RFQ_TM B9 and TM-T1 Renovation.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OAM-SSPO

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION – TM B9 and T1 Renovation

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION:

TM B9 and T1 Renovation

FOR

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Institute for Telecommunications Sciences (ITS) Facilities

Table of Contents

1.0 General Instructions

1.1 Purpose

1.2 Small Business Set Aside Notice

1.3 Method of Acquisition

1.4 Communications and Questions

2.0 Quote Preparation Instructions

3.0 Evaluation Method and Factors

4.0 Terms and Conditions………………. ................................................................ ………………………………7

1.0 General Instructions

1.1 Purpose

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) solicits quotes for the renovation of two buildings, TN B9 and T1 at Table Mountain Field Site and Radio Quiet Zone, under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 236220, Commercial and Institutional Building Construction for the Department of Commerce on behalf of the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS), Table Mountain, Colorado. The requirements are described in the attached Statement of Work (SOW) Attachment 1.

1.2 Small Business Set Aside Notice

This RFQ is 100% small business set-aside.

1.3 Method of Acquisition

The Government intends to use the procedures at Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (RFO)1 12.201-1 and anticipate competitively acquiring these services by establishing a Firm Fixed Price Contract.

1.4 Communications and Questions

Communications shall be conducted electronically by e-mail to the Agency Contact Jacqueline Brown at Jbrown4@doc.gov

The due date for communications and questions concerning this RFQ is Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 2:00PM MTN. Questions received after the cut-off date will generally NOT be considered.

Any information given to one quoter concerning this requirement will be furnished at the same time to other prospective quoters, if that information is necessary in submitting quotes, or if lack of it would be prejudicial to the other prospective quoters. Contractors shall submit questions in a MS Excel file following a format similar to the table below:

Table 1 Questions Format

Question No. Reference Question Category Question

# RFQ, SOW or attachments, and Section Solicitation or Contract

Performance Question

Questions shall be submitted electronically to the government point of contact identified below:

Contracting Officer: Jacqueline Brown

1 This document includes references to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Per Procurement Memorandum (PM) 2026-06, the Department of Commerce has issued a class deviation to implement the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and adopt the RFO model deviated text.

Jbrown4@doc.gov

2.0 Quote Preparation Instructions

2.1 Instructions:

In response to this RFQ, the quoter shall prepare a detailed quote demonstrating the ability to perform all stated requirements in the Statement of Work (SOW). Quotation documents shall comply with the following limitations and characteristics.

• Do not include marketing materials.

• Margins (Top, Bottom, Right and Left) are no smaller than 1" (headers and footers are allowed in the margins).

• Submissions shall be provided in electronic format.

• Arial size 11 or Times New Roman 12 font shall be used.

• Quotes shall be submitted in a format readable by Microsoft (MS) Word 2007, MS Excel

2007, or in text searchable PDF format, as applicable.

• Quotes shall be subdivided into 2 separate Sections as follows: Section 1 - Technical Quote, and Section 2 - Price Quote.

o Section 1 – Technical Quote shall be limited to a maximum of 15 pages.

• A cover letter/page, table of contents, blank page section dividers, and resumes of Key Personnel are excluded from this total page count.

• Resumes for Key Personnels are limited to 2 pages per key personnel.

• The quoter shall describe in its Technical Quote how they intend to achieve each of the objectives outlined in the SOW. The Technical Quote shall be specific, complete and presented concisely.

• Quoter shall provide Past Performance for no more than three (3) contracts completed within the past three (3) years of similar size, scope, and complexity to the work required by this RFQ (4 pages max).

o Section 2 – Price Quote – has no page limits.

The subject line of the emails shall be “[Company Name] – Quote Submission – Solicitation #.”

Quote Due Date: Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10:00am MTN

Quotes are valid for 60 calendar days unless otherwise stipulated by the quoter.

Hard copies will not be accepted.

Business Cover Page (To be included with Section 2): The Quoter(s) shall provide a cover page (1 page max) to include, at a minimum:

• Company name

• Company address

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

• Cage Code

• Authorized point(s) of contact with their titles, email addresses, phone numbers

Factor 1: Technical Approach

Page Limit: 15 pages

At a minimum, describe your planned approach to performing this work to include the project management plan and anticipated schedule of work along with milestones.

Factor 2: Experience

The Quoter’s shall submit a short narrative providing details of the experience the firm has (either as a prime or sub-contractor) for work similar in nature and scope, in geographical conditions similar to this requirement. Quoters should include experience with working in a Radio Quiet Zone.

Factor 3: Past Performance

Page Limit 4 pages:

The Government will evaluate the relevant merits of the quoter's past performance based on its record with its current and former customers. The quoter shall provide no more than three (3) Past Performance references within the past three (3) years of similar size, scope, and complexity to the work required by this RFQ. The maximum page limit is four (4) pages.

The Government will review the following areas regarding past performance:

• Timeliness – Delivery or Performance

• Management - Responsiveness

• Quality of Products or Services Provided

• Compliance with Subcontracting Plans/Goals (if applicable)

Quoters are reminded that both independent data and data provided by quoters in their quotes may be used by the Government to evaluate past performance. However, the burden of providing thorough, complete, and current past performance information as requested herein remains with the quoter. In the case of a quoter without any performance history, past performance will be evaluated as “neutral.” A neutral rating is neither an advantage nor disadvantage to the Quoter.

Factor 4: Price

Page Limit: None

The price quote shall include a firm-fixed price for the required services using the attached Price Schedule for each building, along with a schedule of items attached. The offeror shall provide a price that reflects their proposal solution to the government requirements. Please double check math to make sure the total for each line item is calculated correctly and the sum of all line items is equal to the total price.

3.0 Evaluation Method and Factors

The Government intends to award a firm fixed price order from this RFQ to the responsible quoter whose quotes result in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors using the trade-off method of analysis. In determining which quote provides best value to the Government, an integrated evaluation and assessment of quotes will be conducted. The best value determination will be accomplished by comparing the merits of the differences in the Technical Evaluation Factors for competing quotes with the merits of the differences in their price to the Government. In making these comparisons, the Government is more concerned with obtaining superior non-price capabilities than with making an award at the lowest overall price to the Government.

The evaluation of the proposal that is submitted by the Quoter will be made in accordance with the criteria outlined in this section. The Government will evaluate the proposals against the following four

(4) factors:

Factor 1 Technical Approach Factor 2 Experience Factor 3 Past Performance Factor 4 Price

All non-price factors will be evaluated using confidence ratings with a rating scale of High Confidence, Some Confidence, and Low Confidence. Factors 1 – 3 are considered non-price evaluation factors and are approximately equal to one another in importance, and, when combined, are more important than Price (Factor 4). The highest technically rated proposals will be determined by combining the ratings of Factors 1 -3.

Evaluation Rating

The evaluation of each non-price factor shall be done holistically with a rating scale of "High Confidence," "Some Confidence," and "Low Confidence," representing the Department’s confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement and will be successful in performing the work per factor.

Confidence Ratings:

High Confidence Technical approach is exceptionally detailed and realistic. The project management plan clearly demonstrates ability to execute the work seamlessly.

The schedule and milestones are logical, aggressive yet achievable, and show an excellent understanding of the project constraints with little to no risk of delay.

Some Confidence The technical approach meets the basic requirements of the SOW. The project management plan and schedule are feasible but may lack detail or contain minor gaps in scheduling or milestone planning that could require minor Government intervention to resolve.

Low Confidence The technical approach fails to clearly address key SOW requirements. The project management plan is vague, or the schedule and milestones are unrealistic, creating a high risk of project delays or execution failure even with Government intervention.

Factor 1: Technical Approach

Evaluation Method:

The Government will evaluate the completeness, feasibility, and clarity of the Quoter’s proposed technical approach, including the Quoter’s proposed project management plan, and schedule. The evaluation will assess the Quoter’s understanding of the SOW and the realism of the proposed milestones, Factor 2: Experience

The Government will evaluate the depth, relevance , and breadth of the Quoter’s experience (as a prime or sub-contractor) in performing work of a similar size, scope, complexity, and geographic/logistical condition as described in this solicitation.

Factor 3: Past Performance

The Government will evaluate the quality, relevance, and timeliness of the Quoter’s performance history with current and former customers on projects similar in size, scope, and complexity to the requirements described within the SOW, and projects performed within the past three (3) years of this quote submission. The assessment will holistically consider delivery timeliness, management responsiveness, product/service quality, and subcontracting compliance (if applicable). Quoters without a record of relevant past performance or for who information on past performance is not available will receive a “Neutral” rating. A neutral rating represents neither an advantage nor disadvantage.

Note: The government reserves the right to obtain past performance information from the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).

Factor 4: Price

Proposed prices will be evaluated but not scored. The price evaluation team will determine whether the proposed prices are complete, fair and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements. Proposed prices must be entirely compatible with the technical proposal and consistent with the pricing requirements listed in this solicitation.

4.0 Terms and Conditions

Supplemental Clauses Applicable to this Solicitation

This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Revolutionary FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) Overhaul (RFO), effective 07/01/2026. The full text of provisions and clauses may be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference

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 address:

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html

NUMBER TITLE DATE

52.203-3 Gratuities Apr 1984 52.203-6 Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government Jun 202 52.204-13 System for Award Management – Maintenance Nov 2025 http://www.acquisition.gov/

52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest Sep 2025 When Subcontracting with Contractors

Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

52.209-7 Information Regarding Responsibility Sep 2025 Matters 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products April 2026 and Commercial Services 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract Mar 2000 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Aside Nov 2025 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns Nov 2025 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan Nov 2025 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting Nov 2025 52.222-3 Convict Labor June 2003 52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies Nov 2025 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards Aug 2018 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires May 2014 52.227-17 Rights in Data – Special Works DEC 2007 52.227-16 Additional Data Requirements JUN 1987 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—

System for Award Management Oct 2018 52.236-7 Permits and Responsibilities Jul 2025 52.236-8 Other Contracts Jul 2025 52.236-9 Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures

Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements Jul 2025 52.336-10 Operations and Storage Areas Jul 2025 52.236-11 Use and Possession Prior to Completion Jul 2025 52.236-12 Cleaning Up Jul 2025 52.236-13 Accident Prevention Jul 2025 52.236-14 Availability and Use of Utility Services Jul 2025 52.236-16 Quantity Surveys Jul 2025 52.236-17 Layout of Work Jul 2025 52.236-21 Specifications and Drawings for Construction Jul 2025 52.242-14 Suspension of Work Apr 1984 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order Aug 1989 52.246-1 Contractor Inspection Requirements Apr 1984 52.246-20 Warranty of Services May 2001 52.248-3 Value Engineering Oct 2025 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer's Authority APR 2010 1352.209-72 Restrictions against disclosure APR 2010 1352.209-73 Compliance with the Laws APR 2010 1352.215-75 Evaluation Criteria APR 2010 1352.227-70 Rights in Data, Assignment of Copyright APR 2010 1352.242-70 Post award Conference APR 2010

Clauses Incorporated by Full Text:

CAR 1352.201-72 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (C0R) (APR 2010)

(a) TBD* is hereby designated as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The COR may be changed at any time by the Government without prior notice to the contractor by a unilateral modification to the contract. The COR is located at:

*The name and address of the COR will be designated at the time of contract award

(b) The responsibilities and limitations of the COR are as follows:

(1) The COR is responsible for the technical aspects of the contract and serves as technical liaison with the contractor. The COR is also responsible for the final inspection and acceptance of all deliverables and such other responsibilities as may be specified in the contract.

(2) The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or otherwise obligate the Government or authorize any changes which affect the contract price, terms or conditions. Any contractor request for changes shall be referred to the Contracting Officer directly or through the COR. No such changes shall be made without the express written prior authorization of the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer may designate assistant or alternate COR(s) to act for the COR by naming such assistant/alternate(s) in writing and transmitting a copy of such designation to the contractor.

CAR 1352.209-74 Organizational conflict of interest (APR 2010)

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this clause is to ensure that the contractor and its subcontractors:

(1) Are not biased because of their financial, contractual, organizational, or other interests which relate to the work under this contract, and

(2) Do not obtain any unfair competitive advantage over other parties by virtue of their performance of this contract.

(b) Scope. The restrictions described herein shall apply to performance or participation by the contractor, its parents, affiliates, divisions and subsidiaries, and successors in interest (hereinafter collectively referred to as “contractor”) in the activities covered by this clause as a prime contractor, subcontractor, co-sponsor, joint ventures, consultant, or in any similar capacity. For the purpose of this clause, affiliation occurs when a business concern is controlled by or has the power to control another or when a third party has the power to control both.

(c) Warrant and Disclosure. The warrant and disclosure requirements of this paragraph apply with full force to both the contractor and all subcontractors. The contractor warrants that, to the best of the contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which would give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, and that the contractor has disclosed all relevant information regarding any actual or potential conflict. The contractor agrees it shall make an immediate and full disclosure, in writing, to the Contracting Officer of any potential or actual organizational conflict of interest or the existence of any facts that may cause a reasonably prudent person to question the contractor's impartiality because of the appearance or existence of bias or an unfair competitive advantage. Such disclosure shall include a description of the actions the contractor has taken or proposes to take in order to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate any resulting conflict of interest.

(d) Remedies. The Contracting Officer may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if the Contracting Officer deems such termination necessary to avoid, neutralize or mitigate an actual or apparent organizational conflict of interest. If the contractor fails to disclose facts pertaining to the existence of a potential or actual organizational conflict of interest or misrepresents relevant information to the Contracting Officer, the Government may terminate the contract for default, suspend or debar the contractor from Government contracting, or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.

(e) Subcontracts. The contractor shall include a clause substantially similar to this clause, including paragraphs (f) and (g), in any subcontract or consultant agreement at any tier expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The terms “contract,” “contractor,” and “Contracting Officer” shall be appropriately modified to preserve the Government's rights.

(f) Prime Contractor Responsibilities. The contractor shall obtain from its subcontractors or consultants the disclosure required in FAR Part 9.507–1 and shall determine in writing whether the interests disclosed present an actual, or significant potential for, an organizational conflict of interest. The contractor shall identify and avoid, neutralize, or mitigate any subcontractor organizational conflict prior to award of the contract to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer. If the subcontractor's organizational conflict cannot be avoided, neutralized, or mitigated, the contractor must obtain the written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into the subcontract. If the contractor becomes aware of a subcontractor's potential or actual organizational conflict of interest after contract award, the contractor agrees that the Contractor may be required to eliminate the subcontractor from its team, at the contractor's own risk.

(g) Waiver. The parties recognize that this clause has potential effects which will survive the performance of this contract and that it is impossible to foresee each circumstance to which it might be applied in the future. Accordingly, the contractor may at any time seek a waiver from the Head of the Contracting Activity by submitting such waiver request to the Contracting Officer, including a full written description of the requested waiver and the reasons in support thereof.

1352.223-99 ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021) (DEVIATION)

(a) Definition. As used in this clause – United States or its outlying areas means—

(1) The fifty States.

(2) The District of Columbia.

(3) The commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

(4) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and

(5) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

(b) Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).

(c) Compliance. The Contractor shall comply with all guidance, including guidance conveyed through Frequently Asked Questions, as amended during the performance of this contract, for contractor or subcontractor workplace locations published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force Guidance) at https:/www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.

(d) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts at any tier that exceed the micro purchase threshold, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation 2.101 on the date of subcontract award, and are for services, including construction, performed in whole or in part within the United States or its outlying areas.

(End of clause)

CAR 1352.228-70 INSURANCE COVERAGE (APR 2010)

(a) Workers Compensation and Employer's Liability. The contractor is required to comply with applicable Federal and State workers' compensation and occupational disease statutes. If occupational diseases are not compensable under those statutes, they shall be covered under the employer's liability section of the insurance policy, except when contract operations are so commingled with a contractor's commercial operations that it would not be practical to require this coverage. Employer's liability coverage of at least $100,000 shall be required, except in states with exclusive or monopolistic funds that do not permit workers' compensation to be written by private carriers.

(b) General liability. (1) The contractor shall have bodily injury liability insurance coverage written on the comprehensive form of policy of at least $500,000 per occurrence.

(2) When special circumstances apply in accordance with FAR 28.307-2(b), Property Damage Liability Insurance shall be required in the amount of $0.

(c) Automobile liability. The contractor shall have automobile liability insurance written on the comprehensive form of policy. The policy shall provide for bodily injury and property damage liability covering the operation of all automobiles used in connection with performing the contract. Policies covering automobiles operated in the United States shall provide coverage of at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage.

(d) Aircraft public and passenger liability. When aircraft are used in connection with performing the contract, the contractor shall have aircraft public and passenger liability insurance. Coverage shall be at least $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, other than passenger liability, and $200,000 per occurrence for property damage. Coverage for passenger liability bodily injury shall be at least $200,000 multiplied by the number of seats or passengers, whichever is greater.

(e) Vessel liability. When contract performance involves use of vessels, the Contractor shall provide, vessel collision liability and protection and indemnity liability insurance as determined by the Government.

CAR 1352.237-71 Security processing requirements—low risk contracts.

Security Processing Requirements—Low-Risk Contracts (APR 2010)

(a) Investigative Requirements for Low-Risk Contracts. All contractor (and subcontractor) personnel proposed to be employed under a Low-Risk contract shall undergo security processing by the Department's Office of Security before being eligible to work on the premises of any Department of Commerce owned, leased, or controlled facility in the United States or overseas, or to obtain access to a Department of Commerce IT system. All Department of Commerce security processing pertinent to this contract will be conducted at no cost to the contractor.

(b) Investigative requirements for Non-IT Service Contracts are:

(1) Contracts more than 180 days—National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).

(2) Contracts less than 180 days—Special Agency Check (SAC).

(c) Investigative requirements for IT Service Contracts are:

(1) Contracts more than 180 days—National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).

(2) Contracts less than 180 days—National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).

(d) In addition to the investigations noted above, non-U.S. citizens must have a background check that includes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency check.

(e) Additional Requirements for Foreign Nationals (Non-U.S. Citizens). Non-U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) to be employed under this contract within the United States must have:

(1) Official legal status in the United States.

(2) Continuously resided in the United States for the last two years; and

(3) Obtained advance approval from the servicing Security Officer in consultation with the Office of Security headquarters.

(f) DOC Security Processing Requirements for Low-Risk Non-IT Service Contracts. Processing requirements for Low-Risk non-IT Service Contracts are as follows:

(1) Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed in Low-Risk non-IT service contracts for more than 180 days. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF–85. The contract employee must also complete fingerprinting.

(2) Contract employees employed in Low-Risk non-IT service contracts for less than 180 days require processing of Form OFI–86C Special Agreement Check (SAC), to be processed. The Sponsor will forward a completed Form

OFI–86C, FD–258, Fingerprint Chart, and Credit Release Authorization to the servicing Security Officer, who will send the investigative packet to the Office of Personnel Management for processing.

(3) Any contract employee with a favorable SAC who remains on the contract over 180 days will be required to have a NACI conducted to continue working on the job site.

(4) For Low-Risk non-IT service contracts, the scope of the SAC will include checks of the Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII), other agency files (INVA), Defense Clearance Investigations Index (DCII), FBI Fingerprint (FBIF), and the FBI Information Management Division

(FBIN).

(5) In addition, for those individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents), the Sponsor may request a Customs Enforcement SAC on Form OFI–86C, by checking Block #7, Item I. In Block 13, the Sponsor should enter the employee's Alien Registration Receipt Card number to aid in verification.

(6) Copies of the appropriate forms can be obtained from the Sponsor or the Office of Security. Upon receipt of the required forms, the Sponsor will forward the forms to the servicing Security Officer. The Security Officer will process the forms and advise the Sponsor and the Contracting Officer whether the contract employee can commence work prior to completion of the suitability determination based on the type of work and risk to the facility (i.e., adequate controls and restrictions are in place). The Sponsor will notify the contractor of favorable or unfavorable findings of the suitability determinations. The Contracting Officer will notify the contractor of an approved contract start date.

(g) Security Processing Requirements for Low-Risk IT Service Contracts. Processing of NACI is required for all contract employees employed under Low-Risk IT service contracts.

(1) Contract employees employed in all Low-Risk IT service contracts will require a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) to be processed. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF–85. Fingerprints and a Credit Release Authorization must be completed within three working days from start of work, and provided to the Servicing Security Officer, who will forward the investigative package to OPM.

(2) For Low-Risk IT service contracts, individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) must undergo a NACI that includes an agency check conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service. The Sponsor must request the ICE check as a part of the NAC.

(h) Notification of Disqualifying Information. If the Office of Security receives disqualifying information on a contract employee, the Sponsor and Contracting Officer will be notified. The Sponsor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer for the immediate removal of the employee from duty requiring access to Departmental facilities or IT systems. Contract employees may be barred from working on the premises of a facility for any of the following reasons:

(1) Conviction of a felony crime of violence or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(2) Falsification of information entered on security screening forms or of other documents submitted to the Department.

(3) Improper conduct once performing on the contract, including criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct or other conduct prejudicial to the Government regardless of whether the conduct was directly related to the contract.

(4) Any behavior judged to pose a potential threat to Departmental information systems, personnel, property, or other assets.

(i) Failure to comply with security processing requirements may result in termination of the contract or removal of contract employees from Department of Commerce facilities or denial of access to IT systems.

(j) Access to National Security Information. Compliance with these requirements shall not be construed as providing a contract employee clearance to have access to national security information.

(k) The contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts.

(End of clause)