2420--Grounds Maintenance/Cemetery equipment for North Atlantic and South East District.

Solicitation 36C78620Q0256 has been extended and will now close on 10-23-2020 at 12:00 Eastern Time, New York, USA.

Delivery Times

Multiple Manufacturers have delivery timelines up to 90 or even 150 days ARO based on the type of product.

Per the solicitation, expectation is that receipt of the equipment will be in 60 days however we can negotiate delivery date as long as it is reasonable.

Delivery Costs

Will the NCA take possession of equipment going to Puerto Rico via the Jacksonville Warehouse? This may allow more fair estimates for freight? If so, will the NCA process a receiving report and process payment at the time of the equipment being received at Jacksonville?

No. NCA will only process payment once the equipment has been delivered to Puerto Rico and the cemetery takes possession.

Pricing

Multiple Manufacturers would require annual pricing increases due to the cost of goods and manufacturing. Would the NCA allow annual increases to the BPA Contracted prices?

It is understood that prices will fluctuate per each year and that each

additional year prices might require further negotiations. Should the Government or the

awardee not come to terms with pricing for each additional year, either party can

terminate this agreement with a 30-day written notice by either party.

Bidding

Would each individual item purchased be bid out to all BPA contract Holders after an award/awards are made?

Individual items will be bided out to all BPA contract holders

If a BPA contract awardee only has 1 item example (line item 44 trimmer) will they have access to bid all other line items of the BPA? If so, must they be an authorized distributor for all equipment being proposed as to not provide grey market goods ?

Yes awardee will have the opportunity to bid on all other line items of the BPA. They must be an authorized distributor for all equipment being proposed.

Is there a threshold considered a fair and reasonable price that the NCA will adhere to this BPA in place of GSA, Sourcewell, State and other available purchasing options?

Fair and reasonable price are prices that are considered to be fair to both parties. With this said a fair and reasonable price will be based on a market assessment.

If all BPA contract holders are bidding individual opportunities from the BPA does the NCA give a best value approach to any brand name specified or will it be LPTA?

Please reference paragraph titled Evaluation Process to include paragraph entitled Technical Approach in order to understand the evaluation process. Quote must meet salient physical, functional or performance characteristics specified as brand name or equal.

Also please note:

The Government reserves the right to consider a response that offers more than the minimum

requirements and select that response if it provides the best benefit to the Government. Additionally, the Government also reserves the right to accept other than the lowest price offeror that provides additional

benefits to the Government.

Concerns on Set Pricing

Freight Costs are difficult to establish based on location and how machine is equipped

If multiple Add on items (example, attachments like bucket/broom/doors/cab/mirrors) are added on to baseline pricing the cost of freight as well as dealer installation and dealer deliver will be significantly higher.

Warranty Pricing will differ based on length of period and coverage

Equipment Requested

Will additional equipment or new models be added to this BPA if needed by the NCA?

Currently no, however there is always a possibility. Should that occur the potential is there to modify the current contract or even recompete

Main Document:

- NAICS Code Selection/Non-Manufacturer Rule would it be possible to change to 333111 or 333120. In review the Government has elected to leave the NACIS as 333112

- Does the SE District have a way of taking possession of machines prior to barging to Puerto Rico? It is going to be challenging to account for this OCONUS shipment portion in a Fixed Price FOB Destination Price. The SED does not have the capacity or ability to take possession of machinery that are being shipped to Puerto Rico.

- NCA is advised to be cautious of the potential for the procurement Grey Market items, or buying from resellers with limited ability to honor warranties. NCA may want to include an Authorized Distributor letter as an element of the technical or past performance evaluations.

Agreed Interested offerors shall provide Authorized Distributor Letter(s) as an element of the technical review

- Price & Product Updates Are updates going to be allowed throughout the term of the BPA? Yes

Structure of Responses

1. The current price structure does not facilitate us submitting our best proposal. The VA may be missing an opportunity to allow users to tailor a machine to suit their particular work conditions.

a. Background:

i. For each piece of equipment there is a menu of options, accessories, attachments, etc that could be ordered. To demonstrate: on a specific excavator, a customer could potentially need:

1. Options: Enclosed Cab with HVAC, Steel Tracks, Long Arm, Hydraulic X-Change System, Second Auxiliary Hydraulics System, Hydraulic Clamp w/ Diverter Valve, Hydraulic Angle Blade, 7" Touch Display, Radio, and, or, Depth Check System, Etc. &

2. Attachments: Buckets, Augers, Breakers, Plate Compactor, Ripper, Etc.

While it is understood that there are a multitude of potential options and accessories, at this time the Government is only interested at the models detailed under the Description column. If the model requires options, accessories, attachments, etc. It would have been identified in the description.

ii. Extended Warranty - what warranty term is the NCA seeking? The Government is seeking an extension of the coverage period on a standard warranty.

Would the NCA be interested in price submission to be Discount from MSRP and then allowing the whole catalog to be submitted with the proposal? Yes

Proposed Clarification Question

We assume that the agency has obtained a nonmanufacturer waiver from the U.S. Small Business Ad-ministration ( SBA ) in order to allow small businesses that are not a manufacturer to provide the equipment under the Solicitation since the Solicitation includes FAR 52.219-6 and VAAR 852.219-10 and -11, which discusses the requirements regarding the nonmanufacturer rule. Additionally, it is unclear which threshold for obtaining an SBA waiver is applicable. Please confirm whether the agency has obtained a waiver from SBA. If the agency has not, please confirm that the agency will obtain a waiver or please clarify which threshold regarding the nonmanufacturer

requirements will apply since there is ambiguity between FAR 52.219-6 and VAAR 852.219-10 and -11.

The Non manufacturer rule allows a small business to supply products it did not manufacture as long as those products come from another small business. A business may qualify as a non manufacturer if it meets the following criteria:

Does not exceed 500 employees

Is primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sells the type of products being supplied

Will supply the end products of a small business manufacturer or processor made in the United States.

The contracting officer may request an individual wavier in order to ensure that awardees meet the non-manufacturing rule criteria.

Will the BPA be issued for a single 5 year period or will the BPA have a base year and option years? Single 5 year period.

If the BPA is for a single 5 year period how does the Government require line item price escalation to be shown or computed on the bid schedule by line item over the 5 year period? If the contractor is to average out the escalation factor, please provide estimated quantity purchases by year. The Government understands the associated issues in determining estimated quantities and prices each year throughout the life of the BPA therefore in order to mitigate this issue the Government is prepared to review pricing each year and should the Government or an Awardee not come to terms this BPA can be terminated upon 30 days written notice by either party.

How many BPA s will be awarded? 4

Is this an all or none proposal, i.e. is the contractor required to provide a 5 year price for each line item, or can the contractor submit pricing for selective line items? Contractor can submit pricing for selective line items

The basis of award is stated as best value ; however, the RFQ does not identify the criteria by which best value will be determined, i.e. for commercial items it all contractors are proposing the same commercial item what constitutes best value other than price? Best Value provides the Government with the greatest overall benefit in response to this requirement. This being said best value gives the Government the opportunity to go with a higher price based on best value considerations, with no restrictions with an understanding that the Government reserve the right to consider a response that offers more than the minimum requirement and select that response if it provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government also reserves the right to accept other than the lowest price offeror that provides additional benefits to the Government. This is not an LPTA requirement however in establishing this BPA it is the Government s intent to reduce cost and increase the Governments purchasing power through discounts.

What are estimated purchase quantities by year by line item, by year by site location, and by year by region (FAR 12.603c2v)? The ship to locations significantly impact cost as costs vary by state and shipping costs vary by location. For many of these items the shipping costs are very significant per item. Currently the Government does not have the overall estimated purchase quantities by year or line item, by year by site location, or by year by region. In order to mitigate this, the Government is seeking an overall price for each item located in the description column in order to determine price reasonableness.

What is the minimum order amount per order in units and/or dollars? The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this agreement. Please reference paragraph titled PURCHASE LIMITATION.

RFQ Ordering provision does not provide a schedule of required delivery times per line item. The Ordering provision implies that the Government will stipulate the required delivery schedule on each order and the contractor will then confirm that schedule can be met, but if contractor cannot meet the schedule or fails to delivery within the government specified period then the contractor may be removed from future consideration. Please clarify the required delivery schedules by line item. The required delivery schedule is dependent upon the requirement, location and if the awardee can meet the 60 days deliver requirement unless otherwise agreed.

RFQ states that invoices are to be submitted at least monthly . Please clarify whether the contractor will be allowed to invoice on the basis of individual line items as of the date of delivery, i.e. can contractor submit multiple invoices per month on the basis of multiple individual equipment line item deliveries? Yes

Are the 3 past performance references required to be solely for commercial items delivered under BPA agreements with the Government, or can the references be for other contracts, such as construction, under which materials or equipment were delivered/furnished/installed? Past performance must be similar in size and scope to the current requirement.

Will contractor be required to file Electronic Export Information (EEI) under the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) for items shipped to Puerto Rico under this BPA? No. Puerto Rico is a United States territory and therefore not applicable to Foreign Trade Regulations.

Is contractor to include all taxes and duties into each line item price or will the VA provide tax exempt certificates? Since taxes vary by state and territory and the Government has not provided estimated quantities by location how does the Government desire the contractor to show taxes included in each line item price on the bid schedule? Provide an average cost associated with taxes and include it as part of the overall price. The Government understand that pricing can fluctuate per location.

Caterpillar backhoe line item does not specify a model number. Please clarify. The Government is looking for brand name or equal to model. This being the case if a model is not specified it is understood that the model being requested is the basic model.

Some line items come in electric rechargeable battery and in gasoline versions. Are all line items to gasoline operated? This is dependent on location and the desire of our customers. If not stated please submit pricing for the gasoline version only.

Rotodarian Tiller line items does not include a model number. Please clarify. If a model number was not provided, please provide pricing for the basic model only.

Line 69: Clarify John Deere Pro Gator which model: gas or diesel and compare to Line 75 below: Please provide Gas model

Line 72: we do not have a John Deere Lastec Xrto Gang Mower. That s a Lastec brand mower,  Are you looking for a pull behind greens mower or a self-propelled greens mower? Self propelled

Line 73: Z930R or Z930M. Z930R

Line 75: this duplicates Line 69 by the model reference. Delete line item 75 in its entirety.

Line 78: Clarify 2032R or 2038R, or both? 2032R

Line 76  John Deere Payloader w/5 yard bucket. Is there a model number? No model number provided. Please submit basic model.

Line 79 Â Caterpillar backhoe is there a model number? No model number provided. Please submit basic model.

E45 T4 Bobcat Compact Excavator 42.7 Tier4

Enclosed cab with hvac or open rops? Attachments/buckets? Basic model

Â

E50 R2-Series Bobcat Compact Excavator

Enclosed cab with hvac or open rops? Attachments/buckets? Basic model

Â

Bobcat E50 Compact Excavator

This would be the same as E50r2 shown above. Yes

Â

Bobcat T770 Skid Steer

Enclosed cab with hvac or open rops? Attachments/buckets? Basic model

Â

Bobcat Toolcat

Enclosed cab with hvac or open rops? Attachments/buckets? Basic model

Â

Bobcat 559 T4 Wheeled Skid Steer

This is not a bobcat model. Possibly you mean an S595 wheeled skid steer? The models have changed and would now be an S66 wheeled skid steer. Again would you like it open or closed cab and what for attachments shown? Basic model

Â

Bobcat A770 T4

The A770 is an all wheel steer skid steer loader that has been discontinued. We do now have a small articulating loader available. This would be an L23 or L28. Much smaller than the A770 was though. NOT a direct replacement. Please provide a brand or equal

Â

Bobcat Golf Cart

I will quote you a gas powered utility vehicle. Yes gas powered is preferred.

Â

Bobcat Toolcat 5600

Same as above bobcat toolcat Delete line item

There is one roll up CLIN 00001 for a five (5) year BPA. Should we roll up all the cost for five years into this one CLIN or will you add 4 more CLINs to break out the five-year options (exercise options)?

Provide the associated cost of the equipment. Do not roll up the cost for five years into one CLIN. It is understood that prices will fluctuate per each year and that each additional year prices might require further negotiations. Should the Government or the awardee not come to terms with pricing for each additional year, either party can terminate this agreement with a 30-day written notice by either party.

What is the basis for award and how many will be awarded on the BPA? If its base on price, how will each contractors price be compare when the locations are not refine? A bobcat can be delivered to several locations with different delivery cost. If it s a FFP will the government add the lump sum cost for that line when a call order is issued or extract the cost from the lumpsum?

The Government is awarding 4 BPA contracts. Because it is difficult to ascertain delivery locations, please provide an averaged estimated price. The Government is aware of the potential price fluctuation due to the various locations. The Government will look at the equipment requested, and tabulate associated cost such as destination cost, accessories if requested in the description column, any other additional add on, and extended warranty if applicable in order to derive at the overall cost.

3. Add On Each equipment has several add on with various prices. If it s a FFP contract will the government extract the cost for each add on or the lumpsum will be used on the call order? This range is enormously wide, and prices will be all over the X and Y axis. Can this be refined to encourage competitive proposals?

Only provide accessories or addons if the equipment in the description column request accessories or addons.

Column E has Equipment Price to include Destination Cost and Colum I has Price . Is this price the total for the row or the equipment price?

The Column titled Price is the overall cost of the equipment. For example, if the description calls for a Bobcat E50 compact excavator, the equipment price with an averaged destination cost should be provided, if no accessories or addons have been requested in the description column then accessories, and addons should be zero. If an extended warranty is being provided, then the total cost of the equipment should reflect the equipment s price with destination cost and extended warranty only.

Delivery Requirements "All delivery orders shall be made via Freight on Board (FOB) destination to any Veteran Affairs National Cemetery facility location within the Northern Atlantic and South East District to include the island of Puerto Rico" . Container freight going overseas to Puerto Rico adds significant cost of equipment price vs. shipments domestically. Will there be exceptions to this delivery FOB requirement in instances of container costs overseas to Puerto Rico?

Yes

Amendment Question # 2 Please Elaborate further

"Accessories column E: are we to include all available configuration/accessories

available on the base machine listed in Column A-D or are we to add accessory line

item s under the main machine?

Accessories if required will be provided under the description column.

When utilizing the spread sheet titled equipment, only include the cost of the accessories

if it has been requested in the Description column. Do not add additional columns to the

spreadsheet."

Correct

7. Some of the base units on the equipment list (Column A-D) are not completely specified.

 Base units in the description column may have 2 or 3 option models available that are not considered accessories. Are offerors to price all available models?Â

Offerors should price the base model only if no additional accessories is requested under the description column.

Questions associated with Kubota models:

Line 18 Kubota Utility Vehicle - What kind specifically, do you have a model or any specs for this? He says there are many to choose from.

Please provide the basic model

Â

Line 19 Kubota RTV 110 Utility Vehicle -Â Can the blade be Boss or must it be Kubota?

Blade must meet brand name or equal to. If it s a Kubota or any other brand the expectation is that the blade is of that brand

Â

Line 20 Kubota U-55 Mini Excavator Cab -Â He asked whether this would need a straight blade or an angled blade? Single port or dual port?

Straight Blade

Â

Line 22 Kubota F3990 Riding Mower - Do you need grass collection? What size deck?

Grass collection with the base model size deck.

The Period of Performance (POP) will be a (5) Five Year contract that will commence upon award: Will pricing need to be maintained for the full duration of 5 years?

Should the market price within the base five years change significantly as to warrant a potential modification in pricing and both the Government and the Awardee cannot come to terms, the agreement may be terminated upon 30 days written notice by either party. Please reference paragraph titled EXTENT OF OBLIGATION in the solicitation for additional information.

Accessories column E: are we to include all available configuration/accessories available on the base machine listed in Column A-D or are we to add accessory line item s under the main machine?

When utilizing the spread sheet titled equipment, only include the cost of the accessories if it has been requested in the Description column. Do not add additional columns to the spread sheet.

Meet or Exceed: are we able to offer multiple brands for the same base unit?

Interested offers will only offer one item per description that meets or Exceed the requested brand. Brand must be Brand Name or Equal To.

Document Type: Combined Synopsis Solicitation

Solicitation Number: 36C78620Q0256

Post Date: 09/17/2020

Response Date: 10/17/2020 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Name of Commodity Reoccurring Ground Maintenance/Cemetery Equipment to include accessories/attachments

Applicable NAICS: 333112

Classification Code: Various

Set Aside Type Tiered Evaluations (1) Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), (2) Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), (3) Small Business.

Period of Performance: Date of Award through November 1, 2025

Delivery Requirement: 60 Days after Receipt of Award unless otherwise agreed. This includes manufactured equipment.

Attachments: Equipment

Cemetery Map

Past Performance Questionnaire

Issuing Contracting Office: Joselito Roman

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.603 and 13.303 and supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), solicitation number 36C78620Q0256.

This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2020-08

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE:

The (NAICS) code for this procurement is 333112. The business size standard number of employees is 1500 Number of Employees

This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation: quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, anticipates the award of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Ground Maintenance Equipment to include accessories/attachments for power lawn equipment, garden equipment, as required, for the following National Cemetery Administration Districts:

North Atlantic District (NAD)

South East District (SED)

Please see attachment named Cemetery Map in order to identify the various National Cemeteries throughout both Districts.

TIER EVALUATION: This Procurement is set-aside based on an order of priority as established in 38 U.S.C. § 8127(i).

TIERED EVALUATIONS INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS: This solicitation is being issued as a tiered evaluation for SDVOSB concerns, if no offers were submitted by SDVOSB concerns, or if none of the offers would result in award at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States, the SDVOSB set-aside will be withdrawn and the Contracting Officer will proceed to the set-aside for VOSB concerns. If no offers were submitted by VOSB concerns, or if none of the offers would result in award at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States, the VOSB set-aside will be withdrawn and the Contracting Officer will proceed to the set-aside for other small business concerns. If no offers were submitted by other small business concerns, of if none of the offers would result in award at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States, the solicitation will be canceled.

RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR QUOTATION (RFQ): Responses to this Request for Quotation (RFQ) are due to the Contracting Officer no later than October 19, 2020 at 12:00 PM. Responses to this announcement will result in a multiple award BPA for Ground Maintenance. The Government intends to make award without discussions. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information provided nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided for the Government. Offerors are responsible for obtaining any and all amendments or additional information concerning this announcement at https://beta.sam.gov.

Prospective offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov.

SOLICITATION QUESTIONS:

All questions regarding this solicitation are to be submitted to the Contracting Officer, via email, no later than close of business, October 1, 2020. Questions pertaining to this announcement shall be sent by email to: Joseltio.Roman@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

PRICE SCHEDULE:

ITEM INFORMATION: Accessories, add-ons, extended warranty considerations, and FOB destination for the purpose of this BPA shall be included as part of the overall price. Upon award the schedule will require specific CLINs for each accessory, add-on, warranty considerations, maintenance availability, and FOB destination cost.

POP: Date of Award through 1 November, 2025

CLIN

DESCRIPTON OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

EST. QTY

UNIT OF ISSUE

UNIT PRICE

TOTAL PRICE

00001

Ground Maintenance Equipment, with destination cost. Other related equipment. To include accessories, add-ons, warranty considerations, maintenance availability and FOB destination shipping. See Paragraph titled Description of Agreement for equipment requirements.

TBD

TBD

$

$

Grand Total $

BPA TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SERVICES SUPPLY TO BE PROVIDED: The National Cemetery Administration is awarding a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for recurring equipment requirements for the North Atlantic District (NAD) and the South East District (SED). All orders placed against this BPA will adhere to the terms and conditions as provide in accordance with FAR 13.303 Blanket Purchase Agreement.

This is a multiple award BPA therefore each awardee will be provided a fair opportunity to be considered for orders exceeding the micro purchase threshold. The Contracting Officer need not contact each of the multiple awardees under the contract before selecting an order awardee if information is available ensuring each awardee is provided a fair opportunity.

DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT: The supplier shall furnish per task orders, a minimum of one item up to a maximum total order of $6.5M Ground Maintenance Equipment to include accessories/attachments/manuals for power lawn, garden equipment, from the following manufactures, submitted in no particular order: See attachment titled equipment. The Total price for all the equipment will then be placed incorporated in the Price Schedule provided. See above.

Brand Name or Equal: In accordance with FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal, if an item is identified as brand name or equal, the purchase description shall reflect the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government s needs. Equipment must meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified and shall be clearly identified by Brand name and make or model number. Descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information shall be provided as required to the Contracting Officer. Any modifications made to a product in order to make it conform to the requirement shall be clearly identified.

Evaluating Equipment Identified as Equal: The Contracting Officer/Specialist will evaluate equipment identified as equal based on information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available. The Contacting Officer/Specialist is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the equipment being offered is an equal product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced or the offeror maybe considered non-responsive.

BPA Administration: The Contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to administrations. Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments or issue changes that will affect the price, quantity or delivery terms of the contract. The following individuals will handle all contract administration matters:

Contractor:

Contract Officer: Joselito Roman

Deputy Director of Contracting Service

Joselito.Roman@va.gov

The BPA holder shall provide written notice to the NCA Contract Service BPA Government points of contact (See section B.1, BPA Administration Data) of any changes to its contracts specifically related to any items on the resultant BPA. Changes include, but are not limited to price decreases, product deletions, and expiration of FSS contract, and/or change in Vendor company information, including contract administrator, company name, address and phone number.

EXTENT OF OBLIGATION: The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases made under the BPA. This agreement may be terminated upon 30 days written notice by either party.

Cancellation: The cancellation will take effect on the 30th calendar day. Discontinuing or modifying this BPA shall not affect any prior order within the 30-day period. BPA cancellation does not release the contractor from the duty to continue BPA call performance. Ongoing orders continue in accordance with their own period of performance, even if the BPA is cancelled.

PURCHASE LIMITATION: In accordance with FAR 13.303-5, the dollar limit for each individual purchase under this BPA shall not exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT). The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this agreement.

ORDERING: The Government does not guarantee that it will place any order under this agreement. When an order is placed, Contractor shall give a written acceptance which includes the delivery date. If the contractor cannot be reached or does not respond within (3) three days, then purchase will be made with a different Contractor. Upon the second time the Contractor does not respond on time or cannot be reached, Contractor will be removed from the BPA. If the contractor is not able to meet the time and date needed, Contractor shall provide a notification to the government which specifically states that the order request is declined. If Contractor does not provide the items in the order as requested to include by the delivery date, Government may cancel the order and at no cost to the Government. Government may also accept and pay for partial orders. After two incidents of non-delivery per the order the Government may remove the contractor from the BPA.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The Period of Performance (POP) will be a (5) Five Year contract that will commence upon award. The POP will be Date of Award to November 1, 2025. The Government may elect to exercise its unilateral right to purchase additional equipment called for by the contract or may elect to extend the term of the contract.

INDIVIDUALS AUTHORIZED TO PURCHASE UNDER THIS BPA: Upon award, the contracting officer will provide a list of individuals authorized to place orders under this agreement. Only the NCA Contract Service Office is authorized to place orders against this BPA. Point of Contact Information will be provided on each individual order.

DELIVERY TICKETS: All shipments under this agreement shall be accompanied by delivery tickets or sales slips that shall contain the following minimum information:

Name of supplier.

BPA number.

Date of purchase.

Purchase number.

Itemized list of supplies or services furnished.

Quantity, unit price, and extension of each item, less applicable discounts (unit prices and extensions need not be shown when incompatible with the use of automated systems, provided that the invoice is itemized to show this information).

Date of delivery or shipment.

Delivery Requirements: All delivery orders shall be made via Fright on Board (FOB) destination to any Veterans Affairs National Cemetery facility location within the North Atlantic and South East Districts to include the island of Puerto Rico. Deliveries shall be marked and shipped as identified under the delivery order placed against the BPA.

Inspection and Acceptance: Please refer to FAR Clause 52.212-4 and VAAR Clause 852.246-71 Inspection (incorporated by reference), for further instructions regarding inspection/acceptance procedures section.

Special Shipping Instructions: Prior to shipping, the Contractor shall notify site point of contact (POCs) by telephone and email, of all incoming deliveries including line-by-line details for review of requirements. The Contractor shall coordinate deliveries with POCs before each shipment. All shipments, either single or multiple container deliveries, shall bear the VA s Order number on external shipping labels and associated manifest or packing lists. In the case of multiple container deliveries, a readable statement near the order number will indicate a total number of containers for the complete shipment (ex. Package 1 of 2 ), clearly readable in manifests and external shipping labels.

INVOICES: A summary invoice shall be submitted at least monthly or upon expiration of this BPA, whichever occurs first, for all deliveries made during a billing period, identifying the delivery tickets covered therein, stating their total dollar value, and supported by receipt copies of the delivery tickets.

Contractor Remittance Address: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer --System for Award Management and FAR 52.232-36 Payment by Third Party.

Quarterly Report: A quarterly report shall be submitted to the National Cemetery Administration Contracting Officer managing this BPA for the purpose of obtaining and monitoring BPA pricing, and cost savings obtained on a quarterly basis. The report will be due upon the end of each fiscal quarter. The Contracting Officer contact information is as follows:

Joselito Roman

Deputy Director of Contracting Service

Joselito.Roman@va.gov

Invoice submittals: Invoices will be electronically submitted to the Tungsten website http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veterans-affairs/ Tungsten direct vendor support number is 1-877-752-0900 for VA contracts. During Implementation (technical set-up) Tungsten will confirm an awardee s Taxpayer ID Number with the VA-FSC. This process which can take up to 5 days to complete will ensure an awardees invoice is automatically routed to a Certifying Official for approval and payment. In order to successfully submit an invoice to VA-FSC awardee must review How to Create an Invoice within the how to guides. All invoices submitted through Tungsten to the VA-FSC should mirror an awardee s current submission of Invoice, with the following items required. Clarification of additional requirements should be confirmed by the Certifying Official (Awardee s CO or buyer). In accordance with the Prompt Pay Act and Business Requirements the VA-FSC requires the following specific information:

1. The firm s Taxpayer ID Number (TIN)

2. the firm s Remit Address information

3. The VA Purchase Order (PO) number

4. The firm s contact information: (Personal Name, Email, and Phone)

5. The firm s VA point of contact information: (Personal Name, Email, and Phone)

6. The Period of Performance dates (Beginning and Ending)

7. All discount information if applicable (Percent and Date Terms)

For additional information, please contact:

Tungsten Support

Phone: 1-877-489-6135

Website: http://www.tungsten-network.com/uk/en/

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS:

Offerors Submission: Submitted quotes that do not meet the following instructions may be determined to be nonresponsive and will not be considered for award.

All quotes shall be submitted through the Department of Veteran Affairs Electronic Management System (eCMS) Vendor Portal website at https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov to be considered. See paragraph entitled REGISTRATION WITH VENDOR PORTAL for additional details.

Offerors shall submit their quote in PDF format only and shall include the following:

Item description as specified. This includes Unit Price/Unit Quantity/Overall Total Pricing. See Schedule.

Applicable Shipping/Handling Charges (including set-up if applicable). Provide information in attachment entitled equipment. See attachment titled equipment

Proposed delivery dates for each item, i.e. ARO (Days after Receipt of Order). See attachment titled equipment

Company Name, address, telephone number, email address of Offeror. See attachment titled equipment.

Company Duns Number. See attachment titled equipment.

Confirmation of the Offeror s Veterans Information Page (VIP) certified status. To be certified as and SDVOSB or VOSB, VIP Status must be active and current.

Proof of current System for Award Management (SAM) registration (Completed copy of FAR 52.204-8, Representation and Certification.

Terms and any express warranty (if applicable). See attachment titled equipment.

Offerors are hereby advised that any Offeror-imposed terms and conditions which deviate from the Government s material terms and conditions established, may render the Offeror s quote as Non-Responsive, and thus ineligible for award.

REGISTRATION WITH VENDOR PORTAL: All Interested Offerors must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs eCMS Vendor Portal at https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov . Offerors who require registration shall proceed to the Vendor Portal s Login section and shall click on Request a user account to register. In the event an Offeror is unable to submit a Quote/Proposal through the vendor portal domain, prior to the Quote/Proposal closing date, contact the VAAS helpdesk at 1-877-634-3739, or via email at VA.Acquisition.Systems@va.gov. If an Offeror is still having difficulties in submitting a proposal via the Vendor Portal the Contracting Officer/Specialist may accept an Offeror s Quote/Proposal via email under the following circumstances:

1. Offeror must provide evidence that an email discussions or verbal discussion with the VAAS helpdesk could not resolve registration issues.

2. Offerors must meet the time constraints as set forth in the solicitation.

Submitted Quotes/proposals via email without set requirements may be considered nonresponsive. All Quote/Proposals transmissions and uploads submitted via the Vendor Portal or via email are due as specified in this solicitation. Late or incomplete Quotes may also be considered nonresponsive. Additionally, prospective offerors must also be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov.

EVALUATION PROCESS: In accordance with FAR 52.212-2, The Government will award a contract to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to solicitation requirements and provides the best benefit to the Government, price and other factors considered. Offers will be evaluated by performing a comparative evaluation in accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3). A comparative evaluation is the act of comparing either two or more offers in response to this RFQ.

The Government reserves the right to consider a response that offers more than the minimum requirements and select that response if it provides the best benefit to the Government. Additionally, the Government also reserves the right to accept other than the lowest price offeror that provides additional benefits to the Government.

TECHNICAL APPROACH: In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(a)(2), a best value determination will be made utilizing Price, Past performance and Technical capabilities.

Price: Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

Past Performance: Past performance shall be evaluated in accordance with FAR Part 13.106 and may be based on one or more of the following:

The Contracting Officer s knowledge of the contractor s previous experience in providing the required equipment. See Past Performance Questionnaire and fill in accordingly. Interested Offeror will be required to submit at the minimum three (3) past performance questionnaire forms that are similar in size and scope to the current requirement. Contracts must be either completed or current within the last (5) years.

The Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System or;

Any other reasonable basis.

Technical: Quote submittals must meet the required equipment s salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified as brand name or equal . See attachment titled equipment for information on the type of equipment being requested.

Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses:

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Oct 2018)

Addendum to FAR 52.212-4- Show FAR clauses followed by VAAR clauses in numeric order

52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

FAR Clauses

52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018)

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Jul 2016)

52.211-17 Delivery of Excess Quantities (Sep 1989)

52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999)

52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Dev 2019-01)

52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Dev 2019-01)

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013)

52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination (Nov 1991)

VAAR Clauses

852.211-72 Technical Industry Standards (Nov 2018)

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

852.203-70 Commercial Advertising (May 2020)

852.211-70 Equipment Operation and Maintenance Manuals. (Nov 2018)

852.215-70 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business (Oct 2019)

852.215-71 Evaluation Factor Commitments (Oct 2019)

852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Dec 2009) (DEV)

852.219-11 VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Dec 2009) (DEV)

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

852.246-71 Rejected Goods (Jan 2008)

852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers (Jan 2008)

852.219-74 Limitations on Subcontracting-Monitoring and Compliance (Jul 2018) (DEV)

852.247-1 Delivery Location (Oct 2018)

852.247-74 Advance Notice of Shipment (Oct 2018)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-4)

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (JUL 2020)

FAR Provisions

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial items (Mar 2020)

52.252-21 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html

http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/index.asp

52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018)

52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (JUL 2016)

52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999)

52.216-1 Type of Contract (APR 1984)

(End of Addendum to 52.212-1)

52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (Oct 2014)

52.212-3 Offeror Reorientations and Certifications-Commercial Items (MAR 2020)