VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF USA Tender

This Is A Request For Information (rfi) Only. This Is Not A Request For Proposal (rfp) Or A Request For Quote (rfq). The Department Of Veterans Affairs Is Not Soliciting Offers Of Any Kind. No Contract Award Will Be Made On The Basis Of Any Response(s) To This Notice. All Information Received In Response To This Rfi That Is Marked As Proprietary Will Be Handled Accordingly. In Accordance With Far 15.201(e), Responses To This Notice Are Not Offers And Cannot Be Accepted By The Government To Form A Binding Contract. Responders Are Solely Responsible For All Expenses Associated With Responding To This Rfi. In Accordance With The Federal Acquisition Regulation (far) Part 10 On Market Research And Public Law 109-461, The Department Of Veterans Affairs Is Conducting Market Research To Identify Verified Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (sdvosb) Concerns That Have The Capability To Provide Contractor Support Services To The Government At A Fair And Reasonable Price. This Announcement Is For Informational And Planning Purposes Only And Should Not Be Interpreted As A Commitment By The Government To Issue A Solicitation Or Award A Contract. A Sources Sought Notice (36c776-24-q-0280) Was Posted On Sam.gov On July 22, 2024. Initially, The Va Sought To Consolidate Acquisition Support Services And Acquisition Utilization Services Into A Single Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (idiq) Contract. However, The Va Has Decided That Combining The Roles Of 1101 And 1102 Is Not The Best Approach. This Request For Information (rfi) Aims To Inform The Industry Of Our Revised Plan To Conduct Market Research Specifically For 1102 Contract Specialist Support Only. The U.s. Department Of Veterans Affairs (va), Veterans Health Administration (vha), Regional Procurement Office Central (rpo-c) Has A Need For An Experienced Contractor Who Has Five (5) Or More Years Of Experience Supplying Acquisition Support Services To Federal Agencies.â The Contractor Is Needed To Assist Various Contracting Teams In Their Procurement Requirements. The Contractor Shall Provide Experienced Entry-level Contract Support (ecs), Mid-level Contract Support (mcs), And Senior Contract Support (scs). Contractor Acquisition Support Services Will Be Required Throughout The Life Of This Contract. The Contractor S Office And Contractor Personnel Shall Be Located Within The Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii And Puerto Rico. The Contractor Shall Provide Non-personal, Non-inherently Governmental Acquisition Support Services In Support Of The Vha S Contracting Offices. The Contractor And Contractor Personnel Shall Not Be Designated As The Co Or Cor Or Make Decisions; Rather They Will Support The Various Va Procurement Teams In Their Procurement Needs. Contractor Personnel May Not Supervise Or Otherwise Direct Government Employees. Va Cos, Css, Cors And Other Staff Shall Ultimately Be Responsible For Making Decisions On Behalf Of Va.â Final Contract Support Services Performance Work Statement (pws) Introduction The U.s. Department Of Veterans Affairs (va), Veterans Health Administration (vha), Regional Procurement Office - Central (rpo-c) Has A Need For Contract Support Services To Assist Various Vha Central Region Contracting Teams In Their Procurement Requirements. The Contractor Shall Provide Experienced Contract Acquisition Specialists As Outlined In Section 4 Of This Performance Work Statement (pws). Scope Of Work Contractor Support Services Will Be Required Throughout The Life Of This Contract. The Contractor S Office And Contractor Personnel Shall Be Located Within The Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii And Puerto Rico. The Contractor Shall Provide Non-personal, Non-inherently Governmental Contract Support Services In Support Of The Vha S Contracting Offices. The Contractor And Contractor Personnel Shall Not Be Designated As The Co Or Cor Or Make Decisions; Rather They Will Support The Various Va Procurement Teams In Their Procurement Needs. Contractor Personnel May Not Supervise Or Otherwise Direct Government Employees. Va Cos, Css, Cors And Other Staff Shall Ultimately Be Responsible For Making Decisions On Behalf Of Va. Contract Support Services May Include, But Are Not Limited To Strategy, Planning, Data Analysis, Requirements And/or Documentation Development, Preparing Independent Government Cost Estimate (igce), Compliance Reviews For Acquisition Documents And Forms. Services May Include Advisory Support And Assisting Functional Area Technical Experts With The Development Of Writing Requirements Into Sound/sufficient Statement Of Work (sow), Pws And/or Orders. Other Support Functions May Include Acquisition Planning, Solicitation Preparation, Market Research/analysis, Source Selection Document Preparation, Administration Of Terms And Conditions, Preparing Contract Modifications And Documents, Cost/price Analysis, Development Of Analytics, Creating Reports, Preparation Of Contract Termination Documents, And Drafting Contract Close-out Documents. Successful Performance Of This Contract Requires A Wide Variety Of Associated Procurement Skills And Activities Including Research, Analysis, Data Entry, Writing, Document Preparation, Editing, Scanning, Document Management, Phone Calls, Faxing, Filing, And Other Activities As Necessary To Complete The Tasks Assigned. Description Of Services During The Life Of The Resulting Contract The Contractor Will Be Required To Provide Three Contract Support Categories Which Include Diverse And Various Support Responsibilities In Support Of The Nco/pcac. The Contractor Shall Provide Qualified Personnel Who Can Perform Cradle To Grave Acquisitions Functions In Accordance With The Federal Acquisition Regulations (far), Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (vaar), And All Other Applicable Regulations And Policies. Contractor Personnel Shall Perform Pre-award Procurement Functions Such As Requirements Definition, Market Research, Drafting Contractual Documents Such As Solicitations, Awards, And Amendments Using The Electronic Contract Management System (ecms), Coordinating With Requiring Activities, Industry, And Other Stakeholders, And Completing Contractual Files. Contractor Personnel Shall Perform Post-award Procurement Functions Such As Drafting Modifications, Drafting Option Year Notices And Modifications, Monitoring Contractor Performance, And Preparing Contracts For Close-out. Requirement Qualifications And Categories Minimum Qualifications: Each Proposed Candidate Shall Possess All The Demonstrated Experience And Educational Requirements Described In This Section For The Specific Discipline Needed On Each Task Order Executed. Pre-screened Detailed Resumes Showing Work Experience (to Include Actual Duties Performed, Contract Types And Actions; Not Only Job Descriptions) Must Be Submitted To And Approved By The Cor To Start The Onboarding Process. If An Nco/pcac Is Looking For A Specific Type Of Acquisition Experience, Such As Construction, Complex Services, And/or Leasing, The Contractor Will Be Advised When A Task Order Is Issued. Entry-level Contract Support (ecs): Each Proposed Ecs Shall Possess All The Demonstrated Experience And Educational Requirements As Delineated In This Section. Experience Must Reflect Abilities To Support Federal Acquisitions. In Respect To The Minimum Qualifications, One Qualification May Not Be Substituted For Another. Each Applicant Must Possess All Minimum Qualifications. Education: Four (4) Years Above High School From An Accredited College Or University As Recognized By The Secretary, U.s. Department Of Education. Experience: The Ecs Shall Have A Minimum Of Two (2) Years Of Federal Contracting Experience Working On Government Acquisitions Within The Last Five (5) Years. Additional Required Knowledge And Skills: In Addition To The Experience And Educational Requirements Described In Sections 4.1.1. And 4.1.2., The Ecs Must Possess The Following Knowledge And Skills: Ability To Conduct Comprehensive Review Of Procurement Documents For Accuracy, Adequacy, And Completeness. Ability To Identify And Resolve Inconsistencies Through Communication. Ability To Read And Interpret Federal And Agency Acquisition Policy, Regulations, And Directives. Ability To Draft And Prepare Contract Related Documents And Forms. Ability To Perform And/or Evaluate Market Research, Trends, Conditions, Alternative Sources, And Technological Advances As They Apply To The Program. Ability To Prepare And Process Purchase Requisitions And Procurement Packages To The Supporting Co For Award. Ability To Research, Analyze, Prepare, And Review Invoice Receipts, Receiving Reports, Fund Status, Final Payments, Release Of Claims, Certificates Of Completion, Close-out Documents, And Any Additional Supporting Documents Or Activities Needed For Contract Closeout. Ability To Investigate, Review, And Prepare Open Obligations/undelivered Orders (udo) For Closeout. Ability To Perform Post-award Administration In Support Of Co. Ability To Monitor Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (qasps) To Ensure Contracted Services Meet Contract Requirements Along With The Expectations And Needs Of The Facility. Mid-level Contract Support (mcs): The Mcs Shall Possess All The Demonstrated Experience And Educational Requirements Delineated In This Section. Experience Must Reflect Abilities To Support Federal Acquisitions. In Respect To The Minimum Qualifications, One Qualification May Not Be Substituted For Another. Each Candidate Must Possess All Minimum Qualifications As Verified By A Signed And Dated Resume By The Individual And A Corporate Executive. Resume Must Reflect Documented Experience Of Pre- And Post-award Acquisition Processes And Activities. Experience: A Minimum Of Three (3) Recent Years (within The Last Five Years) Relevant Experience In Conducting Comprehensive Contract Acquisition Support Services With Knowledge Of Federal Acquisition Regulation (far), Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (vaar), And All Other Applicable Regulations And Policies. Education: Bachelor's Degree With A Major In Any Field; Or At Least Twenty-four (24) Semester Hours In Any Combination Of The Following Fields: Accounting, Business, Finance, Law, Contracts, Purchasing, Economics, Industrial Management, Marketing, Quantitative Methods, And Organization And Management. Additional Knowledge And Skills: In Addition To The Experience And Educational Requirements Described In Sections 4.2.1. And 4.2.2., The Mcs Must Possess The Knowledge And Skills Of An Ecs As Described In Section 4.1.3. As Well As The Following Knowledge And Skills: Possess A Working Knowledge Of The Federal Acquisition Life Cycle. Ability To Conduct Comprehensive Research And Analysis Of Technical And Cost/price Data. Ability To Read And Interpret Federal Acquisition Policy, Regulations, And Directives. Ability To Review And/or Write Requirements, Ensuring Receipt Of Sound And Sufficient Procurement Packages Submitted By Nco Customers. Ability To Provide Business Advice And Assistance To Functional Area Technical Experts, Requiring Activities, And Customers. Ability To Analyze And Assist In The Development Of Igces. Ability To Work With The Technical Experts And The Co To Ensure Project Milestones Are Reflected In The Contractual Documents And Project Plan. Ability To Plan, Coordinate, Evaluate, And Execute The Logistical Actions Required To Support The Mission Of The Organization. Ability To Support, Coordinate, And Assist With The Planning, Preparing, Developing, Executing, And Maintaining Of Current Acquisition Plans, Strategies, And Overall Program Office Acquisition Administration Functions Including Program Control And Tracking. Ability To Research And Review All Applicable Policies, Guidance, And Regulations To Support The Customer And Contracting Officer (co) In Their Decision Making. Ability To Coordinate With Leadership, Staff, And Other Stakeholders To Conduct Analyses And Recommend Or Develop A Course Of Action. Ability To Assist In The Performance Of Cost Benefit Analysis. Ability To Analyze And Evaluate Pricing Data And Other Types Of Pricing Information To Draft A Price Reasonableness Recommendation For The Co. Ability To Establish Parameters And Maintain Controls To Ensure Contracts Are Executed In Accordance With Terms And Conditions. Ability To Assist With Monitoring Contract Performance Over The Life Of The Concerning Contract And Demonstrate The Ability To Solve A Broad Range Of Problems Relating To Proposals For Change, Claims, Payments, And Similar Problems. Ability To Prepare Or Draft Contract Modifications And Associated Modification Documentation Requirements. Ability To Support Cos And Css On All Phases Of Acquisition For Contract Modifications, Change Orders, Supplemental Agreements And Delivery Order Processes Including Requirements Requiring Definitions, Justification And Approval For Service Contract Extension, Method Of Contracting, Evaluation Of Proposals And Advice Concerning Contract Administration. Senior Contract Support (scs): The Scs Must Possess All The Demonstrated Experience And Knowledge Requirements Delineated In This Section. Experience Must Reflect Abilities To Support All Federal Acquisitions Regardless Of Acquisition Type Or Dollar Value. In Respect To The Minimum Qualifications, One Qualification May Not Be Substituted For Another. Each Candidate Must Possess All Minimum Qualifications As Verified By A Signed And Dated Resume By The Individual And A Corporate Executive. Resume Must Reflect Abilities To Support All Aspects Of Acquisition To Include Experience With Contracts Greater Than The Sat. Experience: A Minimum Of Five (5) Recent Years Within The Last Seven (7) Years Relevant Experience In Conducting Comprehensive And Complex Contract Acquisition Support Services With An Extensive Knowledge Of The Far, Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (vaar), And All Other Applicable Regulations And Policies. Resume Must Reflect Documented Experience Of Pre- And Post-award Acquisition Processes And Activities Along With Related Training And Certifications. 4.3.1.1. Construction/architect-engineering (ae) Specialized Experience Requirements. Ability To Apply The Required Knowledge Of Laws, Regulations, And Procedures To The Act Of Properly Issuing And Administering A Construction Contract In Accordance With Federal Acquisition Laws, Regulations, And Best Business Practices. Have Knowledge Of Construction And Ae Contracting Request And Develop Construction/ae Solicitation Packages In Accordance With Far, Vaar, And Agency Policies And Procedures. Familiar With Far Part(s) 14, 15, 36, And 43. Unless Otherwise Approved By The Va Any Scs (who Meets The 5 Years General Experience Requirement) Who Will Be Specializing In Construction/ae Requirements Must Also Have The Following Experience: (1) 3 Years Of Experience In Developing Ae Solicitations And Administrating Ae Contracts And Modifications; (2) 3 Years Of Experience Developing Construction Solicitations And Administering Construction Contracts And Modifications All Within The Guidelines Set Forth In Paragraph 4.3.1. 4.3.1.2. Complex Service Contracts (such As Health Care Contracts) Experience Requirements. Have In-depth Knowledge Of Far 13/15. Familiarity With Medical Language. Any Scs (who Meets The 5 Years General Experience Requirement) Who Will Be Specializing In Complex Service Contracts Must Also Have The Following Experience: 5 Years Of Experience Developing Complex Service Solicitations And Administering Complex Service Contracts And Modifications All Within The Guidelines Set Forth In Paragraph 4.3.1. 4.3.1.3. Leasing And Specialized Experience Requirements: Be Familiar With Real Property Leasing, Utilities Contracts, Sharing Of Space And Other Non-medical Agreements (selling/sharing Agreements, Revokable Licenses, Interagency Agreements), And Hotel Services For Veterans Using Procedures Outlined In The Far, Vaar, General Services Acquisition Manual (gsam), General Services Acquisition Regulation (gsar), Public Laws, And Agency Policy. Unless Otherwise Approved By The Va Any Scs (who Meets The 5 Years General Experience Requirement) Who Will Be Specializing In Leasing And Specialized Contracts Must Also Have The Following Experience: 2 Years Of Experience Developing Real Property/lease Related Solicitations, Contracts And Modifications All Within The Guidelines Set Forth In Paragraph 4.3.1. Education: Bachelor's Degree With A Major In Any Field; Or At Least Twenty-four (24) Semester Hours In Any Combination Of The Following Fields: Accounting, Business, Finance, Law, Contracts, Purchasing, Economics, Industrial Management, Marketing, Quantitative Methods, And Organization And Management. A Federal Acquisition Certification In Contracting (fac-c Level I, Ii, Or Iii), Fac-c (professional), Or Dawia Level Iii In Contacting Certification Or Courses Leading To Certification, Or Demonstration Of The Completion Of Commercial Courses Equivalent To Certification. Additional Knowledge And Skills: In Addition To The Experience And Educational Requirements Described In Sections 4.3.1. And 4.3.2., The Scs Shall Possess The Following Knowledge And Skills An Mcs As Described In Section 4.2.3. As Well As The Following Knowledge And Skills: Ability To Provide Clear Leadership, Technical Direction, And Guidance To All Lower-level Acquisition Personnel. Possess Excellent Time Management And Writing Skills. Ability To Collaborate With Customers And Stakeholders On Performance Requirements Among Multiple Sites And Service Lines To Obtain Agreement, Standardize Enterprise Equipment, Supply And/or Service Requirements In Support Of Strategic Acquisition Plans. Ability To Refine And Improve Source Selection Evaluation Criteria. Ability To Make Suggestions By Analyzing Difficult Contracting Issues And Identifying Alternative Courses Of Action To Satisfy Specialized Requirements And Solve A Variety Of Contracting Problems. Ability To Conducting Gap Analyses And Understanding Of Cost Elements Which Go Into The Production, Management Or Delivery Of A Healthcare Resource Service Or Product. Ability To Provide Advisory Support And Prepare Procurement Packages For Review In Accordance With Customer Requirements And In Compliance With Va Policy And Procedures, To Include Federal And State Laws And Regulations. General It Systems And Applications: The Following It Systems And Applications Are Utilized For These Positions. All Candidates Must Have A Working Knowledge Of These Systems And Websites: Ms Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Internet Explorer, And Edge Sharepoint Adobe Acrobat Google Chrome Government Contract Writing Systems System For Award Management (sam.gov) Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (cpars) Fpds-ng (federal Procurement Data System) Gsa Ebuy/gsa Advantage! Small Business Administration (sba.gov) English Language Requirement: The Contractor Shall Ensure All Personnel Performing Under This Contract Are Able To Read, Write, And Speak English Fluently. All Personnel Must Have The Ability To Effectively Communicate Orally Via Telephone And Ms Teams Communications As Well As Via Email Communications. U.s. Citizenship: All Contractor Personnel Performing Under This Contract Shall Be U.s. Citizens. Physical Requirements: Position Is Primarily Sedentary, Working While Seated And/or Standing. Period Of Performance, Place Of Performance And Hours Term Of Contract This Contract Has A Single Five-year Ordering Period, With Five One-year Pricing Periods. The Nco/pcac Contracting Office Will Issue The Task Orders. Each Task Order (to) Shall Specify The Hours And Period Of Performance. Pricing Period Dates Pricing Period 1 May 28, 2025 May 27, 2026 Pricing Period 2 May 28, 2026 May 27, 2027 Pricing Period 3 May 28, 2027 May 27, 2028 Pricing Period 4 May 28, 2028 May 27, 2029 Pricing Period 5 May 28, 2029 May 27, 2030 Place Of Performance Contractor Personnel May Be Required To Work On- Or Off-site (i.e., Government Office, Home Or The Contractor S Office); The Assigned Contractor Personnel Will Be Provided A Laptop And Personal Identity Verification (piv) Card. Specific Location To Be Identified In The Individual Task Order. Potential Locations Include Any Of The Following: Murfreesboro, Memphis, Johnson City, Tn; Lexington, Louisville, Ky; Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Mi; Cincinnati, Columbus, Kettering, Dayton, Cleveland/independence, Oh; Indianapolis, Marion, In; Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Tomah, Wi; North Chicago, Marion, Il; Leavenworth, Wichita, Topeka, Ks; St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, Columbia, Mo; Houston, Tx; New Orleans, Alexandria, Shreveport, La; Biloxi, Jackson, Ms; Fayetteville, Little Rock, Ar; Florida Panhandle, Fl; St. Paul, St. Cloud, Mn; Coralville, Des Moines, Ia; Omaha, Ne; Fort Meade, Sioux Falls, Sd; Or Fargo, Nd. Travel To The Nearest Va Medical Center Is Required For On-boarding (fingerprinting, Piv Picture, Piv Card And Issuance Of Government Furnished Equipment (gfe)). Contractor Personnel Are Usually Required To Physically Access The Nearest Va Facility When Receiving Gfe. The Contractor S Services Are Expected To Be Needed For Six (6) Ncos: 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, And 23; And Pcac. The Location Area Of Each Nco Is Shown On Attachment D.2. Each Task Order Will Show The Number Of Hours And Estimated Number Of Personnel Needed For Each Location. Schedule Information And Tour Of Duty The Contractor Shall Provide The Minimum Number Of Personnel For Each Contracting Office To Meet The Number Of Hours Shown In The Schedule And To Ensure Continuity. The Number Of Hours And Personnel Shown In The Schedule Are Estimates Only. Task Order(s) Will Be Issued Based On The Number Of Hours (personnel) Needed For Each Nco, And Pcac Office. Please Note The Hourly Rate Submitted By The Contractor Must Be A Fully Burdened Rate, With A Single Hourly Rate For All Locations For Each Pricing Period. Tour Of Duty (work Hours): Each Cor And The Contractor S Representative Shall Work Together To Determine The Work Hours (tour Of Duty) Of Each Assigned Contractor Employee To Ensure A Consistent Schedule. Work Hours Will Adhere To The Local Time Zone Of The Nco Or Pcac Office In Which The Individual Contractor Personnel Supports. The Hours Of Operation Are Monday Through Friday 6:00 Am To 6:00 Pm With The Local Time Of Their Issuing Office, Excluding Federal Holidays. Full-time Contractor Personnel Shall Work 40 Hours Per Week (part-time Contractor Personnel Are Expected To Work At Least 20 Hours Per Week). A Normal Tour Of Duty For Full-time Contractor Personnel Is Eight (8) Hours Per Day With An Unpaid 30-minute Lunch (8.5 Hours), Five (5) Days Per Week, Monday Through Friday, Excluding Federal Holidays. The Tour Of Duty (work Hours) For Part-time Contractor Personnel Shall Be Coordinated Between The Cor And Contractor And Shall Be Within The Hours Of Operation. Variations To A 40-hour Work Week, Including Alternative Work Schedules, Require Advance Approval By The Co And Cor. Any Changes To The Tour Of Duty Must Be Submitted To The Cor Prior To Any Adjustment. Cors Are Responsible For Tracking Hours And May Require Contractor Employees To Send An Email Verification When Employee Shift Starts And Ends. The Day-to-day Supervision And Direct Control Over Contractor Personnel Will Be The Sole Responsibility Of The Contractor. Federal Holidays: The Following Holidays Are Observed By The Federal Government: New Year S Day (january 1) Birthday Of Martin Luther King, Jr. (third Monday In January) Washington S Birthday (third Monday In February) Memorial Day (last Monday In May) Juneteenth National Independence Day (june 19) Independence Day (july 4) Labor Day (first Monday In September) Columbus Day (second Monday In October) Veterans Day (november 11) Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday In November) Christmas Day (december 25) This List Shall Include Any Additional Day Specifically Declared By The President Of The United States To Be A Federal Holiday. **if A Holiday Falls On A Saturday, For Most Federal Employees, The Preceding Friday Will Be Treated As A Holiday For Pay And Leave Purposes. (see 5 U.s.c. 6103(b).) If A Holiday Falls On A Sunday, For Most Federal Employees, The Following Monday Will Be Treated As A Holiday For Pay And Leave Purposes. (see Section 3(a) Of Executive Order 11582, February 11, 1971.) ***contractor-employees Are Prohibited From Working On Any Federal Holiday. Planned/unplanned Absences: The Contractor Is Required To Notify The Cor Immediately For Sick/delay Absences From Work And At Least Two Days Prior To Vacation Or Other Absences From Work. Personnel May Use Vacation And Sick Time In Accordance With The Contractor S Policies, But The Contractor Shall Schedule Its Employees Vacation Time To Ensure That Employees Are Not Absent From Performance Availability For More Than Two (2) Consecutive Weeks At A Time.âthe Contractor Shall Ensure That No More Than One Of Their Assigned Personnel To A Specific Office Is Out Of The Office Simultaneously Unless The Absence Is Related To Inclement Weather, Illness, Or Other Unforeseen Events. Temporary Schedule Adjustments: Any Temporary Adjustments To A Contractor-employee S Work Schedule Must Be Requested In Advance And Approved By The Cor. For Example, A Temporary Schedule Adjustment Could Be To Work Longer On One Day In Exchange For A Shorter Workday Later In The Same Two-week Pay Period. Under No Circumstances Will A Contractor Work More Than 40 Hours In A Week Unless Authorized By The Cor; All Make Up Time Must Be Worked During Core Hours. Government Furnished Information, Property, And Equipment Government Furnished Equipment (gfe): The Government Shall Provide A Piv Card, A Laptop Computer And Software Applicable To Contract Personnel In Performance Of This Contract. Contractor Personnel May Be Required To Physically Access The Nearest Government Va Facility To Receive The Gfe. Contractor Personnel Shall Safeguard All Government Property, Documents, And Equipment. Government Personal Identification Verification Card (piv): Piv Cards Will Be Issued At The Start Of Contract Services For Security Access To Government Equipment And Sites. Contractor Shall Ensure All Government Furnished Equipment (gfe) And Piv Cards Are Returned To The Va (or Relevant Cor) Within Seven (7) Calendar Days When The Contract Ends Or When An Employee Leaves For Any Reason Prior To Contract End. Additional Gfe May Be Provided Depending On Circumstance And Equipment Availability. The Contractor Shall Furnish Any Other Required Equipment And Supplies As Necessary. Government Furnished Information (gfi): The Government May Provide All Applicable Policies, Guides, Standard Operating Procedures, Templates, Information, And Access To Va Networks And Sharepoint Necessary For Performance Under This Pws. The Va Retains Ownership Of All Government Furnished Equipment, Materials, Documents, And Information And Services Furnished Under This Contract. Other Costs Other Direct Costs (odc): The Cost Of General-purpose Items (notebooks, Paper, Pens, Calculators, Headsets, Folders, Tape, Staplers, Internet, Etc.) Required For The Conduct Of The Contractor S Normal Business Operations Will Not Be Considered An Allowable Odc In Performance Of This Contract. The Government Does Not Anticipate Odcs Not Already Accounted For As General-purpose Items Required Under This Contract. The Proposed Price Shall Include All Necessary Odcs. The Day-to-day Supervision And Direct Control Over The Work Performed By Contractor Personnel Shall Be The Sole Responsibility Of The Contractor. This Supervision Is Not A Separate Reimbursable Item Under This Requirement. Supervision Is An Overhead Cost That Is The Responsibility Of The Contractor. Performance Requirements And Summary Inherently Government Functions/non-personal Services: In Performance Of This Contract, The Contractor Shall Provide Services As Required By Contracting Activities Within The Rpo-c Area, To Support Va S Overall Mission. It Is Expressly Agreed And Understood That This Is A Non-personal Services Contract, As Defined In Federal Acquisition Regulation (far) 37.101, Under Which The Professional Services Rendered By The Contractor, Or Its Employees Are Rendered In Its Capacity As An Independent Contractor And Shall Not Be Considered Va Employees For Any Purpose Whatsoever. The Contract Acquisition Support Services Required On This Contract Constitute Professional And Management Services Within The Definition Provided By Far 37.201. This Contract Allows The Government To Obtain Professional Services Which Are Essential To The Va Mission, But Not Otherwise Available At This Time Within The Va. Contractor Personnel Shall Not Perform Inherently Governmental Functions (igf) As Defined In Federal Acquisition Regulation (far) Part 7.503(c)(12). All Contract Acquisition Support Services Shall Be Conducted In Accordance With The Far, Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (vaar), Va Acquisition Manual (vaam), Procurement Policy Memorandums (ppms), Veterans Health Administration Procurement Manual (vhapm), Vha Procurement Guide (vhapg), Public Laws, Statutes, And Va Policies And Procedures. Tasks Executed By The Contractor Shall Be Considered Recommendations Subject To The Review And Approval By The Government. It Shall Be The Responsibility Of The Contractor To Manage Their Employees And Guard Against Any Actions That Are Personal Services In Nature. Professional Conduct And Performance: Contract Employees Shall Adhere To Professional Conduct Standards That Include Professional Courtesy, Punctuality, And Respect. Professional Conduct Includes Being Accessible During Duty Hours And Adhering To Each Contractor Employee S Work Schedule. The Respective Cor Shall Be Notified Of Any Schedule Changes Prior To The Contractor Employee S Absence Or Tardiness. Schedule Changes Shall Be Approved By The Cor Prior To Working. Should Any Contractor Employee Be Determined To Be Unacceptable In Terms Of Professional Conduct During Duty Hours, The Co And Contractor Poc Shall Be Notified By The Cor. If The Unacceptable Conduct Continues, The Contractor, Upon Direction From The Co, Shall Remove And Replace The Contractor Personnel Involved At No Additional Cost To The Government. All Contract Personnel Shall Sign A Contractor Rules Of Behavior (rob - Attachment D.4) Annually From Date Of Hire. Contractor Identification: Contractor Personnel Shall Clearly Identify Themselves As Contractors At All Times, In All Communications And Representations, To Avoid Situations Arising Where Sensitive Topics Might Be Better Discussed Solely Between Government Employees. Identification Shall Include When In The Workplace, In Meetings, In Conversations, Telecommunications, Mail, Electronic Mail (email), Faxes, With Government Personnel, Other Contractor Personnel And The Public. Answering Telephones: Contractor Personnel Must Identify Themselves As Contract Personnel In Telephone Conversations And Meetings Via Telephone, Or When Working In Situations Where Their Actions May Be Construed As Official Government Acts And/or Personnel. Telephone Script: Hello, This Is (name) With (contractor Name) In Support Of (nco Number, Or Pcac), How May I Help You? Utilizing Electronic Mail: When Prime Contractor Or Sub-contractor Personnel Send Email Messages As A Part Of Contract Performance (or Otherwise Relating To Contract Matters), Each Sender Shall Have A Signature Line That Includes: First Name And Last Name (contractor) Title Phone Number Email Address Individual S Employer Name Assigned Team Or Ordering Facility Non-disclosure And Conflict Of Interest Agreements: To Ensure The Integrity Of Government Contracting Operations, All Contractor Personnel Shall Execute A Non-disclosure Agreement (nda) During The On-boarding Process. All Contractor Personnel Will Have Ongoing Access To Proprietary Information Which They Are Required To Protect. All Information Is Considered Sensitive And Shall Not Be Disclosed Outside The Workplace. This Includes, But Is Not Limited To, Proprietary Data, Passwords, For Official Use Only Documents And Source Selection Information . All Contractor Personnel Assigned To And Performing On This Requirement May Not Work On Other Contracts For The Contractor, Or Other Agencies Without A Formal Written Request And Prior Written Consent. All Contract Personnel Shall Sign A Statement Of Non-disclosure (attachment D.3). Background Investigation: In Accordance With Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (hspd-12), Office Of Management And Budget Guidance M-05-24, And Federal Information Processing Standards Publication Number 201, A Criminal Background Check/investigation (bi) Is Required For All Contract Personnel To Determine Suitability For Routine Access To Government Facilities And Systems. Contract Personnel Must Receive A Favorable Adjudication After Investigation Paperwork. Additionally, All Contractor Personnel Must Start The Paperwork For A Background Investigation And Complete Finger Printing, As Well As Completion Of All Required Training Prior To The Start Of Placement Or Performance On The Contract. Va Mandatory Training Requirements: All Contractor Staff Must Log Onto Www.tms.va.gov, And Self-enroll. Information Security Awareness Training. Contractor Support Personnel Are Required To Complete Annual Information Security Awareness Training (during Onboarding And Annually Thereafter). Contractor Rules Of Behavior. Sign And Acknowledge Understanding Of And Responsibilities For Compliance With The Contractor Rules Of Behavior Relating To Access To Va Information (during On-boarding And Annually). Va Privacy Training. Complete Va Privacy Training (during Onboarding And Annually Thereafter). Government Contract Writing Training. Complete Any And All Required Training Applicable To Current Government Contract Writing Systems Such. If Previously Completed And Valid, The Contractor Shall Provide The Completion Certificate To The Cor And Co. Failure To Complete The Mandatory Training And Sign The Rules Of Behavior Annually, Within The Timeframe Required, Will Be Grounds For Suspension Or Termination Of All Physical Or Electronic Access Privileges And Removal From Work On The Contract Until Such Time As The Training And Documents Are Completed. The Nco/pcac Cors Will Be Responsible For Technical Monitoring Of The Contractor S Personnel Performance And Deliverables. The Cor And The Contractor S Representative Shall Work Together To Ensure All Contractual Requirements Are Being Met. The Cor Will Interpret Specifications Or Technical Portions Of The Work. Contractor Requirements And Responsibilities The Contractor Shall Provide Contractor Personnel, Expertise, Supervision Of Contractor Resources, And Any Required Deliverable Necessary To Satisfy The Requirements In This Pws. 9.1. Personnel Placement The Contractor Shall Provide A Sufficiently Detailed Resume Of Experience For Each Proposed Candidate To The Governments Contracting Officer Representatives (cor) For Approval And Verification Of Education And Experience Requirements. Responses To Submitted Resumes Will Normally Be Provided To The Contractor Within 7 Calendar Days. The Contractor Shall Pre-screen The Resumes To Ensure Each Proposed Candidate Has Met The Minimum Requirements Shown In Section 4 And To Ensure Each Resume Shows Specific And Detailed Experience (company Name, Dates Of Employment, Job Duties, Contract Types And Actions, Etc.). The Contractor Shall Effectively Fill And Assign Qualified Approved Contractor Personnel At Each Nco/pcac Office Within 40 Calendar Days Of Task Order Award. (this Does Not Include Va Onboarding Time.) The Contractor Shall Ensure All Required Information For Onboarding And All Background Investigation Paperwork Is Submitted Within 14 Calendar Days Of Cors Acceptance Of Contractor Personnel And Eqip Is Completed Within Six (6) Calendar Days Of Initiation. Va Staff Will Assist Contractor Personnel In Obtaining Personal Identity Verification (piv) Card And System Access To Va Networks. Personnel Maintenance And Gfe Turnover: The Contractor Shall Minimize The Effect And Impact To The Va By Strategically Managing Contractor Personnel Turnover To The Greatest Extent Possible Throughout The Life Of The Contract. Contractor Shall Ensure Continuation Of Services During Prolonged Personnel Absences Due To Sickness, Leave And Voluntary Or Involuntary Termination From Employment Such That Impact To The Government Is Minimal. Once A Contractor Is Aware That An Employee Is Leaving And Will No Longer Support A Task, The Contractor Shall Provide Written Documentation (email) To The Co And The Cor Within One (1) Business Days Of The Employee Advising The Contractor Of Their Intent To Leave. The Written Notification Shall Include The Date And Time The Position Will Be Vacant, The Anticipated Replacement Date, And What Management Action Will Be Taken To Ensure Task Completion. Any Position Vacancies Shall Not Exceed 14 Calendar Days (does Not Include Va Onboarding Time) Unless Directed Or Approved, In Writing, By The Co. Replacement/substitution: Any Change In Personnel Will Be Subject To Prior Government Approval. Prior To Replacing/substituting Personnel Performing On This Contract, The Contractor Shall Provide A Sufficiently Detailed Resume Of Proposed Contractor Personnel To The Cor For Verification And Approval Of Education And Experience Requirements. Responses To Submitted Resumes Will Be Provided To The Contractor Within Seven (7) Calendar Days. The Co/cor Reserves The Right To Refuse A Replacement/substitution If The Co/cor Deems The Replacement/substitution Does Not Meet The Qualifications. Government Equipment And Badges: Contractor Shall Ensure All Government Furnished Equipment (gfe) And Piv Cards Are Returned To The Va (or Relevant Cor) Within Seven (7) Calendar Days When The Contract Or Task Order Ends Or When An Employee Leaves For Any Reason Prior To Contract Or Task Order Expiration. The Contractor Shall Be Financially Responsible For Any Gfe That Is Lost, Stolen, Damaged, Or Not Returned To The Va Within Seven (7) Calendar Days Of Contract Or Task Order Expiration Or After A Contractor Employee Has Vacated Their Position. The Contractor Shall Report Any Lost Items (gfe, Piv) Immediately To The Co And Cor. Supervisory Controls: The Contractor Shall Be Responsible For Managing And Overseeing All Actions To Ensure Timely And Practical Support Performed Under This Contract. The Day-to-day Supervision And Direct Control Over The Work Performed By Off-site Or Remote Contractor Personnel Will Be The Sole Responsibility Of The Contractor. The Government Will Not Supervise Contractor Personnel, Prepare Contractor Personnel Work Schedules, Or Control The Method By Which The Contractor Personnel Perform The Required Tasks. The Government Will Only Provide Tasks To Contractor Personnel For Execution. The Contractor Personnel Will Work Independently And Keep The Relevant Co And/or Cor Informed Of All Actions Assigned. All Assignments Will Be Completed In A Timely Fashion. Work Will Be Reviewed By The Relevant Co And/or Cor For Compliance With Va Policies, Far And Vaar Regulations, Overall Objectives, And Effectiveness In Achieving Results. Quality Assurance (qa) / Acceptance Quality Limit (aql): The Government Reserves The Right To Survey All Services Received Under This Contract To Determine Whether The Contractor Is Meeting Performance Standards, Service Levels, And Objectives. The Government Has The Right To Change Or Modify Inspection Methods At Its Discretion. Quality Control: Contractor Shall Develop And Maintain Its Own Quality Control Program / Inspection Plan That Assures Compliance With All Requirements Of This Contract. Acceptance Quality Level: As A Minimum, The Contractor S Plan Should Address These Items Shown Below For The Acceptance Quality Level (aql) During The Contract S Performance Period. Standards Basis Aql Contractor Personnel Placement With Onboarding And Background Investigation Documents Reference Pws Paragraphs 4., 6., 8.4., 8.5., 8.6., And 9.1. Positions Filled With Approved And Qualified Personnel Within 40 Calendar Days Of Task Order Award And Onboarding Documents Submitted / Completed Within 14 Calendar Days. 95% Coordination And Placement Of Qualified Personnel. No More Than One (1) Instance Of An Initial Vacancy Not Filled Within 40 Days Of Task Order Award. No More Than Two (2) Instances Where Onboarding Documents Were Not Submitted/completed Within 7 Calendar Days. Effective Replacement / Substitute Personnel Reference Pws Paragraphs 4., 5.3.5., 6., 8.4., 8.5., 8.6., 9.11., 9.1.2., 9.1.4., And 9.2. Vacancies Due To Turnover Filled With Approved And Qualified Personnel Within 14 Days Of Departure. Prior Coordination 100% Of The Time For Replacement Personnel. No More Than Three (3) Instances Of Failure To Fill Vacancies With Qualified Personnel Within 14 Days Of Vacancy Notification. Monthly Activity Report (mar) Reference Pws Paragraph 10.2. No More Than Two (2) Mars Submitted Late Annually. Quarterly Activity Report (qar) Reference Pws Paragraph 10.3. No More Than One (1) Qar Submitted Late Annually. Personnel List Reference Pws Paragraph 10.4. No More Than Three (3) Personnel Reports Submitted Late During The Life Of The Contract. Gfe And Piv Returned To The Va Within 7 Calendar Days. Reference Pws Paragraph 9.2.3. No More Than Two (2) Instances Reported During The Life Of The Contract. Timeliness Procurement Action Lead Time (palt), Contractor Deliverables (contractor Personnel) Based On Current Va Policy. 90% Customer Service Reference Pws Paragraph 8. Feedback From Stakeholders On Contractor Personnel. No More Than 3 Significant And Substantiated Complaints. 90% Quality Of Contractual Documentation Contracting Officer And Cor Reviews Of Submitted And Completed Documents. 90% Productivity Number Of Actions Completed As A Function Of Complexity 90% Contracting Officer S Representative (cor): The Government Will Identify And Delegate A Cor For Each Participating Office (nco/pcac). The Cor Shall Monitor All Technical Aspects Of The Contract And Assist In Contract Administration. Unless Otherwise Identified In A Delegation Letter, The Cor Is Authorized To Perform The Following Functions: Assure That The Contractor Performs The Technical And Administrative Requirements Of The Contract; Perform Necessary Inspections In Connection With Contract Performance; Maintain Written And Oral Communications With The Contractor Concerning Technical Aspects Of The Contract; Issue Written Interpretations Of Technical Requirements; Monitor The Contractor's Performance And Notify Both The Co And Contractor Of Any Deficiencies; Oversee The Distribution Of Government Furnished Property; Coordination Of Required Security/background Documentation; And, Provide Facility Access Of Contractor Personnel Through Arranging Scheduling And Piv Card Pick Up. The Co Will Send A Letter Of Delegation To The Cor And The Contractor, Which States The Specific Responsibilities And Limitations Of The Cor. The Cor Is Not Authorized To Change Any Of The Terms And Conditions Of The Contract. Cors Are Not Authorized To Obligate Funds Or Execute Any Contract Modifications. Cors Will Be Responsible For Reviewing, Approving, And Certifying Invoices For Their Respective Location. Cor Reviews: The Cor Will Interpret Specifications Or Technical Portions Of The Work. All Performance Concerns Shall Be Addressed Between The Cor, Co, And Contractor. The Cor And The Contractor S Representative Shall Work Together To Ensure All Contractual Requirements Are Being Met. Contractor Deliverables Contractor Point Of Contact: The Contractor Shall Provide A Point Of Contact (poc) / Supervisor Who Shall Be Responsible For The Performance Of Work From The Contract Acquisition Support Specialists. The Contractor Shall Designate This Individual, In Writing, To The Co And Cors Before The Start Of Performance. An Alternate Poc May Be Designated, But The Contractor Shall Identify Those Times When The Alternate Shall Be The Primary Poc. The Contractor Poc Shall Be Available Via Telephone And Email, Monday Through Friday, 8:00 A.m. Until 4:30 P.m. Central Time (ct) Excluding Federal Holidays. The Poc Shall Have Authority To Direct Contract Employees On The Contract Or Have Direct Contact With The Manager/supervisor For The Contract Support Employees. Monthly Activity Report Deliverable: The Contractor Shall Submit A Monthly Activity Report (mar) To Each Cor, On Or Before The 15th Day Of The Following Month. Contractor Shall Develop And Submit Monthly Activity Reports (mars) To The Cor And Administering Co For Review At Any Monthly/quarterly Meetings. The Mars Shall Include A Summary Of Activities For The Month, Issues, And Goals For The Next Month. The Mars Shall Summarize The Contractor S Accomplishments During The Previous Month, Planned Work During The Upcoming Month And Any Significant Problems Or Issues Requiring Resolution, Along With Proposed Corrective Actions. The Contractor Shall Deliver These Reports To All Appropriate Parties Identified In This Section. The Mar Shall Include, At A Minimum, The Following Information: Contract Number Task Order Number Reporting Period Number Of Hours Each Employee Worked Brief Task Description For Each Employee For Each Employee: A Narrative Review Of Work Accomplished During The Reporting Period And Significant Events Personnel Actions For The Period (separations, Labor Category Changes, Recruitments) Quarterly Report Deliverable: The Contractor Shall Submit A Quarterly Activity Report (qar) To The Co On Or Before The 15th Day Following Each Quarter, Summarizing, At A Minimum: The Contract Number The List Of Contractor Employees Including Location The Number And Location Of Any Open/unfilled Positions The Number Of Calendar Days It Takes/took To Fill Each Open Position. List Of Contractor Employees: The Contractor Shall Maintain A Current List Of Employees Assigned Under This Contract And Their Assigned Nco/pcac Location. The List Shall Be Validated And Signed By The Contractor And Provided To The Co Once All Employees Are Assigned. An Updated List Shall Be Provided Upon Any Changes (additions/deletions). Once A Contractor Is Aware That An Employee Is Leaving, Or Termination Of Employment The Contractor Shall Provide Written Documentation To The Cor Within One (1) Business Day. The Written Notification Shall Include The Date And Time The Position Will Be Vacant, And Anticipated Replacement Date. Organizational Conflicts Of Interest (oci): The Contractor Shall Have An Oci Plan In Place For Detecting, Disclosing, Avoiding, And Mitigating Oci Issues/risks Involved In The Performance Of This Contract. An Oci Exists When A Contractor Employee Participates Personally And Substantially In A Particular Matter (e.g., A Contract) That Would Have A Direct And Predictable Effect On The Contractor Employee S Own Financial Interest Or The Financial Interest Of The Contractor Employee S Spouse, Minor Child, General Partner, Any Person Or Entity Whom The Contractor Employee Serves As An Officer, Director, Trustee Or Employee, Or Any Person With Whom The Contractor Employee Is Negotiating Or Has An Arrangement For Prospective Employment. The Oci Will Include The Contractor And All Assigned Contractor Employees On This Contract And Associated Family Members. The Plan Shall Identify Any Potential Conflicts Of Interest And Shall Provide A Process For Dealing With Any Oci That Is Identified During Contract Execution. The Oci Plan Shall Disclose All Cross-teaming Arrangements And Shall Include A Representation That There Will Be No Crosstalk , Or Information Shared Between The Two Affiliates Regarding The Contract. The Contractor Shall Notify The Co Within Two Business Days Of Any Oci Violations On This Contract. Non-disclosure Agreements: All Contractor Personnel Assigned To Work On This Contract Shall Be Required To Sign A Non-disclosure Agreement (nda) During Their Onboarding Regarding Key Aspects Of The Project And Project Content. All Information Is Considered Sensitive And Will Not Be Disclosed Outside The Workplace. This Includes Proprietary Data, Passwords, For Official Use Only Documents And Source Selection Information. Background Investigation: A Criminal Background Check Is Required For All Contract Personnel. Contract Personnel Must Receive A Favorable Adjudication After Investigation Paperwork. All Contractor Personnel Must Complete Finger Printing And Start Background Investigation Paperwork Prior To Placement On The Contract. Invoices Each Nco/pcac Location Will Be Assigned A Cor Who Shall Serve As The Governments Primary Point Of Contact (poc) For That Location. Inspection And Acceptance Of Services Is Delegated To The Corresponding Cor. The Contractor Shall Submit A Separate Monthly Itemized Invoice To Each Cor In Arrears For Services Performed. The Invoice Shall Contain Contractor S Name, Address, Point Of Contact, Invoice Number, Contract Number, Task Order Number, And Purchase Order (po) Number Along With A Listing Of Each Contractor Employee S Name, Dates Worked, Actual Number Of Hours Worked, Work Location (nco/pcac), The Agreed Upon Fixed Hourly Rate And Total Price. Reduction In Services: Each Task Order Issued Under This Contract Will Be For A Specific Number Of Hours. If, At The End Of The Task Order Period Of Performance, The Government Has Not Utilized The Total Number Of Hours Ordered Because Of A Change In Its Anticipated Needs Or Delays That Are Due To Recruiting, Hiring, Onboarding, Turnover And Finding Replacements, The Contractor Agrees To Enter Into A Good Faith Negotiation To Bilaterally Reduce The Scope Of The Task Order With A Corresponding Adjustment In The Total Task Order Price. In No Event Will The Government Pay The Contractor For Hours Not Actually Worked. Vha Onboarding / Offboarding Process The Contractor Shall Provide Onboarding/offboarding Liaising And A Liaising Tracker For Onboarding And Offboarding Contractor Personnel. The Liaising Tracker Shall Be Updated Within A Day Of Onboarding/offboarding Action. The Contractor Shall Collect All The Required Documents For Onboarding Personnel, Perform Preliminary Review Of All Documents To Ensure The Forms Are Completed Accurately, And Submit All Forms To The Cor To Initiate The Background Investigation For All New Hires. All Forms And Supporting Documents Shall Be In .pdf Format And Use The Naming Convention Shown In The Example Below For Each File: The Following Onboarding Forms Shall Be Completed And Submitted To The Cor Within A Week Of Identifying (cor Approval) The Contract Personnel: Declaration For Federal Employment (of 306) Background Investigation Request (fm 1a) Contractor / Employee Piv Office Fingerprint Request Form (fm 2) Self-certification Of Continuous Service (sc) Non-disclosure Agreement (nda) Tms Training Certificates For Va Privacy And Information Security Awareness And Rules Of Behavior Certificate (valid For Only One Year) Tms Training Certificates For Privacy And Hipaa Training Certificate (valid For Only One Year) The Following Tasks Are Required By The Contractor When Onboarding Contractor Personnel: Schedule New Hires For Fingerprints At The Nearest Va Facility From The Contractor-employee S Physical Location Ensure All Onboarding Forms Are Completed Properly Submit All Onboarding Forms To The Cor In A Password Protected Email For The Initial Background Investigation And Send Password To Cor In A Separate Email Ensure All Contractor Personnel Working On This Contract Have Been Favorably Adjudicated Advise The Cor If Contractor-employee Is Transferring From Another Va Facility/department Request Contractor-employee Tms Access From Cor Coordinate With The Cor Regarding Wmc-hroo Persec Contractor Onboarding Process. Verify The Last 5 Years Of Related Work Experience On Candidates Resume The Following Tasks Are Required By The Contractor When Offboarding Contractor Personnel: When The Contractor Is Made Aware Of A Departure Of A Contract-employee, The Contractor Must Notify The Cor And Co Within One (1) Business Day. Complete The Offboarding Form For Each Contractor Employee. On The Final Day Of The Contractor Employee Day Of Employment The Employee Will Turn In All Government Issued Equipment, Piv Card And Any Subsequent Reports And Incomplete Tasks. Security Issues And Access General: Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Are Federal Government Facilities. Prior To Contractor Personnel Start Day, A Personnel Background Investigation (bi) Shall Be Completed And Sent To The Contracting Officer And Respective Cor. The Piv Card Will Not Be Issued Until The Background Checks Are Completed And Approved By The Security Investigation Center (sic). Security Identification Badges: Contract Employees Shall Comply With Their Assigned Location S Identification And Access Requirements. The Contractor Is Responsible For Absences Of Contract Employees Due To Expired Or Lost Identification And Access Documents. Contractor/contract Employees Shall Turn In All Identification Badges To The Contracting Officer, Or Designated Representative Upon Termination Of Their Services Under The Contract. The Contractor Shall Be Responsible For The Replacement Cost Of Lost Or Non-returned Piv Cards. Subject To Criminal Penalties; Equipment And Piv Badges (need To Run By Ogc) Security: All Contractors And Contractor Personnel Shall Be Subject To The Same Federal Security And Privacy Laws, Regulations, Standards, And Va Policies, Including The Privacy Act, 5 U.s.c. 552a, And Va Personnel, Regarding Information And Information System Security. Contractors Shall Follow Policies And Procedures Outlined In Va Directive 6500, Information Security Program Which Is Available At: Http://www.va.gov/vapubs/ And Its Handbooks To Ensure Appropriate Security Controls Are In Place. All Contractor Personnel Requiring Access To Va Computer Networks Are Required To Complete Va S Information Security And Privacy Awareness Training Annually. Confidentiality: Contractor Personnel Who Obtain Access To Hardware, Software, Or Media, Which May Manipulate Or Store Any Sensitive Information, That Is Protected Under 38 Usc 4132 Or 3305, As Defined By The Department Of Veterans Affairs, Must Not Access Information Unless Absolutely Necessary To Perform Their Contractual Duties. Disclosure Of Any Sensitive Data Obtained During Performance Of Assigned Duties Under This Contract Is Prohibited. Violation Of These Statutory Provisions May Involve Imposition Of Criminal Penalties. Contractor Is Considered To Be A Va Contractor For Purposes Of Privacy Act, Title 5 U.s.c. 552a. Hipaa: The Contractor Shall Abide By The Standards For Privacy Of Individually Identifiable Health Information Of The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (hipaa), Public Law 104-01. The Contractor Shall Not Use Or Further Disclose Protected Health Information Other Than As Permitted Or Required By The Contract Or As Required By Law. The Contractor Shall Use Appropriate Safeguards To Prevent Use Or Disclosure Of The Protected Health Information. The Contractor Shall Mitigate, To The Extent Practicable, Any Harmful Effect That Is Known To The Contractor Of A Use Or Disclosure Of Protected Health Information By The Contractor In Violation Of The Requirements Of This Contract. The Contractor Shall Report To The Government Any Use Or Disclosure Of The Protected Health Information Not Provided For By This Contract. The Contractor Shall Document, In A Time And Manner Designated By The Government, Any Disclosure Of Protected Health Information As Would Be Required For The Government To Respond To A Request By An Individual For An Accounting Of Disclosure Of Protected Health Information. Removal Of Personnel At Government Request: The Government May Request Removal (permanent Or Temporary) Of Contract Personnel For Security, Safety, Or Health Reasons, Upon Discovery Of Fraudulent Resume Documentation, Or When Contractor Personnel Behave In An Unprofessional Manner That Would Be Considered Unacceptable By A Reasonable Person. The Government May Also Request Removal If It Is Determined That There Is No Available Work To Assign Them. Removals Shall Be Effective By Close Of Business On The Same Day As Notification, Unless Otherwise Determined By The Government. Prior To Replacing/substituting Personnel Under These Circumstances (reference Sections 4, 5.3.5., 9.1., And 9.2.) The Contractor Shall Provide A Sufficiently Detailed Qualification Summary/resume Of Proposed Personnel For Government Coordination. End Of Pws