S02 - Solicitation Synopsis FINAL - Library Services.docx

Attachment 1: Template for Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for Commercial Items Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-04.

This solicitation is a full set-aside for Small Business.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 561110, with a small business size standard of $8,000,000.00. The FSC/PSC is R426.

The Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC), 6150 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 300, Independence, OH 44131 is seeking to purchase Library Services to provide management of knowledge-based resources and related tools for 153 medical centers.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following:

Supplies/Services

Base Year

Option Year 1

Option Year 2

Option Year 3

Option Year 4

TOTAL

PRICE

The Contractor shall perform the tasks and complete the associated deliverables as follows by the scheduled dates within the overall period of performance and in accordance with the PWS (Attachment 1).

The contract period of performance is twelve (12) months from the date of award plus four (4) twelve-month (12) option periods

The COR will utilize a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) throughout the life of the contract to ensure that the Contractor is performing the services required by this PWS in an acceptable level of performance. The Government reserves the right to alter or change the surveillance methods in the QASP at its own discretion.

Place of Performance/Place of Delivery

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

1. FAR 52.204-24, Representations regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (OCT 2020)

2. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items (OCT 2014)

3. FAR 52.233-2, Service of Protest (SEPT 2006)

4. FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

· FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020)

· FAR 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options (JUL 1990)

· FAR 52.229-11, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements – Notice and Representation (JUN 2020)

5. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (NOV 2021)

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Items.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

1. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Items (OCT 2018)

2. FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

· FAR 52.203-17, Contract Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirements to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (JUN 2020)

· FAR 52.204-4, Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper (MAY 2011)

· FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)

· FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020)

3. FAR 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (NOV 2021) (Deviation AUG 2020)FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999)

4. FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000)

5. VAAR 852.212-70, Provisions and Clauses Applicable to VA Acquisition of Commercial Items (APR 2020)

· VAAR 852.203-70, Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018)

· VAAR 852.204-70, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (MAY 2020)

· VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors (OCT 2019)

· VAAR 852.232-72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018)

· VAAR 852.233-70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution (OCT 2018)

· VAAR 852.233-71, Alternate Protest Procedure (OCT 2018)

· VAAR 852.270-1, Representatives of Contracting Officers (JAN 2008)

· VAAR 852.273-70, Late Offers (NOV 2021)

6. VAAR 852.219-74, Limitations on Subcontracting – Monitoring and Compliance (JUL 2018) (Deviation)

7. VAAR 852.242-71, Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020)

8. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items (JAN 2022)

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

1. FAR 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUN 2020)

2. FAR 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020)

3. FAR 52.204-13, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016)

4. FAR 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JUN 2020)

5. FAR 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2018)

6. FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020)

7. FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2018)

8. FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting (SEPT 2021)

9. FAR 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (NOV 2020)

10. FAR 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUNE 2003)

11. FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015)

12. FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEPT 2016)

13. FAR 52.222-25, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020)

14. FAR 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020)

15. FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020)

16. FAR 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010)

17. FAR 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020)

18. FAR 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020)

19. FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021)

20. FAR 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021)

21. FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (OCT 2018)

All quoters shall submit the following:

1. TECHNICAL VOLUME. Offerors shall, at a minimum, demonstrate a clear understanding of all features involved in meeting and supporting the requirements outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) in a format that follows the PWS tasks and/or deliverables.

2. PRICE VOLUME. The Offeror shall submit a firm-fixed price quote for each line item outlined in the Supplies/Services Price Schedule in the appropriate table above. The total price must match the amount provided in the Supplies/Services table.

3. PAST PERFORMANCE VOLUME. The Past Performance Volume will assess the aspects of cost, schedule, and performance experience as it relates to the tasks and/or deliverables of the RFQ. Past Performance provided shall be for work performed within the last three (3) years by the Offeror as either a prime or subcontractor. Provide the following information on a maximum of three similar projects completed within the last three years for which the responder was a prime or subcontractor.

i. The name, address, and dollar value of each project

ii. The Prime Contract Type, Firm Fixed-Price, or Time and Material

iii. The name, telephone and address of the owner of each project

iv. A brief description of each project and why it is relevant to this requirement., including difficulties and successes

v. company’s role and services provided for each project

Complete “Attachment 2 – Past Performance” and email the completed attachment to Clement.Udeani@va.gov and Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov no later than the date quotes are due. Past Performance Questionnaire references do not count against page limitations.

4. VETERAN INVOLVEMENT VOLUME. To receive credit, an offeror must be registered and verified in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database and email a copy of their registration to Clement.Udeani@va.gov and Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov no later than the date quotes are due. (https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov).

The award will be made to the response most advantageous to the Government.

Responses should contain the best terms, conditions.

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard are stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation.

(b) Submission of quotations. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Quotations may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, quotations must show-

(1) The solicitation number;

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

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

(4) A technical description of the items being quoted 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 quoter 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 quotation 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. Quotations 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 quotations. 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 testing.

(e) Late submissions

(1) Quoters are responsible for submitting quotations so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

(2) Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotations is late and will not be considered unless it is received before purchase order issuance and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotations cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotations 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 quotations 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.

(f) Issuance of purchase order. Quotations should contain the quoter’s best technical and price terms. The Contracting Officer may reject any or all quotations. The Contracting Officer may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation. After the evaluation of quotations, the Contracting Officer may negotiate final terms with one or more quoters of the Government’s choice before issuing any purchase order. The Contracting Officer will not negotiate with any quoters other than those of the Government’s choice and will not use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15.

(g) 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 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).

(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.

(h) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. (Applies to all quotations exceeding the Micro-Purchase Threshold (MPT), and quotations of MPT or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.) The quoter shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its quotation, the annotation “DUNS” or “DUNS+4” followed by the DUNS or DUNS+4 number that identifies the quoter’s name and address. The DUNS+4 is the DUNS number plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned at the discretion of the quoter to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see FAR Subpart 32.11) for the same concern. If the quoter does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one. A quoter within the United States may contact Dun and Bradstreet by calling 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A quoter located outside the United States must contact the local Dun and Bradstreet office for a DUNS number. The quoter should indicate that it is a quoter for a Government contract when contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office.

(i) [Reserved].

(j) Requests for information. The contracting officer will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this solicitation. Quoters may request information on purchase order(s) resulting from this solicitation from the contracting officer.

All quotes shall be sent to the Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC), Contract Specialist Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov and Contracting Officer Clement.Udeani@va.gov.

Award will be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government.

Options will be evaluated at time of award.

The following are the decision factors:

1. Technical: The quotation will be evaluated to the extent to which it can meet and/or exceed the Government’s requirements as outlined in the solicitation, and based on suitability to VHA needs, value of features, likelihood of success, and the information requested in the instructions to quoters section of the solicitation.

2. Price: The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. This includes options under FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, which applies to this solicitation. Evaluation of options under FAR 52.217-8 will be accomplished by adding six months of the Offeror's price for the last potential period of performance under this contract to the Offeror's total price. For example, if the contract includes option periods that are exercisable under FAR 52.217-9, the Offeror's total price for the purpose of evaluation will include the base period, all option periods, and an additional six months of the last option period. Offerors must price only the base and option periods specified in the contract line-item numbers (CLINs) and shall not submit a price for the potential six-month extension of services under FAR 52.217-8. The Government reserves the right to exercise the option under FAR 52.217-8 before the end of any of the contractor's performance periods. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

3. Past Performance: The Government will conduct a performance risk assessment based on the quality, relevancy, and recency of the Offeror's past performance, as well as that of its major subcontractors, as it relates to the probability of successful accomplishment of the required effort. Offerors are cautioned that the Government will review available past performance data available in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS). The Government reserves the right to obtain past performance information from any available source and may contact customers other than those identified by the Offeror when evaluating past performance. Since the Government may not necessarily interview all sources provided by the Offerors, it is incumbent upon the Offerors to explain the relevance of the data provided. Offerors are reminded that the burden of proving low performance risk rests with the Offerors.

The Government will review aspects of cost, schedule and performance. Areas to be evaluated may include but are not limited to quality of product or service, timeliness of performance or adherence to delivery schedules, and/or effectiveness in program management (to include use and control of subcontractors).

4. In the case of an Offeror without a record of relevant past performance or for whom information on past performance is not available, the Offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance.

5. Veterans Involvement: Eligible service-disabled Veteran-owned offerors will receive full credit, and offerors qualifying as Veteran-owned small businesses will receive partial credit for the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-owned Small Business Status evaluation factor.

To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."

OR

"The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any.

Submission of responses shall be received not later than 4/19/2022 at 12:00PM EST Contract Specialist Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov .

Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f).

Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below. All questions are due 4/11/2022 12:00PM EST, and no further questions received after this date will be considered.

Point of Contact Contract Specialist: Benjamin Niznik Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov Contracting Officer: Clement Udeani Clement.Udeani@va.gov

Attachments:

See attached document: S02 - Attachment 1 - PWS.

See attached document: S02 - Attachment 2 - PAST PERFORMANCE.

See attached document: S02 - Attachment 3 - QASP Last Updated: 02/01/22