SSA-RFP-11-1027 v2.docx

SECTION B - CONTINUATION FROM SF 1449

B-2 STATEMENT OF WORK

Consultant(s) to Social Security Administration on the Activities Related to the Design and Development of an Occupational Information System

B2-1 PURPOSE

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is developing a new occupational information system (OIS) that will be used for the agency’s disability programs and adjudicative needs. The new OIS will serve as a long-term replacement for the occupational information that the agency currently obtains from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and other companion volumes such as the Selected Characteristics of Occupations (SCO). The OIS Development Project addresses a critical need within the agency that is reflected in the agency’s strategic plan.[footnoteRef:1] [1: “Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008 – 2013” (September 2008), page 4. A copy of the Strategic Plan is available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/asp/index.htm.]

The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain the services of an expert(s) in the field of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology to provide consultation and advice to the agency on a number of Research and Development (R&D) activities that are critical to the development of a new OIS. Activities include planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of research projects associated with the OIS Development project.

B2-2 BACKGROUND

In order to serve people who file Social Security disability claims, SSA needs information about work that exists throughout the nation to determine whether claimants’ impairments prevent them from doing not only their past work, but also any other work in the U.S. economy. [footnoteRef:2] SSA uses the DOT and its companion volume, the SCO, as the primary sources of information about work and work requirements. [footnoteRef:3] However, the Department of Labor (DOL) last updated the DOT in 1991 and has no plans to conduct further updates. Instead, DOL has developed the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) system to replace the DOT; however, SSA is unable to use the O*NET. Because the O*NET was developed to meet the needs of DOL’s programs, its design is substantially different from that which SSA would need as an occupational resource to adjudicate disability claims. [2: The Social Security Act, section 223 (d)(2)(A) defines disability as “An individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. For purposes of the preceding sentence (with respect to any individual), “work which exists in the national economy” means work which exists in significant numbers either in the region where such individual lives or in several regions of the country.”] [3: SSA has published regulations describing the process it follows to meet these requirements of the ACT. SSA uses a five-step process to evaluate disability as described in 20 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 404.1520 and 416.920. The specific process used to address the work standard described in the Act is contained in 20 CFR404.1545 to 404.1569a, Appendix 2 to Part 404 Subpart P, and 416.945 to 4

SSA’s Development of a New Occupational Information System

SSA’s OIS initiative involves three key phases: R&D, Disability Process and Systems Integration, and Ongoing Maintenance. The current focus of the project is the R&D phase. The scope of the R&D phase is to develop, and subsequently test, the requirements, content, and methods needed to create, refine, and maintain an OIS tailored for SSA’s disability programs. A central step in the R&D phase is to establish a content model. The content model represents the totality of constructs that will form the basis of the new OIS – the things that need to be measured through job/work analysis. A number of widely accepted definitions of job analysis exist. Harvey (1991) defines job analysis as the “collection of data describing (a) observable (or otherwise verifiable) job behaviors by workers, including both what is accomplished as well as what technologies are employed to accomplish the end results and (b) verifiable characteristics of the job environment with which workers interact, including physical, mechanical, social, and informational elements” (Harvey: 1991, 74).[footnoteRef:4] [4: 4 Harvey, R.J. (1991). Chapter 2: Job Analysis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, in M.D. Dunnette and L.M. Hough (Ed.) Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Second Edition. Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc.

McCormick (1976) offers another definition. He identified job analysis as the collection of job information as it relates to one of six categories: (1) work activities (e.g., job-oriented activities and worker-oriented activities); (2) machines, tools equipment, and work aids used; (3) job related tangibles and intangibles (e.g., materials processed and products made); (4) work performance, (e.g., work measurement and standards); (5) job context (e.g., physical working conditions and work schedule); and (6) personnel requirements (e.g., job-related knowledge and skills and personal attributes).[footnoteRef:5] [5: See McCormick, E.J. (1976). Chapter 15: Job and Task Analysis, in M.D. Dunnettee (Ed.) Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology: First Edition, Chicago, IL: Rand McNally College Publishing Company.]

Formulation of the content model is a prerequisite for other essential steps in the OIS development process, in particular, the development and testing of a work analysis instrument that will serve as the basis for OIS data collection and that will result in further refinement of the content model.

SSA has already begun a number of activities toward the development of the content model. Some of the activities currently under way include:

· International and domestic OIS investigations to identify principal design features and functionality of existing OISs.

· Identification and development of operational usability criteria and standards for legal and scientific defensibility.

· Collection of occupational and medical vocational information from electronic disability claims to identify jobs that occur most frequently in claimant profiles and the occupations most commonly cited by the agency. This information will be used to inform initial sampling strategies during prototype instrument testing.

Additionally, SSA has also received ongoing input and guidance from the Occupational Information Development Advisory Panel (Panel), which is charged with advising and making recommendations to the SSA for the development of the new OIS.[footnoteRef:6] The Panel is an independent advisory committee established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and is comprised of external experts. Throughout 2009, the Panel conducted public meetings about the content model and received representations, testimony, and written comment from individuals and stakeholder organizations. In September 2009, the Panel presented the Commissioner with its first set of recommendations, the Content Model and Classification Recommendations for the Social Security Administration Occupational Information System.[footnoteRef:7] Since 2009, SSA has engaged in the initial stages of R&D, as well as continuing to work with the Panel. [6: For information about the Panel, see the Panel’s website at: http://www.ssa.gov/oidap/index.htm. This site contains, for example, recommendations made by the Panel and working papers describing the development of the OIS.] [7: See http://www.ssa.gov/oidap/index.htm.]

Role of the Consultants

The consultant(s) awarded this contract will begin by reviewing necessary background information including internal papers, recommendations provided by the Panel[footnoteRef:8], and research plans included in the R&D phase identified above. The consultant(s) will have an opportunity to provide input regarding the research plans. The consultant(s) will assist in the development and formalization of research efforts aimed at content model development, including plans and methods for work analysis instrument development and testing. [8: Working Papers and Recommendations can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/oidap/index.htm]

B2-3 QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONNEL

All contractor and subcontractor personnel performing consulting work under this contract must demonstrate/possess education and experience credentials appropriate for the applicable subject area, be free from any apparent or potential conflict of interest or ideological bias that could affect the objectivity of the research, and be available for the duration of the project. All contractor and subcontractor employees performing consulting work under this contract must have the appropriate level degree in psychology, industrial/organizational psychology or a related field as represented in the response to the Request for Proposal. All contractor and subcontractor personnel performing consulting work under this contract, must possess the appropriate level of professional experience relating to at least one of the following areas as represented in the contractor’s response to the Request for Proposal:

· The design, development, administration, analysis, and norming of work analysis instruments. This may include, for example, taxonomic development (i.e., development of work dimensions), construct development (i.e., worker behaviors and worker attributes/general work activities), and item development.

OR

· Proficiency in measurement. For example, designing and conducting psychometric analyses (classical and modern item analysis, scaling, equating, Monte Carlo methods, and examining reliability and validity).

B2-4 SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant I/O expert(s) shall provide consultation and advice to the agency on aspects of the R&D phase of this project, including design and testing as directed by the COTR. The consultant(s) may be asked, for example, to:

· Provide expert input on the development of initial work-taxonomic dimensions referenced in the 2009 Panel recommendations.

· Provide expert input on the methods and plans for developing and testing a work analysis instrument including:

· The identification and development of job descriptors (i.e., tasks, work behaviors, activities, duties, responsibilities, and contextual characteristics such as environmental conditions) that can be applied to all jobs and for which data are observable, behaviorally specific, and can be empirically linked to unobservable characteristics of individuals that are deduced from an individual’s behavior;

· The identification and development of relevant scales and measures associated with the job descriptors identified above;

· Provide expert input on documents (e.g., statements of work) required for the contracting process; and,

· Provide ongoing research design support and review of SSA’s research methods, data collection, and subsequent analyses.

TASKS

NOTE: During the performance of the tasks discussed below, the consultant(s) awarded contracts hereunder may become privy to certain agency information and/or may be asked to assist the agency in the development of future acquisitions that would result in the consultants obtaining an unfair competitive advantage under such acquisitions. Accordingly, the consultant(s) may be precluded from any involvement in those future acquisitions (e.g., as a consultant or subcontractor). However, the agency may consider the reports in tasks two and three for publication purposes.

The consultant(s) shall be expected to participate in the following tasks:

Task 1: Communication with SSA

Subtask 1.1: Orientation Meeting

The contractor shall participate in an introductory session (no longer than three business days) at SSA headquarters in Baltimore, MD during which time the consultant(s) will be briefed on SSA’s plans for the OIS project and R&D to date. The consultant(s) will then have the opportunity to discuss the project and offer comments and suggestions for directions on aspects of the R&D phase. The contractor shall prepare a brief document that summarizes the meeting, identifies action items, and identifies any other relevant issues related to the work performed under this contract.

Subtask 1.2: Teleconference Meetings with SSA Project Staff

The consultant(s) shall be available for, and actively participate in no less than two teleconference meetings per month. These meetings will be held via SSA teleconference lines, and the SSA COTR shall submit an agenda before each of these meetings. The consultant(s) shall be responsible for providing expert advice on the particular research issue(s) for discussion. Following the meeting, the consultant(s) shall prepare a brief document that summarizes the meeting, action items, periods of completion of action items, and any additional issues.

Subtask 1.3: Face-to-Face Meetings with SSA Project Staff The consultant(s) may be required to travel to SSA headquarters in Baltimore, MD to attend meetings in person (minimum of two, maximum of four trips per contract year) to discuss various research issues. The consultant(s) should anticipate spending a minimum of two days on site. Following each meeting, the contract shall prepare a brief document that summarizes the meeting, action items, periods of completion of action items, and any additional issues.

Subtask 1.4: Targeted Telephone Consultation with SSA Staff

SSA staff may contact the consultant(s) by telephone to discuss research issues on an ad- hoc basis.

TIME AND TASK PLAN

For tasks two through three, the consultant(s) will be required to present a Time and Task Plan (TTP) to the COTR before the consultant(s) may begin conducting activity under these tasks. The COTR will notify the consultant(s) by email or telephone that a discrete activity under tasks two through four needs to be carried out. The consultant(s) shall then prepare and submit a TTP to the COTR within two business days of the COTR notification. The TTP shall include a detailed plan for how the consultant(s) intends to address each discrete task and an appropriate estimation of the necessary resources (i.e., labor hours, tasks, resources needed, etc.) to complete each discrete task. The consultant(s) shall not commence work on the task until the COTR has approved the TTP.

TASK 2: Analytic Reports

As research progresses, SSA will identify relevant topics concerning specific research and design issues for which the consultant(s) may be required to no more than two analytic reports. Examples of topics may include work taxonomic development (i.e., development of work dimensions), work construct development (i.e., worker behaviors and work attributes/general work activities), item development including appropriate scaling/measures, and psychometric design.

The COTR shall notify the consultant(s) when SSA requires the consultant(s) to prepare an analytic report. The consultant(s) shall prepare and submit a TTP regarding the analytic report to the COTR within five business days. Following COTR approval of the TTP, the consultant(s) shall deliver an analytic report within 30 business days. Reports should be 25-30 pages (double-spaced) and include an analysis and summary of the overall findings and documentation of the sources identified (via bibliography). The consultant(s) shall respond to any SSA comments or questions in a brief written statement to SSA.

The consultant(s) must provide the analytic reports in electronic format and reports must conform to APA Style 6 format. SSA will review all reports for technical quality. After the consultant(s) receive SSA’s comments on the draft of an analytic report from the COTR, the consultant(s) shall deliver to the COTR the final of an analytic report within five business days.

TASK 3: Short Turn-Around Reports

The consultant(s) shall prepare up to three short turn around reports per year on specific research and design topics. Topics may include, but are not necessarily limited to research design issues, outcome assessments, process evaluations, and data collection requirements. Short turn around reports shall be delivered within 10 business days of COTR approval of the TTP. Each report should be approximately 5-10 pages long and provide ample analysis of a particular issue. Short turn around reports must be provided in electronic format and conform to APA Style 6 format. SSA will review all reports for technical quality and provide the consultant(s) with any necessary revisions. All final deliverables are due within ten business days of the consultant(s) receipt of technical comments by COTR.

SECTION C- Contract Clauses

C-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. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html

C-2 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (APR 2011)

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

(1) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (FEB 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

____ Alternate I (AUG 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (AUG 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (OCT 2004) (Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78).

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

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] _X__ (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

___ (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

___ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub L. 111-5) (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009).

_X__ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

___ (5) 52.204-11, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—Reporting Requirements (Jul 2010) (Pub. L. 111-5).

_X__ (6) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’ Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Dec 2010) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note). (Applies to contracts over $30,000). (Not applicable to subcontracts for the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items).

___ (7) 52.219-3, Notice of Total HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (8) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer)(15 U.S.C. 657a).

___ (9) [Reserved] ___ (10) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-6.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-6.

___ (11) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (June 2003) (15 U.S.C. 644).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 1995) of 52.219-7.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Mar 2004) of 52.219-7.

_X__ (12) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

_X__ (13) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(4).)

___ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Oct 2001) of 52.219-9.

___ (iv) Alternate III (July 2010) of 52.219-9.

___ (14) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)).

_X__ (15) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

___ (16) (i) 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (Oct 2008) (10 U.S.C. 2323) (if the offeror elects to waive the adjustment, it shall so indicate in its offer).

___ (ii) Alternate I (June 2003) of 52.219-23.

___ (17) 52.219-25, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Disadvantaged Status and Reporting (Dec 2010) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

___ (18) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program—Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323).

___ (19) 52.219-27, Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 657 f).

_X__ (20) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

___ (21) 52.219-29, Notice of Total Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Apr 2011).

___ (22) 52.219-30, Notice of Total Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Apr 2011).

_X__ (23) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755).

_X__ (24) 52.222-19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jul 2010) (E.O. 13126).

_X__ (25) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999).

_X__ (26) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

_X__ (27) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X__ (28) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).

_X__ (29) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

_X__ (30) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496).

_X__ (31) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

___ (32) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (May 2008) (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

___ (33) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b).

___ (34) (i) 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (Dec 2007) (E.O. 13423).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Dec 2007) of 52.223-16.

_X__ (35) 52.223-18, Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Sep 2010) (E.O. 13513).

___ (36) 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d).

___ (37) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American Act –Free Trade Agreements – Israeli Trade Act (Jun 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, Pub. L. 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-301, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, and 110-138).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3.

___ (iii) Alternate II (Jan 2004) of 52.225-3.

___ (38) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Aug 2009) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note).

_X__ (39) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

___ (40) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (41) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150).

___ (42) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

___ (43) 52.232.30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)).

_X__ (44) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (45) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (46) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

___ (47) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a).

___ (48) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631).

___ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64.

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

[Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] ___ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 1989) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C.206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Sep 2009) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.).

___ (7) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247).

___ (8) 52.237-11, Accepting and Dispensing of $1 Coin (Sep 2008) (31 U.S.C. 5112(p)(1)).

(d) Comptroller General Examination of Record The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation.

(1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract.

(2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved.

(3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law.

(e)

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause—

(i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Apr 2010) (Pub. L. 110-252, Title VI, Chapter 1 (41 U.S.C. 251 note)).

(ii) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Dec 2010) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds $650,000 ($1.5 million for construction of any public facility), the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities.

(iii) [Reserved]

(iv) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246).

(v) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

(vi) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793).

(vii) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40.

(viii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, (Nov 2007), (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(ix) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Feb 2009) (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

___ Alternate I (Aug 2007) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(x) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment--Requirements (Nov 2007) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(xi) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Act to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.)

(xii) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Jan 2009).

(xiii) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. (Mar 2009) (Pub. L. 110-247). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6.

(xiv) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately-Owned U.S. Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46 U.S.C. Appx 1241(b) and 10 U.S.C. 2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64.

(2) While not required, the contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations.

(End of Clause)

(2) The Contractor will have an opportunity to post comments regarding information that has been posted by the Government. The comments will be retained as long as the associated information is retained, i.e., for a total period of 6 years. Contractor comments will remain a part of the record unless the Contractor revises them.

(3)

(i) Public requests for system information posted prior to April 15, 2011, will be handled under Freedom of Information Act procedures, including, where appropriate, procedures promulgated under E.O. 12600.

(ii) As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted in FAPIIS on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance reviews, will be publicly available. (End of clause)

C-4 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services. (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days prior to the expiration of the contract

C-5 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 at any time prior to the expiration of the contract; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

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

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 42 months.

C-6 Place of Performance The effort required under this contract shall be performed at the consultant’s facility or facilities. (The contractor will be required to attend meetings at the Social Security Administration Headquarters, Baltimore, Maryland).

C-7 Period of Performance

C-8 Schedule of Deliverables

The contractor shall submit the following items in the quantities and during the time periods indicated below to the COTR.

Meeting Summaries

C-9 Contractor Performance Review and Reports

Interim and final evaluations of contractor performance shall be conducted on this contract in accordance with FAR 42.15, and will be prepared using the Department of Defense’s Contractor Performance Assessment Report System (CPARS). The final performance evaluation shall be completed at the time of completion of work. Interim and final evaluations will be submitted to the Contractor as soon as practicable. The Contractor will be permitted thirty days to review the document and to submit additional information or a rebutting statement.

C-10 Contract Administration

The contractor's representative responsible for handling contract administration is:

_________ ________To Be Determined at Time of Award_______________

C-11 Designation of Government Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

(a) The individual(s) named below is hereby designated as the Government Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). If an alternate COTR is also listed below, that person will serve in the COTR's stead when the COTR is unavailable. The COTR is responsible for the technical administration of this contract, [in accordance with the provisions of the clause included herein entitled, "Technical Direction."] (Reference Section E-15).

NAME ADDRESS

COTR (NAME TO BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD)

Alternate (NAME TO BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD)

(b) The COTR, or his/her authorized representative, shall be responsible for coordinating with the contractor the technical aspects of the contract. The COTR is not authorized to make any changes which affect the contract amount, terms or conditions. The contracting officer is the only person with the authority to act as agent of the Government under this contract. Only the contracting officer has authority to: (1) direct or negotiate any changes in the Statement of Work; (2) modify or extend the period of performance; (3) change the delivery schedule; (4) authorize reimbursement to the contractor any costs incurred during the performance of this contract; or (5) otherwise change any terms and conditions of this contract.

(c) The COTR’s authorized representatives at the SSA sites WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT TIME OF CONTRACT AWARD.

C-12 Technical Direction

Performance of the work under this contract shall be subject to the technical direction of the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). The term "technical direction" is defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(a) Directions to the contractor which redirect the contract effort, shift work emphasis between work areas or tasks, require the pursuit of certain lines of inquiry, fill in details or otherwise serve to accomplish contractual statements of work.

(b) Provision of information to the contractor which assists in the interpretation of specifications or technical portions of the work description.

(c) Review and, where required by contract, approval of specifications or technical information to be delivered by the contractor to the Government under the contract.

Technical direction must be within the general scope of work stated in the contract. The COTR does not have the authority to, and may not, issue any technical direction which: (1) constitutes the assignment of any additional work outside the general scope of the contract; (2) constitutes a change as defined in the contract clause entitled, "Changes;" (3) in any manner causes an increase or decrease in the total estimated contract cost, fixed fee or time required for the contract performance or (4) changes any of the expressed terms, conditions or specifications of the contract.

All technical directions shall be issued in writing by the COTR or shall be confirmed by him/her in writing within 5 working days after issuance.

The contractor shall proceed promptly with the performance of technical directions duly issued by the COTR in the manner prescribed by this article and within his/her authority under the provisions of this article.

If, in the opinion of the contractor, any instruction or direction issued by the COTR is within one of the categories as defined in (1) through (4) above, the contractor shall not proceed, but shall notify the contracting officer, in writing, within 5 working days after receipt of any such instruction or direction and shall request the contracting officer to modify the contract accordingly. Upon receiving such notification from the contractor, the contracting officer shall issue an appropriate contract modification or advise the contractor, in writing, that, in his/her opinion, the technical direction is within the scope of this article and does not constitute a change under the "Changes" clause of the contract. The contractor shall thereupon proceed immediately with the direction given. A failure of the parties to agree upon the nature of the instruction or direction, or upon the contract action to be taken with respect thereto, shall be subject to the provisions of the contract clause entitled, "Disputes."

C-13 Designation of Government Contracting Officer

Brenda Monch, Contracting Officer, Division of Program Contracts, has been assigned to administer the contractual aspects of this contract. However, changes in the Scope of Work, contract cost, price, quantity, quality or delivery schedule shall be made only by the Contracting Officer by a properly executed modification. All correspondence that in any way concerns the terms or conditions of this contract shall be submitted directly to the Contract Specialist at the following address:

Social Security Administration Office of Acquisition and Grants Attention: Brenda Monch, Contracting Officer 7111 Security Blvd 1st Floor Rear Entrance Baltimore, MD 21244

Telephone Number -- 410-965-9521 Fax Number – 410-966-9310 Email – brenda.monch@ssa.gov

C-14 Project Director and Key Personnel

(a) The performance of the services required by this contract shall be conducted under the direction of TBD at time of award. The Government reserves the right to approve or disapprove any successor to these individuals.

(b) The key personnel under this contract shall be:

TBD at time of Award

C-15 Substitution of Key Personnel

(a) The offeror agrees to assign to any ordered task those persons whose resumes were submitted with his proposal who are necessary to fill the requirements of the contract. No substitutions shall be made except in accordance with this clause.

(b) The offeror agrees that during the first ninety (90) days of the contract performance period no personnel substitutions will be permitted unless such substitutions are necessitated by an individual's sudden illness, death, or termination of employment. In any of these events, the contractor shall promptly notify the contracting officer and provide the information required by Paragraph (c) below. After the initial ninety (90) day period, all proposed substitutions must be submitted, in writing, at least fifteen (15) days, (thirty (30) days if security clearance is to be obtained), in advance of the proposed substitutions to the contracting officer, and provide the information required by Paragraph (c) below.

(c) All requests for substitution must provide a detailed explanation of the circumstance necessitating the proposed substitution, a complete resume for the proposed substitute and any other information requested by the contracting officer needed by him to approve or disapprove the proposed substitution. All proposed substitutes must have qualifications that are equal to or higher than the qualifications of the person to be replaced, in addition to the minimum requirements stated herein. The contracting officer or his authorized representative will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the contractor of his approval or disapproval thereof.

(d) The contractor further agrees to include the substance of this clause in any subcontract which he may award under this contract.

C-16 3201 Invoice Submission and Payment Related Information (MAR 2009)

Line item 0001 shall be invoiced in full upon completion. All travel associated with line item 0001 is included in the firm fixed price for this line item and shall not be invoiced under any other line item.

The following applies to all other line items:

· In accordance with FAR 52.212-4 ALT 1, paragraph (i) “Payments”, the contractor shall bill no more than monthly. The contractor shall identify the time spent on each deliverable in quarter hour increments for the month for each labor category. The invoice shall identify the current and cumulative costs for both labor and travel. The contract number must appear on each invoice.

· With the exception of travel associated with line item 0001, travel shall be billed at cost, but shall be in accordance with the FAR 31.205-46 “Travel Costs.” Only travel that has been pre-approved by the COTR shall be reimbursed. Travel shall be included in the monthly invoice for labor. Invoices with travel shall include a completed Attachment D-2 (found in Section D) for each trip per traveler. Travel costs claimed must be supported by copies of receipts.

· Only labor hours and travel are authorized under this contract. No other costs will be allowed. Additionally, no profit, indirect costs, G&A, or handling fees shall be applied to travel or to the fully loaded hourly rates.

· Invoices shall be forwarded to the contracting officer and the COTR in addition to the official submission to the SSA Office of Finance described below.

You may submit your invoice, electronically via email, by regular mail, or by hand carrying it to the Office of Finance at the addresses below. Your invoice must include all of the elements of a proper invoice as defined in the invoice or payment clause used in this award as well as any other information required below or in the contract.

SENDING THE INVOICE ELECTRONICALLY:

Submit your invoice either as an attachment to an email message, or within the message itself, to: OFPO.OF.DAP.INVOICES@ssa.gov.

FOR INVOICES NOT SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY:

Submit an original and three (3) copies of the invoice to:

If sent by mail:

Social Security Administration Office of Finance Post Office Box 47 Baltimore, Maryland 21235-0047

If Hand Carried:

Social Security Administration Office of Finance Customer Service Help Desk 2-B-4 East Low Rise Building 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21235-0047

The telephone number of the customer service help desk is (410) 965-0607.

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) AND DUN&BRADSTREET NUMBER (DUNS):

In order to assist the government in making timely payments, please include your TIN, your DUNS#, and the Order Number on each invoice.

SUBMISSION OF ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) INFORMATION AND REMITTANCE INFORMATION:

The Government shall make payment to the Contractor using the EFT information contained in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. In the event that the EFT information changes, the Contractor shall be responsible for providing the updated information to the CCR database.

Remittance information associated with EFT payments is now available via the Internet Payment Platform (IPP) on the Department of Treasury¡¦s Internet site at http://www.ipp.gov. The IPP site provides an explanation of how the system works, security and access information, a user demonstration, and registration information. There is no charge to use the IPP system.

You may also direct payment inquiries to SSA's Office of Finance by:

1) Using its Financial Interactive Voice Response System (FIVR). FIVR is an automated self-service telephone system available 24 hours a day that allows direct electronic access to administrative payment information using the telephone keypad. You can access FIVR by calling (410) 965-0607. The services available through FIVR will be available through a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) Line at 410-597-1395. Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer vendor payment inquiries Monday - Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

2) By sending an email to payment.inquiries@ssa.gov, or visiting its internet site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/vendor/contact.htm. You can also access the IPP system through a link on this site.

C-17 Government License to Reproduce End Products All material developed under this contract becomes the property of the Government. Accordingly, for all work developed and completed under this contract, the Government will have an unrestricted license to make and distribute copies at its discretion.

C-18 Notice of Copyright Patent Prohibition The contractor is prohibited in the copyright/patent of any item produced under this contract and/or is prohibited from claiming copyright/patent in its assistance in production of other items resulting from compensation received under this contract.

C-19 Warranty Against Dual Compensation

The contractor warrants that no part of the total contract amount provided herein shall be paid, directly or indirectly, to any officer or employee of the Social Security Administration as wages, compensation or gifts for acting as officer, employee or consultant to the contractor in connection with any work contemplated or performed under, or in connection with, this contract.

Furthermore, if the contractor is involved in two or more projects, at least one of which is supported by Federal funds, it may not be compensated for more than 100 percent of its time during any part of the period of dual involvement.

C-20 Dissemination of Information

Data and information either provided to the contractor, or to any subcontractor or generated by activities under the proposed contract shall be privileged.