USMMA Procurement and Distribution of Academic Textbooks and Supplies Services

ATTENTION TEXTBOOK SUPPLIERS FOR SCHOOLS OF HIGHER LEARNING The purpose for this Amendment is to reopen the solicitation with the intent to foster competition. The response due date isextended to April 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm EST. (1) Action Code. Combined Synopsis Solicitation Notice (2) Date: March 4, 2021/Re-published on March 25, 2021 (3) Year: 2021 (4) Contracting Office Zip code: 20590 (5) Product or Service Code: 7610 Books, Maps, and Other Publications (6) Contracting Office Address: US Department of Transportation/Maritime Administration Office of Acquisition (MAR-380/Suite W26-414) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC (7) Subject: Procurement and Distribution of Academic Textbooks and Supplies Services (8) Proposed Solicitation Number: 693JF721R000003 (9) Closing Response Date: Mar 18, 2021 at 4:00 pm (EST)/Amended Response Date: April 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm EST (10) Contact Point or Contracting Officer: Alfredia Rich-Murphy (11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number: XXXXXXXXXX/693JF721R000003 (12) Contract Award Dollar Amount: To be determined (13) Line Item Number: CLINs 0001 through 0005 (14) Contract Award Date: TBD (15) Contractor: TBD (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Subpart 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items in conjunction with FAR Part 19.7 The Small Business Subcontracting Program used in accordance with 41.U.S.C.1901 with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. All vendors shall be registered at www.SAM.gov . Any amendments issued to this solicitation will ONLY be available on the www.beta.SAM.gov under Contracting Opportunities (FBO). (ii) The solicitation number 693JF721R000003 is issued as a request for proposal (RFP). (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-04 dated January 19, 2021. (iv) This notice is Unrestricted. The NAICS code is 424920 and small business size standard is 200 employees. (v) See Attachment 1 for the Textbook List and Pricing Schedule. (vi) See Attachment 2 for the Scope of Work and the Performance Work Statement(PWS). (vii) The required delivery date is 7 days prior to the start of each trimester period (see PWS) and the place of delivery and acceptance is US Merchant Marine Academy (building location will be determined after award) 300 Steamboat Road Kings Point, NY 11024-1699. (viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition and an addendum to this provision is included in this Notice. (ix) Provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, does not apply this acquisition. Note: Because this acquisition is being made using simplified acquisition procedures, the Contracting Officer will comply with the procedures in 13.106. (x) Offerors must include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with its offer. (xi) FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and is incorporated by reference. (xii) Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items Jan 2021, applies to this acquisition and the additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to the acquisition. (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: (1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)). (2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91). (3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232). (4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015). (5) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31U.S.C.3553). (6) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 ( 19U.S.C.3805note)). (b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] _X (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (June 2020), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41U.S.C.4704 and 10U.S.C.2402). _X (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Jun 2020) (41U.S.C.3509)). __ (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.) X_ (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31U.S.C.6101note). __ (5) [Reserved]. __ (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C). __ (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C). X_ (8) 52.209-6, Protecting the Governments Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Jun 2020) (31U.S.C.6101note). X_ (9) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41U.S.C.2313). __ (10) [Reserved]. __ (11) (i) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C.657a). __ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-3. __ (12) (i) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15U.S.C.657a). __ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-4. __ (13) [Reserved] __ (14) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15U.S.C.644). __ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6. __ (15) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15U.S.C.644). __ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7. X_ (16) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15U.S.C.637(d)(2) and (3)). X_ (17) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Jun 2020) (15U.S.C.637(d)(4)). __ (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9. __ (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9. __ (iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9. X_ (v) Alternate IV (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9 __ (18) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C.644(r)). __ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-13. X_ (19) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C.637(a)(14)). X_ (20) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Jan 1999) (15U.S.C.637(d)(4)(F)(i)). __ (21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C.657f). X_ (22) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Nov 2020) (15U.S.C.632(a)(2)). __ (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28. __ (23) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business Concerns (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C.637(m)). __ (24) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Mar2020) (15U.S.C.637(m)). __ (25) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C.644(r)). __ (26) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Mar 2020) (15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)). X_ (27) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755). X_ (28) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Jan2020) (E.O.13126). X_ (29) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015). X_ (30) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246). __ (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26. X_ (31) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38U.S.C.4212). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35. X_ (32) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29U.S.C.793). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36. X_ (33) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38U.S.C.4212). X_ (34) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). X_ (35) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Oct 2020) (22U.S.C.chapter78 and E.O. 13627). __ (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22U.S.C.chapter78 and E.O. 13627). __ (36) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.) __ (37) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPADesignated Items (May 2008) ( 42U.S.C.6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) __ (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42U.S.C.6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.) __ (38) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693). __ (39) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693). __ (40) (i) 52.223-13, Acquisition of EPEAT-Registered Imaging Equipment (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514). __ (ii) Alternate I (Oct 2015) of 52.223-13. __ (41) (i) 52.223-14, Acquisition of EPEAT-Registered Televisions (Jun 2014) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jun2014) of 52.223-14. __ (42) 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (May 2020) (42U.S.C.8259b). __ (43) (i) 52.223-16, Acquisition of EPEAT-Registered Personal Computer Products (Oct 2015) (E.O.s 13423 and 13514). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jun 2014) of 52.223-16. X_ (44) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Jun 2020) (E.O. 13513). __ (45) 52.223-20, Aerosols (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693). __ (46) 52.223-21, Foams (Jun2016) (E.O. 13693). __ (47) (i) 52.224-3 Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552 a). __ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3. X_ (48) 52.225-1, Buy American-Supplies (Jan2021) (41U.S.C.chapter83). __ (49) (i) 52.225-3, Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act (Jan 2021)(41U.S.C.chapter83, 19U.S.C.3301 note, 19U.S.C.2112 note, 19U.S.C.3805 note, 19U.S.C.4001 note, Pub. L. 103-182, 108-77, 108-78, 108-286, 108-302, 109-53, 109-169, 109-283, 110-138, 112-41, 112-42, and 112-43. __ (ii) Alternate I (Jan 2021) of 52.225-3. __ (iii) Alternate II (Jan 2021) of 52.225-3. __ (iv) Alternate III (Jan 2021) of 52.225-3. X_ (50) 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (Oct 2019) (19U.S.C.2501, et seq., 19U.S.C.3301 note). X_ (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008) (E.O.s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury). __ (52) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10U.S.C. 2302Note). __ (53) 52.226-4, Notice of Disaster or Emergency Area Set-Aside (Nov2007) (42U.S.C.5150). __ (54) 52.226-5, Restrictions on Subcontracting Outside Disaster or Emergency Area (Nov2007) (42U.S.C.5150). __ (55) 52.229-12, Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (Jun 2020). __ (56) 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchases of Commercial Items (Feb 2002) (41U.S.C.4505, 10U.S.C.2307(f)). __ (57) 52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items (Jan 2017) (41U.S.C.4505, 10U.S.C.2307(f)). X_ (58) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018) (31U.S.C.3332). __ (59) 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than System for Award Management (Jul 2013) (31U.S.C.3332). __ (60) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (May 2014) (31U.S.C.3332). X_ (61) 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (Aug 1996) (5U.S.C.552a). X_ (62) 52.242-5, Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Jan 2017) (15U.S.C.637(d)(13)). __ (63) (i) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46U.S.C.Appx.1241(b) and 10U.S.C.2631). __ (ii) Alternate I (Apr 2003) of 52.247-64. __ (iii) Alternate II (Feb 2006) of 52.247-64. (c) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (c), applicable to commercial services, that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items: [Contracting Officer check as appropriate.] __ (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41U.S.C.chapter67). __ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (May 2014) (29U.S.C.206 and 41U.S.C.chapter67). __ (3) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (Aug 2018) (29U.S.C.206 and 41U.S.C.chapter67). __ (4) 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price Adjustment (May 2014) ( 29U.S.C.206 and 41U.S.C.chapter67). __ (5) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May 2014) (41U.S.C.chapter67). __ (6) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41U.S.C.chapter67). __ (7) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Nov 2020). __ (8) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2017) (E.O. 13706). __ (9) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42U.S.C.1792). (d) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in FAR 2.101, on the date of award of this contract, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records-Negotiation. (1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall have access to and right to examine any of the Contractors directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract. (2) The Contractor shall make available at its offices at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract or for any shorter period specified in FAR subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, of the other clauses of this contract. If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement. Records relating to appeals under the disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to this contract shall be made available until such appeals, litigation, or claims are finally resolved. (3) As used in this clause, records include books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of form. This does not require the Contractor to create or maintain any record that the Contractor does not maintain in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to a provision of law. (e) (1) Notwithstanding the requirements of the clauses in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this clause, the Contractor is not required to flow down any FAR clause, other than those in this paragraph (e)(1) in a subcontract for commercial items. Unless otherwise indicated below, the extent of the flow down shall be as required by the clause- (i) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Jun 2020) (41U.S.C.3509). (ii) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)). (iii) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab and Other Covered Entities (Jul 2018) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91). (iv) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Aug 2020) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232). (v) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2018) (15U.S.C.637(d)(2) and (3)), in all subcontracts that offer further subcontracting opportunities. If the subcontract (except subcontracts to small business concerns) exceeds the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, the subcontractor must include 52.219-8 in lower tier subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities. (vi) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015). (vii) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2015) (E.O.11246). (viii) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38U.S.C.4212). (ix) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29U.S.C.793). (x) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38U.S.C.4212). (xi) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O. 13496). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (f) of FAR clause 52.222-40. (xii) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) (41U.S.C.chapter67). (xiii) (A) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Oct 2020) (22U.S.C.chapter78 and E.O 13627). (B) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22U.S.C.chapter78andE.O.13627). (xiv) 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements (May2014) (41U.S.C.chapter67). (xv) 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (May 2014) (41U.S.C.chapter67). (xvi) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (Oct 2015) (E.O. 12989). (xvii) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (Nov 2020). (xviii) 52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2017) (E.O. 13706). (xix) (A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (Jan 2017) (5U.S.C.552a). (B) Alternate I (Jan 2017) of 52.224-3. (xx) 52.225-26, Contractors Performing Private Security Functions Outside the United States (Oct 2016) (Section 862, as amended, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008; 10U.S.C.2302Note). (xxi) 52.226-6, Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations (Jun 2020) (42U.S.C.1792). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (e) of FAR clause 52.226-6. (xxii) 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (Feb 2006) (46U.S.C.Appx.1241(b) and 10U.S.C.2631). Flow down required in accordance with paragraph (d) of FAR clause 52.247-64. (2) While not required, the Contractor may include in its subcontracts for commercial items a minimal number of additional clauses necessary to satisfy its contractual obligations. (End of clause) ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items 1. Proposal Submission Instructions. Proposal shall be submitted electronically via email and are due no later than April 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm (EST) and must conform to the requirements of this Request for Proposal (RFP) and its attachments. NOTE: Mailed Offers will not be accepted. RFP responses shall be submitted prior to the aforementioned closing date and time electronically via email to the Contracting Officer Ms. Alfredia Rich-Murphy at [email protected] and copy:LaChelle Johnson, Contracting Officer at [email protected] . It is the Offerors responsibility to ensure its proposal is received by the due date. If your proposal is not received to the Government (via email) by the exact date and time specified above, it will be determined late and may not be evaluated. Proposal, as the term is used here, means ALL volumes and/or parts of the RFP. Offerors are hereby notified that the Government will not reimburse costs incurred for proposal preparation. 2. Deadline for Questions. The point of contact responsible for answering all inquiries and supplying additional information is the Contracting Officer via the Contract Specialist. Address all questions or concerns the offeror may have to the Contracting Officer at [email protected] using the attached Question and Answer Form. Questions submitted will need to identify the pertinent document (PWS, Solicitation Attachment, Solicitation Exhibit, etc.) and include the applicable page number, paragraph number, and/or reference with each question. All correspondence shall reference Solicitation number 693JF721R000003. The cutoff for questions is March 31, 2021 at 11:30 pm (EST). All questions will be answered electronically on or aroundApril 2, 2021 so that all offerors will see both the question and the answer. However, the identity of the person/company asking the question will not be disclosed. 3. General Instructions. a. Offerors must include shipping quote (if other than FOB Destination) with FOB Origin shipments and the origin address. b. Payment Terms if other than Prompt Net 30 days. c. Include Publisher and ISBN. d. Delivery date if other than the required delivery dates. e. DUNS no. f. Cage Code g. GSA Contract Number, if applicable. h. Quality Control Plan Evaluation factors pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-2 Evaluation of quotations or offers. (a)General. (1)The contracting officer shall evaluate quotations or offers- (i)In an impartial manner; and (ii)Inclusive of transportation charges from the shipping point of the supplier to the delivery destination. (2)Quotations or offers shall be evaluated on the basis established in the solicitation. (3)All quotations or offers shall be considered (see paragraph (b) of this subsection). (b)Evaluation procedures. (1)The contracting officer has broad discretion in fashioning suitable evaluation procedures. The procedures prescribed inparts 14and15are not mandatory. At the contracting officers discretion, one or more, but not necessarily all, of the evaluation procedures inpart 14or15may be used. (2)If telecommuting is not prohibited, agencies shall not unfavorably evaluate an offer because it includes telecommuting unless the contracting officer executes a written determination in accordance with FAR7.108(b). (3)If using price and other factors, ensure that quotations or offers can be evaluated in an efficient and minimally burdensome fashion. Formal evaluation plans and establishing a competitive range, conducting discussions, and scoring quotations or offers are not required. Contracting offices may conduct comparative evaluations of offers. Evaluation of other factors, such as past performance- (i)Does not require the creation or existence of a formal data base; and (ii)May be based on one or more of the following: (A)The contracting officers knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired; (B)Customer surveys, and past performance questionnaire replies; (C)The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) athttps://www.cpars.gov; or (D)Any other reasonable basis. (4)For acquisitions conducted using a method that permits electronic response to the solicitation, the contracting officer may- (i)After preliminary consideration of all quotations or offers, identify from all quotations or offers received one that is suitable to the user, such as the lowest priced brand name product, and quickly screen all lower priced quotations or offers based on readily discernible value indicators, such as past performance, warranty conditions, and maintenance availability; or (ii)Where an evaluation is based only on price and past performance, make an award based on whether the lowest priced of the quotations or offers having the highest past performance rating possible represents the best value when compared to any lower priced quotation or offer. (End of provision) (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers. 1. Technical Approach a. Demonstrated experience in supplying textbooks as well as other resources and solutions relative to the requirements in the PWS in the past 5 years. Please include the names of higher education institutions served. b. Buy-back Program c. Packaging, Delivery and Onsite Distribution Plan (with timelines, quality assurance and COVID-19 safety plan) 2. Past Performance 3. Price (*Note: Attachment 1 Textbook list for Trimester 3 will set the baseline for evaluation of price). (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offers specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. (End of provision) ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 Textbook list for all three (3) Trimesters (*); Attachment 2 Pricing Schedule Attachment 3 Performance Work Statement/Description of the Requirement; Attachment 4 Past Performance Questionnaire; Attachment 5 Performance Standards; Attachment 6 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/ Provisions, Title, Date 52.204-7, System for Award Management, OCT 2018 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options, JUL 1990 52.217-6, Option for Increased Quantity, MAR 1989 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, MAR 2000 52.225-25, Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or transactions Relating to IranRepresentation and Certifications, JUN 2020 52.232-18, Availability of Funds, APR 1984 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT: 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Oct 2020) The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument" in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or ServicesRepresentation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it "does n...