Solicitation_19UK5623Q0002_20221122.pdf

U.S. Embassy, London Date: November 22, 2022

Dear Prospective Offeror:

Subject: Request for Quotes 19UK5623Q0002

Enclosed is a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for Legal Advice Services – Pension Schemes. If you would like to submit a quotation, follow the instructions in Section J of the solicitation, complete the required portions of the attached document, and submit it to the address shown on the Standard Form that follows this letter.

The U.S. Government intends to award a contract to the responsible offeror representing best value using comparative evaluation authorized under FAR 13.106-2(b)(3). A comparative evaluation is defined as the act of comparing two or more offers in response to the RFQ. The service-by-service comparison is performed by comparing each offer directly to one another to determine which providers the best value to the agency.

Comparative evaluation is NOT a low price technically acceptable (LPTA) or trade-off process.

Prospective offers must still meet basic standards for responsibility at FAR 9.104 and solicitation compliance to be eligible for award. We intend to award a contract based on initial quotations, without holding discussions, although we may hold discussions with companies in the competitive range if there is a need to do so.

Interested parties should contact LondonGSOCO@state.gov before 5:00pm local time on December 22, 2022 in order to receive an invitation to a pre-proposal conference which will be held at the U.S.

Embassy, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US on January 10, 2023 at 14:00 hrs.

Quotations are due by 17:00 Local Time (GMT) on January 24, 2023. No quotations will be accepted after this time. Quotations must be in English and incomplete quotations will not be accepted.

Your quotation must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer at LondonGSOCO@state.gov.

Please make your submission in pdf file format. The file size must not exceed 30MB. If the file size should exceed the 30MB, the submission must be made in separate files and attached to separate emails with less than 30MB each.

In order for a quotation to be considered, you must also complete and submit the following:

1. SF-1449

2. Section A, Pricing

3. Section L Representations and Certifications

4. Additional information as required in Section J

5. Proof of SAM Registration

Offerors shall be registered in the SAM (System for Award Management) database at https://www.sam.gov prior to submittal of their offer/proposal as prescribed under FAR 4.1102. Failure to be registered at time of proposal submission may deem the offeror’s proposal to be considered non-mailto:LondonGSOCO@state.gov mailto:LondonGSOCO@state.gov https://www.sam.gov/ responsible and no further consideration will be given. Therefore, offerors are highly encouraged to register immediately if they are interested in submitting a response to this requirement.

Sincerely, Scott Krushinski Contracting Officer

Enclosure:

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

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

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

PR11216353

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

19UK5623Q0002

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

November 22, 2022

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME

Contracting Officer

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER(No collect calls)

LondonGSOCO@state.gov

8. OFFER DUE DATE/ LOCAL

TIME

January 24, 2023;

5:00pm

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE:____ % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

U.S. Embassy London GSO/Procurement 33 Nine Elms Lane

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELLIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM NAICS:

London, SW11 7US SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

EDWOSB

8 (A) SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINAT-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

U.S. Embassy London 33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US

U.S. Embassy London GSO/Procurement 33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US 17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFERER

COD

E

FACILITY

CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

U.S. Embassy London Financial Management Center 33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US

CODE

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

OFFER

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

BELOW IS CHECKED SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

- See line items -

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

Funding will be provided on individual task orders.

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

Not to exceed GBP £185,000.00

27a.SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b.CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _1__

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL

ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED HEREIN.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF 19UK5621D0001 OFFER DATED ____, 2023.

YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR

CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS.

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

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

30c. DATE SIGNED

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 02/2012)

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

RFQ 19UK5623Q0002

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

The Contractor shall provide legal advice services relating to pension schemes, as described in Solicitation number

19UK5623Q0002.

Each

£0.00

£0.00

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: _______________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

PARTIAL FINAL

COMPLETE PARTIAL

FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NO.

39. S/R VOUCHER NO. 40. PAID BY

41.a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print) 41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41C. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC’D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SF-1449 COVER SHEET

A. PRICING

B. STATEMENT OF WORK

C. PACKAGING AND MARKING

D. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E. DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

F. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G. SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

H. CLAUSES

I. RESERVED

J. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SUBMIT A QUOTATION

K. EVALUATION CRITERIA

L. REPRESENTATIONS CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER

STATEMENTS

SECTION A – PRICING

A.1 CONTRACT TYPE

The Contractor shall perform all work required in Section B for various projects required by U.S. Embassy, London. This is an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity rate-based purchase order with fixed hourly rates. The Contracting Officer shall order work through task orders. The hourly rates stated in this purchase order shall include all direct and indirect costs, insurance, overhead, general and administrative expense, and profit.

A.2 LEVEL OF EFFORT

(a) The Contractor shall provide the services for the base period of the contract at the rates stated below.

(b) The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not guaranteed by this contract.

(c) The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the services as specified in the Schedule. The Government may issue orders requiring multiple types of services. Except as specified in the Delivery-Order Limitations clause or in the paragraph below, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued.

A.3 PRICING

A.3.1. Value Added Tax

VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT). The Contractor shall include VAT as a separate charge on the Invoice and as a separate line item in Section B.

A.3.2. The Government will issue task orders to the Contractor on a firm fixed price basis. In establishing the fixed price for individual task orders, the Government will use the fixed hourly labor rates listed below.

BASE YEAR:

Position Estimated

Number of Units

Unit Unit Price (GBP ex-

VAT)

VAT @

20%

Total Estimated Price GBP (Estimated units x Unit rate Including

VAT)

Partners and Consultants per hour

Associates per hour Other solicitors or legal executives and Senior Managers per hour

Trainee solicitors and paralegals per hour

Reproductions per page Couriers per delivery Notarizations per notarization

OPTION YEAR 1:

Number of Units

Unit Unit Price (GBP ex-

VAT)

VAT @

20%

Total Estimated Price GBP (Estimated units x Unit rate including

VAT)

Partners and Consultants per hour

Associates per hour Other solicitors or legal executives and Senior Managers per hour

Trainee solicitors and paralegals per hour

Reproductions per page Couriers per delivery

OPTION YEAR 2:

Number of Units

Unit Unit Price (GBP ex-

VAT)

VAT @

20%

Total Estimated Price GBP (Estimated units x Unit rate including

VAT)

Partners and Consultants per hour

Associates per hour Other solicitors or legal executives and Senior Managers per hour

Trainee solicitors and paralegals per hour

Reproductions per page Couriers per delivery

GRAND TOTAL OF BASE PLUS OPTION YEARS

Total for Base Year including VAT Total for Option Year 1 including VAT Total for Option Year 2 including VAT Grand Total for Base and Option Years including VAT

A.4 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS

During this contract period, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of GBP £10,000.00. This reflects the contract minimum for the entire period of performance, including any options. The amount of all orders shall not exceed GBP £185,000.00. This reflects the contract maximum for the entire period of performance, including any options.

SECTION B – STATEMENT OF WORK

In order to assure compliance with the stringent qualitative standards of The UK Pensions Regulator, the U.S. Embassy, London requires a legal firm specializing in UK pensions law to provide a full range of UK pensions legal advice in relation to the existing Defined Benefits and Defined Contribution Schemes for the locally hired staff. There is a substantive body of proprietary information held by the Embassy’s Pension Administrator. Use of this information will be governed by all GDPR thereto appertaining. Upon request and after receipt of a fully approved Delivery Order/Task Order, the Contractor shall advise on topics related to all aspects of pensions law as they relate to Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Schemes, including but not limited to:

B.1 Workplace pensions & auto-enrolment.

B.2 Scheme documentation, Scheme Rules, consolidations & amendments.

B.3 Member communications and employer pension consultation exercises.

B.4 Scheme funding and covenant issues.

B.5 Liability management and reduction exercises.

SECTION C - PACKAGING AND MARKING

All deliverables shall be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer at LondonGSOCO@state.gov.

SECTION D - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

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. In addition, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at: Acquisition.gov this address is subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the location indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at e-CFR to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an Internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE

(AUG 2020)

52.204-19 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND

CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2014)

52.246-6 INSPECTION--TIME-AND-MATERIAL AND LABOR-HOUR (MAY 2001)

52.246-26 REPORTING NONFORMING ITEMS (JUN 2020)

https://acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://gov.ecfr.io/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d9a7851186785ba2b1896db79b1b6b29&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title48/48tab_02.tpl

SECTION E - DELIVERIES AND PERFORMANCE

E.1 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. In addition, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at: Acquisition.gov this address is subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the location indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at e-CFR to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an Internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.242-15 STOP-WORK ORDER (AUG 1989)

E.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The base contract period will be one year from the date of award. The Government may extend the purchase order by exercising a one-year option. The contract period, including a maximum of two (2) option years, may not exceed three (3) years.

https://gov.ecfr.io/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d9a7851186785ba2b1896db79b1b6b29&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title48/48tab_02.tpl

SECTION F - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

F.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE

652.242-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR) (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contracting Officer may designate in writing one or more Government employees, by name or position title, to take action for the Contracting Officer under this contract. Each designee shall be identified as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Such designation(s) shall specify the scope and limitations of the authority so delegated; provided, that the designee shall not change the terms or conditions of the contract, unless the COR is a warranted Contracting Officer and this authority is delegated in the designation.

(b) The COR for this contract is the Assistant General Services Officer.

F.2 INVOICING AND PAYING INSTRUCTIONS

a. The Contractor shall submit the invoice in the original and three copies to the designated billing address indicated below. The COR will determine if the invoice is complete and proper as submitted. The COR also will determine if billed services have been satisfactorily performed. If the amount billed is incorrect, the COR will, within seven days, request the Contractor to submit a revised invoice.

b. The Contractor shall specifically identify the last invoice as "Final Invoice." The final invoice shall include the remaining payments due under the basic contract and any and all modifications issued.

c. Contractor shall send the invoices electronically to the Contracting Officer at LondonGSOCO@state.gov.

The Contractor shall show Value Added Tax (VAT) as a separate item on invoices submitted for payment.

SECTION G - SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

G.1. PERMITS

Without additional cost to the Government, the Contractor shall obtain all permits, licenses, and appointments required for this contract.

G.2 RELEASE OF INFORMATION

There is a substantive body of proprietary information held by the Embassy’s Pension Administrator. Use of this information is governed by all GDPR thereto appertaining. All information furnished to the Contractor and developed by the Contractor in connection with this transaction shall be considered privileged. The Contractor shall make no public announcements, including news or press releases about this contract.

G.3 TASK ORDERS

Task Orders under this Purchase Order shall be issued on OF 347 and shall include, but not be limited to the following information:

(a) Name of contractor

(b) Purchase Order number and date

(c) Task order number

(d) Description of services to be performed

(e) Estimated number of hours

(f) Hourly rate and Not-to-Exceed price

(g) Specific property under consideration

The Contracting Officer may place orders orally, telephonically, by facsimile, or in writing. The Contracting Officer will confirm oral orders in writing within three calendar days.

SECTION H - CLAUSES

H.1 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. In addition, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at: Acquisition.gov this address is subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the location indicated above, use the Department of State Acquisition website at e-CFR to see the links to the FAR. You may also use an Internet “search engine” (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

CLAUSE TITLE AND DATE

52.202-1 DEFINITION (JUN 2020)

52.204-10 REPORTING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST-TIER SUBCONTRACT

AWARDS (JUN 2020)

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

52.204-25 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING FOR CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATION AND

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

52.209-6 PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT’S INTEREST WHEN

SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED,

SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT (JUN 2020)

52.213-4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS – SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITIONS (OTHER THAN

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (OCT 2022)

52.222-19 CHILD LABOR – COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES AND REMEDIES (JAN 2018)

52.222-50 COMBATTING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (OCT 2020)

52.223-18 ENCOURAGING CONTRACTOR POLICIES TO BAN TEXT MESSAGING WHILE

DRIVING (JUN 2020)

52.225-13 RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PURCHASES (FEB 2021)

52.225-14 INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN ENGLISH VERSION AND TRANSLATION OF

CONTRACT (FEB 2000)

https://gov.ecfr.io/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d9a7851186785ba2b1896db79b1b6b29&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title48/48tab_02.tpl

52.227-17 RIGHTS IN DATA - SPECIAL WORKS (DEC 2007)

52.228-3 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE (Defense Base Act) (JUL 2014)

52.232-7 PAYMENTS UNDER TIME-AND-MATERIALS AND LABOR-HOUR CONTRACTS

(AUG 2012)

52.232-24 PROHIBITION OF ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS (JAN 1986)

52.232-25 PROMPT PAYMENT (JULY 2013)

52.232-33 PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER – SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

52.233-1 DISPUTES (JULY 2002)

52.243-3 CHANGES – TIME-AND-MATERIALS OR LABOR HOURS (SEPT 2000)

52.244-6 SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

(JAN 2022)

52.249-4 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT (SERVICES) (SHORT

FORM) (APR 1984)

52.249-6 TERMINATION (COST-REIMBURSEMENT) (MAY 2004)

52.249-14 EXCUSABLE DELAYS (APR 1984)

H.2 FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CLAUSES PROVIDED IN FULL TEXT

52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

(a) Any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered by issuance of delivery orders or task orders by the individuals or activities designated in the Schedule. Such orders may be issued from effective date of award for 365 days.

(b) All delivery orders or task orders are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a delivery order or task order and this contract, the contract shall control.

(c) A delivery order or task order is considered “issued” when –

(1) If sent by mail (includes transmittal by U.S. mail or private delivery service), the Government deposits the order in the mail;

(2) If sent by fax, the Government transmits the order to the Contractor’s fax number; or

(3) If sent electronically, the Government either –

(i) Posts a copy of the delivery order or task order to a Government document access system, and notice is sent to the Contractor; or

(ii) Distributes the delivery order or task order via email to the Contractor’s email address.

(d) Orders may be issued by methods other than those enumerated in this clause only if authorized in the contract.

(End of clause)

52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than £200.00, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor—

(1) Any order for a single item in excess of £83,000.00;

(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of £185,000.00; or

(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within 10 days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (1) or (2) above.

(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirement clause at subsection 52.216- 21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph

(b) above.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) above, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within five days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the “maximum.” The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the “minimum.”

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor’s and Government’s rights and obligations with respect to that order to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract’s effective period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after one year beyond the contract’s effective period.

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. 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 the performance period of the contract.

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 the performance period of the contract or within 30 days after funds for the option year become available, whichever is later.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option provision.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed three (3) years.

52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

Funds are not presently available for performance under this contract beyond September 30 of the current calander year. The Government's obligation for performance of this contract beyond that date is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond September 30 of the current calander year, until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for performance and until the Contractor receives notice of availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.

H.3 DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACQUISITION REGULATION (DOSAR) CLAUSES

652.204-70 DEPARTMENT OF STATE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUANCE

PROCEDURES (MAY 2011)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the Department of State (DOS) Personal Identification Card Issuance Procedures for all employees performing under this contract who require frequent and continuing access to DOS facilities, or information systems. The Contractor shall insert this clause in all subcontracts when the subcontractor’s employees will require frequent and continuing access to DOS facilities, or information systems.

(b) The DOS Personal Identification Card Issuance Procedures may be accessed at http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/c21664.htm .

CONTRACTOR IDENTIFICATION (JULY 2008)

Contract performance may require contractor personnel to attend meetings with government personnel and the public, work within government offices, and/or utilize government email.

Contractor personnel must take the following actions to identify themselves as non-federal employees:

1) Use an email signature block that shows name, the office being supported and company affiliation (e.g. “John Smith, Office of Human Resources, ACME Corporation Support Contractor”);

2) Clearly identify themselves and their contractor affiliation in meetings;

3) Identify their contractor affiliation in Departmental e-mail and phone listings whenever contractor personnel are included in those listings; and

4) Contractor personnel may not utilize Department of State logos or indicia on business cards.

652.216-70 ORDERING - INDEFINITE - DELIVERY CONTRACT (DEC 1994)

The Government shall use one of the following forms to issue orders under this contract:

(a) Optional Form (OF) 347, Order for Supplies or Service; OR

(b) Optional Form (OF) 206, Purchase Order, Receiving Report and Voucher.

652.229-71 PERSONAL PROPERTY DISPOSITION AT POSTS ABROAD (AUG 1999)

Regulations at 22 CFR Part 136 require that U.S. Government employees and their families do not profit personally from sales or other transactions with persons who are not themselves entitled to exemption from import restrictions, duties, or taxes. Should the Contractor experience importation or tax privileges in a foreign country because of its contractual relationship to the United States Government, the Contractor http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/c21664.htm shall observe the requirements of 22 CFR Part 136 and all policies, rules, and procedures issued by the chief of mission in that foreign country.

652.242-73 AUTHORIZATION AND PERFORMANCE (AUG 1999)

(a) The Contractor warrants the following:

(1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do business in the country or countries in which this contract will be performed;

(2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits required to perform this contract; and,

(3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor standards, and regulations of said country or countries during the performance of this contract.

(b) If the party actually performing the work will be a subcontractor or joint venture partner, then such subcontractor or joint venture partner agrees to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this clause.

652.243-70 NOTICES (AUG 1999)

Any notice or request relating to this contract given by either party to the other shall be in writing.

Said notice or request shall be mailed or delivered by hand to the other party at the address provided in the schedule of the contract. All modifications to the contract must be made in writing by the Contracting Officer.

SECTION I - LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

RESERVED

SECTION J - INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SUBMIT A QUOTATION

J.1 SUBMISSION OF QUOTATIONS

This solicitation is for the performance of the services described in Section B.

Summary of Instructions

Each quotation must consist of the following physically separate volumes:

Volume Title # of Copies

1 Executed Standard Form 1449 1 and Completed Section A

2 Management Information 1

Submit the complete quotation to the address on SF-1449.

The quoter shall state any deviations, exceptions, or conditional assumptions taken regarding this solicitation and explain/justify them in the appropriate volume of the offer.

1. Volume 1 shall contain complete pricing schedules as identified in Section A, including an hourly rate of professional hours, travel expenses, overhead, G&A, profit, subcontractor costs, reproduction costs and all other costs related to the services required to perform the work described in Section B of this request for quotations.

2. Volume 2 shall include information demonstrating the quoter’s ability to perform including:

Instructions to Offeror. Each offer must consist of the following:

1. List of clients over the past three (3) years, demonstrating prior experience with relevant past performance information and references (provide dates of contracts, places of performance, value of contracts, contact names, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses). If the offeror has not performed comparable services in the United Kingdom then the offeror shall provide its international experience. Offerors are advised that the past performance information requested above may be discussed with the client’s contact person. In addition, the client’s contact person may be asked to comment on the offeror’s:

Quality of services provided under the contract;

Compliance with contract terms and conditions;

Effectiveness of management;

Willingness to cooperate with and assist the customer in routine matters, and when confronted by unexpected difficulties; and Business integrity / business conduct.

The Government will use past performance information primarily to assess an offeror’s capability to meet the solicitation performance requirements, including the relevance and successful performance of the offeror’s work experience. The Government may also use this data to evaluate the credibility of the offeror’s proposal. In addition, the Contracting Officer may use past performance information in making a determination of responsibility.

2. Evidence that the offeror/quoter operates an established business with a permanent address and telephone listing in the United Kingdom or plans to establish an office within 30 days of contract award.

3. Evidence that the offeror/quoter can provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and financial resources needed to perform the work.

4. The offeror shall address its plan to obtain all licenses and permits required by local law (see

DOSAR 652.242-73 in Section 2). If offeror already possesses the locally required licenses and permits, a copy shall be provided

4. The offeror’s strategic plan for providing legal advice services relating to pension schemes, to include but not limited to:

(a) A work plan taking into account all topics in Section 1, Performance Work Statement;

(b) Identify types and quantities of equipment, supplies and materials required for performance of services under this contract. Identify if the offeror already possesses the listed items and their condition for suitability and if not already possessed or inadequate for use how and when the items will be obtained;

(c) Plan of ensuring quality of services including but not limited to contract administration and oversight;

(d) (1) If insurance is required by the solicitation, a copy of the Certificate of Insurance(s), or

(2) a statement that the Contractor will get the required insurance, and the name of the insurance provider to be used; and

(e) Identify by Section 1 topics all attorneys and other professional staff who will perform work related to this contract and provide resumes.

J.2 Submit the complete quotation electronically to the address indicated on the solicitation cover page.

Quotations submitted after the due date and time indicated on the SF-1449 cover sheet may not be considered.

J.3 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates the following 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:

http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html/ or http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm. These addresses are subject to change.

If the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not available at the locations indicated above, use of an Internet "search engine" (for example, Google, Yahoo or Excite) to obtain the latest location of the most current FAR.

PROVISION TITLE AND DATE

52.204-7 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

52.204-16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING

(AUG 2020)

52.214-34 SUBMISSION OF OFFERS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (APR 1991)

52.215-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION (JAN 2017)

J-3 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT

52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity type contract resulting from this solicitation.

(End of provision)

52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEPT 2006)

(a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the General Accounting Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from LondonGSOCO@state.gov.

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

J-4 FINANCIAL STATEMENT

The offeror shall provide a current statement of its financial condition, certified by a third party, that includes:

Income (profit-loss) Statement that shows profitability for the past three (3) years;

http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html/ http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm

Balance Sheet that shows the assets owned and the claims against those assets, or what a firm owns and what it owes; and

Cash Flow Statement that shows the firm’s sources and uses of cash during the most recent accounting period. This will help the Government assess a firm’s ability to pay its obligations.

The Government will use this information to determine the offeror’s financial responsibility and ability to perform under the contract. Failure of an offeror to comply with a request for this information may cause the Government to determine the offeror to be nonresponsible.

SECTION K – EVALUATION CRITERIA

K.1 The U.S. Government intends to award a contract to the responsible offeror representing best value using comparative evaluation authorized under FAR 13.106-2(b) (3).

The Government intends to award a single, twelve (12)-month contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible contractor whose quotation conforms to the solicitation and represents the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered utilizing FAR 13 Comparative Evaluation. This selection process will utilize FAR 13 procedures.

After preliminary consideration of all offers, the Department will no longer consider offers that do not meet basic standards to be eligible for award. The offers that remain will be subject to a comparative evaluation.

The preliminary evaluation process shall include the following:

COMPLIANCE REVIEW. The Government will perform an initial review of proposals/quotations received to determine completeness and compliance with the terms of the solicitation. The Government may reject as unacceptable proposals/quotations that do not conform to the solicitation.

Comparative Evaluation

A comparative evaluation will be performed in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3). A comparative evaluation is defined as the act of comparing two or more offers in response to the RFQ. The item-by-item comparison is performed by comparing each offer to directly to one another to determine which provides the best value to the Department utilizing technical, past performance criteria and price as described below. This is NOT a low price technically acceptable or trade-off process.

Evaluation Criteria

Technical: Technical will be evaluated on the basis of a direct comparison to other offers to discern if there is any kind of technical quality superiority that would support an award to a higher priced offer. Technical discriminators by requirement may include:

Past Performance: Past performance will be evaluated on the basis of a direct comparison to other offers to discern if there is any significant past performance superiority that would support an award to a higher priced offer. Past performance as a discriminator may be appropriate where based on the offeror’s performance record, the Government has a high expectation that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort.

Price will be evaluated to ensure the proposed price is fair and reasonable. The Government reserves the right to reject proposals that are unreasonably low or high in price.

RESPONSIBILITY DETERMINATION.

Acceptability will be determined by assessing the quoter’s compliance with the terms of the RFQ.

Responsibility will be determined by analyzing whether the apparent successful quoter complies with the requirements of FAR 9.1, including:

• adequate financial resources or the ability to obtain them;

• ability to comply with the required performance period, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments;

• satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics;

• necessary organization, experience, and skills or the ability to obtain them;

• necessary equipment and facilities or the ability to obtain them; and

• otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations.

The Government reserves the right to reject quotations that are unreasonably low or high in price.

K.2 THE FOLLOWING FAR PROVISION IS PROVIDED IN FULL TEXT:

Reserved.

K.3 SEPARATE CHARGES

Separate charges, in any form, are not solicited. For example, any charges for failure to exercise an option are unacceptable.

SECTION L - REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS

L.1 52.204-3 TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION (OCT 1998)

(a) Definitions.

"Common parent", as used in this provision, means that corporate entity that owns or controls an affiliated group of corporations that files its Federal income tax returns on a consolidated basis, and of which the offeror is a member.

“Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)", as used in this provision, means the number required by the IRS to be used by the offeror in reporting income tax and other returns. The TIN may be either a Social Security Number or an Employer Identification Number.

(b) All offerors must submit the information required in paragraphs (d) through (f) of this provision in order to comply with debt collection requirements of 31 U.S.C. 7701(c) and 3325 (d), reporting requirements of 26 USC 6041, 6041A, and 6050M and implementing regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the resulting contract is subject to the reporting requirements described in FAR 4.904, the failure or refusal by the offeror to furnish the information may result in a 31 percent reduction of payments otherwise due under the contract.

(c) The TIN may be used by the Government to collect and report on any delinquent amounts arising out of the offeror’s relationship with the Government (3l USC 7701( c)(3)). If the resulting contract is subject to the payment reporting requirements described in FAR 4.904, the TIN provided hereunder may be matched with IRS records to verify the accuracy of the offeror’s TIN.

(d) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

TIN: ____________________________

TIN has been applied for.

TIN is not required because:

Offeror is a nonresident alien, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership that does not have income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and does not have an office or place of business or a fiscal paying agent in the U.S.;

Offeror is an agency or instrumentality of a foreign government;

Offeror is an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government.

(e) Type of Organization.

Sole Proprietorship;

Partnership;

Corporate Entity (not tax exempt);

Corporate Entity (tax exempt);

Government Entity (Federal, State or local);

Foreign Government;

International organization per 26 CFR 1.6049-4;

Other _________________________________.

(f) Common Parent.

Offeror is not owned or controlled by a common parent as defined in paragraph (a) of this clause.

Name and TIN of common parent:

Name _____________________________

TIN ______________________________

L2. 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (JAN 2022)

(a) (1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is_524113/524114_ [insert NAICS code].

(2) The small business size standard is 38,500,000 MILLION DOLLARS [insert size standard].

(3) The small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees if the acquisition— (i)Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(ii)Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or (iii)Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b)

(1) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is included in this solicitation, paragraph

(d) of this provision applies.

(2) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is not included in this solicitation, and the Offeror has an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), the Offeror may choose to use paragraph (d) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The Offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

(i) □ Paragraph (d) applies.

(ii) □ Paragraph (d) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation.

(c)

(1) The following representations or certifications in SAM are applicable to this solicitation as indicated:

(i) 52.203-2, Certificate of Independent Price Determination. This provision applies to solicitations when a firm-fixed-price contract or fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment is contemplated, unless–

(A) The acquisition is to be made under the simplified acquisition procedures in part 13;

(B) The solicitation is a request for technical proposals under two-step sealed bidding procedures; or

(C) The solicitation is for utility services for which rates are set by law or regulation.

(ii) 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions. This provision applies to solicitations expected to exceed $150,000.

(iii) 52.203-18, Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation. This provision applies to all solicitations.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-7#FAR_52_204_7 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-7#FAR_52_204_7 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-2#FAR_52_203_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-13#FAR_Part_13 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-11#FAR_52_203_11 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-18#FAR_52_203_18

(iv) 52.204-3, Taxpayer Identification. This provision applies to solicitations that do not include the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

(v) 52.204-5, Women-Owned Business (Other Than Small Business). This provision applies to solicitations that-

(A) Are not set aside for small business concerns;

(B) Exceed the simplified acquisition threshold; and

(C) Are for contracts that will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(vi) 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(vii) 52.209-2, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations-Representation.

(viii) 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. This provision applies to solicitations where the contract value is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(ix) 52.209-11, Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(x) 52.214-14, Place of Performance-Sealed Bidding. This provision applies to invitations for bids except those in which the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(xi) 52.215-6, Place of Performance. This provision applies to solicitations unless the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(xii) 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representations (Basic, Alternates I, and II). This provision applies to solicitations when the contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(A) The basic provision applies when the solicitations are issued by other than DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard.

(B) The provision with its Alternate I applies to solicitations issued by DoD, NASA, or the Coast Guard.

(C) The provision with its Alternate II applies to solicitations that will result in a multiple-award contract with more than one NAICS code assigned.

(xiii) 52.219-2, Equal Low Bids. This provision applies to solicitations when contracting by sealed bidding and the contract will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(xiv) 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports. This provision applies to solicitations that include the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xv) 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance. This provision applies to solicitations, other than those for construction, when the solicitation includes the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xvi) 52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans’ Employment Reporting Requirements. This provision applies to solicitations when it is anticipated the contract award will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and the contract is not for acquisition of commercial products or commercial services.

(xvii) 52.223-1, Biobased Product Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that require the delivery or specify the use of USDA–designated items; or include the clause at 52.223-2, Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts.

(xviii) 52.223-4, Recovered Material Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that are for, or specify the use of, EPA–designated items.

(xix) 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals- Representation. This provision applies to solicitations that include the clause at 52.204-7.)

(xx) 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate. This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-1.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-3#FAR_52_204_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-7#FAR_52_204_7 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-5#FAR_52_204_5 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-26#FAR_52_204_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.209-2#FAR_52_209_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.209-5#FAR_52_209_5 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.209-11#FAR_52_209_11 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.214-14#FAR_52_214_14 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-6#FAR_52_215_6 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.219-1#FAR_52_219_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.219-2#FAR_52_219_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-22#FAR_52_222_22 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-26#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-25#FAR_52_222_25 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-26#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-38#FAR_52_222_38 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.223-1#FAR_52_223_1 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.223-2#FAR_52_223_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.223-4#FAR_52_223_4 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.223-22#FAR_52_223_22 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-7#FAR_52_204_7 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.225-2#FAR_52_225_2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.225-1#FAR_52_225_1

(xxi) 52.225-4, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate. (Basic, Alternates I, II, and III.) This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-3.

(A) If the acquisition value is less than $25,000, the basic provision applies.

(B) If the…