Title 48—Federal Acquisition Regulations System--Volume 1
PART 852—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
852.239-72   Information System Design and Development.
As prescribed in 839.106-70, insert the following clause:
(a) Design or development at non-VA facilities. Information systems that are designed or developed for or on behalf of VA at non-VA facilities shall comply with all VA directives developed in accordance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, NIST, and related VA security and privacy control requirements for Federal information systems. This includes standards for the protection of electronic protected health information (PHI), outlined in 45 CFR part 164, subpart C, information and system security categorization level designations in accordance with FIPS 199 and FIPS 200 with implementation of all baseline security controls commensurate with the FIPS 199 system security categorization and the Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) Reference Architecture).
(b) Privacy Impact Assessment. During the development cycle a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) must be completed, provided to the COR, and approved by the VA Privacy Service in accordance with VA Directive 6508, Implementation of Privacy Threshold Analysis and Privacy Impact Assessment.
(c) Security of procured or developed systems and technologies. The Contractor shall ensure the security of all procured or developed systems and technologies, including their subcomponents (hereinafter referred to as “Systems”), throughout the life of the contract and any extension, warranty, or maintenance periods. This includes, but is not limited to, workarounds, patches, hotfixes, upgrades, and any physical components (hereafter referred to as Security Fixes) which may be necessary to fix all security vulnerabilities published or known to the Contractor anywhere in the Systems, including Operating Systems and firmware. The Contractor shall ensure that Security Fixes shall not negatively impact the Systems.
(d) Subcontract flow down requirements. The Contractor shall include the clause at 52.224-1, Privacy Act Notification, in every solicitation and/or subcontract awarded by the Contractor when the clause FAR 52.224-1 is included in its contract.
852.239-73   Information System Hosting, Operation, Maintenance, or Use.
As prescribed in 839.106-70, insert the following clause:
(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—
Assessment and Authorization (A&A) means the process used to ensure information systems including Major Applications and General Support Systems have effective security safeguards which have been implemented, planned for, and documented in an Information Technology Security Plan. The A&A process per applicable VA policies and procedures is the mechanism by which VA provides an Authorization to Operate (ATO), the official management decision given by the VA to authorize operation of an information system (see VA Handbook 6500 for additional details).
Information system security plan means a formal document that provides an overview of the security requirements for an information system and describes the security controls in place or planned for meeting those requirements.
(b) Hosting, operation, maintenance, or use at non-VA facilities. For information systems that are hosted, operated, maintained, or used on behalf of VA at non-VA facilities, Contractors/subcontractors are fully responsible and accountable for ensuring compliance with the applicable Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules, the Privacy Act and other required VA confidentiality statutes included in VA's mandatory yearly training and privacy handbooks, Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), and VA security and privacy directives and handbooks. This includes conducting compliant risk assessments, routine vulnerability scanning, system patching and change management procedures, and the completion of an acceptable contingency plan for each system. The Contractor's security control procedures must be equivalent to or exceed, those procedures used to secure VA systems. A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) must also be provided to the COR and approved by VA Privacy Service prior to approval to operate. All external internet connections to VA's network involving VA information must be in accordance with the Trusted internet Connections (TIC) Reference Architecture and reviewed and approved by VA prior to implementation. For Cloud Services hosting, the Contractor shall also ensure compliance with the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).
(c) Collecting, processing, transmitting, and storing of VA sensitive information. Adequate security controls for collecting, processing, transmitting, and storing of VA sensitive information, must be in place, tested, and approved by VA prior to hosting, operation, maintenance, or use of the information system, or systems by or on behalf of VA. These security controls are to be assessed and stated within the Information System Security Plan and if these controls are determined not to be in place, or inadequate, a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) must be submitted and approved prior to the collection, processing, transmitting, and storing of VA sensitive information.
(d) Annual FISMA security controls assessment. The Contractor/subcontractor's system must adhere to all FISMA, FIPS, and NIST standards related to the annual FISMA security controls assessment and review and update the Privacy Impact Assessment. Any deficiencies noted during this assessment must be provided to the Contracting Officer for entry into VA's POA&M management process. The Contractor/subcontractor must use VA's POA&M process to document planned remedial actions to address any deficiencies in information security policies, procedures, and practices, and the completion of those activities. Security deficiencies must be corrected within the timeframes specified by the VA in the performance work statement (PWS) or statement of work (SOW), or in the approved remediation plan through the VA POA&M process. Contractor/subcontractor procedures are subject to periodic, unannounced assessments by VA officials, including the VA Office of Inspector General. The physical security aspects associated with Contractor/subcontractor activities must also be subject to such assessments. The results of an annual review or a major change in the cybersecurity posture at any time may indicate the need for reassessment and reauthorization of the system. If major changes to the system occur that may affect the privacy or security of the data or the system, the A&A of the system may need to be reviewed, retested and re-authorized per VA Handbook 6500. This may require reviewing and updating all of the documentation as described in VA Handbook 6500.6 ( e.g., System Security Plan, Contingency Plan). See VA Handbook 6500.6 for a list of documentation. The VA Information System Risk Management (ISRM) office can provide guidance on whether a new A&A would be necessary.
(e) Annual self-assessment. The Contractor/subcontractor must conduct an annual self-assessment on all systems and outsourced services as required. Both hard copy and electronic copies of the assessment must be provided to the COR. VA reserves the right to conduct such an assessment using government personnel or another Contractor/subcontractor. The Contractor/subcontractor must take appropriate and timely action, as may be specifically addressed in the contract, to correct or mitigate any weaknesses discovered during such testing, at no additional cost to the Government to correct Contractor/subcontractor systems and outsourced services.
(f) Prohibition of installation and use of personally-owned or Contractor-owned equipment or software on VA networks. VA prohibits the installation and use of personally-owned or Contractor/subcontractor-owned equipment or software on VA networks. If non-VA owned equipment must be used to fulfill the requirements of a contract, it must be stated in the service agreement, PWS, SOW or contract. All of the security controls required for government furnished equipment (GFE) must also be utilized in approved other equipment (OE) at the Contractor's expense. All remote systems must be equipped with, and use, a VA-approved antivirus (AV) software and a personal (host-based or enclave based) firewall that is configured with a VA-approved configuration. Software must be kept current, including all critical updates and patches. Owners of approved OE are responsible for providing and maintaining the anti-viral software and the firewall on the non-VA owned OE.
(g) Disposal or return of electronic storage media on non-VA leased or non-VA owned IT equipment. All electronic storage media used on non-VA leased or non-VA owned IT equipment that is used to store, process, or access VA information must be handled in adherence with NIST 800-88, Rev. 1, “Guidelines for Media Sanitization,” and VA Directive 6500, VA Cybersecurity Program, paragraph 2(b)(5), Media Sanitization including upon—
(1) Completion or termination of the contract; or
(2) Disposal or return of the IT equipment by the Contractor/subcontractor or any person acting on behalf of the Contractor/subcontractor, whichever is earlier. Media ( e.g., hard drives, optical disks, CDs, back-up tapes) used by the Contractors/subcontractors that contain VA information must be returned to the VA for sanitization or destruction or the Contractor/subcontractor must self-certify that the media has been disposed of per VA Handbook 6500.1 requirements. This must be completed within 30 days of termination of the contract.
(h) Bio-Medical devices and other equipment or systems. Bio-Medical devices and other equipment or systems containing media ( e.g., hard drives, optical disks) with VA sensitive information will not be returned to the Contractor at the end of lease, for trade-in, or other purposes. For purposes of these devices and protection of VA sensitive information the devices may be provided back to the Contractor under one of three scenarios—
(1) The Contractor must accept the system without the drive;
(2) A spare drive must be installed in place of the original drive at time of turn-in if VA's initial medical device purchase included a spare drive; or
(3) The Contractor may request reimbursement for the drive at a reasonable open market replacement cost to be separately negotiated by the Contracting Officer and the Contractor at time of contract closeout.
852.239-74   Security Controls Compliance Testing.
As prescribed in 839.106-70(d), insert the following clause:
On a periodic basis, VA, including the Office of Inspector General, reserves the right to evaluate any or all of the security and privacy controls implemented by the Contractor under the clauses contained within the contract. With 10 working-days' notice, at the request of the government, the Contractor must fully cooperate and assist in a government-sponsored security controls assessment at each location wherein VA information is processed or stored, or information systems are developed, operated, maintained, or used on behalf of VA, including those initiated by the Office of Inspector General. The government may conduct a security control assessment on shorter notice, to include unannounced assessments, as determined by VA in the event of a security incident or at any other time.
852.239-75   Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Notice.
As prescribed in 839.203-70(a), insert the following provision:
(a) Any offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established VA Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (formerly Electronic and Information (EIT)) accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.section508.va.gov/.
(b) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this solicitation are stated in the clause at 852.239-75, Information and Communication Technology Accessibility. In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed ICT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit appropriate VA Section 508 Checklists, in accordance with the checklist completion instructions. The purpose of the checklists is to assist VA acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed ICT supplies, or information, documentation and services conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The checklists allow offerors or developers to self-evaluate their supplies and document—in detail—whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues.
(c) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any exception to Section 508 requirements. If an offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the described accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.
852.239-76   Information and Communication Technology Accessibility.
As prescribed in 839.203-70(b), insert the following clause:
(a) All information and communication technology (ICT) (formerly referred to as electronic and information technology (EIT)) supplies, information, documentation and services support developed, acquired, maintained or delivered under this contract or order must comply with the “Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Standards” ( see 36 CFR part 1194). Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.section508.va.gov/.
(b) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract or order are identified in the specification, statement of work, or performance work statement. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies and services provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the contract, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense.
(c) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract are: __ [ Contracting Officer: insert the applicable Section 508 accessibility standards ].
(d) In the event of a modification(s) to this contract or order, which adds new EIT supplies or services or revises the type of, or specifications for, supplies or services, the Contracting Officer may require that the Contractor submit a completed VA Section 508 Checklist and any other additional information necessary to assist the Government in determining that the ICT supplies or services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies and services provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the contract, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense.
(e) If this is an Indefinite-Delivery type contract, a Blanket Purchase Agreement or a Basic Ordering Agreement, the task/delivery order requests that include ICT supplies or services will define the specifications and accessibility standards for the order. In those cases, the Contractor may be required to provide a completed VA Section 508 Checklist and any other additional information necessary to assist the Government in determining that the ICT supplies or services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards. If it is determined by the Government that ICT supplies and services provided by the Contractor do not conform to the described accessibility standards in the provided documentation, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its own expense.
852.241-70   Disputes—Utility Contracts.
As prescribed in 841.501-70, insert the following clause:
(a) Definition. As used in this clause, Independent regulatory body means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a state-wide agency, or an agency with less than state-wide jurisdiction when operating pursuant to state authority. The body has the power to fix, establish, or control the rates and services of utility suppliers.
(b) Independent Regulatory Body determinations. The requirements of the Disputes clause at FAR 52.233-1 are supplemented to provide that matters involving the interpretation of tariffed retail rates, tariff rate schedules, and tariffed terms provided under this contract are subject to any determinations by the independent regulatory body having jurisdiction.
852.242-70   Government Construction Contract Administration.
As prescribed in 842.272, insert the following clause. This is a fill-in clause.
(a) Contract administration functions set forth in FAR 42.302 are hereby delegated to:
(b) The following functions will be retained by the Contracting Officer or Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) and are not redelegable to Resident Engineers:
(1) Award of contract modifications either through supplemental agreements or change orders that exceed the ACO's appointed warrant limitations.
(2) Issuance of default letters.
(3) Issuance of Cure or Show-Cause Notices.
(4) Suspension of work letters and/or modifications.
(5) Issuance of Contracting Officer final determination letters.
(6) Issuance of termination notices.
(7) Authorization of final payment.
(c) The work will be under the direction of a Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Officer, who may designate another VA employee to act as resident engineer at the construction site who possesses limited warranted authority.
(d) Except as provided below, the resident engineer's directions will not conflict with or change contract requirements. Within the limits of any specific authority delegated by the Contracting Officer, the resident engineer may, by written direction, make changes in the work. The Contractor shall be advised of the extent of such authority prior to execution of any work under the contract.
(e) The Contracting Officer or an Administrative Contracting Officer identified in paragraph (a) may further delegate limited authority and specialized support services responsibilities below to the following warranted Resident Engineer personnel on site, not to exceed the dollar value and threshold of their warrant:
(1) Conduct post-award orientation conferences.
(2) Issue administrative changes (see FAR 43.101) correcting errors or omissions, contractor address, facility or activity code, remittance address, computations which do not required additional contract funds, and other such changes.
(3) For actions not to exceed $ [ Insert dollar amount ] negotiate and execute supplemental agreements resulting from change orders issued under the Changes clause.
(4) Negotiate and execute supplemental agreements changing contract delivery schedules where the time extension does not exceed [ Insert number ] calendar days.
852.242-71   Administrative Contracting Officer.
As prescribed in 842.271, insert the following clause:
The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) for the purpose of performing certain tasks/duties in the administration of the contract. Such designation will be in writing through an ACO Letter of Delegation and will identify the responsibilities and limitations of the ACO. A copy of the ACO Letter of Delegation will be furnished to the Contractor.
852.243-70   Construction Contract Changes—Supplement.
As prescribed in 843.205-70, the Contracting Officer shall insert this clause in solicitations and contracts for construction that are expected to exceed the micro-purchase threshold. The Contracting Officer shall fill in the number of days in which a Contractor must assert its right to an equitable adjustment; however, such amount shall not exceed 60 calendar days.
The FAR clauses 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions; 52.243-4, Changes; and 52.243-5, Changes and Changed Conditions, are supplemented as follows:
(a) Submission of request for equitable adjustment proposals. When directed by the Contracting Officer or requested by the Contractor, the Contractor shall, in accordance with FAR 15.403-5, submit proposals for changes in the work exceeding $500,000 in writing to the Contracting Officer or Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO), and to the resident engineer.
(1) The Contractor must provide an itemized breakdown for changes exceeding the micro-purchase threshold (see FAR 2.101).
(2) The itemized breakdown shall include materials, quantities, unit prices, labor costs (separated into trades), construction equipment, etc. Labor costs shall be identified with specific material placed or operation performed.
(3) Proposals shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer or ACO and the resident engineer as expeditiously as possible, but not later than [ fill-in ] calendar days, after receipt of a written change order by the Contracting Officer.
(4) Proposals shall be signed by each subcontractor participating in the change.
(5) The Contracting Officer will consider issuing a settlement by determination to the contract if the Contractor's proposal required by paragraph (a)(3) of this clause is not received within the time period specified in paragraph (a)(3), or if agreement has not been reached.
(b) Paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this clause and the following paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) apply to proposals for changes in the work $500,000 or less:
(1) As a basis for negotiation, allowances not to exceed 10 percent each for overhead and profit for the party performing the work will be based on the value of labor, material, and equipment required to accomplish the change. As the value of the change increases, a declining scale will be used in negotiating the percentage of overhead and profit. This declining scale will also be used to negotiate the prime Contractor's or upper-tier subcontractor's fee when work is performed by lower-tier subcontractors (to a maximum of three tiers) and will be based on the net increased cost to the prime or upper-tier subcontractor, as applicable. Profit (fee) shall be computed by multiplying the profit percentage by the sum of the direct costs and computed overhead costs. Allowable percentages on changes will not exceed the following:
(i) 10 percent overhead and/or 10 percent profit (fee) on the first $20,000.
(ii) 7.5 percent overhead and/or 7.5 percent profit (fee) on the next $30,000.
(iii) 5 percent overhead and/or 5 percent profit (fee) on a balance over $50,000.
(2) The Contracting Officer will consider issuing a settlement by determination to the contract if the Contractor's proposal required by paragraph (3) is not received within 30 calendar days, or if agreement has not been reached.
(c)(1) Overhead and Contractor's fee percentages shall be considered to include insurance other than mentioned herein, field and office supervisors and assistants, security police, use of small tools, incidental job burdens, and general home office expenses and no separate allowance will be made. Assistants to office supervisors include all clerical, stenographic and general office help. Incidental job burdens include, but are not necessarily limited to, office equipment and supplies, temporary toilets, telephone and conformance to OSHA requirements. Items such as, but not necessarily limited to, review and coordination, estimating and expediting relative to contract changes are associated with field and office supervision and are considered to be included in the Contractor's overhead and/or fee percentage.
(2) Where the Contractor's or subcontractor's portion of a change involves credit items, such items must be deducted prior to adding overhead and profit for the party performing the work. The Contractor's fee is limited to the net increase to Contractor or subcontractors' portions of cost computed in accordance with this clause.
(3) Where a change involves credit items only, a proper measure of the amount of downward adjustment in the contract price is the reasonable cost to the Contractor if it had performed the deleted work. A reasonable allowance for overhead and profit are properly includable as part of the downward adjustment for a deductive change. The amount of such allowance is subject to negotiation.
852.246-70   [Reserved]
852.246-71   Rejected Goods.
As prescribed in 846.370-1, insert the following clause:
(a) Supplies and equipment. Rejected goods will be held subject to Contractor's order for not more than 15 days, after which the rejected merchandise will be returned to the Contractor's address at the Contractor's risk and expense. Expenses incident to the examination and testing of materials or supplies that have been rejected will be charged to the Contractor.
(b) Perishable supplies. The Contractor shall remove rejected perishable supplies within 48 hours after notice of rejection. Supplies determined to be unfit for human consumption will not be removed without permission of the local health authorities. Supplies not removed within the allowed time may be destroyed. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not be responsible for, nor pay for, products rejected. The Contractor will be liable for costs incident to examination of rejected products.
852.246-72   Frozen Processed Foods.
As prescribed in 846.370-2, insert the following clause:
The products delivered under this contract shall be in excellent condition, shall not show evidence of defrosting, refreezing, or freezer burn and shall be transported and delivered to the consignee at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
852.246-73   Noncompliance with Packaging, Packing, and/or Marking Requirements.
As prescribed in 846.370-3, insert the following clause:
Failure to comply with the packaging, packing and/or marking requirements indicated herein, or incorporated herein by reference, may result in rejection of the merchandise and request for replacement or repackaging, repacking, and/or marking. The Government reserves the right, without obtaining authority from the Contractor, to perform the required repackaging, repacking, and/or marking services and charge the Contractor at the actual cost to the Government for the same or have the required repackaging, repacking, and/or marking services performed commercially under Government order and charge the Contractor at the invoice rate. In connection with any discount offered, time will be computed from the date of completion of such repackaging, repacking and/or marking services.
852.246-74   [Reserved]
852.246-75   Warranty of Construction—Guarantee Period Services.
As prescribed in 846.702-70(e), insert the following clause:
The clause 52.246-21, Warranty of Construction, is supplemented as follows:
Should the Contractor fail to complete the work or fail to proceed promptly to provide guarantee period services after notification by the Contracting Officer, the Government may, subject to the default clause contained at FAR 52.249-10, Default (Fixed-Price Construction), and after allowing the Contractor 10 days to correct and comply with the contract, terminate the right to proceed with the work (or the separable part of the work) that has been delayed or unsatisfactorily performed. In this event, the Government may take over the work and complete it by contract or otherwise, and may take possession of and use any materials, appliances, and plant on the work site necessary for completing the work. The Contractor and its sureties shall be liable for any damages to the Government resulting from the Contractor's refusal or failure to complete the work within this specified time, whether or not the Contractor's right to proceed with the work is terminated. This liability includes any increased costs incurred by the Government in completing the work.
852.246-76   Purchase of Shellfish.
As prescribed in 846.370-4 insert the following clause:
The supplier certifies that oysters, clams, and mussels will be furnished only from plants approved by and operated under the supervision of shellfish authorities of States whose certifications are endorsed currently by the U.S. Public Health Service, and the names and certificate numbers of those shellfish dealers must appear on current lists published by the U.S. Public Health Service. These items shall be packed and delivered in approved containers, sealed in such manner that tampering is easily discernible, and marked with packer's certificate number impressed or embossed on the side of such containers and preceded by the State abbreviation. Containers shall be tagged or labeled to show the name and address of the approved producer or shipper, the name of the State of origin, and the certificate number of the approved producer or shipper.
852.247-70   Determining Transportation Costs for Evaluation of Offers.
As prescribed in 847.305-70, insert the following provision:
For the purpose of evaluating bids and for no other purpose, the delivered price per unit will be determined by adding the nationwide average transportation charge to the f.o.b. origin bid prices. The nationwide average transportation charge will be determined by applying the following formula: Multiply the guaranteed shipping weight by the freight, parcel post, or express rate, whichever is proper, to each destination shown below and then multiply the resulting transportation charges by the anticipated demand factor shown for each destination. Total the resulting weighted transportation charges for all destinations and divide the total by 20 to give the nationwide average transportation charge.
Anticipated Demand
852.247-71   Delivery Location.
As prescribed in 847.302, insert a clause substantially as follows:
Shipment of deliverable items, other than reports, shall be to: ____ [ Contracting Officer shall insert appropriate identifying data ].
852.247-72   Marking Deliverables.
As prescribed in 847.305-10(a) insert a clause substantially the same as:
(a) The contract number shall be placed on or adjacent to all exterior mailing or shipping labels of deliverable items called for by the contract.
(b) Mark deliverables, except reports, for: ____[ Contracting Officer shall insert appropriate identifying data ].
852.247-73   Packing for Domestic Shipment.
As prescribed in 847.305-10(b), insert the following clause:
Material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carriers and safe delivery at destination. Containers and closures shall comply with regulations of carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation.
852.247-74   Advance Notice of Shipment.
As prescribed in 847.305-71(a), insert the following clause:
____ [ Insert number of work days ] work days prior to shipping item(s)
____ [ Insert items to be shipped ], the Contractor shall furnish the anticipated shipment date, bill of lading number (if applicable), and carrier identity to ____ [ Insert individual(s) to receive notification ] and to the Contracting Officer.
852.247-75   Bills of Lading.
As prescribed in 847.305-71(b), insert the following clause:
The purpose of this clause is to define when a commercial bill of lading or a Government bill of lading is to be used when shipments of deliverable items under this contract are f.o.b. origin.
(a) Commercial bills of lading. All domestic shipments shall be made via commercial bills of lading (CBLs). The Contractor shall prepay domestic transportation charges. The Government shall reimburse the Contractor for these charges if they are added to the invoice as a separate line item supported by the paid freight receipts. If paid receipts in support of the invoice are not obtainable, a statement as described below must be completed, signed by an authorized company representative, and attached to the invoice.
“I certify that the shipments identified below have been made, transportation charges have been paid by ____ [ company name ], and paid freight or comparable receipts are not obtainable.
Contract or Order Number: ____
Destination: ____ .”
(b) Government bills of lading. (1) International (export) and domestic overseas shipments of items deliverable under this contract shall be made by Government bills of lading (GBLs). As used in this clause, “domestic overseas” means non-continental United States, i.e., Hawaii, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and possessions of the United States.
(2) At least 15 days before shipment, the Contractor shall request in writing GBLs from: ____ [ Insert name, title, and mailing address of designated transportation officer or other official delegated responsibility for GBLs ]. If time is limited, requests may be by telephone: ____ [ Insert appropriate telephone number ]. Requests for GBLs shall include the following information.
(i) Item identification/description.
(ii) Origin and destination.
(iii) Individual and total weights.
(iv) Dimensional weight.
(v) Dimensions and total cubic footage.
(vi) Total number of pieces.
(vii) Total dollar value.
(viii) Other pertinent data.
852.249-70   Termination for Default—Supplement for Mortuary Services.
As prescribed in 849.504-70, insert the following clause:
The FAR clause entitled Default (Fixed-Price Supply and Service), at 52.249-8, is supplemented as follows:
The Contracting Officer may terminate this contract for default by written notice without the ten-day notice required by paragraph (a)(2) of the Default clause if—
(a) The Contractor, through circumstances reasonably within its control or that of its employees, performs any act under or in connection with this contract, or fails in the performance of any service under this contract and the act or failures may reasonably be considered to reflect discredit upon the Department of Veteran Affairs in fulfilling its responsibility for proper care of remains;
(b) The Contractor, or its employees, solicits relatives or friends of the deceased to purchase supplies or services not under this contract. (The Contractor may furnish supplies or arrange for services not under this contract, only if representatives of the deceased voluntarily request, select, and pay for them.);
(c) The services or any part of the services are performed by anyone other than the Contractor or the Contractor's employees without the written authorization of the Contracting Officer;
(d) The Contractor refuses to perform the services required for any particular remains; or
(e) The Contractor mentions or otherwise uses this contract in its advertising in any way.
852.252-70   Solicitation Provisions or Clauses Incorporated by Reference.
As prescribed in 852.102(a), insert the following provision:
The following provisions or clauses incorporated by reference in this solicitation must be completed by the offeror or prospective contractor and submitted with the quotation or offer. Copies of these provisions or clauses are available on the Internet at the Web sites provided in the provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference, or the clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference. Copies may also be obtained from the contracting officer.
[ Contracting officer shall list all FAR and 48 CFR Chapter 8 (VAAR) provisions and clauses incorporated by reference that must be completed by the offeror or prospective contractor and submitted with the quotation or offer. ]
852.271-70--852.271-71   [Reserved]
852.271-72   Time Spent by Counselee in Counseling Process.
As prescribed in 871.211, insert the following clause:
The Contractor agrees that no counselee referred under the provisions of this agreement will be required to participate or engage in additional sessions or expend any extra time in connection with the counseling process, to supply test results or other information, for purposes other than those specified in this contract.
852.271-73   Use and Publication of Counseling Results.
As prescribed in 871.211, insert the following clause:
The Contractor agrees that none of the information or data gathered in connection with the services specified in this contract, or studies or materials based thereon or relating thereto, will be publicized without the prior approval of the Under Secretary for Benefits or his/her designee.
852.271-74   Inspection of Instruction, Counseling or Testing Operations.
As prescribed in 871.211, insert the following clause:
The Contractor shall permit the duly authorized representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs to visit the place of instruction or the counseling and testing operations as may be necessary and to examine the training facilities, the work of the Veterans in training under this contract, and the records of these operations, along with any other rights to examine records and conduct inspections in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and clauses contained in the contract or order.
852.271-75   [Reserved]
852.273-70   Late offers.
As prescribed in 873.110(a), insert the following provision:
This provision replaces paragraph (f) of FAR provision 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items. Offers or modifications of offers received after the time set forth in a request for quotations or request for proposals may be considered, at the discretion of the Contracting Officer, if determined to be in the best interest of the Government. Late bids submitted in response to an invitation for bid (IFB) will not be considered.
852.273-71   Alternative negotiation techniques.
As prescribed in 873.110(b), insert the following provision:
The Contracting Officer may elect to use the alternative negotiation techniques described in 873.111(d) in conducting this procurement. If used, Offerors may respond by maintaining offers as originally submitted, revising offers, or submitting an alternative offer. The Government may consider initial offers unless revised or withdrawn, revised offers, and alternative offers in making the award. Revising an offer does not guarantee an offeror an award.
852.273-72   Alternative evaluation.
As prescribed in 873.110(c), insert the following provision:
(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror submitting the lowest priced offer that conforms to the solicitation. During the specified period for receipt of offers, the amount of the lowest offer will be posted and may be viewed by [ Contracting Officer insert description of how the information may be viewed electronically or otherwise ]. Offerors may revise offers anytime during the specified period. At the end of the specified time period for receipt of offers, the responsible Offeror submitting the lowest priced offer will be in line for award.
(b) Except when it is determined not to be in the Government's best interest, 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 materially unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).
852.273-73   Evaluation—Health-Care Resources.
As prescribed in 873.110(d), in lieu of FAR provision 52.212-2, the Contracting Officer may insert a provision substantially as follows:
(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose proposal, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following information or factors shall be used to evaluate offers: [ Contracting Officer insert evaluation information or factors, such as technical capability to meet the Government's requirements, past performance, or such other evaluation information or factors as the Contracting Officer deems necessary to evaluate offers. Price must be evaluated in every acquisition. The Contracting Officer may include the evaluation information or factors in their relative order of importance, such as in descending order of importance. The relative importance of any evaluation information must be stated in the solicitation. ]
(b) Except when it is determined not to be in the Government's best interest, 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 materially unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). The Government may reject any or all proposals if such action is in the Government's interest. Additionally, the Government may waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received.
(c) If this solicitation is a request for proposals (RFP), a written notice of award or acceptance of a proposal, 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 by the Contracting Officer before award.
852.273-74   Award without exchanges.
As prescribed in 873.110(e), insert the following provision:
The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without exchanges with Offerors. Therefore, each initial proposal should contain the Offeror's best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct exchanges if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary.