RFQ_12760424Q0130_1.pdf

USDA FOREST SERVICE REQUEST FOR QUOTE

This is a request for quote for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation that will be issued; a quote is being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

Reference Number: RFQ # 12760424 Q0130 / PR # 1125647

Subject: This Request for Quote is for the procurement (48) Six Volt Battery Modules configured into Six (6) 48-Volt systems, with associated hardware, to power microwave systems, brand name or equal for the USDA Forest Service. This is a firm- fixed-price (FFP), Delivery Order.

The NAICS code for this request is 335910. Small Business Set-Aside. New Equipment Only.

No partial quotes will be considered.

Delivery: FOB Destination – The vendor shall be capable of procuring and delivering the equipment listed in the Bill of Materials (BOM) within 60 days of contract award.

See Attachment 1, BOM for item and delivery location details.

RFQ Due Date: All quotes shall be submitted to brandon.newland@usda.gov in Sam.gov no later than 5/13/24 at 5:00 PM ET. If you have any questions relative to this RFQ, please direct them to brandon.newland@usda.gov no later than 5/13/2024 – 2:00 PM ET.

Please provide the following in response to RFQ to be considered for award:

1. Complete Attachment 1, Bill of Materials (BOM) and submit with quote. Items listed on attached Bill of Materials can be brand name or an “equal”, sharing the same salient characteristics as the brand name product.

2. Technical specifications for all items being if “equal to” brand name. As Applicable.

3. Delivery time. ____________

4. GSA/NASA SEWP Contract Number ______________

5. Warranty Information

6. Location of where product was manufactured. ______________

7. Provide CTA or Partner/Reseller Agreement, as applicable. Note: If listed in GSA/NASA SEWP as an authorized reseller doesn’t need to provide written agreement.

8. FOB destination: See Attachment 1, Bill of Materials (BOM)

9. Provide 508 ACR report with quote.

10. Answer questions above and provide filled out Response to Request for Quote (RFQ) to include completing the FAR 52.204-24 and 52.204-26 below (highlighted in yellow).

Offeror Requirements:

1. Must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM).

2. SAM shall be active at time of award.

3. Provide Cage Code________, SAM UEI Number _________________.

4. The Terms and Conditions of the GSA Contract apply to the Delivery Order.

mailto:brandon.newland@usda.gov mailto:brandon.newland@usda.gov

Evaluation Factors for Award

The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1. Products offered meet the technical requirements of the bill of materials.

2. Award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of a quote meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for non-cost factors.

3. Accessibility Conformance Reports

a) Provide an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) for each commercially available Information and Communication Technology (ICT) item offered through this contract. Create the ACR using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template Version 2.1 or later, located at https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat. Complete each ACR in accordance with the instructions provided in the VPAT template. Each ACR must address the applicable Section 508 requirements referenced in the Work Statement. Each ACR shall state exactly how the ICT meets the applicable standards in the remarks/explanations column, or through additional narrative. All "Not Applicable" (N/A) responses must be explained in the remarks/explanations column or through additional narrative. Address each standard individually and with specificity, and clarify whether conformance is achieved throughout the entire ICT Item (for example - user functionality, administrator functionality, and reporting), or only in limited areas of the ICT Item. Provide a description of the evaluation methods used to support Section 508 conformance claims. The agency reserves the right, prior to making an award decision, to perform testing on some or all of the Offeror’s proposed ICT items to validate Section 508 conformance claims made in the ACR. (Note: Not required as there is a 508 exception)

A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

Terms and Conditions

Attachments

Attachment 1 Bill of Materials (BOM) Attachment 2 USDA Security Contract Language Attachment 3 ICT Accessibility Requirements Statement Attachment 4 RFQ_12760424Q0130 Attachment 5 Specifications Attachment 6 Drawing

Invoicing

Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) is added to this order. The Invoice submission is changed to require the use of the online Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). The Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) is a Web-based system that more efficiently manages government invoicing from purchase order (PO) through https://www.itic.org/policy/accessibility/vpat payment notification. IPP is a secure online platform outside federal agencies' core financial systems that centralizes all invoice transaction data and documents in one place. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Management Service offers IPP, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston manages its implementation and operations. The National Finance Center (NFC) began notifying USDA existing contractors that IPP online registration is required for doing business with USDA. Visit https://www.ipp.gov/ to enroll. The Contractor must now submit invoices online via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for existing and new awards.

Invoice Details: The Contractor’s invoice must be completely detailed to include, but not be limited to:

GSA Schedule Number, Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Number; Call number; period of service (i.e.

January 1-31, 2019), full description of services provided; labor category (if applicable); contract line item billed against; number of hours billed against the specific line item; unit price; extended price;

invoice total; Contractor name, address, telephone and contact person; invoice number and date. Incorrect invoices will be rejected and returned to the Contractor.

Invoice against Line Item: The Contractor must identify and invoice against each individual line item in accordance with the applicable order for service.

Invoice Billing Schedule: The Contractor must identify an Invoice Billing Schedule in each proposal.

The Contractor shall not bill in advance of services being performed. The Contractor shall submit no more than one (1) invoice per month for the previous month’s services. The Contractor must note in the price proposal whether the contractor intends to bill monthly or upon completion of all services for the applicable order.

Final Invoice, Release of Claims Required To Closeout Task Orders and the Contract Completion Statement: The Contractor must complete and submit Attachment 3, Release of Claim & Contract Completion Statement (signed by the COR/TPM) to the Call COR Contracting Officer not later than 15 business days, after submission of the Contractor’s final invoice (which completes services) through the online Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) and after all remaining unliquidated balances have been de-obligated by the Order Contracting Officer via modification, which is needed for the closeout process.

All text included in Attachment 2, USDA Security Contract Language.

ICT Accessibility Requirements Statement per the Revised Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

INSERT ICT REQUIREMENTS

52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (NOV 2021)

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

The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, https://www.ipp.gov/ https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-26#FAR_52_204_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.212-3#FAR_52_212_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.212-3#FAR_52_212_3 system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services" in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204-26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212-3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

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

(b) Prohibition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Representation. The Offeror represents that—

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

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Offeror represents that— https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-26#FAR_52_204_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.212-3#FAR_52_212_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-25#FAR_52_204_25 https://www.sam.gov/

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

(e) Disclosures.

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

(i) For covered equipment—

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

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

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

(ii) For covered services—

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

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided;

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

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

(i) For covered equipment—

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

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

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

(ii) For covered services—

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

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

(End of provision)

52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. (OCT 2020)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision, "covered telecommunications equipment or services" and "reasonable inquiry" have the meaning provided in the clause 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) 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".

(c)

(1) Representation. The Offeror represents that it □ does, □ 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.

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry for purposes of this representation, the offeror represents that it □ does, □ does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services.

(End of provision)

52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. (AUG 1999)

(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

(b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must-

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

(2) Clearly identify the item by-

(i) Brand name, if any; and

(ii) Make or model number;

(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-25#FAR_52_204_25 https://www.sam.gov/

(4) Clearly describe any modifications the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications.

(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

(End of provision)