19AS2021Q0006 QandA_9-14-21.pdf

Question and Answers for Solicitation 19AS2021Q0006

1.3.2. SCHEDULES -The Contractor shall deliver standard services between the hours of 6:30 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday – Question 1: Do all these hours have to be covered?

Answer: No. standard service shall be delivered within the mentioned time span, but not necessarily required through the whole 6:30 to 17:00, in accordance with “1.3.2. SCHEDULES”.

1.4.5. TURF REPAIR AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT- The damaged area shall be filled in and leveled and then seeded or sodded and maintained to conform to adjacent areas – Question 2: Is there a limit to the amount of areas damaged - if a removalist truck drives across the lawn, surely it should not come out of the gardeners tender?

Answer: No limit on areas. The local condition of the grounds should be documented in the Grounds Maintenance Plan, and damages found or anticipated should be reported in the Monthly Grounds Maintenance Report, in accordance with 1.3.5, and 1.3.6.c.

1.5. PRUNING 1.5.1- The Contractor shall maintain trees –

Question 3: Can you please specify what tree maintenance is? Does it mean that an arborist is to climb through every tree each year and trim them - or merely to provide a report/assess every tree?

Answer: The contractor is required to perform all tasks necessary to maintain the trees in an optimum health and condition, including, but not limited to arborist activities. All tree pruning shall be carried out in accordance with 1.3.4, 1.5.1, and 1.5.3.

1.5.4. At no additional cost to the Government, the Contractor shall replace any tree, bush or shrub that is killed or rendered unusable for its intended purpose through negligent or irresponsible practices that are attributable to the Contractor – Question 4: From observation, there is one Magnolia at the residence that is almost dead, and two Eucalypts on the main lawn that appear to be in decline…is there a recent tree audit report that details the condition of all trees on the site?

Answer: Please see amendment 0002

1.11.1. Beds Permanently Mulched -

Question 5: Is there a preferred type of mulch? Rice husks is mentioned - but nothing else.

Answer: The contractor should submit mulch types to be used for the different applications in the ground covered under this contract in accordance with 1.7. Mulch types shall be submitted in the Grounds Maintenance Plan, and any type changes to be suggested for approval in the Monthly Grounds Maintenance Report, in accordance with 1.3.5, and 1.3.6.d.

1.11.3. Annuals/Flower Beds –

Question 6: who supplies the plants? Are they seedlings or bloomers? How many times per year are they to be planted out?

Answer: The Grounds Maintenance Plan shall incorporate a plan for plantings to be undertaken in each seasonal flower bed, in accordance with 1.11.6.

Question and Answers for Solicitation 19AS2021Q0006

1.11.5. Cut Flower Garden –

Question 7: Who supplies the plants? Are they seedlings, 140mm pots, larger? How many times per year are they to be planted out?

Answer: The Grounds Maintenance Plan shall incorporate a plan for plantings to be undertaken in each seasonal flower bed, in accordance with 1.11.6.

1.11.4. Hand Watering of Garden Beds - If the existing watering systems have failed it is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that there is adequate watering taking place, this may involve out of hours and weekend visits at no extra cost to the government, to ensure there is no loss of lawn or plants, trees, shrubs – Question 8: If the failure is not the fault of the gardening contractor (such as failure of pumps, etc.)

why is the burden of cost passed to the contractor?

Answer: See amendment 0003

1.11.7. 4th of July - Tents will be erected on the CMR terrace and this requires the removal of shrubs and plants from the CMR garden beds – Question 9: Does the hedge around the annual display need to be dug up, removed and then replaced?

Answer: No Changes to the hedges. When required for the 4th of July celebration, the shrubs and plants shall be removed from the CMR patio garden beds, and replanted two days after the function, in accordance with 1.11.7.

1.11.8. Propagation - Acorns from the Eleanor Roosevelt Oak Tree are to be gathered Question 10: I believe that the tree does not exist.

Answer: The acorns re-planting is an ongoing process conducted in the glass house as viewed during the site visit.

1.13.5. The Contractor shall apply Nematodes to all lawn areas – Question 11: can there be the application of an approved chemical instead of nematodes - for example Acelepryn?

Answer: Preventive Treatment of Nematodes for the control of lawn scarab grubs is a requirement in accordance with 1.13.5. This is part of the Embassy’s green initiative program which is based on recommendations by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).