B08_140P5124Q0004_Attach_0007_Q_A_FOMO-USCG_LSS-CHPI_Landscaping_Svcs_0002.docx

RFP 140P5124Q0004 Amendment 0002; Attachment 0007 Fort Moultrie Complex Coast Guard Life Saving Station Charles Pinckney National Historical Site Landscaping Services Solicitation # 140P5124Q0004

Questions and Answers

Question 1. Who is the incumbent?

Answer: Armor Asset Management, Inc. and the contract number is 140P5119C0032.

Question 2. Can one-time clean-ups be authorized before the actual service starts? I noticed some areas needed some tending to, i.e.. Pinckney Historic Site agriculture fields have a large number of small trees/ brush that need to be cut out.

Answer: Yes. Please make any recommendations you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement". This allows us to evaluate base proposals and proposed changes separately more accurately. It also encourages contractors to make value-added recommendations without impact to the core proposal.

Question 3. The Battery Jasper roof calls to cut at 8", is there a particular reason for this or can it cut shorter?

Answer: 8 inches is a maximum height. It can be cut shorter, as long as it doesn't result in exposed the soil, creating other problems.

Question 4. Is the grounds contractor provided space on grounds to store equipment or must all equipment be stored off grounds?

Answer:

a. Currently, No.

b. Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 5. Are there sq ft or acreage numbers that accompany the maps of each location?

Answer:

a. Charles Pinckney – Approximately 10 acres

b. Fort Moultrie Grounds – Visitor Center and Historic - Approximately 23 acres

c. US Coast Guard Life Saving Station – Approximately 2 acres

Question 6. Is there a page limit for the technical section of the proposal submission?

Answer: Yes, not to exceed twenty (20) pages for technical and past performance (Volume I – Technical and Volume II – Past Performance).

Question 7. When are the bids due for this solicitation?

Answer: January 04, 2024 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

Question 8. Are you able to provide the KMZ file from the maps that were included with the RFP?

Answer: The maps included in the RFP are the only maps that exist and are screen shots. No location information is contained in them.

Question 9. Are the palms along the road at Fort Moultrie Visitor Center are to be pruned as part of the contract or does the Town of Sullivan’s Island handle that?

Answer: Roadside palms on Middle Street at the Ft Moultrie VC are pruned as part of this contract.

Question 10. Do the perennials and ornamental grasses at the Fort Moultrie Visitors Center need to be cut back once per year as a part of this contract?

Answer: They are to be maintained according to the Scope of Work.

Question 11. Do the ferns in the wall at Ft Moultrie/Battery Jasper need to be removed as part of the contract?

Answer: No. Biological growth in the walls is removed by the NPS.

Question 12. Will the woody material currently found in the Agricultural Fields at Battery Jasper be cleaned up prior to the beginning of this contract?

Answer: No. Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement". This allows us to evaluate base proposals and proposed changes separately more accurately. It also encourages contractors to make value-added recommendations without impact to the core proposal.

Question 13. Will the rooftop of Battery Jasper have the woody material removed prior to the beginning of this contract?

Answer:

· No. This is normal regrowth between cuts.

· Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 14. Are there any special events that occur at Fort Moultrie Visitors Center or Battery Jasper each year? These would be weddings or other ceremonies or events that create scheduling conflicts for the service vendor. Please advise.

Answer: Events of 2-3 days occur 3 times per year. These will be coordinated well in advance with the NPS field supervisor.

Question 15. Will the trees on the perimeter path be limbed up to an acceptable height prior to the beginning of this contract?

Answer: No. Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 16. Is it acceptable practice to spray with herbicide at the base of fences, walls and other structures currently found on the sites?

Answer: Yes. Once awarded, Safety Data Sheets will need to be submitted for approval.

Question 17. How does the current vendor address the vegetation found on the rooftop of Battery Jasper?

Answer: Equipment is carried to the top through the stairs.

Question 18. To what extent is the contractor expected to clean up after a storm with substantial water flooding? We noticed a decent amount of debris along the roadway between the FMVC and Battery Jasper during the prebid walk today. Please advise.

Answer:

· Flooding - Ponding of water and minor flooding is a common occurrence on Sullivan’s Island.

· Removal of debris generated from typical ponding/flooding is the responsibility of the contractor.

· Removal of debris generated from atypical ponding/flooding is the responsibility of the NPS.

· Wind Blown/Storm Debris – High winds and moderate storms are a common occurrence on Sullivan’s Island.

· Removal of debris generated from typical winds/storms is the responsibility of the contractor. (leaves, palm fronds, small branches, misc. debris etc.).

· Removal of larger debris/debris fields beyond what is addressed above, resulting from named storms is the responsibility of the NPS.

Question 19. Is the contractor responsible for the maintenance on the dock at the Fort Moultrie Visitors Center or do we stop at the treeline/marshline?

Answer: Not responsible for the dock. Stop at the tree line/marsh line.

Question 20. The standing water inside Fort Moultrie….how long does it typically take for the water to subside to where the areas are accessible for maintenance services?

Answer: Depending on conditions, standing water will typically last 2-3 days. Standing water occasionally remains for weeks with larger quantities of water and/or if pumps fail.

Question 21. Is it an acceptable practice for the contractor to skip servicing areas of standing water for that week and service them the next week?

Answer: Yes.

Question 22. Is the only access point for mowers and other equipment at Fort Moultrie in the center of the fort where we entered today during the prebid walk?

Answer: Yes. The main sally port entrance is the only entrance large enough for equipment.

Question 23. Please confirm that the purple area on the “Fort Moultrie and Jasper Complex” map is actually to be maintained by the contractor and is NOT maintained by SPAWAR as the map depicts.

Answer: Correct. This area is to be maintained by the contractor.

Question 24. Is there any irrigation on any of these properties?

Answer:

· Only old, abandoned irrigation at the Fort Moultrie Site.

· Drainage pipes (approximately 4 inch PVC) exist around the Historic Fort Moultrie Perimeter and grounds.

Question 25. Is there any expectation for turf fertilization and other chemicals as a part of this contract?

Answer: Please see PW-02 in the Scope of Work for specification.

Question 26. Is there any necessary badging or background checks needed for the Department of Defense site?

Answer: No badging requirements to enter the gate. A combination to the gate lock can be provided. There will be no access to the building under this contract.

Question 26. Is the contract for 1 year plus one, one-year option, OR 1 year plus four, one-year options as the RFP states?

Answer: One year, and one option year. Future contracts may explore one base year with more option years.

Question 27. Page 17, “Security & Work Hours” states: “Work near parking lots is to be done outside of normal business hours. Coordinate with Contracting Officer’s Representative and Park Field Point of Contact”. Is this in fact valid?

Answer:

· Yes, this is accurate. This is to reduce liability for the NPS and the contractor.

· Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 28. To level the playing field, how many bales of pinestraw does the NPS expect to be installed at each site as a part of this contract? This will help ensure apples-to-apples bids being submitted by each vendor.

Answer: No quantity is specified. Install enough pine straw to maintain a full and uniform appearance, and reduce weed growth.

Question 29. Can the NPS quantify the differences between “Tree Trimming” and “Heavy Tree Trimming” found in the project specification?

Answer:

Trimming - Heavy – Typically once per year to maintain overall size and shape. Timed to allow smaller growth to fill in during growing season without creating thin or bald patches. This refers more to bushes and shrubs but applies to trees to prevent limbs encroaching on buildings, and pedestrian and vehicle paths.

Trimming Light– Trimming of smaller growth frequently enough to maintain a full and neat appearance.

Note: Tree pruning, and removal of hazard tree limbs is not part of this contract.

Question 30. Was the prebid meeting mandatory?

Answer: No, but it was highly encouraged for all interested parties to attend to see the requirement firsthand.

Question 31. Will the low hanging branches along the pathways at the Charles Pinckney site be addressed prior to the beginning of this contract?

Answer:

· No.

· Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 32. Do the vendors need to factor the one-time removal of unwanted sucker growth into their pricing for the Agricultural Fields at the Charles Pinckney site?

Answer: Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 33. How many times per year does the NPS want to have palm trees pruned as a part of this contract. Specs call for “continuous” but a firm frequency would be much more sufficient in dialing in the scope of work and labor hours necessary for this particular scope item.

Answer: The specification cites continuous maintenance.

Please make any recommendations, clarifications, or assumptions, clarifications, or assumptions you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement".

Question 34. For the “Heavy Tree Trimming” what is the true expectation for this scope item? Some large live oak trees could require substantial deadwood pruning 20’ off the ground for safety/hazard removal while others tree species could simply be limbed up to 8’ off the ground for pedestrian/vehicular clearance. Please advise as this is a potentially heavy scope item to consider.

Answer:

Heavy Trimming – Once per year to maintain overall size, shape, and encroachment. Timed to allow smaller growth to fill in. This refers more to bushes and shrubs.

Light Trimming – Trimming of smaller growth frequently enough to maintain a full and neat appearance.

Question 35. Confirming request for a bid to subject as a combined contract to include all specifics per SOW, regardless of frequency correct? Meaning all mowing, trimming, bush hogging, ground covers etc. are to be combined under one contract price.

Answer:

· Yes. Please provide a proposal for all of the work in the Statement of Work for the entire year.

· Also, Please make any recommendations you feel are relevant. Include a brief description and associated costs as a separate line-item in the proposal and list it on the form "Proposed Changes to Requirement". This allows us to evaluate base proposals and proposed changes separately more accurately. It also encourages contractors to make value-added recommendations without impact to the core proposal.

Question 36. Understanding annual palm tree pruning is included- do you have a count of how much palm trees are on property? Standing by, Answer: Approximately 50. Please field verify prior to submitting proposal.