U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Email Updates Font Size Print Download Reader

Part 352--Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses

HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR)

Sections on this page:

Subpart 352.1--Instructions for Using Provisions and Clauses
- 352.100 Scope of subpart.
  - 352.101-70 Application of provisions and clauses.
Subpart 352.2--Texts of Provisions and Clauses

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 40 U.S.C. 121(c)(2).

[Changed by APM 2010-01]

[Changed by FAC 2005-45]

[Technical Correction 09-2010]

Subpart 352.1--Instructions for Using Provisions and Clauses

352.100 Scope of subpart.

This subpart provides guidance for applying HHS provisions and clauses in solicitations, contracts, and orders.

352.101-70 Application of provisions and clauses.

(a) Unless otherwise qualified (e.g., by the type of contract contemplated, the nature of the requirement, or dollar amount) in a prescription for a solicitation provision or contract clause specified in Part 352 or elsewhere in the HHSAR, the term “contract” means—

(1) An award, including modifications thereunder, that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, including a task order or delivery order, whether placed under a GSA FSS contract, an IDIQ contract, a GWAC, or a BPA, and a purchase order placed under the authority of FAR subpart 13.5); and

(2) A bilateral award – i.e., when both the Contracting Officer and the contractor sign the award document, that exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but which does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(b) When the term “order” is specified in a prescription for a solicitation provision or order clause, it means an order that exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but which does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, except those bilateral awards specified in (a)(2) above.

(c) If a clause is included in the master instrument (e.g., in an IDIQ contract or a BPA), it is not necessary to also include the clause in a task order or delivery order thereunder.

(d) When a dollar amount or dollar threshold is specified (e.g., $25 million or simplified acquisition threshold), the dollar amount of the award (contract or order) includes any options thereunder.

Subpart 352.2--Texts of Provisions and Clauses

352.201-70 Paperwork Reduction Act.

As prescribed in 301.106(c), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Paperwork Reduction Act (January 2006)

(a) This contract involves a requirement to collect or record information calling either for answers to identical questions from 10 or more persons other than Federal employees, or information from Federal employees which is outside the scope of their employment, for use by the Federal government or disclosure to third parties; therefore, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C 3501 et seq.) shall apply to this contract. No plan, questionnaire, interview guide or other similar device for collecting information (whether repetitive or single time) may be used without the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) first providing clearance. Contractors and the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative shall be guided by the provisions of 5 CFR Part 1320, Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public, and seek the advice of the HHS operating division or Office of the Secretary Reports Clearance Officer to determine the procedures for acquiring OMB clearance.

(b) The Contractor shall not expend any funds or begin any data collection until OMB Clearance is received. Once OMB Clearance is received from the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative, the Contracting Officer shall provide the Contractor with written notification authorizing the expenditure of funds and the collection of data. The Contractor shall allow at least 120 days for OMB clearance. The Contracting Officer will consider excessive delays caused by the Government which arise out of causes beyond the control and without the fault or negligence of the Contractor in accordance with the Excusable Delays or Default clause of this contract.

(End of clause)

352.202-1 Definitions.

As prescribed in FAR 2.201, the Contracting Officer shall insert the clause in FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, as revised by 302.201:

Definitions (January 2006)

(a) In accordance with 52.202–1(a)(1), substitute the following as paragraph (a):

‘‘(a) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ or ‘‘Head of the Agency’’ (also called ‘‘Agency Head’’) means the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, Administrator or Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services; and the term ‘‘his/her duly authorized representative’’ means any person, persons, or board authorized to act for the Secretary.’’

(b) In accordance with 52.202–1(a)(1), add the following paragraph (h):

‘‘(h) The term ‘‘Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative” means the person who monitors the technical aspects of contract performance. The Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative is not authorized to issue any instructions or directions which cause any increase or decrease in the Statement of Work/Performance Work Statement/Specifications which would result in the increase or decrease in the price of this contract, or changes in the delivery schedule or period of performance of this contract. If applicable, the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative is not authorized to receive or act upon any notification or revised cost estimate provided by the Contractor in accordance with the Limitation of Cost or Limitation of Funds clauses of this contract.’’

352.203-70 Anti-lobbying.

As prescribed in 303.808-70, the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Anti-Lobbying (January 2006)

Pursuant to the current HHS annual appropriations act, except for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, the Contractor shall not use any HHS contract funds for (i) publicity or propaganda purposes; (ii) the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television or video presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or any State legislature, except in presentation to the Congress or any State legislature itself; or (iii) payment of salary or expenses of the Contractor, or any agent acting for the Contractor, related to any activity designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress or any State legislature.

(End of clause)

352.215-1 Instructions to offerors--competitive acquisition.

As prescribed in 315.209, the Contracting Officer shall insert the following paragraph (e) in the provision in FAR 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisition:

(e) Restriction on disclosure and use of data.

(1) The proposal submitted in response to this request may contain data (trade secrets; business data (e.g., commercial information, financial information, cost and pricing data); and technical data) which the offeror, including its prospective subcontractor(s), does not want used or disclosed for any purpose other than for evaluation of the proposal. The use and disclosure of any data may be so restricted; provided, that the Government determines that the data is not required to be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, and the offeror marks the cover sheet of the proposal with the following statements, specifying the particular portions of the proposal which are to be restricted:

‘‘Unless disclosure is required by the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, (the Act) as determined by Freedom of Information (FOI) officials of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), data contained in the portions of this proposal which the offeror has specifically identified by page number, paragraph, etc. as containing restricted information shall not be used or disclosed except for evaluation purposes.

The offeror acknowledges that HHS may not be able to withhold a record (e.g., data, document, etc.) nor deny access to a record requested pursuant to the Act and that the HHS’ FOI officials must make that determination. The offeror hereby agrees that the Government is not liable for disclosure if HHS has determined that disclosure is required by the Act.

If a contract is awarded to the offeror as a result of, or in connection with, the submission of this proposal, the Government shall have the right to use or disclose the data to the extent provided in the contract. Proposals not resulting in a contract remain subject to the Act.

The offeror also agrees that the Government is not liable for disclosure or use of unmarked data and may use or disclose the data for any purpose, including the release of the information pursuant to requests under the Act. The data subject to this restriction are contained in pages (insert page numbers, paragraph designations, etc. or other identification).’’

(2) In addition, the offeror must mark each page of data it wishes to restrict with the following statement:

‘‘Use or disclosure of data contained on this page is subject to the restriction on the cover sheet of this proposal or quotation.’’

(3) Offerors are cautioned that proposals submitted with restrictive statements or statements differing in substance from those cited above may not be considered for award. The Government reserves the right to reject any proposal submitted with nonconforming statement(s).

352.215-70 Late proposals and revisions.

As prescribed in 315.208, the Contracting Officer shall insert the following provision:

Late Proposals and Revisions (January 2006)

Notwithstanding the procedures contained in FAR 52.215-1(c)(3) of the provision of this solicitation entitled Instructions to Offerors – Competitive Acquisition, the Government may consider a proposal received after the date specified for receipt if it appears to offer the best value to the Government and it was received before proposals were distributed for evaluation, or within 5 calendar days after the exact time specified for receipt, whichever is earlier.

(End of provision)

352.216-70 Additional cost principles.

As prescribed in 316.307(j), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Additional Cost Principles (January 2006)

(a) Bid and proposal (B & P) costs.

(1) B & P costs are the immediate costs of preparing bids, proposals, and applications for potential federal and non-federal contracts, grants, and agreements, including the development of scientific, cost, and other data needed to support the bids, proposals, and applications.

(2) B & P costs of the current accounting period are allowable as indirect costs.

(3) B & P costs of past accounting periods are unallowable in the current period. However, if the organization's established practice is to treat these costs by some other method, they may be accepted if they are found to be reasonable and equitable.

(4) B & P costs do not include independent research and development (IR & D) costs covered by the following paragraph, or pre-award costs covered by paragraph 36 of Attachment B to OMB Circular A-122.

(b) IR & D costs.

(1) IR & D is research and development conducted by an organization which is not sponsored by federal or non-federal contracts, grants, or other agreements.

(2) IR & D shall be allocated its proportionate share of indirect costs on the same basis as the allocation of indirect costs to sponsored research and development.

(3) The cost of IR & D, including its proportionate share of indirect costs, is unallowable.

(End of clause)

352.219-70 Mentor-protege program.

As prescribed in 319.270-1(a), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following provision:

Mentor-Protege Program (January 2010)

(a) Large business prime contractors serving as mentors in the HHS Mentor- Protege program are eligible for HHS subcontracting plan credit, and shall submit a copy of their HHS Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)-approved mentor-protege agreements as part of their offers. The amount of credit provided by the Contracting Officer to a mentor firm for protege firm developmental assistance costs shall be calculated on a dollar for dollar basis and reported by the mentor firm in the Summary Subcontract Report via the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) at www.esrs.gov. The mentor firm and protege firm shall submit to the Contracting Officer a signed joint statement agreeing on the dollar value of the developmental assistance the mentor firm provided. (For example, a mentor firm would report a $10,000 subcontract awarded to a protege firm and provision of $5,000 of developmental assistance as $15,000 of developmental assistance.) The mentor firm may use this additional credit towards attaining its subcontracting plan participation goal under this contract.

(b) The program consists of—

(1) Mentor firms – large businesses that: (i) demonstrate the interest, commitment, and capability to provide developmental assistance to small business protege firms; and (ii) have a Mentor-Protege agreement approved by HHS’ OSDBU;

(2) Protege firms – firms that: (i) seek developmental assistance; (i) qualify as small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, or woman-owned businesses; and (iii) have a Mentor-Protege agreement approved by HHS’ OSDBU; and

(3) Mentor-Protege agreements – joint agreements, approved by HHS’ OSDBU, which detail the specific terms, conditions, and responsibilities of the mentor-protege relationship.

(End of provision)

352.219-71 Mentor-protege program reporting requirements.

As prescribed in 319.270-1(b), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Mentor-Protege Program Reporting Requirements (January 2010)

The Contractor shall comply with all reporting requirements specified in its Mentor-Protege agreement approved by HHS’ OSDBU.

(End of clause)

352.222-70 Contractor cooperation in equal employment opportunity investigations.

As prescribed in 322.810(h), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (January 2010)

(a) In addition to complying with the clause in FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, the Contractor shall, in good faith, cooperate with the Department of Health and Human Services (Agency) in investigations of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints processed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. Part 1614. For purposes of this clause, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Complaint” means a formal or informal complaint that has been lodged with Agency management, Agency EEO officials, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or a court of competent jurisdiction.

(2) “Contractor employee” means all current Contractor employees who work or worked under this contract. The term also includes current employees of subcontractors who work or worked under this contract. In the case of Contractor and subcontractor employees, who worked under this contract, but who are no longer employed by the Contractor or subcontractor, or who have been assigned to another entity within the Contractor’s or subcontractor’s organization, the Contractor shall provide the Agency with that employee’s last known mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number, if that employee has been identified as a witness in an EEO complaint or investigation.

(3) “Good faith cooperation” cited in paragraph (a) includes, but is not limited to, making Contractor employees available for: (i) formal and informal interviews by EEO counselors or other Agency officials processing EEO complaints; (ii) formal or informal interviews by EEO investigators charged with investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination filed by federal employees; (iii) reviewing and signing appropriate affidavits or declarations summarizing statements provided by such Contractor employees during the course of EEO investigations; (iv) producing documents requested by EEO counselors, EEO investigators, Agency employees, or the EEOC in connection with a pending EEO complaint; and (v) preparing for and providing testimony in hearings before the EEOC and U.S. District Court.

(b) The Contractor shall include the provisions of this clause in all subcontract solicitations and subcontracts awarded at any tier under this contract.

(c) Failure on the part of the Contractor or its subcontractors to comply with the terms of this clause may be grounds for the Contracting Officer to terminate this contract for default.

(End of clause)

352.223-70 Safety and health.

As prescribed in 323.7002(a), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Safety and Health (January 2006)

(a) To help ensure the protection of the life and health of all persons, and to help prevent damage to property, the Contractor shall comply with all federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to the work being performed under this contract. These laws are implemented or enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory/enforcement agencies at the federal, State, and local levels.

(1) In addition, the Contractor shall comply with the following regulations when developing and implementing health and safety operating procedures and practices for both personnel and facilities involving the use or handling of hazardous materials and the conduct of research, development, or test projects:

(i) 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens; 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories; and other applicable occupational health and safety standards issued by OSHA and included in 29 CFR Part 1910. These regulations are available at http://www.osha.gov/.

(ii) Nuclear Regulatory Commission Standards and Regulations, pursuant to the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.). The Contractor may obtain copies from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001.

(2) The following Government guidelines are recommended for developing and implementing health and safety operating procedures and practices for both personnel and facilities:

(i) Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, CDC. This publication is available at http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/index.htm.

(ii) Prudent Practices for Safety in Laboratories (1995), National Research Council, National Academy Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055 (ISBN 0–309–05229– 7). This publication is available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/4911.html.

(b) Further, the Contractor shall take or cause to be taken additional safety measures as the Contracting Officer, in conjunction with the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative or other appropriate officials, determines to be reasonably necessary. If compliance with these additional safety measures results in an increase or decrease in the cost or time required for performance of any part of work under this contract, the Contracting Officer will make an equitable adjustment in accordance with the applicable ‘‘Changes’’ clause set forth in this contract.

(c) The Contractor shall maintain an accurate record of, and promptly report to the Contracting Officer, all accidents or incidents resulting in the exposure of persons to toxic substances, hazardous materials or hazardous operations; the injury or death of any person; or damage to property incidental to work performed under the contract and all violations for which the Contractor has been cited by any federal, State or local regulatory/enforcement agency. The report shall include a copy of the notice of violation and the findings of any inquiry or inspection, and an analysis addressing the impact these violations may have on the work remaining to be performed. The report shall also state the required action(s), if any, to be taken to correct any violation(s) noted by the federal, State or local regulatory/enforcement agency and the time frame allowed by the agency to accomplish the necessary corrective action.

(d) If the Contractor fails or refuses to comply with the federal, State or local regulatory/enforcement agency’s directive(s) regarding any violation(s) and prescribed corrective action(s), the Contracting Officer may issue an order stopping all or part of the work until satisfactory corrective action (as approved by the federal, State or local regulatory/enforcement agencies) has been taken and documented to the Contracting Officer. No part of the time lost due to any stop work order shall be subject to a claim for extension of time or costs or damages by the Contractor.

(e) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause in each subcontract involving toxic substances, hazardous materials, or hazardous operations. The Contractor is responsible for the compliance of its subcontractors with the provisions of this clause.

(End of clause)

352.224-70 Privacy Act.

As prescribed in 324.103(b)(2), the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Privacy Act (January 2006)

This contract requires the Contractor to perform one or more of the following:
(a) design; (b) develop; or (c) operate a federal agency system of records to accomplish an agency function in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (Act) [5 U.S.C. 552a(m)(1)] and applicable agency regulations. The term ‘‘system of records’’ means a group of any records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual. Violations of the Act by the Contractor and/or its employees may result in the imposition of criminal penalties [5 U.S.C. 552a(i)]. The Contractor shall ensure that each of its employees knows the prescribed rules of conduct and that each employee is aware that he/she is subject to criminal penalties for violation of the Act to the same extent as Department of Health and Human Services employees. These provisions also apply to all subcontracts the Contractor awards under this contract which require the design, development or operation of the designated system(s) of records [5 U.S.C. 552a(m)(1)]. The contract work statement: (a) identifies the system(s) of records and the design, development, or operation work the Contractor is to perform; and (b) specifies the disposition to be made of such records upon completion of contract performance.

(End of clause)

352.227-70 Publications and publicity.

As prescribed in 327.404-70, the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause:

Publications and Publicity (January 2006)

(a) Unless otherwise specified in this contract, the Government encourages the Contractor to publish the results of its work under this contract. A copy of each article the Contractor submits for publication shall be promptly sent to the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative. The Contractor shall also inform the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative when the article or other publication is published, and furnish a copy of it as finally published.

(b) Unless authorized by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative, the Contractor shall not display the HHS logo on any publications.

(End of clause)

352.228-7 Insurance – liability to third persons.

As prescribed in 328.311-2, the Contracting Officer shall insert the following clause and either Alternate I or II, as appropriate:

Insurance--Liability to Third Persons (December 1991)

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) immediately following, or in paragraph (h) of this clause [if the clause has a paragraph (h)], the Contractor shall provide and maintain workers' compensation, employer's liability, comprehensive general liability (bodily injury), comprehensive automobile liability (bodily injury and property damage) insurance, and such other insurance as the Contracting Officer may require under this contract.

(2) The Contractor may, with the approval of the Contracting Officer, maintain a self-insurance program; provided that, with respect to workers' compensation, the Contractor is qualified pursuant to statutory authority.

(3) All insurance required by this paragraph shall be in form and amount and for those periods as the Contracting Officer may require or approve and with insurers approved by the Contracting Officer.

(b) The Contractor agrees to submit for the Contracting Officer's approval, to the extent and in the manner required by the Contracting Officer, any other insurance that is maintained by the Contractor in connection with performance of this contract and for which the Contractor seeks reimbursement.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this clause [if the clause has a paragraph (h)], the Contractor shall be reimbursed—
(1) For that portion of the reasonable cost of insurance allocable to this contract, and required or approved under this clause; and

(2) For certain liabilities (and expenses incidental to such liabilities) to third persons not compensated by insurance or otherwise within the funds available under the Limitation of Cost or the Limitation of Funds clause of this contract. These liabilities must arise out of the performance of this contract, whether or not caused by the negligence of the Contractor or the Contractor's agents, servants, or employees, and must be represented by final judgments or settlements approved in writing by the Government. These liabilities are for—

(i) Loss of or damage to property (other than property owned, occupied, or used by the Contractor, rented to the Contractor, or in the care, custody, or control of the Contractor); or
(ii) Death or bodily injury.

(d) The Government’s liability under paragraph (c) of this clause is limited to the amounts reflected in final judgments, or settlements approved in writing by the Government, but in no event to exceed the funds available under the Limitation of Cost or Limitation of Funds clause of this contract. Nothing in this contract shall be construed as implying that, at a later date, the Government will request, or the Congress will appropriate, funds sufficient to meet any deficiencies.

(e) The Government shall not reimburse the Contractor for liabilities (and expenses incidental to such liabilities)—

      (1) For which the Contractor is otherwise responsible under the express terms of any clause specified in the Schedule or elsewhere in the contract;
      (2) For which the Contractor has failed to insure or to maintain insurance as required by the Contracting Officer; or
      (3) That result from willful misconduct or lack of good faith on the part of the Contractor's directors, officers, managers, superintendents, or other representatives who have supervision or direction of —
            (i) All or substantially all of the Contractor's business;

(ii) All or substantially all of the Contractor's operations at any one plant or separate location in which this contract is being performed; or

(iii) A separate and complete major industrial operation in connection with the performance of this contract.

(f) The provisions of paragraph (e) of this clause shall not restrict the right of the Contractor to be reimbursed for the cost of insurance maintained by the Contractor in connection with the performance of this contract, other than insurance required in accordance with this clause; provided, that such cost is allowable under the Allowable Cost and Payment clause of this contract.

(g) If any suit or action is filed or any claim is made against the Contractor, the cost and expense of which may be reimbursable to the Contractor under this contract, and the risk of which is then uninsured or is insured for less than the amount claimed, the Contractor shall—

(1) Immediately notify the Contracting Officer and promptly furnish copies of all pertinent papers received;

(2) Authorize Government representatives to collaborate with counsel for the insurance carrier in settling or defending the claim when the amount of the liability claimed exceeds the amount of coverage; and

(3) Authorize Government representatives to settle or defend the claim and to represent the Contractor in or to take charge of any litigation, if required by the Government, when the liability is not insured or covered by the bond. The Contractor may, at its own expense, be associated with the Government representatives in any such claim or litigation.

(End of clause)

Alternate I (April 1984). If the successful offeror represents in its offer that it is partially immune from tort liability as a State agency, the Contracting Officer shall add the following paragraph (h) to the basic clause:
(h) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (c) of this clause—

(1) The Government does not assume any liability to third persons, nor will the Government reimburse the Contractor for its liability to third persons, with respect to loss due to death, bodily injury, or damage to property resulting in any way from the performance of this contract or any subcontract under this contract; and

(2) The Contractor need not provide or maintain insurance coverage as required by paragraph (a) of this clause; provided, that the Contractor may obtain any insurance coverage deemed necessary, subject to approval by the Contracting Officer as to form, amount, and duration. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for the cost of such insurance and, to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, for liabilities to third persons for which the Contractor has obtained insurance coverage as provided in this paragraph, but for which such coverage is insufficient in amount.

(End of clause)

Alternate II (April 1984). If the successful offeror represents in its offer that it is totally immune from tort liability as a State agency, the Contracting Officer shall substitute the following paragraphs (a) and (b) for paragraphs (a) and (b) of the basic clause:

(a) The Government does not assume any liability to third persons, nor will the Government reimburse the Contractor for its liability to third persons, with respect to loss due to death, bodily injury, or damage to property resulting in any way from the performance of this contract or any subcontract under this contract.

(b) If any suit or action is filed, or if any claim is made against the Contractor, the cost and expense of which may be reimbursable to the Contractor under this contract, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer and promptly furnish copies of all pertinent papers received by the Contractor. The Contractor shall, if Government requires, authorize Government representatives to settle or defend the claim and to represent the Contractor in or take charge of any litigation. The Contractor may, at its own expense, be associated with the Government representatives in any such claims or litigation.

(End of clause)

Go to:

Subpart 352 Additional Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses:
- 352.231-70 through 352.239-73
- 352.242-70 through 352.270-9
Detailed Table of Contents
Division of Acquisition