Title 48—Federal Acquisition Regulations System--Volume 1
PART 1552—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
1552.203-70   Current/former agency employee involvement certification.
As prescribed in 1503.670, insert the following provision in all EPA solicitations for sole-source acquisitions.
The offeror (quoter) hereby certifies that:
(a) He/She is [ ] is not [ ] a former employee or special government employee whose EPA employment terminated within one year prior to submission of this offer (quote).
(b) He/She does [ ] does not [ ] employ or propose to employ a current/former employee or special government employee whose EPA employment terminated within one year prior to submission of this offer (quote) and who has been or will be involved, directly or indirectly, in developing or negotiating this offer (quote) for the offeror (quoter), or in the management, administration or performance of any contract resulting from this offer (quote).
(c) He/She does [ ] does not [ ] employ or propose to employ as a consultant or subcontractor under any contract resulting from this offer (quote) a current/former employee or special government employee whose EPA employment terminated within one year prior to submission of this offer (quote).
(d) A former employee or special government employee whose EPA employment terminated within one year prior to submission of this offer (quote) or such former employee's spouse or minor child does [ ] does not [ ] own or substantially own or control the offeror's (quoter's) firm.
(e) See EPAAR part 1503.600-71 for definitions of the terms “employee” and “special government employee.”
1552.203-71   Display of EPA Office of Inspector General Hotline poster.
As prescribed in 1503.1004, insert the following clause in all contracts valued at $1,000,000 or more including all contract options.
(a) For EPA contracts valued at $1,000,000 or more including all contract options, the contractor shall prominently display EPA Office of Inspector General Hotline posters in contractor facilities where the work is performed under the contract.
(b) Office of Inspector General hotline posters may be obtained from the EPA Office of Inspector General, ATTN: OIG Hotline (2443), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460, or by accessing the OIG Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/oig/hotline.html.
(c) The Contractor need not comply with paragraph (a) of this clause if it has established a mechanism, such as a hotline, by which employees may report suspected instances of improper conduct, and has provided instructions that encourage employees to make such reports.
1552.203-72   Scientific integrity.
As prescribed in 1503.1071, insert the following clause:
(a) Applicability. This contract will require the Contractor to perform, communicate, or supervise scientific activities or use scientific information to perform advisory and assistance services. When performing, communicating, supervising, or utilizing scientific activities or scientific information, the Contractor must adhere to the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy.
(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply:
Advisory and assistance services ( see 48 CFR 2.101).
Scientific activities means those activities leading to the systematic knowledge of the physical or material world, largely consisting of observation and experimentation. It also includes the supervision, utilization, and communication of these activities.
Scientific information means factual inputs, data, models, analyses, technical information, or scientific assessments related to such disciplines as the behavioral and social sciences, public health and medical sciences, life and earth sciences, engineering, or physical sciences. This includes any communication or representation of knowledge, such as facts or data, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual forms. This definition includes information that an agency disseminates from a web page but does not include the provision of hyperlinks on a web page to information that others disseminate. This definition excludes opinions, where the agency's presentation makes clear that an individual's opinion, rather than a statement of fact or of the agency's findings and conclusions, is being offered.
Scientific Integrity means the adherence to professional values and practices, that is, the codes of ethics and behaviors in the scientists' fields of study, when conducting, supervising, communicating, and utilizing the results of science and scholarship. It ensures objectivity, clarity, reproducibility, and utility. It also provides insulation from bias, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, improper outside interference, and censorship.
(c) Compliance with policy. Prior to beginning performance under this contract, the Contractor must ensure that all personnel within their organization, including subcontractors and consultants, that perform, communicate, or supervise scientific activities, or use scientific information to perform advisory and assistance services under this contract, have read and understand their compliance responsibilities with the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy. This requirement applies to any personnel that will supervise, conduct, utilize, or communicate scientific activities or scientific information. Examples of such scientific activities include, but are not limited to, computer modeling, economic analysis, field sampling, laboratory experimentation, demonstrating new technology, statistical analysis, and writing a review article on a scientific issue.
(1) Consistent with the objective of promoting a culture of scientific integrity and transparency, as discussed in the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy, the Contractor agrees to:
(i) Produce scientific products of the highest quality, rigor, and objectivity, by adhering to applicable EPA information quality policy, quality assurance policy, and peer review policy;
(ii) Prohibit suppressing, altering, or otherwise impeding the timely release of scientific findings or conclusions;
(iii) Adhere to the Peer Review Handbook, current edition, for the peer review of scientific and technical work products generated through this contract;
(iv) Act honestly and refrain from acts of research misconduct, including publication or reporting, as described in EPA Order 3120.5 Policy and Procedures for Addressing Research Misconduct. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion;
(v) Require that reviews of the content of a scientific product be based only on scientific quality considerations, e.g., the methods used are clear and appropriate, the presentation of results and conclusions is impartial;
(vi) Ensure scientific findings are generated and disseminated in a timely and transparent manner, including scientific research performed by subcontractors and consultants who assist with developing or applying the results of scientific activities;
(vii) Include an explication of underlying assumptions, accurate contextualization of uncertainties, and a description of the probabilities associated with both optimistic and pessimistic projections when communicating scientific findings, if applicable;
(viii) Document the use of independent validation of scientific methods; and
(ix) Document any independent review of the Contractor's scientific facilities and testing activities, as occurs with accreditation by a nationally or internationally recognized sanctioning body.
(2) To assure protection of Contractor staff supported by this contract, consistent with the objectives described in the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy, the Contractor agrees to:
(i) Prohibit attempted or actual intimidation or coercion of scientists to alter scientific data, findings, or professional opinions or non-scientific influence of scientific advisory boards. In addition, the Contractor agrees to inform its employees, subcontractors, and consultants, including scientists and managers, of their responsibility not to knowingly misrepresent, exaggerate, or downplay areas of scientific uncertainty; and
(ii) Prohibit retaliation or other punitive actions toward employees who uncover or report allegations of scientific and research misconduct, or who express a differing scientific opinion. The Contractor must afford employees who have allegedly engaged in scientific or research misconduct the due process protections provided by law, regulation, and applicable collective bargaining agreements, prior to any action. The Contractor must ensure that all employees, subcontractors, and consultants are familiar with these protections and avoid the appearance of retaliatory actions.
(d) Loss of Scientific Integrity. If during performance of this contract the Contractor becomes aware of an actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity, the Contractor must immediately inform the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer's Representative with a description of the actual or suspected issue in writing. If the actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity is by an EPA employee, the Contractor may inform the Agency's Scientific Integrity Official, in addition to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer's Representative. The Contractor must ensure that its employees are aware of their responsibility to immediately report any actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity to the Contractor, who must communicate it to the EPA in writing. The Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer's Representative must consult with the Agency's Scientific Integrity Official on all issues related to an actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity under this contract and with the EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG), in accordance with EPA Order 3120.5 Policy and Procedures for Addressing Research Misconduct, on all issues related to research misconduct. The Agency's Scientific Integrity Official and/or OIG must advise the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer's Representative on the appropriate remedy for any actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity. The Contractor bears the primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct and for the inquiry, investigation, and adjudication of research misconduct alleged to have occurred under the contract in association with its own institution. However, the EPA retains the ultimate oversight authority for the EPA-supported research. The Contractor must take the actions required as described in EPA Order 3120.5 Policy and Procedures for Addressing Research Misconduct when research misconduct is suspected or found under its contract.
(e) Remedies. The Contracting Officer in consultation with the Scientific Integrity Official and OIG, if applicable, will make the final determination on any remedy to an actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity. Potential remedies include:
(1) Acceptance of the Contractor's proposed mitigation plan to the scientific integrity issue;
(2) Acceptance of an alternate mitigation plan negotiated by the parties listed in the first paragraph of this section;
(3) Termination for convenience, in whole or in part, if no mitigation plan will adequately resolve the actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity; or
(4) Termination for default or cause, in whole or in part, if the Contractor was aware of an actual or suspected loss of scientific integrity under this contract and did not disclose it or misrepresented relevant information to the EPA. Additionally, the Government may debar or suspend the Contractor from Government contracting or pursue other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.
(5) Opportunity to Respond —If the party who has been accused of a loss of scientific integrity feels that the Agency has reached an incorrect conclusion or the Contracting Officer has applied an inappropriate remedy, the party may provide a written response to the Contracting Officer, Scientific Integrity Official, and/or OIG.
(f) Subcontractors and Consultants. The Contractor agrees to insert language in any subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder which must conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (f), unless otherwise authorized in advance in writing by the Contracting Officer.
(g) Additional Resources. For more information about the EPA's Scientific Integrity Policy, an introductory video can be accessed at: https://youtu.be/FQJCy8BXXq8. A training video is available at: https://youtu.be/Zc0T7fooot8.
1552.204-70   [Reserved]
1552.208-70   Printing.
As prescribed in 1508.870, insert the following clause:
(a) Definitions. “Printing” is the process of composition, plate making, presswork, binding and microform; or the end items produced by such processes and equipment. Printing services include newsletter production and periodicals which are prohibited under EPA contracts.
“Composition” applies to the setting of type by hot-metal casting, photo typesetting, or electronic character generating devices for the purpose of producing camera copy, negatives, a plate or image to be used in the production of printing or microform.
“Camera copy” (or “camera-ready copy”) is a final document suitable for printing/duplication.
“Desktop Publishing” is a method of composition using computers with the final output or generation of a camera copy done by a color inkjet or color laser printer. This is not considered “printing.” However, if the output from desktop publishing is being sent to a typesetting device (i.e., Linotronic) with camera copy being produced in either paper or negative format, these services are considered “printing.”
“Microform” is any product produced in a miniaturized image format, for mass or general distribution and as a substitute for conventionally printed material. Microform services are classified as printing services and include microfiche and microfilm. The contractor may make up to two sets of microform files for archival purposes at the end of the contract period of performance.
“Duplication” means the making of copies on photocopy machines employing electrostatic, thermal, or other processes without using an intermediary such as a negative or plate.
“Requirement” means an individual photocopying task. (There may be multiple requirements under a Work Assignment or Delivery Order. Each requirement would be subject to the duplication limitation of 5,000 copies of one page or 25,000 copies of multiple pages in the aggregate per requirement).
“Incidental” means a draft and/or proofed document (not a final document) that is not prohibited from printing under EPA contracts.
(b) Prohibition. (1) The contractor shall not engage in, nor subcontract for, any printing in connection with the performance of work under this contract. Duplication of more than 5,000 copies of one page or more than 25,000 copies of multiple pages in the aggregate per requirement constitutes printing. The intent of the printing limitation is to eliminate duplication of final documents.
(2) In compliance with EPA Order 2200.4a, EPA Publication Review Procedure, the Office of Communications, Education, and Media Relations is responsible for the review of materials generated under a contract published or issued by the Agency under a contract intended for release to the public.
(c) Affirmative Requirements. (1) Unless otherwise directed by the contracting officer, the contractor shall use double-sided copying to produce any progress report, draft report or final report.
(2) Unless otherwise directed by the contracting officer, the contractor shall use recycled paper for reports delivered to the Agency which meet the minimum content standards for paper and paper products as set forth in EPA's Web site for the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines at: http://www.epa.gov/cpg/.
(d) Permitted Contractor Activities. (1) The prohibitions contained in paragraph (b) do not preclude writing, editing, or preparing manuscript copy, or preparing related illustrative material to a final document (camera-ready copy) using desktop publishing.
(2) The contractor may perform a requirement involving the duplication of less than 5,000 copies of only one page, or less than 25,000 copies of multiple pages in the aggregate, using one color (black), such pages shall not exceed the maximum image size of 10 3/4 by 14 1/4 inches, or 11 by 17 paper stock. Duplication services below these thresholds are not considered printing. If performance of the contract will require duplication in excess of these thresholds, contractors must immediately notify the contracting officer in writing and a waiver must be obtained. Only the Joint Committee on Printing has the authority to grant waivers to the printing requirements. All Agency waiver requests must be coordinated with EPA's Headquarters Printing Management Team, Facilities and Services Division, and with the Office of General Counsel. Duplication services of “incidentals” in excess of the thresholds are allowable.
(3) The contractor may perform a requirement involving the multi-color duplication of no more than 100 pages in the aggregate using color copier technology, such pages shall not exceed the maximum image size of 10 3/4 by 14 1/4 inches, or 11 by 17 paper stock. Duplication services below these thresholds are not considered printing. If performance of the contract will require duplication in excess of these limits, contractors must immediately notify the contracting officer in writing and a waiver must be obtained. Only the Joint Committee on Printing has the authority to grant waivers to the printing requirements. All Agency waiver requests must be coordinated with EPA's Headquarters Printing Management Team, Facilities and Services Division, and with the Office of General Counsel.
(4) The contractor may perform the duplication of no more than a total of 500 units of an electronic information storage device (e.g., CD-ROMs, DVDs, thumb drives 1 ) (including labeling and packaging) per work assignment or task order/delivery order per contract year. Duplication services below these thresholds are not considered printing. If performance of the contract will require duplication in excess of these thresholds, contractors must immediately notify the contracting officer in writing and a waiver must be obtained. Only the Joint Committee on Printing has the authority to grant waivers to the printing requirements. All Agency waiver requests must be coordinated with EPA's Headquarters Printing Management Team, Facilities and Services Division, and with the Office of General Counsel.
1 Pursuant to the July 2008 guidance Promotional Communications for EPA, a thumb drive can be used as a promotional item, but it also must be an information medium in itself. Namely, it must have substantive EPA information already loaded into the drive. Due to its intrinsic material value, it may not be used simply or primarily to display an EPA message on the exterior of the drive.
(e) Violations. The contractor may not engage in, nor subcontract for, any printing in connection with the performance of work under the contract. The cost of any printing services in violation of this clause will be disallowed, or not accepted by the Government.
(f) Flowdown Clause. The contractor shall include in each subcontract which may involve a requirement for any printing/duplicating/copying a provision substantially the same as this clause.
1552.209-70   Organizational conflict of interest notification.
As prescribed in 1509.507-1(b) insert the following solicitation provision in all solicitations.
(a) The prospective Contractor certifies, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that it is not aware of any information bearing on the existence of any potential organizational conflict of interest. If the prospective Contractor cannot so certify, it shall provide a disclosure statement in its proposal which describes all relevant information concerning any past, present, or planned interests bearing on whether it (including its chief executives and directors, or any proposed consultant or subcontractor) may have a potential organizational conflict of interest.
(b) Prospective Contractors should refer to FAR subpart 9.5 and EPAAR part 1509 for policies and procedures for avoiding, neutralizing, or mitigating organizational conflicts of interest.
(c) If the Contracting Officer determines that a potential conflict exists, the prospective Contractor shall not receive an award unless the conflict can be avoided or otherwise resolved through the inclusion of a special contract clause or other appropriate means. The terms of any special clause are subject to negotiation.
1552.209-71   Organizational conflicts of interest.
As prescribed in 1509.507-2, insert the following contract clause in all contracts except:
(a) When specific clauses are required per EPAAR part 1509;
(b) When the procurement is with another Federal agency (however, the provision is included in contracts with SBA and its subcontractor under the 8(a) program); and
(c) When the procurement is accomplished through simplified acquisition procedures, use of the clause is optional.
(a) The Contractor warrants that, to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, there are no relevant facts or circumstances which could give rise to an organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR subpart 9.5, or that the Contractor has disclosed all such relevant information.
(b) Prior to commencement of any work, the Contractor agrees to notify the Contracting Officer immediately that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, no actual or potential conflict of interest exists or to identify to the Contracting Officer any actual or potential conflict of interest the firm may have. In emergency situations, however, work may begin but notification shall be made within five (5) working days.
(c) The Contractor agrees that if an actual or potential organizational conflict of interest is identified during performance, the Contractor will immediately make a full disclosure in writing to the Contracting Officer. This disclosure shall include a description of actions which the Contractor has taken or proposes to take, after consultation with the Contracting Officer, to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize the actual or potential conflict of interest. The Contractor shall continue performance until notified by the Contracting Officer of any contrary action to be taken.
(d) Remedies—The EPA may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if it deems such termination necessary to avoid an organizational conflict of interest. If the Contractor was aware of a potential organizational conflict of interest prior to award or discovered an actual or potential conflict after award and did not disclose it or misprepresented relevant information to the Contracting officer, the Government may terminate the contract for default, debar the Contractor from Government contracting, or pursue such other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.
(e) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (e), unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.
Alternate I (SEP 1998). Contracts for other than Superfund work shall include Alternate I in this clause in lieu of paragraph (e).
(e) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph, unless otherwise authorized by the contracting officer.
1552.209-72   Organizational conflict of interest certification.
As prescribed in 1509.507-1(b), insert the following provision in all solicitation documents when applicable.
The offeror [ ] is [ ] is not aware of any information bearing on the existence of any potential organizational conflict of interest. If the offeror is aware of information bearing on whether a potential conflict may exist, the offeror shall provide a disclosure statement describing this information. (See section L of the solicitation for further information.)
1552.209-73   Notification of conflicts of interest regarding personnel.
As prescribed in 1509.507-2(b) insert the following clause:
(a) In addition to the requirements of the contract clause entitled “Organizational Conflicts of Interest,” the following provisions with regard to employee personnel performing under this contract shall apply until the earlier of the following two dates: the termination date of the affected employee(s) or the expiration date of the contract.
(b) The Contractor agrees to notify immediately the EPA Contracting Officer's Representative and the Contracting Officer of (1) any actual or potential personal conflict of interest with regard to any of its employees working on or having access to information regarding this contract, or (2) any such conflicts concerning subcontractor employees or consultants working on or having access to information regarding this contract, when such conflicts have been reported to the Contractor. A personal conflict of interest is defined as a relationship of an employee, subcontractor employee, or consultant with an entity that may impair the objectivity of the employee, subcontractor employee, or consultant in performing the contract work.
(c) The Contractor agrees to notify each Contracting Officer's Representative and Contracting Officer prior to incurring costs for that employee's work when an employee may have a personal conflict of interest. In the event that the personal conflict of interest does not become known until after performance on the contract begins, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer of the personal conflict of interest. The Contractor shall continue performance of this contract until notified by the Contracting Officer of the appropriate action to be taken.
(d) The Contractor agrees to insert in any subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (d), unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.
Alternate I (JAN 2015). Contracts for other than Superfund work shall include Alternate I in this clause in lieu of paragraph (d).
(d) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (d), unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.
1552.209-74   Limitation of future contracting.
As prescribed in 1509.507-2(c), insert the following clause or alternate:
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) The Contractor will be ineligible to enter into a contract for remedial action projects for which the Contractor has developed the statement of work or the solicitation package.
(c) The following applies when work is performed under this contract: Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant EPA Contracting Officer, the Contractor, during the life of the work assignment, task order, or tasking document and for a period of five (5) years after the completion of the work assignment, task order, or tasking document, agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to: (1) Any work relating to CERCLA activities which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for EPA under this contract; or (2) any work that may jeopardize CERCLA enforcement actions which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for the EPA under this contract.
(d) The Contractor and any subcontractors, during the life of this contract, shall be ineligible to enter into an EPA contract or a subcontract under an EPA contract, which supports EPA's performance of Superfund Headquarters policy work including support for the analysis and development of regulations, policies, or guidance that govern, affect, or relate to the conduct of response action activities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. Examples of such contracts include, but are not limited to, Superfund Management and Analytical support contracts, and Superfund Technical and Analytical support contracts.
(e) The Contractor agrees in advance that if any bids/proposals are submitted for any work that would require written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into a contract subject to the restrictions of this clause, then the bids/proposals are submitted at the Contractor's own risk. Therefore, no claim shall be made against the Government to recover bid/proposal costs as a direct cost whether the request for authorization to enter into the contract is denied or approved.
(f) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(g) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (g) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(h) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(i) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of work pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work and such specifications or statements of work are incorporated into an EPA solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime Contractor or subcontractor under an ensuing EPA contract.
(c) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant EPA Contracting Officer, the Contractor, during the life of the delivery order or tasking document and for a period of five (5) years after the completion of the delivery order or tasking document, agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to: (1) any work relating to CERCLA activities which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for EPA under this contract; or (2) any work that may jeopardize CERCLA enforcement actions which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for the EPA under this contract.
(d) During the life of this contract, including any options, the Contractor agrees that unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer:
(1) It will not provide any Superfund Technical Assistance and Removal Team (START); type activities (e.g., START contracts) to EPA within the Contractor's ERRS assigned geographical area(s), either as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or consultant.
(2) It will not provide any START type activities (e.g., START contracts) to EPA as a prime contractor, subcontractor or consultant at a site where it has performed or plans to perform ERRS work.
(3) It will be ineligible for award of START type activities contracts for sites within its respective ERRS assigned geographical area(s) which result from a CERCLA administrative order, a CERCLA or RCRA consent decree or a court order.
(e) The Contractor and any subcontractors, during the life of this contract, shall be ineligible to enter into an EPA contract or a subcontract under an EPA contract, which supports EPA's performance of Superfund Headquarters policy work including support for the analysis and development of regulations, policies, or guidance that govern, affect, or relate to the conduct of response action activities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. Examples of such contracts include, but are not limited to, Superfund Management and Analytical support contracts, and Superfund Technical and Analytical support contracts.
(f) The Contractor agrees in advance that if any bids/proposals are submitted for any work that would require written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into a contract subject to the restrictions of this clause, then the bids/proposals are submitted at the Contractor's own risk. Therefore, no claim shall be made against the Government to recover bid/proposal costs as a direct cost whether the request for authorization to enter into the contract is denied or approved.
(g) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(h) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (h) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(i) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(j) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the Contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of work pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work and such specifications or statements of work are incorporated into an EPA solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime Contractor or subcontractor under an ensuing EPA contract.
(c) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant EPA Contracting Officer, the Contractor, during the life of the technical direction document and for a period of five (5) years after the completion of the technical direction document, agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to: (1) Any work relating to CERCLA activities which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for EPA under this contract; or (2) any work that may jeopardize CERCLA enforcement actions which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for the EPA under this contract.
(d) During the life of this contract, including any options, the Contractor agrees that unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer:
(1) It will not provide to EPA cleanup services (e.g., Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contracts) within the Contractor's START assigned geographical area(s), either as a prime Contractor, subcontractor, or consultant.
(2) Unless an individual design for the site has been prepared by a third party, it will not provide to EPA as a prime contractor, subcontractor or consultant any remedial construction services at a site where it has performed or plans to perform START work. This clause will not preclude START contractors from performing construction management services under other EPA contracts.
(3) It will be ineligible for award of ERRS type activities contracts for sites within its respective START assigned geographical area(s) which result from a CERCLA administrative order, a CERCLA or RCRA consent decree or a court order.
(e) The Contractor and any subcontractors, during the life of this contract, shall be ineligible to enter into an EPA contract or a subcontract under an EPA contract, which supports EPA's performance of Superfund Headquarters policy work including support for the analysis and development of regulations, policies, or guidance that govern, affect, or relate to the conduct of response action activities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. Examples of such contracts include, but are not limited to, Superfund Management and Analytical support contracts, and Superfund Technical and Analytical support contracts.
(f) The Contractor agrees in advance that if any bids/proposals are submitted for any work that would require written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into a contract subject to the restrictions of this clause, then the bids/proposals are submitted at the Contractor's own risk. Therefore, no claim shall be made against the Government to recover bid/proposal costs as a direct cost whether the request for authorization to enter into the contract is denied or approved.
(g) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(h) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (h) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(i) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(j) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the Contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of work pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work and such specifications or statements of work are incorporated into an EPA solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime Contractor or subcontractor under an ensuing EPA contract.
(c) The Contractor and any subcontractors, during the life of this contract, shall be ineligible to enter into an EPA contract or a subcontract under an EPA contract, which supports EPA's performance of Superfund Headquarters policy work including support for the analysis and development of regulations, policies, or guidance that govern, affect, or relate to the conduct of response action activities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. Examples of such contracts include, but are not limited to, Superfund Management and Analytical support contracts, and Superfund Technical and Analytical support contracts.
(d) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(e) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (e) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(f) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(g) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the Contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) During the performance period of this contract, the Contractor will be ineligible to enter into any contract for remedial planning and/or implementation projects for sites within the assigned geographical area(s) covered by this contract without the prior written approval of the EPA Contracting Officer.
(c) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of work pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work and such specifications or statements of work are incorporated into an EPA solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime Contractor or subcontractor under an ensuing EPA contract.
(d) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant EPA Contracting Officer, the Contractor, during the life of the work assignment and for a period of seven (7) years after the completion of the work assignment, agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to: (1) Any work relating to CERCLA activities which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for EPA under this contract; or (2) any work that may jeopardize CERCLA enforcement actions which pertain to a site where the Contractor previously performed work for the EPA under this contract.
(e) The Contractor and any subcontractors, during the life of this contract, shall be ineligible to enter into an EPA contract or a subcontract under an EPA contract, which supports EPA's performance of Superfund Headquarters policy work including support for the analysis and development of regulations, policies, or guidance that govern, affect, or relate to the conduct of response action activities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. Examples of such contracts include, but are not limited to, Superfund Management and Analytical support contracts, and Superfund Technical and Analytical support contracts.
(f) The Contractor agrees in advance that if any bids/proposals are submitted for any work that would require written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into a contract subject to the restrictions of this clause, then the bids/proposals are submitted at the Contractor's own risk. Therefore, no claim shall be made against the Government to recover bid/proposal costs as a direct cost whether the request for authorization to enter into the contract is denied or approved.
(g) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(h) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (h) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(i) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(j) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the Contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of work pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work and such specifications or statements of work are incorporated into an EPA solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime Contractor or subcontractor under an ensuing EPA contract.
(c) The Contractor, during the life of this contract, will be ineligible to enter into a contract with EPA to perform response action work (e.g., Response Action Contract (RAC), Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS), Superfund Technical Assistance and Removal Team (START), and Enforcement Support Services (ESS) contracts), unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.
(d) The Contractor agrees in advance that if any bids/proposals are submitted for any work that would require written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into a contract subject to the restrictions of this clause, then the bids/proposals are submitted at the Contractor's own risk. Therefore, no claim shall be made against the Government to recover bid/proposal costs as a direct cost whether the request for authorization to enter into the contract is denied or approved.
(e) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(f) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (f) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(g) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(h) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the Contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
(a) The parties to this contract agree that the Contractor will be restricted in its future contracting in the manner described below. Except as specifically provided in this clause, the Contractor shall be free to compete for contracts on an equal basis with other companies.
(b) If the Contractor, under the terms of this contract, or through the performance of work pursuant to this contract, is required to develop specifications or statements of work and such specifications or statements of work are incorporated into an EPA solicitation, the Contractor shall be ineligible to perform the work described in that solicitation as a prime contractor or subcontractor under an ensuing EPA contract.
(c) Unless prior written approval is obtained from the cognizant EPA Contracting Officer, the Contractor, during the life of the contract and for a period of five (5) years after the expiration of the contract agrees not to enter into a contract with or to represent any party, other than EPA, with respect to: (1) any work relating to CERCLA activities which pertain to the site where the Contractor previously performed work for EPA under this contract; or (2) any work that may jeopardize CERCLA enforcement actions which pertain to the site where the Contractor previously performed work for the EPA under this contract.
(d) During the life of this contract, including any options, the Contractor agrees that unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer:
(1) It will not provide any Superfund Technical Assistance and Removal Team (START) type activities (e.g., START contracts) to EPA on the site either as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or consultant.
(2) It will be ineligible for award of contracts pertaining to this site which result from a CERCLA administrative order, a CERCLA or RCRA consent decree or a court order.
(e) The Contractor and any subcontractors, during the life of this contract, shall be ineligible to enter into an EPA contract or a subcontract under an EPA contract, which supports EPA's performance of Superfund Headquarters policy work including support for the analysis and development of regulations, policies, or guidance that govern, affect, or relate to the conduct of response action activities, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. Examples of such contracts include, but are not limited to, Superfund Management and Analytical support contracts, and Superfund Technical and Analytical support contracts.
(f) The Contractor agrees in advance that if any bids/proposals are submitted for any work that would require written approval of the Contracting Officer prior to entering into a contract subject to the restrictions of this clause, then the bids/proposals are submitted at the Contractor's own risk. Therefore, no claim shall be made against the Government to recover bid/proposal costs as a direct cost whether the request for authorization to enter into the contract is denied or approved.
(g) To the extent that the work under this contract requires access to proprietary or confidential business or financial data of other companies, and as long as such data remains proprietary or confidential, the Contractor shall protect such data from unauthorized use and disclosure.
(h) Contractors who are performing nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including construction work, may request a waiver from or modification to this clause by submitting a written request to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer shall make the determination regarding whether to waive or modify the clause on a case-by-case basis.
(i) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services, including treatability studies, well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (i) unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may request in writing that the Contracting Officer exempt from this clause a particular subcontract or consultant agreement for nondiscretionary technical or engineering services not specifically listed above, including laboratory analysis. The Contracting Officer will review and evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis before approving or disapproving the request.
(j) If the Contractor seeks an expedited decision regarding its initial future contracting request, the Contractor may submit its request to both the Contracting Officer and the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization.
(k) A review process available to the Contractor when an adverse determination is received shall consist of a request for reconsideration to the Contracting Officer or a request for review submitted to the next administrative level within the Contracting Officer's organization. An adverse determination resulting from a request for reconsideration by the Contracting Officer will not preclude the Contractor from requesting a review by the next administrative level. Either a request for review or a request for reconsideration must be submitted to the appropriate level within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial adverse determination.
1552.209-75   Annual certification.
As prescribed in 1509.507-2(d), insert the following clause:
The Contractor shall submit an annual conflict of interest certification to the Contracting Officer. In this certification, the Contractor shall certify annually that, to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, all actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest have been reported to EPA. In addition, in this annual certification, the Contractor shall certify that it has informed its personnel who perform work under EPA contracts or relating to EPA contracts of their obligation to report personal and organizational conflicts of interest to the Contractor. Such certification must be signed by a senior executive of the company and submitted in accordance with instructions provided by the Contracting Officer. The initial certification shall cover the one-year period from the date of contract award, and all subsequent certifications shall cover successive annual periods thereafter, until expiration or termination of the contract. The certification must be received by the Contracting Officer no later than 45 days after the close of the certification period covered.
1552.210-71   [Reserved]
1552.210-73--1552.210-74   [Reserved]
1552.211-70   Reports of work.
As prescribed in 1511.011-70, insert one of the contract clauses in this subsection when the contract requires the delivery of reports, including plans, evaluations, studies, analyses and manuals. The basic clause should be used when reports are specified in a contract attachment. Alternate I is to be used to specify reports in the contract schedule.
The Contractor shall prepare and deliver reports, including plans, evaluations, studies, analyses and manuals in accordance with Attachment ________________. Each report shall cite the contract number, identify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the sponsoring agency, and identify the name of the Contractor preparing the report.
The OMB clearance number for progress reports delivered under this contract is 2030-0005.
Alternate I (OCT 2000). The Contractor shall prepare and deliver the below listed reports, including plans, evaluations, studies, analyses and manuals to the designated addressees. Each report shall cite the contract number, identify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the sponsoring agency, and identify the name of the Contractor preparing the report.
The OMB clearance number for progress reports delivered under this contract is 2030-0005. Required reports are:
1552.211-72   Monthly progress report.
As prescribed in 1511.011-72, insert the following clause:
(a) The Contractor shall furnish ____ copies of the combined monthly technical and financial progress report stating the progress made, including the percentage of the project completed, and a description of the work accomplished to support the cost. If the work is ordered using work assignments or delivery orders, include the estimated percentage of task completed during the reporting period for each work assignment or delivery order.
(b) Specific discussions shall include difficulties encountered and remedial action taken during the reporting period, and anticipated activity with a schedule of deliverables for the subsequent reporting period.
(c) The Contractor shall provide a list of outstanding actions awaiting Contracting Officer authorization, noted with the corresponding work assignment, such as subcontractor consents, overtime approvals, and work plan approvals.
(d) The report shall specify financial status at the contract level as follows:
(1) For the current reporting period, display the amount claimed.
(2) For the cumulative period and the cumulative contract life display: the amount obligated, amount originally invoiced, amount paid, amount suspended, amount disallowed, and remaining approved amount. The remaining approved amount is defined as the total obligated amount, less the total amount originally invoiced, plus total amount disallowed.
(3) Labor hours.
(i) A list of employees, their labor categories, and the numbers of hours worked for the reporting period.
(ii) For the current reporting period display the expended direct labor hours (by EPA contract labor category), and the total loaded direct labor costs.
(iii) For the cumulative contract period display: The negotiated and expended direct labor hours (by EPA labor category) and the total loaded direct labor costs.
(iv) Display the estimated direct labor hours and costs to be expended during the next reporting period.
(4) Display the current dollar ceilings in the contract, net amount invoiced, and remaining amounts for the following categories: Direct labor hours, total estimated cost, award fee pool (if applicable), subcontracts by individual subcontractor, travel, program management, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs).
(5) Unbilled allowable costs. Display the total costs incurred but unbilled for the current reporting period and cumulative for the contract.
(6) Average total cost per labor hour. For the current contract period, compare the actual cost per hour to date with the average total cost per hour of the approved work plans.
(e) The report shall specify financial status at the work assignment or delivery order level as follows:
(1) For the current period, display the amount claimed.
(2) For the cumulative period display: amount shown on workplan, or latest work assignment/delivery order amendment amount (whichever is later); amount currently claimed; amount paid; amount suspended; amount disallowed; and remaining approved amount. The remaining approved amount is defined as: the workplan amount or latest work assignment or delivery order amount (whichever is later), less total amounts originally invoiced, plus total amount disallowed.
(3) Labor hours.
(i) A list of employees, their labor categories, and the number of hours worked for the reporting period.
(ii) For the current reporting period display the expended direct labor hours (by EPA contract labor category), and the total loaded direct labor hours.
(iii) For the cumulative reporting period and the cumulative contract period display: The negotiated and expended direct labor hours (by EPA labor hour category) and the loaded direct labor rate.
(iv) Display the estimated direct labor hours and costs to be expended during the next reporting period.
(v) Display the estimates of remaining direct labor hours and costs required to complete the work assignment or delivery order.
(4) Unbilled allowable costs. Display the total costs incurred but unbilled for the current reporting period and cumulative for the work assignment.
(5) Average total cost labor hour. For the current contract period, compare the actual total cost per hour to date with the average total cost per hour of the approved workplans.
(6) A list of deliverables for each work assignment or delivery order during the reporting period.
(f) This submission does not change the notification requirements of the “Limitation of Cost” or “Limitation of Funds” clauses requiring separate written notice to the Contracting Officer.
(g) The reports shall be submitted to the following addresses on or before the ____ of each month following the first complete reporting period of the contract. See EPAAR 1552.232-70, Submission of Invoices, paragraph (e), for details on the timing of submittals. Distribute reports as follows:
1552.211-73   Level of effort—cost-reimbursement contract.
As prescribed in 1511.011-73, the contracting officer shall insert the following contract clause in cost-reimbursement contracts including cost contracts without fee, cost-sharing contracts, cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts, cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts (CPIF), and cost-plus-award-fee contracts (CPAF).
(a) The Contractor shall perform all work and provide all required reports within the level of effort specified below. The Contractor shall provide up to ________ direct labor hours for the base period. The Government's best estimate of the level of effort to fulfill these requirements is provided for advisory and estimating purposes. The Government is only obligated to pay for direct labor hours ordered and corresponding fixed fee for labor hours completed.
(b) Direct labor includes personnel such as engineers, scientists, draftsmen, technicians, statisticians, and programmers, and not support personnel such as company management or data entry/word processing/accounting personnel even though such support personnel are normally treated as direct labor by the Contractor. The level of effort specified in paragraph (a) of this section includes Contractor, subcontractor, and consultant non-support labor hours.
(c) If the Contractor provides less than 90 percent of the level of effort specified for the base period or any optional period exercised, an equitable downward adjustment of the fixed fee, if any, for that period will be made. The downward adjustment will reduce the fixed fee by the percentage by which the total expended level of effort is less than 100% of that specified in paragraph (a). (For instance, if a hypothetical base-period LOE of 100,000 hours is being reduced to 70,000, the fixed fee shall also be reduced by the same 30%. Using a corresponding hypothetical base-period fixed fee pool of $300,000, the reduced fixed-fee amount is calculated as: $300,000 × (70,000 hours/100,000 hours) = $210,000.)
(d) The Government may require the Contractor to provide additional effort up to 110 percent of the level of effort for any period until the estimated cost for that period has been reached. However, this additional effort shall not result in any increase in the fixed fee, if any.
(e) If this is a cost-plus-incentive-fee (CPIF) contract, the term “fee” in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section means “base fee and incentive fee.” If this is a cost-plus-award-fee (CPAF) contract, the term “fee” in paragraphs (c) and (d) means “base fee and award fee.”
(f) If the level of effort specified to be ordered during a given base or option period is not ordered during that period, that level of effort may not be accumulated and ordered during a subsequent period.
(g) These terms and conditions do not supersede the requirements of either the “Limitation of Cost” or “Limitation of Funds” clauses.
1552.211-74   Work assignments.
As prescribed in 1511.011-74, insert the following contract clause in cost-reimbursement contracts when work assignments are to be used.
(a) The contractor shall perform work under this contract as specified in written work assignments issued by the Contracting Officer.
(b) Each work assignment may include (1) a numerical designation, (2) approved workplan labor hours or an estimated initial level of effort provided in accordance with 1511.011-74, (3) the period of performance and schedule of deliverables, and (4) the description of the work.
(c) The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of each work assignment by returning to the Contracting Officer a signed copy of the work assignment within __ calendar days after its receipt. The Contractor shall begin working on a work plan immediately upon receipt of a work assignment. Within __ calendar days after receipt of a work assignment, the Contractor shall submit __ copies of a work plan to the Contract-level Contracting Officer's Representative and __ copies to the Contracting Officer. The work plan shall include a detailed technical and staffing plan and a detailed cost estimate. Within __ calendar days after receipt of the work plan, the Contracting Officer will provide written approval or disapproval of it to the Contractor. The Contractor is not authorized to start work without an approved work plan unless approved by the Contracting Officer or otherwise specified. Also, if the Contracting Officer disapproves a work plan, the Contractor shall stop work until the problem causing the disapproval is resolved. In either case, the Contractor shall resume work only when the Contracting Officer approves the work plan.
(d) This clause does not change the requirements of the “Level of Effort” clause, nor the notification requirements of either the “Limitation of Cost” or “Limitation of Funds” clauses.
(e) Work assignments shall not allow for any change to the terms or conditions of the contract. Where any language in the work assignment may suggest a change to the terms or conditions, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer.
Alternate I (APR 1984). As prescribed in 1511.011-74(b)(1), modify the existing clause by adding the following paragraph (f) to the basic clause:
(f) Within 20 days of receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document, the Contractor shall provide a conflict of interest (COI) certification. Where work assignments or similar tasking documents are issued under this contract for work on or directly related to a site, the Contractor is only required to provide a COI certification for the first work assignment issued for that site. For all subsequent work on that site under this contract, the Contractor has a continuing obligation to search and report any actual or potential COIs, but no additional COI certifications are required.
Before submitting the COI certification, the Contractor shall search its records accumulated, at a minimum, over the past three years immediately prior to the receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document. In the COI certification, the Contractor must certify to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief that all actual or potential organizational COIs have been reported to the Contracting Officer, or that to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, no actual or potential organizational COIs exist. In addition, the Contractor must certify that its personnel who perform work under this work assignment or relating to this work assignment have been informed of their obligation to report personal and organizational COIs to the Contractor. The COI certification shall also include a statement that the Contractor recognizes its continuing obligation to identify and report any actual or potential COI arising during performance of this work assignment or other work related to this site.
Alternate II (APR 1984). As prescribed in 1511.011-74(b)(1), modify the existing clause by adding the following paragraph (f) to the basic clause:
(f) Within 20 days of receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document, the Contractor shall provide a conflict of interest (COI) certification. Where work assignments or similar tasking documents are issued under this contract for work on or directly related to a site, the Contractor is only required to provide a COI certification for the first work assignment issued for that site. For all subsequent work on that site under this contract, the Contractor has a continuing obligation to search and report any actual or potential COIs, but no additional COI certifications are required.
Before submitting the COI certification, the Contractor shall initially search through all of its available records to identify any actual or potential COIs. During the first three years of this contract, the Contractor shall search through all records created since the beginning of the contract plus the records of the Contractor prior to the award of the contract until a minimum of three years of records are accumulated. Once three years of records have accumulated, prior to certifying, the Contractor shall search its records accumulated, at a minimum, over the past three years immediately prior to the receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document. In the COI certification, the Contractor must certify to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, that all actual or potential organizational COIs have been reported to the Contracting Officer, or that to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, no actual or potential organizational COIs exist. In addition, the Contractor must certify that its personnel who perform work under this work assignment or relating to this work assignment have been informed of their obligation to report personal and organizational COIs to the Contractor. The COI certification shall also include a statement that the Contractor recognizes its continuing obligation to identify and report any actual or potential COI arising during performance of this work assignment or other work related to this site.
Alternate III (DEC 2014). As prescribed in 1511.011-74(b)(2), modify the existing clause by adding the following paragraph (f) to the basic clause:
(f) Within 20 days of receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document, the Contractor shall provide a conflict of interest (COI) certification.
Before submitting the COI certification, the Contractor shall search its records accumulated, at a minimum, over the past three years immediately prior to the receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document. In the COI certification, the Contractor must certify to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief that all actual or potential organizational COIs have been reported to the Contracting Officer, or that to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, no actual or potential organizational COIs exist. In addition, the Contractor must certify that its personnel who perform work under this work assignment or relating to this work assignment have been informed of their obligation to report personal and organizational COIs to the Contractor. The COI certification shall also include a statement that the Contractor recognizes its continuing obligation to identify and report any actual or potential COI arising during performance of this work assignment.
Alternate IV (DEC 2014). As prescribed in 1511.011-74(b)(2), modify the existing clause by adding the following paragraph (f) to the basic clause:
(f) Within 20 days of receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document, the Contractor shall provide a conflict of interest (COI) certification.
Before submitting the COI certification, the Contractor shall initially search through all of its available records to identify any actual or potential COIs. During the first three years of this contract, the Contractor shall search through all records created since the beginning of the contract plus records of the Contractor prior to the award of the contract until a minimum of three years of records have accumulated. Once three years of records have accumulated, prior to certifying, the Contractor shall search its records, at a minimum, over the past three years immediately prior to the receipt of the work assignment or similar tasking document. In the COI certification, the Contractor must certify to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief that all actual or potential organizational COIs have been reported to the Contracting Officer, or that to the best of the Contractor's knowledge and belief, no actual or potential organizational COIs exist. In addition, the Contractor must certify that its personnel who perform work under this work assignment or relating to this work assignment have been informed of their obligation to report personal and organizational COIs to the Contractor. The COI certification shall also include a statement that the Contractor recognizes its continuing obligation to identify and report any actual or potential COI arising during performance of this work assignment.
1552.211-75   Working files.
As prescribed in 1511.011-75, insert the following clause in all applicable EPA contracts.
The Contractor shall maintain accurate working files (by task or work assignment) on all work documentation including calculations, assumptions, interpretations of regulations, sources of information, and other raw data required in the performance of this contract. The Contractor shall provide the information contained in the contractor's working files upon request of the Contracting Officer.
1552.211-76   Legal analysis.
As prescribed in 1511.011-76, insert this contract clause when it is determined that the contract involves legal analysis.
The Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer's Representative one (1) copy of any draft legal analysis. The Government will provide a response to the Contractor within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt. The Contractor shall not finalize the analysis until the Government has given approval.
1552.211-77   Final reports.
As prescribed in 1511.011-77, insert this contract clause when a contract requires both a draft and a final report.
(a) “Draft Report” The Contractor shall submit a copy of the draft final report on or before (date) to the Contracting Officer's Representative and Contracting Officer in electronic format, unless specified otherwise by the Government. The draft shall be double-spaced or space-and-a-half and shall include all pertinent material required in the final report. The Government will review for approval or disapproval the draft and provide a response to the Contractor within ____ calendar days after receipt. If the Government does not provide a response within the allotted review time, the Contractor immediately shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing.
(b) “Final Report”—The Contractor shall deliver a final report on or before the last day of the period of performance specified in the contract. Distribution is as follows:
(c) The electronic format of the draft and final report shall be in accordance with the current EPA policy and procedures.
1552.211-78   Advisory and assistance services.
As prescribed in 1511.011-78, insert the following contract clause in all contracts for advisory and assistance services.
All reports containing recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency shall include the following information on the cover of each report: (a) Name and business address of the contractor; (b) contract number; (c) contract dollar amount; (d) whether the contract was subject to full and open competition or a sole source acquisition; (e) name of the EPA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and the COR's office identification and location; and (f) date of report.
1552.211-79   Compliance with EPA policies for information resources management.
As prescribed in 1511.011-79, insert the following clause:
(a) Definition. Information Resources Management (IRM) is defined as any planning, budgeting, organizing, directing, training, promoting, controlling, and managing activities associated with the burden, collection, creation, use and dissemination of information. IRM includes both information itself and the management of information and related resources such as personnel, equipment, funds, and technology. Examples of these services include but are not limited to the following:
(1) The acquisition, creation, or modification of a computer program or automated data base for delivery to EPA or use by EPA or contractors operating EPA programs.
(2) The analysis of requirements for, study of the feasibility of, evaluation of alternatives for, or design and development of a computer program or automated data base for use by EPA or contractors operating EPA programs.
(3) Services that provide EPA personnel access to or use of computer or word processing equipment, software, or related services.
(4) Services that provide EPA personnel access to or use of: Data communications; electronic messaging services or capabilities; electronic bulletin boards, or other forms of electronic information dissemination; electronic record-keeping; or any other automated information services.
(b) General. The Contractor shall perform any IRM-related work under this contract in accordance with the IRM policies, standards, and procedures set forth on the Office of Environmental Information policy Web site. Upon receipt of a work request ( i.e. delivery order, task order, or work assignment), the Contractor shall check this listing of directives. The applicable directives for performance of the work request are those in effect on the date of issuance of the work request. The 2100 Series (2100-2199) of the Agency's Directive System contains the majority of the Agency's IRM policies, standards, and procedures.
(c) Section 508 requirements (accessibility). Contract deliverables are required to be compliant with Section 508 requirements (accessibility for people with disabilities). The Environmental Protection Agency policy for 508 compliance can be found at www.epa.gov/accessibility.
(d) Electronic access. A complete listing, including full text, of documents included in the 2100 Series of the Agency's Directive System is maintained on the EPA Public Access Server on the Internet at http://www2.epa.gov/irmpoli8/current-information-directives.
1552.213-70   Notice to suppliers of equipment.
As prescribed in 1513.507(b), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following contract clause in orders for or lease of commercially available equipment.
(a) It is the general policy of the Environmental Protection Agency that Contractor or vendor prescribed leases or maintenance agreements for equipment will NOT be executed.
(b) Performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the vendor's commercial lease, or customer service maintenance agreement, unless specified in the Schedule, may render the vendor's performance unacceptable, thereby permitting the Government to apply such contractual remedies as may be permitted by law, regulation, or the terms of this order.
1552.214-71   Contract award—other factors—formal advertising.
As prescribed in 1514.201-6(b), insert the following solicitation provision in invitations for bids (IFB) when it is appropriate to describe other factors that will be used in evaluating bids for award. This provision is used to describe the other factors mentioned in the solicitation provisions “Contract Award—Formal Advertising” (FAR 52.214-10), and “Contract Award—Construction” (FAR 52.214-19). All other evaluation provisions in the IFB (e.g., evaluation of options) should be cross-referenced in this provision. The other factors set forth in the provision should represent a consolidated statement of the exact basis upon which bids will be evaluated for award.
The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation as stated in the “Contract Award” provision. The other factors that will be considered are:
1552.215-70--1552.215-71   [Reserved]
1552.215-72   Instructions for the Preparation of Proposals.
As prescribed in 1515.408(a)(1) insert the following provision:
(a) Other than cost proposal instructions. (1) Submit proposal for than cost factors as a separate part of the total proposal package. Omit all cost or pricing details from this proposal.
(2) Special proposal instructions:
(b) Cost or pricing proposal instructions. The offeror shall prepare and submit cost or pricing information data and supporting attachments in accordance with Table 15-2 of FAR 15.408. In addition to a hard copy of the information, to expedite review of the proposal, submit an IBM-compatible software or storage device (e.g., USB flash drive or card reader) containing the financial data required, if this information is available using a commercial spreadsheet program on a personal computer. Submit this information using Microsoft Exchange 365, if available. Identify which version of Microsoft Exchange used. If the offeror used another spreadsheet program, indicate the software program used to create this information. Offerors should include the formulas and factors used in calculating the financial data. Although submission of a compatible software or device will expedite review, failure to submit a disk will not affect consideration of the proposal.
(1) General—Submit cost or pricing information prepared in accordance with FAR Table 15-2, Instructions for Submitting Cost/Price Proposals When Cost or Pricing Information Are Required and the following:
(i) Clearly identify separate cost or pricing information associated with any:
(A) Options to extend the term of the contract;
(B) Options for the Government to order incremental quantities; and/or
(C) Major tasks, if required by the special instructions.
(ii) If the contract schedule includes a “Fixed Rate for Services” clause, please provide in the cost proposal a schedule duplicating the format in the clause and include proposed fixed hourly rates per labor category for the base and any optional contract periods.
(iii) If the contract includes the clause at FAR 52.232-7, “Payments Under Time and Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts,” include in the cost proposal the estimated costs and burden rate to be applied to materials, other direct costs, or subcontracts. The Government will include these costs as part of its cost proposal evaluation.
(iv) If other divisions, subsidiaries, a parent or affiliated companies will perform work, provide the name and location of such affiliate and offeror's intercompany pricing policy. Separately identify costs and supporting data for each entity proposed.
(v) The realism of costs, including personnel compensation rates (including effective hourly rates due to uncompensated overtime) will be part of the proposal evaluation. Any reductions to proposed costs or differences between proposed and known EPA/DCAA recommended rates must be fully explained. If an offeror makes a reduction which makes its offer or portions of its offer below anticipated costs, the offeror shall identify where (i.e., which elements of costs) the proposed reductions will be made. Unsubstantiated rates may result in an upward or downward adjustment of the cost proposals to reflect more realistic costs. Based on this analysis, a projected cost for the offeror will be calculated to reflect the Government's estimate of the offeror's probable costs. Any inconsistency, whether real or apparent, between the promised performance and cost or price should be explained. The burden of proof for cost credibility rests with the offeror.
(2) Direct labor. (i) The direct technical labor hours (level-of-effort) appearing in the solicitation are for professional and technical labor only. These hours do not include management at a level higher than project management, e.g., corporate and day-to-day management, nor do they include clerical and support staff at a level lower than technician. If it is the offeror's normal practice to charge these types of costs as direct costs, include these costs along with an estimate of the directly chargeable labor-hours for these personnel. These direct charges are to be shown separately from the technical (level-of-effort) effort. If this type of effort is normally included in the offeror's indirect cost allocations, no estimate is required. However, direct charging of these on any resulting contract will not be allowed. Additionally the direct technical labor hours are the workable hours required by the Government and do not include release time (i.e., holidays, vacation, etc.) Submit the proposal utilizing the labor categories and distribution of the level-of-effort specified in the solicitation. These are approximate distribution levels and do not necessarily represent the actual levels which may be experienced during contract performance.
(ii) Explain the basis of the proposed labor rates, including a complete justification for all judgmental factors used to develop weights applied to company's category or individual rates that comprise the rates for labor categories specified in the solicitation. This explanation should describe how technical approach coincides with the proposed costs. If the proposed direct labor rates are based on an average of the individuals proposed to work on the contract, provide a list of the individuals proposed and the hours associated with each individual in deriving the rates. If the proposed direct labor rates are based on an average of company category rates, identify and describe the labor categories and the percentages associated with each category in deriving the rates, explaining in detail the basis for the percentages assigned.
(iii) Describe for each labor category proposed, the company's qualifications and experience requirements. If individual rates are used, provide the employee's name. If specific individuals are identified in the technical proposal, correlate these individuals with the labor categories specified in the solicitation.
(iv) Provide a matrix summarizing the effort proposed, including the subcontracts, by professional and technical level specified in the solicitation.
(v) Indicate whether current rates or escalated rates are used. If escalation is included, state the degree (percent) and methodology. The methodology shall include the effective date of the base rates and the policy on salary reviews (e.g. anniversary date of employee or salary reviews for all employees on a specific date).
(vi) State whether any additional direct labor (new hire or temporary hires) will be required during the performance period of this acquisition. If so, state the number required, the professional or technical level and the methodology used to estimate proposed labor rates.
(vii) With respect to educational institutions, include the following information for those professional staff members whose salary is expected to be covered by a stipulated salary support agreement pursuant to OMB Circular A-21.
(A) Individual's name;
(B) Annual salary and the period for which the salary is applicable;
(C) List of other research Projects or proposals for which salaries are allocated, and the proportionate time charged to each; and
(D) Other duties, such as teaching assignments, administrative assignments, and other institutional activities. Show the proportionate time charged to each. (Show proportionate time charges as a percentage of 100% of time for the entire academic year, exclusive of vacation or sabbatical leave.)
(viii) Uncompensated overtime. The decision to propose uncompensated overtime is the offeror's decision. Should the offeror, however, elect to propose uncompensated overtime, the offeror must propose a methodology that is consistent with their cost accounting practices and company policy. If proposed, provide an estimate of any uncompensated overtime proposed for exempt personnel working at the offeror's facilities. This estimate should identify the number of uncompensated labor hours and the percentage of compensated labor. Uncompensated labor hours are defined as hours for exempt personnel in excess of regular hours for a pay period which are actually worked and recorded in accordance with company policy. Provide a copy of the company policy on uncompensated overtime. Provide historical percentages of uncompensated overtime for the past three years. If proposed for subcontractors, provide separately with subcontractor information.
(ix) For labor rate contracts, for each fixed labor rate, offerors shall identify the basis for the loaded fixed hourly rate for each contract period for example, the rate might consist of the following cost elements: raw wage or salary rate, plus fringe benefits (if applicable), plus overhead rate (if applicable), plus G&A expense rate (if applicable), plus profit.
When determining the composite raw wage for a labor category, the offeror shall:
(A) provide in narrative form the basis for the raw wage for each labor category. If actual wages of current employees are used, the basis for the projections should be explained.
(B) If employees are subject to the Service Contract Act or Davis Bacon Act, they must be compensated at least at the minimum wage rate required by the applicable Wage Determination.
(3) Indirect costs (fringe, overhead, general, and administrative expenses). (i) If the rates have been recently approved, include a copy of the rate agreement. If the agreement does not cover the projected performance period of the proposed effort, provide the rationale and any estimated rate calculations for the proposed performance period.
(ii) Submit supporting documentation for rates which have not been approved or audited. Indicate whether computations are based upon historical or projected data.
(iii) Provide actual pool expenses, base dollars, or hours (as applicable for the past five years). Include the actual indirect rates for the past five years including the indirect rates proposed, the actual indirect rates experienced and, if available, the final negotiated rate. Indicate the amount of unallowable costs included in the historical data.
(iv) Offerors who propose indirect rates for new or substantially reorganized cost centers should consider offering to accept ceilings on the indirect rates at the proposed rates. Similarly, offerors whose subcontractors propose indirect rates for new or substantially reorganized cost centers should likewise consider offering to accept ceilings on the subcontractors' indirect rates at the proposed rates.
The Government reserves the right to adjust an offeror's or its subcontractor's estimated indirect costs for evaluation purposes based on the Agency's judgment of the most probable costs up to the amount of any stated ceiling.
(v) If the employees are subject to the Service Contract Act or Davis Bacon Act, employees must receive the minimum level of benefits stated in the applicable Wage Determination.
(4) Travel expense. (i) If the solicitation specifies the amount of travel costs, this amount is exclusive of any applicable indirect costs and fee.
(ii) If the solicitation does not specify the amount of travel costs, attach a schedule illustrating how travel was computed. Include a breakdown indicating number of trips, number of travelers, destinations from and to, purpose and cost, e.g., mileage, transportation costs, subsistence rates.
(5) Equipment, facilities and special equipment, including tooling. (i) If direct charges for use of existing contractor equipment are proposed, provide a description of these items, including estimated usage hours, rates, and total costs.
(ii) If equipment purchases are proposed, provide a description of these items, and a justification as to why the Government should furnish the equipment or allow its purchase with contract funds. (Unless specified elsewhere in this solicitation, FAR 45.302-1 requires contractors to furnish all facilities in performance of contracts with certain limited exceptions.)
(iii) Identify Government-owned property in the possession of the offeror or proposed to be used in the performance of the contract, and the Government agency which has cognizance over the property.
(iv) Submit proposed rates or use charges for equipment, along with documentation to support those rates.
(v) If special purposes facilities or equipment are being proposed, provide a description of these items, details for the proposed costs including competitive prices, and justification as to why the Government should furnish the equipment or allow its purchase with contract funds.
(vi) If fabrication by the prime contractor is contemplated, include details of material, labor, and overhead.
(6) Other Direct Costs (ODC). (i) If the solicitation specifies the amount of other direct costs, this amount is exclusive of any applicable indirect cost and fee.
(ii) If the amount is not specified in the solicitation, attach a schedule detailing how other direct costs were computed. Identify the major ODC items that under the accounting system would be a direct charge on any resulting contract.
(iii) If any of the cost elements identified as part of the specified other direct costs are recovered as an indirect cost, in accordance with the offeror's accounting system, those costs should not be included as a direct cost. Complete explanation of this adjustment and the contractor's practice should be provided.
(iv) Provide historical other direct costs dollars per level of effort hour on similar contracts or work assignments.
(7) Team subcontracts. When the cost of a subcontract is substantial (5 percent of the total estimated contract dollar value or $100,000, whichever is less), the offeror shall include the following subcontractor information:
(i) Provide details of subcontract costs in the same format as the prime contractor's costs. This detailed information may be provided separately to the EPA if the subcontractor does not wish to provide this data to the prime contractor. Cost data provided separately by a contractor must be received by the time, date and at the location specified for the receipt of proposals. The subcontractor's package should be clearly marked with the RFP number, the name of the prime offeror, and a statement that the package is subcontractor data relevant to the proposal from the prime offeror. If submitted with the prime contractor's proposal, identify the subcontractors. State the amount of service estimated to be required and the quoted daily or hourly rate. Offerors are encouraged to provide letters of intent, signed by subcontractors, agreeing to a specified rate for life of the contract. Include a cost or price analysis of the subcontractor cost showing the reasons why the costs are considered reasonable;
(ii) Describe how the prospective team subcontractors were chosen as part of the offeror's proposed team; and rationale for selection;
(iii) Describe the necessity for the subcontractor's effort as either a supplement or complement to the offeror's in-house expertise;
(iv) Identify the areas of the scope of work and the level of effort the subcontractors are anticipated to perform. Provide a reconciliation summary of the proposed hours and ODCs for the prime contractor and proposed subcontractor(s).
(v) Describe the prime contractor's management structure and internal controls to ensure efficient and quality performance of team subcontractors.
(8) Facilities Capital Cost of Money (FCCM). When an offeror elects to claim FCCM as an allowable cost, the offeror must submit Form CASB-CNF and show calculation of the proposed amount. FCCM will be an allowable cost under the contemplated contract, if the criteria for allowability at FAR 31.205-10(a)(2) are met.
Alternate I (AUG 1999). If the Government's requirement is a fully dedicated staff person for a twelve month period(s) for each specified position and performance is on a Government facility, add the following paragraph (b)(2)(x) to the basic provision:
(x) The level of effort for each position is to be proposed in work years. A work year is considered to consist of 2080 hours inclusive of direct and indirect time (40 hours per week × 52 weeks per year = 2080 hours). The proposal must identify proposed work years and clearly identify how many hours in each work year are direct (i.e., productive working hours) and how many are indirect (i.e., paid absences). If the company policy includes a different base work week, the total available hours would be different. For example, if the company's policy calls for a 37.5 hour work week, offeror would deduct paid absences from 1950 hour (37.5 hours/week × 52 weeks/year = 1950 hours). Offeror should clearly identify the paid absences as to how many hours are for holiday and how many hours are for vacation and sick leave. The amount of indirect time (paid absences) identified in the proposal must be consistent with company policy and must allow for the ten Federal government holidays.
Alternate II (AUG 1999). If the Government's requirement is a fully dedicated staff person for a twelve month period(s) for each specified position and performance is not on a Government facility; add the following paragraph (b)(2)(x) to the basic provision:
(x) The level of effort for each position is to be proposed in work years. A work year is considered to consist of 2080 hours inclusive of direct and indirect time (40 hours per week × 52 weeks per year = 2080 hours). The proposal must identify proposed work years and clearly identify how many hours in each work year are direct (i.e., productive working hours) and how many are indirect (i.e., paid absences). If the company policy includes a different base work week, the total available hours would be different. For example, if the company's policy calls for a 37.5 hour work week, offeror would deduct paid absences from 1950 hour (37.5 hours/week × 52 weeks/year = 1950 hours). Offeror should clearly identify the paid absences as to how many hours are for holiday and how many hours are for vacation and sick leave.
Alternate III (AUG 1999). If the requirement is for the acquisition of supplies or equipment, substitute the following paragraphs (a)(iv)-(viii) and add (a)(ix) and (b).
(iv) Provide information as to how the proposed supplies or equipment meet the salient characteristics required by the contract line item;
(v) Provide published brochures, catalogs, or other technical literature by contract line item;
(vi) Meet any interface or compatibility requirements by contract line item;
(vii) Describe warranty services and how delivered by contract line item;
(viii) Assumptions, deviations and exceptions (as necessary); and
(ix) Additional information.
(b) Supplies—Provide unit pricing by contract line items for:
(i) each line item;
(ii) delivery;
(iii) installation;
(iv) sets of operating manuals;
(v) training;
(vi) warranty;
(vii) maintenance; and
(viii) volume discounts.
1552.215-73   General financial and organizational information.
As prescribed in 1515.408(a)(2), insert the following provision:
Offerors or quoters are requested to provide information regarding the following items in sufficient detail to allow a full and complete business evaluation. If the question indicated is not applicable or the answer is none, it should be annotated. If the offeror has previously submitted the information, it should certify the validity of that data currently on file at EPA and to whom and where it was submitted or update all outdated information on file.
(b) Address (If financial records are maintained at some other location, show the address of the place where the records are kept):
(e) Cognizant Government:
(f)(1) Work Distribution for the Last Completed Fiscal Accounting Period:
If a division or subsidiary corporation, name parent company:
(i) Manpower:
(k) Attach a current organizational chart of the company.
(l) Description of Contractor's system of estimating and accumulating costs under Government contracts. (Check appropriate blocks.)
Has your cost estimating system been approved by any Government agency?
If yes, give name, date or approval, and location of agency:
Has your cost accumulation system been approved by any Government agency?
If yes, give name, date of approval, and address of agency:
(m) What is your fiscal year period? (Give month-to-month dates):
What were the indirect cost rates for your last completed fiscal year?
(n) Have the proposed indirect cost rate(s) been evaluated and accepted by any Government agency?
If yes, give name, date of approval, and location of the Government agency:
Date of last preaward audit review by a Government agency:
If the answer is no, data supporting the proposed rates must accompany the cost or price proposal. A breakdown of the items comprising overhead and G&A must be furnished.
(o) Cost estimating is performed by:
(p) Has system of control of Government property been approved by a Government agency?
If yes, give name, date of approval, and location of the Government agency:
(q) Purchasing System: FAR 44.302 requires EPA, where it is the cognizant Government agency, to conduct a Contractor Purchasing System Review for each contractor whose sales to the Government, using other than sealed bid procedures, are expected to exceed $25 million (annual billings) during the next twelve months. The $25 million sales threshold is comprised of prime contracts, subcontractors under Government prime contracts, and modifications (except when the negotiated price is based on established catalog or market prices or is set by law or regulation).
Has your purchasing system been approved by a Government agency?
If yes, name and location of the Government agency:
If no, do you estimate that your negotiated sales to the Government during the next twelve months will meet the $25 million threshold? Yes __ No __
If you responded yes to the $25 million threshold question, is EPA the cognizant agency for your organization based on the preponderance of Government contract dollars?
If EPA is not your cognizant Government agency, provide the name and location of the cognizant agency __________________________________
Are your purchasing policies and procedures written?
(r) Does your firm have an established written incentive compensation or bonus plan?
(s) Additionally, offerors shall submit current financial statements, including a Balance Sheet, Statement of Income (Loss), and Cash Flow for the last two completed fiscal years. Specify resources available to perform the contract without assistance from any outside source. If sufficient resources are not available, indicate in proposal the amount required and the anticipated source (i.e., bank loans, letter or lines of credit, etc.).
1552.215-74   Advanced understanding—uncompensated time.
As prescribed in 1515.408(b), insert the following provision or one substantially the same as the following provision:
(a) The estimated cost of this contract is based upon the Contractor's proposal which specified that exempt personnel identified to work at the Contractor's facilities will provide uncompensated labor hours to the contract totaling ____ percent of compensated labor. (Note: the commitment for uncompensated time, and the formula elements in paragraph (b) below, apply only to exempt personnel working at the Contractor's facilities and does not include non-exempt personnel or exempt personnel working at other facilities.) Uncompensated labor hours are defined as hours of exempt personnel in excess of regular hours for a ____ pay period which are actually worked and recorded in accordance with the company policy, entitled, ____________________.
(b) Recognizing that the probable cost to the Government for the labor provided under this contract is calculated assuming a proposed level of uncompensated labor hours, it is hereby agreed that in the event the proposed level of uncompensated labor hours are not provided, an adjustment, calculated in accordance with the following formula will be made to the contract amount.
Formula:
Adjustment equals estimated value of uncompensated time hours not provided.
Target uncompensated time percent minus ____ percent.
Shortage of uncompensated time percent minus actual cost percent.
Estimated value of uncompensated time hours not provided equals shortage of uncompensated time percent times total exempt applicable direct labor costs (including applicable indirect costs).
(c) Within three weeks after the end of the contract, the Contractor shall submit a statement concerning the amount of uncompensated time hours delivered during the contract. In the event there is a shortage of uncompensated time hours provided, a calculation, utilizing the above formula will be made and this calculation will be the basis for an adjustment in the contract amount.
(d) In the event adjustments are made to the contract, the adjusted amounts shall not be allowable as a direct or indirect cost to this or any other Government contract.
1552.215-75   Past performance information.
As prescribed in 1515.209(c), insert the following clause:
(a) Offerors shall submit the information requested below as part of their proposal for both the offeror and any proposed subcontractors for subcontracts expected to exceed $ * . The information may be submitted prior to other parts of the proposal in order to assist the Government in reducing the evaluation period.
(b) Offerors shall submit a list of all or at least * contracts and subcontracts completed in the last * years, and all contracts and subcontracts currently in process, which are similar in nature to this requirement.
(1) The contracts and subcontracts listed may include those entered into with Federal, State and local governments, and commercial businesses, which are of similar scope, magnitude, relevance, and complexity to the requirement which is described in the RFP. Include the following information for each contract and subcontract listed:
(a) Name of contracting activity.
(b) Contract number.
(c) Contract title.
(d) Contract type.
(e) Brief description of contract or subcontract and relevance to this requirement.
(f) Total contract value.
(g) Period of performance.
(h) Contracting officer, telephone number, and E-mail address (if available).
(i) Program manager/project officer, telephone number, and E-mail address (if available).
(j) Administrative Contracting officer, if different from (h) above, telephone number, and E-mail address (if available).
(k) List of subcontractors (if applicable).
(l) Compliance with subcontracting plan goals for small disadvantaged business concerns, monetary targets for small disadvantaged business participation, and the notifications submitted under FAR 19.1202-4 (b), if applicable.
(c) Offerors should not provide general information on their performance on the identified contracts and subcontracts. General performance information will be obtained from the references.
(1) Offerors may provide information on problems encountered and corrective actions taken on the identified contracts and subcontracts.
(2) References that may be contacted by the Government include the contracting officer, program manager/project officer, or the administrative contracting officer identified above.
(3) If no response is received from a reference, the Government will make an attempt to contact another reference identified by the offeror, to contact a reference not identified by the offeror, or to complete the evaluation with those references who responded. The Government shall consider the information provided by the references, and may also consider information obtained from other sources, when evaluating an offeror's past performance.
(4) Attempts to obtain responses from references will generally not go beyond two telephonic messages and/or written requests from the Government, unless otherwise stated in the solicitation. The Government is not obligated to contact all of the references identified by the offeror.
(d) If negative feedback is received from an offeror's reference, the Government will compare the negative response to the responses from the offeror's other references to note differences. A score will be assigned appropriately to the offeror based on the information. The offeror will be given the opportunity to address adverse past performance information obtained from references on which the offeror has not had a previous opportunity to comment, if that information makes a difference in the Government's decision to include the offeror in or exclude the offeror from the competitive range. Any past performance deficiency or significant weakness will be discussed with offerors in the competitive range during discussions.
(e) Offerors must send Client Authorization Letters (see Section J of the solicitation) to each reference listed in their proposal to assist in the timely processing of the past performance evaluation. Offerors are encouraged to consolidate requests whenever possible (i.e., if the same reference has several contracts, send that reference a single notice citing all applicable contracts). Offerors may send Client Authorization Letters electronically to references with copies forwarded to the contracting officer.
(1) If an offeror has no relevant past performance history, an offeror must affirmatively state that it possesses no relevant past performance history.
(2) Client Authorization Letters should be mailed or E-mailed to individual references no later than five (5) working days after proposal submission. The offeror should forward a copy of the Client Authorization Letter to the contracting officer simultaneously with mailing to references.
(f) Each offeror may describe any quality awards or certifications that indicate the offeror possesses a high-quality process for developing and producing the product or service required. Such awards or certifications include, for example, the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award, other Government quality awards, and private sector awards or certifications.
(1) Identify the segment of the company (one division or the entire company) which received the award or certification.
(2) Describe when the award or certification was bestowed. If the award or certification is over three years old, present evidence that the qualifications still apply.
(g) Past performance information will be used for both responsibility determinations and as an evaluation factor for award. The Past Performance Questionnaire identified in section J will be used to collect information on an offeror's performance under existing and prior contracts/subcontracts for products or services similar in scope, magnitude, relevance, and complexity to this requirement in order to evaluate offerors consistent with the past performance evaluation factor set forth in section M. References other than those identified by the offeror may be contacted by the Government and used in the evaluation of the offeror's past performance.
(h) Any information collected concerning an offeror's past performance will be maintained in the official contract file.
(i) In accordance with FAR 15.305 (a) (2) (iv), offerors with no relevant past performance history, or for whom information on past performance is not available, will be evaluated neither favorably nor unfavorably on past performance.
1552.215-76   [Reserved]
1552.216-70   Award Fee.
As prescribed in 1516.406(a), insert the following clause:
(a) The Government shall pay the contractor a base fee, if any, and such additional fee as may be earned, as provided in the award fee plan incorporated into the Schedule.
(b) Award fee determinations made by the Government under this contract are unilaterally determined by the Fee Determination Official (FDO). The amount of the award fee to be paid is determined by the Government's judgmental evaluation of the contractor's performance in terms of the criteria stated in the contract. This determination and the methodology for determining the award fee are unilateral decisions made solely at the discretion of the Government.
(c) The Government may unilaterally change the award fee plan at any time, via contract modification, at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the beginning of the applicable evaluation period. Changes issued in a unilateral modification are not subject to equitable adjustments, consideration, or any other renegotiation of the contract.
1552.216-71   Date of incurrence of cost.
At prescribed in 1516.307, insert the following contract clause in cost-reimbursement contracts when an anticipatory cost letter has been issued on the project. The beginning dates and the not-to-exceed amount to be inserted in the clause should be those in the anticipatory cost letter.
The Contractor is entitled to reimbursement for allowable, allocable costs incurred during the period of __________________ to the award date of this contract in an amount not to exceed
1552.216-72   Ordering—by designated ordering officers.
As prescribed in 1516.505(a), insert the subject clause, or a clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type solicitations and contracts.
(a) The Government will order any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract by issuing task/delivery orders on Optional Form 347, or an agency prescribed form, from ______ through ______. In addition to the Contracting Officer, the following individuals are authorized ordering officers.
(b) A Standard Form 30 will be the method of amending task/delivery orders.
(c) The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of each order by having an authorized company officer sign either a copy of a transmittal letter or signature block on page 3 of the task/delivery order, depending upon which is provided, within ____ calendar days of receipt.
(d) Prior to the placement of any task/delivery order, the Contractor will be provided with a proposed Performance Work Statement/Statement of Work and will be asked to respond with detailed technical and cost proposals within ____ calendar days or less. The technical proposal will delineate the Contractor's interpretation for the execution of the PWS/SOW, and the pricing proposal will be the Contractor's best estimate for the hours, labor categories and all costs associated with the execution. The proposals are subject to negotiation. The Ordering Officer and the Contractor shall reach agreement on all the material terms of each order prior to the order being issued.
(e) Each task/delivery order issued will incorporate the Contractor's technical and cost proposals as negotiated with the Government, and will have a ceiling price which the contractor shall not exceed. When the Contractor has reason to believe that the labor payment and support costs for the order which will accrue in the next thirty (30) days will bring total cost to over 85 percent of the ceiling price specified in the order, the Contractor shall notify the Ordering Officer.
(f) Under no circumstances will the Contractor start work prior to the issue date of the task/delivery order unless specifically authorized to do so by the Ordering Officer. Any verbal authorization will be confirmed in writing by the Ordering Officer or Contracting Officer within ____ calendar days.
Alternate I (JUL 2014). As prescribed in 1516.505(a), insert the subject clause, or a clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts when formal input from the Contractor will not be obtained prior to order issuance.
(a) The Government will order any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract by issuing task/delivery orders on Optional Form 347, or any agency prescribed form, from ____ through ____. In addition to the Contracting Officer, the following individuals are authorized ordering officers:
(b) A Standard Form 30 will be the method of amending task/delivery orders.
(c) The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of each order and shall prepare and forward to the Ordering Officer within ____ calendar days the proposed staffing plan for accomplishing the assigned task within the period specified.
(d) If the Contractor considers the estimated labor hours or specified work completion date to be unreasonable, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Ordering Officer and Contracting Officer in writing within ____ calendar days, stating why the estimated labor hours or specified completion date is considered unreasonable.
(e) Each task/delivery order will have a ceiling price, which the Contractor may not exceed. When the Contractor has reason to believe that the labor payment and support costs for the order, which will accrue in the next thirty (30) days, will bring total cost to over 85 percent of the ceiling price specified in the order, the Contractor shall notify the Ordering Officer.
(f) Paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this clause apply only when services are being ordered.
1552.216-73   Fixed rates for services—indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.
As prescribed in 1516.505(b), insert the following clause:
(a) The following fixed rates shall apply for payment purposes for the duration of the contact.
(b) The rate, or rates, set forth in paragraph (a) of this section cover all expenses, including report preparation, salaries, overhead, general and administrative expenses, and profit.
(c) The Contractor shall voucher for only the time of the personnel whose services are applied directly to the work called for in individual Orders and accepted by the EPA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Government shall pay the Contractor for the life of the Order at rates in effect when the Order was issued, even if performance under the Order crosses into another period. The Contractor shall maintain time and labor distribution records for all employees who work under the contract. These records must document time worked and work performed by each individual on all Orders.
Alternate I ( date ). As prescribed in 1515.505(b), modify the Basic form of the clause by changing paragraph (c) to the following:
(c) The Contractor shall voucher for only the time of the personnel whose services are applied directly to the work called for in individual Orders and accepted by the EPA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The Government shall pay the Contractor at rates in effect when the work is performed by the Contractor. The Contractor shall maintain time and labor distribution records for all employees who work under the contract. These records must document time worked and work performed by each individual on all Orders.
1552.216-74   Payment of fee.
As prescribed in 1516.307(b), insert the following clause:
(a) The term fee in this clause refers to either the fixed fee under a cost-plus-fixed-fee type contract, or the base fee under a cost-plus-award-fee type contract.
(b) The Government will make provisional fee payments on the basis of percentage of work completed. Percentage of work completed is the ratio of direct labor hours performed to the direct labor hours set forth in clause 1552.211-73, Level of Effort—Cost-Reimbursement Term Contract.
1552.216-75   Base fee and award fee proposal.
As prescribed in 1516.406(b), insert the following provision:
For the purpose of this solicitation, offerors shall propose a combination of base fee and award fee. Base fee shall not exceed 3% of the estimated cost, excluding fee, and the award fee shall not be less than ____% of the total estimated cost, excluding fee. The combined percentages of base and award fee shall not exceed ____% of the total estimated cost, excluding fee.
1552.216-76   Estimated cost and cost-sharing.
As prescribed in 1516.307(c), insert the following clause:
(a) The total estimated cost of performing the work under this contract is $________. The Contractor's share of this cost shall not exceed $________. The Government's share of this cost shall not exceed $________.
(b) For performance of the work under the contract, the Contractor shall be reimbursed for not more than ____ percent of the cost of performance determined to be allowable under the Allowable Cost and Payment clause. The remaining balance of allowable cost shall constitute the Contractor's share.
(c) Fee shall not be paid to the prime contractor under this cost-sharing contract.
(d) The Contractor shall maintain records of all costs incurred and claimed for reimbursement as well as any other costs claimed as part of its cost share. Those records shall be subject to audit by the Government.
(e) Costs contributed by the Contractor shall not be charged to the Government under any other contract, grant or agreement (including allocation to other contracts as part of an independent research and development program) nor be included as contributions under any other Federal contract.
1552.216-77   Award term incentive.
As prescribed in 1516.406(c), insert a clause substantially the same as follows:
(a) General. This contract may be extended as set forth in paragraph (b) based on overall contractor performance as evaluated in accordance with the Clause entitled “Award Term Incentive Plan,” provided the Agency has a need for the effort at or before the time an award term is to commence, and if the contractor receives notice of the availability of funding for an award term period pursuant to the “Award Term Availability of Funds” clause. The Contracting Officer is responsible for the overall award term evaluation and award term decision. The Contracting Officer will unilaterally decide whether or not the contractor is eligible for an award term extension, and in conjunction with the Contracting Officer's Representative, will determine the need for continued performance and funding availability.
(b) Period of performance. Provided the contractor has achieved the performance measures, e.g., acceptable quality levels, set forth in the clause “Award Term Incentive Plan,” the Contracting Officer may extend the contract by exercising ________ [insert the total award term incentive periods] additional award term incentive period(s) of ________ [insert the award term incentive period] months each. The total maximum period of performance under this contract, if the Government exercises any option periods and all award term incentive periods is ________ [insert the total of the base period, option periods (if any), and award term incentive periods] years.
(c) Right not to grant or cancel the award term incentive. (1) The Government has the unilateral right not to grant or to cancel award term incentive periods and the associated award term incentive plans if—
(i) The Contracting Officer has failed to initiate an award term incentive period, regardless of whether the contractor's performance permitted the Contracting Officer to consider initiating the award term incentive period; or
(ii) The contractor has failed to achieve the performance measures for the corresponding evaluation period; or
(iii) The Government notifies the contractor in writing it does not have funds available for the award term incentive periods; or
(iv) The Government no longer has a need for the award term incentive period at or before the time an award term incentive period is to commence.
(2) When an award term incentive period is not granted or cancelled, any—
(i) Prior award term incentive periods for which the contractor remains otherwise eligible are unaffected.
(ii) Subsequent award term incentive periods are thereby also cancelled.
(d) Cancellation of an award term incentive period that has not yet commenced for any of the reasons set forth in paragraph (c) of this clause shall not be considered either a termination for convenience or termination for default, and shall not entitle the contractor to any termination settlement or any other compensation. If the award term incentive is cancelled, a unilateral modification will cite this clause as the authority.
(e) Award term incentive administration. The award term incentive evaluation(s) will be completed in accordance with the schedule in the Award Term Incentive Plan. The contractor will be notified of the results and their eligibility to be considered for the respective award term incentive no later than 120 days after an evaluation period.
(f) Review process. The contractor may request a review of an award term incentive evaluation which has resulted in the contractor being ineligible for the award term incentive. The request shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer within 15 days after notification of the results of the evaluation.
1552.216-78   Award term incentive plan.
As prescribed in 1516.406(c), insert a clause substantially the same as follows:
(a) The Award Term Incentive Plan provides for the evaluation of performance, and, together with Agency need and availability of funding, serves as the basis for award term decisions. The Award Term Incentive Plan may be unilaterally revised by the Government. Any changes to the Award Term Incentive Plan will be made in writing and incorporated into the contract through a unilateral modification citing this clause. The Government will consult with the contractor prior to the issuance of a revised Award Term Incentive Plan, but is not required to obtain the contractor's consent to the revisions.
(b) [describe the evaluation periods and associated award term incentive periods, e.g., months 1-18 for award term incentive period I, and months 19-36 for award term incentive period II]
(c) [describe the evaluation schedule, e.g., 90 days after the end of the evaluation period]
(d) In order to be eligible for an award term incentive period the contractor must achieve all of the acceptable quality levels (AQL) for the evaluated tasks, both individual and aggregate, for that evaluation period. Failure to achieve any AQL renders the contractor ineligible for the associated award term incentive period. [identify the most significant tasks. Describe the AQL for each task as well as an overall AQL for the associated evaluation periods, e.g., an AQL of 90% each for tasks 1 and 3, and an AQL of 85% for task 7, and an overall AQL of 90% for the months 1-18 evaluation period]
(e) [If the contract will contain a quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP), reference the QASP, e.g., attachment 2. Typically, the performance standards and AQLs will be defined in the QASP]
Alternate 1 (FEB 2008) As prescribed in 1516.406(d), substitute paragraphs substantially the same as following paragraphs (b) through (e) for paragraphs (b) through (e) in the basic clause:
(b) At the conclusion of each contract year, an average contract rating shall be determined by using the numerical ratings entered into the Department of Defense Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for this contract. The CPARS is an interactive database located on the Internet which EPA uses to record contractor performance evaluations.
(c) The contract year average rating shall be obtained by dividing the combined ratings by the number of ratings, for example:
(d) The contractor shall be evaluated for performance from the start of the contract through Year ____ [identify the evaluation period, e.g., year three]. The average rating for each contract year (as derived in paragraph (c) above) will be combined and divided by [insert the number of evaluation periods] to obtain an overall average rating, for example:
(e) Based on the overall average rating as determined under paragraph (d), provided that no individual rating, i.e., Quality of Product or Service, Cost Control, Timeliness of Performance, or Business Relations is below a 3, the contractor shall be eligible for the following award term periods:
(1) Overall average rating of 4.6 to 5.0—Two award term incentive periods of ____ [insert the number of months] months.
(2) Overall average rating of 4.0 to 4.6—One award term incentive period of ____ [insert the number of months] months.
1552.216-79   Award term availability of funds.
As prescribed in 1516.406(c), insert the following clause:
Funds are not presently available for any award term. The Government's obligation under any award term is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any award term payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for an award term and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.
1552.217-70   Evaluation of contract options.
As prescribed in 1517.208(a), insert the following solicitation provision in Requests for Proposals when the solicitation contains options.
For award purposes, in addition to an offeror's response to the basic requirement, the Government will evaluate its response to all options, both technical and cost. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the options. For this solicitation the options are as specified in section H.
1552.217-71   Option to extend the term of the contract—cost-type contract.
As prescribed in 1517.208(b), insert this contract clause in cost-reimbursement type term form contracts when applicable. If only one option period is used, enter “NA” in the proper places of the clause. If more than two option periods apply, the clause may be modified accordingly.
The Government has the option to extend the term of this contract for ______ additional period(s). If more than 60 days remain in the contract period of performance, the Government, without prior written notification, may exercise this option by issuing a contract modification. To exercise this option within the last 60 days of the period of performance, the Government must provide to the Contractor written notification prior to that last 60-day period. This preliminary notification does not commit the Government to exercising the option. The Government's estimated level of effort is ______ direct labor hours for the first option period and ______ for the second. Use of an option will result in the following contract modifications:
(a) The “Period of Performance” clause will be amended to cover a base period from __________________________ to ____________________________ and option periods from ____________________________ to __________________________ and ____________________________ to ____________________________.
(b) Paragraph (a) of the “Level of Effort” clause will be amended to reflect a new and separate level of effort of __________________________________ for the first option period and a new and separate level of effort of ____________________________ for the second option period.
(c) The “Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee” clause will be amended to reflect increased estimated costs and fixed fee for each option period as follows:
(d) If the contract contains “not to exceed amounts” for elements of other direct costs (ODC), those amounts will be increased as follows:
1552.217-72   Option to extend the term of the contract—cost-plus-award-fee contract.
As prescribed in 1517.208(c), insert this contract clause in cost-plus-award-fee term contracts when applicable. If only one option period is used, enter “NA” in the proper places of the clause. If more than two option periods apply, modify the clause accordingly.
(a) The Government has the option to extend the term of this contract for ____ additional periods. If more than 60 days remain in the contract period of performance, the Government, without prior written notification, may exercise this option by issuing a contract modification. To exercise this option within the last 60 days of the period of performance, the Government must provide to the Contractor written notification prior to that last 60-day period. This preliminary notification does not commit the Government to exercising the option. The Government's estimated level of effort is ____ direct labor hours for the first option period and ____ for the second. Use of an option will result in the following contract modifications:
(b) The “Period of Performance” clause will be amended to cover a base period from ______________________ to ____________________ and option periods from ______________________ to ____________________ and ______________________ to ______________________.
(c) Paragraph (a) of the “Level of Effort” clause will be amended to reflect a new and separate level of effort of ________________ for the first option period and a new and separate level of effort of ____________________ for the second option period.
(d) The “Estimated Cost Base Fee and Award Fee” clause will be amended to reflect increased estimated costs and base fee and award fee pool for each option period as follows:
(e) If this contract contains “not to exceed amounts” for elements of other direct costs (ODC), those amounts will be increased as follows:
1552.217-73   Option for increased quantity—cost-type contract.
As prescribed in 1517.208(d), insert this contract clause in cost-reimbursement type term form contracts when applicable. If only one option period is used, enter “NA” in the proper places of the clause. If more than two option periods apply, modify the clause accordingly.
(a) By issuing a contract modification, the Government may increase the estimated level of effort by ____ direct labor hours during the base period, ____ during the first option period, and ____ during the second option period. The Government may issue a maximum of ____ orders to increase the level of effort in blocks of ____ hours during any given period. The estimated cost and fixed fee of each block of hours is as follows:
(b) When these options are exercised, paragraph (a) of the “Level of Effort” clause and the “Estimated Cost and Fixed Fee” clause will be modified accordingly.
(c) If this contract contains “not to exceed amounts” for elements of other direct costs (ODCs), those amounts will be increased as follows:
1552.217-74   Option for increased quantity—cost-plus-award-fee contract.
As prescribed in 1517.208(e), insert this contract clause in cost-plus-award-fee term contracts when applicable. If only one option period is used, enter “NA” in the proper places of the clause. If more than two option periods apply, the clause may be modified accordingly.
(a) By issuing a contract modification, the Government may increase the estimated level of effort by ____ direct labor hours during the base period, ____ during the first option period, and ____ during the second option period. The Government may issue a maximum of ____ orders to increase the level of effort in blocks of ____ hours during any given period. The estimated cost, base fee, and award fee pool of each block of hours is as follows:
(b) When these options are exercised, paragraph (a) of the “Level of Effort” clause and the “Estimated Cost, Base Fee, and Award Fee” clause will be modified accordingly.
(c) If this contract contains “not to exceed amounts” for elements of other direct costs (ODCs), those amounts will be increased as follows:
1552.217-75   Option to extend the effective period of the contract—time and materials or labor hour contract.
As prescribed in 1517.208(f), insert this clause in time and materials or labor hour type contracts when applicable. This clause will be modified to reflect the actual number of option periods for the acquisition. If only one option period is used, modify (c) accordingly.
(a) The Government has the option to extend the effective period of this contract for ____ additional period(s). If more than sixty (60) days remain in the contract effective period, the Government, without prior written notification, may exercise this option by issuing a contract modification. To unilaterally exercise this option within the last 60 days of the effective period, the Government must issue written notification of its intent to exercise the option prior to that last 60-day period. This preliminary notification does not commit the Government to exercising the option.
(b) If the option(s) are exercised, the “Ceiling Price” clause will be modified to reflect a new and separate ceiling price of $________ for the first option period and a new and separate ceiling price of $________ for the second option period.
(c) The “Effective Period of the Contract” clause will be modified to cover a base period from ____________________ to __________________ and option periods from ____________________ to __________________ and ____________________ to ______________________.
1552.217-76   Option to extend the effective period of the contract—indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.
As prescribed in 1517.208(g), the following is used in indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type contracts with options to extend the effective period of the contract. The clause may be adjusted depending upon the number of options. If only one option period is used, modify (b) and (c) accordingly.
(a) The Government has the option to extend the effective period of this contract for ____ additional period(s). If more than sixty (60) days remain in the contract effective period, the Government, without prior written notification, may exercise this option by issuing a contract modification. To unilaterally exercise this option within the last 60 days of the effective period, the Government must issue written notification of its intent to exercise the option prior to that last 60-day period. This preliminary notification does not commit the Government to exercising the option.
(b) If the options are exercised, the “Minimum and Maximum Contract Amount” clause will be modified to reflect new and separate minimums of ____ for the first option period and ____ for the second option period, and new and separate maximums of ____ for the first option period and ____ for the second option period.
(c) The “Effective Period of the Contract” clause will be modified to cover a base period from ____________________ to __________________ and option periods from ____________________ to __________________ and ____________________ to ______________________.
1552.217-77   Option to extend the term of the contract fixed price.
As prescribed in 1517.208(h), insert the following clause:
The Government has the option to extend the term of this contract for ____ additional period(s). If more than ____ days remain in the contract period of performance, the Government, without prior written notification, may exercise this option by issuing a contract modification. To exercise this option within the last ____ days of the period of performance, the Government must provide to the Contractor written notification prior to that last ____ -day period. This preliminary notification does not commit the Government to exercising the option. Use of an option will result in the following contract modifications:
(a) The “Period of Performance” clause will be amended as follows to cover the Base and Option Periods:
(b) During the option period(s) the Contractor shall provide the services described below:
(c) The “Consideration and Payment” clause will be amended to reflect increased fixed prices for each option period as follows:
1552.219-70--1552.219-74   [Reserved]
1552.223-70   Protection of human subjects.
As prescribed in 1523.303-70, insert the following contract clause when the contract involves human test subjects.
(a) The contractor shall meet all EPA requirements for studies using human subjects prior to undertaking any work with human subjects in accordance with 40 CFR part 26 and EPA Order 1000.17 A1 Policy and Procedures on Protection of Human Research Subjects in EPA Conducted or Supported Research. Studies involving intentional exposure of human subjects who are children or pregnant or nursing women are prohibited. Requirements regarding observational studies involving children or pregnant women and fetuses are referenced in subparts C and D of 40 CFR part 26.
(b) The contractor's Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval must state that the contractor's study meets the EPA's regulations at 40 CFR part 26 and EPA Order 1000.17 A1. No work involving human subjects, including recruiting, may be initiated before the EPA has received a copy of the contractor's IRB approval of the project and the EPA has also issued approval. Where human subjects are involved in the research, the contractor must provide evidence of subsequent IRB reviews, including amendments or minor protocol changes, as part of annual reports.
(c) The contractor shall bear full responsibility for the proper and safe performance of all work and services involving the use of human subjects under this contract and shall ensure that work is conducted in a proper manner and as safely as is feasible. The contractor agrees that it has entered into this contract and will discharge its obligations, duties, and undertakings and the work pursuant thereto, whether requiring professional judgment or otherwise, as an independent contractor without imputing liability on the part of the government for the acts of the contractor, its employees, sub-contractors, consultants, heirs, assignees, etc.
(d) If at any time during the performance of this contract, the contracting officer determines that the contractor is not in compliance with any of the requirements and/or standards stated in above, the contracting officer may immediately suspend, in whole or in part, work and further payments under this contract until the contractor corrects the noncompliance. The contracting officer may communicate the notice of suspension by telephone with confirmation in writing. If the contractor fails to complete corrective action within the period of time designated in the contracting officer's written notice of suspension, the contracting officer may terminate this contract in whole or in part.
1552.223-71   EPA Green Meetings and Conferences.
As prescribed in 1523.703-1, insert the following provision, or language substantially the same as the provision, in solicitations for meetings and conference facilities.
(a) The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. As such, all EPA meetings and conferences will be staged using as many environmentally preferable measures as possible. Environmentally preferable means products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.
(b) Potential meeting or conference facility providers for EPA shall provide information about the environmentally preferable features and practices identified by the checklist contained in paragraph (c) of this section, addressing sustainability for meeting and conference facilities including lodging and non-lodging oriented facilities.
(c) The following list of questions is provided to assist contracting officers in evaluating the environmental preferability of prospective meeting and conference facility providers. More information about EPA's Green Meetings initiative may be found on the Internet at https://www.epa.gov/p2/green-meetings.
(1) Does your facility track energy usage and/or GHG emissions through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager ( http://www.energystar.gov/benchmark ) or some other calculator based on a recognized greenhouse gas tracking protocol? Y/N_
(2) If available for your building type, does your facility currently qualify for the Energy Star certification for superior energy performance? Y/N _, NA_
(3) Does your facility track water use through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager or another equivalent tracking tool and/or undertake best management practices to reduce water use in the facility ( http://www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial )? Y/N_
(4) Do you use landscaping professionals who are either certified by a WaterSense recognized program or actively undertake the WaterSense “Water-Smart” landscaping design practices ( http://www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor )? Y/N_, NA_
(5) Based on the amount of renewable energy your buildings uses, does (or would) your facility qualify as a partner under EPA's Green Power Partnership program ( https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-partnership-basic-program-information )? Y/N_
(6) Do you restrict idling of motor vehicles in front of your facility, at the loading dock and elsewhere at your facility? Y/N_
(7) Does your facility have a default practice of not changing bedding and towels unless requested by guests? Y/N_, NA_
(8) Does your facility participate in EPA's WasteWise ( https://www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise ) and/or Food Recovery Challenge ( https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-frc ) programs? Y/N_
(9) Do you divert from landfill at least 50% of the total solid waste generated at your facility? Y/N_
(10) Will your facility be able to divert from the landfill at least 75% of the total solid waste expected to be generated during this conference/event? Y/N_
(11) Do you divert from landfill at least 50% of the food waste generated at your facility (through donation, use as animal feed, recycling, anaerobic digestion, or composting)? Y/N_
(12) Will your facility be able to divert from landfill at least 75% of the food waste expected to be generated during this conference/event (through donation, use as animal feed, recycling, anaerobic digestion, or composting)? Y/N_
(13) Does your facility provide recycling containers for visitors, guests and staff (paper and beverage at minimum)? Y/N_
(14) With respect to any food and beverage prepared and/or served at your facility, does at least 50% of it on average meet sustainability attributes such as: Local, organic, fair trade, fair labor, antibiotic-free, etc.? Y/N_
(15) Will your facility be able to ensure that at least 75% of the food and beverage expected to be served during this conference/event meets sustainability attributes such as: Local, organic, fair trade, fair labor, antibiotic-free, etc.? Y/N_
(16) Does your facility use Design for the Environment (DfE) cleaning products ( https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/history-safer-choice-and-design-environment ), or similar products meeting other recognized standards for being `environmentally preferable' ( http://www.epa.gov/epp/ ) or more sustainable? Y/N_
(17) Is your facility prepared to document or demonstrate all of the claims you have made above? Y/N_
(d) The contractor shall include any additional “Green Meeting” information in their proposal which is believed is pertinent to better assist us in considering environmental preferability in selecting our meeting venue.
1552.223-72   Use and care of laboratory animals.
As prescribed in 1523.303-72, insert the following clause in all contracts involving the use of animals in testing, research or training:
(a) Use of laboratory animals. (1) Before undertaking performance of any contract involving the use of laboratory animals, the contractor shall register with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States in accordance with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended (AWA), codified at 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq. and promulgated at 9 CFR parts 1-4. The contractor shall furnish evidence of such registration to the contracting officer.
(2) The contractor shall acquire animals used in research and development programs from a dealer licensed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or from exempted sources in accordance with 9 CFR 2.25-2.28. Animals shall not be acquired from any random source Class B dealer.
(3) The contractor may request registration of his/her facility and a current listing of licensed dealers from the Regional Office of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA, for the region in which his/her research facility is located. The location of the appropriate APHIS Regional Office as well as information concerning this program may be obtained at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/contact_us/.
(b) Care of laboratory animals. (1) In the care of any live animals used or intended for use in the performance of this contract, the contractor shall adhere to:
(i) The standards and practices incorporated in the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Research of the National Research Council of the National Academies (ILAR/NRC),
(ii) The Animal Welfare Regulations found in 9 CFR parts 1-4, and
(iii) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
(2) In case of conflict between standards, the higher standard shall be used.
(3) The contractor's reports on portions of the contract in which animals were used shall contain a certificate stating that the animals were cared for in accordance with the principles enunciated in the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, prepared by the ILAR/NRC, and/or in the Animal Welfare Regulations found in 9 CFR parts 1-4.
1552.224-70   Social security numbers of consultants and certain sole proprietors and Privacy Act statement.
As prescribed in 1524.104, insert the following provision in all solicitations.
(a) Section 6041 of title 26 of the U.S. Code requires EPA to file Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099 with respect to individuals who receive payments from EPA under purchase orders or contracts. Section 6109 of title 26 of the U.S. Code authorizes collection by EPA of the social security numbers of such individuals for the purpose of filing IRS Form 1099. Social security numbers obtained for this purpose will be used by EPA for the sole purpose of filing IRS Form 1099 in compliance with section 6041 of title 26 of the U.S. Code.
(b) If the offeror or quoter is an individual, consultant, or sole proprietor and has no Employer Identification Number, insert the offeror's or quoter's social security number on the following line.
1552.227-76   Project employee confidentiality agreement.
As prescribed in 1527.409, insert the following clause:
(a) The Contractor recognizes that Contractor employees in performing this contract may have access to data, either provided by the Government or first generated during contract performance, of a sensitive nature which should not be released to the public without Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval. Therefore, the Contractor agrees to obtain confidentiality agreements from all of its employees working on requirements under this contract.
(b) Such agreements shall contain provisions which stipulate that each employee agrees that the employee will not disclose, either in whole or in part, to any entity external to EPA, the Department of Justice, or the Contractor, any information or data (as defined in FAR Section 27.401) provided by the Government or first generated by the Contractor under this contract, any site-specific cost information, or any enforcement strategy without first obtaining the written permission of the EPA Contracting Officer. If a contractor, through an employee or otherwise, is subpoenaed to testify or produce documents, which could result in such disclosure, the Contractor must provide immediate advance notification to the EPA so that the EPA can authorize such disclosure or have the opportunity to take action to prevent such disclosure. Such agreements shall be effective for the life of the contract and for a period of five (5) years after completion of the contract.
(c) The EPA may terminate this contract for convenience, in whole or in part, if it deems such termination necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information to outside entities. If such a disclosure occurs without the written permission of the EPA Contracting Officer, the Government may terminate the contract, for default or convenience, or pursue other remedies as may be permitted by law or this contract.
(d) The Contractor further agrees to insert in any subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder, except for subcontracts or consultant agreements for well drilling, fence erecting, plumbing, utility hookups, security guard services, or electrical services, provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph, unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.
Alternate I (JAN 2015). Contracts for other than Superfund work shall include Alternate I in this clause in lieu of paragraph (d).
(d) The Contractor agrees to insert in each subcontract or consultant agreement placed hereunder provisions which shall conform substantially to the language of this clause, including this paragraph (d), unless otherwise authorized by the Contracting Officer.
1552.228-70   Insurance liability to third persons.
As prescribed in 1528.301, insert the following clause:
(a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2) below, the Contractor shall provide and maintain workers' compensation, employer's liability, comprehensive general liability (bodily injury), and comprehensive automobile liability (bodily injury and property damage) insurance, and such other insurance as the Contracting officer may require under this contract.
(2) The Contractor may, with the approval of the Contracting officer, maintain a self-insurance program; provided that, with respect to workers' compensation, the Contractor is qualified pursuant to statutory authority.
(3) All insurance required by this paragraph shall be in a form and amount and for those periods as the Contracting officer may require or approve and with insurers approved by the Contracting officer.
(b) The Contractor agrees to submit for the Contracting officer's approval, to the extent and in the manner required by the Contracting officer, any other insurance that is maintained by the Contractor in connection with the performance of this contract and for which the Contractor seeks reimbursement.
(c) The Contractor shall be reimbursed for that portion of the reasonable cost of insurance allocable to this contract, and required or approved under this clause, in accordance with its established cost accounting practices.
1552.229-70   [Reserved]
1552.232-70   Submission of invoices.
As prescribed in 1532.908, insert the following clause:
(a) Electronic invoicing and the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) —(1) Definitions. As used in this clause—
Contract financing payment and invoice payment are defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 32.001.
Electronic form means an automated system that transmits information electronically from the initiating system to all affected systems. Facsimile, email, and scanned documents are not acceptable electronic forms for submission of payment requests. However, scanned documents are acceptable when they are part of a submission of a payment request made using Invoice Processing Platform or another electronic form authorized by the Contracting Officer.
Payment request means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment submitted by the Contractor under this contract.
(2)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit invoices using the electronic invoicing program Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), which is a secure web-based service provided by the U.S. Treasury that more efficiently manages government invoicing.
(ii) Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP invoice: (This is a fill-in for acceptable types of required documentation, such as an SF 1034 and 1035, or an invoice/self-designed form on company letterhead that contains the required information.)
(iii) The Contractor's Government Business Point of Contact (as listed in System for Award Management (SAM)) will receive enrollment instructions via email from the IPP. The Contractor must register within 3 to 5 days of receipt of such email from IPP.
(iv) Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Production Helpdesk via email at IPPCustomerSupport@fiscal.treasury.gov or by telephone at (866) 973-3131.
(3) If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor shall submit a waiver request in writing to the Contracting Officer. The Contractor may submit an invoice using other than IPP only when—
(i) The Contracting Officer administering the contract for payment has determined, in writing, that electronic submission would be unduly burdensome to the Contractor; and in such cases, the Contracting Officer shall modify the contract to include a copy of the Determination; or
(ii) When the Governmentwide commercial purchase card is used as the method of payment.
(4) The Contractor shall submit any non-electronic payment requests using the method or methods specified in Section G of the contract.
(5) In addition to the requirements of this clause, the Contractor shall meet the requirements of the appropriate payment clauses in this contract when submitting payment requests.
(6) Invoices submitted through IPP will be either rejected, or accepted and paid, in their entirety, and will not be paid on a partial basis.
(b) Invoice preparation. The Contractor shall prepare its invoice or request for contract financing payment in accordance with FAR 32.905 on the prescribed Government forms, or the Contractor may submit self-designed forms which contain the required information. Standard Form 1034, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services other than Personal, is prescribed for used by contractors to show the amount claimed for reimbursement. Standard Form 1035, Public Voucher for Purchases and Services other than Personal—Continuation Sheet, is prescribed for use to furnish the necessary supporting detail or additional information required by the Contracting Officer.
(c) Invoice content. (1) The Contractor shall prepare a contract level invoice or request for contract financing payment in accordance with the invoice preparation instructions. If contract work is authorized by an individual task order or delivery order (TO/DO), the invoice or request for contract financing payment shall also include a summary of the current and cumulative amounts claimed by cost element for each TO/DO and for the contract total, as well as any supporting data for each TO/DO as identified in the instructions.
(2) The invoice or request for contract financing payment shall include current and cumulative charges by major cost element such as direct labor, overhead, travel, equipment, and other direct costs. For current costs, each major cost element shall include the appropriate supporting schedule identified in the invoice preparation instructions. Cumulative charges represent the net sum of current charges by cost element for the contract period.
(d) Subcontractor charges. (1) The charges for subcontracts shall be further detailed in a supporting schedule showing the major cost elements for each subcontract.
(2) On a case-by-case basis, when needed to verify the reasonableness of subcontractor costs, the Contracting Officer may require that the contractor obtain from the subcontractor cost information in the detail set forth in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. This information should be obtained through a means which maintains subcontractor confidentiality (for example, via sealed envelopes), if the subcontractor expresses Confidential Business Information (CBI) concerns.
(e) Period of performance indication. Invoices or requests for contract financing payment must clearly indicate the period of performance for which payment is requested. Separate invoices or requests for contract financing payment are required for charges applicable to the base contract and each option period.
(f) Invoice submittal. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of the clause of this contract at FAR 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment, invoices or requests for contract financing payment shall be submitted once per month unless there has been a demonstrated need and Contracting Officer approval for more frequent billings. When submitted on a monthly basis, the period covered by invoices or requests for contractor financing payments shall be the same as the period for monthly progress reports required under this contract.
(2) If the Contracting Officer allows submissions more frequently than monthly, one submittal each month shall have the same ending period of performance as the monthly progress report.
(3) Where cumulative amounts on the monthly progress report differ from the aggregate amounts claimed in the invoice(s) or request(s) for contract financing payments covering the same period, the contractor shall provide a reconciliation of the difference as part of the payment request.
(g) EPA Invoice Preparation Instructions—SF 1034. The information which a contractor is required to submit in its Standard Form 1034 is set forth as follows:
(1) U.S. Department, Bureau, or establishment and location—Insert the names and address of the servicing finance office, unless the contract specifically provides otherwise.
(2) Date Voucher Prepared—Insert date on which the public voucher is prepared and submitted.
(3) Contract/Delivery Order Number and Date—Insert the number and date of the contract and task order or delivery order, if applicable, under which reimbursement is claimed.
(4) Requisition Number and Date—Leave blank.
(5) Voucher Number—Insert the appropriate serial number of the voucher. A separate series of consecutive numbers, beginning with Number 1, shall be used by the contractor for each new contract. For an adjustment invoice, write “[ invoice number ] #Adj” at the voucher number. For a final invoice, put invoice number F. For a completion invoice, put invoice number #C.
(6) Schedule Number; Paid By; Date Invoice Received—Leave blank.
(7) Discount Terms—Enter terms of discount, if applicable.
(8) Payee's Account Number—This space may be used by the contractor to record the account or job number(s) assigned to the contract or may be left blank.
(9) Payee's Name and Address—Show the name of the contractor exactly as it appears in the contract and its correct address, except when an assignment has been made by the contractor, or the right to receive payment has been restricted, as in the case of an advance account. When the right to receive payment is restricted, the type of information to be shown in this space shall be furnished by the Contracting Officer.
(10) Shipped From; To; Weight Government B/L Number—Insert for supply contracts.
(11) Date of Delivery or Service—Show the month, day and year, beginning and ending dates of incurrence of costs claimed for reimbursement. Adjustments to costs for prior periods should identify the period applicable to their incurrence, e.g., revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, award fee, etc.
(12) Articles or Services—Insert the following: “For detail, see Standard Form 1035 total amount claimed transferred from Page __of Standard Form 1035.” Insert “COST REIMBURSABLE—PROVISIONAL PAYMENT” or “INDEFINITE QUANTITY/INDEFINITE DELIVERY—PROVISIONAL PAYMENT” on the Interim public vouchers. Insert “COST REIMBURSABLE—COMPLETION VOUCHER” or “INDEFINITE QUANTITY/INDEFINITE DELIVERY—COMPLETION VOUCHER” on the Completion public voucher. Insert “COST REIMBURSABLE—FINAL VOUCHER” or “INDEFINITE QUANTITY/INDEFINITE DELIVERY—FINAL VOUCHER” on the final public voucher. Insert the following certification, signed by an authorized official, on the face of the Standard Form 1034:
“I certify that all payments requested are for appropriate purposes and in accordance with the agreements set forth in the contract.”
(13) Quantity; Unit Price—Insert for supply contracts.
(14) Amount—Insert the amount claimed for the period indicated in paragraph (g)(11) of this clause.
(h) EPA Invoice Preparation Instructions—SF 1035. The information which a contractor is required to submit in its Standard Form 1035 is set forth as follows:
(1) U.S. Department, Bureau, or Establishment—Insert the name and address of the servicing finance office.
(2) Voucher Number—Insert the voucher number as shown on the Standard Form 1034.
(3) Schedule Number—Leave blank.
(4) Sheet Number—Insert the sheet number if more than one sheet is used in numerical sequence. Use as many sheets as necessary to show the information required.
(5) Number and Date of Order—Insert payee's name and address as in the Standard Form 1034.
(6) Articles or Services—Insert the contract number as in the Standard Form 1034.
(7) Amount—Insert the latest estimated cost, fee (fixed, base, or award, as applicable), total contract value, and amount and type of fee payable (as applicable).
(8) A summary of claimed current and cumulative costs and fee by major cost element—Include the rate(s) at which indirect costs are claimed and indicate the base of each by identifying the line of costs to which each is applied. The rates invoiced should be as specified in the contract or by a rate agreement negotiated by EPA's Cost and Rate Negotiation Team.
(9) Fee—The fee shall be determined in accordance with instructions appearing in the contract.
Note to paragraph (h) —Amounts claimed on vouchers must be based on records maintained by the contractor to show by major cost element the amounts claimed for reimbursement for each applicable contract. The records must be maintained based on the contractor's fiscal year and should include reconciliations of any differences between the costs incurred and amounts claimed for reimbursement. A memorandum record reconciling the total indirect cost(s) claimed should also be maintained.
(i) Supporting Schedules for Cost Reimbursement Contracts. The following backup information is required as an attachment to the invoice as shown by category of cost:
(1) Direct Labor—Identify the number of hours (by contractor labor category and total) and the total loaded direct labor hours billed for the period in the invoice.
(2) Indirect Cost Rates—Identify by cost center, the indirect cost rate, the period, and the cost base to which it is applied.
(3) Subcontracts—Identify the major cost elements for each subcontract.
(4) Other Direct Costs—When the cost for an individual cost ( e.g., photocopying, material and supplies, telephone usage) exceeds $1,000 per the invoice period, provide a detailed explanation for that cost category.
(5) Contractor Acquired Equipment (if authorized by the contract)—Identify by item the quantities, unit prices, and total dollars billed.
(6) Contractor Acquired Software (if authorized by the contract)—Identify by item the quantities, unit prices, and total dollars billed.
(7) Travel—When travel costs exceed $2,000 per invoice period, identify by trip, the number of travelers, the duration of travel, the point of origin, destination, purpose of trip, transportation by unit price, per diem rates on daily basis and total dollars billed. Detailed reporting is not required for local travel. The manner of breakdown, e.g., task order/delivery order basis with/without separate program management, contract period will be specified in the contract instructions.
—Any costs requiring advance consent by the Contracting Officer will be considered improper and will be disallowed, if claimed prior to receipt of Contracting Officer consent. Include the total cost claimed for the current and cumulative-to-date periods. After the total amount claimed, provide summary dollar amounts disallowed on the contract as of the date of the invoice. Also include an explanation of the changes in cumulative costs disallowed by addressing each adjustment in terms of: Voucher number, date, dollar amount, source, and reason for the adjustment. Disallowed costs should be identified in unallowable accounts in the contractor's accounting system.
(j) Supporting Schedules for Time and Materials Contracts. The following backup information is required as an attachment to the invoice as shown by category of cost:
(1) Direct Labor—Identify the number of hours (by contractor labor category and total) and the total direct labor hours billed for the period of the invoice.
(2) Subcontracts—Identify the major cost elements for each subcontract.
(3) Other Direct Costs—When the cost for an individual cost ( e.g., photocopying, material and supplies, telephone usage) exceeds $1,000 per the invoice period, provide a detailed explanation for that cost category.
(4) Indirect Cost Rates—Identify by cost center, the indirect cost rate, the period, and the cost base to which it is applied.
(5) Contractor Acquired Equipment—Identify by item the quantities, unit prices, and total dollars billed.
(6) Contractor Acquired Software—Identify by item the quantities, unit prices, and total dollars billed.
(7) Travel—When travel costs exceed $2,000 per invoice period, identify by trip, the number of travelers, the duration of travel, the point of origin, destination, purpose of trip, transportation by unit price, per diem rates on daily basis and total dollars billed. Detailed reporting is not required for local travel. The manner of breakdown, e.g., task order/delivery order basis with/without separate program management, contract period will be specified in the contract instructions.
—Any costs requiring advance consent by the Contracting Officer will be considered improper and will be disallowed, if claimed prior to receipt of Contracting Officer consent. Include the total cost claimed for the current and cumulative-to-date periods. After the total amount claimed, provide summary dollar amounts disallowed on the contract as of the date of the invoice. Also include an explanation of the changes in cumulative costs disallowed by addressing each adjustment in terms of: Voucher number, date, dollar amount, source, and reason for the adjustment. Disallowed costs should be identified in unallowable accounts in the contractor's accounting system.
(k) Adjustment vouchers. Adjustment vouchers should be submitted if finalized indirect rates were received but the rates are not for the entire period of performance. For example, the base period of performance is for a calendar year but your indirect rates are by fiscal year. Hence, only part of the base period can be adjusted for the applicable final indirect rates. These invoices should be annotated with “adj” after the invoice number.
(l) Final vouchers. Final Vouchers shall be submitted if finalized rates have been received for the entire period of performance. For example, the base period of performance is for a calendar year but your indirect rates are by fiscal year. You have received finalized rates for the entire base period that encompass both fiscal years that cover the base period. In accordance with FAR 52.216-7, these invoices shall be submitted within 60 days after settlement of final indirect cost rates. They should be annotated with the word “Final” or “F” after the invoice number. Due to system limitations, the invoice number cannot be more than 11 characters to include spaces.
(m) Completion vouchers. In accordance with FAR 52.216-7(d)(5), a completion voucher shall be submitted within 120 days (or longer if approved in writing by the Contracting Officer) after settlement of the final annual indirect cost rates for all years of a physically complete contract. The voucher shall reflect the settled amounts and rates. It shall include settled subcontract amounts and rates. The prime contractor is responsible for settling subcontractor amounts and rates included in the completion invoice. Since EPA's invoices must be on a period of performance basis, the contractor shall have a completion invoice for each year of the period of performance. This voucher must be submitted to the Contracting Officer for review and approval before final payment can be made on the contract. The Contracting Officer may request an audit of the completion vouchers before final payment is made. In addition, once approved, the Contracting Officer will request the appropriate closeout paperwork for the contract. For contracts separately invoiced by delivery or task order, provide a schedule showing final total costs claimed by delivery or task order and in total for the contract. In addition to the completion voucher, the contractor must submit the Contractor's Release; Assignee's Release, if applicable; the Contractor's Assignment of Refunds, Rebates, Credits and other Amounts; the Assignee's Assignment of Refunds, Rebates, Credits and other Amounts, if applicable; and the Contractor's Affidavit of Waiver of Lien, when required by the contract.
Alternate I (MAY 2019) As prescribed in 1532.908, substitute the following paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) for paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) if used in a non-commercial time and materials type contract:
(c)(1) The Contractor shall prepare a contract level invoice or request for contract financing payment in accordance with the invoice preparation instructions. If contract work is authorized by individual task order or delivery order (TO/DO), the invoice or request for contract financing payment shall also include a summary of the current and cumulative amounts claimed by cost element for each TO/DO and for the contract total, as well as any supporting data for each TO/DO as identified in the instructions.
(2) The invoice or request for contract financing payment that employs a fixed rate feature shall include current and cumulative charges by contract labor category and by other major cost elements such as travel, equipment, and other direct costs. For current costs, each cost element shall include the appropriate supporting schedules identified in the invoice preparation instructions.
1552.232-71--1552.232-73   [Reserved]
1552.232-74   Payments—simplified acquisition procedures financing.
As prescribed in 1532.003, insert the following clause in solicitations and orders that will provide simplified acquisition procedures financing.
Simplified acquisition procedures financing in the form of ______ [contracting officer insert advance (prior to performance) and/or interim (according to payment schedule] payment(s)) will be provided under this commercial item order in accordance with the payment schedule below. If both advance and interim payments are to be made, the payment schedule shown below will specify the type of payment provided for each line item.
The Government shall pay the contractor as follows upon the submission of invoices or vouchers approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative: ________________________ [insert payment schedule].
1552.232-75   Commercial supplier agreements—unenforceable clauses.
As prescribed in 1513.507(b) and 1532.1070 insert the following clause:
When any supply or service acquired under this contract is subject to a Commercial Supplier Agreement (CSA, as defined in 48 CFR 1502.100), the following language shall be deemed incorporated into the CSA. As used herein, “this agreement” means the CSA:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, when the end user is an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, the following shall apply:
(1) Applicability. This agreement is part of a contract between the commercial supplier and the U.S. Government for the acquisition of the supply or service that necessitates a license or other similar legal instrument (including all contracts, task orders, and delivery orders under FAR Parts 13, 14 or 15).
(2) End user. This agreement shall bind the ordering activity as end user but shall not operate to bind a Government employee or person acting on behalf of the Government in his or her personal capacity.
(3) Law and disputes. This agreement is governed by Federal law.
(i) Any language purporting to subject the U.S. Government to the laws of a U.S. state, U.S. territory, district, or municipality, or foreign nation, except where Federal law expressly provides for the application of such laws, is hereby deleted.
(ii) Any language requiring dispute resolution in a specific forum or venue that is different from that prescribed by applicable Federal law is hereby deleted.
(iii) Any language prescribing a different time period for bringing an action than that prescribed by applicable Federal law in relation to a dispute is hereby deleted.
(4) Continued performance. The supplier or licensor shall not unilaterally revoke, terminate or suspend any rights granted to the Government except as allowed by this contract. If the supplier or licensor believes the ordering activity to be in breach of the agreement, it shall pursue its rights under the Contract Disputes Act or other applicable Federal statute while continuing performance as set forth in FAR 52.233-1, Disputes.
(5) Arbitration; equitable or injunctive relief. In the event of a claim or dispute arising under or relating to this agreement, a binding arbitration shall not be used unless specifically authorized by agency guidance, and equitable or injunctive relief, including the award of attorney fees, costs or interest, may be awarded against the U.S. Government only when explicitly provided by statute ( e.g., Prompt Payment Act or Equal Access to Justice Act ).
(6) Updating terms. (i) After award, the contractor may unilaterally revise terms if they are not material. A material change is defined as:
(A) Terms that significantly change Government rights or obligations; and
(B) Terms that increase Government prices;
(C) Terms that decrease overall level of service; or
(D) Terms that limit any other Government right addressed elsewhere in this contract.
(ii) For revisions that will materially change the terms of the contract, the revised commercial supplier agreement must be incorporated into the contract using a bilateral modification.
(iii) Any agreement terms or conditions unilaterally revised subsequent to award that are inconsistent with any material term or provision of this contract shall not be enforceable against the Government, and the Government shall not be deemed to have consented to them.
(7) No automatic renewals. If any license or service tied to periodic payment is provided under this agreement ( e.g., annual software maintenance or annual lease term), such license or service shall not renew automatically upon expiration of its current term without prior express consent by an authorized Government representative.
(8) Indemnification. Any clause of this agreement requiring the commercial supplier or licensor to defend or indemnify the end user is hereby amended to provide that the U.S. Department of Justice has the sole right to represent the United States in any such action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 516.
(9) Audits. Any clause of this agreement permitting the commercial supplier or licensor to audit the end user's compliance with this agreement is hereby amended as follows:
(i) Discrepancies found in an audit may result in a charge by the commercial supplier or licensor to the ordering activity. Any resulting invoice must comply with the proper invoicing requirements specified in the underlying Government contract or order.
(ii) This charge, if disputed by the ordering activity, will be resolved through the Disputes clause at FAR 52.233-1; no payment obligation shall arise on the part of the ordering activity until the conclusion of the dispute process.
(iii) Any audit requested by the contractor will be performed at the contractor's expense, without reimbursement by the Government.
(10) Taxes or surcharges. Any taxes or surcharges which the commercial supplier or licensor seeks to pass along to the Government as end user will be governed by the terms of the underlying Government contract or order and, in any event, must be submitted to the Contracting Officer for a determination of applicability prior to invoicing unless specifically agreed to otherwise in the Government contract.
(11) Non-assignment. This agreement may not be assigned, nor may any rights or obligations thereunder be delegated, without the Government's prior approval, except as expressly permitted under the clause at FAR 52.232-23, Assignment of Claims.
(12) Confidential information. If this agreement includes a confidentiality clause, such clause is hereby amended to state that neither the agreement nor the contract price list, as applicable, shall be deemed “confidential information.” Issues regarding release of “unit pricing” will be resolved consistent with the Freedom of Information Act. Notwithstanding anything in this agreement to the contrary, the Government may retain any confidential information as required by law, regulation or its internal document retention procedures for legal, regulatory or compliance purposes; provided, however, that all such retained confidential information will continue to be subject to the confidentiality obligations of this agreement.
(b) If any language, provision or clause of this agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the preceding paragraph (a) of this clause, the language, provisions, or clause of paragraph (a) shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.
1552.233-70   Notice of filing requirements for agency protests.
As prescribed in 1533.103, insert the following provision in all types of solicitations:
Agency protests must be filed with the Contracting Officer in accordance with the requirements of FAR 33.103 (d) and (e). Within 10 calendar days after receipt of an adverse Contracting Officer decision, the protester may submit a written request for an independent review by the Head of the Contracting Activity. This independent review is available only as an appeal of a Contracting Officer decision on a protest. Accordingly, as provided in 4 CFR 21.2(a)(3), any protest to the GAO must be filed within 10 days of knowledge of the initial adverse Agency action.
1552.235-70   Screening business information for claims of confidentiality.
As prescribed in 1535.007-70(a), insert the following contract clause in all types of contracts when the Contracting Officer has determined that during performance of this contract, the Contractor may be required to collect information to perform the work required under this contract. Some of the information may consist of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that would be considered as proprietary or confidential by the business that has the right to the information. The following clause enables EPA to resolve any claims of confidentiality concerning the information that the Contractor will furnish under a contract. The clause entitled “Treatment of Confidential Business Information” shall also be included in the contract:
(a) Whenever collecting information under this contract, the Contractor agrees to comply with the following requirements:
(1) If the Contractor collects information from public sources, such as books, reports, journals, periodicals, public records, or other sources that are available to the public without restriction, the Contractor shall submit a list of these sources to the appropriate program office at the time the information is initially submitted to EPA. The Contractor shall identify the information according to source.
(2) If the Contractor collects information from a State or local Government or from a Federal agency, the Contractor shall submit a list of these sources to the appropriate program office at the time the information is initially submitted to EPA. The Contractor shall identify the information according to source.
(3) If the Contractor collects information directly from a business or from a source that represents a business or businesses, such as a trade association:
(i) Before asking for the information, the Contractor shall identify itself, explain that it is performing contractual work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, identify the information that it is seeking to collect, explain what will be done with the information, and give the following notice:
(A) You may, if you desire, assert a business confidentiality claim covering part or all of the information. If you do assert a claim, the information will be disclosed by EPA only to the extent, and by means of the procedures, set forth in 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.
(B) If no such claim is made at the time this information is received by the Contractor, it may be made available to the public by the Environmental Protection Agency without further notice to you.
(C) The contractor shall, in accordance with FAR part 9, execute a written agreement regarding the limitations of the use of this information and forward a copy of the agreement to the Contracting Officer.
(ii) Upon receiving the information, the Contractor shall make a written notation that the notice set out above was given to the source, by whom, in what form, and on what date.
(iii) At the time the Contractor initially submits the information to the appropriate program office, the Contractor shall submit a list of these sources, identify the information according to source, and indicate whether the source made any confidentiality claim and the nature and extent of the claim.
(b) The Contractor shall keep all information collected from nonpublic sources confidential in accordance with the clause in this contract entitled “Treatment of Confidential Business Information” as if it had been furnished to the Contractor by EPA.
(c) The Contractor agrees to obtain the written consent of the Contracting Officer, after a written determination by the appropriate program office, prior to entering into any subcontract that will require the subcontractor to collect information. The Contractor agrees to include this clause, including this paragraph (c), and the clause entitled “Treatment of Confidential Business Information” in all subcontracts awarded pursuant to this contract that require the subcontractor collect information.
1552.235-71   Treatment of confidential business information.
As prescribed in 1535.007-70(b), insert the following contract clause in all types of contracts when the Contracting Officer has determined that in the performance of a contract, EPA may furnish confidential business information to the Contractor that EPA obtained under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. ), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq. ), the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq. ), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. ), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq. ), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. ), or the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ). EPA regulations on confidentiality of business information in 40 CFR part 2 subpart B require that the Contractor agree to the clause entitled “Treatment of Confidential Business Information” before any confidential business information may be furnished to the Contractor:
(a) The Contracting Officer, after a written determination by the appropriate program office, may disclose confidential business information to the Contractor necessary to carry out the work required under this contract. The Contractor agrees to use the confidential information only under the following conditions:
(1) The Contractor and Contractor's Employees shall: (i) use the confidential information only for the purposes of carrying out the work required by the contract; (ii) not disclose the information to anyone other than EPA employees without the prior written approval of the Assistant General Counsel for Contracts and Information Law; and (iii) return to the Contracting Officer all copies of the information, and any abstracts or excerpts therefrom, upon request by the Contracting Officer, whenever the information is no longer required by the Contractor for the performance of the work required by the contract, or upon completion of the contract.
(2) The Contractor shall obtain a written agreement to honor the above limitations from each of the Contractor's employees who will have access to the information before the employee is allowed access.
(3) The Contractor agrees that these contract conditions concerning the use and disclosure of confidential information are included for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, both EPA and any affected business having a proprietary interest in the information.
(4) The Contractor shall not use any confidential information supplied by EPA or obtained during performance hereunder to compete with any business to which the confidential information relates.
(b) The Contractor agrees to obtain the written consent of the Contracting Officer, after a written determination by the appropriate program office, prior to entering into any subcontract that will involve the disclosure of confidential business information by the Contractor to the subcontractor. The Contractor agrees to include this clause, including this paragraph (b), in all subcontracts awarded, pursuant to this contract, that require the furnishing of confidential business information to the subcontractor.
1552.235-72   [Reserved]
1552.235-73   Access to Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Confidential Business Information (APR 1996).
As prescribed in 1535.007(a), insert the following provision:
In order to perform duties under the contract, the Contractor will need to be authorized for access to Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) confidential business information (CBI). The Contractor and all of its employees handling CBI while working under the contract will be required to follow the procedures contained in the security manual entitled “FIFRA Information Security Manual.” These procedures include applying for FIFRA CBI access authorization for each individual working under the contract who will have access to FIFRA CBI, execution of confidentiality agreements, and designation by the Contractor of an individual to serve as a Document Control Officer. The Contractor will be required to abide by those clauses contained in EPAAR 1552.235-70, 1552.235- 71, and 1552.235-77 that are appropriate to the activities set forth in the contract.
Until EPA has approved the Contractor's security plan, the Contractor may not be authorized for FIFRA CBI access away from EPA facilities.
1552.235-74   [Reserved]
1552.235-75   Access to Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Business Information (APR 1996).
As prescribed in 1535.007(b), insert the following provision:
In order to perform duties under the contract, the Contractor will need to be authorized for access to Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) confidential business information (CBI). The Contractor and all of its employees handling CBI while working under the contract will be required to follow the procedures contained in the security manual entitled “TSCA Confidential Business Information Security Manual.” These procedures include applying for TSCA CBI access authorization for each individual working under the contract who will have access to TSCA CBI, execution of confidentiality agreements, and designation by the Contractor of an individual to serve as a Document Control Officer. The Contractor will be required to abide by those clauses contained in EPAAR 1552.235-70, 1552.235-71, and 1552.235-78 that are appropriate to the activities set forth in the contract.
Until EPA has inspected and approved the Contractor's facilities, the Contractor may not be authorized for TSCA CBI access away from EPA facilities.