connection, a discount will be considered uneconomical if the annualized rate of return for earning the discount is lower than the “value of funds” rate established by the Department of the Treasury and published quarterly in the Federal Register. The “value of funds” rate applied will be the rate in effect on the date specified for the receipt of offers.

(d) Discounts for early payment may be offered either in the original offer or on individual invoices submitted under the resulting contract. Discounts offered will be taken by the ordering activity if payment is made within the discount period specified.

(e) Discounts that are included in offers become a part of the resulting contracts and are binding on the Contractor for all orders placed under the contract. Discounts offered only on individual invoices will be binding on the Contractor only for the particular invoice on which the discount is offered.

(f) In connection with any discount offered for prompt payment, time shall be computed from the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date which appears on…