RFQ 19MU3026Q0010 - Legal Consultation Services.pdf

U.S. Embassy Muscat

Date: February 18, 2026

Dear Prospective Quoter:

Subject: Request for Quotations number 19MU3026Q0010 - Legal Consultation Services

Enclosed is a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for Legal Consultation Services. If you would like to submit quotation, follow the instructions in Section 3 of the solicitation, complete the required portions of the attached document, and submit it to the address shown on Standard Form 1449 that follows this letter.

The U.S. Government intends to award a contract/purchase order to the responsible company submitting an acceptable offer at the lowest price. We intend to award a contract/purchase order based on initial quotations, without holding discussions, although we may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if there is a need to do so.

Quotations are due by March 11, 2026, 1400hrs. No quotations will be accepted after this time.

Proposals must be in English and incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

Your quotation must be submitted electronically to MuscatProcurement@state.gov. It is important to make sure the submission is made in specific size and format; in MS-Word 2007/2010 or MS-Excel 2007/2010 or Adobe Acrobat (pdf) file format. The file size must not exceed 30MB.

If the file size should exceed 30MB, the submission must be made in separate files and attached to separate emails with less than 30MB each.

In order for a quotation to be considered, you must also complete and submit the following:

1. SF-1449

2. Section I, Pricing

3. Section 5 Representations and Certifications

4. Additional information as required in Section 3

5. The Offeror should submit a completed IRS Form W-14, found at www.irs.gov/w14, to ensure compliance with FAR 52.229-11

6. Proof of SAM Registration or completion of Section 5 – Representations and Certifications.

http://www.irs.gov/w14

Offerors shall be registered in the SAM (System for Award Management) database at https://www.sam.gov prior to submittal of their offer/proposal as prescribed under FAR 4.1102.

Failure to be registered at time of proposal submission may deem the offeror’s proposal to be considered non-responsible and no further consideration will be given. Therefore, offerors are highly encouraged to register immediately if they are interested in submitting a response to this requirement.

Sincerely, Benjamin Deese Contracting Officer https://www.sam.gov/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE

• SF 1449 cover sheet

• Continuation To SF-1449, RFQ Number 19MU3026Q0010, Prices, Block 23

• Continuation To SF-1449, RFQ 19MU3026Q0010, Schedule of Supplies/Services, Block 20 Description/Specifications/Work Statement

• Attachment 1 to Description/Specifications/Performance Work Statement, Government Furnished Property

SECTION 2 - CONTRACT CLAUSES

• Contract Clauses

• Addendum to Contract Clauses - FAR and DOSAR Clauses not Prescribed in Part 12

SECTION 3 - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

• Solicitation Provisions

• Addendum to Solicitation Provisions - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in

Part 12

SECTION 4 - EVALUATION FACTORS

• Evaluation Factors

• Addendum to Evaluation Factors - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in

Part 12

SECTION 5 - REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Offeror Representations and Certifications

• Addendum to Offeror Representations and Certifications - FAR and DOSAR

Provisions not Prescribed in Part 12

SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE

CONTINUATION TO SF-1449

RFQ NUMBER 19MU3026Q0010 PRICES, BLOCK 23

I. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

A. The purpose of this firm fixed price Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quanity (IDIQ) contract is to:

• Consult and provide advice on issues that Embassy Management deals with on a recurring basis that contend with the majority of Locally Employed (LE) Staff work functions predominantly in overseeing and managing duties related to local employment including, but not limited to - compliance with local law and prevailing practices, recruitment, hiring, separation, reduction in force, benefits, compensation, wages, occupational safety and workers’ compensation, and employment visa/sponsorship cancellation or transfer.

• Review Locally Employed Staff Handbook and Local Compensation Plan (LCP) for legal compliance and provide required updates with practical suggestions based on Omani labor law.

• Consult and provide advice on Embassy’s LE Staff disciplinary policy and separation for cause procedures in compliance with Omani labor laws to avoid needless cost and unnecessary litigation.

• Consult and provide advice on death and repatriation benefits required by the Omani labor law, and Omani Immigration Department for non-Omani nationals.

• Consult and provide advice on compliance with new provisions of host government labor laws.

• Participate in Human Resources Office related meetings and/or negotiations, as needed.

• Provide other legal services from time to time as needed.

B. The contract will be for a one-year period from the date of the contract award, with four (4) one-year options.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

This plan provides an effective method to promote satisfactory contractor performance. The QASP provides a method for the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor Contractor performance, advise the Contractor of unsatisfactory performance, and notify the Contracting Officer of continued unsatisfactory performance. The Contractor, not the Government, is responsible for management and quality control to meet the terms of the contract.

The role of the Government is to monitor quality to ensure that contract standards are achieved.

Performance Objective Scope of Work

Paragraphs Performance Threshold

Services.

Performs all legal consultation services set forth in the scope of work.

All required services are performed and no more than one

(1) customer complaint is received per month.

1. SURVEILLANCE. The COR will receive and document all complaints from Government personnel regarding the services provided. If appropriate, the COR will send the complaints to the Contractor for corrective action.

2. STANDARD. The performance standard is that the Government receives no more than one

(1) customer complaint per month. The COR shall notify the Contracting Officer of the complaints so that the Contracting Officer may take appropriate action to enforce the inspection clause (FAR 52.212.4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2023), if any of the services exceed the standard.

3. PROCEDURES.

(a) If any Government personnel observe unacceptable services, either incomplete work or required services not being performed they should immediately contact the COR.

(b) The COR will complete appropriate documentation to record the complaint.

(c) If the COR determines the complaint is invalid, the COR will advise the complainant. The COR will retain the annotated copy of the written complaint for his/her files.

(d) If the COR determines the complaint is valid, the COR will inform the Contractor and give the Contractor additional time to correct the defect, if additional time is available. The COR shall determine how much time is reasonable.

(e) The COR shall, as a minimum, orally notify the Contractor of any valid complaints.

(f) If the Contractor disagrees with the complaint after investigation of the site and challenges the validity of the complaint, the Contractor will notify the COR. The COR will review the matter to determine the validity of the complaint.

(g) The COR will consider complaints as resolved unless notified otherwise by the complainant.

(h) Repeat customer complaints are not permitted for any services. If a repeat customer complaint is received for the same deficiency during the service period, the COR will contact the Contracting Officer for appropriate action under the Inspection clause.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.212-4

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS

During this contract period, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of OMR

100.000. This reflects the contract minimum for this period of performance. The amount of all orders shall not exceed OMR 20,000.000. This reflects the contract maximum for this period of performance.

II. PRICING

BASE PERIOD:

CLIN *Estimated Hours Hourly Rate

(OMR)

Ceiling Price

(OMR)

01 Partner 5 02 Counsel/Senior consultant 4 03 Senior Associate 10 04 Junior Associate/Associate 9 05 Para-legal 4

VAT

Total for Base Year

FIRST OPTION YEAR:

Ceiling Price

(OMR)

01 Partner 5 02 Counsel/Senior consultant 4 03 Senior Associate 10 04 Junior Associate/Associate 9 05 Para-legal 4

Total for First Option Year

SECOND OPTION YEAR:

Ceiling Price

(OMR)

01 Partner 5 02 Counsel/Senior consultant 4 03 Senior Associate 10 04 Junior Associate/Associate 9 05 Para-legal 4

Total for Second Option Year

THIRD OPTION YEAR:

Ceiling Price

(OMR)

01 Partner 5 02 Counsel/Senior consultant 4 03 Senior Associate 10 04 Junior Associate/Associate 9 05 Para-legal 4

Total for Third Option Year

FOURTH OPTION YEAR:

Ceiling Price

(OMR)

01 Partner 5 02 Counsel/Senior consultant 4 03 Senior Associate 10 04 Junior Associate/Associate 9 05 Para-legal 4

Total for Fourth Option Year

GRAND TOTAL PRICE

Base Year Total : _______________

First Option Year Total : _______________

Second Option Year Total : _______________

Third Option Year Total : _______________

Fourth Option Year Total : _______________

Grand Total : _______________

III. VALUE ADDED TAX

Value Added Tax (VAT) is not included in the CLIN rates. Instead, it will be priced as a separate Line Item in the contract and on Invoices. Local law dictates the portion of the contract price that is subject to VAT; this percentage is multiplied only against that portion. It is reflected for each performance period. The portions of the solicitation subject to VAT are:

SECTION 2 - CONTRACT CLAUSES

52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(NOV 2023) IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. (SEE SF-1449,

BLOCK 27A)

52.229-12 TAX ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS

As prescribed in 29.402-3(b), insert the following clause:

Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Date)

(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 IRS 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—

(i) Is a foreign person; and

(ii) 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

(iii) 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–

(A) 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

(B) 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 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.

(End of clause) https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-law-questions

ADDENDUM TO CONTRACT CLAUSES

FAR AND DOSAR CLAUSES NOT PRESCRIBED IN PART 12

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. In addition, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at: Acquisition.gov this address is subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the location indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at e-CFR to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an Internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (FAR) CLAUSES ARE

INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS (NOV 2023)

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT - MAINTENANCE (DEVIATION

DATE)

52.222-19 CHILD LABOR-COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES AND REMEDIES

(DEVIATION DATE)

52.232-19 INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN ENGLISH VERSION AND TRANSLATION OF

CONTRACT (FEB 2000)

52.229-6 TAXES - FOREIGN FIXED PRICE CONTRACTS (DATE)

52.232-39 UNENFORCEABILITY OF UNAUTHORIZED OBLIGATIONS (JUNE 2013)

52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS (MAR 2023)

52.244-6 SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (DEVIATION DATE)

52.232-25 PROMPT PAYMENT (JAN 2017)

52.232-24 PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER-OTHER THAN SYSTEM

FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (JUL 2013)

https://acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://gov.ecfr.io/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d9a7851186785ba2b1896db79b1b6b29&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title48/48tab_02.tpl

THE FOLLOWING FAR CLAUSES ARE PROVIDED IN FULL TEXT:

52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule.

Such orders may be issued from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

(b) All delivery orders or tsk orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) A delivery order or task order is considered “issued” when –

(1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;

(2) If sent by fax, the Government transmits the order to the Contractor’s fax number; or

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either –

(i) Posts a copy of the delivery order or task order to a Government document access system, and notice is sent to the Contractor; or

(ii) Distributes the delivery order or task order via email to the Contractor’s email address.

(d) Orders may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized in the contract.

52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than OMR 10.000, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor--

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of OMR 20,000.000

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of OMR 20,000.000; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within five (5) days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (1) or (2) above.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirement clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) above.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) above, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within five (5) days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (DEVIATION DATE)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the “maximum.” The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the “minimum.”

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the ordering period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order, which may include order options to be exercised after the ordering period of this contract but before the end of the period of performance of the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order, including options exercised, to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's ordering period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after June 30, 2031.

52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within the performance period of the contract.

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 the performance period of the contract or within 30 days after funds for the option year become available, whichever is later.

(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 5 years.

52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond September 30 of the current calendar year. The Government's obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond September 30 of the current calendar year, until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

52.204-91 CONTRACTOR IDENTIFICATION (DEVIATION DATE)

Definitions. As used in this clause— Commercial and Government Entity code means—

(1) An identifier assigned to entities located in the United States or its outlying areas by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch to identify a commercial or government entity by unique location (referred to as “CAGE code”); or

(2) An identifier assigned by a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to entities located outside the United States and its outlying areas that the DLA CAGE Branch records and maintains in the CAGE master file (referred to as “NCAGE code”).

Unique entity identifier means an identifier used to identify a specific commercial, nonprofit, or Government entity.

(b) Unique entity identifier (UEI). The Contractor shall ensure that its UEI is maintained throughout the life of the contract.

(c) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. The Contractor shall ensure that the CAGE code is maintained throughout the life of the contract. The Contractor shall request changes to a CAGE code as indicated in the following table.

If the Contractor is… Then…

Registered in the System for Award Management

(SAM)

Initiate the change by updating its SAM registration

Located in the United States or its outlying areas and is not registered in

SAM

Submit a change request to the DLA CAGE Branch via https://cage.dla.mil

Located outside the United States and its outlying areas and is not registered in

SAM

Request a change by contacting the appropriate National Codification Bureau ( https://www.nato.int/structur/ac/135/about/contacts) or NSPA ( https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx)

(d) Communicating changes. The Contractor shall communicate any change to its UEI or CAGE code to the Contracting Officer within 30 days after the change, so a modification can be issued to update the UEI or CAGE code on this contract. A change in the UEI does not necessarily require a novation.

(End of clause)

52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS.

As prescribed in 22.1703-2(a)(1), insert the following clause:

Combating Trafficking in Persons (Deviation Date)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause- Agent means any individual, including a director, an officer, an employee, or an independent contractor, authorized to act on behalf of the organization.

Coercion means-

(1) Threats of serious harm to or physical restraint against any person;

(2) Any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform an act would result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person; or

(3) The abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process.

Commercial sex act means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person.

Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item —

(1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is—

(i) A commercial product (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of “commercial product” at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101;

https://cage.dla.mil/ https://www.nato.int/structur/ac/135/about/contacts https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and

(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

Debt bondage means the status or condition of a debtor arising from a pledge by the debtor of his or her personal services or of those of a person under his or her control as a security for debt, if the value of those services as reasonably assessed is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt or the length and nature of those services are not respectively limited and defined.

Employee means an employee of the Contractor directly engaged in the performance of work under the contract who has other than a minimal impact or involvement in contract performance.

Forced Labor means knowingly providing or obtaining the labor or services of a person-

(1) By threats of serious harm to, or physical restraint against, that person or another person;

(2) By means of any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that, if the person did not perform such labor or services, that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint; or

(3) By means of the abuse or threatened abuse of law or the legal process.

Involuntary servitude includes a condition of servitude induced by means of-

(1) Any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause a person to believe that, if the person did not enter into or continue in such conditions, that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint; or

(2) The abuse or threatened abuse of the legal process.

Recruitment fees means fees of any type, including charges, costs, assessments, or other financial obligations, that are associated with the recruiting process, regardless of the time, manner, or location of imposition or collection of the fee.

(1) Recruitment fees include, but are not limited to, the following fees (when they are associated with the recruiting process) for-

(i) Soliciting, identifying, considering, interviewing, referring, retaining, transferring, selecting, training, providing orientation to, skills testing, recommending, or placing employees or potential employees;

(ii) Advertising;

(iii) Obtaining permanent or temporary labor certification, including any associated fees;

(iv) Processing applications and petitions;

(v) Acquiring visas, including any associated fees;

(vi) Acquiring photographs and identity or immigration documents, such as passports, including any associated fees;

(vii) Accessing the job opportunity, including required medical examinations and immunizations; background, reference, and security clearance checks and examinations;

and additional certifications;

(viii) An employer's recruiters, agents or attorneys, or other notary or legal fees;

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title46-section40102(4)&num=0&edition=prelim

(ix) Language interpretation or translation, arranging for or accompanying on travel, or providing other advice to employees or potential employees;

(x) Government-mandated fees, such as border crossing fees, levies, or worker welfare funds;

(xi) Transportation and subsistence costs-

(A) While in transit, including, but not limited to, airfare or costs of other modes of transportation, terminal fees, and travel taxes associated with travel from the country of origin to the country of performance and the return journey upon the end of employment; and

(B) From the airport or disembarkation point to the worksite;

(xii) Security deposits, bonds, and insurance; and

(xiii) Equipment charges.

(2) A recruitment fee, as described in the introductory text of this definition, is a recruitment fee, regardless of whether the payment is-

(i) Paid in property or money;

(ii) Deducted from wages;

(iii) Paid back in wage or benefit concessions;

(iv) Paid back as a kickback, bribe, in-kind payment, free labor, tip, or tribute; or

(v) Collected by an employer or a third party, whether licensed or unlicensed, including, but not limited to-

(A) Agents;

(B) Labor brokers;

(C) Recruiters;

(D) Staffing firms (including private employment and placement firms);

(E) Subsidiaries/affiliates of the employer;

(F) Any agent or employee of such entities; and

(G) Subcontractors at all tiers.

Severe forms of trafficking in persons means-

(1) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or

(2) The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.

Subcontract means any contract entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for performance of a prime contract or a subcontract.

Subcontractor means any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor.

United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

(b) Policy. The United States Government has adopted a policy prohibiting trafficking in persons including the trafficking-related activities of this clause. Contractors, contractor employees, and their agents must not—

(1) Engage in severe forms of trafficking in persons during the period of performance of the contract;

(2) Procure commercial sex acts during the period of performance of the contract;

(3) Use forced labor in the performance of the contract;

(4) Destroy, conceal, confiscate, or otherwise deny access by an employee to the employee’s identity or immigration documents, such as passports or drivers' licenses, regardless of issuing authority;

(5)

(i) Use misleading or fraudulent practices during the recruitment of employees or offering of employment, such as failing to disclose, in a format and language understood by the employee or potential employee, basic information or making material misrepresentations during the recruitment of employees regarding the key terms and conditions of employment, including wages and fringe benefits, the location of work, the living conditions, housing and associated costs (if employer or agent provided or arranged), any significant costs to be charged to the employee or potential employee, and, if applicable, the hazardous nature of the work;

(ii) Use recruiters that do not comply with local labor laws of the country in which the recruiting takes place;

(6) Charge employees or potential employees recruitment fees;

(7)

(i) Fail to provide return transportation or pay for the cost of return transportation upon the end of employment-

(A) For an employee who is not a national of the country in which the work is taking place and who was brought into that country for the purpose of working on a U.S. Government contract or subcontract (for portions of contracts performed outside the United States); or

(B) For an employee who is not a United States national and who was brought into the United States for the purpose of working on a U.S. Government contract or subcontract, if the payment of such costs is required under existing temporary worker programs or pursuant to a written agreement with the employee (for portions of contracts performed inside the United States); except that—

(ii) The requirements of paragraphs (b)(7)(i) of this clause must not apply to an employee who is—

(A) Legally permitted to remain in the country of employment and who chooses to do so; or

(B) Exempted by an authorized official of the contracting agency from the requirement to provide return transportation or pay for the cost of return transportation;

(iii) The requirements of paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this clause are modified for a victim of trafficking in persons who is seeking victim services or legal redress in the country of employment, or for a witness in an enforcement action related to trafficking in persons.

The contractor must provide the return transportation or pay the cost of return transportation in a way that does not obstruct the victim services, legal redress, or witness activity. For example, the contractor must not only offer return transportation to a witness at a time when the witness is still needed to testify. This paragraph does not apply when the exemptions at paragraph (b)(7)(ii) of this clause apply.

(8) Provide or arrange housing that fails to meet the host country housing and safety standards; or

(9) If required by law or contract, fail to provide an employment contract, recruitment agreement, or other required work document in writing. Such written work document must be in a language the employee understands. If the employee must relocate to perform the work, the work document must be provided to the employee at least five days prior to the employee relocating. The employee's work document must include, but is not limited to, details about work description, wages, prohibition on charging recruitment fees, work location(s), living accommodations and associated costs, time off, roundtrip transportation arrangements, grievance process, and the content of applicable laws and regulations that prohibit trafficking in persons.

(c) Contractor requirements. The Contractor must-

(1) Notify its employees and agents of-

(i) The United States Government's policy prohibiting trafficking in persons, described in paragraph (b) of this clause; and

(ii) The actions that will be taken against employees or agents for violations of this policy. Such actions for employees may include, but are not limited to, removal from the contract, reduction in benefits, or termination of employment; and

(2) Take appropriate action, up to and including termination, against employees, agents, or subcontractors that violate the policy in paragraph (b) of this clause.

(d) Notification.

(1) The Contractor must inform the Contracting Officer and the agency Inspector General immediately of—

(i) Any credible information it receives from any source (including host country law enforcement) that alleges a Contractor employee, subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or their agent has engaged in conduct that violates the policy in paragraph (b) of this clause (see also 18 U.S.C. 1351, Fraud in Foreign Labor Contracting, and 52.203-13(b)(3)(i)(A), if that clause is included in the solicitation or contract, which requires disclosure to the agency Office of the Inspector General when the Contractor has credible evidence of fraud); and

(ii) Any actions taken against a Contractor employee, subcontractor, subcontractor employee, or their agent pursuant to this clause.

(2) If the allegation may be associated with more than one contract, the Contractor must inform the contracting officer for the contract with the highest dollar value.

(e) Remedies. In addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contractor's failure to comply with the requirements of paragraphs (c), (d), (g), (h), or (i) of this clause may result in—

(1) Requiring the Contractor to remove a Contractor employee or employees from the performance of the contract;

(2) Requiring the Contractor to terminate a subcontract;

(3) Suspension of contract payments until the Contractor has taken appropriate remedial action;

(4) Loss of award fee, consistent with the award fee plan, for the performance period in which the Government determined Contractor non-compliance;

(5) Declining to exercise available options under the contract;

(6) Termination of the contract for default or cause, in accordance with the termination clause of this contract; or

(7) Suspension or debarment.

(f) Mitigating and aggravating factors. When determining remedies, the Contracting Officer may consider the following:

(1) Mitigating factors. The Contractor had a Trafficking in Persons compliance plan or an awareness program at the time of the violation, was in compliance with the plan, and has taken appropriate remedial actions for the violation, that may include reparation to victims for such violations.

(2) Aggravating factors. The Contractor failed to abate an alleged violation or enforce the requirements of a compliance plan, when directed by the Contracting Officer to do so.

(g) Full cooperation.

(1) The Contractor must, at a minimum—

(i) Disclose to the agency Inspector General information sufficient to identify the nature and extent of an offense and the individuals responsible for the conduct;

(ii) Provide timely and complete responses to Government auditors' and investigators' requests for documents;

(iii) Cooperate fully in providing reasonable access to its facilities and staff (both inside and outside the U.S.) to allow contracting agencies and other responsible Federal agencies to conduct audits, investigations, or other actions to ascertain compliance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78), E.O. 13627, or any other applicable law or regulation establishing restrictions on trafficking in persons, the procurement of commercial sex acts, or the use of forced labor; and

(iv) Protect all employees suspected of being victims of or witnesses to prohibited activities, prior to returning to the country from which the employee was recruited, and must not prevent or hinder the ability of these employees from cooperating fully with Government authorities.

(2) The requirement for full cooperation does not foreclose any Contractor rights arising in law, the FAR, or the terms of the contract. It does not-

(i) Require the Contractor to waive its attorney-client privilege or the protections afforded by the attorney work product doctrine;

(ii) Require any officer, director, owner, employee, or agent of the Contractor, including a sole proprietor, to waive his or her attorney client privilege or Fifth Amendment rights; or

(iii) Restrict the Contractor from—

(A) Conducting an internal investigation; or

(B) Defending a proceeding or dispute arising under the contract or related to a potential or disclosed violation.

(h) Compliance plan.

(1) This paragraph (h) applies to any portion of the contract that—

(i) Is for supplies, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items, acquired outside the United States, or services to be performed outside the United States; and

(ii) Has an estimated value that exceeds $550,000.

(2) The Contractor must maintain a compliance plan during the performance of the contract that is appropriate—

(i) To the size and complexity of the contract; and

(ii) To the nature and scope of the activities to be performed for the Government, including the number of non-United States citizens expected to be employed and the risk that the contract or subcontract will involve services or supplies susceptible to trafficking in persons.

(3) Minimum requirements. The compliance plan must include, at a minimum, the following:

(i) An awareness program to inform contractor employees about the Government’s policy prohibiting trafficking-related activities described in paragraph (b) of this clause, the activities prohibited, and the actions that will be taken against the employee for violations. Additional information about Trafficking in Persons and examples of awareness programs can be found at the Web site for the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at http://www.state.gov/j/tip/.

(ii) A process for employees to report, without fear of retaliation, activity inconsistent with the policy prohibiting trafficking in persons, including a means to make available to all employees the hotline phone number of the Global Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-844-888-FREE and its email address at help@befree.org.

(iii) A recruitment and wage plan that only permits the use of recruitment companies with trained employees, prohibits charging recruitment fees to the employee or potential employee, and ensures that wages meet applicable host-country legal requirements or explains any variance.

(iv) A housing plan, if the Contractor or subcontractor intends to provide or arrange housing, that ensures that the housing meets host-country housing and safety standards.

(v) Procedures to prevent agents and subcontractors at any tier and at any dollar value from engaging in trafficking in persons (including activities in paragraph (b) of this clause) and to monitor, detect, and terminate any agents, subcontracts, or subcontractor employees that have engaged in such activities.

(4) Posting.

(i) The Contractor must post the relevant contents of the compliance plan, no later than the initiation of contract performance, at the workplace (unless the work is to be performed in the field or not in a fixed location) and on the Contractor's Web site (if one is maintained). If posting at the workplace or on the Web site is impracticable, the Contractor must provide the relevant contents of the compliance plan to each worker in writing.

http://www.state.gov/j/tip/ mailto:help@befree.org

(ii) The Contractor must provide the compliance plan to the Contracting Officer upon request.

(5) Certification. Annually after receiving an award, the Contractor must submit a certification to the Contracting Officer that—

(i) It has implemented a compliance plan to prevent any prohibited activities identified at paragraph (b) of this clause and to monitor, detect, and terminate any agent, subcontract or subcontractor employee engaging in prohibited activities; and

(ii) After having conducted due diligence, either—

(A) To the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, neither it nor any of its agents, subcontractors, or their agents is engaged in any such activities; or

(B) If abuses relating to any of the prohibited activities identified in paragraph (b) of this clause have been found, the Contractor or subcontractor has taken the appropriate remedial and referral actions.

(i) Subcontracts.

(1) The Contractor must include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (i), in all subcontracts and in all contracts with agents. The requirements in paragraph (h) of this clause apply only to any portion of the subcontract that—

(i) Is for supplies, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items, acquired outside the United States, or services to be performed outside the United States; and

(ii) Has an estimated value that exceeds $550,000.

(2) If any subcontractor is required by this clause to submit a certification, the Contractor must require submission prior to the award of the subcontract and annually thereafter. The certification must cover the items in paragraph (h)(5) of this clause.

THE FOLLOWING DOSAR CLAUSES ARE PROVIDED IN FULL TEXT:

652.215-70 EXAMINATION OF RECORDS

(a) With respect to matters related to this contract or a subcontract hereunder, the Department of State Office of the Inspector General, or an authorized representative, shall have upon request:

(1) Complete, prompt, and free access to all Contractor and Subcontractor files (in any format), documents, records, data, premises, and employees, except as limited by law; and

(2) The right to interview any current Contractor and Subcontractor personnel, individually and directly, with respect to such matters.

(b) This clause may not be construed to require the contractor or any subcontractor to create or maintain any record that the contractor or subcontractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(c) The Contractor shall insert a clause containing all the terms of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts under this contract other than acquisitions described in Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.209(b)(1).

652.232-70 PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND INVOICE SUBMISSION (FIXED-PRICE)

(AUG 1999)

(a) General. The Government shall pay the Contractor as full compensation for all work required, performed, and accepted under this contract the firm fixed-price stated in this contract.

(b) Invoice Submission. The Contractor shall submit invoices in original to the office identified in Block 18b of the SF-1449. To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice shall include all the items required by FAR 32.905(e).

The Contractor shall show Value Added Tax (VAT) as a separate item on invoices submitted for payment.

(c) Contractor Remittance Address. The Government will make payment to the contractor’s address stated on the cover page of this contract, unless a separate remittance address is shown below:

Muscatinvoices@state.gov

652.242-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) AUG 1999)

(a) The Contracting Officer may designate in writing one or more Government employees, by name or position title, to take action for the Contracting Officer under this contract. Each designee shall be identified as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Such designation(s) shall specify the scope and limitations of the authority so delegated; provided, that the designee shall not change the terms or conditions of the contract, unless the COR is a warranted Contracting Officer and this authority is delegated in the designation.

(a) The COR for this contract is the HR Specialist.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-652.215-70#p-652.215-70(c) mailto:Muscatinvoices@state.gov

652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contractor warrants the following:

(1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do business in the country or countries in which this contract will be performed;

(2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits required to perform this contract; and,

(3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor standards, and regulations of said country or countries during the performance of this contract.

(b) If the party actually performing the work will be a subcontractor or joint venture partner, then such subcontractor or joint venture partner agrees to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this clause.

652.243-70 NOTICES (AUG 1999)

Any notice or request relating to this contract given by either party to the other shall be in writing. Said notice or request shall be mailed or delivered by hand to the other party at the address provided in the schedule of the contract. All modifications to the contract must be made in writing by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION 3 - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

Instructions to Offeror. Each offer must consist of the following:

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

As prescribed in 12.205(a)(1), insert a clause substantially as follows:

Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Deviation Date)

(a) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. As a minimum, offers shall include—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, telephone number of the Offeror;

(3) The Offeror’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, if applicable, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator;

(4) Information necessary to evaluate the factors contained in the provision at 52.212-2 or as described in the solicitation;

(5) Responses to provisions that require Offeror completion of information, representations, and certifications (other than those collected via the System for Award Management (SAM)); and

(6) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and any solicitation amendments.

(b) Period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(c) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers and any modifications or revisions to the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

(2) Any offer, modification, or revision received after the time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for…