C05_Questions_127EAV26Q0121 Mowing 9.10.26.pdf

Questions Mowing Contract

1. The attached Service Contract Labor Standards wage determination appears to be WD2015-5113, Revision 30, for Garland County, Arkansas, while the place of performance is Stuttgart in Arkansas County.

The USDA will utilize Wage Determinations 2015-5133- Revision 32, 8/12/2026

2. The SOW says the Government has not determined the square footage and that Figure 1 is only roughly to scale. Since the September 4 update makes the site visit optional, can USDA provide an authoritative acreage, GIS/KML boundary, or other measurable site data for the mowing area? At this time, USDA does not have an authoritative acreage measurement. There are approximately 6 acres minus the area occupied by buildings, parking lots and structures.

3. Please confirm whether 24 sessions per contract year—once weekly during April through September—is the complete estimated quantity, and how weather-caused postponements or missed weeks will be handled. If a scheduled mowing session is missed due to weather, the contractor will resume at the next feasible opportunity during that week.

4. Please confirm whether fallen-limb removal is limited to normal incidental limbs manageable by the mowing crew, and whether storm-damaged trees or large limbs would be separately authorized work. Fallen‑limb removal is limited to normal incidental limbs that the mowing crew can safely handle as part of routine grounds maintenance. Storm‑damaged trees, large fallen limbs, or other hazardous debris would not be included and would require separately authorized work.

5. Please confirm that the Government furnishes mulch and that the contractor is responsible only for placing it during the 24 mowing sessions, with no separately priced flower-bed maintenance line item. Mulching will be removed from the SOW

6. The SOW states that the proposal should be in Microsoft Word and the cost breakdown in Excel. Please confirm the complete controlling submission package, including whether a signed SF 1449 and completed Schedule of Items are also required. A signed SF 1449 and Schedule of Items (SOI) are required for the submission package. The Schedule of Items (PDF or Excel Format).

7. The SOW states that flower beds will periodically require mulching as needed and that mulch will be provided by the Government. Should the contractor include all mulching labor in the mowing-session CLIN pricing? If so, is there an estimated frequency or quantity of flower-bed mulching that offerors should assume for pricing? Mulching will be removed from the SOW.

8. The SOW states that the proposal will be presented in MS Word and the cost breakdown/ analysis in MS Excel, while the Instructions to Offerors require the completed and signed Schedule of Items and SF 1449. Please confirm whether a separate Word technical proposal and Excel cost breakdown are required in addition to the signed SF 1449/Schedule of Items, and if so, whether there is a required format or level of detail.

A separate technical proposal is not required. Please submit a signed SF 1449 and Schedule of Items. The Schedule of Items (PDF or Excel Format).

9. Each annual CLIN identifies 24 mowing sessions, generally one time per week from April through September. Please confirm whether the Government expects exactly 24 mowing sessions per contract year and whether any services beyond those 24 sessions would be separately authorized and compensated. No more than 24 sessions are excepted.

10. I have a question a subcontractor does not have to be on the ground 24/7. But able to be contacted. Contractors and subcontractors are not expected to or required to be onsite 24/7, only during periods of authorized work.

11. Please confirm whether labor for placement of Government-furnished mulch must be included in the all-inclusive per-visit price, or whether mulch installation may be priced separately on a per-cubic-yard basis when requested? Mulching will be removed from the SOW.

12. I currently have 1 employee and is not required to carry workers compensation under Arkansas employee count threshold please confirm weather workers’ compensation coverage is required for my company as a subcontractor under this solicitation, and if so, please provide the required coverage limits. Worker Compensation coverage is not a requirement under this solicitation. Please refer to applicable local and state laws.

13. How many acres are we mowing? At this time, USDA does not have an authoritative acreage measurement. There are approximately 6 acres minus the area occupied by buildings, parking lots and structures.

Site Visit-The following questions were asked by contactors:

1. Are weeds in parking lots and in paved areas included? If so, can they be sprayed. Yes, weeds in parking lots and paved areas may be included. Spraying may be used where appropriate and consistent with local pesticide-use requirements. No pesticides can be sprayed near the greenhouses where they could be drawn in by ventilation and impact research.

2. Is the ditch on the North side of the property out to the highway included and can it be sprayed? The North‑side ditch extending to the highway is included and must be maintained by mowing and string trimmers. Spraying pesticides is not permitted in this ditch.

3. Are trimming shrubs and landscaping mulching included? Will mulch be provided.

Mulching will be removed from the SOW.

4. Is the ditch on the West side of the property, across the road, included? No, the West‑side ditch across the road is not included in the mowing and maintenance area.

5. Can the areas around the storage building, South of the greenhouses be sprayed? Yes, areas around the storage building South of the greenhouses may be sprayed as part of routine grounds maintenance. No pesticides can be sprayed near the greenhouses where they could be drawn in by ventilation and impact research.

6. What happens if a mowing is missed due to rain or other weather conditions? If a scheduled mowing session is missed due to weather, the contractor will resume at the next feasible opportunity during that week.

7. How will areas that are too rutted or rocky be handled? Areas that are too rutted or rocky to mow safely should be identified to the COR. Such areas may require alternative handling or separate authorization, depending on conditions.

8. What happens if there is a lapse in funding? Will work be allowed or will it be missed payments? If a funding lapse occurs, work must cease until funding is restored.

9. Who is doing the yard maintenance now? USDA is doing the work in-house. There is no current contact in place.

10. Will after-hours or weekend work be allowed due to weather or rain? Every effort to adhere to the contact schedule must be kept. After‑hours or weekend work may be allowed only when necessary, due to weather‑related delays, provided the contractor coordinates the adjusted schedule with the COR in advance. This ensures safe access, security compliance, and that mowing activities do not interfere with research operations.

11. Will field equipment on the Southside of the property be moved for mowing. Field equipment located on the Southside of the property will not be moved by the Government for mowing. Contractors must mow around fixed equipment safely and avoid contact with research assets.

12. What is the sign-in procedure when accessing the facility? Contractors must sign-in upon arrival using the facility’s visitor access procedure. This involves checking in at the main entrance, verifying identification, and following all instructions from on‑site personnel to ensure safety and security compliance.