Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United States
Technical Support Services for the Harbor Porpoise and Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Genetic Analysis
Agency:
Department of Commerce
Official Address:
325 Broadway – MC3 Boulder CO 80305-3328
Zip Code:
80305-3328
Contact:
Diana Romero, Purchasing Agent , Phone 303-497-3761, Fax 303-497-3163, Email diana.romero@noaa.gov
Link:
Date Posted:
06/08/2018
Classification:
B
Contract Description:
COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION
Technical Support Services for the Harbor Porpoise and Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Genetic Analysis
(I) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
(II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number 1305M318QNFFS0049DR.
(III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-99 (Deviation 17-02).
(IV) This solicitation is unrestricted and open to all sources. The associated NAICS code is 541990. The small business size standard is $15.0M.
(V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services:
Line Item 0001 Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor, materials, and travel to support NOAA Fisheries effort to determine the genetic structure of the population of harbor porpoise and Cook Inlet beluga whales inhabiting Cook Inlet, AK in accordance with the statement of work, which is attached to the Standard Form SF-18, Request for Quote.
(VI) Description of requirements is as follows:
See statement of work which is attached to the SF-18 Request for Quote.
(VII) Date(s) and place(s) of delivery and acceptance:
Period of performance: 09/01/2018 – 08/31/2020
(VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors — Commercial Items (JAN 2017)(Reference), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18.
NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are nonresponsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror.
In addition to written price quotes, offers are instructed to provide:
1. Quotes shall be fully executed and returned on the Standard Form (SF) 18 and any acknowledgements of solicitation amendments on the SF 30.
2. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are acceptable and can be sent to Diana.Romero@noaa.gov.
3. At a minimum the contractor shall provide the following information:
a) Point of contact name, telephone and E-mail address.
b) DUNS Number
4. Provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with 52.212-2 in this package.
5. The offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically in System for Award Management at
IMPORTANT NOTES:
VENDOR SHALL HAVE AN ACTIVE REGISTRATION IS SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) FOUND AT SAM.GOV IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTRACT AWARD. IN ADDITION, VENDOR SHALL ALSO COMPLETE REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS ELECTROINICALLY IN SAM. REPS AND CERTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE NAICS CODE APPLICABLE TO THE REQUEST FOR QUOTE.
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT.
(IX) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation – Commercial Items (Oct 2014), applies to this acquisition. Offers will be evaluated based on price and the factors set forth in paragraph (a).
(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:
1) Technical Capability – The quote shall include all documentation of the qualifications stated in the statement of work in order for the government to make the determination that the offeror is technically acceptable.
2) Past Performance – quote shall include at least two references for similar services including a name, the phone number, full address, and email address (if available). The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the offeror, the agency’s knowledge of the contractor performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and past performance will be based on responsiveness, timeliness, quality, and customer service;
3) Price. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order on a best value basis.
(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).
(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.
(End of provision)
(X) The clause at FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (NOV 2017), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18 applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18.
The offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically in System for Award Management at
(XI) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items (Jan 2017)(Deviation 2017-02)(Aug 2017), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18.
(XII) The clause at 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items(JUL 2018) (Deviation 2017-05)(Aug 2017), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18.
(XIII) The following clauses are also applicable to this acquisition:
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):
(End of provision)
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):
(End of clause)
52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses (Apr 1984)
(a) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the date of the clause.
(b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Commerce Acquisition Regulation. (48 CFR 1352) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of “(DEVIATION)” after the name of the regulation.
(End of clause)
52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation. (Jan 2017)(Reference)
52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2016)
52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2016)
52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (Jan 2011)(Reference)
52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013)(Reference)
Department of Commerce (DOC) CAR Clauses
FOR FULL TEXT OF COMMERCE ACQUISITION CLAUSE OR PROVISIONS YOU MAY TO GO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: ;SID=0ff3b424806038599b185d9296e7950e&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&n=pt48.5.1352&r=PART
1352.201-70, Contracting Officer’s Authority (Apr 2010) (Reference)
1352.209-73 Compliance With the Laws (Apr 2010) (Reference)
1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest (Apr 2010) (Reference)
1352.233-70 Agency Protests (Apr 2010)
(a) An agency protest may be filed with either: (1) the contracting officer, or (2) at a level above the contracting officer, with the appropriate agency Protest Decision Authority. See 64 Fed. Reg. 16,651 (April 6, 1999)
(b) Agency protests filed with the Contracting Officer shall be sent to the following address:
Casey Morris
Contracting Officer
Western Acquisitions Division
325 Broadway, SOU6
Boulder, CO 80305-3328
FAX: 303-497-3163
(c) Agency protests filed with the agency Protest Decision Authority shall be sent to the following address:
Barry Berkowitz
Senior Procurement Executive and
Director, Office of Acquisition Management
U.S. Department of Commerce
Room 6422
Herbert C. Hoover Building
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC 20230
FAX: 202-482-1711
(d) A complete copy of all agency protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel within one day of filing a protest with either the Contracting Officer or the Protest Decision Authority.
(e) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows:
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of the General Counsel
Chief, Contract Law Division
Room 5893
Herbert C. Hoover Building
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230.
FAX: (202) 482-5858
(End of clause)
1352.233-71 GAO and Court of Federal Claims protests (Apr 2010)
(a) A protest may be filed with either the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Court of Federal Claims unless an agency protest has been filed.
(b) A complete copy of all GAO or Court of Federal Claims protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon (i) the Contracting Officer, and (ii) the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel, within one day of filing a protest with either GAO or the Court of Federal Claims.
(c) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows:
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of the General Counsel
Chief, Contract Law Division
Room 5893
Herbert C. Hoover Building
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20230.
FAX: (202) 482-5858
(End of clause)
1352.237-71 Security Processing Requirements-Low Risk Contracts (APR 2010)
(a) Investigative Requirements for Low Risk Contracts. All contractor (and subcontractor) personnel proposed to be employed under a Low Risk contract shall undergo security processing by the Department’s Office of Security before being eligible to work on the premises of any Department of Commerce owned, leased, or controlled facility in the United States or overseas, or to obtain access to a Department of Commerce IT system. All Department of Commerce security processing pertinent to this contract will be conducted at no cost to the contractor.
(b) Investigative requirements for Non-IT Service Contracts are:
(1) Contracts more than 180 days-National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).
(2) Contracts less than 180 days-Special Agency Check (SAC).
(c) Investigative requirements for IT Service Contracts are:
(1) Contracts more than 180 days-National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).
(2) Contracts less than 180 days-National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI).
(d) In addition to the investigations noted above, non-U.S. citizens must have a background check that includes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency check.
(e) Additional Requirements for Foreign Nationals (Non-U.S. Citizens). Non-U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) to be employed under this contract within the United States must have:
(1) Official legal status in the United States;
(2) Continuously resided in the United States for the last two years; and
(3) Obtained advance approval from the servicing Security Officer in consultation with the Office of Security headquarters.
(f) DOC Security Processing Requirements for Low Risk Non-IT Service Contracts. Processing requirements for Low Risk non-IT Service Contracts are as follows:
(1) Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed in Low Risk non-IT service contracts for more than 180 days. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF-85. The contract employee must also complete fingerprinting.
(2) Contract employees employed in Low Risk non-IT service contracts for less than 180 days require processing of Form OFI-86C Special Agreement Check (SAC), to be processed. The Sponsor will forward a completed Form OFI-86C, FD-258, Fingerprint Chart, and Credit Release Authorization to the servicing Security Officer, who will send the investigative packet to the Office of Personnel Management for processing.
(3) Any contract employee with a favorable SAC who remains on the contract over 180 days will be required to have a NACI conducted to continue working on the job site.
(4) For Low Risk non-IT service contracts, the scope of the SAC will include checks of the Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII), other agency files (INVA), Defense Clearance Investigations Index (DCII), FBI Fingerprint (FBIF), and the FBI Information Management Division (FBIN).
(5) In addition, for those individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents), the Sponsor may request a Customs Enforcement SAC on Form OFI-86C, by checking Block #7, Item I. In Block 13, the Sponsor should enter the employee’s Alien Registration Receipt Card number to aid in verification.
(6) Copies of the appropriate forms can be obtained from the Sponsor or the Office of Security. Upon receipt of the required forms, the Sponsor will forward the forms to the servicing Security Officer. The Security Officer will process the forms and advise the Sponsor and the Contracting Officer whether the contract employee can commence work prior to completion of the suitability determination based on the type of work and risk to the facility ( i.e. , adequate controls and restrictions are in place). The Sponsor will notify the contractor of favorable or unfavorable findings of the suitability determinations. The Contracting Officer will notify the contractor of an approved contract start date.
(g) Security Processing Requirements for Low Risk IT Service Contracts. Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed under Low Risk IT service contracts.
(1) Contract employees employed in all Low Risk IT service contracts will require a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) to be processed. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF-85. Fingerprints and a Credit Release Authorization must be completed within three working days from start of work, and provided to the Servicing Security Officer, who will forward the investigative package to OPM.
(2) For Low Risk IT service contracts, individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) must undergo a NACI that includes an agency check conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service. The Sponsor must request the ICE check as a part of the NAC.
(h) Notification of Disqualifying Information. If the Office of Security receives disqualifying information on a contract employee, the Sponsor and Contracting Officer will be notified. The Sponsor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer for the immediate removal of the employee from duty requiring access to Departmental facilities or IT systems. Contract employees may be barred from working on the premises of a facility for any of the following reasons:
(1) Conviction of a felony crime of violence or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
(2) Falsification of information entered on security screening forms or of other documents submitted to the Department.
(3) Improper conduct once performing on the contract, including criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct or other conduct prejudicial to the Government regardless of whether the conduct was directly related to the contract.
(4) Any behavior judged to pose a potential threat to Departmental information systems, personnel, property, or other assets.
(i) Failure to comply with security processing requirements may result in termination of the contract or removal of contract employees from Department of Commerce facilities or denial of access to IT systems.
(j) Access to National Security Information. Compliance with these requirements shall not be construed as providing a contract employee clearance to have access to national security information.
(k) The contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts.
(End of clause)
1352.239-72 Security Requirements for Information Technology Resources (APR 2010)
(a) Applicability. This clause is applicable to all contracts that require contractor electronic access to Department of Commerce sensitive non-national security or national security information contained in systems, or administrative control of systems by a contractor that process or store information that directly supports the mission of the Agency.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this clause, the term “Sensitive” is defined by the guidance set forth in the Computer Security Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-235), including the following definition of the term:
(1) Sensitive information is ” * * * any information, the loss, misuse, or unauthorized access to, or modification of which could adversely affect the national interest or the, conduct of Federal programs, or the privacy to which individuals are entitled under section 552a of title 5, United States Code (The Privacy Act), but which has not been specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive Order or an Act of Congress to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.”
(2) For purposes of this clause, the term “National Security” is defined by the guidance set forth in:
(i) The DOC IT Security Program Policy and Minimum Implementation Standards, Section 4.3.
(ii) The DOC Security Manual, Chapter 18.
(iii) Executive Order 12958, as amended, Classified National Security Information. Classified or national security information is information that has been specifically authorized to be protected from unauthorized disclosure in the interest of national defense or foreign policy under an Executive Order or Act of Congress.
(3) Information technology resources include, but are not limited to, hardware, application software, system software, and information (data). Information technology services include, but are not limited to, the management, operation (including input, processing, transmission, and output), maintenance, programming, and system administration of computer systems, networks, and telecommunications systems.
(c) The contractor shall be responsible for implementing sufficient Information Technology security, to reasonably prevent the compromise of DOC IT resources for all of the contractor’s systems that are interconnected with a DOC network or DOC systems that are operated by the contractor.
(d) All contractor personnel performing under this contract and contractor equipment used to process or store DOC data, or to connect to DOC networks, must comply with the requirements contained in the DOC Information Technology Management Handbook (see DOC, Office of the Chief Information Officer Web site), or equivalent/more specific agency or operating unit counsel guidance as specified immediately hereafter [insert agency or operating unit counsel specific guidance, if applicable].
(e) Contractor personnel requiring a user account for access to systems operated by the contractor for DOC or interconnected to a DOC network to perform contract services shall be screened at an appropriate level in accordance with Commerce Acquisition Manual 1337.70, Security Processing Requirements for Service Contracts.
(f) Within 5 days after contract award, the contractor shall certify in writing to the COR that its employees, in performance of the contract, have completed initial IT security orientation training in DOC IT Security policies, procedures, computer ethics, and best practices, in accordance with DOC IT Security Program Policy, chapter 15, section 15.3. The COR will inform the contractor of any other available DOC training resources. Annually thereafter the contractor shall certify in writing to the COR that its employees, in performance of the contract, have completed annual refresher training as required by section 15.4 of the DOC IT Security Program Policy.
(g) Within 5 days of contract award, the contractor shall provide the COR with signed acknowledgement of the provisions as contained in Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR), 1352.209-72, Restrictions Against Disclosures.
(h) The contractor shall afford DOC, including the Office of Inspector General, access to the contractor’s and subcontractor’s facilities, installations, operations, documentation, databases, and personnel used in performance of the contract. Access shall be provided to the extent required to carry out a program of IT inspection, investigation, and audit to safeguard against threats and hazards to the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of DOC data or to the function of computer systems operated on behalf of DOC, and to preserve evidence of computer crime.
(i) For all contractor-owned systems for which performance of the contract requires interconnection with a DOC network on which DOC data will be stored or processed, the contractor shall provide, implement, and maintain a System Accreditation Package in accordance with the DOC IT Security Program Policy. Specifically, the contractor shall:
(1) Within 14 days after contract award, submit for DOC approval a System Certification Work Plan, including project management information (at a minimum the tasks, resources, and milestones) for the certification effort, in accordance with DOC IT Security Program Policy and [Insert agency or operating unit counsel specific guidance, if applicable]. The Certification Work Plan, approved by the COR, in consultation with the DOC IT Security Officer, or Agency/operating unit counsel IT Security Manager/Officer, shall be incorporated as part of the contract and used by the COR to monitor performance of certification activities by the contractor of the system that will process DOC data or connect to DOC networks. Failure to submit and receive approval of the Certification Work Plan may result in termination of the contract.
(2) Upon approval, follow the work plan schedule to complete system certification activities in accordance with DOC IT Security Program Policy Section 6.2, and provide the COR with the completed System Security Plan and Certification Documentation Package portions of the System Accreditation Package for approval and system accreditation by an appointed DOC official.
(3) Upon receipt of the Security Assessment Report and Authorizing Official’s written accreditation decision from the COR, maintain the approved level of system security as documented in the Security Accreditation Package, and assist the COR in annual assessments of control effectiveness in accordance with DOC IT Security Program Policy, Section 6.3.1.1.
(j) The contractor shall incorporate this clause in all subcontracts that meet the conditions in paragraph (a) of this clause.
(End of clause)
1330-52.203-70 Scientific Integrity and Research Misconduct (OCT 2012)
(a) Definitions. As used in this this solicitation and contract language –
Scientific activities mean activities that involve inventorying, monitoring, observations, experimentation, study, research, integration, modeling, and scientific assessment.
Scientific integrity means the condition resulting from adherence to professional values and practices when conducting and applying the results of science that ensures objectivity, clarity, and reproducibility, and that provides insulation from bias, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, interference, censorship, and inadequate procedural and information security.
Presentation of scientific activities results includes the analysis, synthesis, compilation, or translation of scientific information and data into formats for the use of the Department of Commerce or the United States of America.
Scientific and Research Misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing scientific and research activities, or in the products or reporting of the results of these activities. It specifically includes intentional circumvention of the integrity of the scientific and research process and actions that compromise that process, but does not include honest error or differences of opinion.
Investigation is formal collection and evaluation of information and facts to determine if scientific or research misconduct can be established, to assess its extent and consequences, and to recommend appropriate action.
(b) General Guidelines
1. Maintaining Integrity. The contractor shall maintain the scientific integrity of research performed pursuant to this contract award including the prevention, detection, and remediation of research misconduct, and the conduct of inquiries, investigations and adjudication of allegations of research misconduct.
2. In performing or presenting the results of scientific activities under the contract, and in responding to allegations of scientific and research misconduct, the contractor shall comply with the provisions herein and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 202-735D, Scientific Integrity, and its Procedural Handbook, including any amendments thereto.
3. Primary Responsibility. The contractor shall have the primary responsibility to prevent, detect, and investigate allegations of scientific and research misconduct. Unless otherwise instructed by the contracting officer, the contractor shall promptly conduct an initial inquiry into any allegation of such misconduct and may rely on its internal policies and procedures, as appropriate, to do so.
4. By executing this contract, the contractor provides its assurance that it has established an administrative process for performing an inquiry, investigating, and reporting allegations of scientific and research misconduct; and that it will comply with its own administrative process for performing an inquiry, investigation and reporting of such misconduct.
5. The contractor shall insert the substance of this requirement in subcontracts at all tiers that involve research being performed under this contract.
(c) Investigating Misconduct Research
1. Initiating Investigation. If the contractor determines that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to an investigation, it shall notify the contracting officer and, unless otherwise instructed, the contractor shall:
A. Promptly conduct an investigation to develop a complete factual record and an examination of such record leading to either a finding of scientific and research misconduct and an identification of appropriate remedies or a determination that no further action is warranted.
B. If the investigation leads to a finding of scientific and research misconduct, obtain adjudication by a neutral third party adjudicator. The adjudication must include a review of the investigative record and, as warranted, a determination of appropriate corrective actions and sanctions.
2. Finalizing Investigation. When the investigation is complete, the contractor shall forward to the contracting officer a copy of the evidentiary record, the investigative report, any recommendations made to the Contractor’s adjudicating official, the adjudicating official’s decision and notification of any corrective action taken or planned, and the subject’s written response (if any).
(d) Findings and Corrective Actions
1. If the contractor finds that scientific and research misconduct has occurred, it shall assess the seriousness of the misconduct and its impact on the research completed or in process and shall:
i. Take all necessary corrective actions, which includes, but are not limited to, correcting the research record, and, as appropriate, imposing restrictions, controls, or other parameters on research in process or to be conducted in the future, and
ii. Coordinate remedial action with the contracting officer.
(e) Department of Commerce Actions
1. The Department of Commerce may accept the Contractor’s findings or proceed with its own investigation, in which case the contractor shall fully cooperate with the investigation. The contracting officer will inform the contractor of the Department’s final determination.
2. The Department of Commerce reserves the right to pursue such remedies and other actions as it deems appropriate, consistent with the terms and conditions of the contract and applicable laws and regulations. Such remedies and actions may include, but are not limited to, disallowance of costs, recoupment of contract payments, and suspension or debarment.
(End of solicitation and contract language)
1330-52.222-70 NOAA SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE POLICY (MAY 2018)
(a) Definitions.
Contractor Employees – The term “contractor employees,” as used in this solicitation and contract language, refers to employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members.
Sexual Assault – The term sexual assault, as used in this solicitation and contract language, means any conduct proscribed by state or federal sexual abuse laws, including, but not limited to, those defined in chapter 109A of title 18 of the U.S. Code (sexual abuse), and assaults committed both by offenders who are strangers to the victim and by offenders who are known or related by blood or marriage to the victim.
Sexual Harassment – As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any of the following are true:
• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of an individual’s employment;
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual;
• The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
The main characteristics of sexual harassment are that the harasser’s conduct is targeted against the recipient’s sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and is unwelcome to the recipient. It may include, but is not limited to: offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, undue attention, physical assaults or threats, unwelcome touching or contact, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, constant or unwelcome questions about an individual’s identity, and offensive objects or pictures.
(b) Requirements.
1. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that contractor employees maintain the highest degree of conduct and standards in performance of the contract. In support of this, NOAA urges its contractors to develop and enforce comprehensive company policy addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment.
2. The contractor shall include wording substantially the same as this solicitation and contract language in every subcontract so that it is binding upon each subcontractor.
3. If a contractor employee observes or is the object of sexual assault or sexual harassment, he or she is highly encouraged to report the matter, as soon as possible, to their immediate supervisor, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), subset of the COR (e.g. Task Manager or Assistant COR), or contracting officer (CO) if a COR is not assigned to the contract. The contract employee may also contact the NOAA Civil Rights Office to obtain guidance on reporting instances of sexual assault or sexual harassment. If deemed necessary, the contractor employee may also report such instances to local law enforcement. In the case where the incident occurs while performing at a remote location, such as at sea or in the field (at a field camp or other isolated location) where the above referenced individuals are unavailable, the contractor employee should follow the reporting procedure set forth in NAO 202-1106, Section 6, .07, Reporting from Remote Locations.
i. Swift reporting allows NOAA and the contractor to take the appropriate measures to ensure that offensive behavior stops and the complainants’ needs are addressed.
ii. The COR (if assigned), CO, and contractor, where applicable, will work together to ensure appropriate action is taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, contract terms and conditions, and the contractor’s written policy (where applicable).
4. The contractor shall provide all contractor employees assigned to perform under this contract with mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and response training in compliance with the requirements of NAO 202-1106, Section 5, Prevention Training and Awareness, as part of their initial in-processing and on an annual basis thereafter. The initial training shall be completed within ____ business days [30 unless a different number is inserted] of contract award or the date a contractor employee is assigned to perform under the contract, as applicable.
Evidence of initial training by name and date completed for each contractor employee, shall be submitted to the COR or contracting officer (if no COR assigned) within 10 business days of completion.
Evidence of annual training by name and date completed for each contractor employee shall be submitted to the COR or contracting officer (if no COR assigned) no later than March 1st of each calendar year of contract performance.
i. The mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment training provided by the contractor shall include the required elements set forth by NOAA’s Workplace
Violence Program Manager. A link to the website including the required elements of the training is provided at: The website will also provide training materials and resources to assist the contractor in conducting the training. The contractor may provide training that solely addresses the NOAA required elements or may supplement existing company sexual assault and sexual harassment training in a manner that ensures all of the elements are adequately addressed.
ii. The required elements of the training and resources available to the contractor for the training may be updated by NOAA periodically. The contractor is responsible for monitoring the website and incorporating any changes to the NOAA required elements into the contractor provided training. iii. NOAA’s Workplace Violence Program Manager, COR, or CO may periodically review the contractor’s training outline to ensure all required elements are included and, if necessary, any appropriate adjustments are made to the training by the contractor. iv. Contractor employees performing on assignments in a remote location, such as at a field camp or other isolated locations, are subject to receiving the same briefing on the parameters of the order provided to NOAA employees as set forth in Section 6 of NAO 202-1106.
5. The contractor shall provide a copy of this solicitation and contract language and NAO 202-1106 to contractor employees. (c) Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) Helpline.
For NOAA employees, affiliates, and contractors who have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, NOAA has established the NOAA Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment (SASH) helpline. This helpline is designed to provide crisis intervention, referrals, and emotional support to those who are victims and/or survivors of sexual harassment or sexual assault within the workplace. Contractor employees may use the helpline to receive live, confidential, one-on-one support in an occurrence of sexual harassment or assault by a Federal Government employee. All services are anonymous, secure, and available worldwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The NOAA SASH helpline is accessible through a variety of channels, including:
● Phone: 1-866-288-6558
● Website & Online Chat:
● Mobile App: NOAA SASH Helpline (available via iOS and Android App Stores)
● Text: (202) 335-0265
(d) Confidentiality.
Any party receiving information from the filing of a complaint alleging sexual assault or sexual harassment, or while performing an investigation into such a complaint, shall keep the information confidential. “Confidentiality” means that the information shall only be shared with others who have a need to know the information to conduct their official duties. 3
(e) Remedies.
In addition to other remedies available to the Government, contractor employee violations of Federal requirements (e.g., law, statutes, executive orders, code, rules, regulations) applicable to sexual assault and sexual harassment and/or failure to complete the mandatory training set forth in this solicitation and contract language, may result in:
1. Requiring the Contractor to remove a contractor employee or employees from the performance of the contract;
2. Requiring the Contractor to terminate a subcontract;
3. Suspension of contract payments until the Contractor has taken appropriate remedial
action;
4. Termination of the contract for default or cause, in accordance with the termination clause of
5. Suspension or debarment; or
6. Other appropriate action.
(End of contract language)
1330-52.237-70 Contractor Communications
(a) A contractor employee shall be identified both by the individual’s name and the contractor’s name when:
1. Included in NOAA’s locator, and
2. When submitting any type of electronic correspondence to any NOAA employee or stakeholder.
(b) Any written correspondence from a contractor or any contractor employee shall be printed on company/organization letterhead or otherwise clearly identify the sender as an employee of the company or organization and shall identify the contract number.
(c) Contractors and/or contractor employees shall clearly identify themselves as such in any verbal communications, whether in informal discussion or a formal meeting.
(End of clause)
1330-52.237-71 NOAA GOVERNMENT-CONTRACTOR RELATIONS – NON-PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT (SEPT 2017)
(a) The Government and the Contractor understand and agree that the services to be delivered under this contract by the Contractor to the Government are non-personal services as defined in FAR Part 37, Service Contracting, and the parties recognize and agree that no employer-employee relationship exists or will exist under the contract between the Government and the Contractor’s personnel. It is, therefore, in the best interest of the Government to afford both parties an understanding of their respective obligations.
(b) Contractor personnel under this contract shall not:
(1) Be placed in a position where they are under relatively continuous supervision and control of a Government employee.
(2) Be placed in a position of command, supervision, administration, or control over Government personnel or over personnel of other Contractors performing under other NOAA contracts.
(c) The services to be performed under this contract do not require the Contractor or the Contractor’s personnel to exercise personal judgement and discretion on behalf of the Government. Rather, the Contractor’s personnel will act and exercise personal judgement and discretion on behalf of the Contractor.
(d) Rules, regulations, directives, and requirements that are issued by the Department of Commerce and NOAA under its responsibility for good order, administration, and security are applicable to all personnel who enter the Government installation and facilities, who are provided access to Government systems, or who travel on Government transportation. This is not to be construed or interpreted to establish any degree of Government control that is inconsistent with a non-personal services contract.
(e) Both parties are responsible for monitoring contract activities for indications of improper employee-employer relationships during performance. In the event a situation or occurrence takes place inconsistent with this contract language, the following applies:
(1) The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing within 5 business days from the date of any situation or occurrence where the Contractor considers specific contract activity to be inconsistent with the intent of this contract language. The notice must include the date, nature and circumstance of the situation or occurrence, the name, function and activity of each Government employee or Contractor employee involved or knowledgeable about the situation or occurrence, provide any documents or the substance of any oral communications related to the activity, and an estimated date by which the Government is recommended to respond to the notice in order to minimize cost, delay, or disruption of performance.
(2) The Contracting Officer will review the information provided by the Contractor, obtain additional information (if needed), and respond in writing as soon as practicable after receipt of the notification from the Contractor. The Contracting Officer’s response will provide a decision on whether the Contracting Officer determines the situation or occurrence to be inconsistent with the intent of this contract language and, if deemed necessary, will specify any corrective action(s) to be taken in order to resolve the issue.
(End of Solicitation and Contract Language)
1330-52.237-72 Contractor Access to NOAA Facilities (SEPT 2017)
(a)
1. NOAA may close and or otherwise deny contractor employees access to a NOAA facility for a portion of a business day or longer for various reasons including, but not limited, to the following events:
2. The performance of this contract requires employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members (“contractor employees”) to have access to and to the extent authorized, mobility within, a NOAA facility.
i. Federal public holidays for Federal employees in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 6103;
ii. Fires, floods, earthquakes, and unusually severe weather, including but not limited to snow storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes;
iii. Occupational safety or health hazards;
iv. Lapse in Appropriations; or
v. Federal Statute, Executive Order, Presidential Proclamation, or any other unforeseen reason.
3. In such events, the contractor employees may be denied access to a NOAA facility that is ordinarily available for the contractor to perform work or make delivery, as required by the contract.
(b) In all instances where contractors are denied access or required to vacate a NOAA facility, in part or in whole, the contractor shall be responsible to ensure contractor personnel working under the contract comply. If the circumstances permit, the contracting officer will provide direction to the contractor, either directly or through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), which could include continuing on-site performance during the NOAA facility closure period; however, if Government oversight is required and is not available, on-site performance shall not be allowed. In the absence of such direction, the contractor shall exercise sound judgment to minimize unnecessary contract costs and performance impacts, for example, performing required work off- site if possible or reassigning personnel to other activities if appropriate.
(c) The contractor shall be responsible for monitoring the Office of Personnel Management at opm.gov, the local radio, television stations, NOAA web sites, and other communication channels. Once the facility is accessible, the contractor shall resume contract performance as required by the contract.
(d) For the period that NOAA facilities were not accessible to contractors who required access in order to perform the services, the contracting officer may-
1. Adjust the contract performance or delivery schedule for a period equivalent to the period the NOAA facility was not accessible;
2. Forego the work; or
3. Reschedule the work by mutual agreement of the parties.
(e) Notification procedures of a NOAA facility closure, including contractor denial of access, are as follows:
1. The contractor shall be responsible for notification of its employees of the NOAA facility closure to include denial of access to the NOAA facility. The dismissal of NOAA employees in accordance with statute and regulations providing for such dismissals shall not, in itself, equate to a NOAA facility closure in which contractors are denied access. Moreover, the leave status of NOAA employees shall not be conveyed or imputed to contractor personnel. Accordingly, unless a NOAA facility is closed and the contractor is denied access to the facility, the contractor shall continue performance in accordance with the contract.
2. Access to Government facilities and resources, including equipment and systems, will be limited and personnel necessary to administer contract performance may not be available. Generally, supply and service contracts that are funded beyond the date of the lapse in appropriation and do not require access to Government facilities, active administration by Government personnel or the use of Government resources in a manner that would cause the Government to incur additional obligations during the lapse in appropriation may continue. If a delivery date for a contract falls during the period of a lapse in appropriations, Government personnel may not be available to receive delivery. Contractors are directed to consult with a contracting officer before attempting to make a delivery. Contracting officers will be available throughout the lapse in appropriation period to provide guidance.
Once OMB guidance is given, CORs, in consultation with the contracting officer, will notify those contractors that are deemed by the Program Office to be performing excepted work and identify the contractor personnel requiring access to NOAA facilities. CORs will also coordinate with directly with facility management or physical security personnel at respective locations to ensure that the names of contractor personnel requiring access to Government facilities during the lapse in appropriations are provided to physical security personnel.
Contractors who are not designated as performing excepted work are not allowed access to Government facilities or to utilize Government resources in a manner that would incur any additional obligation of funding on behalf of the Government during the lapse in appropriation.
3. Unless otherwise specified within the contract award, contractors requiring access to NOAA facilities outside normal business hours or outside the normal workweek shall submit a written request in writing through the COR to the contracting officer. The written request shall provide justification supporting the required access and be submitted ____________ hours/days (contracting officer insert number of days. If blank, 72 hours applies) before access to the NOAA facility is needed.
(End of solicitation and contract language)
1330-52.270-304 NOAA ACQUISITION AND GRANTS OFFICE OMBUDSMAN (OCT 2016)
a. The NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) Ombudsman is available to organizations to promote responsible and meaningful exchanges of information. Generally, the purpose of these exchanges will be to:
1. Allow contractors to better prepare for and propose on business opportunities.
2. Advise as to technologies and solutions within the marketplace that the Government may not be aware of, or is not fully benefiting from.
3. Identify constraints in transparency and process.
b. The AGO Ombudsman will objectively, reasonably, and responsibly collaborate with parties and recommend fair, impartial, and constructive solutions to the matters presented to him/her. Further, the AGO Ombudsman will maintain the reasonable and responsible confidentiality of the source of a concern, when such a request has been formally made by an authorized officer of an organization seeking to do business with, or already doing business with NOAA.
c. Before consulting with the AGO Ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations with the respective contracting officer for resolution. However, direct access to the AGO Ombudsman may be sought when an interested party questions the objectivity or equity of a contracting officer’s decision, or when there is a bona fide reason to believe that reasonable, responsible, and objective consideration will not be received from an assigned contracting officer.
d. There are several constraints to the scope of the AGO Ombudsman’s authority, for instance:
1. Consulting with the AGO Ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines of any formal process (e.g., protests, claims, debriefings, employee employer actions, activities involving A-76 competition performance decisions, judicial or congressional hearings, or proposal, amendment, modification or deliverable due dates, etc.).
2. The AGO Ombudsman cannot participate in the evaluation of proposals, source selection processes, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes.
3. The AGO Ombudsman is not authorized to generate or alter laws, judicial decisions, rules, policies, or formal guidance.
4. The AGO Ombudsman is not authorized to develop or alter opportunity announcements, solicitations, contracts, or their terms or conditions.
5. The AGO Ombudsman cannot overrule the authorized decisions or determinations of the contracting officer.
6. The AGO Ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds AGO, NOAA, the Department of Commerce, or the U.S. Government.
7. The AGO Ombudsman is not NOAA’s agent relative to the service of magistrate or judicial process and cannot be used to extend service of process to another party (whether federal, public, or a private entity).
e. After review and analysis of a filed concern or recommendation, the AGO Ombudsman may refer the interested party to another more suitable federal official for consideration. Moreover, concerns, disagreements, and/or recommendations that cannot be resolved by the AGO Ombudsman will need to be pursued through more formal venues.
f. The AGO Ombudsman is not to be contacted to request copies of forms and/or documents under the purview of a contracting officer. Such documents include Requests for Information, solicitations, amendments, contracts, modifications, or conference materials.
g. Questions regarding this solicitation and contract language shall be directed to Rafael Roman, NOAA AGO Ombudsman, at Rafael.Roman@noaa.gov.
(End of solicitation and contract language)
(XIV) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating does not apply.
(XV) Quotes are required to be received in the contracting office no later than 4:00 P.M. MDT on August 15, 2018. All quotes must be faxed or emailed to the attention of Diana Romero. The E-mail address is Diana.Romero@noaa.gov and the fax number is (303) 497-3163.
(XVI) Any questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to Diana Romero, (303) 497-3761, E-email address is diana.romero@noaa.gov .
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT.
Response Date:
081518
Sol Number:
1305M318QNFFS0049DR
