Sol 11316024Q0001SPE_Final.pdf

SEE ADDENDUMIS CHECKED

CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

FACILITYCODE

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

OFFEROR

OAS

WASHINGTON DC 20503

Room 5200 725 17th St. NW

EOP/OA

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BYCODE

X

X

541611

SIZE STANDARD:

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED OROAS

RFPIFB

10. THIS ACQUISITION ISCODE

RFQ

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

13b. RATING

NAICS:

SMALL BUSINESS

01/11/2024 1100 ET

12/21/2023

ALYSHA PURVIS-ROGERS

(No collect calls)

INFORMATION CALL:

FOR SOLICITATION 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIMEb. TELEPHONE NUMBERa. NAME

4. ORDER NUMBER3. AWARD/ 6. SOLICITATION

11316024Q0001SPE

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 1. REQUISITION NUMBER PAGE OF

1 48 OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

TELEPHONE NO.

17a. CONTRACTOR/

15. DELIVER TO

WASHINGTON DC 20503

Room 5200 725 17th St. NW

9. ISSUED BY

7.

2. CONTRACT NO.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

ISSUE DATE

DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

11.

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a.

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

8(A)

OAS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13 for User Disability Research Recruiting Services for the Executive Office of the President (EOP), United States Digital Service (USDS).

Quotations are due no later than Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 11:00AM EST.

Questions are due no later than Friday, January (Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

DATED . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5),

INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER

ARE

ARE

31c. DATE SIGNED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

CARLOS R. KINSMAN

ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

OFFER

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT:

REF.

12/21/2023

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED:

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

40. PAID BY39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIAL

36. PAYMENT

FINALPARTIAL

35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER33. SHIP NUMBER

COMPLETE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41c. DATE41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

24.

AMOUNT

23.

UNIT PRICE

22.

UNIT

21.

QUANTITY

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

19.

ITEM NO.

5, 2024 at 11:00AM EST.

32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

48 2 of

SECTION II – SF 1449 CONTINUATION PAGE

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

1. GOVERNMENT CONTACT INFORMATION/ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES [FEB 2014]

Contracting Officer (CO): TBD The CO is responsible for:

1) Negotiation and award of orders, contracts, or agreements: COs have full authority to legally bind their organization within their designated warrant level.

2) Administration: Although COs have the ability to manage the orders, contracts, or agreements, the day-to-day administration activities will generally be carried out by the contracting officer’s representative.

3) Settlement and Resolution of Contracting Issues: The CO is authorized to settle and resolve contracting issues.

4) Contract Records: The CO is responsible for maintaining a complete record of all contracting documents (electronically and/or manually).

Contract Specialist (CS): TBD The CS is responsible for:

1) The daily interactions of the orders, contracts, or agreements, which include communicating with the contractor in resolving concerns, drafting requirements, award documents, modifications, etc.

2) The CS has no authority to change the terms and conditions of the order, contract, or agreement, including the schedule and price.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): TBD

1) The CO’s authorized COR will be designated after award. Additionally, each order, contract, or agreement will specify the designated COR.

2) The COR is the individual within the program management function who has overall technical responsibility for this effort. The COR supports the CO during administration of this effort by:

a. Providing technical clarification relative to overall workload matters;

b. Providing guidance to the contractor in the preparation of deliverables and services;

c. Providing acceptance of delivered products and services in accordance with the order or contract terms and conditions; and

d. Making final decisions regarding any recommended rejection of deliverables.

3) The COR also provides technical direction to the contractor, i.e., shifting work emphasis between areas of work, fills in details, or otherwise serves to accomplish the purposes of this effort. Technical direction shall be within the general scope of this effort. The COR does NOT have the authority to issue any technical direction that:

a. Constitutes an assignment of work outside the general scope of this effort;

b. Constitutes a change as defined in the “Changes” clause (See FAR 52.243);

c. In any way causes an increase or decrease in cost or the time required for performance;

d. Changes any of the terms, conditions, or other requirements of this effort; or

e. Suspends or terminates any portion of this effort.

4) All technical direction shall be issued in writing by the COR or will be confirmed by the COR in writing within 10 calendar days after verbal issuance. A copy of the written direction will be furnished to the CO.

5) In addition to providing technical direction, the COR will:

a. Monitor the contractor’s technical progress, including surveillance and assessment of performance, and recommend to the CO any changes in the requirement;

b. Assist the contractor in the resolution of technical problems encountered during performance;

c. Perform inspection and acceptance or recommendation for rejection of contractor deliverables and identify deficiencies in delivered items. This does not replace any other quality assurance inspection requirements that are specified elsewhere within the order, contract, or agreement;

and

d. Ensure invoice payments are processed in a timely manner in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (FAR Subpart 32.9).

2. ORDER TYPE

The Government contemplates award of a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Purchase Order with Cost Reimbursement for Other Direct Costs (ODCs) as a result of this solicitation.

3. CONTRACTING AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

The resulting order will be administered by the Procurement and Contracts Management Division (PCMD).

PCMD is the only procurement activity authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements contained within this Order.

4. INVOICE REQUIREMENTS [DEC 2015] (Deviation FEB 2023)

Address for Submission of Invoices The contractor shall submit invoices via email (PDF format) for the supplies delivered or services rendered to the following:

Financial Management Division Office of Administration invoices@oa.eop.gov

Address invoice questions to 202-395-7259.

A copy shall also be submitted to the designated COR, as applicable.

Invoice Description To constitute a proper invoice, the invoice must include the following information and/or documentation:

• Name of business concern, invoice number and date;

• Contract or order number, or other authorization for delivery of property or services;

• Description, price, and quantity of supplies/services actually delivered or service rendered for each item billed;

• Shipping and payment terms;

• Name (where practicable, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent). The “remit to” address must correspond to the remittance address in the order, contract, or agreement; and

• Other substantiating documentation or information as required by the order, contract, or agreement.

Payment shall only be made once delivery occurs or services are rendered, in accordance with the Solicitation and Contract Terms and Conditions.

Orders for subscriptions may be billed on a one-time basis.

Electronic Submission of Payment Requests The Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) is a secure web-based electronic invoicing and payment information service available to all Federal agencies and their supplier by the U.S. Treasury's Financial Management mailto:invoices@oa.eop.gov

Service. The IPP allows Federal agencies and their suppliers to exchange electronic contracts, purchase and task orders, blanket purchase agreements, invoices, and payment information in one easy to access web portal. This service is free of charge to Government agencies and their suppliers, including services and support.

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause-

(1) “Payment request” means a bill, voucher, invoice, or request for contract financing payment with associated supporting documentation. The payment request must comply with the requirements identified in FAR 32.905(b), “Content of Invoices” and the applicable Invoicing clause included in this contract, order, or agreement.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests electronically using the IPP. Information regarding IPP is available at www.ipp.gov.

For payment and invoice questions, go to https://www.ipp.gov or contact the Department of Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s Accounts Payable Branch at (304) 480-8000 Option 7 or via email at AccountsPayable@fiscal.treasury.gov.

In accordance with FAR 52.212-4 Section (i)(5) Overpayments, Accounts Receivable Conversion of Check Payments to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): If the Contractor sends the Government a check to remedy duplicate contract financing or an overpayment by the Government, it will be converted into an EFT. This means the Government will copy the check and use the account information on it to electronically debit the Contractor’s account for the amount of the check. The debit from the Contractor’s account will usually occur within 24 hours and will be shown on the regular account statement.

The Contractor will not receive the original check back. The Government will destroy the Contractor’s original check, but will keep a copy of it. If the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, the Contractor authorizes the Government to process the copy in place of the original check.

5. The NAICS Code is 541611 - Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

6. Product Service Code: R699 – Support- Administrative: Other

7. Period of Performance: The Purchase Order will consist of a one (1) 12-month base period and one (1) 12-month option period.

(END OF SECTION II)

http://www.ipp.gov/ https://www.ipp.gov/ mailto:AccountsPayable@fiscal.treasury.gov

SECTION III – CONTRACT CLAUSES

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

www.acquisition.gov

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023)

FAR 52.232-39 Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (Jun 2013)

FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023)

(End of FAR Clauses Incorporated by Reference)

FULL TEXT FAR CLAUSES

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Dec 2023)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) ( 31 U.S.C.

3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) ( 31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 ( 19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

http://www.acquisition.gov/

_X_ (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

_X_ (9) 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117-328).

_X_ (12) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

_X_ (26) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Sep 2023) ( 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

_X_ (31) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

_X_ (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

_X_ (34) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

_X_ (35) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

_X_ (36) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) ( 29 U.S.C. 793).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

_X_ (37) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) ( 38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X_ (39) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) ( 22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 ( 22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16.

_X_ (40) (i) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022) (E.O. 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in FAR 22.1803.)

_X_ (48) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O. 13513).

_X_ (51) (i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a).

__ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3.

_X_ (55) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

_X_ (62) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) ( 31 U.S.C. 3332).

_X_ (65) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) ( 5 U.S.C. 552a).

(End of clause)

FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within five (5) days provided.

(End of clause)

FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of The Contract (Mar 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within one (1) day provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least ten (10) days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_204_10 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section6101&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_209_6 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section6101&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_219_28 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_21 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_35 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section4212&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_35 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_36 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title29-section793&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_36 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_37 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section4212&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_50 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_222_50 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_223_16 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_223_18 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_224_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_224_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_225_13 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_232_33 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section3332&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_239_1 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title5-section552a&num=0&edition=prelim clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed two (2) years.

(End of clause)

(End of Full Text FAR Clauses)

EOP STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Statement on EOP Special Terms and Conditions [FEB 2014] The following EOP specific clauses shall apply to the order, contract, or agreement resulting from this solicitation. These terms and conditions flow down to any subcontractors.

E1. Restriction Against Disclosure [FEB 2014] The contractor agrees, in the performance of this order, contract, or agreement to keep the information contained in the source documents, or otherwise furnished by the EOP, in the strictest confidence, said information being the sole property of the EOP. The contractor also agrees not to publish, reproduce or otherwise divulge such information, in whole or in part, in any manner or form, nor authorize or permit others to do so, taking reasonable measures to restrict access to the information while in his or her possession to those employees who must have the information to perform work on the order, contract, or agreement (i.e., a “need-to-know” basis).

The contractor agrees to immediately notify the contracting officer (CO) in writing in the event the contractor determines, or has reason to suspect, a breach of confidentiality. The contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees involved in the performance of this order, contract or agreement sign a “Non-Disclosure Agreement” that is attached. The contractor shall provide a signed agreement to the CO prior to each employee beginning work.

EOP retains full legal control over any information and records submitted by it to the contractor and may, to the extent permitted by law, modify such information or request that it be withdrawn from the contractor’s files and systems. Such information, to the extent permitted by law, shall not become part of contractor records. If the contractor receives a request for EOP information, or a request to which EOP information would be responsive, the contractor shall not provide EOP information in response to the request and shall instead refer the request to EOP. EOP will address the request in accordance with applicable law. Requests included within this paragraph include, but are not limited to, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Congressional requests and litigation-related requests. Any such request shall be sent in writing to the Office of Administration, Office of General Counsel through the CO.

All information regarding the procedures developed under this order, contract, or agreement must be regarded as sensitive information by the contractor and not to be disclosed to anyone outside the contractor’s organization without the written permission of the CO.

E2. Prohibition of Advertising of EOP Award (OCT 2021)

(a) Contractor shall not, in any form of advertising or promotion, regardless of format, reproduce or use the image of The White House or any other image of the EOP or any EOP component. This includes images of official seals and buildings as well as any images or photographs relating to the Contract or work performed under the Contract, whether for goods or services. This paragraph (a) is derived from statute, regulation, or Executive Order, and the EOP will ordinarily not have any authority to deviate from these statutes, regulations, or Executive Orders.

(b) Contractor shall not, in any form of advertising or promotion, regardless of format, state, imply, or infer in any manner that the products or services provided by Contractor are endorsed, preferred, or considered superior by the White House, the EOP, or any EOP component, to any products or services provided by others. This paragraph (b) is derived from ethics requirements, and the EOP will ordinarily not have any authority to deviate from these requirements.

(c) The Contractor shall strictly comply with all requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) and the CO has no authority or discretion whatsoever to waive these requirements.

(d) Contractor may identify the White House, the EOP, or any EOP component as a customer of the Contractor under this Contract provided that the entry is not given any more significant prominence than that of any other customer of the Contractor.

(e) This clause shall not prevent Contractor from requesting that EOP serve as a past performance reference in Contractor’s proposal responses to other federal, state, or local government request- for-proposal (RFP) responses only, for work which may be the same or similar to that already performed for the EOP.

(g) This Clause shall survive any termination or expiration of the Contract.

E3. Contractor’s Responsibility for Personnel [FEB 2014] The contractor shall be responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of all of its personnel, as well as subcontractor personnel used in performance of this effort. The contractor’s management responsibilities shall include timely and effective support, performed in accordance with the requirements contained in the order, contract, or agreement.

E4. Potential Conflicts of Interest [FEB 2014] The contractor shall inform the contracting officer (CO) whether or not, to the best of its knowledge and belief, it has or does not have any organizational or personal conflicts of interest as defined below:

In accordance with FAR Part 2, Definitions, “Organizational conflict of interest” means that because of other activities or relationships with other persons, a person is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the Government, or the person’s objectivity in performing the contract work is or might be otherwise impaired, or a person has an unfair competitive advantage.

In accordance with FAR Subpart 9.502, an organizational conflict of interest may result when factors create an actual or potential conflict of interest on an instant contract, or when the nature of the work to be performed on the instant contract creates an actual or potential conflict of interest on a future acquisition. In the latter case, some restrictions on future activities of the contractor may be required.

(b) If the contractor discovers an organizational conflict of interest with respect to this order, contract, or agreement prior to award, the contractor shall immediately notify the CO in writing and provide its plan to mitigate the conflict. Personal conflicts of interest will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the CO.

Depending on the severity of the conflict, alternative contractor staff may be appointed to work on the requirement. If that solution does not remove the conflict or the appearance of conflict of interest, the contractor may be excused by the Government from participation in the requirement.

The contractor agrees that if, after award, it discovers or creates an organizational or personal conflict of interest with respect to the order, contract, or agreement, it shall make an immediate and full disclosure in writing to the CO and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), which shall include a description of the action the contractor has taken or proposes to take to avoid, eliminate or neutralize the conflict. The Government may, however, terminate the order, contract, or agreement for the convenience of the Government.

In the event that the contractor was aware of the organizational or personal conflict of interest prior to the award of the order, contract, or agreement and intentionally did not disclose the conflict to the CO, the Government may terminate the order, contract, or agreement at no cost to the Government and demand payment of any out-of-pocket costs, including costs associated with reissuance of the order, contract, or agreement.

The contractor shall also inform the CO and COR of any business or other relationships which create a potential conflict of interest or which might present an appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of the contractor or the contractor’s employees, including all instances in which a former or existing client of the contractor is or is likely to become the subject of a lawsuit. In addition, the contractor must agree that any information provided to the contractor in the course of the requirement is confidential and cannot be used for financial gain.

E5. Limited Use of Data [FEB 2014] Performance of this requirement may require the contractor to access and use data and information proprietary to the Government which is of such a nature that its dissemination or use, other than in performance of this effort, would be adverse to the interests of the Government.

Contractor and/or contractor personnel shall not divulge or release data or information developed or obtained in performance of this effort until made public by the Government, except to authorized Government personnel or upon written approval by the contracting officer (CO). The contractor shall not use, disclose, or reproduce proprietary data that bears a restrictive legend, other than as required in the performance of this effort. Nothing herein shall preclude the use of any data independently acquired by the contractor without such limitations or prohibit an agreement at no cost to the Government between the contractor and the data owner which provides for greater rights to the contractor.

Contractor shall release all required deliverables and data or other works developed under this order, contract, or agreement solely in accordance with the EOP terms and conditions. All data collected and remaining in the custody of the contractor at the close of any order, contract, or agreement shall be delivered to the contracting officer’s representative or destroyed in accordance with the terms of the order, contract, or agreement. No copies or parts of data derivative files (encrypted and/or individually identifiable) shall be kept by the contractor.

E6. Contractor’s Core Duty Hours [FEB 2014] The core duty hours for EOP are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of Federal Government holidays. Contractor personnel shall ensure that the typical workday is longer than the core duty hours, and that personnel are required to conform their workday to ensure that it includes the core hours.

The contracting officer’s representative (COR) and the contractor must mutually agree upon all deviations to this schedule not mentioned herein. Work conducted outside these core hours may be negotiated by the COR as long as it does not affect the terms and conditions of the order, contract, or agreement, including schedule and price.

The following Federal Government holidays are normally observed by Government personnel: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Presidential Inauguration Day (metropolitan DC area only), President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and any other day designated by Federal Statute, Executive Order, and/or Presidential Proclamation, or any other kind of administrative leave such as acts of God (i.e. hurricanes, snow storms, tornadoes, etc.), Presidential funerals or any other unexpected Government closures.

E7. Payment for Unauthorized Supplies or Services [FEB 2014] No payments shall be made for any unauthorized supplies and/or services or for any unauthorized changes to the work specified herein. This includes any services performed by the contractor of its own volition or at the request of an individual other than a duly appointed contracting officer (CO).

E8. Section 508 Conformance Requirements for Information Technology Requirements [AUG 2015]

Accessibility Requirements (Section 508) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) requires that when the Federal Government develops, procures, maintains, or uses Electronic and Information Technology (EIT), they must ensure that it is accessible to people with disabilities. Federal employees and members of the public who have disabilities must have equal access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that enjoyed by nondisabled Federal employees and members of the public.

All EIT deliverables within this work statement shall comply with the applicable technical and functional performance criteria of Section 508 unless exempt. Specifically, the following applicable EIT accessibility standards have been identified:

Section 508 Applicable EIT Accessibility Standards 36 CFR 1194.21 Software Applications and Operating Systems, applies to all EIT software applications and operating systems procured or developed under this work statement including, but not limited to, GOTS and COTS software. In addition, this standard is to be applied to web- based applications when needed to fulfill the functional performance criteria. This standard also applies to some web-based applications as described within

36 CFR 1194.22.

36 CFR 1194.22 Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications, applies to all web- based deliverables, including documentation and reports procured or developed under this work statement. When any web application uses a dynamic (non-static) interface, embeds custom user control(s), embeds video or multimedia, or uses proprietary or technical approaches such as, but not limited to, Flash or Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX), then 1194.21 software standards also apply to fulfill functional performance criteria.

36 CFR 1194.31 Functional Performance Criteria, applies to all EIT deliverables regardless of delivery method.

All EIT deliverables shall use technical standards, regardless of technology, to fulfill the functional performance criteria.

36 CFR 1194.41 Information Documentation and Support, applies to all documents, reports, as well as help and support services. To ensure that documents and reports fulfill the required 1194.31

Functional Performance Criteria, they shall comply with the technical standard associated with 1194.22 web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications at a minimum. In addition, any help or support provided in this work statement that offer telephone support including, but not limited to, a help desk shall have the ability to transmit and receive messages using TTY.

Section 508 Applicable Exceptions The Executive Office of the President (EOP)’s Office of Administration (OA) has determined the exceptions for this work statement and only the exceptions described herein may be applied. The following exceptions has identified that may apply: 36 CFR 1194.3(b) Incidental to Contract, all EIT that is exclusively owned and used by the contractor to fulfill this work statement does not require compliance with Section 508. This exception does not apply to any EIT deliverable, service, or item that will be used by any Federal employee(s) or member(s) of the public. This exception only applies to those contractors assigned to fulfill the obligations of this work statement and for the purposes of this requirement, are not considered members of the public.

Section 508 Compliance Requirements 36 CFR 1194.2(b) (products including COTS/GOTS), When procuring a product, the Government shall procure products which comply with the provisions in this part when such products are available in the commercial marketplace or when such products are developed in response to a Government solicitation. The Government cannot claim a product as a whole is not commercially available because no product in the marketplace meets all the standards. If products are commercially available that meet some but not all of the standards, the Government must procure the product that best meets the standards. When applying this standard, all procurements of EIT shall have documentation of market research that identify a list of products or services that first meet the Government’s business needs, and from that list of products or services, an analysis that the selected product met more of the accessibility requirements than the non-selected products as required by FAR

39.2. Any selection of a product or service that meets less accessibility standards due to a significant difficulty or expense shall only be permitted under an undue burden claim.

E9. Inspection and Acceptance [FEB 2014, Dev JAN 2022]

Place of Inspection and Acceptance Inspection and acceptance of the products or services to be furnished hereunder shall be made by the appropriate COR, or other authorized representative designated in the order, contract or agreement.

Scope of Inspection All deliverables will be inspected for content, completeness, accuracy and conformance to order, contract or agreement requirements by the COR, or other authorized representative designated in the order, contract or agreement. Inspection may include validation of information or inspection of the deliverables, as specified in the order, contract or agreement. The scope and nature of this inspection will be sufficiently comprehensive to ensure the completeness, quality and adequacy of all deliverables.

Basis of Acceptance The basis for acceptance will be in compliance with best commercial practices and those requirements provided in the order, contract or agreement.

Support products and travel will be accepted upon receipt of proper documentation.

Reports, documents and narrative type deliverables will be accepted when all discrepancies, errors or other deficiencies identified in writing by the Government have been corrected.

Non-Conforming Products or Services Unless specified otherwise in the orders or contracts, non-conforming products or services will be rejected.

Deficiencies will be corrected, by the contractor, within three workdays of the rejection notice or as time constraints deem necessary. If the deficiencies cannot be corrected within three workdays, the contractor shall immediately notify the COR, or other authorized representatives designated in each order, contract, or agreement of the delay and provide a proposed corrective action plan within three workdays or as time to conform dictates more urgent action.

E10. Contractor’s Interfaces/Collaboration [FEB 2014] The contractor and/or its subcontractors may be required as part of the performance of this requirement to work with other contractors working for the Government. Such other contractors shall not direct this contractor and/or their subcontractors in any manner. Also, this contractor and/or its subcontractors shall not direct the work of other contractors in any manner.

The Government will establish the initial contact between the contractor and other contractors and will participate in an initial meeting at which the conventions for the scheduling and conduct of future meetings and contacts will be established. The designated contracting officer’s representative (COR) for all associated efforts will be included in any establishment of conventions.

E11. Contractor’s Confidential Business or Financial Data [FEB 2014] To the extent the work under this order, contract or agreement requires access to business confidential or financial data of other contractors, the contractor and his employees shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure and agrees not to copy or use it for any purpose other than the performance of this order, contract or agreement. This data may be in various forms, such as documents, raw photographic prints, computer printouts or it may be interpretative results derived from analysis, investigation or study efforts.

The contractor shall establish policies and procedures to implement the substance of this clause at the individual employee and subcontracting level, which will assure that contractor and subcontractor employees are made aware of the provisions and the contractor’s implementing policies and procedures. Particular attention shall be given to keeping employees advised of the statutes and regulations applicable to the handling of other contractor’s confidential business or financial data, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation 9.505-4.

E12. Transition [FEB 2014] The contractor shall ensure a smooth phase-in and phase-out of the order, contract or agreement, including service continuity, and knowledge transfer at the end of the administration and/or contract period of performance (including options).

The phase-in transition shall occur within 90 days after contract award. This includes working with the current contractor on a successful transition in accordance with the phase-in plan approved by the government. The contractor shall be at full performance at the completion of the phase-in period.

The phase-out transition shall start 90 days prior to the end of the contract period of performance and be completed by the end of the contract period of performance. This includes working with the new contractor on a successful transition in accordance with the transition phase-out plan approved by the government.

E13. Protecting EOP Data and Information [DEC 2014]

(a) Applicability: This clause applies to contractor and subcontractor (at all tiers) personnel and addresses specific requirements for protecting EOP data and information.

(b) Responsibilities for Handling and/or Storing EOP Data and Information: All contractor and subcontractor employees are responsible for the proper handling and/or storing of EOP data and information, regardless of location. Contractors shall be responsible for any costs associated with the loss, breach, or compromise of EOP information held by contractors. All contract employees shall be responsible for:

(1) The proper control and handling of EOP data and information residing on their computer, on removable media, and on paper documents;

(2) Ensuring portable data storage and communication devices are properly controlled and secured at all times;

and,

(3) Following the procedures for reporting a breach to EOP data and information as outlined in section (c) below.

(c) Procedures for Reporting a Breach of EOP Data and Information:

(1) A breach of EOP data and information includes loss of control, compromise, unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized acquisition, or unauthorized access of EOP data and information whether physical or electronic.

(2) All contractors and subcontractors shall report any breach or potential breach, including, but not limited to, network or asset breaches to the EOP’s Computer Network Defense (CND) team within 30 minutes of becoming aware of the breach or potential breach regardless of the time or day of the week. All breaches and potential breaches shall be reported, even if it is believed the breach is limited, small, or insignificant. The initial report of the breach shall be made by telephone to the CND; however, the contractor or subcontractor shall follow up in writing within one hour of the verbal notification to CND, CO, and the COR. Do NOT include sensitive information in the e-mail notification.

(3) Each breach report shall address all relevant information, including the following:

• Nature of the event (loss, theft, unauthorized access);

• Description of the event, including:

o Date and time of occurrence o Types of data elements involved;

• Number of individuals affected or potentially affected;

• Names of individuals or groups affected or potentially affected;

• Ease of logical data access lost, stolen or improperly accessed data in light of the degree of protection for the data, e.g., unencrypted, plain text;

• Amount of time the data has been out of contractor or subcontractor control;

• The likelihood that EOP data and information will or has been compromised (made accessible to and usable by unauthorized persons);

• Known misuses of EOP data and information, if any; and,

• Assessment of the potential harm to the affected individuals.

(4) The EOP and the contractor will mutually establish additional reporting requirements based on the nature and severity of the breach.

(5) In instances of theft, break-in, or other criminal activity affecting or involving EOP data and information, the contractor/subcontractor must concurrently report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement entity (or entities) of the jurisdiction. The contractor, its employees, and its subcontractors as well as their employees shall cooperate with the EOP and any law enforcement authority responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible criminal law violation(s) associated with any incident. The contractor/subcontractor shall cooperate with the EOP in any civil litigation to recover EOP information, obtain monetary or other compensation from a third party for damages arising from any incident, or obtain injunctive relief against any third party arising from, or related to, the incident.

(d) Points of Contacts: Contractors and subcontractors shall report a breach or potential breach of EOP data and information to the CND at 202-757-5789 (available 24/7/365). Any questions regarding these procedures shall be directed to the CO.

E14. Contractor Separation [APR 2017] COs retain the right to remove the contractor personnel whose actions conflict with the performance of the order, contract, or agreement, suspected of committing misconduct, and/or have changes in their fitness/eligibility status. All on-site contractor personnel will be escorted by the COR when off-boarding and off-site contractor personnel may be off-boarded remotely when appropriate, as determined by the CO. The COR will ensure that all security and exit procedures are followed and that all Government property is returned. Contractor personnel removed from this order, contract, or agreement for security reasons shall not be eligible for reinstatement or utilized on any other EOP order, contract, or agreement without EOP Security Office or DWHIT approval. If contractor personnel are terminated, or resign, etc., the above items shall be returned to the EOP prior to, or within 24 hours, of their departure, or by an agreed upon time. The contractor shall ensure that all EOP assets, information, data, records, and materials remaining in the contractor employee’s possession after removal shall be returned to the EOP.

When a contractor employee no longer intends to support this order, contract, or agreement for any reason, the contractor must notify the COR and EOP Security Office in writing as soon as possible, but no later than a minimum of 2 business days. Additionally, the contractor shall ensure all security exit requirements are adhered to by their employees as follows:

• Out-processed by Human Resources, Office of the General Counsel, Procurement, and EOP Security Office;

• Return government issued identification, equipment, assets, information, data, records, and materials prior to departure; and,

• Escorted off the EOP Complex.

(END OF SECTION III)

SECTION IV –DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, or ATTACHMENTS

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Disability User Research Recruiting Services

BACKGROUND:

The mission of the United States Digital Service (USDS) is to deliver better Government services to the American people through technology and design. This Statement of Work (SOW) describes usability testing recruitment services USDS requires for conducting user studies for Government digital services. The incumbent shall support the USDS efforts to implement Executive Order 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government (2021). The Executive Order identifies 35 high impact service providers, which include nearly all of the Government agency partners, many of whom are USDS partners.[1] The President has directed these agencies to “commit to putting their customers at the center of everything they do.” These customers include individuals with disabilities.

USDS requires commercially available recruitment services to obtain user feedback from individuals with disabilities as part of its user research work. Usability testing by individuals with disabilities is critical to USDS’ work to improve Government service delivery and ensure these services are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

USDS designs software, websites, and other digital experiences that serve the American public.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25% of U.S. adults live with a disability. [2] All of USDS’s work needs to support all members of the American public, disabled and non-disabled. It is also essential to model these inclusive research practices with our agency partners.

USDS intends to include the voices of people with disabilities in all of our user research projects, which is in line with Executive Order 13985 on advancing equity, specifying “persons with disabilities” as an underserved community in its definition of equity.[3] CDC data shows that disability is more common among women, adults with lower income, and non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives.[4] Disabilities also occur at a greater frequency in Blacks than Whites.[5]

USDS teams work on many concurrent projects to help stakeholders engage with Government services of all kinds. Each of these projects is guided by human-centered design research, and routine studies are conducted throughout the agile development process. Best practices in human-centered design encourage end-user feedback at all stages of an agile product development process. A mechanism for obtaining user feedback from participants with disabilities on design concepts and prototype software is critical to ensure that the digital services are helpful and relevant to them.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK:

This Disability User Research Recruiting requirement shall provide USDS with recruitment of participants to participate in studies and provide substantive feedback regarding new USDS-led products and products being developed with USDS assistance at partner agencies. The Contractor shall recruit participants for individual studies that match USDS’ specific screening https://app.slack.com/docs/TD42BGDLM/F037LR41ZMF?origin_team=TD42BGDLM&origin_channel=Vall_threads#_ftn1…