Lawn/Ground Maintenance services for the National Weather Service office in Jacksonville, Florida

COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION Lawn/Ground Maintenance services for the National Weather Service office in Jacksonville, Florida (I) 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 and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (II) This solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). Submit written quotes on RFQ Number 1305M319QNWWP0006DR. (III) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-101(Oct 2018) and NOAA(Deviation 17-02) (Aug 2017). (IV) This solicitation is a total small business set-aside. The associated NAICS code is 561730. The small business size standard is $7.5M. (V) This combined solicitation/synopsis is for purchase of the following commercial services: Line Item 0001 Base Year - Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for groundskeeping - lawn maintenance services at the National Weather Service Office (NWS) in Jacksonville, FL, in accordance with statement of work, which is attached to the Standard Form SF-18, Request for Quote. Qty 12 months. Line Item 1001 - Option Year 1 - Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for groundskeeping - lawn maintenance services at the National Weather Service Office (NWS) in Jacksonville, FL, in accordance with statement of work, which is attached to the Standard Form SF-18, Request for Quote. Qty 12 months. Line Item 2001 Option Year 2 - Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for groundskeeping - lawn maintenance services at the National Weather Service Office (NWS) in Jacksonville, FL, in accordance with statement of work, which is attached to the Standard Form SF-18, Request for Quote. Qty 12 months. Line Item 3001 - Option Year 3 - Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for groundskeeping - lawn maintenance services at the National Weather Service Office (NWS) in Jacksonville, FL, in accordance with statement of work, which is attached to the Standard Form SF-18, Request for Quote. Qty 12 months. Line Item 4001 - Option Year 4 - Services, non-personal, to provide all equipment, labor and materials (unless otherwise provided herein) necessary for groundskeeping - lawn maintenance services at the National Weather Service Office (NWS) in Jacksonville, FL, in accordance with statement of work, which is attached to the Standard Form SF-18, Request for Quote. Qty 12 months. (VI) Description of requirements is as follows: See statement of work which is attached to the SF-18 Request for Quote. Department of Labor Wage Rates: WD 2015-4539, Revision No. 7 dated 07/03/2018 apply to this procurement, which can be found on: www.wdol.gov, applies to the procurement. Copies available upon request. (VII) Date(s) and place(s) of delivery and acceptance: Period of performance: Base Year: 02/01/2019 through 01/31/2020 Option Year 1: 02/01/2020 through 01/31/2021 Option Year 2: 02/01/2021 through 01/31/2022 Option Year 3: 02/01/2022 through 01/31/2023 Option Year 4: 02/01/2023 through 01/31/2024 (VIII) FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (OCT 2018)(Reference), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18. NOTICE TO OFFERORS: Instructions for submitting quotations under this request for quote must be followed. Failure to provide all information to aid in the evaluation may be considered non-responsive. Offers that are nonresponsive may be excluded from further evaluation and rejected without further notification to the offeror. In addition to written price quotes, offers are instructed to provide: 1. Quotes shall be fully executed and returned on the Standard Form (SF) 18 and any acknowledgements of solicitation amendments on the SF 30 (if any are issued). 2. Submit quotations to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the time specified in the solicitation. Email quotes are acceptable and can be sent to contact@example.gov. 3. At a minimum the contractor shall provide the following information: a) Point of contact name, telephone and E-mail address. b) DUNS Number 4. Provide all evaluation criteria in accordance with 52.212-2 in this package. 5. The offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically in System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. CONTRACTORS MUST BE ACTIVE IN SAM IN ORDER FOR QUOTES TO BE ACCEPTABLE. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-RECEIPT OF QUOTES. IT IS THE CONTRACTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION OF THE QUOTE RECEIPT. (IX) 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: 1) Technical Capability/Qualifications: - It is the contractor's responsibility to provide, with the quote, all necessary documentation and/or information for the government to make a determination that all experience and skills are met by the contractor. The offeror must include with the offer package, certification or license for any and all employees that will be handling or applying pesticides in performance of this Statement of Work to be considered for award. 2) Past Performance - quote shall include at least two reference for similar services including a name, the phone number, full address, and email address (if available). The Government will use its discretion to determine the sources of past performance information used in the evaluation, and the information may be obtained from references provided by the offeror, the agency's knowledge of the contractor performance, other government agencies or commercial entities, or past performance databases, and past performance will be based on responsiveness, timeliness, quality, and customer service; and 3) Price. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price order on a best value basis. (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. (End of provision) (X) The clause at FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (OCT 2018), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18 applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18. The offeror shall complete the annual representations and certifications electronically in System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1. (XI) The clause at 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Oct 2018) (Deviation 2017-02)(Aug 2017), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18. (XII) The clause at 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Oct 2018) (Deviation 2017-02) (Aug 2017), applies to this acquisition and is in full text in the RFQ SF-18. (XIII) The following clauses are also applicable to this acquisition: 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ (End of provision) 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998) This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ (End of clause) 52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses (Apr 1984) (a) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the date of the clause. (b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Commerce Acquisition Regulation. (48 CFR 1352) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the name of the regulation. (End of clause) 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation. (Jan 2017)(Reference) 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Oct 2018) 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (JAN 2011)(Reference) 52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification (May 2012)(Referenced) 52.223-2 Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts (Sept 2013)(Reference) 52.223-3 Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data (Jan 1997) - Alternate I (Jul 1995) (Reference) 52.223-5 Pollution Prevention and Right-to-Know Information (May 2011) (Reference) 52.232-18 Availability of Funds (Apr 1984)(Reference) 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Dec 2013)(Reference) 52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and vegetation (Apr 1984)(Reference) 52.208-9 -- Contractor Use of Mandatory Sources of Supply or Services (May 2014) (a) Certain supplies or services to be provided under this contract for use by the Government are required by law to be obtained from nonprofit agencies participating in the program operated by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (the Committee) under 41 U.S.C. 8504. Additionally, certain of these supplies are available from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the General Services Administration (GSA), or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Contractor shall obtain mandatory supplies or services to be provided for Government use under this contract from the specific sources indicated in the contract schedule. (b) The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer if a mandatory source is unable to provide the supplies or services by the time required, or if the quality of supplies or services provided by the mandatory source is unsatisfactory. The Contractor shall not purchase the supplies or services from other sources until the Contracting Officer has notified the Contractor that the Committee or an AbilityOne central nonprofit agency has authorized purchase from other sources. (c) Price and delivery information for the mandatory supplies is available from the Contracting Officer for the supplies obtained through the DLA/GSA/VA distribution facilities. For mandatory supplies or services that are not available from DLA/GSA/VA, price and delivery information is available from the appropriate central nonprofit agency. Payments shall be made directly to the source making delivery. Points of contact for AbilityOne central nonprofit agencies are: (1) National Industries for the Blind (NIB) 1310 Braddock Place Alexandria, VA 22314-1691 +1 (555) 000-0000; and (2) NISH 8401 Old Courthouse Road Vienna, VA 22182 +1 (555) 000-0000. (End of Clause) 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (JULY 1990) Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (End of provision) This includes options under FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, which applies to this solicitation. 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (Nov 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days of the contract period. (End of clause) Inclusion of FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, in the solicitation and resultant contract is for use by the Government as outlined at FAR 37.111, Extension of Services. The option will be exercised as needed at any time during the life of the contract using the rates applicable at the time of exercise. 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000) (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 15 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 15 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years. (End of clause) Department of Commerce (DOC) CAR Clauses FOR FULL TEXT OF COMMERCE ACQUISITION CLAUSE OR PROVISIONS YOU MAY TO GO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=0ff3b424806038599b185d9296e7950e&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&n=pt48.5.1352&r=PART 1352.201-70, Contracting Officer's Authority (Apr 2010) (Reference) 1352.209-73 Compliance With the Laws (Apr 2010) (Reference) 1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest (Apr 2010) (Reference) 1352.237-71 Security processing requirements - low risk contracts (Apr 2010) (Reference) 1352.233-70 Agency Protests (Apr 2010) (a) An agency protest may be filed with either: (1) the contracting officer, or (2) at a level above the contracting officer, with the appropriate agency Protest Decision Authority. See 64 Fed. Reg. 16,651 (April 6, 1999) (b) Agency protests filed with the Contracting Officer shall be sent to the following address: Suzanne Romberg-Garrett Contracting Officer Western Acquisitions Division 325 Broadway, SOU6 Boulder, CO 80305-3328 FAX: +1 (555) 000-0000 (c) Agency protests filed with the agency Protest Decision Authority shall be sent to the following address: Barry Berkowitz Senior Procurement Executive and Director, Office of Acquisition Management U.S. Department of Commerce Room 6422 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington DC 20230 FAX: +1 (555) 000-0000 (d) A complete copy of all agency protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel within one day of filing a protest with either the Contracting Officer or the Protest Decision Authority. (c) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows: U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the General Counsel Chief, Contract Law Division Room 5893 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20230. FAX: +1 (555) 000-0000 (End of clause) 1352.233-71 GAO and Court of Federal Claims protests (Apr 2010) (a) A protest may be filed with either the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Court of Federal Claims unless an agency protest has been filed. (b) A complete copy of all GAO or Court of Federal Claims protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon (i) the Contracting Officer, and (ii) the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel, within one day of filing a protest with either GAO or the Court of Federal Claims. (c) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows: U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the General Counsel Chief, Contract Law Division Room 5893 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20230. FAX: +1 (555) 000-0000 (End of clause) 1352.237-71 Security Processing Requirements-Low Risk Contracts (APR 2010) (a) Investigative Requirements for Low Risk Contracts. All contractor (and subcontractor) personnel proposed to be employed under a Low Risk contract shall undergo security processing by the Department's Office of Security before being eligible to work on the premises of any Department of Commerce owned, leased, or controlled facility in the United States or overseas, or to obtain access to a Department of Commerce IT system. All Department of Commerce security processing pertinent to this contract will be conducted at no cost to the contractor. (b) Investigative requirements for Non-IT Service Contracts are: (1) Contracts more than 180 days-National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI). (2) Contracts less than 180 days-Special Agency Check (SAC). (c) Investigative requirements for IT Service Contracts are: (1) Contracts more than 180 days-National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI). (2) Contracts less than 180 days-National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI). (d) In addition to the investigations noted above, non-U.S. citizens must have a background check that includes an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency check. (e) Additional Requirements for Foreign Nationals (Non-U.S. Citizens). Non-U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) to be employed under this contract within the United States must have: (1) Official legal status in the United States; (2) Continuously resided in the United States for the last two years; and (3) Obtained advance approval from the servicing Security Officer in consultation with the Office of Security headquarters. (f) DOC Security Processing Requirements for Low Risk Non-IT Service Contracts. Processing requirements for Low Risk non-IT Service Contracts are as follows: (1) Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed in Low Risk non-IT service contracts for more than 180 days. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF-85. The contract employee must also complete fingerprinting. (2) Contract employees employed in Low Risk non-IT service contracts for less than 180 days require processing of Form OFI-86C Special Agreement Check (SAC), to be processed. The Sponsor will forward a completed Form OFI-86C, FD-258, Fingerprint Chart, and Credit Release Authorization to the servicing Security Officer, who will send the investigative packet to the Office of Personnel Management for processing. (3) Any contract employee with a favorable SAC who remains on the contract over 180 days will be required to have a NACI conducted to continue working on the job site. (4) For Low Risk non-IT service contracts, the scope of the SAC will include checks of the Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII), other agency files (INVA), Defense Clearance Investigations Index (DCII), FBI Fingerprint (FBIF), and the FBI Information Management Division (FBIN). (5) In addition, for those individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents), the Sponsor may request a Customs Enforcement SAC on Form OFI-86C, by checking Block #7, Item I. In Block 13, the Sponsor should enter the employee's Alien Registration Receipt Card number to aid in verification. (6) Copies of the appropriate forms can be obtained from the Sponsor or the Office of Security. Upon receipt of the required forms, the Sponsor will forward the forms to the servicing Security Officer. The Security Officer will process the forms and advise the Sponsor and the Contracting Officer whether the contract employee can commence work prior to completion of the suitability determination based on the type of work and risk to the facility ( i.e. , adequate controls and restrictions are in place). The Sponsor will notify the contractor of favorable or unfavorable findings of the suitability determinations. The Contracting Officer will notify the contractor of an approved contract start date. (g) Security Processing Requirements for Low Risk IT Service Contracts. Processing of a NACI is required for all contract employees employed under Low Risk IT service contracts. (1) Contract employees employed in all Low Risk IT service contracts will require a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) to be processed. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will invite the prospective contractor into e-QIP to complete the SF-85. Fingerprints and a Credit Release Authorization must be completed within three working days from start of work, and provided to the Servicing Security Officer, who will forward the investigative package to OPM. (2) For Low Risk IT service contracts, individuals who are not U.S. citizens (lawful permanent residents) must undergo a NACI that includes an agency check conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service. The Sponsor must request the ICE check as a part of the NAC. (h) Notification of Disqualifying Information. If the Office of Security receives disqualifying information on a contract employee, the Sponsor and Contracting Officer will be notified. The Sponsor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer for the immediate removal of the employee from duty requiring access to Departmental facilities or IT systems. Contract employees may be barred from working on the premises of a facility for any of the following reasons: (1) Conviction of a felony crime of violence or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. (2) Falsification of information entered on security screening forms or of other documents submitted to the Department. (3) Improper conduct once performing on the contract, including criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct or other conduct prejudicial to the Government regardless of whether the conduct was directly related to the contract. (4) Any behavior judged to pose a potential threat to Departmental information systems, personnel, property, or other assets. (i) Failure to comply with security processing requirements may result in termination of the contract or removal of contract employees from Department of Commerce facilities or denial of access to IT systems. (j) Access to National Security Information. Compliance with these requirements shall not be construed as providing a contract employee clearance to have access to national security information. (k) The contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph, in all subcontracts. (End of clause) 1330-52.237-72 CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO NOAA FACILITIES (SEPT 2017) (a)(1) The performance of this contract requires employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members ("contractor employees") to have access to and to the extent authorized, mobility within, a NOAA facility. (2) NOAA may close and or otherwise deny contractor employees access to a NOAA facility for a portion of a business day or longer for various reasons including, but not limited, to the following events: (i) Federal public holidays for federal employees in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 6103; (ii) Fires, floods, earthquakes, and unusually severe weather, including but not limited to snow storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes; (iii) Occupational safety or health hazards; (iv) Lapse in Appropriations; or (v) Federal Statute, Executive Order, Presidential Proclamation, or any other unforeseen reason. (3) In such events, the contractor employees may be denied access to a NOAA facility that is ordinarily available for the contractor to perform work or make delivery, as required by the contract. (b) In all instances where contractors are denied access or required to vacate a NOAA facility, in part or in whole, the contractor shall be responsible to ensure contractor personnel working under the contract comply. If the circumstances permit, the contracting officer will provide direction to the contractor, either directly or through the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), which could include continuing on-site performance during the NOAA facility closure period; however, if Government oversight is required and is not available, on-site performance shall not be allowed. In the absence of such direction, the contractor shall exercise sound judgment to minimize unnecessary contract costs and performance impacts, for example, performing required work off-site if possible or reassigning personnel to other activities if appropriate. (c) The contractor shall be responsible for monitoring the Office of Personnel Management at www.opm.gov, the local radio, television stations, NOAA web sites, and other communication channels. Once the facility is accessible, the contractor shall resume contract performance as required by the contract. (d) For the period that NOAA facilities were not accessible to contractors who required access in order to perform the services, the contracting officer may- (1) Adjust the contract performance or delivery schedule for a period equivalent to the period the NOAA facility was not accessible; (2) Forego the work; or (3) Reschedule the work by mutual agreement of the parties. (e) Notification procedures of a NOAA facility closure, including contractor denial of access, are as follows: (1) The contractor shall be responsible for notification of its employees of the NOAA facility closure to include denial of access to the NOAA facility. The dismissal of NOAA employees in accordance with statute and regulations providing for such dismissals shall not, in itself, equate to a NOAA facility closure in which contractors are denied access. Moreover, the leave status of NOAA employees shall not be conveyed or imputed to contractor personnel. Accordingly, unless a NOAA facility is closed and the contractor is denied access to the facility, the contractor shall continue performance in accordance with the contract. (2) Access to Government facilities and resources, including equipment and systems, will be limited and personnel necessary to administer contract performance may not be available. Generally, supply and service contracts that are funded beyond the date of the lapse in appropriation and do not require access to Government facilities, active administration by Government personnel or the use of government resources in a manner that would cause the government to incur additional obligations during the lapse in appropriation may continue. If a delivery date for a contract falls during the period of a lapse in appropriations, Government personnel may not be available to receive delivery. Contractors are directed to consult with a contracting officer before attempting to make a delivery. Contracting officers will be available throughout the lapse in appropriation period to provide guidance. Once OMB guidance is given, CORs, in consultation with the contracting officer, will notify those contractors that are deemed by the Program Office to be performing excepted work and identify the contractor personnel requiring access to NOAA facilities. CORs will also coordinate with directly with facility management or physical security personnel at respective locations to ensure that the names of contractor personnel requiring access to government facilities during the lapse in appropriations are provided to physical security personnel. Contractors who are not designated as performing excepted work are not allowed access to Government facilities or to utilize government resources in a manner that would incur any additional obligation of funding on behalf of the government during the lapse in appropriation. (3) Unless otherwise specified within the contract award, contractors requiring access to NOAA facilities outside normal business hours or outside the normal workweek shall submit a written request in writing through the COR to the contracting officer. The written request shall provide justification supporting the required access and be submitted ________ hours/days (contracting officer insert number of days. If blank, 72 hours applies) before access to the NOAA facility is needed. (End of Solicitation and Contract Language) 1330-52.222-70 NOAA SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE POLICY (MAY 2018) (a) Definitions. Contractor Employees - The term "contractor employees," as used in this solicitation and contract language, refers to employees of the prime contractor or its subcontractors, affiliates, consultants, or team members. Sexual Assault - The term sexual assault, as used in this solicitation and contract language, means any conduct proscribed by state or federal sexual abuse laws, including, but not limited to, those defined in chapter 109A of title 18 of the U.S. Code (sexual abuse), and assaults committed both by offenders who are strangers to the victim and by offenders who are known or related by blood or marriage to the victim. Sexual Harassment - As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any of the following are true: - Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of an individual's employment; - Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; - The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. The main characteristics of sexual harassment are that the harasser's conduct is targeted against the recipient's sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and is unwelcome to the recipient. It may include, but is not limited to: offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, undue attention, physical assaults or threats, unwelcome touching or contact, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, constant or unwelcome questions about an individual's identity, and offensive objects or pictures. (b) Requirements. 1. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that contractor employees maintain the highest degree of conduct and standards in performance of the con...