Sol_140P5423Q0012_Amend_0001_Attach__0003-Questions_and_Answers_0001.pdf

Solicitation 140P5423Q0012 Amendment 0001 – Attachment 0003 ‐ Questions and Answers

1. How many feet of cutting is required per day? If the awardee complies with the SOW and the required quantities, they may work at any pace they choose.

2. Can the contractors set the times of operation? Hours of operation are from 7:00 AM to 5:00

PM, Monday to Friday. If the contractor, wants to work longer hours, federal holidays, or weekends, they must request written approval from the contracting officer representative and contracting officer at least three (3) days prior.

3. How many workers are required on the job? The awardee makes that choice. A firm‐fixed‐price contract will be used as the contract type. The period of performance is anticipated to run from

May 15 to December 31, 2023. However, is expected when the contractor starts in one area, they complete all areas consecutively.

4. Will the Park award the contract to individual contractors or to one? The award will be made to only one contractor.

5. Will they allow partial payment if an area is completed? Partial payments can be approved once services are inspected and approved by the contracting officer representative (COR).

6. How long does the contractor have to complete the project? The period of performance is anticipated to run from May 15 to December 31, 2023. However, is expected when the contractor starts in one area, all areas are serviced consecutively.

7. Does the Park do landscaping edging at the Red Hook grounds? The purpose of the services is for the product to be a low‐manicured cut of vegetation.

8. Will the Park consider landscaping features at the Red Hook grounds? The purpose of the services is for the product to be a low‐manicured cut of vegetation.

9. Does the Contractor have the flexibility to determine which location should receive landscaping services first, second, etc.? The contractor can make that decision and that includes the number of crews being used (e.g., the contractor may service one or more areas at the same time).

10. Is the Contractor required to contact delegated personnel at each location site prior to performing landscaping services? The contractor must provide a project schedule with days and locations to the contracting officer and contracting officer representative. The contractor must abide by that schedule. COR will perform daily inspections of the work. Any change to the provided schedule must be informed as soon as possible in writing to the CO and via telephone to the COR.

11. Will the Contractor have access to all locations seven (7) days a week and 24 hours a day? No, the contractor will only have access to the areas from Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to

5:00 PM. If the contractor, wants to work longer hours, federal holidays, or weekends, they must request written approval from the contracting officer representative and contracting officer at least three (3) days prior.

12. If the Contractor needs access to locations needing landscaping services beyond regular hours, is a written request or some other form of communication needed? Yes, the contractor will have to request authorization from the COR and copy the CO to request authorization to perform services on the weekend and federal holidays. If the contractor, wants to work longer hours, federal holidays, or weekends, they must request written approval from the contracting officer representative and contracting officer at least three (3) days prior.

13. The Contract period of performance is listed from 5/15‐ 12/31 2023: Per Mr. Williams, this is to be a one‐time cut. Just to be clear, are you requiring us to cut each location one time only or once a month for the entirety of the seven (7) month period, and the contract ends on

12/31/2023? The contract is for a one‐time cut. Once completed the CO will modify the contract for close‐out if services are rendered before December 31, 2023. The contractor must inform in writing the CO and COR if they have completed services for all areas.

14. Is the Contractor required to submit monthly reports throughout the phase of the contract?

The contractor is required to submit one report via email to the CO and COR at the end of the contract.

15. If the Contractor secures heavy equipment such as a woodcutter for the work, can that equipment be stored at the National Park’s Office sight for at least three (3) days? During the duration of the performance, the park will allow for the overnight storage of vehicles and equipment. The use of the storage area must be requested in writing to the COR and COR. An attachment must be included with the request with a list of equipment being stored at the park.

COR will provide the approval of the list and an inspection will be conducted at the end of the day. However, the contractor is responsible to secure their equipment and the government will not assume any liability for damaged or stolen items.

16. How often is the Contractor required to submit Invoices to the IPP? After services are rendered, the contractor must submit a company invoice via email to the COR and CO for review. Once the invoice is approved in writing, the contractor may proceed to upload the approved invoice and create the electronic invoice on IPP.gov. Invoices can be submitted once or twice a month in accordance with the table below.

Location Quantity Unit of Measure

Number of

Invoices North Shore Roadway, St. John 14 miles 4

John Head Road, St. John

2301 feet 1

Salt Pond Road, St. John 1128 feet 1

Lameshur Road, St. John 2443 feet 1

Red Hook Facility Entrance Roadway, St. Thomas 2547 feet 1

Red Hook Facility Picnic Areas, St. Thomas 27440 square feet 1

Red Hook Facility Sidewalks, St. Thomas 392 square feet 1

Red Hook Facility Dock Area (Grounds and Concrete), St. Thomas

2156 square feet 1

Red Hook Facility Side and Rear of the Office Building, St. Thomas

6760 square feet 1

Red Hook Facility Office Building Lawn, St.

Thomas

23,517 square feet 1

17. What is the turnaround process for submitting Invoices and receiving payments? The government follows the Prompt Payment Act rules. Therefore, initially requiring the government to pay small businesses within 15 days after the invoice is approved in IPP.gov.

18. Will the Contractor be allowed to receive drawdowns weekly or bi‐weekly? The contractor may invoice up to twice per month after services are rendered, and inspected and the contractor invoice is approved via email by the COR.

19. The following list of measurements only covers cutting one direction on the road. Should we double the measurements to cut the other side as well? I think that would be the intent, but I do not want to guess about such important information.

Yes, in accordance with the scope of work roads must be cut on both sides.

North Shore Roadway, St. John 14 miles‐ SOW states “Cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal to a uniform low finish; cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal on both sides of the roads”.

John Head Road, St. John 2301 feet‐ SOW states “Cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal on both sides of the roads”.

Salt Pond Road, St. John 1128 feet‐ SOW states “Cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal on both sides of the roads”.

Lameshur Road, St. John 2443 feet‐ SOW states “Cutting vegetation, trees, and debris removal on both sides of the roads”.

Red Hook Facility Entrance Roadway, St. Thomas 2547 feet‐ SOW states “Entrance roadway

(both sides) – Approximately 2,547 ft”. Therefore, the amount must be 5,094 ft.

20. PPE and safety measures must be used and worn during the performance, especially on the roadways. COR or park law enforcement personnel may stop a project if the appropriate safety measures are not being taken by the contractor, and subcontractor employees.

21. Special care must be taken when cutting next to the Manchineel tree. Trees and fruit are an irritant to human skin because of the sap.

22. Additional care must be taken when cutting around a Centry plant due to its classification as endangered species. Contractors must not cut this plant and cut very carefully around it.

23. Additional care must be taken when cutting around a Solanum Conocarpum tree due to its classification as endangered species. Contractors must not cut this tree and cut very carefully around it.