RFQ Access to Springer Nature Online Resources.pdf

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER AL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE 1 OF 75

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

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

DATE

RFQ # 75N98020Q00031

DATE

September 30, 2020

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect 8. OFFER DUE DATE/

7. FOR SOLICITATION calls) LOCAL TIME

INFORMATION CALL: Terita Stevenson Stevenst@od.nih.gov (301) 402-3727 October 30, 2020 2:00 P.M., EST

9. ISSUED BY CODE ….. 10. THIS ACQUISITON IS

National Institutes of Health UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100 % FOR

Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operations, Branch 2 SMALL BUSINESS

EMERGING SMALL

6011 Executive Blvd., Rm. 539 C HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

Rockville, MD 20852 NAICS: 51930 SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN- 8(A) SIZE STANDARD: 1000 Employees OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB

DESTINATION 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 …

Same as Block 9

17a. CONTRACTOR/ CODE ….. FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE N0. e-mail:

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

IN

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

BELOW

OFFER IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

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

ITEM

N0. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

The contractor shall provide the NIH and the HHS agency staff served by the NIH Library (DLS) access to the electronic version of select Springer journals, purchased Springer eBook collections, and Springer Protocols through its web interface. In accordance with the specifications set forth herein. See Attachment

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 52.2124. 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 STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV.3/2005)

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

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Offerors shall submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing to Terita Stevenson, Contract Specialist (stevenst@od.nih.gov). Questions must be in writing and are due by October 7, 2020.

(ii) The solicitation number is 75N98020Q00031 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This is a single award, IDIQ contract.

(iii) A statement that the solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2020-04 January 15, 2020.

(iv) The associated NAICS code is 519130 and small business size standard is 1000.

(v) SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

ARTICLE B.1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES OR SERVICES

(vi) Provide the NIH and the HHS agency staff served by the NIH Library (DLS) access to the electronic version of select Springer journals, purchased Springer eBook collections, and Springer Protocols through its web interface. Access will be cumulative for articles published in the journals since 1997 or the first year a journal was offered on the Springer platform; based upon previous investments. The contractor also shall provide options for acquiring eBooks, online reference works, and backfiles of selected journals.

Options should factor in all previous investments in print and digital subscriptions, as well as previous archive backfile purchases.

ARTICLE B.2. PRICES/COSTS

The final contract will contain the price/cost provisions agreed upon by the Government and the Offeror.

a. This is an Indefinite Quantity contract as contemplated by FAR 16.504. The Contractor shall be reimbursed by the Government in an amount not less than a total of $ TBD (minimum) nor more than a total of $ TBD (maximum) for successful performance of this contract.

b. The costs set forth in this ARTICLE will cover the contract period from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

c. The Government will issue Task Orders based on the work described in SECTION C of this contract and the following schedule. Upon delivery and acceptance of the item(s) described in each Task Order, the Government shall pay to the Contractor the costs set forth below:

SCHEDULE OF CHARGES FOR THE BASIC AWARD PERIOD

January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Description of Item Price (or Cost)

Subscribed Titles Non-Subscribed Titles Adis Titles Protocols Subscription Subtotal:

Total

The government may purchase additional items during the life of this contract separate from the agreed upon items and fixed prices set forth above. These items have been listed as optional items in the table below.

Description of Item Price/Cost eBook Subject Collections:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine Computer Science eBook Archives:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine Computer Science Protocols:

Base Year Total:

Base Year, Option Period A: January 1, 2021 – April 30, 2021 $

Base Year, Option Period B: May 1, 2021 – August 31, 2021 $ Base Year, Option Period C: September 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021 $

Base Year Total: $

ARTICLE B.3. OPTION PRICES

Unless the Government exercises its option pursuant to the option clause referenced in ARTICLE I.3.ADDITIONAL CONTRACT CLAUSES, this contract consists only of the Base Period specified in the Statement of Work as defined in SECTIONS C and F, for the price set forth in ARTICLE B.2.of this contract.

Pursuant to FAR Clause 52.217-9, set forth in ARTICLE I.3. ADDITIONAL CONTRACT CLAUSES of this contract, the Government may, by unilateral contract modification, require the Contractor to perform the Option Period(s) specified in the Statement of Work as defined in SECTIONS C and F of this contract. If the Government exercises these option(s), notice must be given before the expiration date of the contract.

Option Year One: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022

Non-Subscribed Titles Adis Titles Protocols Subscription items in the table below.

Description of Item Price/Cost eBook Subject Collections:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine Computer Science eBook Archives:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine

Option Year One Total:

Option Year One, Option Period A: January 1, 2022 – April 30, 2022 $ Option Year One, Option Period B: May 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022 $ Option Year One, Option Period C: September 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022 $ Option Year One Total: $

Option Year Two: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023

Non-Subscribed Titles Adis Titles Protocols Subscription

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine Computer Science eBook Archives:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine

Option Year Two Total:

Option Year Two, Option Period A: January 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023 $ Option Year Two, Option Period B: May 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023 $ Option Year Two, Option Period C: September 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 $

Option Year Two Total: $

Option Year Three: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024

Non-Subscribed Titles Adis Titles Protocols Subscription

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine Computer Science eBook Archives:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine

Option Year Three Total:

Option Year Three, Option Period A: January 1, 2024 – April 30, 2024 $ Option Year Three, Option Period B: May 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024 $ Option Year Three, Option Period C: September 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 $

Option Year Three Total: $

Option Year Four: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Non-Subscribed Titles Adis Titles Protocols Subscription

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine Computer Science eBook Archives:

Biomedical and Life Science Medicine

Option Year Four Total:

Option Year Four, Option Period A: January 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025 $ Option Year Four Option Period B: May 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 $ Option Year One, Option Period C: September 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 $

Option Year Four Total: $

Base + Option Years Total: $ _______________

Article C:

STATEMENT OF WORK

PROJECT TITLE: Access to Springer Nature Online Resources

I. Statement of Work

A. Background Information

Springer Nature Group provides access to online resources for NIH staff and HHS agency staff served by the NIH Library (DLS), including over 1,900 journals in a wide range of scientific, technical and medical subjects; over 50,000 eBooks; and databases such as Springer Protocols.

Links from PubMed, Web of Science®, and the NIH Library website allow NIH staff to connect directly to the articles on the Springer Nature website following a search of the various sites.

Springer Nature online resources allow DLS to provide enhanced and timely access to information NIH staff need to perform their work whether they are intramural researchers or extramural program administrators. Feedback from NIH and HHS researchers, clinicians and administrators indicates that the easy accessibility of needed information made possible by providing electronic access to Springer Nature resources has increased their productive work time, because of the time saved identifying and retrieving relevant articles.

B. Objectives

The specific objective of this requirement requires the contractor to provide the NIH and the HHS agency staff served by the NIH Library (DLS) access to the electronic version of select Springer Nature journals, books, and databases through its web interface. Access will be cumulative for articles published in the journals since 1997 (for Springer journal titles) or 2007 (for Nature journal titles) or the first year a journal was offered on the Springer Nature platform.

The contractor is also required to provide access to other databases and journals as outlined under the “specific requirements” section of this SOW.

II. Services to be performed

A. General Requirements

1. Independently and not as an agent of the Government, the Contractor shall furnish all the necessary services, qualified personnel, materials, equipment and facilities needed to perform the Statement of Work below.

2. All work under this contract shall be monitored by the Contracting Officer Representative

(COR).

B. Specific Requirements

Specifically, the contractor shall:

1. Provide the NIH and the HHS agency staff served by the NIH Library (DLS) access to the electronic version of select Springer Nature journals, purchased Springer eBook collections, and subscribed databases such as Springer Protocols through its web interface. Access will be cumulative for articles published in the journals since 1997 (for Springer journal titles) or 2007 (for Nature journal titles) or the first year a journal was offered on the Springer Nature platform, based upon previous investments.

2. The contractor also shall provide options for acquiring eBooks, online reference works, backfiles of selected journals, databases, and Content on Demand (COD) tokens. Options should factor in all previous investments in print and digital subscriptions, as well as previous archive backfile purchases.

3. The contractor may also provide options to include all Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS) agencies with access to the same resources as identified in this contract.

The contractor may also provide options for including existing subscriptions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) into this agreement.

4. The contractor shall provide an option for DLS to add new titles as the contractor adds to its holdings through acquisition or publication of a new title. The contractor also shall provide an option for DLS to cancel selected journal titles should its funding be reduced.

5. DLS may fulfill interlibrary loan requests in accord with Section 108 of the United States

Copyright Law (17 USC Sec. 108, “Limitations on exclusive rights: Reproduction by libraries and archives”) and clause 3 of the Guidelines for the Proviso of Subsection 108(g)(2) prepared by the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works.

6. DLS shall retain perpetual access to all subscribed years of resources.

7. The contractor shall agree to the incorporation of all license agreements into the contract.

C. Government Responsibilities

1. The Government will be responsible for providing an interface via web links for the NIH community to access the Springer website.

2. NIH will be responsible for creating a system to validate security for entrance into the website.

3. Upon signature by the Government, the contractor license agreement will be incorporated into the contract.

D. Reporting Requirements and Deliverables

1. The contractor shall regularly provide the Project Officer with monthly usage statistics for individual journal titles as well as aggregated use data for journals and databases, complying with industry standards such as COUNTER and SUSHI.

2. The contractor shall provide use by selected NIH institutes when that use is identifiable, e.g. from IP range or log in, as requested.

VII.: Delivery shall be made f.o.b destination within consignee’s premises to the following addresses as directed by the individuals or activities authorized to place orders:

Method of Ordering

a. Orders issued under this contract may be placed as follows:

[ ] in writing [ ] via telephone [ ] via facsimile (fax) [ ] via electronic mail (e-mail) [ ] Oral [Oral Orders will be confirmed in writing within days of issuance.

[ ] Other Specify:

b. The Contracting Officer is authorized to issue orders and provide written confirmation of oral orders, if applicable, under the contract.

c. Fair Opportunity

1. In accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(i), each awardee will be given a fair opportunity to be considered for each order issued over $3,000 unless the following exception(s) apply:

i. The agency need for the supplies or services is so urgent that providing a fair opportunity would result in unacceptable delays.

ii. Only one awardee is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services ordered are unique or highly specialized.

iii. The order must be issued on a sole-source basis in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a logical follow-on to an order already issued under the contract, provided that all awardees were given a fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.

iv. It is necessary to place an order to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

2. All awardees will be given a fair opportunity to be considered in accordance with the FAR as follows:

i. For orders exceeding $3,000 up to the simplified acquisition threshold, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(ii);

ii. For orders exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold up to $5 Million, in accordance with 16.505(b)(1)(iii); and,

iii. For orders exceeding $5 Million, in accordance with FAR 16.505(b)(1)(iv).

Delivery Order Limitations (FAR 52.216-19) (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order: When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $1.00 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 quantity specified in the Pricing Schedule.

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of the quantity specified in the Pricing

Schedule.

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 365 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (1) or (2) this section.

(c) If this is a requirements contract, the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitation in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, 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 10 days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reason. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(End of clause)

Indefinite Delivery Contract Payment Method

To initiate and receive prompt payment, the Contractor shall comply with the following procedure:

a. A Task/Delivery Order Number shall be given to you at the time the order is placed. The

Contractor is cautioned not to accept an order unless one of these Numbers is issued.

b. Invoices shall be submitted monthly to the address indicated in Article 13, Invoice Submission, of this contract. Invoices shall cite the Contract Number and the Task/Delivery Order Number for each order for which payment is being requested. See Article 13, Invoice Submission, for more information about submission of a proper invoice.

Invoice Submission

See Attachment # 3 for updated invoice instructions.

1. Payment requests shall be submitted to the offices identified below. Do not submit supporting documentation (e.g., receipts, time sheets, vendor invoices, etc.) with your payment request unless specified elsewhere in the contract or requested by the Contracting Officer.

a. The original invoice shall be submitted to the following designated billing office via e-mail:

National Institutes of Health Office of Financial Management Commercial Accounts 2115 East Jefferson Street, Room 4B-432, MSC 8500 Bethesda, MD 20892-8500 invoicing@nih.gov

b. One copy of the invoice shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer and COR at the following address via email:

i. Contract Specialist

National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director Office of Acquisitions, Branch 2, OLAO 6011 Executive Boulevard, Room 539C, MSC 7663 Rockville, Maryland 20852 stevenst@od.nih.gov

ii. COR’s address

[To be determined at time of award]

2. In addition to the requirements specified in FAR 32.905 for a proper invoice, the Contractor shall include the following information on the face page of all payment requests:

a. Name of the Office of Acquisitions. The Office of Acquisitions for this contract is Office of

Acquisitions (OA), Office of Logistics and Acquisition Operation (OLAO).

b. Central Point of Distribution. For the purpose of this contract, the Central Point of

Distribution is oaolaob2@mail.nih.gov.

c. Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If the Contractor does not have a valid TIN, it shall identify the Vendor Identification Number (VIN) on the payment request. The VIN is the number that appears after the Contractor’s name on the face page of the contract. (Note:

A VIN is assigned to new contracts awarded on or after June 4, 2007, and any existing contract modified to include the VIN number). If the Contractor has neither a TIN, DUNS, or VIN, contact the Contracting Officer.

c. DUNS or DUNS(+)4 Number. The DUNS number must identify the Contractor’s name and address exactly as stated in the contract and as registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database.

d. Invoice Matching Option. This contract requires a three-way match.

e. Unique Invoice Number. Each payment request must be identified by a unique invoice number, which can only be used one time regardless of the number of contracts or orders held by an organization.

f. Inquiries regarding payment of invoices shall be directed to the designated bill office, (301)

496-6088.

(viii) : FAR Clause 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(OCTOBER 2018)

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCTOBER 2018)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in Block 10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(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;

mailto:oaolaob2@mail.nih.gov https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items

(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 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 subpart 4.10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation), or alternative commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

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

https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52212-3-offeror-representations-and-certifications-commercial-items#i1060550 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52212-3-offeror-representations-and-certifications-commercial-items#i1060550 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52212-3-offeror-representations-and-certifications-commercial-items#i1060550 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/subpart-410-uniform-use-line-items#iSubpart_4_10

(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 Part101- 29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to-

GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section

Suite 8100 470 East L’Enfant Plaza, SW

Washington, DC 20407

Telephone (202) 619-8925

Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST ( https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).

(ii) Quick Search ( http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com).

http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://assistdocs.com/

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by-

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111- 5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(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 exceeding $3,500, and offers of $3,500 or less 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 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 was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item to be delivered by the successful offeror.

https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm https://www.acquisition.gov/content/subpart-3211-electronic-funds-transfer#i1080713 http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

(ix) FAR Clause 52.212-2 EVALUATION-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JANUARY 1999)

FAR Clause 52.212-2 EVALUATION-COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JANUARY 1999)

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

Criteria 1. Understanding the requirement 40 points

Discuss in detail the specific services that the NIH will receive as a result of the contract. The proposal should address each work area in sufficient detail to demonstrate a clear understanding of the statement of work, including operations and maintenance problems presented therein. The offeror should provide evidence of adequate planning to show that work will be accomplished as required and on schedule, utilizing all available resources.

Criteria 2. General Technical Approach 35 points

The proposal must clearly indicate that the offeror has performed adequate planning to accomplish the operation and maintenance tasks as defined in the Work Statement. Include the number of journals offered and the extent of back files included with the basic subscription and list of the scientific and other scholarly journals and related or similar products and services available through the various databases. Discuss the ease of use of the publisher’s website/Springer Nature platform.

Criteria 3. Demonstrated Capabilities 25 points

Furnish a list of the journals, databases, and eBooks, as well as span of years included that the offeror is able to deliver in response to this solicitation.

Total Points 100 points

Technical and past performance when combined, are more important than price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

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

(End of provision)

Past Performance

At least three past performance references that have entailed similar work that is required by this Request for Quote must be submitted as part of your technical proposal. References must include: the reference’s name, address, phone number, email address, company (or government entity), order date, completion date, dollar value, and a description of the products rendered. In addition at least three past performance questionnaires must be filled out by your customer and the completed copy emailed directly to Terita Stevenson, Contract Specialist, via email to:

stevenst@od.nih.gov Questionnaires must be received by the date and time designated for receipt of bids in Block 8 of the SF 1449. Please see attached past performance questionnaires for details. NIH may consider internal and external past performance that is not referred to in the quote.

The Offeror makes the following representations as a part of its proposal (check/complete all approximate boxes or blanks on the following pages).

(Name of the Offeror)

(Signature of Authorized Individual) (Date)

(Typed Name of Authorized Individual) mailto:stevenst@od.nih.gov

Note: The penalty for making false statements in offers is prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced.

Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

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

(End of provision)

(x) OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS

FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS- COMMERCIAL ITEMS (October 2018)

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (u)) of this provision.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—

“Economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concern” means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States and who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 13 CFR part 127. It automatically qualifies as a women-owned small business eligible under the WOSB Program.

“Forced or indentured child labor” means all work or service—

(1) Exacted from any person under the age of 18 under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily; or

(2) Performed by any person under the age of 18 pursuant to a contract the enforcement of which can be accomplished by process or penalties.

“Highest-level owner” means the entity that owns or controls an immediate owner of the offeror, or that owns or controls one or more entities that control an immediate owner of the offeror. No entity owns or exercises control of the highest level owner.

“Immediate owner” means an entity, other than the offeror, that has direct control of the offeror.

Indicators of control include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: ownership or interlocking management, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, and the common use of employees.

“Inverted domestic corporation”, means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

“Manufactured end product” means any end product in product and service codes (PSCs) 1000-9999, except— https://www.sam.gov/ http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title6-section395&num=0&edition=prelim http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title6-section395&num=0&edition=prelim

(1) PSC 5510, Lumber and Related Basic Wood Materials;

(2) Product or Service Group (PSG) 87, Agricultural Supplies;

(3) PSG 88, Live Animals;

(4) PSG 89, Subsistence;

(5) PSC 9410, Crude Grades of Plant Materials;

(6) PSC 9430, Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible;

(7) PSC 9440, Miscellaneous Crude Agricultural and Forestry Products;

(8) PSC 9610, Ores;

(9) PSC 9620, Minerals, Natural and Synthetic; and

(10) PSC 9630, Additive Metal Materials.

“Place of manufacture” means the place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government. If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

“Predecessor” means an entity that is replaced by a successor and includes any predecessors of the predecessor.

“Restricted business operations” means business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment, as those terms are defined in the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-174).

Restricted business operations do not include business operations that the person (as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007) conducting the business can demonstrate—

(1) Are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan;

(2) Are conducted pursuant to specific authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the Department of the Treasury, or are expressly exempted under Federal law from the requirement to be conducted under such authorization;

(3) Consist of providing goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan;

(4) Consist of providing goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization;

(5) Consist of providing goods or services that are used only to promote health or education; or

(6) Have been voluntarily suspended.“Sensitive technology”—

“Sensitive technology”—

(1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically—

(i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or

(ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and

(2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3)of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)).

“Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern”—

(1) Means a small business concern—

(i) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and

(ii) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veteransor, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.

(2) Service-disabled veteran means a veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(2), with a disability that is service connected, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

“Small business concern” means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria in 13 CFR Part 121 and size standards in this solicitation.

“Small disadvantaged business concern”, consistent with13 CFR 124.1002, means a small business concern under the size standard applicable to the acquisition, that—

(1) Is at least 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned (as defined at 13 CFR 124.105) by— http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section101&num=0&edition=prelim http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section101&num=0&edition=prelim

(i) One or more socially disadvantaged (as defined at13 CFR 124.103) and economically disadvantaged (as defined at 13 CFR 124.104) individuals who are citizens of the United States; and

(ii) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage has a net worth not exceeding $750,000 after taking into account the applicable exclusions set forth at 13 CFR124.104(c)(2); and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled (as defined at 13.CFR 124.106) by individuals, who meet the criteria in paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) of this definition.

“Subsidiary” means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned—

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation

“Successor” means an entity that has replaced a predecessor by acquiring the assets and carrying out the affairs of the predecessor under a new name (often through acquisition or merger). The term “successor” does not include new offices/divisions of the same company or a company that only changes its name. The extent of the responsibility of the successor for the liabilities of the predecessor may vary, depending on State law and specific circumstances.

“Veteran-owned small business concern” means a small business concern—

(1) Not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans (as defined at 38 U.S.C.

101(2)) or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and

(2) The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.

“Women-owned small business (WOSB) concern eligible under the WOSB Program” (in accordance with 13 CFR part127), means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent directly and unconditionally owned by, and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by, one or more women who are citizens of the United States.

Women-owned small business concern means a small business concern—

(1) That is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned business, at least51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and

(2) Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.

(b)

(1) Annual Representations and Certifications. Any changes provided by the Offeror in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision do not automatically change the representations and certifications in SAM

(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs ______________.

[Offeror to identify the applicable paragraphs at (c) through (u) of this provision that the offeror has completed for the purposes of this solicitation only, if any.

These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted electronically on SAM.]

(c) Offerors must complete the following representations when the resulting contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas. Check all that apply.

(1) Small business concern. The offeror represents as part of its offer that it □is, □is not a small business concern.

(2) Veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph(c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it □is, □is not a veteran-owned small business concern.

(3) Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a veteran-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(2) of this provision.] The offeror represents as part of its offer that it □ is, □ is not a service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern.

(4) Small disadvantaged business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents, that it □is, □is not a small disadvantaged business concern as defined in 13 CFR124.1002.

(5) Women-owned small business concern. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a small business concern in paragraph (c)(1) of this provision.] The offeror represents that it □ is, □ is not a women-owned small business concern.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.acquisition.gov/content/52212-3-offeror-representations-and-certifications-commercial-items#i1060550 https://www.acquisition.gov/content/41201-policy#i1121876

(6) WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program. [Complete only if the offeror represented itself as a women-owned small business concern in paragraph (c)(5) of this provision.] The offeror represents that-

(i) It □ is, □ is not a WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program, has provided all the required documents to the WOSB Repository, and no change in circumstances or adverse decisions have been issued that affects its eligibility; and

(ii) It □ is, □ is not a joint venture that complies with the requirements of 13 CFR part 127, and the representation in paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this provision is accurate for each WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program participating in the joint venture. [The offeror shall enter the name or names of the WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program and other small businesses that are participating in the joint venture: __________.] Each WOSB concern eligible under the WOSB Program participating in the joint venture shall submit a…