Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice *= Required Field Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Page 1 of 20 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accorda... Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice *= Required Field Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Page 1 of 20 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6 Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; Quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2022-07. This solicitation is a full set aside for Small Businesses (SBs) The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 519130, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals, with a size standard of 1000 Employees. The FSC/PSC is R605, Support Administrative: Library. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Central Office (VACO) Library requires a subscription to ProQuest for electronic access to the following specific databases: Research Library and US Newsstream. These databases are used to answer research-related questions received by VACO library staff and are also available to VACO employees who want to do their own research. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: PRICE/COST SCHEDULE ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT 0001 ProQuest Research Library Database Subscription - Base Year Period of Performance 9/30/2022 -9/29/2023. 1.00 EA $ $ 0002 ProQuest US Newsstream Database Subscription - Base Year Period of Performance 9/30/2022-9/29/2023. 1.00 EA $ $ 1001 ProQuest Research Library Database Subscription - Option Year One (1) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2023-9/29/2024. 1.00 EA $ $ 1002 ProQuest US Newsstream Database Subscription - Option Year One (1) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2023-9/29/2024. 1.00 JB $ $ 2001 ProQuest Research Library Database Subscription - Option Year Two (2) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2024-9/29/2025. 1.00 EA $ $ 2002 ProQuest US Newsstream Database Subscription - Option Year Two (2) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2024-9/29/2025. 1.00 EA $ $ 3001 ProQuest Research Library Database Subscription - Option Year Three (3) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2025-9/29/2026. 1.00 EA $ $ 3002 ProQuest US Newsstream Database Subscription - Option Year Three (3) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2025-9/29/2026. 1.00 EA $ $ 4001 ProQuest Research Library Database Subscription - Option Year Four (4) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2026-9/29/2027. 1.00 EA $ $ 4002 ProQuest US Newsstream Database Subscription - Option Year Four (4) of Four (4) Period of Performance: 9/30/2026-9/29/2027. 1.00 EA $ $ GRAND TOTAL $ Place of Performance/Place of Delivery Address: TBD Postal Code: TBD Country: UNITED STATES The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (NOV 2021) FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management (OCT 2018) FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020) FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999) FAR 52.229-11, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements Notice and Representation (JUN 2020) FAR 52.204-24, Representations regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (OCT 2020) FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items (NOV 2021) FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (MAY 2022) The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (OCT 2018) FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018) FAR 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020) FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000) FAR 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (NOV 2021) VAAR 852.212-70, Provisions and Clauses Applicable to VA Acquisition of Commercial Items (APR 2020) VAAR 852.203-70, Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018) VAAR 852.204-70, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (MAY 2020) VAAR 852.232-72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018) VAAR 852.270-1, Representatives of Contracting Officers (JAN 2008) VAAR 852.242-71, Administrative Contracting Officer (OCT 2020) FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (MAY 2022) FAR 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) FAR 52.204-13, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (OCT 2016) FAR 52.209-6, Protecting the Government s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JUN 2020) FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2020) FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2018) FAR 52.219-28, Post-Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (NOV 2020) FAR 52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUNE 2003) FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015) FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEPT 2016) FAR 52.222-25, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) FAR 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) FAR 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) FAR 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020) FAR 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) FAR 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (FEB 2021) FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (OCT 2018) The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. The following additional language applies to this acquisition: CPARS See attachment 2 To be eligible for award the offeror must be registered/active with no exclusions in System for Award Management (SAM) database which can be accessed at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM. Additionally, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses must be registered, and CVE verified in the VetBiz registry at www.vetbiz.gov Award will be based on price only in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Options will be evaluated at the time of award. In addition, FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services applies to this solicitation. As such, evaluation of options under FAR 52.217-8 will also include using the prices offered for the last option period to determine the price for an additional 6-month option period in the event an extension is issued under FAR 52.217-8. The Offeror s proposed total base year price, total option period prices, and the additional 6-month option period price will then be added together to arrive at the Offeror s Total Evaluated Price. The Total Evaluated Price will be that sum. Evaluation of any options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). The award will be made to the lowest price offer. Responses should contain your best terms, conditions. 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS COMMERCIAL ITEMS North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard are stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation. Submission of quotations. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Quotations may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, quotations must show- The solicitation number; The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotations; The name, address, and telephone number of the quoter; A technical description of the items being quoted in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary; Terms of any express warranty; Price and any discount terms; Remit to address, if different than mailing address; A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3( b ) for those representations and certifications that the quoter shall complete electronically); Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments; Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and If the quotation is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Quotations that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration. Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation. Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of quotations. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during testing. Multiple quotations. Quoters are encouraged to submit multiple quotations presenting alternative terms and conditions or commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each quotation submitted will be evaluated separately. Late submissions Quoters are responsible for submitting quotations so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that quotations are due. Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotations is late and will not be considered unless it is received before purchase order issuance and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition. If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotations cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotations by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of quotations will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume. Issuance of purchase order. Quotations should contain the quoter s best technical and price terms. The Contracting Officer may reject any or all quotations. The Contracting Officer may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation. After the evaluation of quotations, the Contracting Officer may negotiate final terms with one or more quoters of the Government s choice before issuing any purchase order. The Contracting Officer will not negotiate with any quoters other than those of the Government s choice and will not use the formal source selection procedures described in FAR part 15. Multiple purchase orders. The Government may issue a purchase order for any item or group of items of a quotation, unless the quoter qualifies the quotation by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, quotations may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to issue a purchase order for a quantity less than the quantity quoted, at the unit prices quoted, unless the quoter specifies otherwise in the quotation. Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation. (i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to- GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925 Facsimile (202) 619-8978 If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee. Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites: ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/). Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil/). ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com). Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by- Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm); Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462. Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. (Applies to all quotations exceeding the Micro-Purchase Threshold (MPT), and quotations of MPT or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.) The quoter shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its quotation, the annotation DUNS or DUNS+4 followed by the DUNS or DUNS+4 number that identifies the quoter s name and address. The DUNS+4 is the DUNS number plus a 4-character suffix that may be assigned at the discretion of the quoter to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) accounts (see FAR Subpart 32.11) for the same concern. If the quoter does not have a DUNS number, it should contact Dun and Bradstreet directly to obtain one. A quoter within the United States may contact Dun and Bradstreet by calling 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A quoter located outside the United States must contact the local Dun and Bradstreet office for a DUNS number. The quoter should indicate that it is a quoter for a Government contract when contacting the local Dun and Bradstreet office. [Reserved]. Requests for information. The contracting officer will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this solicitation. Quoters may request information on purchase order(s) resulting from this solicitation from the contracting officer. ADDENDUM - ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS QUOTE SUBMISSION QUOTING CONTRACTORS PREPARATION COSTS: The Contracting Officer is the only individual legally authorized to commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this procurement. The Request for Quote (RFQ) does not commit the Government to pay any costs for the preparation and submission of an offer in response to this RFQ. As soon as an Offeror is aware of any problems or ambiguities in interpreting the specifications, terms or conditions, instructions or evaluation criteria of this solicitation, the Contracting Specialist shall be immediately notified. DUE DATE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS FOR RFQ: Contractors must complete and return all information prior to the time specified to be considered for award. Quotes, including amendments, received at the issuing office after the closing date and time specified on the cover page of this solicitation will be considered late submissions and handled accordingly. An Offeror s quote shall be submitted electronically via email to this activities Contract Specialist, Benjamin Niznik at Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov and Contracting Officer, Clement Udeani at Clement.Udeani@va.gov. by 8/24/2022 at 12:00 PM EST. The due date for communications and questions concerning the RFQ is 08/19/2022 at 12:00 PM EST. Any communications or questions shall be submitted electronically to Benjamin Niznik via email at Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov and Contracting Officer, Clement Udeani at Clement.Udeani@va.gov. The use of hyperlinks in quotes is prohibited. QUOTE FILE. Offeror s responses shall be submitted in accordance with the following instructions: Format. The submission shall be clearly indexed and logically assembled. Each section shall be clearly identified and shall begin at the top of a page. All pages shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date and solicitation number in the header and/or footer. Quote page limitations are applicable to this procurement. The maximum page count for the Offeror s quote shall be 5 pages*. All files will be submitted as either a Microsoft Excel (.XLS) file or an Acrobat (PDF) file or compatible as indicated in the table. Page size shall be no greater than 8 1/2" x 11 . The top, bottom, left and right margins shall be a minimum of one inch (1 ) each. Font size shall be no smaller than 12-point. Arial or Times New Roman fonts are required. Characters shall be set at no less than normal spacing and 100% scale. Tables and illustrations may use a reduced font size not less than 8-point and may be landscape. Line spacing shall be set at no less than single space. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one blank line. Page numbers, company logos, and headers and footers may be within the page margins ONLY and are not bound by the 12-point font requirement. Footnotes to text shall not be used. All proprietary information shall be clearly and properly marked. If the Offeror submits annexes, documentation, attachments or the like, not specifically required by this solicitation, such will count against the Offeror s page limitations unless otherwise indicated. Pages in violation of these instructions, either by exceeding the margin, font or spacing restrictions or by exceeding the total page limit will not be evaluated. Pages not evaluated due to violation of the margin, font or spacing restrictions will not count against the page limitations. The page count will be determined by counting the pages in the order they come up in the print layout view. File Packaging. All of the quote files may be compressed (zipped) into one file entitled quote.zip using WinZip version 6.2 or later version or the quote files may be submitted individually. Content Requirements. All information shall be confined to the appropriate file. The Offeror shall confine submissions to essential matters, sufficient to define the quote and provide an adequate basis for evaluation. Offerors are responsible for including sufficient details, in a concise manner, to permit a complete and accurate evaluation of each quote. *Use when using page limitations: A Cover Page, Table of Contents and/or a glossary of abbreviations or acronyms will not be included in the page count of the technical Volume. However, be advised that any and all information contained within any Table of Contents and/or glossary of abbreviations or acronyms submitted with an Offeror s quote may not be evaluated by the Government. The quote shall be broken down in the following sections: PRICE VOLUME. The Offeror shall submit a firm-fixed price quote for each line item outlined in the Price/Cost Schedule in the appropriate table above. The total price must match the amount provided in the Total Evaluated Price table. The Government requires Offerors to propose unit prices and total prices that are two (2) decimal places and requires the unit prices and total prices to be displayed as two (2) decimal places. Ensure that the two (2) digit unit price multiplied by the item quantity equals the two (2) digit total item price (there should be no rounding). The Government will evaluate proposed prices by adding the Offeror s total proposed price for the base year and all options. 52.212-2 EVALUATION SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES Basis for Award. The Government will issue a purchase order to the responsible quoter whose quotation conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations. Price Evaluation Approach. The Government will evaluate quotations using the comparative evaluation process outlined in FAR 13.106-2 (b) (3), where quotations will be compared to one another to determine which provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a quotation other than the lowest price that provides additional benefit(s). Quotations may exceed minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to select a quotation that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation but is not required to do so. Each response must meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government is not requesting or accepting alternate quotations. Price: The Government will evaluate the price by adding the total of all line item prices, including all options. The Total Evaluated Price will be that sum. The Government may review and evaluate the proposed labor rates and categories for the task order. To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition." OR "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:" Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any. Note: any proposed deviations from the standard terms and conditions herein may render a quote unacceptable as the Government intends to award without discussions. Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below. Contract Specialist: Benjamin.Niznik@va.gov Contracting Officer: Clement.Udeani@va.gov ATTACHMENTS: Please see all attached documents. ATTACHMENT 1 PWS ATTACHMENT 2 CPARS