RFQ 36C24426Q0377_Tissue Processor_Pittsburgh_SAM.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. UEI: EFT:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

646-26-1-233-0094

36C24426Q0377 03-10-2026

Stanley Kwasny 412-822-3781 03-13-2026

3:00 PM EST

36C244 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4 VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System 1010 Delafield Rd Pittsburgh PA 15215 Contract Specialist: Stanley Kwasny stanley.kwasny@va.gov

X 100

X

334516

1000 Employees

N/A

X

Pittsburgh VA Medical Center-University University Drive C Attn: Receiving 4100 Allequippa St Pittsburgh PA 15240-1003

36C244

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4 Services 5 See Block 9

Austin Payment Center Department of Veterans Affairs

PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971

(877) 353-9791 (512) 460-5429

See CONTINUATION Page

This procurement is for one (1) new Pathology Tissue Processor for the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Pathology and Histology Laboratories in accordance with requirements and salient characteristics found in the Statement of Need.

This procurement is in accordance with FAR 13 Procedures.

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

X 1

Keri Hester Contracting Officer

36C24426Q0377

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 PRICE SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

B.4 STATEMENT OF NEED

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.240-91 SECURITY PROHIBITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS (NOV 2025)

(DEVIATION)

C.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

E.2 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (NOV 2021)

E.3 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.4 VAAR 852.252-70 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS OR CLAUSES INCORPORATED

BY REFERENCE (JAN 2008)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C244 Keri Hess Contract Specialist: Stanley Kwasny Network Contracting Office 4 VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X]

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

AMENDMENT NO DATE

B.2 PRICE SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM

NUMBE

R

DESCRIPTION OF

SUPPLIES/SERVI

CES

QUANTI

TY

UNI

T UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

1.00 EA _______________

Laboratory Tissue Processor PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: A82300001A

GRAND TOTAL _______________

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

ITEM

NUMBER SHIPPING INFORMATION QUANTITY

DELIVERY

DATE

0001 SHIP TO: VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive C 4100 Allequippa St Pittsburgh, PA 15240 1003

USA

1.00

FOB: DESTINATION

B.4 STATEMENT OF NEED

1. Background:

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Systems requires a tissue processor. The Pathology Department uses tissue processors for preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examinations in histology and pathology laboratories. Tissue processors automate the process of tissue fixation, dehydration, clearing, and impregnation with paraffin wax, providing high-quality tissue sections for staining and analysis.

History of the Requirement: Currently, the facility has one tissue processor which is outdated due to fair wear and tear issues such as hydraulic leaks, worn seals, deteriorated bearings, deteriorated races, worn fittings and stripped wiring.

The impact to the VA Pittsburgh Medical Center, if the machine is not replaced, the lab personnel will have to further scrutinize analysis due to the possibility of inaccuracies.

Therefore, the only option to avoid these potential issues, is to replace the current near end of life service platform.

Summary of the Requirement: The purchase of the tissue processor will automate the process of tissue fixation, dehydration, clearing, and impregnation with paraffin wax, providing high-quality tissue sections for staining and analysis.

2. Detailed description of requirement Purchase of the following product:

Pathology Laboratory Tissue processor

Salient Characteristics - Minimum requirements to be considered.

Specific criteria the tissue processor must meet:

Weigh no more than 363 lbs. empty and no more than 551 lbs. when full (reagents loaded).

Must have measurements Not To Exceed: 23” length x 28” width x 54” height.

Power requirements of 100-240 Vac; 50/60 Hz; 1300 VA (max.), 300 VA (typical).

Monitors status and gives clear visual and audible alarms or warnings in case of problems and provides specimen safety measures.

Automatic reagent rotation inside the circular chamber.

Reagents can be pre-heated to up to 35 degrees Celsius to minimize tissue shock and facilitate reagent penetration.

Alcohol quality measurement using specific gravity of the first alcohol during every run, that enables extension of reagent life.

Touch screen user interface with intuitive software.

Downdraft ventilation, with a fan that starts automatically, that reduces user exposure to harmful vapors and through a filter that neutralizes formaldehyde.

Reaction chamber with three fill levels that allows reduced processing times.

Tissue processing reagents that are available in 5-liter bottles.

Easy access wax tank and unique waste wax discard solution.

Automatic paraffin rotation system discards waste paraffin in a disposable container during processing for easy disposal and enhanced user safety.

Must be able to order additional baskets and cleaning accessories, external fume extraction adapter kits, filters, and reagent bottles and paraffin kits, if needed.

Must include installation, assembly, delivery charges, and training needed.

3. Incidental Services:

Contractor installation required and basic training to a superuser designated by the VA Chief of Pathology and Laboratory.

Deliver materials to job in manufacturer's original sealed packaging with brand name marked thereon.

Packaged to prevent damage or deterioration during shipment, handling, storage and installation. Maintain protective covering in place and in good repair until removal is necessary.

Delivery and Installation will be coordinated through the COR.

4. Delivery Instructions:

Pittsburgh VA Medical CTR-University drive, University Drive C Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1003

Facility POC information provide upon award.

Vendor will contact facility POC to coordinate delivery and installation.

5. Training:

Contractor installation required and basic training to a superuser designated by the VA Chief of Pathology and Laboratory.

6. Facility Access:

Vendor will take all instruction from facility POC.

SYMPLR LANGUAGE FOR VA PITTSBURGH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

(If vendor must be on-site to perform installation, training, etc.)

Vendor Credentialing

Vendor access to the VAPHS is by appointment only and requires credentialing through our vendor credentialing partner, Symplr at https://vcsdatabase.com/login Symplr registration is at cost to the vendor only and VAPHS is not responsible for this.

All on-site contractor representatives agree to follow VA Pittsburgh Policy LD-073 medical center policy (MCP) Vendor Access. This includes all on-site contractor representatives shall be ‘greenlighted’ in VA Pittsburgh’s Vendor Credentialing System Symplr which includes an up-to-date flu vaccination, Tb test, Covid-19 vaccine, and HIPPA certification at a minimum. The government shall not provide any additional compensation for cost to register any subcontractor staff in Symplr. Vendor shall follow most updated guidelines from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

All vendors are required to check-in at the Symplr kiosk using their smart phone (University Drive) or desktop check-in with Symplr login (HJH) and obtain a day badge, which will include date, time, and location of approved appointment. Company badge with photo ID is also required to be worn while onsite at any of the VAPHS sites.

Vendors are only permitted to visit the location identified on their Symplr generated badge and must exit the facility promptly, checking out via their smart phone once the scheduled appointment has ended.

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.240-91 SECURITY PROHIBITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS (NOV 2025)

(DEVIATION)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entity means an entity included on a list that the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) develops and maintains and publishes in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov (section 1822 of Pub. L. 118-31, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.).

Backhaul means intermediate links between the core network, or backbone network, and the small subnetworks at the edge of the network (e.g., connecting cell phones/towers to the core telephone network). Backhaul can be wireless (e.g., microwave) or wired (e.g., fiber optic, coaxial cable, Ethernet).

Covered application means the social networking service TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited or an entity owned by ByteDance Limited.

Covered article, as defined in 41 U.S.C. 4713(k), means:

(1) Information technology, as defined in 40 U.S.C. 11101, including cloud computing services of all types;

(2) Telecommunications equipment or telecommunications service, as those terms are defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153);

(3) The processing of information on a Federal or non-Federal information system, subject to the requirements of the Controlled Unclassified Information program (see 32 CFR part 2002); or

(4) Hardware, systems, devices, software, or services that include embedded or incidental information technology.

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).

FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act—covered foreign entity.

FASCSA order means any of the following orders issued under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) requiring removing covered articles from executive agency information systems or excluding one or more named sources or named covered articles from executive agency procurement actions, as described in 41 CFR 201-1.303(d) and (e):

(1) The Secretary of Homeland Security may issue FASCSA orders that apply to civilian agencies, to the extent not covered by paragraph (2) or (3) of this definition. This type of FASCSA order may be referred to as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FASCSA order.

(2) The Secretary of Defense may issue FASCSA orders that apply to the Department of Defense (DoD) and national security systems other than sensitive compartmented information systems. This type of FASCSA order may be referred to as a DoD FASCSA order.

(3) The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) may issue FASCSA orders that apply to the intelligence community and sensitive compartmented information systems, to the extent not covered by paragraph (2) of this definition. This type of FASCSA order may be referred to as a DNI FASCSA order.

Information technology, as defined in 40 U.S.C. 11101(6)—

(1) Means any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, used in the automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information by the executive agency, if the equipment is used by the executive agency directly or is used by a contractor under a contract with the executive agency that requires the use—

(i) Of that equipment; or

(ii) Of that equipment to a significant extent in the performance of a service or the furnishing of a product;

(2) Includes computers, ancillary equipment (including imaging peripherals, input, output, and storage devices necessary for security and surveillance), peripheral equipment designed to be controlled by the central processing unit of a computer, software, firmware and similar procedures, services (including support services), and related resources; but

(3) Does not include any equipment acquired by a Federal contractor incidental to a Federal contract.

Intelligence community, as defined by 50 U.S.C. 3003(4), means the following—

(1) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence;

(2) The Central Intelligence Agency;

(3) The National Security Agency;

(4) The Defense Intelligence Agency;

(5) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency;

(6) The National Reconnaissance Office;

(7) Other offices within the Department of Defense for the collection of specialized national intelligence through reconnaissance programs;

(8) The intelligence elements of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Energy;

(9) The Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State;

(10) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of the Treasury;

(11) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security; or

(12) Such other elements of any department or agency as may be designated by the President, or designated jointly by the Director of National Intelligence and the head of the department or agency concerned, as an element of the intelligence community.

Interconnection arrangement means arrangements governing the physical connection of two or more networks to allow the use of another’s network to hand off traffic where it is ultimately delivered (e.g., connecting a customer of telephone provider A to a customer of telephone company B) or sharing data and other information resources.

Kaspersky Lab-covered article means any hardware, software, or service that—

(1) Is developed or provided by a Kaspersky Lab-covered entity;

(2) Includes any hardware, software, or service developed or provided in whole or in part by a Kaspersky Lab-covered entity; or

(3) Contains components using any hardware or software developed in whole or in part by a Kaspersky Lab-covered entity.

Kaspersky Lab-covered entity means—

(1) Kaspersky Lab;

(2) Any successor entity to Kaspersky Lab, including any change in name, e.g., “Kaspersky”;

(3) Any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Kaspersky Lab;

or

(4) Any entity of which Kaspersky Lab has a majority ownership.

National security system, as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3552, means any information system (including any telecommunications system) used or operated by an agency or by a contractor of an agency, or other organization on behalf of an agency—

(1) The function, operation, or use of which involves intelligence activities; involves cryptologic activities related to national security; involves command and control of military forces; involves equipment that is an integral part of a weapon or weapons system; or is critical to the direct fulfillment of military or intelligence missions, but does not include a system that is to be used for routine administrative and business applications (including payroll, finance, logistics, and personnel management applications); or

(2) Is protected at all times by procedures established for information that have been specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order or an Act of Congress to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.

Roaming means cellular communications services (e.g., voice, video, data) received from a visited network when unable to connect to the facilities of the home network either because signal coverage is too weak or because traffic is too high.

Sensitive compartmented information means classified information concerning or derived from intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes, which is required to be handled within formal access control systems established by the Director of National Intelligence.

Sensitive compartmented information system means a national security system authorized to process or store sensitive compartmented information.

Source means a non-Federal supplier, or potential supplier, of products or services, at any tier.

Subsidiary means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned directly by a parent corporation or through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

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

Unmanned aircraft means an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (49 U.S.C. 44801(11)).

Unmanned aircraft system means an unmanned aircraft and associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the unmanned aircraft) that are required for the operator to operate safely and efficiently in the national airspace system (49 U.S.C.

44801(12)).

(b) Prohibitions on providing or using specific products or services in performance of contract.

Unless a waiver or exception applies, the Contractor is prohibited from providing any products or services to the Government or using in the performance of the contract any of the following:

(1) A covered application on any information technology owned or managed by the Government, or on any information technology used or provided by the Contractor under this contract, including equipment provided by the Contractor’s employees (section 102 of Division R of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328));

(2) A Kaspersky Lab-covered article (Section 1634 of Division A of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Pub. L. 115-91));

(3) Covered telecommunications equipment or services used as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system (paragraphs (a)(1)(A) of section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232)). This does not prohibit contractors from providing—

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

(ii) 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) Prohibition on unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by American Security Drone Act—covered foreign entities.

(1) Prohibition. The Contractor is prohibited from—

(i) Delivering any FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, which includes unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones) and associated elements (sections 1823 and 1826 of American Security Drone Act of 2023, within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, Pub. L.

118-31, Div. A, Title XVIII, Subtitle B, 41 U.S.C. 3901 note prec.);

(ii) On or after December 22, 2025, operating a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system in the performance of the contract (section 1824 of Pub. L. 118-31); and

(iii) On or after December 22, 2025, using Federal funds to procure or operate a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system (section 1825 of Pub. L. 118-31).

(2) Procedures. The Contractor shall search SAM for the FASC-maintained list of American Security Drone Act—covered foreign entities before proposing, or using in performance of the contract, any unmanned aircraft system. Also, the Contractor shall ensure any effort or expenditure associated with a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system is consistent with a corresponding exemption, exception, or waiver determination expressly stated in the contract.

(3) Exemptions, exceptions, and waivers. The prohibitions in paragraph (c) of this clause do not apply where the agency has determined an exemption, exception, or waiver applies, and the contract indicates that such a determination has been made. See sections 1823 through 1825 and 1832 of Public Law 118-31 for statutory requirements pertaining to exemptions, exceptions, and waivers.

(d) Prohibition on using or providing specific products or services or conducting certain transactions regardless of connection to contract.

(1) Certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment, systems, or services.

(i) Unless an applicable waiver has been issued by the Government, the Contractor cannot use any equipment, systems, or services 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 (paragraph (a)(1)(B) of section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232)).

(ii) This prohibition applies to using covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. This does not prohibit the contractor from using—

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

(B) 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) Office of Foreign Assets Control Restrictions.

(i) Except as authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the Department of the Treasury, the Contractor shall not acquire, for use in the performance of this contract, any supplies or services if any proclamation, Executive order, or statute administered by OFAC, or if

OFAC’s implementing regulations at 31 CFR chapter V, would prohibit such a transaction by a person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(ii) Except as authorized by OFAC, most transactions involving Cuba, Iran, and Sudan are prohibited, as are most imports from Burma or North Korea, into the United States or its outlying areas.

(A) For lists of entities and individuals subject to economic sanctions, see OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists.

(B) For more information about these restrictions, as well as updates, see OFAC’s regulations at 31 CFR chapter V and at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control-sanctions-programs-and-information.

(C) To conduct electronic screens of potential parties to regulated transactions, see the consolidated screening list at https://www.trade.gov/consolidated-screening-list, which consolidates multiple export screening lists of the Departments of Commerce, State, and the Treasury.

(3) Sudan prohibition. The Contractor is prohibited from conducting any restricted business operations in Sudan in accordance with Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110- 174).

(4) Iran prohibitions.

(i) Unless an exception applies according to paragraph (d)(4)(iii) or the Government grants a waiver, the contractor shall not engage in certain activities or transactions relating to Iran (section 6(b)(1)(A) of Iran Sanctions Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note).

(ii) Unless an exception applies according to paragraph (d)(4)(iii) or the Government grants a waiver, contractor shall not export certain sensitive technology to Iran, as determined by the President, and has an active exclusion in SAM (22 U.S.C. 8515).

(iii) The prohibition in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (d)(4)(ii) do not apply if the acquisition is subject to trade agreements and the offeror certifies that all the offered products are designated country end products or designated country construction material (see part 25).

(iv) Unless an exception applies or the Government grants a waiver, contractors are prohibited from knowingly engaging in any significant transaction (i.e., over $15,000) with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates, the property and interests in property of which are blocked according to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (section 6(b)(1)(B) of Iran Sanctions Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note)).

(e) Governmentwide exclusion and removal orders.

(1) Unless the Government has issued an applicable waiver, contractors shall not provide or use as part of the performance of the contract any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if the covered article or the source is prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order as follows:

(i) For solicitations and contracts awarded by a Department of Defense contracting office, DoD FASCSA orders apply.

(ii) For all other solicitations and contracts, DHS FASCSA orders apply.

(2) The Contractor shall search for the phrase “FASCSA order” in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov to locate applicable FASCSA orders.

(3) The Government may identify in the solicitation other FASCSA orders that are not in SAM, which are effective and apply to the solicitation and resulting contract.

(4) A FASCSA order issued after the date of solicitation applies to this contract only if added by an amendment to the solicitation or modification to the contract (see FAR 40.204-1(c)).

(f)Reasonable inquiry. The contractor shall conduct a reasonable inquiry to determine if there are any prohibited products or services. The inquiry will look at any information in the entity’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit.

(g) Removal of prohibited products and services. For Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide acquisition contracts, multi-agency contracts or any other procurement instrument intended for use by multiple agencies, upon notification from the Contracting Officer, during the performance of the contract, the Contractor shall promptly make any necessary changes or modifications to remove any product or service produced or provided by a source that this clause prohibits.

(h) General report.

(1) If the Contractor identifies or is notified by any source, (including a subcontractor at any tier), that any product or service provided or used (or to be provided or used) during contract performance does not comply with any prohibition in this clause, then the Contractor shall report the following information, or as much information is known, in writing to the contracting office as identified in paragraph (h)(2) within 72 hours:

(i) Contract number and order number, if applicable;

(ii) The specific prohibition the product or service is not complying with;

(iii) A description of the products or services that the Contractor identifies or has reason to suspect is prohibited (include brand; model number, such as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable);

(iv) The entity that produced the product or service (include entity name, unique entity identifier, Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) code, facilities responsible for design, fabrication, assembly, packaging, and test of the product, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor (provide manufacturer codes and distributor codes used for the product));

(v) Description of the functionality of the product or service and how that functionality impacts the risk to the product or service;

(vi) An explanation of any factors relevant to determining if the product or service should be permitted by an applicable exception, exemption, or waiver (if the contractor would like the Government to consider a waiver, and asks for such a waiver);

(vii) Whether alternative products or services are available that would comply with the prohibition;

(viii) If the product or service is related to item maintenance, include the following information on the item being maintained:

(A) Brand;

(B) Model number, OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and

(C) Item description, as applicable.

(ix) Any readily available information about mitigation actions implemented or recommended.

(2) If a report must be submitted to a contracting office, the Contractor shall submit the report as follows:

(i) If a Department of Defense contracting office, the Contractor shall report to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil.

(ii) For all other contracting offices, the Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer.

(iii) For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to both the contracting office for the indefinite delivery contract and the contracting office for any affected order.

(3) If the report provided does not contain any of the information required by paragraph (h)(1) of this clause, and the contractor later discovers new information that is required by paragraph (h)(1) of this clause, then the contractor shall submit a subsequent report within 72 hours of discovering the new information.

(4) The contractor shall also report the information in paragraph (h)(1) if the contractor wishes to ask for a waiver of the requirements of a new FASCSA order being applied through modification.

(i) New FASCSA orders report.

(1) During contract performance, the Contractor shall review SAM at least once every three months, or as advised by the Contracting Officer, to check for covered articles subject to FASCSA order(s), or for products or services produced by a source subject to FASCSA order(s) not currently identified under paragraph (e) of this clause.

(2) If the Contractor identifies a new FASCSA order(s) that could impact their supply chain, then the Contractor shall conduct a reasonable inquiry to identify whether a covered article or product or service produced or provided by a source subject to the FASCSA order(s) was provided to the Government or used during contract performance. The inquiry will look at any information in the entity’s possession but does not need to include an internal or third-party audit.

(3) The Contractor shall submit a report to the contracting office identified in paragraph (h)(2) of this clause if the Contractor identifies, including through any notification by a subcontractor at any tier, that a covered article or product or service produced or provided by a source was provided to the Government or used during contract performance and is subject to a FASCSA order(s). For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to both the contracting office for the indefinite delivery contract and the contracting office for any affected order. The Contractor shall report the following information within 72 hours for each covered article or each product or service produced or provided by a source, where the covered article or source is subject to a FASCSA order:

(i) Contract number and order number, if applicable;

(ii) Name of the covered article or source subject to a FASCSA order;

(iii) The specific FASCSA order the product or service does not comply with;

(iv) The elements of (h)(1)(iii) through (ix) of this clause.

(j) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (j) but excluding subparagraphs (d)(1) and (i)(1), in all subcontracts and other contractual instruments, including subcontracts for acquiring commercial products or commercial services.

(End of Provision)

C.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

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

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Clause)

FAR

Number

Title Date

52.203-17 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS NOV 2023

52.203-19 PROHIBITION ON REQUIRING CERTAIN INTERNAL

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS OR STATEMENTS

JAN 2017

52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

NOV 2023

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE OCT 2018

52.209-6 PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST WHEN

SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED,

JAN 2025

SUSPENDED, PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT, OR

VOLUNTARILY EXCLUDED

52.209-10 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH INVERTED

DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS

NOV 2015

52.219-6 NOTICE OF TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE NOV 2020

52.222-3 CONVICT LABOR (DEVIATION) NOV 2025

52.222-19 CHILD LABOR—COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES

AND REMEDIES (DEVIATION)

NOV 2025

52.222-36 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKERS WITH

DISABILITIES (DEVIATION)

NOV 2025

52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (DEVIATION) NOV 2025

52.223-23 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS (DEVIATION) NOV 2025

52.225-3 BUY AMERICAN—FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS—ISRAELI

TRADE ACT ALTERNATE II (JAN 2025)

NOV 2023

52.226-8 ENCOURAGING CONTRACTOR POLICIES TO BAN TEXT

MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING

MAY 2024

52.229-12 TAX ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PROCUREMENTS FEB 2021

52.232-33 PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER—

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

OCT 2018

52.232-40 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL

BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS

MAR 2023

52.233-3 PROTEST AFTER AWARD AUG 1996

52.233-4 APPLICABLE LAW FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIM OCT 2004

852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING MAY 2018

852.212-71 GRAY MARKET AND COUNTERFEIT ITEMS FEB 2023

852.219-73 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR CERTIFIED

SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESSES (DEVIATION)

JAN 2023

852.219-76 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SUPPLIES AND

PRODUCTS (DEVIATION)

JAN 2023

852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS NOV 2018

852.246-71 REJECTED GOODS OCT 2018

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR

ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the solicitation. However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code 541519, if the acquisition—

(1) Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(2) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or

(3) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b) 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. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender's request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

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

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) 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) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and product descriptions can be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained from the address in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(3) Defense documents not available from the ASSIST website may be requested from the Defense Standardization Program Office by-

(i) Using the ASSIST feedback module (https://assist.dla.mil/feedback); or

(ii) Contacting the Defense Standardization Program Office by telephone at 571-767-6688 or email at assisthelp@dla.mil.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation ‘‘Unique Entity Identifier’’ followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror’s name and address.

The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking…