Edwards Scroll Vacuum Pump_Brand Name

Combined/Synopsis Solicitation Brand Name Only Edwards Scroll Vacuum Pump IAW FAR 12.603 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a BRAND NAME commercial item prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written (formal) solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), solicitation number FA7000-18-T-0003 in accordance with FAR Parts 12 & 13. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-96 effective 06 November 2017. The North American Industry Classification System Code is 339113 and the size standard is 750 employees. This is an unrestricted competition. All responsible sources may submit a quote, which if received timely, will be considered by the 10th Contracting Division, USAF Academy (USAFA). The Government bears no legal liability for cost associated with this request for quote. Vendors should not submit a quote unless they are willing to absorb all cost associated with submitting a quote. Quotes submitted with used, reconditioned, refurbished, gray market, or liquidated stock will not be considered for award. In all instances throughout this solicitation any use of the word "proposal" should be understood as "quote". All instances of the word "offeror" should be understood as "quoter". All instances of the word "award" should be understood as "order". Quoters are responsible for submitting quotations so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that quotations are due. Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotations is late and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition. If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotations cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotations by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of quotations will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume. Please read and comply with all requirements for submitting a quote. Failure to comply with all instructions contained within this combined synopsis/solicitation could result in the quote being ineligible for award. It is the offeror's responsibility to ensure their quote meets all the requirements identified herein. The USAF Academy has a Brand Name requirement to purchase six Edwards nXDS10i scroll vacuum pumps with the salient characteristics provided below. The U.S. Air Force Academy's Chemistry Department determined these characteristics to be the only suitable features to provide the functionality they require. The Department of Chemistry requires oil-less pumps capable of pulling ultra-high vacuum. For ultra-high vacuum, pumps are required to establish ultimate pressures less than 0.007 mbar. These high vacuums are necessary to keep certain chemical reactions at low pressures and remove oxygen. Failure to do so could lead to explosions. Oil-less pumps are required because they take less maintenance and there is reduced chance of oil contaminating the chemical reaction. Standby operation is also required in order to increase the lifetime of the pump and decrease power consumption. Edwards has pumps that meet these requirements. REQUIRED SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS: - Must be an oil-free dry scroll vacuum pump - Must be able to operate in manual mode using buttons on an interface panel - Must have a noise level equal to or lower than 52 dB(A) - Must be hermetically sealed for a lubricant-free vacuum environment - Must have a pump range of at least 10 m3/h - Must have an ultimate vacuum (total pressure) of 0.007 mbar or better - Must have a minimum standby rotation speed of 1200 rpm or better - Must have a speed control resolution of 1% or better - Must weigh less than 60 lbs. - Must have an operating temperature range of 10-40 - C - Must have a vibration at inlet flange of less than 4.5 mms-1 - Must be a new unit - Must have a minimum one year warranty Quotes may be provided for six (6) brand name product Edwards nXDS10i scroll vacuum pumps fulfilling all the above specifications. REQUIREMENTS FOR QUOTE Buy American Act and certification of compliance is required and must be submitted with quote (see DFARS clause 252.225-7001) (Attached- contractor signature required) Provide pricing for CLIN 0001 which is an all-inclusive CLIN on this firm fixed-price award. LINE ITEM Description Qty Unit Price Extended Price Edwards nXDS10i 6 ______ __________ Scroll Vacuum Pump TOTAL PRICE $ _________________ The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, addenda applies to this acquisition. 1. The contractor shall submit their quote on company letterhead to include the following: solicitation number, contact name, address, telephone number of the offeror, unit price, extended price, any discount terms, delivery terms, cage code, DUNS number, size of business, warranty information, the Buy American certificate and acknowledgement of solicitation amendments, if applicable. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. Please submit quotes by email to Londres Medranda at londres.medranda@us.af.mil, 719-333-3961. In his absence, please contact Tiffany Johnson at tiffany.johnson.38@us.af.mil. 2. To assure timely and equitable evaluation of the proposal, the quoter must follow the instructions contained herein. Quoters are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements. Failure to meet a requirement may result in a quote being ineligible for award. Quoters must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. 3. The Contracting Officer has determined there is a high probability of adequate price competition in this acquisition. Upon examination of the initial quotes, the contracting officer will review this determination and if, in the Contracting Officer's opinion, adequate price competition exists, no additional cost information will be requested. However, if at any time during this competition the Contracting Officer determines that adequate price competition no longer exists, vendors may be required to submit information to the extent necessary for the Contracting Officer to determine the reasonableness and affordability of the price. 4. The quote shall consist of three parts: Part I-Price; Part II-Technical Information; and Part III Contract Documentation. a. Part I - Price: Submit on company letterhead the total unit price and total price for CLIN 0001. Prices quoted must be firm fixed-price to include shipping and handling charges based on F.O.B Destination. Quotes received with FOB: Other than Destination will not be considered. b. Part II - Technical/Descriptive Literature: Quoters must submit technical information (descriptive literature/specifications) that adequately demonstrates their quote meets the salient characteristics requirement in contract line item (CLIN) 0001 of this solicitation. A general statement of compliance or restatement of the salient characteristics is insufficient. Warranty information is also required. c. Part III - Contract Documentation: The provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (Jan 2017) and its Alternate I (Alt I) (Oct 2014) must be completed. Quoters are highly encouraged to complete all representations and certifications electronically online at: https://www.sam.gov. If not completed online, 52.212-3 Alt I (included within this solicitation) shall be completed in hard copy and submitted with your quote. The provision at DFARS 252-225-7000, Buy American - Balance of Payment Program Certificate - Basic (Nov 2014) (included within this solicitation) must be completed and returned with quote. Contractors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to conduct business with the Department of Defense. No purchase order can be awarded to any company without this registration (www.sam.gov). The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. 52.212-2 -- Evaluation -- Commercial Items (Oct 2014) (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: I. Meeting salient characteristics (Pass/Fail basis); II. Price; III. Past Performance. (End of Provision) 1. All quotes will initially be reviewed for compliance with the solicitation requirements, as identified in the Instructions to Offerors (addendum to FAR 52.212-1). Quotes that do not comply with the solicitation requirements may not be considered. Quotes that comply with the solicitation requirements will be considered responsive and evaluated as shown below: a. Meeting salient characteristics; b. Price evaluation: The Government shall rank all responsive quotes by price. An award will be made based on the contract line item prices quoted by the vendor. The extended amounts will be added together to determine the total evaluated price. The unit price of the vendor's quote shall control any conflict between the unit price and the extended amount submitted in response to this solicitation. No advantage will accrue to a vendor who quotes an unrealistically low price. The price evaluation will document the reasonableness and affordability of the total evaluated price; c. Past Performance: (i) Past performance will be evaluated IAW DFARS 252.213-7000, Notice to Prospective Suppliers on Use of Past Performance Information Retrieval System-Statistical Reporting in Past Performance Evaluations (June 2015) and IAW FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)(ii)(A) "the contracting officer's knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired.". (ii) PPIRS-SR collects quality and delivery data on previously awarded contracts and orders from existing Department of Defense reporting systems to classify each supplier's performance history. The PPIRS-SR application provides the contracting officer quantifiable past performance information regarding a supplier's quality and delivery performance. The quality and delivery classifications identified for a supplier in PPIRS-SR will be used by the Contracting Officer to evaluate a supplier's past performance in conjunction with the Contracting Officer's knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired. In the case of a supplier without a record of past performance history in PPIRS-SR, the supplier may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably for its past performance history. The Government reserves the right to award to the supplier whose quotation represents the best value to the Government. (iii) PPIRS-SR classifications are generated monthly for each contractor and can be reviewed by following the access instructions in the PPIRS-SR User's Manual found at https://www.ppirs.gov/pdf/PPIRS-SR_UserMan.pdf. Contractors are granted access to PPIRS-SR for their own classifications only. Suppliers are encouraged to review their own classifications. 2. If the lowest price quote passes technically and the quoter has either a favorable or neutral rating in PPIRS-SR, that quote represents the best value for the Government, and the evaluation process shall stop at this point. An award will be based on a best value of price and past performance provided by responsive and technically acceptable quotes. An award will be made to that quoter without further consideration of any other quotes. The evaluation process will continue in this manner until a vendor's quote passes the technical evaluation and has a favorable or neutral past performance rating. If no quotes are considered technically acceptable or all quoters have an unfavorable past performance rating, the solicitation may be canceled. (End of Addendum) 52.212-4 -- Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items (Jan 2017) (a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights -- (1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and (2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item. (b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C.3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract. (c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties. (d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71,Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute to be resolved in accordance with the clause at FAR 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract. (e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference. (f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence. (g) Invoice. (1) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice and three copies (or electronic invoice, if authorized) to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices. An invoice must include -- (i) Name and address of the Contractor; (ii) Invoice date and number; (iii) Contract number, line item number and, if applicable, the order number; (iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered; (v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading; (vi) Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered; (vii) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent; (viii) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and (ix) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Contractor shall include its TIN on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract. (x) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information. (A) The Contractor shall include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract. (B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to be a proper invoice, the Contractor shall have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance with the applicable solicitation provision, contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer- System for Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures. (C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay by EFT. (2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR part 1315. (h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees and agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark or copyright, arising out of the performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and proceedings. (i) Payment. (1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted by the Government that have been delivered to the delivery destinations set forth in this contract. (2) Prompt Payment. The Government will make payment in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315. (3) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). If the Government makes payment by EFT, see 52.212-5(b) for the appropriate EFT clause. (4) Discount. In connection with any discount offered for early payment, time shall be computed from the date of the invoice. For the purpose of computing the discount earned, payment shall be considered to have been made on the date which appears on the payment check or the specified payment date if an electronic funds transfer payment is made. (5) Overpayments. If the Contractor becomes aware of a duplicate contract financing or invoice payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid on a contract financing or invoice payment, the Contractor shall- (i) Remit the overpayment amount to the payment office cited in the contract along with a description of the overpayment including the- (A) Circumstances of the overpayment (e.g., duplicate payment, erroneous payment, liquidation errors, date(s) of overpayment); (B) Affected contract number and delivery order number, if applicable; (C) Affected line item or subline item, if applicable; and (D) Contractor point of contact. (ii) Provide a copy of the remittance and supporting documentation to the Contracting Officer. (6) Interest. (i) All amounts that become payable by the Contractor to the Government under this contract shall bear simple interest from the date due until paid unless paid within 30 days of becoming due. The interest rate shall be the interest rate established by the Secretary of the Treasury as provided in 41 U.S.C. 7109, which is applicable to the period in which the amount becomes due, as provided in (i)(6)(v) of this clause, and then at the rate applicable for each six-month period at fixed by the Secretary until the amount is paid. (ii) The Government may issue a demand for payment to the Contractor upon finding a debt is due under the contract. (iii) Final decisions. The Contracting Officer will issue a final decision as required by 33.211 if- (A) The Contracting Officer and the Contractor are unable to reach agreement on the existence or amount of a debt within 30 days; (B) The Contractor fails to liquidate a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer within the timeline specified in the demand for payment unless the amounts were not repaid because the Contractor has requested an installment payment agreement; or (C) The Contractor requests a deferment of collection on a debt previously demanded by the Contracting Officer (see 32.607-2). (iv) If a demand for payment was previously issued for the debt, the demand for payment included in the final decision shall identify the same due date as the original demand for payment. (v) Amounts shall be due at the earliest of the following dates: (A) The date fixed under this contract. (B) The date of the first written demand for payment, including any demand for payment resulting from a default termination. (vi) The interest charge shall be computed for the actual number of calendar days involved beginning on the due date and ending on- (A) The date on which the designated office receives payment from the Contractor; (B) The date of issuance of a Government check to the Contractor from which an amount otherwise payable has been withheld as a credit against the contract debt; or (C) The date on which an amount withheld and applied to the contract debt would otherwise have become payable to the Contractor. (vii) The interest charge made under this clause may be reduced under the procedures prescribed in 32.608-2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation in effect on the date of this contract. (j) Risk of loss. Unless the contract specifically provides otherwise, risk of loss or damage to the supplies provided under this contract shall remain with the Contractor until, and shall pass to the Government upon: (1) Delivery of the supplies to a carrier, if transportation is f.o.b. origin; or (2) Delivery of the supplies to the Government at the destination specified in the contract, if transportation is f.o.b. destination. (k) Taxes. The contract price includes all applicable Federal, State, and local taxes and duties. (l) Termination for the Government's convenience. The Government reserves the right to terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for its sole convenience. In the event of such termination, the Contractor shall immediately stop all work hereunder and shall immediately cause any and all of its suppliers and subcontractors to cease work. Subject to the terms of this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a percentage of the contract price reflecting the percentage of the work performed prior to the notice of termination, plus reasonable charges the Contractor can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Government using its standard record keeping system, have resulted from the termination. The Contractor shall not be required to comply with the cost accounting standards or contract cost principles for this purpose. This paragraph does not give the Government any right to audit the Contractor's records. The Contractor shall not be paid for any work performed or costs incurred which reasonably could have been avoided. (m) Termination for cause. The Government may terminate this contract, or any part hereof, for cause in the event of any default by the Contractor, or if the Contractor fails to comply with any contract terms and conditions, or fails to provide the Government, upon request, with adequate assurances of future performance. In the event of termination for cause, the Government shall not be liable to the Contractor for any amount for supplies or services not accepted, and the Contractor shall be liable to the Government for any and all rights and remedies provided by law. If it is determined that the Government improperly terminated this contract for default, such termination shall be deemed a termination for convenience. (n) Title. Unless specified elsewhere in this contract, title to items furnished under this contract shall pass to the Government upon acceptance, regardless of when or where the Government takes physical possession. (o) Warranty. The Contractor warrants and implies that the items delivered hereunder are merchantable and fit for use for the particular purpose described in this contract. (p) Limitation of liability. Except as otherwise provided by an express warranty, the Contractor will not be liable to the Government for consequential damages resulting from any defect or deficiencies in accepted items. (q) Other compliances. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this contract. (r) Compliance with laws unique to Government contracts. The Contractor agrees to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1352 relating to limitations on the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts; 18 U.S.C. 431 relating to officials not to benefit; 40 U.S.C. chapter 37, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards; 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, Kickbacks; 41 U.S.C. 4712 and 10 U.S.C. 2409 relating to whistleblower protections; 49 U.S.C. 40118, Fly American; and 41 U.S.C. chapter 21 relating to procurement integrity. (s) Order of precedence. Any inconsistencies in this solicitation or contract shall be resolved by giving precedence in the following order: (1) The schedule of supplies/services. (2) The Assignments, Disputes, Payments, Invoice, Other Compliances, Compliance with Laws Unique to Government Contracts, and Unauthorized Obligations paragraphs of this clause. (3) The clause at 52.212-5. (4) Addenda to this solicitation or contract, including any license agreements for computer software. (5) Solicitation provisions if this is a solicitation. (6) Other paragraphs of this clause. (7) The Standard Form 1449. (8) Other documents, exhibits, and attachments. (9) The specification. (t) System for Award Management (SAM). (1) Unless exempted by an addendum to this contract, the Contractor is responsible during performance and through final payment of any contract for the accuracy and completeness of the data within the SAM database, and for any liability resulting from the Government's reliance on inaccurate or incomplete data. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the Contractor is required to review and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or subsequent updates its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. Updating information in the SAM does not alter the terms and conditions of this contract and is not a substitute for a properly executed contractual document. (2) (i) If a Contractor has legally changed its business name, "doing business as" name, or division name (whichever is shown on the contract), or has transferred the assets used in performing the contract, but has not completed the necessary requirements regarding novation and change-of-name agreements in Subpart 42.12, the Contractor shall provide the responsible Contracting Officer a minimum of one business day's written notification of its intention to: (A) Change the name in the SAM database; (B) Comply with the requirements of Subpart 42.12 of the FAR; (C) Agree in writing to the timeline and procedures specified by the responsible Contracting Officer. The Contractor must provide with the notification sufficient documentation to support the legally changed name. (ii) If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (t)(2)(i) of this clause, or fails to perform the agreement at paragraph (t)(2)(i)(C) of this clause, and, in the absence of a properly executed novation or change-of-name agreement, the SAM information that shows the Contractor to be other than the Contractor indicated in the contract will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the "Suspension of Payment" paragraph of the electronic funds transfer (EFT) clause of this contract. (3) The Contractor shall not change the name or address for EFT payments or manual payments, as appropriate, in the SAM record to reflect an assignee for the purpose of assignment of claims (see FAR Subpart 32.8, Assignment of Claims). Assignees shall be separately registered in the SAM database. Information provided to the Contractor's SAM record that indicates payments, including those made by EFT, to an ultimate recipient other than that Contractor will be considered to be incorrect information within the meaning of the "Suspension of payment" paragraph of the EFT clause of this contract. (4) Offerors and Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via SAM accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov. (u) Unauthorized Obligations. (1) Except as stated in paragraph (u)(2) of this clause, when any supply or service acquired under this contract is subject to any End Use License Agreement (EULA), Terms of Service (TOS), or similar legal instrument or agreement, that includes any clause requiring the Government to indemnify the Contractor or any person or entity for damages, costs, fees, or any other loss or liability that would create an Anti-Deficiency Act violation (31 U.S.C. 1341), the following shall govern: (i) Any such clause is unenforceable against the Government. (ii) Neither the Government nor any Government authorized end user shall be deemed to have agreed to such clause by virtue of it appearing in the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. If the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement is invoked through an "I agree" click box or other comparable mechanism (e.g., "click-wrap" or "browse-wrap" agreements), execution does not bind the Government or any Government authorized end user to such clause. (iii) Any such clause is deemed to be stricken from the EULA, TOS, or similar legal instrument or agreement. (2) Paragraph (u)(1) of this clause does not apply to indemnification by the Government that is expressly authorized by statute and specifically authorized under applicable agency regulations and procedures. (v) Incorporation by reference. The Contractor's representations and certifications, including those completed electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM), are incorporated by reference into the contract. (End of Clause) ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-4(c) CHANGES Text in paragraph (c) is deleted and replaced with the following: Changes in terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties with the exception of certain changes such as administrative changes including changes in paying office, appropriations data, etc. authorized by the Federal Acquisition Regulation and its supplements that may be made unilaterally by the Contracting officer (for a complete list of changes that may be made unilaterally, see FAR 43.103(b)). (End of Addendum) FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEVIATION 2013-O0019) (NOV 2017) (a) Comptroller General Examination of Record. The Contractor shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (a) if this contract was awarded using other than sealed bid, is in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, and does not contain the clause at 52.215-2, Audit and Records -- Negotiation. (1) The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative of the Comptroller General,...