News/Analysis of Municiple Finance Industry

(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. Proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The Government intends to award a contract for print publications of and access via the Internet to current and historical news and in-depth analysis of the municipal finance industry. (ii) Request for Quote (RFQ) number SECHQ1-11-Q-0143 is assigned to this requirement and is issued as an RFQ. (iii) This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-53. (iv) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 322122 and the Small Business standard size is 750 employees. The Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program is not applicable. (v) See Attachment A - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs for CLIN structure. (vi) The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intends to award a Firm Fixed-Price contract for print publications of and access via the Internet to current and historical news and in-depth analysis of the municipal finance industry. (vii) Place of Delivery will be various locations as detailed in Attachment B. Delivery is FOB Destination. The period of performance for the contract shall be a one-year period. The anticipated award date is August 16, 2011. (viii) The following FAR clauses apply to this solicitation. Quoters may obtain full text versions of these clauses electronically at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (Jun 2008). Parties responding to this solicitation who believe they can provide the service described herein may submit their quote in accordance with their standard commercial practices (e.g., on company letterhead, formal quote form, etc.) but must include the following information: 1) company's complete mailing and remittance addresses; 2) discounts for prompt payment if applicable; 3) Dun & Bradstreet number; 4) Taxpayer ID number; 5) copy of Central Contractor Registration (https://www.bpn.gov/ccr); 6) copy of Representations and Certifications from ORCA (https://www.bpn.gov/orca); 7) pricing in accordance with the CLINs specified herein (see Attachment A - Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs); 8) narrative addressing capability to provide the services in accordance with the requirements of the statement of work and past performance, including three (3) references (including a. Name of Agency/Organization; b. Contract number; c. Contract type; d. Total contract value; e. Description of contract work; f. Contracting Officer (or similar representative), telephone #, and email address) for contracts performed within the past 2 years that are similar in size and scope to this requirement; and 9) a completed and signed SF-18, and 10) a licensing agreement for the SEC. (ix) 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items (Jan 1999). The Government intends to award based on lowest price, technically acceptable. The evaluation and award procedures in FAR 13.106-2 apply. (x) 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 address: http://www.arnet.gov/far. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (May 2011). Quoters shall provide representations and certifications (FAR 52.212-3) electronically via the BPN website (www.bpn.gov/orca). A copy of the on-line representations and certifications submission shall be included in the quoter response. (xi) 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Jun 2010), applies to this acquisition. (xii) 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (May 2011) applies to this acquisition. (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). __X_ (7) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (section 740 of Division C of Public Law 111-117, section 743 of Division D of Public Law 111-8, and section 745 of Division D of Public Law 110-161). ___ (8) 52.219-3, Notice of Total HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 657a). ___ (9) 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). ___ (10) [Reserved] ___ (11) (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. ___ (12) (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__ (13) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Jan 2011) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)). ___ (14) (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. ___ (15) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Dec 1996) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14)). ___ (16) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)). ___ (17) (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. ___ (18) 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). ___ (19) 52.219-26, Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program-Incentive Subcontracting (Oct 2000) (Pub. L. 103-355, section 7102, and 10 U.S.C. 2323). ___ (20) 52.219-27, Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (May 2004) (15 U.S.C. 657 f). _X__ (21) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Apr 2009) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)). ___ (22) 52.219-29, Notice of Total Set-Aside for Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Concerns (Apr 2011). ___ (23) 52.219-30, Notice of Total Set-Aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the WOSB Program (Apr 2011). _X__ (24) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (June 2003) (E.O. 11755). ___ (25) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jul 2010) (E.O. 13126). _X__ (26) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999). _X__ (27) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007) (E.O. 11246). _X__ (28) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). __X_ (29) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010) (29 U.S.C. 793). _X__ (30) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Sep 2010) (38 U.S.C. 4212). _X__ (31) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). ___ (32) 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.) ___ (33) (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.) ___ (34) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (Dec 2007) (42 U.S.C. 8259b). ___ (35) (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_ (36) 52.223-18, Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging while Driving (Sep 2010) (E.O. 13513). ___ (37) 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies (Feb 2009) (41 U.S.C. 10a-10d). ___ (38) (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. ___ (39) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Aug 2009) (19 U.S.C. 2501, et seq., 19 U.S.C. 3301 note). _X__ (40) 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). ___ (41) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). ___ (42) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov 2007) (42 U.S.C. 5150). ___ (43) 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)). ___ (44) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 255(f), 10 U.S.C. 2307(f)). __X_ (45) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (Oct. 2003) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (46) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than Central Contractor Registration (May 1999) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (47) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (Feb 2010) (31 U.S.C. 3332). ___ (48) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5 U.S.C. 552a). ___ (49) (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) 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration (Apr 2008) 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999): The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within the current period of performance. (End of clause) 52.247-34, F.o.b. - Destination (Nov 1991): (a) The term "f.o.b. destination," as used in this clause, means -- (1) Free of expense to the Government, on board the carrier's conveyance, at a specified delivery point where the consignee's facility (plant, warehouse, store, lot, or other location to which shipment can be made) is located; and (2) Supplies shall be delivered to the destination consignee's wharf (if destination is a port city and supplies are for export), warehouse unloading platform, or receiving dock, at the expense of the Contractor. The Government shall not be liable for any delivery, storage, demurrage, accessorial, or other charges involved before the actual delivery (or "constructive placement" as defined in carrier tariffs) of the supplies to the destination, unless such charges are caused by an act or order of the Government acting in its contractual capacity. If rail carrier is used, supplies shall be delivered to the specified unloading platform of the consignee. If motor carrier (including "piggyback") is used, supplies shall be delivered to truck tailgate at the unloading platform of the consignee, except when the supplies delivered meet the requirements of Item 568 of the National Motor Freight Classification for "heavy or bulky freight." When supplies meeting the requirements of the referenced Item 568 are delivered, unloading (including movement to the tailgate) shall be performed by the consignee, with assistance from the truck driver, if requested. If the contractor uses rail carrier or freight forwarded for less than carload shipments, the contractor shall ensure that the carrier will furnish tailgate delivery, when required, if transfer to truck is required to complete delivery to consignee. (b) The Contractor shall -- (1) (i) Pack and mark the shipment to comply with contract specifications; or (ii) In the absence of specifications, prepare the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements; (2) Prepare and distribute commercial bills of lading; (3) Deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the contract; (4) Be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the contract; (5) Furnish a delivery schedule and designate the mode of delivering carrier; and (6) Pay and bear all charges to the specified point of delivery. (End of Clause) Section 508 Requirements All electronic and information technology (EIT) procured through this award must meet the applicable accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194. 36 CFR 1194 implements Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and is viewable at http://www/access-board.gov. The Contractor shall indicate for each line item in the schedule whether each product or service is compliant or non-compliant with the accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194. Further, the quote must indicate where full details of compliance can be found (e.g., vendor's website or other exact locations). For contracts issued on or after June 25, 2001, Subsection 508(a)(30) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that: When federal departments or agencies develop, procure, maintain or use Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) they must ensure that the EIT allows Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of information and that data is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by other Federal employees; and, that individuals with disabilities who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal Department or agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public without disabilities. The Contractor agrees to abide by this law and to ensure that all information created or used under this contract conforms to the above requirements. 1194.31, Functional Performance Criteria, and 1194-41, Information Documentation, and Support -- in order to comply with this Section of 508, the Contractor shall submit all soft copies in a format that will be readable by SEC's standard screen reader. All imbedded charts, graphs, pictures, etc., must be accessible and understandable through a screen reader. To view the entire text on 36 CFR Part 1194, go to www.section508.gov or www.access-board.gov and for 48 CFR Subpart 39.2, go to www.arnet.gov/far. All web sites and applications have to be compliant with Section 508. (End) (xiii) Contract Financing and Warranty requirements are not applicable. (xiv) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable. (xv) The due date and time for Quotes is Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at 12:00 P.M. local time (Eastern). Late quotes may not be accepted. Quotes shall be delivered electronically via email to both TyKeithia Williams and Angela Bruce Dunson at [email protected] and [email protected] respectively. (xvi) All questions concerning this RFQ shall be submitted in writing to both TyKeithia Williams and Angela Bruce Dunson at [email protected] and [email protected] respectively, no later than 12:00 P.M. local time (Eastern), Friday, August 5, 2011. Questions will not be answered orally. E-mail submission of questions is required. Questions submitted after the specified time/date may not be addressed.