(1) This acquisition is being conducted as a simplified acquisition pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. (2) In accordance with FAR 4.1102 quoters are required to be registered in SAM at the time an offer or quotation is submitted. (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as 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. (ii) The solicitation number is 70T05019Q9NFDO047. The solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-03. (iv) This acquisition is set aside for small business concerns. The associated NAICS code is 336413 with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees. (v) List of line item numbers and items, quantities, and units of measure: 00001 B767 Cockpit 1 EA 00002 Shift location of exiting platform V ACTS 1 JB 00003 Dismantle, transport and reassemble of 2 Simulators 1 JB 00004 Site Visit for technical and logistic planning 1 JB (vi) Description of requirements for the items to be acquired: Reconfiguration of Aircraft Simulator. See the attached Statement of Work for specific requirements. (vii) Delivery, acceptance, and FOB point are at the TSA facility. The Period of Performance will be 120 days from the date of award. (viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial (OCT 2018) applies to this acquisition. There are no addenda to the provision. Submit all responses via email to
[email protected]. (ix) The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items (OCT 2014) does not apply to the solicitation. As a sole source requirement, price analysis will be conducted, and the contractor will be determined responsible. FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated By Reference (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov (End of clause) (xi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (OCT 2018) applies to this acquisition. There are no addenda to the clause. (xii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (MAY 2019) applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to the acquisition: From Paragraph (b) 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Oct 2018) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Oct 2015) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note) 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011) 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (Jan 2017) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Jul 2013) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003) 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015) 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O. 11246) 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Oct 2015) (38 U.S.C. 4212). 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (July 2014) (29 U.S.C. 793). 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (FEB 2016) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Mar 2015) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627). 52.222-53 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (MAY 2014) 52.225-3, Buy American--Free Trade Agreements--Israeli Trade Act (May 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 83, 19 U.S.C. 3301 note, 19 U.S.C. 2112 note, 19 U.S.C. 3805 note, 19 U.S.C. 4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43). 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) (E.O. 13513) 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies. (MAY 2014) 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--System for Award Management (Oct 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332) (xiii) The following additional contract requirements or terms and conditions determined by the contracting officer to be necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices are included as follows: FAR 52.204-1 Approval of Contract (Dec 1989) This contract is subject to the written approval of a Transportation Security Administration, Mission Essentials Acquisition Division, Contracting Officer and shall not be binding until so approved. (End of clause) HSAR 3052.209-70 Prohibition on contracts with corporate expatriates (JUN 2006) (a) Prohibitions. Section 835 of the Homeland Security Act, 6 U.S.C. 395, prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from entering into any contract with a foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation as defined in this clause, or with any subsidiary of such an entity. The Secretary shall waive the prohibition with respect to any specific contract if the Secretary determines that the waiver is required in the interest of national security. (b) Definitions. As used in this clause: Expanded Affiliated Group means an affiliated group as defined in section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (without regard to section 1504(b) of such Code), except that section 1504 of such Code shall be applied by substituting `more than 50 percent' for `at least 80 percent' each place it appears. Foreign Incorporated Entity means any entity which is, or but for subsection (b) of section 835 of the Homeland Security Act, 6 U.S.C. 395, would be, treated as a foreign corporation for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Inverted Domestic Corporation. A foreign incorporated entity shall be treated as an inverted domestic corporation if, pursuant to a plan (or a series of related transactions)- (1) The entity completes the direct or indirect acquisition of substantially all of the properties held directly or indirectly by a domestic corporation or substantially all of the properties constituting a trade or business of a domestic partnership; (2) After the acquisition at least 80 percent of the stock (by vote or value) of the entity is held- (i) In the case of an acquisition with respect to a domestic corporation, by former shareholders of the domestic corporation by reason of holding stock in the domestic corporation; or (ii) In the case of an acquisition with respect to a domestic partnership, by former partners of the domestic partnership by reason of holding a capital or profits interest in the domestic partnership; and (3) The expanded affiliated group which after the acquisition includes the entity does not have substantial business activities in the foreign country in which or under the law of which the entity is created or organized when compared to the total business activities of such expanded affiliated group. Person, domestic, and foreign have the meanings given such terms by paragraphs (1), (4), and (5) of section 7701(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, respectively. (c) Special rules. The following definitions and special rules shall apply when determining whether a foreign incorporated entity should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation. (1) Certain stock disregarded. For the purpose of treating a foreign incorporated entity as an inverted domestic corporation these shall not be taken into account in determining ownership: (i) Stock held by members of the expanded affiliated group which includes the foreign incorporated entity; or (ii) Stock of such entity which is sold in a public offering related to an acquisition described in section 835(b)(1) of the Homeland Security Act, 6 U.S.C. 395(b)(1). (2) Plan deemed in certain cases. If a foreign incorporated entity acquires directly or indirectly substantially all of the properties of a domestic corporation or partnership during the 4-year period beginning on the date which is 2 years before the ownership requirements of subsection (b)(2) are met, such actions shall be treated as pursuant to a plan. (3) Certain transfers disregarded. The transfer of properties or liabilities (including by contribution or distribution) shall be disregarded if such transfers are part of a plan a principal purpose of which is to avoid the purposes of this section. (d) Special rule for related partnerships. For purposes of applying section 835(b) of the Homeland Security Act, 6 U.S.C. 395(b) to the acquisition of a domestic partnership, except as provided in regulations, all domestic partnerships which are under common control (within the meaning of section 482 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) shall be treated as a partnership. (e) Treatment of Certain Rights. (1) Certain rights shall be treated as stocks to the extent necessary to reflect the present value of all equitable interests incident to the transaction, as follows: (i) warrants; (ii) options; (iii) contracts to acquire stock; (iv) convertible debt instruments; and (v) others similar interests. (2) Rights labeled as stocks shall not be treated as stocks whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so to reflect the present value of the transaction or to disregard transactions whose recognition would defeat the purpose of Section 835. (f) Disclosure. The offeror under this solicitation represents that [Check one]: __ it is not a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation pursuant to the criteria of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108-7001 through 3009.108-7003; __ it is a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation pursuant to the criteria of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108-7001 through 3009.108-7003, but it has submitted a request for waiver pursuant to 3009.108-7004, which has not been denied; or __ it is a foreign incorporated entity that should be treated as an inverted domestic corporation pursuant to the criteria of (HSAR) 48 CFR 3009.108-7001 through 3009.108-7003, but it plans to submit a request for waiver pursuant to 3009.108-7004. (g) A copy of the approved waiver, if a waiver has already been granted, or the waiver request, if a waiver has been applied for, shall be attached to the bid or proposal. (End of clause) H.5200.204.002 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL ACCESS TO TSA FACILITIES, INFORMATION AND/OR SYSTEMS (SEP 2018) A. All Contractor personnel requiring access to TSA facilities, information systems, and/or information will be subject to the security procedures set forth in this contract. B. All contractor employees seeking to provide services to TSA under a TSA contract are subject to a fitness determination to assess whether their initial employment or continued employment on a TSA contract protects or promotes the efficiency of the agency. TSA, by and through the Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshall Service's, Personnel Security Section (PerSec), will allow a contractor employee to commence work on a TSA contract only if a review of the contractor employee's preliminary background check is favorable. Contractor employees with unfavorable preliminary background checks will not be allowed to work on a TSA contract. C. A fitness determination involves the following three phases: 1. Phase 1: Enter On Duty Fitness Determination: a review of a contractor employee's consumer credit report, criminal history records, and submitted security forms to determine, to the extent possible, if the contractor employee has bad debt and/or criminal offenses and/or falsification issues that would prohibit employment as a TSA contractor. This determination may include verification of citizenship for contractor employees born outside of the United States. A favorable Enter On Duty Suitability Determination is not a final fitness determination; rather, it is a preliminary review of external data sources that allows the contractor employee to commence work prior to the required background investigation being completed. When a contractor employee is deemed eligible to commence work on a TSA contract, TSA PerSec will notify the appropriate Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) of the favorable determination. Similar notifications will be sent when a contractor employee has not passed the preliminary background check and has been deemed unsuitable. 2. Phase 2: Background Investigation: Once the contractor employee commences work on a TSA contract, TSA PerSec will process all submitted security forms to determine whether the contractor has previously been the subject of a federal background investigation sufficient in scope to meet TSA minimum investigative requirements. Contractor employees who have a federal investigation sufficient in scope will immediately be processed for final fitness adjudication. Those contractor employees who do not have a previous federal background investigation sufficient in scope will be scheduled for the appropriate level background investigation through the submission of their security forms to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). 3. Phase 3: Final Fitness Adjudication: TSA PerSec will complete the final fitness determination after receipt, review, and adjudication of the completed OPM background investigation. The final fitness determination is an assessment made by TSA PerSec to determine whether there is reasonable expectation that the continued employment of the TSA contractor will or will not protect or promote the efficiency of the agency. An unfavorable final fitness determination will result in a notification to the COR that the contractor employee has been deemed unfit for continued contract employment and that he/she shall be removed from the TSA contract. D. The period of performance may begin 60 days after contract award to allow for the Enter On Duty Fitness Determination. A contract modification shall be executed to revise the period of performance once the determination process is completed. For Fixed price awards, in the event of staggered completed determinations the parties may negotiate fixed monthly rates so that performance can begin with partial staff. E. Whenever personal identity verification (PIV) cards are required for issuance or re-issuance to contractor personnel for authorized access to Government facilities, under the guidance of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), the Contractor is responsible for making all arrangements for affected Contractor personnel to report in-person at the nearest Government issuing facility to initiate and complete procedures for PIV card issuance. The Government will not be able to provide PIV card issuance at any other locations than those officially designated as available. PIV card issuing facilities that are available for the completion of this requirement for TSA contractors are as listed by the TSA Personnel Security Section, and the COR will advise the Contractor about Government PIV card issuing facility locations that are nearby the contractor's location(s) of performance that will be potentially available for card issuance when required. H.5200.205.001 PUBLICITY AND DISSEMINATION OF CONTRACT INFORMATION (OCTOBER 2017) The Contractor shall not publish, permit to be published, or distribute for public consumption, any information, oral or written, concerning the results or conclusions made pursuant to the award and/or performance of this contract without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall submit any request for public release at least ten (10) business days in advance of the planned release. Under no circumstances shall the Contractor release any requested submittal prior to TSA approval. Any material proposed to be published or distributed shall be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer will follow the procedures in Management Directives 1700.3 and 1700.4. The Administrator retains the authority to deny publication authorization. Any conditions on the approval for release will be clearly described. Notice of disapproval will be accompanied by an explanation of the basis or bases for disapproval. (End of term) G.5200.242.003 SUBMISSION OF INVOICES (JUL 2015) (a) Background: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) partners with the United States Coast Guard Finance Center for financial services in support of TSA operations, including the payment of contractor invoices. Therefore, all contractor invoices must be submitted to, and will be paid by, the U.S. Coast Guard Finance Center (FinCen). (b) Invoice Submission Method: Invoices may be submitted via facsimile, U.S. Mail, or email. Contractors shall utilize ONLY ONE method per invoice submission. The submission information for each of the methods is as follows in order of preference: 1) Facsimile number is: 757-413-7314 The facsimile number listed above shall be used by contractors for ORIGINAL invoice submission only. If facsimile submission is utilized, contractors shall not submit hard copies of invoices via the U.S. mail. It is the responsibility of the contractor to verify that invoices are received, regardless of the method of submission used. Contractors may inquire regarding the receipt of invoices by contacting the U.S. Coast Guard Finance Center via the methods listed in subparagraph (d) of this clause. 2) Address / Contact Information United States Coast Guard Finance Center TSA Commercial Invoices P.O. Box 4111 Chesapeake, VA 23327-4111 (
[email protected] or www.fincen.uscg.mil ) (c) Invoice Process: Upon receipt of contractor invoices, FinCen will electronically route invoices to the appropriate TSA Contracting Officer's Representative and/or Contracting Officer for review and approval. Upon approval, the TSA will electronically route the invoices back to FinCen. Upon receipt of certified invoices from an Authorized Certifying Official, FinCen will initiate payment of the invoices. Note for discounts offered: Discounts on invoices. If desired, the Contractor should offer discounts directly upon the invoice submitted, clearly specifying the terms of the discount. Contractors can structure discounted amounts for payment for any time period less than the usual thirty-day payment period specified under Prompt Payment requirements; however, the Contractor should not structure terms for payment of net amounts invoiced any sooner than the standard period required under FAR Subpart 32.9 regarding prompt payments for the specified deliverables under contract. Discounts offered after invoice submission. If the Contractor should wish to offer a discount on a specific invoice after its submission for payment, the Contractor should submit a letter to the Finance Center identifying the specific invoice for which a discount is offered and specify the exact terms of the discount offered and what time period the Government should make payment by in order to receive the discount. The Contractor should clearly indicate the contract number, invoice number and date, and the specific terms of the discount offered. Contractors should not structure terms for net amount payments any sooner than the standard period required under FAR Subpart 32.9 regarding prompt payments for the specified deliverables under contract. (d) Payment Status: Contractors may inquire on the payment status of an invoice by any of the following means: (1) Via the internet: https://www.fincen.uscg.mil Contacting the FinCen Customer Service Section via telephone at 1-800-564-5504 or (757) 523-6940 (Voice Option #1). The hours of operation for the Customer Service line are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. However, the Customer Service line has a voice-mail feature that is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. (2) Via the Payment Inquiry Form: https://www.fincen.uscg.mil/secure/payment.htm (e) Invoice Elements: Invoices will automatically be rejected if the information required in subparagraph (a)(2) of the Prompt Payment Clause, contained in this Section of the Contract, including EFT banking information, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and DUNS number are not included in the invoice. All invoices must clearly correlate invoiced amounts to the corresponding contract line item number and funding citation. The Contractor shall work with the Government to mutually refine the format, content and method of delivery for all invoice submissions during the performance of the Contract. (f) Supplemental Invoice Documentation: Contractors shall submit all supplemental invoice documentation (e.g. copies of subcontractor invoices, travel vouchers, etc.) necessary to approve an invoice along with the original invoice. The Contractor invoice must contain the information stated in the Prompt Payment Clause in order to be received and processed by FinCen. Supplemental invoice documentation required for review and approval of invoices may, at the written direction of the Contracting Officer, be submitted directly to either the Contracting Officer, or the Contracting Officer's Representative. Note for "time-and-material" type contracts: The Contractor must submit the following statement with each invoice for labor hours invoiced under a "time-and-materials" type contract, order, or contract line item: "The Contractor hereby certifies in accordance with paragraph (c) of FAR 52.232-7, that each labor hour has been performed by an employee (prime or subcontractor) who meets the contract's specified requirements for the labor category invoiced." (g) Additional Invoice Preparation Instructions for Software Development and/or Hardware. The Contractor shall clearly include a separate breakdown (by CLIN) for any software development activities (labor costs, subcontractor costs, etc.) in accordance with Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board Statement of Federal Financial Accounting Standards Number 10 (Preliminary design costs, Development costs and post implementation costs) and cite payment terms. The contractor shall provide make and model descriptions as well as serial numbers for purchases of hardware and software (where applicable.) (h) Frequency of Invoice Submission. Invoices shall be submitted no more than monthly, in arrears. (End of clause) G. 5200.243.001 CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) (JUL 2015) The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to make any changes, approve any changes in the requirements of this contract, issue orders, obligate funds and authorize the expenditure of funds, and notwithstanding any term contained elsewhere in this contract, such authority remains vested solely in the Contracting Officer. (For further information, the Contracting Officer is a federal government employee who is specifically authorized and appointed in writing under specified agency procedures and granted the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.) In the event, the Contractor makes any changes at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof. The following Primary Contracting Officer is assigned to this contract. Alternate Contracting Officers may be assigned: TSA Contracting Officer: NAME: Stacey Santhuff PHONE NUMBER: 202-360-7929 EMAIL:
[email protected] (End of clause) H 5200.237.004 Contractor Responsibility, Conduct and Performance under TSA Service Contracts (JUNE 2019) A. BASIC REQUIRED STANDARDS OF CONDUCT RELATED TO BUSINESS UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS 1. General. The Government has the basic inherent expectations of timely, focused, effective, and competent performance by the Contractor under a contract. The Contractor has the basic inherent expectation of fair treatment under the contract, where the Contractor's employees, when in Government facilities or in circumstances where the Government has primary control or responsibility, have the expectation of performance in a safe and non-hostile work environment. 2. Adherence to Standards. The Contractor shall adhere to the same professional and ethical standards of conduct required of Government personnel. See TSA Management Directive (MD) 1100.73-5, Employee Responsibilities and Code of Conduct. Contractor employees performing work under this contract shall not: -Solicit new business (on-site at government spaces, or while on work during periods paid by Government) while performing work under the contract; -Conduct business other than that which is covered by this contract during periods paid by the Government; -Conduct business not directly related to this contract while on Government premises; -Use Government computer systems or networks, Government property or materials, and/or Government facilities for company or personal business; -Recruit while on Government premises or otherwise act to disrupt official Government business while on Government premises. -Discuss with unauthorized persons any information obtained during the performance of work under this contract. - -Engage in harassment. See TSA MD 1100-73.3 Anti-Harassment Program. 3. Reporting Matters. Illegal, and Unethical, or Inappropriate Conduct. The Contractor, and its employees shall immediately report to the Contracting Officer and/or Contracting Officer's Representative, any illegal, or unethical, or inappropriate conduct observed, noticed, or discovered while on Government premises or during periods paid by the Government under this contract, without regard as to the source of such conduct (except that any matter involving only contractor employees, apart from any Government requirements or the specific requirements of this contract, is deemed to be strictly the concern of the Contractor). The Contractor shall immediately report to the Government all actual or suspected violations of Government information, personnel, or physical security requirements. The Contractor shall fully comply with all of the reporting requirements that are expressed for specified circumstances and issues identified in discrete Federal Acquisition Regulation or Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation terms in force under this contract. 4. Emergency Situations While on Government Premises. Contractor employees shall immediately report any emergency situations they may witness (any circumstance where actual or potential loss of life, serious injury, or critical damage to property, or other serious incidents, such as fires, or workplace violence, terrorist activities, or other criminal behavior is occurring) per standing TSA procedures while they are performing under contract in government facilities. 5. Government Employee Misconduct. In the event of misconduct by a government employee which is observed or witnessed by a Contractor employee, (or in the event of any unauthorized conduct to which a Government employee may subject a Contractor employee) the Contractor employee shall immediately report such to their on-site Contractor supervisor or other company-designated management official, the Contracting Officer and/or Contracting Officer's Representative. 6. Workplace safety. In the event of any situation involving workplace safety, the Contractor employee shall immediately report such to their on-site Contractor supervisor or other company-designated management official, the Contracting Officer and/or Contracting Officer's Representative. 7. The Contracting Officer may require dismissal from work under this contract and/or removal of access to government facilities, property, information and/or information systems those employees whose conduct the Contracting Officer deems contrary to the public interest or inconsistent with the best interest of national security. 8. Non-Disclosure Agreements are required to be signed by all Contractor personnel when their role requires them to come into contact with Sensitive but Unclassified, Government procurement sensitive information, and/or other sensitive information, or proprietary business information from other Contractors (e.g., cost data, plans, and strategies). The recipient certifies in writing that they will take the necessary steps to prevent the unauthorized disclosure and use of information. The Contracting Officer will provide the prescribed non-disclosure forms as necessary to the Contractor when circumstances warrant. B. BASIC REQUIREMENTS AFFECTING CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE 1. Contractor Responsibility for Performance Management. The Contractor shall provide all management, administrative, clerical, and supervisory functions required for the effective and efficient performance of this contract. 2. Limitation on Government Liability. The Government shall not be liable for any injury to the Contractor's personnel or damage to the Contractor's property unless such injury or damage is due to negligence on the part of the Government and is recoverable under the Federal Torts Claims Act, or pursuant to another Federal statutory authority. 3. Responsibility for Effective Contract Transitions. A smooth and orderly transition between the Contractor and a predecessor or successor Contractor is necessary to ensure minimum disruption to vital Government business. The Contractor shall cooperate fully in the transition. See below Section K -- INTERRELATIONSHIP OF ASSOCIATE CONTRACTORS. 4. The Government observes the following holidays (and government facilities are generally closed on these days, or restricted access or entrance requirements may apply due to security procedures): New Year's Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Washington's Birthday (President's Day) Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day a) In addition to the days designated as holidays, the Government observes also the following days: • Any other day designated by Federal Statute, and • Any other day designated by Executive Order, and • Any other day designated by President's Proclamation, such as extreme weather conditions. • Inauguration Day (Washington, DC metropolitan area) (Likewise government facilities in the DC area are generally closed on these days, or restricted access or entrance requirements may apply due to security procedures): b) When the Government grants excused absence to its employees in a specific location, assigned Contractor personnel at that same location may also be dismissed. The Contractor agrees to continue to provide sufficient personnel to perform critical tasks already in operation or scheduled, and shall be guided by the instructions issued by the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer's Representative. Observance of such holidays by Government personnel shall not be a reason for the Contractor to request an extension of the period of performance, or entitlement of compensation except as set forth within the contract. c) In the event the Contractor's personnel work during the holiday or other excused absences, they may be compensated by the Contractor, however, no form of holiday or other premium compensation will be considered either as a direct or indirect cost, other than their normal compensation for the time worked. For cost reimbursement and time and materials (T&M)/ labor hour (LH) contracts, the Government will only consider as direct and/or indirect costs those efforts actually performed during the holiday or excused absences in the event contractor personnel are not dismissed. This provision does not preclude reimbursement for authorized overtime work if applicable to this contract. Otherwise, the management responsibility for contractor functions approved by the Contracting Officer for offsite work, in the event of inaccessibility of federal workplaces, is the sole responsibility of the contractor. The contractor may propose telework or other solutions when critical work is required, however, the Contractor is solely responsible for any cost differential in performance, all liabilities that may be due to performance at an alternate location, and all resources necessary to complete such performance. d) In the event of an actual emergency, the Contracting Officer may direct the contractor to change work hours or locations or institute telework, utilize personal protective equipment, or other mandated items. e) In the event of a Government closure (furlough) caused by a lapse in appropriations, which can occur at the beginning of a fiscal year if no funds have been appropriated for that year, or upon expiration of a continuing resolution if a new continuing resolution or appropriations law is not passed, the Contractor shall continue performance under the contract unless otherwise instructed in writing by a Contracting Officer. Unless the Contractor is provided a formal notification to the contrary, usually via a Stop Work Order pursuant to FAR 52.242-15, the Contractor must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of the contract. If a contract will not be affected by a shutdown, generally no separate notification or communication of that fact will be provided. Processing of contractor invoices for payment may or may not be deemed an excepted duty during a furlough. As such, contractor performance is expected even though invoices are pending payment processing. The Prompt Payment Act still applies. (f)1) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may close a DHS facility for all or a portion of a business day as a result of- (A) Granting administrative leave to non-essential DHS employees (e.g., unanticipated holiday); (B) Inclement weather; (C) Failure of Congress to appropriate operational funds; (D) Or any other reason. (2) In such cases, contractor personnel not classified as essential, i.e., not performing critical round-the-clock services or tasks, who are not already on duty at the facility shall not report to the facility. Such contractor personnel already present shall be dismissed and shall leave the facility. The contractor is responsible for notifying all of its affected personnel in such circumstances once the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative provides notice of such. (3) The contractor agrees to continue to provide sufficient personnel to perform continual requirements of critical tasks already in operation or scheduled for performance during the period in which DHS employees are dismissed, and shall be guided by any specific instructions of the Contracting Officer or his/her duly authorized representative. (g) When contractor personnel services are not required or provided due to closure of a DHS facility as described in this term, the contractor's payment under the contract shall be affected as follows-- (1) For cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials and labor-hour type contracts, DHS shall not reimburse as direct costs, the costs of salaries or wages of contractor personnel for the period during which such personnel are dismissed from, or do not have access to, the facility. (2) For fixed-price contracts, the price will not be prorated and the contractor is expected to satisfy the contract requirement during the period of performance without requested extension. 3) The Government may also terminate a contract for convenience either in partial or full. C. CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSIGNED SPACE, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES. If, due to the fault or neglect of the Contractor, his agents, or employees, damages are caused to any Government property, equipment, stock or supplies, during the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall be responsible for such loss or damage and the Government, at its option, may either require the Contractor to replace all property or to reimburse the Government for the full value of the lost or damaged property. The Contractor is responsible for maintaining all assigned space(s) in a clean and orderly fashion during the course of this contract. All telephones are for conducting official Government business only. D. CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. The contractor shall provide fully trained and experienced personnel. Training of contractor personnel shall be performed by the contractor at its expense, except as directed by the Government through written authorization by the Contracting Officer to meet special requirements peculiar to the contract. The Contracting Officer's Representative will identify any specified government training which the contractor's employees with access to TSA IT accounts will be required to complete as a precursor to or coincident with their authorized access to or use of government space or facilities, equipment, information, or information systems as a necessary component of performance required under the contract. Contractor employees are responsible for providing required evidence of timely training completion when the Government assigns such training. Training includes attendance at seminars, symposia or user group conferences. Training will not be authorized for the purpose of keeping contractor personnel abreast of advances in the state-of-the-art or for training contractor employees on equipment, computer languages and computer operating systems that are available on the commercial market or required by a contract. This includes training to obtain or increase proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and electronic mail. E. COOPERATION WITH AUDITORS AND INVESTIGATORS. The Contractor shall cooperate fully with all auditors and investigators on all matters arising under or directly related to this contract and/or any other matter that may occur in relation to the contractor's presence within Government facilities or due to access to Government information, information systems, property or equipment. F. EMPLOYEE REMOVAL. The Government may identify to the Contractor any contractor employee for removal from contract performance upon notification of failure to comply with the requirements herein. G. EMPLOYEE TERMINATION. The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer's Representative within 48 hours when an employee performing work under this contract who has been granted access to government information, information systems, property, or government facilities access terminates employment, no longer is assigned to the contract, or no longer requires such access. The contractor shall be responsible for returning, or ensuring that employees return, all DHS/TSA -issued contractor/employee identification, all other TSA or DHS property, and any security access cards to Government offices issued by a landlord of commercial space. H. PERSONNEL CHANGES. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) in writing of any changes needed in building, information systems, or other information access requirements for its employees in order to meet contract requirements not later than one day after any personnel changes occur. This includes name changes, resignations, terminations, and transfers to other Contractors. The Contractor shall provide the following information to the COR: full name, social security number, effective date, and reason for change. I. SUBSTITUTION OF KEY PERSONNEL. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer (CO) and the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COR) prior to making any changes in Key Personnel. No changes in Key Personnel will be made unless the Contractor can demonstrate that the qualifications of prospective replacement personnel are equal to or better than the qualifications of the Key Personnel being replaced or otherwise meet the standards applicable in the contract. All proposed substitutes shall have qualifications equal to or higher than the qualifications of the person to be replaced. The CO shall be notified in writing of any proposed substitution at least fifteen (15) days, or forty-five (45) days if either a background investigation for building or information system access and/or a security clearance (due to classified contract requirements that relate specifically to personnel) must be obtained to meet the contract's requirements, in advance of the proposed substitution. Such notification from the contractor shall include: 1. an explanation of the circumstances necessitating the substitution; 2. a complete resume of the proposed substitute; and 3. any other information requested by the CO to enable him/her to judge whether or not the Contractor is maintaining the same high quality of personnel that provided the partial basis for award. The CO and COR will evaluate substitution requests and promptly notify the Contractor of his/her approval or disapproval in writing. All disapprovals will require resubmission of another substitution within 15 calendar days by the Contractor. J. FAILURE TO COMPLY. Any failure by the Contractor to comply with these requirements may result in a contract termination and/or any other remedy available to the Government, up to and including criminal prosecution where provided for by law. K. INTERRELATIONSHIP OF ASSOCIATE CONTRACTORS. The TSA may enter into contractual agreements with other Contractors (i.e., "Associate Contractors") in order to fulfill requirements separate from the work to be performed under this contract, yet having a relationship to performance under this contract. It is expected that contractors working under TSA contracts will have to work together under certain conditions in order to achieve a common solution for TSA. The Contractor may be required to coordinate with other such Contractor(s) through the cognizant Contracting Officer (CO) and/or designated representative in providing suitable, non-conflicting technical and/or management interface and in avoidance of duplication of effort. Information on deliverables provided under separate contracts may, at the discretion of the TSA and/or other Government agencies, be provided to such other Contractor(s) for the purpose of such work. Where the Contractor and an associate Contractor fail to agree upon action to be taken in connection with their respective responsibilities, each Contractor shall promptly bring the matters to the attention of the cognizant CO and furnish the Contractor's recommendations for a solution. The Contractor shall not be relieved of its obligations to make timely deliveries or be entitled to any other adjustment because of failure of the Contractor and its associate to promptly refer matters to the CO or because of failure to implement CO directions. Where the Contractor and Associate Contractors are required to collaborate to deliver a service; the Government will designate, in writing and prior to the definition of the task, to both Contractors, a "lead Contractor" for the project. In these cases, the Associate Contractors shall also be contractually required to coordinate and collaborate with the Contractor. TSA will facilitate the mutual execution of Non-Disclosure Agreements. L. PERSONAL SERVICES. "Personal services" are those in which contractor personnel would appear to be, in effect, Government employees via the direct supervision and oversight by Government employees. No personal services shall be performed under this contract. No Contractor employee will be directly supervised by a Government employee. All individual Contractor employee assignments, and daily work direction, shall be given by the applicable employee supervisor of the Contractor. If the Contractor believes any Government action or communication has been given that would create a personal services relationship between the Government and any Contractor employee, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of this communication or action. The Contractor shall not perform any inherently Governmental actions as defined by FAR 7.500. No Contractor employee shall hold him or herself out to be a Government employee, agent, or representative. No Contractor employee shall state orally or in writing at any time that he or she is acting on behalf of the Government. In all communications in connection with this contract, Contractor employees shall identify themselves as Contractor employees and specify the name of the company for which they work. In all communications with other Government Contractors in connection with this contract, the Contractor employee shall state that they have no authority to in any way change any contract and that if the other Contractor believes this communication to be a direction to change their contract, they should notify the Contracting Officer for that contract and not carry out the direction until a clarification has been issued by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall ensure that all of its employees working on this contract are informed of the substance of this term. Nothing in this special contract requirement shall limit the Government's rights in any way under any other term of the contract, including those related to the Government's right to inspect and accept the services to be performed under this contract. The substance of this special contract requirement shall be included in all subcontracts at any tier. Compliance with this Special Contract Requirement is included in the contract price and shall not be a basis for equitable adjustment. (End of term) FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov (End of provision) 52.222-53 -- Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Requirements. (MAY 2014) L. 5200.233.001 AVAILABILITY OF INTERNAL APPEAL PROCESS PER FAR 33.103 (JUL 2018) In the event of receipt of the Contracting Officer's final decision of an agency-level protest in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 33.103, the offeror is hereby advised that an appeal process is available from within the agency. The Assistant Administrator of the Contracting and Procurement in the Transportation Security Administration is the independent appeal authority. All appeals must be submitted in writing and signed by a company official who is authorized to commit the company and contain the same elements required in FAR 33.103(d) as well as an explanation of the Contracting Officer's decision (and copy of such decision). Appeals must be sent either in writing or via email to Transportation Security Administration, ATTN: APPEAL OF AGENCY PROTEST, Contracting and Procurement, 601 S. 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6025, or via email to
[email protected]. The subject line for the email should clearly indicate "APPEAL OF AGENCY PROTEST". (End of term) ---END OF 70T05019Q9NFDO047---