This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.The solicitation number is 40278204 and is issued as an invitation for bids (IFB), unless otherwise indicated herein.The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-88. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325320 with a small business size standard of 500.00 employees.This requirement is an [ Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises ] set-aside and only qualified offerors may submit bids.The solicitation pricing on www.FedBid.com will start on the date this solicitation is posted and will end on 2016-06-13 17:00:00.0 Eastern Time or as otherwise displayed at www.FedBid.com.FOB Destination shall be Fort Thompson, SD 57339 The Bureau of Indian Affairs requires the following items, Brand Name or Equal, to the following: LI 001: Aminopyralid (2 lb/gal) aka Milestone - See attached Specifications, 100, GALLONS; LI 002: Aminopyralid (aminopyralid .41 lb/gal + 2,4-D Amine 3.33 lb/gal) aka GrazonNext HL - See attached Specifications, 800, GALLONS; LI 003: Picloram (2 lb/gal) aka Tordon 22K - See attached Specifications, 100, GALLONS; LI 004: 2,4-D 6# LV Ester (5.6 lb/gal) - See attached Specifications, 125, GALLONS; LI 005: 2,4-D 4# Amine (3.8 lb/gal) - See attached Specifications, 125, GALLONS; LI 006: Non-Ionic Surfactant (minimum 85% NIS) - See attached Specifications, 50, GALLONS; Solicitation and Buy Attachments ***Question Submission: Interested offerors must submit any questions concerning the solicitation at the earliest time possible to enable the Buyer to respond. Questions must be submitted by using the 'Submit a Question' feature at www.fedbid.com. Questions not received within a reasonable time prior to close of the solicitation may not be considered.*** For this solicitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs intends to conduct an online competitive reverse auction to be facilitated by the third-party reverse auction provider, FedBid, Inc. FedBid has developed an online, anonymous, browser based application to conduct the reverse auction. An Offeror may submit a series of pricing bids, which descend in price during the specified period of time for the aforementioned reverse auction. Bureau of Indian Affairs is taking this action in an effort to improve both vendor access and awareness of requests and the agency's ability to gather multiple, competed, real-time bids.All responsible Offerors that respond to this solicitation MUST submit the pricing portion of their bid using the online exchange located at www.FedBid.com. There is no cost to register, review procurement data or make a bid on www.FedBid.com.Offerors that are not currently registered to use www.FedBid.com should proceed to www.FedBid.com to complete their free registration. Offerors that require special considerations or assistance may contact the FedBid Helpdesk at 877-9FEDBID (877-933-3243) or via email at
[email protected]. Offerors may not artificially manipulate the price of a transaction on www.FedBid.com by any means. It is unacceptable to place bad faith bids, to use decoys in the www.FedBid.com process or to collude with the intent or effect of hampering the competitive www.FedBid.com process.Should offerors require additional clarification, notify the point of contact or FedBid at 877-9FEDBID (877-933-3243) or
[email protected] of FedBid: Buyers and Sellers agree to conduct this transaction through FedBid in compliance with the FedBid Terms of Use. Failure to comply with the below terms and conditions may result in offer being determined as non-responsive. (a) Definitions. As used in this clause-- ?Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item?? (1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is? (i) A commercial item (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition at FAR 2.101); (ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and (iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and (2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products. ?Component? means an article, material, or supply incorporated directly into an end product. ?Cost of components? means-- (1) For components purchased by the Contractor, the acquisition cost, including transportation costs to the place of incorporation into the end product (whether or not such costs are paid to a domestic firm), and any applicable duty (whether or not a duty-free entry certificate is issued); or (2) For components manufactured by the Contractor, all costs associated with the manufacture of the component, including transportation costs as described in paragraph (1) of this definition, plus allocable overhead costs, but excluding profit. Cost of components does not include any costs associated with the manufacture of the end product. ?Domestic end product? means? (1) An unmanufactured end product mined or produced in the United States; (2) An end product manufactured in the United States, if? (i) The cost of its components mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States exceeds 50 percent of the cost of all its components. Components of foreign origin of the same class or kind as those that the agency determines are not mined, produced, or manufactured in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of a satisfactory quality are treated as domestic. Scrap generated, collected, and prepared for processing in the United States is considered domestic; or (ii) The end product is a COTS item. ?End product? means those articles, materials, and supplies to be acquired under the contract for public use. ?Foreign end product? means an end product other than a domestic end product. ?United States? means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas. (b) 41 U.S.C. chapter 83, Buy American, provides a preference for domestic end products for supplies acquired for use in the United States. In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1907, the component test of the Buy American statute is waived for an end product that is a COTS item (See 12.505(a)(1)). (c) Offerors may obtain from the Contracting Officer a list of foreign articles that the Contracting Officer will treat as domestic for this contract. (d) The Contractor shall deliver only domestic end products except to the extent that it specified delivery of foreign end products in the provision of the solicitation entitled ?Buy American Certificate.? (End of clause) (a) The offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that for other than COTS items, the offeror has considered components of unknown origin to have been mined, produced, or manufactured outside the United States. The offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products, i.e., an end product that is not a COTS item and does not meet the component test in paragraph (2) of the definition of ?domestic end product.? The terms ?commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item,? ?component,? ?domestic end product,? ?end product,? ?foreign end product,? and ?United States? are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled ?Buy American?Supplies.? (b) Foreign End Products: Line Item No.: Country of Origin: [List as necessary] (c) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of Part 25 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (End of Provision) (a) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), Government agencies are not permitted to use funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act for contracts with an entity that requires employees or subcontractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such fraud, waste, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information. (b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this provision does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information. (c) Representation. By submission of its offer, the Offeror represents that it does not require employees or subcontractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information. (End of provision) (a) The contractor shall not require employees or subcontractors seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign or comply with internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting such fraud, waste, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information. (b) The contractor shall notify employees that the prohibition and restrictions of any internal confidentiality agreements covered by this clause are no longer in effect. (c) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this clause does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312, Form 4414, or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information. (d)(1) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Resolution Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), use of funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) under that or any other Act may be prohibited, if the Government determines that the contractor is not in compliance with the provisions of this clause. (2) The Government may seek any available remedies in the event the contractor fails to comply with the provisions of this clause. (End of clause) As required by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(i)), the offeror certifies, by signing this offer, that the percentage of recovered materials content for EPA-designated items to be delivered or used in the performance of the contract will be at least the amount required by the applicable contract specifications or other contractual requirements. (a) Definitions. As used in this provision-- Person-- (1) Means-- (i) A natural person; (ii) A corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise; and (iii) Any successor to any entity described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this definition; and (2) Does not include a government or governmental entity that is not operating as a business enterprise. Sensitive technology? (1) Means hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, or any other technology that is to be used specifically? (i) To restrict the free flow of unbiased information in Iran; or (ii) To disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict speech of the people of Iran; and (2) Does not include information or informational materials the export of which the President does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)). (b) The offeror shall email questions concerning sensitive technology to the Department of State at
[email protected]. (c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this provision or if a waiver has been granted in accordance with 25.703-4, by submission of its offer, the offeror-- (1) Represents, to the best of its knowledge and belief, that the offeror does not export any sensitive technology to the government of Iran or any entities or individuals owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf or at the direction of, the government of Iran; (2) Certifies that the offeror, or any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not engage in any activities for which sanctions may be imposed under section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act. These sanctioned activities are in the areas of development of the petroleum resources of Iran, production of refined petroleum products in Iran, sale and provision of refined petroleum products to Iran, and contributing to Iran's ability to acquire or develop certain weapons or technologies; and (3) Certifies that the offeror, and any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not knowingly engage in any transaction that exceeds $3,000 with Iran?s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates, the property and interests in property of which are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (see OFAC?s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List at http://www.treasury.gov/ofac/downloads/t11sdn.pdf ). (d) Exception for trade agreements. The representation requirement of paragraph (c)(1) and the certification requirements of paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this provision do not apply if? (1) This solicitation includes a trade agreements notice or certification (e.g., 52.225-4, 52.225-6, 52.225-12, 52.225-24, or comparable agency provision); and (2) The offeror has certified that all the offered products to be supplied are designated country end products or designated country construction material. (a) Upon receipt of accelerated payments from the Government, the Contractor shall make accelerated payments to its small business subcontractors under this contract, to the maximum extent practicable and prior to when such payment is otherwise required under the applicable contract or subcontract, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor. (b) The acceleration of payments under this clause does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment Act. (c) Include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts with small business concerns, including subcontracts with small business concerns for the acquisition of commercial items. Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury?s Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP). ?Payment request? means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment by the Contractor. To constitute a proper invoice, the payment request must comply with the requirements identified in the applicable Prompt Payment clause included in the contract, or the clause 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions ? Commercial Items included in commercial item contracts. The IPP website address is: https://www.ipp.gov. Under this contract, the following documents are required to be submitted as an attachment to the IPP invoice: Scanned Invoice(s) The Contractor must use the IPP website to register access and use IPP for submitting requests for payment. The Contractor Government Business Point of Contact (as listed in SAM) will receive enrollment instructions via email from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) prior to the contract award date, but no more than 3 ? 5 business days of the contract award date. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by contacting the IPP Production Helpdesk via email
[email protected] or phone (866) 973-3131. If the Contractor is unable to comply with the requirement to use IPP for submitting invoices for payment, the Contractor must submit a waiver request in writing to the Contracting Officer with its proposal or quotation. New Equipment ONLY; NO remanufactured or "gray market" items. All items must be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Bid MUST be good for 30 calendar days after close of Buy. Shipping must be free on board (FOB) destination CONUS (Continental U.S.), which means that the seller must deliver the goods on its conveyance at the destination specified by the buyer, and the seller is responsible for the cost of shipping and risk of loss prior to actual delivery at the specified destination. This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award, pursuant to applicable regulations and guidelines. Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov. The selected Offeror must comply with the following commercial item terms and conditions, which are incorporated herein by reference: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items - the selected offeror must submit a completed copy of the listed representations and certifications; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, paragraph (a), the following clauses in paragraph (b): 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set Aside (15 U.S.C. 644); 52.222-3, Convict Labor (E.O. 11755); 52.222-19, Child Labor?Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (E.O. 13126); 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246); 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA-Designated Items (42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)); 52.223-15, Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products (42 U.S.C. 8259b); 52.223-16, IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products (E.O. 13423); 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging while Driving; 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (E.O.?s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury); 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer?System for Award Management (31 U.S.C. 3332). The full text of the referenced FAR clauses may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/. As required by the DIAR 1480.503, this acquisition is 100% set aside for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE) as defined by DIAR 1480.503. Only quotes received from ISBEE's will be considered for award. Quoters who do not qualify under the ISBEE set aside will be immediately removed from the competitive range. (a) The Contractor agrees to give preferences to Indians who can perform the work required regardless of age (subject to existing laws and regulations), sex, religion, or tribal affiliation for training and employment opportunities under this contract and, to the extent feasible consistent with the efficient performance of this contract, training and employment preferences and opportunities shall be provided to Indians regardless of age (subject to existing laws and regulations), sex, religion, or tribal affiliation who are not fully qualified to perform under this contract. The Contractor also agrees to give preference to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises in the awarding of any subcontracts consistent with the efficient performance of this contract. The Contractor shall maintain such records as are necessary to indicate compliance with this paragraph. (b) In connection with the Indian employment preference requirements of this clause, the Contractor shall also provide opportunities for training incident to such employment. Such training shall include on-the-job, classroom, or apprenticeship training which is designed to increase the vocational effectiveness of an Indian employee. (c) If the Contractor is unable to fill its training and employment needs after giving full consideration to Indians as required by this clause, those needs may be satisfied by selection of persons other than Indians in accordance with the clause of this contract entitled ?Equal Opportunity.? (d) If no Indian organizations or Indian-owned economic enterprises are available for awarding of subcontracts in connection with the work performed under this contract, the Contractor agrees to comply with the provisions of this contract involving utilization of small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or labor surplus area concerns. (e) As used in this clause: (1) ?Indian? means a person who is a member of an Indian Tribe. If the Contractor has reason to doubt that a person seeking employment preference is an Indian, the contractor shall grant the preference but shall require the individual within thirty (30) days to provide evidence from the Tribe concerned that the person is a member of that Tribe. (2) ?Indian organization? means the governing body of any Indian Tribe or entity established or recognized by such governing body in accordance with the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 77; 25 U.S.C. 1451); and (3) ?Indian-owned economic enterprise? means any Indian-owned commercial, industrial, or business activity established or organized for the purpose of profit provided that such Indian ownership shall constitute not less than 51 percent of the enterprise. (4) ?Indian Tribe? means an Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668; 43 U.S.C. 1601) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. (f) The Contractor agrees to include the provisions of the clause including this paragraph (f) in each subcontract awarded under this contract. (g) In the event of noncompliance with this clause, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated in whole or in part by the Contracting Officer and the work completed in a manner determined by the Contracting Officer to be in the best interests of the Government. Under the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, offers are solicited only from Indian economic enterprises (Subpart 1480.8) that are also small business concerns. Any acquisition resulting from this solicitation will be from such a concern. Offers received from enterprises that are not both Indian economic enterprises and small business concerns will not be considered and will be rejected. (a) Definitions as used in this clause. (1) Concern means any business entity organized for profit (even if its ownership is in the hands of a nonprofit entity) with a place of business located in the United States or its outlying areas and that makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes and/or use of American products, material and/or labor, etc. It includes but is not limited to an individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, association, or cooperative. For the purpose of making affiliation findings (see 19.101) any business entity, whether organized for profit or not, and any foreign business entity, i.e., any entity located outside the United States and its outlying areas. 23 (2) Subcontract means any agreement (other than one involving an employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Government prime contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies and/or services required for performance of the contract, contract modification, or subcontract. (3) Subcontractor means a concern to which a contractor subcontracts any work under the contract. It includes subcontractors at any tier who perform work on the contract. (b) Required Percentages of work by the concern. The contractor must comply with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting clause in allocating what percentage of work to subcontract. Of the work subcontracted, no more than 50 percent may be subcontracted to a concern other than a responsible Indian economic enterprise. (c) Indian Preference. Regardless of the contract type for services, supplies, or covered construction, the contractor agrees to give preference to Indian organizations and Indian owned economic enterprises in awarding subcontracts under this contract in accordance with DIAR 1452.226-71, Indian Preference. (d) Cooperation. The contractor must: (1) Carry out the requirements of this clause to the fullest extent; and (2) Cooperate in any study or survey that the CO, Indian Affairs, or its agents may conduct to verify the contractor's compliance with this clause. (e) Incorporation in Subcontracts. The contractor must incorporate die substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts for supplies, services, and construction awarded under this contract. The offeror represents as part of its offer that it does meet the definition of Indian economic enterprise as defined in 1480.201. (a) In addition to the requirements of the clause of this contract entitled "Indian Preference-Department of the Interior," the Contractor agrees to establish and conduct an Indian preference program which will expand the opportunities for Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises to receive a preference in the awarding of subcontracts and which will expand opportunities for Indians to receive preference for training and employment in connection with the work to be performed under this contract. In this connection, the Contractor shall ? (1) Designate a liaison officer who will: (i) Maintain liaison with the Government and Tribe(s) on Indian preference matters; (ii) Supervise compliance with the provisions of this clause; and (iii) Administer the Contractor's Indian preference program. (2) Advise its recruitment sources in writing and include a statement in all advertisements for employment that Indian applicants will be given preference in employment and training incident to such employment. (3) Not less than twenty (20) calendar days prior to commencement of work under this contract, post a written notice in the Tribal office of any reservations on which or near where the work under this contract is to be performed, which sets forth the Contractor's employment needs and related training opportunities. The notice shall include the approximate number and types of employees needed, the approximate dates of employment; the experience or special skills required for employment, if any; training opportunities available; and all other pertinent information necessary to advise prospective employees of any other employment requirements. The Contractor shall also request the Tribe(s) on or near whose reservation(s) the work is to be performed to provide assistance to the Contractor in filling its employment needs and training opportunities. The Contracting Officer will advise the Contractor of the name, location, and phone number of the Tribal officials to contact in regard to the posting of notices and requests for Tribal assistance. (4) Establish and conduct a subcontracting program which gives preference to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers under this contract. Consistent with the efficient performance of this contract, the Contractor shall give public notice of existing subcontracting opportunities by soliciting bids or proposals only from Indian organizations or Indian-owned economic enterprises. The Contractor shall request assistance and information on Indian firms qualified as suppliers or subcontractors from the Tribe(s) on or near whose reservation(s) the work under the contract is to be performed. The Contracting Officer will advise the Contractor of the name, location, and phone number of the Tribal officials to be contacted in regard to the request for assistance and information. Public notices and solicitations for existing subcontracting opportunities shall provide an equitable opportunity for Indian firms to submit bids or proposals by including? (i) A clear description of the supplies or services required including quantities, specifications, and delivery schedules which facilitate the participation of Indian firms; (ii) A statement indicating the preference will be given to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises in accordance with Section 7(b) of Public Law 93?638; (88 Stat. 2205; 25 U.S.C. 450e(b)); (iii) Definitions for the terms ?Indian organization? and ?Indian-owned economic enterprise? as prescribed under the ?Indian Preference?Department of the Interior? clause of this contract; (iv) A representation to be completed by the bidder or offeror that it is an Indian organization or Indian-owned economic enterprise; and (v) A closing date for receipt of bids or proposals which provides sufficient time for preparation and submission of a bid or proposal. If after soliciting bids from Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises, no responsible bid is received, the Contractor shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) of the ?Indian Preference?Department of the Interior? clause of this contract. If one or more responsible bids are received, award shall be made to the low responsible bidder if the bid price is determined to be reasonable. If the low responsive bid is determined to be unreasonable as to price, the Contractor shall attempt to negotiate a reasonable price and award a subcontract. If a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, the Contractor shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) of the ?Indian Preference?Department of the Interior? clause of the contract. (5) Maintain written records under this contract which indicate: (i) The names and addresses of all Indians seeking employment for each employment position available under this contract; (ii) The number and types of positions filled by Indians and non-Indians, and the name, address and position of each Indian employed under this contract; (iii) For those positions where there are both Indian and non-Indian applicants, and a non-Indian is selected for employment, the reason(s) why the Indian applicant was not selected; (iv) Actions taken to give preference to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises for subcontracting opportunities which exist under this contract; (v) Reasons why preference was not given to Indian firms as subcontractors or suppliers for each requirement where it was determined by the Contractor that such preference would not be consistent with the efficient performance of the contract, and (vi) The names and addresses of all Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises contacted, and receiving subcontract awards under this contract. (6) The Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer for approval a semiannual report which summarizes the Contractor's Indian preference program and indicates the number and types of available positions filled and dollar amounts of all subcontracts awarded to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises and all other firms. (7) Records maintained pursuant to this clause will be kept available for review by the Government until expiration of one (1) year after final payment under this contract, or for such longer period as may be required by any other clause of this contract or by applicable law or regulation. (b) For purpose of this clause, the following definitions of terms shall apply: (1) The terms Indian, Indian Tribe, Indian Organization, and Indian-owned economic enterprise are defined in the clause of this contract entitled Indian Preference. (2) Indian reservation includes Indian reservations, public domain Indian allotments, former Indian reservations on Oklahoma, and land held by incorporated Native groups, regional corporations, and village corporations under the provisions of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, (85 Stat. 688; 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ). (3) On or near an Indian Reservation means on a reservation or reservations or within that area surrounding an Indian reservation(s) where a person seeking employment could reasonably be expected to commute to and from in the course of a work day. (c) Nothing in the requirements of this clause shall be interpreted to preclude Indian Tribes from independently developing and enforcing their own Indian preference requirements. Such requirements must not hinder the Government's right to award contracts and to administer their provisions. (d) The Contractor agrees to include the provisions of this clause including this paragraph (d) in each subcontract awarded under this contract and to notify the Contracting Officer of such subcontracts. (e) In the event of noncompliance with this clause, the Contractor's right to proceed may be terminated in whole or in part by the Contracting Officer and the work completed in a manner determined by the Contracting Officer to be in the best interest of the Government. (End of clause) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as ?brand name or equal,? the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government?s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that ?equal? products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of ?equal? products, including ?equal? products of the brand name manufacturer, must? (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by? (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate ?equal? products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an ?equal? product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.