SPECIAL NOTICE TO AGENCIES:
Small Business Participation
SBA strongly supports the participation of small business concerns
in the Federal Supply Schedules Program. To enhance Small Business
Participation SBA policy allows agencies to include in their procurement
base and goals, the dollar value of orders expected to be placed
against the Federal Supply Schedules, and to report accomplishments
against these goals.
For orders exceeding the micropurchase threshold, FAR 8.404 requires
agencies to consider the catalogs/pricelists of at least three
schedule contractors or consider reasonably available information
by using the GSA Advantage! on-line shopping service (www.fss.gsa.gov).
The catalogs/pricelists, GSA Advantage! and the Federal
Supply Service Home Page (www.fss.gsa.gov) contain information
on a broad array of products and services offered by small business
concerns.
This information should be used as a tool to assist ordering
activities in meeting or exceeding established small business
goals. It should also be used as a tool to assist in including
small, small disadvantaged, and women-owned small businesses among
those considered when selecting pricelists for a best value determination.
For orders exceeding the micropurchase threshold, customers are
to give preference to small business concerns when two or more
items at the same delivered price will satisfy their requirement.
1. Geographic Scope of Contract:
The geographic scope of contract is the 48 contiguous states,
the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Thomas & Herbert Consulting's Ordering Address and Payment Information:
| Ordering: |
Payment: |
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 460
Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 460
Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
Contractors are required to accept the Government purchase card
for payments equal to or less than the micro-purchase threshold
for oral or written delivery orders. Government purchase cards
will be acceptable for payment above the micro-purchase threshold.
In addition, bank account information for wire transfer payments
will be shown on the invoice.
The following telephone number(s) can be used by ordering agencies
to obtain technical and/or ordering assistance:
301-578-4004
Attn: Deana Herbert
3. LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR DAMAGE
Thomas & Herbert Consulting shall not be liable for any injury
to Government personnel or damage to Government property arising
from the use of equipment maintained by Thomas & Herbert Consulting,
unless such injury or damage is due to the fault or negligence
of Thomas & Herbert Consulting.
4. Statistical Data for Government Ordering Office Completion
of Standard Form 279:
Block 9: G. Order/Modification Under Federal Schedule
Block 16: Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number: 94-926-4550
Block 30: Type of Contractor: A. Small Disadvantaged Business
Block 31: Woman-Owned Small Business: No
Block 36: Thomas & Herbert Consulting's Taxpayer Identification
Number (TIN): 52-1971982
4a. CAGE Code: 076K2
5. FOB Destination
6. DELIVERY SCHEDULE
a. TIME OF DELIVERY: Thomas & Herbert Consulting shall deliver
to destination within the number of calendar days after receipt
of order (ARO), as set forth below:
| SPECIAL ITEM NUMBER |
DELIVERY TIME (Days ARO) |
| 132-51 |
As negotiated between Thomas & Herbert
Consulting and the ordering agency. |
Expedited Delivery Times are Negotiated between Thomas &
Herbert Consulting and the ordering agency.
b. URGENT REQUIREMENTS: When the Federal Supply Schedule contract
delivery period does not meet the bona fide urgent delivery requirements
of an ordering agency, agencies are encouraged, if time permits,
to contact Thomas & Herbert Consulting for the purpose of
obtaining accelerated delivery. Thomas & Herbert Consulting
shall reply to the inquiry within 3 workdays after receipt. (Telephonic
replies shall be confirmed by Thomas & Herbert Consulting
in writing.) If Thomas & Herbert Consulting offers an accelerated
delivery time acceptable to the ordering agency, any order(s)
placed pursuant to the agreed upon accelerated delivery time frame
shall be delivered within this shorter delivery time and in accordance
with all other terms and conditions of the contract.
7. Discounts: Prices shown are NET Prices; Basic Discounts have
been deducted.
a. Government Educational Institutions receive the same discount
as all other Government customers
8. Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended:
All items are U.S. made end products, designated country end
products, Caribbean Basin country end products, Canadian end products,
or Mexican end products as defined in the Trade Agreements Act
of 1979, as amended.
9. Statement Concerning Availability of Export Packing: Not applicable
10. Small Requirements: The minimum dollar value of orders to
be issued is $100.00
11. Maximum Order: (All dollar amounts are exclusive of any discount
for prompt payment.)
a. Special Item Number 132-51 - Information Technology (IT)
Professional Services
The maximum dollar value per order for all IT Professional services
will be $500,000.
12. USE OF FEDERAL SUPPLY SERVICE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SCHEDULE
CONTRACTS. In accordance with FAR 8.404:
[NOTE: Special ordering procedures have been established for
Special Item Number (SIN) 132-51 IT Professional Services; refer
to the terms and conditions for this SIN.]
Orders placed pursuant to a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), using
the procedures in FAR 8.404, are considered to be issued pursuant
to full and open competition. Therefore, when placing orders under
Federal Supply Schedules, ordering offices need not seek further
competition, synopsize the requirement, make a separate determination
of fair and reasonable pricing, or consider small business set-asides
in accordance with subpart 19.5. GSA has already determined the
prices of items under schedule contracts to be fair and reasonable.
By placing an order against a schedule using the procedures outlined
below, the ordering office has concluded that the order represents
the best value and results in the lowest overall cost alternative
(considering price, special features, administrative costs, etc.)
to meet the Government’s needs.
a. Orders placed at or below the micro-purchase threshold. Ordering
offices can place orders at or below the micro-purchase threshold
with any Federal Supply Schedule Contractor.
b. Orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding
the maximum order threshold. Orders should be placed with the
Schedule Contractor that can provide the supply or service that
represents the best value. Before placing an order, ordering offices
should consider reasonably available information about the supply
or service offered under MAS contracts by using the “GSA
Advantage!” on-line shopping service, or by reviewing the
catalogs/pricelists of at least three Schedule Contractors and
selecting the delivery and other options available under the schedule
that meets the agency’s needs. In selecting the supply or
service representing the best value, the ordering office may consider--
(1) Special features of the supply or service that are required
in effective program performance and that are not provided by
a comparable supply or service;
(2) Trade-in considerations;
(3) Probable life of the item selected as compared with that
of a comparable item;
(4) Warranty considerations;
(5) Maintenance availability;
(6) Past performance; and
(7) Environmental and energy efficiency considerations.
c. Orders exceeding the maximum order threshold.
Each schedule contract has an established maximum order threshold. This threshold
represents the point where it is advantageous for the ordering
office to seek a price reduction. In addition to following the
procedures in paragraph b, above, and before placing an order
that exceeds the maximum order threshold, ordering offices shall--
(1) Review additional Schedule Contractors’ catalogs/pricelists
or use the “GSA Advantage!” on-line shopping service;
(2) Based upon the initial evaluation, generally seek price
reductions from the Schedule Contractor(s) appearing to provide
the best value (considering price and other factors); and
(3) After price reductions have been sought, place the order
with the Schedule Contractor that provides the best value and
results in the lowest overall cost alternative. If further price
reductions are not offered, an order may still be placed, if the
ordering office determines that it is appropriate.
NOTE: For orders exceeding the maximum order threshold, Thomas
& Herbert Consulting may:
(1) Offer a new lower price for this requirement (the Price
Reductions clause is not applicable to orders placed over the
maximum order in FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations);
(2) Offer the lowest price available under the contract; or
(3) Decline the order (orders must be returned in accordance
with FAR 52.216-19).
d. Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs). The establishment of
Federal Supply Schedule BPAs is permitted when following the ordering
procedures in FAR 8.404. All schedule contracts contain BPA provisions.
Ordering offices may use BPAs to establish accounts with Contractors
to fill recurring requirements. BPAs should address the frequency
of ordering and invoicing, discounts, and delivery locations and
times.
e. Price reductions. In addition to the circumstances outlined
in paragraph c, above, there may be instances when ordering offices
will find it advantageous to request a price reduction. For example,
when the ordering office finds a schedule supply or service elsewhere
at a lower price or when a BPA is being established to fill recurring
requirements, requesting a price reduction could be advantageous.
The potential volume of orders under these agreements, regardless
of the size of the individual order, may offer the ordering office
the opportunity to secure greater discounts. Schedule Contractors
are not required to pass on to all schedule users a price reduction
extended only to an individual agency for a specific order.
f. Small business. For orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold,
ordering offices should give preference to the items of small
business concerns when two or more items at the same delivered
price will satisfy the requirement.
g. Documentation. Orders should be documented, at a minimum,
by identifying the contractor the item was purchased from, the
item purchased, and the amount paid. If an agency requirement
in excess of the micro-purchase threshold is defined so as to
require a particular brand name, product, or feature of a product
peculiar to one manufacturer, thereby precluding consideration
of a product manufactured by another contractor, the ordering
office shall include an explanation in the file as to why the
particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to satisfy
the agency’s needs.
13. FEDERAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARDS
REQUIREMENTS: Federal departments and agencies acquiring products
from this Schedule must comply with the provisions of the Federal
Standards Program, as appropriate (reference: NIST Federal Standards
Index). Inquiries to determine whether or not specific products
listed herein comply with Federal Information Processing Standards
(FIPS) or Federal Telecommunication Standards (FED-STDS), which
are cited by ordering offices, shall be responded to promptly
by Thomas & Herbert Consulting.
13.1 FEDERAL INFORMATION PROCESSING STANDARDS PUBLICATIONS (FIPS
PUBS): Information Technology products under this Schedule that
do not conform to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
should not be acquired unless a waiver has been granted in accordance
with the applicable "FIPS Publication." Federal Information
Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) are issued by the
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), pursuant to National Security Act. Information
concerning their availability and applicability should be obtained
from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161. FIPS PUBS include voluntary
standards when these are adopted for Federal use. Individual orders
for FIPS PUBS should be referred to the NTIS Sales Office, and
orders for subscription service should be referred to the NTIS
Subscription Officer, both at the above address, or telephone
number (703) 487-4650.
13.2 FEDERAL TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARDS (FED-STDS): Telecommunication
products under this Schedule that do not conform to Federal Telecommunication
Standards (FED-STDS) should not be acquired unless a waiver has
been granted in accordance with the applicable "FED-STD."
Federal Telecommunication Standards are issued by the U.S. Department
of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
pursuant to National Security Act. Ordering information and information
concerning the availability of FED-STDS should be obtained from
the GSA, Federal Supply Service, Specification Section, 470 East
L’Enfant Plaza, Suite 8100, SW, Washington, DC 20407, telephone
number (202)619-8925. Please include a self-addressed mailing
label when requesting information by mail. Information concerning
their applicability can be obtained by writing or calling the
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, telephone number (301)975-2833.
14. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS. In the event security requirements
are necessary, the ordering activities may incorporate, in their
delivery orders, a security clause in accordance with current
laws, regulations, and individual agency policy; however, the
burden of administering the security requirements shall be with
the ordering agency. If any costs are incurred as a result of
the inclusion of security requirements, such costs will not exceed
ten percent (10%) or $100,000, of the total dollar value of the
order, whichever is lesser.
15. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION FOR ORDERING OFFICES: Any ordering
office, with respect to any one or more delivery orders placed
by it under this contract, may exercise the same rights of termination
as might the GSA Contracting Officer under provisions of FAR 52.212-4,
paragraphs (l) Termination for the Government’s convenience,
and (m) Termination for Cause (See C.1.)
16. GSA Advantage!
GSA Advantage! is an on-line, interactive electronic information
and ordering system that provides on-line access to vendors' schedule
prices with ordering information. GSA Advantage! will allow the
user to perform various searches across all contracts including,
but not limited to:
(1) Manufacturer;
(2) Manufacturer's Part Number; and
(3) Product categories.
Agencies can browse GSA Advantage! by accessing the Internet
World Wide Web utilizing a browser (ex.: Netscape). The Internet
address is http://www.fss.gsa.gov/.
17. PURCHASE OF INCIDENTAL, NON-SCHEDULE ITEMS
For administrative convenience, open market (non-contract) items
may be added to a Federal Supply Schedule Blanket Purchase Agreement
(BPA) or an individual order, provided that the items are clearly
labeled as such on the order, all applicable regulations have
been followed, and price reasonableness has been determined by
the ordering activity for the open market (non-contract) items.
18. CONTRACTOR COMMITMENTS, WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS
a. For the purpose of this contract, commitments, warranties
and representations include, in addition to those agreed to for
the entire schedule contract:
(1) Time of delivery/installation quotations for individual
orders;
(2) Technical representations and/or warranties of products
concerning performance, total system performance and/or configuration,
physical, design and/or functional characteristics and capabilities
of a product/equipment/ service/software package submitted in
response to requirements which result in orders under this schedule
contract.
(3) Any representations and/or warranties concerning the products
made in any literature, description, drawings and/or specifications
furnished by Thomas & Herbert Consulting.
b. The above is not intended to encompass items not currently
covered by the GSA Schedule contract.
19. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENTS (BPAs)
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.201(a) defines Blanket
Purchase Agreements (BPAs) as “...a simplified method
of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services
by establishing ‘charge accounts’ with qualified sources
of supply.” The use of Blanket Purchase Agreements under
the Federal Supply Schedule Program is authorized in accordance
with FAR 13.202(c)(3), which reads, in part, as follows:
“BPAs may be established with Federal Supply Schedule Contractors,
if not inconsistent with the terms of the applicable schedule
contract.”
Federal Supply Schedule contracts contain BPA provisions to enable
schedule users to maximize their administrative and purchasing
savings. This feature permits schedule users to set up “accounts”
with Schedule Contractors to fill recurring requirements. These
accounts establish a period for the BPA and generally address
issues such as the frequency of ordering and invoicing, authorized
callers, discounts, delivery locations and times. Agencies may
qualify for the best quantity/volume discounts available under
the contract, based on the potential volume of business that may
be generated through such an agreement, regardless of the size
of the individual orders. In addition, agencies may be able to
secure a discount higher than that available in the contract based
on the aggregate volume of business possible under a BPA. Finally,
Contractors may be open to a progressive type of discounting where
the discount would increase once the sales accumulated under the
BPA reach certain prescribed s. Use of a BPA may be particularly
useful with the new Maximum Order feature. See the Suggested Format,
contained in this Schedule Pricelist, for customers to consider
when using this purchasing tool.
20. CONTRACTOR TEAM ARRANGEMENTS
Federal Supply Schedule Contractors may use “Contractor
Team Arrangements” (see FAR 9.6) to provide solutions when
responding to a customer agency requirements. The policy and procedures
outlined in this part will provide more flexibility and allow
innovative acquisition methods when using the Federal Supply Schedules.
See the additional information regarding Contractor Team Arrangements
in this Schedule Pricelist.
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