Solicitation 1232SA25R0019.docx

Solicitation 1232SA25R0019

SECTION B- SUPPLIES AND SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

B.1 SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, transportation, utilities, and supervision for complete construction of the following in accordance with the clauses, specifications, drawings, attachments, and other terms and conditions set forth in the attached scope of work.

B.2 SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

PLEASE ROUND TO THE NEAREST DOLLAR, DO NOT USE CENTS.

CONTRACTOR UEI:_______________________________________

B.3 Period of Performance To be completed 90 days after receipt of notice to proceed.

End of this Section

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Description of Work Please reference Scope of Work in Section J.

C.2 PERMITS AND LICENSES

Pursuant to FAR 52.236-7 Permits and Responsibilities, the Contractor shall obtain all required permits, licenses, and authorizations to perform work under this contract and comply with all the applicable Federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

C.3 DIRECTIVES, INSTRUCTIONS AND REFERENCES

Only the Contracting Officer shall issue directives/instructions defining the roles and responsibilities and appointment of a Contracting Officer Representative (COR); Location Monitor (LM); Project Manager (PM); Occupational Health & Safety Manager and/or any other functional appointment as deemed necessary for the scope of work.

C.4 WORK MANAGEMENT

The Contractor shall manage the total work effort associated with the services required to meet the performance objectives and standards. Such management includes but is not limited to planning, scheduling, cost accounting, report preparation, establishing and maintaining records, and quality control. The Contractor shall provide a staff with the necessary management expertise to assure performance objectives and standards are met.

C.5 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Materials and equipment may not be stored at the jobsite lay down area after work hours unless approved in advance by the Contracting Officer. There will not be office space available at any location. All job site laydown areas are dependent upon the size and location of the work. Job site availability will be identified in the Scope of Work.

C.6 SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS/UTILITY OUTAGES

If any utilities or other services must be discontinued (even temporarily) due to scheduled contract work, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative ten calendar days in advance to allow notification of affected tenants and customers. If the discontinued service is due to an emergency breakdown the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer Representative as soon as practicable.

At a minimum, include the location of the outage, utilities being affected, duration of outage and any necessary sketches. Once approved, and prior to beginning work on the utility system requiring shut down, attend a pre-outage coordination meeting with the Contracting Officer to review the scope of work and the lock-out/tag-out procedures for worker protection. No work will be performed on energized electrical circuits unless proof is provided that no other means exist.

C.7 OSHA

Contractor must maintain a workplace and ensure that workplace conditions conform to applicable OSHA standards.

C.8 KEY PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall confirm to the Contracting Officer the List of Key Personnel and their qualifications provided as part of the base contract submittals. The contractor will provide any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer to certify their qualifications. The Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer a finalized organization chart showing the lines of authority of key personnel and on-site supervisor(s) for this contract. The chart shall include names of personnel and their position title in this contract. At a minimum it shall identify the Project Manager, the Quality Control Manager, SSHO and onsite supervisors and who they will report directly to for this contract. The Contractor shall identify the personnel able to bind the Contractor contractually.

C.9 EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide experienced, qualified, and capable personnel to perform the work in this contract. Personnel shall be fully knowledgeable of all safety and environmental requirements associated with the work they perform. Competent personnel shall be provided as required by the contract. Contractor staff may be required to obtain a USDA Linc Pass badge. Documents need to obtain the Linc Pass shall be provided by the Government after award.

C.10 EMPLOYEE CONDUCT/REMOVAL OF EMPLOYEES

Contractor employees and Subcontractor employees shall conduct themselves in a proper, efficient, courteous and businesslike manner. The Contractor shall remove from the site any individual whose continued employment is deemed by the Contracting Officer to be contrary to the public interest or inconsistent with the best interests of Agricultural Research Service. The Contracting Officers decision is final and not negotiable.

SECTION D - PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 (FOR THIS SOLICITATION, THERE ARE NO CLAUSES IN THIS SECTION).

SECTION E - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (52.252-2) (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 address: http://acquisition.gov

I. FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (48 CFR CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (AGAR 452.246-70) (FEB 1988)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer's duly authorized representative will inspect and accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract.

(b) Inspection will be performed at: the location of the project.

Acceptance will be performed at: See (b) above.

(End of Clause)

E.3 FINAL INSPECTION

(a) A final inspection shall be made only when all the materials have been furnished, all the work has been performed, and all the construction provided for by the contract has been completed in accordance with the terms, conditions, specifications, and drawings set forth in this contract. If, upon examination by the Contracting Officer, his/her designated representative, and Government inspection personnel, the project is determined not sufficiently completed to have warranted a final inspection, the Contractor may be held financially liable for any additional cost of re-inspection when material and workmanship are not ready at the time specified by the Government for project inspection.

(b) Contractor shall give the Contracting Officer ten (10) calendar days advance notice, in writing, of the date the work will be fully completed and ready for final inspection.

(c) The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor of any discrepancies and/or omissions noted at the final inspection by providing a "punchlist" as to the discrepancies/omissions, replacement of materials and performance or re-performance of any unsatisfactory work necessary for final acceptance. This notification shall not in any way be deemed an extension of the contract completion date. If all construction required by the contract is found completed and all contractual documents (i.e. payrolls, shop/as-builts/red-line drawings, release from claims, etc.) have been submitted, the Contracting Officer shall notify the Contractor of such in writing by processing the final payment for the project.

(d) Acceptance shall be final and conclusive, except for latent defects, fraud, or such gross mistakes as may amount to fraud, or regarding the Government’s right under any warranty or guarantee.

E.4 FINAL ACCEPTANCE

Upon written notification that all deficiencies identified during the final inspection have been corrected, the Contracting Officer will schedule a final acceptance inspection of the work. If all construction required by the contract is determined to be complete and all requisite contract deliverables (e.g., certified payroll records, as- built drawings, warranty documents, etc.) have been submitted and approved by the Government, the Contracting Officer shall notify the Contractor in writing of such acceptance. Acceptance shall be final and conclusive except for latent defects, fraud, gross mistakes amounting to fraud, or the Government’s rights under any warranty or guarantee.

SECTION F - DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FAR 52.252-2) (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 address: http://acquisition.gov

F.2 COMMENCEMENT, PROSECUTION, AND COMPLETION OF WORK (FAR 52.211-10) (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to:

(a) commence work under this contract within fourteen 14 calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the contract award,

(b) prosecute the work diligently, and

(c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than 60 days from receipt of notice to proceed. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

(End of Clause)

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 DESIGNATION OF CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE

A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be designated after contract award. The contractor will be notified by letter of the name and duties of the COR.

G.2 CONTRACT CLOSEOUT

(a) Closeout Procedures:

(1) Comply with provisions in conditions of contract relating to submittals prior to substantial completion, or Owner's use of completed portions of work.

(2) Provide submittals required by governing authorities.

(b) Cleaning:

(1) Execute cleaning during progress of work and at completion of work.

(2) Reference other specification sections for additional specific work.

(3) Maintain premises and public properties free from accumulations of waste, debris, and rubbish caused by operations.

(4) At completion of work, remove waste materials, rubbish, tools, equipment, machinery, and surplus materials:

a. Clean all sight-exposed surfaces.

b. Leave project clean and ready for occupancy or use.

(5) Areas disturbed during construction operations shall be restored generally to match conditions existing prior to start of work.

(c) Project Record Drawings:

(1) Maintain documents in clean, dry, legible condition.

(2) Make documents available at all times for inspection by COR, CO, and other individuals as may be designated by the CO.

(3) Label each document "Project Record."

(4) Keep record documents current.

(5) Do not conceal work until required information has been recorded.

(6) At completion of work, and before final acceptance, submit as-built drawings in accordance with special contract requirements.

(d) Operating and Maintenance Manuals:

(1) Warranties and Bonds:

a. Submit warranties and maintenance bonds prior to final application for payment.

1. Submit within ten days after date of substantial completion.

2. For items of work delayed materially beyond date of substantial completion, provide updated submittal within ten days after acceptance, listing date of acceptance as start of warranty period.

G.3 AS-BUILT DRAWINGS

On completion of the contract (if required), one set of paper specifications and one print and one plastic reproducible of each of the contract drawings accompanying those specifications shall be neatly and clearly marked in red to show all variations between the construction actually provided and that indicated or specified and delivered to the CO. Where a choice of materials and/or methods is permitted, the as-built drawings shall define the construction actually provided. Representation of such variation shall conform to standard drafting practice and include such supplementary notes, legends and details as may be necessary. The contractor shall stamp the term RECORD DOCUMENTS, date and sign all plastic reproducible, drawings and volumes of marked specifications. Legibility and clear portrayal of the as-built construction and marked prints shall be subject to approval by the Contracting Officer with the recommended approval of the Area Office Engineer.

G.4 RELEASE FROM CLAIMS

The Contractor shall complete and submit a release of all claims against the Government arising under and by virtue of the purchase order, similar to the following with the final invoice/billing request:

For and in consideration for the receipt of final payment in the amount of $___________ under and pursuant to Purchase Order No. __________, the undersigned hereby releases the Government from any and all obligations whatsoever arising under said purchase order.

G.5 SUPPLEMENT TO CHANGES CLAUSE

The provisions of the Changes Clause (FAR 52.243-4), as applicable, are supplemented as follows:

a) The contractor shall provide an itemized breakdown or take-off for all charges involving an increase or decrease in the contract price. The proposal shall be in sufficient detail that will enable the Government to determine the reasonableness of the contractor's and subcontractor's cost to do the change. As a minimum, the following shall be shown:

1. Material quantities and unit prices;

2. Labor costs (broken down by trades, hours worked, and hourly rate);

3. Labor burden (Fringe Benefits, Workmen's Compensation, and Public Liability Insurance);

4. Overhead;

5. Profit;

6. FICA, and FUTA employment taxes; and

7. Sales tax (if any).

b) On proposals offering a credit for work omitted, deductions for overhead and profit shall also be shown.

c) If the proposed change will result in an increase or decrease in the contract performance period, the contractor shall state the exact number of days involved. If the proposed change is approved and the Government agrees with the increase or decrease in completion time, the completion date will become a part of the contract modification.

d) Following (G.6) is a sample format for showing related costs as a result of a change order. A similar sheet shall accompany each written detailed cost breakdown. The sample format is self-explanatory and clearly shows the method for computing overhead, profit, and other items on proposed changes.

G.6 SUMMARY SHEET FORMAT

DATE

PROJECT

LOCATION

CONTRACT NUMBER

CONTRACTOR

CHANGE ORDER NO. _______________ DESCRIPTION

PRIME CONTRACTOR'S WORK

SUBCONTRACTOR’S WORK

SUMMARY

Estimated time extension (if any and justification):

Signature and Title of Preparer Date NOTE: THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL FOR OVERHEAD AND PROFIT OF ALL SUBCONTRACTORS AND THE PRIME CONTRACTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED 30 PERCENT. FOR PRIME CONTRACTORS WORK ONLY, THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL FOR OVERHEAD AND PROFIT SHALL NOT EXCEED 20 %.

G.7 INVOICE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

Based upon acceptance of required contract deliverables, the contractor shall submit an original invoice and one copy to the Contracting Officer and the COR:

The contractor shall include the following information on each invoice in order to be considered a proper invoice:

1. Name and address of contractor.

2. Invoice number and Invoice date.

3. Contract number.

4. Description of work and period of performance.

5. Name, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of official to whom payment is to be sent.

6. Name, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice.

7. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and UEI Number.

8. Invoices must be submitted with ARS-371 and ARS-372, along with certified payroll records, Contractor certification, and updated CPM Schedule.

Once the paper invoice has been approved by the Contracting Officer, the Contractor shall submit the invoice electronically through the U.S. Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) at www.ipp.gov. This is a mandatory requirement.

G.8 Contractor Performance Information and Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)(FAR 42.1502)

(a) General. Past performance evaluations shall be prepared at least annually and at the time the work under a contract or order is completed. Past performance evaluations are required for contracts and orders as specified in paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section, including contracts and orders performed outside the United States. These evaluations are generally for the entity, division, or unit that performed the contract or order. Past performance information shall be entered into CPARS, the Government wide evaluation reporting tool for all past performance reports on contracts and orders. Instructions for submitting evaluations into CPARS are available at http://www.cpars.gov/

(b) Past performance evaluations shall be prepared for each construction contract of $700,000 or more, and for each construction contract terminated for default regardless of contract value. Past performance evaluations may also be prepared for construction contracts below $700,000.

SECTION H - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 452.204-71Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Employees.

(a) The contractor shall comply with the personal identity verification (PIV) policies and procedures established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Directives 4620-002 series.

(b) Should the USDA Directives 4620-002 require the exclusion of a contractor's employee, the contracting officer will notify the contractor in writing. The contractor must appoint a representative to manage compliance with the PIV policies established by the USDA Directives 4620-002 and to maintain a list of employees eligible for a USDA LincPass required for performance of the work.

(c) The responsibility of maintaining a sufficient workforce remains with the contractor. Contractor employees may be barred by the Government from performance of work should they be found ineligible or to have lost eligibility for a USDA LincPass. Failure to maintain a sufficient workforce of employees eligible for a USDA LincPass may be grounds for termination of the contract.

(d) The contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor is required to have routine unaccompanied physical access to a Federally controlled facility and/or routine unaccompanied access to a Federally controlled information system.

(e) The PIV Sponsor for this contract is a designated program point of contact, which in most cases is the COR, unless otherwise specified in this contract. The PIV Sponsor will be available to receive contractor identity information from [hours and days to be added by CO] to [hours and days to be added by CO] at [office address for registration to be added by CO]. The Government will notify the contractor if there is a change in the PIV Sponsor, the office address, or the office hours for registration; however, it is the contractor's responsibility to meet all aspects of paragraphs (c), (d), and (e).

(End of Clause)

H.2 SUBMITTALS AND SHOP DRAWINGS

a. The Contractor shall submit for approval (if required), copies (minimally) of shop drawings of all manufactured products required in the construction for which such drawings are required. When approved, the Government will forward one set to the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), one set to the Construction Manager (CM), and one set to the Contractor. If the Contractor requires more than one approved set, additional copies of this document must be forwarded in the number needed.

b. Shop drawings and submittals shall be marked with the Purchase 0rder Number, Project Description, Name of the Contractor, and accompanied by a letter of transmittal. If the shop drawings show variations from the purchase order requirements because of standard shop practice or other reasons, the Contractor shall make specific mention of such variations in his/her letter of transmittal or directly on the drawing/submittal.

c. Approval of shop drawings will be general and will not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility of furnishing material and work required by the purchase order.

d. Shop drawings shall be submitted for approval in ample time to permit checking of the drawings, allow the Contractor to make any corrections and resubmit drawings prior to the time construction is started on work covered by any drawings.

e. Non-approval of equipment due to failure to meet specifications or non-approval of the Contractor's drawings due to submission of incomplete or incorrect information shall not be considered as a basis for extension of time for completion of the purchase order.

f. The quantity of shop drawings required may be subject to change due to construction management surveillance needs and/or the complexity of the project. Quantities of shop drawings and submittals will be finalized at the preconstruction conference.

H.3 CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Within 14 (fourteen) calendar days after the date of receipt of contract, the Contractor shall prepare and submit to the Contracting Officer for approval and signature, a copy of ARS Form 371, "Construction Progress and Payment Schedule." This form, in conjunction with ARS Form 372, "Contractor's Request for Payment Transmittal" (or an acceptable facsimile), will be the basis for partial payments to the Contractor. The values employed in making the schedule will be used only for determining partial payments and will not be considered as fixing a basis for additions to or deductions from the purchase order. Upon the Contracting Officer's approval and signature, a copy of the Form 371 (with original signatures) will be given to the Contractor. No work may be performed onsite unless and until the ARS Form 371 has been approved by the Contracting Officer. The ARS Form 371 is required even though progress or partial payments would not be requested by the Cooperator.

H.4 INVOICES

Invoices shall be submitted to the attention of the Contracting Officer Representative who will forward them to the Contracting Officer. Invoices shall contain, at a minimum, the name of the Company; Purchase Order Number; description of services, price for such services actually rendered; shipping and payment terms; and name (where practicable), title, phone number and complete mailing address of responsible official to whom payment is to be sent. In order for invoices to be processed, certified payroll records must have been received by the Contracting Officer for the period being invoiced. NO INVOICES WILL BE PROCESSED UNLESS CURRENT CERTIFIED PAYROLL RECORDS ARE ON FILE WITH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATES REQUIREMENT. All invoices will be returned to the Contractor without payment action until payroll records are received by the Contracting Officer. The final invoice shall include a Release of Claims Form as shown in Section G.4 of the contract.

H.5 AS-BUILT DRAWINGS AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE MANUALS

Upon completion of the Contract, the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer two (2) sets of neatly marked (in red) and labeled "As-Built" drawings and shall also submit three (3) copies of each Operations and Maintenance Manuals for any and all equipment furnished and/or installed by the Contractor under this contract. Final payment shall not be made unless and until such documentation is received and accepted by the Contracting Officer. Unless As-Builts are not required.

H.6 LIST OF MATERIALS

(a) The Contractor shall submit for approval a complete list, in duplicate, of brands, type, and make of various equipment and materials proposed to be used. If the Contractor fails to submit such a list, or names of equipment which does not comply with the specifications, or if the manufacturers named are unsatisfactory, the Government reserves the right to reject same and to select satisfactory substitute materials. This selection shall be final and finding upon the Contractor, and the work shall be installed on this basis without change in contract price.

(b) In order to properly identify and to prove compliance with the requirements of the specifications, the Contractor shall give the following data for each product included in the list of materials.

Section heading of the specifications under which material is specified.

Manufacturer’s name and address.

Grade, type, trade or catalog number.

Size, capacity, and other pertinent data.

(c) All materials, fixtures, and equipment furnished and installed under this contract shall be new and of the best quality; shall be standard cataloged products or reputable manufacturers products or of special manufacture, satisfying completely the contract requirements.

(d) Similar items, unless otherwise specified herein or approved by the Contracting Officer, shall be the product of the same manufacturer, and those fulfilling the same requirements as to size and construction shall be identical.

(e) Substitutions and/or Approved Equal: Where particular make, brand or type of material or equipment is mentioned in these specifications, it is to denote quality standard of article desired, but does not restrict contractor to brand specified; however, any substitution must be met with approval of the Contracting Officer. Other products comparable in type, quality, utility, and price are acceptable if approved by the Contracting Officer. Burden of proof of equality shall rest with the Contractor. The Contracting Officer shall be sole judge of paralleled quality.

H.7 COOPERATION WITH OTHER CONTRACTORS

During the period of construction for the work covered by this contract, other contractors performing work for the Government may be operating concurrently at the site. To minimize interference and delay to the construction progress of all concerned, all contractors shall cooperate with each other and coordinate their construction operations to the fullest extent. As far as practicable, all contractors performing work for the Government at the site shall have equal rights to the use of all referenced facilities. In a dispute regarding the use of such facilities, the matter shall be referred to the Contracting Officer.

H.8 PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY INSURANCE

The Contractor shall ensure that the property damage liability insurance policy (or rider) required by FAR 52.228-5, Insurance–-Work on a Government Installation, is in full compliance with all the terms and conditions of this contract. The policy shall not contain any exclusions or exceptions that would limit or adversely affect the Government’s rights and remedies under any other clause in this contract or other Federal regulation or law. Should there be any exclusions or exceptions contained in the policy that limits or adversely affects the Government’s rights, the Contractor shall be responsible for the full amount of any damages that occur to the immediate facilities, adjacent facilities/property, and other Government property under the control of the Contractor due to fraud, negligence, vandalism, willful misconduct, or violation of Federal, state, or local safety regulations, building codes and laws. The Contractor shall have full responsibility and is liable for these facilities and properties until the Government has accepted the contract as being completed in full and a release from claims has been received from the Contractor.

For those areas where the Government has taken "beneficial occupancy" prior to completion and acceptance of the whole contract, the contractor shall not be responsible for those specific areas under Government control, except in such instances where damage occurs to those areas as a result of negligence, fraud, vandalism, willful misconduct, or violation of Federal, state, or local safety regulations, building codes, or laws in those areas under the control of the Contractor.

This liability and responsibility includes the activities of all the Contractor’s personnel, their subcontractors and suppliers.

H.9 SUBCONTRACTORS, OUTSIDE ASSOCIATES AND CONSULTANTS

Any subcontractors, outside associates or consultants required by the Contractor in connection with the services covered by the contract will be limited to individuals or firms that were specifically identified at time of award or agreed upon during negotiations. The Contractor shall obtain the Contracting Officer’s written consent before making any substitution for these individuals or firms.

H.10 Energy Efficiency As required in clause 52.223-15 Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products, the contractor shall only provide products that earn the ENERGY STAR label and meet ENERGY STAR specifications for energy efficiency. The contractor is encouraged to visit http://www.energystar.gov for complete product specifications and updated lists of qualifying products.”

End of this section

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FAR 52.252-2) (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 address: http://acquisition.gov

Employees of Whistleblower Rights

or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and NOV 2021 Surveillance Services or Equipment 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with NOV 2021 Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

Related Regulations

and Construction Contracts (Deviation FEB 2025)

Designated Items

(Deviation)

Improvements

Note: In addition to the requirements of FAR 52.223-2; The contractor shall report to the environmental point of contact, with a copy to the Contracting Officer, on the product types and dollar value of any USDA-designated biobased products purchased by the contractor during the previous fiscal year.

• The report must be submitted no later than October 31 of each year during contract performance and at the end of contract performance.

• The environmental point of contact for all USDA Agencies is:

Karen Zhang Karen.Zhang@dm.usda.gov Phone: 202-401-4747

• Biobased reporting shall completed by following the instructions provided in the System for Award Management (SAM).

I.2 BUY AMERICAN - CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (FAR 52.225-9) (OCT 2022)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item—

(1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is–

(i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101);

(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and

(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

"Construction material" means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction site by the Contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the building or work. The term also includes an item brought to the site preassembled from articles, materials, or supplies. However, emergency life safety systems, such as emergency lighting, fire alarm, and audio evacuation systems, that are discrete systems incorporated into a public building or work and that are produced as complete systems, are evaluated as a single and distinct construction material regardless of when or how the individual parts or components of those systems are delivered to the construction site. Materials purchased directly by the Government are supplies, not construction material.

Cost of components means—

(1) For components purchased by the Contractor, the acquisition cost, including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the construction material (whether or not such costs are paid to a domestic firm), and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued); or

(2) For components manufactured by the Contractor, all costs associated with the manufacture of the component, including transportation costs as described in paragraph (1) of this definition, plus allocable overhead costs, but excluding profit. Cost of components does not include any costs associated with the manufacture of the construction material.

Domestic construction material means—

(1) For construction material that does not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both-

(i) An unmanufactured construction material mined or produced in the United States; or

(ii) A construction material manufactured in the United States, if–

(A) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 55 percent of the cost of all its components. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind for which nonavailability determinations have been made are treated as domestic. Components of unknown origin are treated as foreign; or

(B) The construction material is a COTS item; or

(2) For construction material that consists wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, a construction material manufactured in the United States if the cost of foreign iron and steel constitutes less than 5 percent of the cost of all components used in such construction material. The cost of foreign iron and steel includes but is not limited to the cost of foreign iron or steel mill products (such as bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the construction material and a good faith estimate of the cost of all foreign iron or steel components excluding COTS fasteners. Iron or steel components of unknown origin are treated as foreign. If the construction material contains multiple components, the cost of all the materials used in such construction material is calculated in accordance with the definition of "cost of components".

Fastener means a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. Examples of fasteners are nuts, bolts, pins, rivets, nails, clips, and screws.

Foreign construction material means a construction material other than a domestic construction material.

Foreign iron and steel means iron or steel products not produced in the United States. Produced in the United States means that all manufacturing processes of the iron or steel must take place in the United States, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, except metallurgical processes involving refinement of steel additives. The origin of the elements of the iron or steel is not relevant to the determination of whether it is domestic or foreign.

Predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both means that the cost of the iron and steel content exceeds 50 percent of the total cost of all its components. The cost of iron and steel is the cost of the iron or steel mill products (such as bar, billet, slab, wire, plate, or sheet), castings, or forgings utilized in the manufacture of the product and a good faith estimate of the cost of iron or steel components excluding COTS fasteners.

Steel means an alloy that includes at least 50 percent iron, between 0.02 and 2 percent carbon, and may include other elements.

"United States" means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.

(b) Domestic preference.

(1) This clause implements 41 U.S.C.chapter 83, Buy American, by providing a preference for domestic construction material. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1907, the domestic content test of the Buy American statute is waived for construction material that is a COTS item, except that for construction material that consists wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the domestic content test is applied only to the iron and steel content of the construction materials, excluding COTS fasteners. (See FAR 12.505(a)(2)). The Contractor shall use only domestic construction material in performing this contract, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this clause.

(2) This requirement does not apply to information technology that is a commercial item or to the construction materials or components listed by the Government as follows:

________________________________________________[Contracting Officer to list applicable excepted materials or indicate "none"]

(3) The Contracting Officer may add other foreign construction material to the list in paragraph (b)(2) of this clause if the Government determines that-

(i) The cost of domestic construction material would be unreasonable. The cost of a particular domestic construction material subject to the requirements of the Buy American statute is unreasonable when the cost of such material exceeds the cost of foreign material by more than 20 percent;

(ii) The application of the restriction of the Buy American statute to a particular construction material would be impracticable or inconsistent with the public interest; or

(iii) The construction material is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality.

(c) Request for determination of inapplicability of the Buy American statute.

(1) (i) Any Contractor request to use foreign construction material in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause shall include adequate information for Government evaluation of the request, including-

(A) A description of the foreign and domestic construction materials;

(B) Unit of measure;

(C) Quantity;

(D) Price;

(E) Time of delivery or availability;

(F) Location of the construction project;

(G) Name and address of the proposed supplier; and

(H) A detailed justification of the reason for use of foreign construction materials cited in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this clause.

(ii) A request based on unreasonable cost shall include a reasonable survey of the market and a completed price comparison table in the format in paragraph (d) of this clause.

(iii) The price of construction material shall include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free certificate may be issued).

(iv) Any Contractor request for a determination submitted after contract award shall explain why the Contractor could not reasonably foresee the need for such determination and could not have requested the determination before contract award. If the Contractor does not submit a satisfactory explanation, the Contracting Officer need not make a determination.

(2) If the Government determines after contract award that an exception to the Buy American statute applies and the Contracting Officer and the Contractor negotiate adequate consideration, the Contracting Officer will modify the contract to allow use of the foreign construction material. However, when the basis for the exception is the unreasonable price of a domestic construction material, adequate consideration is not less than the differential established in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this clause.

(3) Unless the Government determines that an exception to the Buy American statute applies, use of foreign construction material is noncompliant with the Buy American statute.

(d) Data. To permit evaluation of requests under paragraph (c) of this clause based on unreasonable cost, the Contractor shall include the following information and any applicable supporting data based on the survey of suppliers:

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS PRICE COMPARISON

Item 1:

Foreign construction material Domestic construction Material

Item 2:

Foreign construction material Domestic construction Material [List name, address, telephone number, and contact for suppliers surveyed. Attach copy of response; if oral, attach summary.] [Include other applicable supporting information.] [* Include all delivery costs to the construction site and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued).] (End of Clause)

I.3 OPTION FOR INCREASED QUANTITY (MAR 1989)

The Government may increase the quantity of supplies called for in the Schedule at the unit price specified. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within [insert in the clause the period of time in which the Contracting Officer has to exercise the option]. Delivery of the added items shall continue at the same rate as the like items called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

(End of clause)

I.4 OPTION FOR INCREASED QUANTITY – SEPARATELY PRICED LINE ITEM (MAR 1989)

The Government may require the delivery of the numbered line item, identified in the Schedule as an option item, in the quantity and at the price stated in the Schedule. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 360 days of award. Delivery of added items shall continue at the same rate that like items are called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

(End of clause)

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

J.1 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

PART IV – REPRESENTATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

K.1 PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FAR 52.252-1) (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this address: https://www.acquisition.gov

Confidentiality Agreements or…