19TC1021Q0001_Solicitation_Gardening_maintenance services_AG.doc.pdf

SOLICITATION

DOCUMENT

United States Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Gardening maintenance services

Solicitation No.: 19TC1021Q0001

Contracting and Procurement Office American Embassy

P.O. Box 4009 Embassies District Area

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1 - The Schedule

• SF 1449 cover sheet

• Continuation To SF-1449, RFQ Number 19TC1021Q0001, Prices, Block 23

• Continuation To SF-1449, RFQ Number 19TC1021Q0001, Schedule of Supplies/Services, Block

20 Description/Specifications/Work Statement

• Attachment A to Description/Specifications/Performance Work Statement, Government Furnished

Property

• Attachment B, C, D & E to Description/Specifications/Performance Work Statement, Quality

Metrics, Sample Score Card, Vegetation Schedule & List of took, equipment & PPE

Section 2 - Contract Clauses

• Contract Clauses

• Addendum to Contract Clauses - FAR and DOSAR Clauses not Prescribed in Part 12

Section 3 - Solicitation Provisions

• Solicitation Provisions

• Addendum to Solicitation Provisions - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in Part 12

Section 4 - Evaluation Factors

• Evaluation Factors

• Addendum to Evaluation Factors - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not Prescribed in Part 12

Section 5 - Representations and Certifications

• Representations and Certifications

• Addendum to Offeror Representations and Certifications - FAR and DOSAR Provisions not

Prescribed in Part 12

Solicitation – Gardening maintenance services for the EMB, CMR & DCMR 19TC1021Q0001 Page 2 of 70

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

PR8957520

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE

DATE

4. ORDER NUMBER

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

19TC1021Q0001

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

December 29, 2020

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/ LOCAL

TIME

January 27, 2021, 04:00 pm (UAE time)

9. ISSUED BY CODE 19TC10 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: ____ % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

Contracting Office

U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELLIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM NAICS: 561730

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

EDWOSB

8 (A) SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINAT-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS 13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 19TC10 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE 19TC10

Contracting Office

U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Contracting Office

U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi

17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFERER

TELEPHONE NO.

CODE FACILITY

CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

Financial Management Center

Contracting Office

U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi

CODE 19TC10

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK

BELOW IS CHECKED SEE ADDENDUM

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Gardening maintenance services for the Embassy, CMR and DCMR

Base Year

First Option Year

Second Option Year

Third Option Year

Fourth Option Year

MON

MON

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a.SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b.CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _1___

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL

ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL

SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED HEREIN.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. _________________ OFFER DATED

____________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY

ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO

ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

Antoaneta Gougleva

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30c. DATE SIGNED

31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 02/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Computer Generated Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

19TC1021Q0001 Page 3 of 70

19.

ITEM NO.

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: _______________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

PARTIAL FINAL

COMPLETE PARTIAL

FINAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NO.

39. S/R VOUCHER NO. 40. PAID BY

41.a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER

41C. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC’D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

19TC1021Q0001 Page 4 of 70

SECTION 1 - THE SCHEDULE

CONTINUATION TO SF-1449

RFQ NUMBER 19TC1021Q0001

PRICES, BLOCK 23

1. SCOPE OF CONTRACT

The Contractor shall perform gardening services, including furnishing all labor, material, equipment and services, for real property owned or managed by the U.S. Government at UAE.

The price listed below shall include all labor, materials, insurance (see FAR 52.228-4 and 52.228-

5), overhead, and profit. The Government will pay the Contractor the fixed price per month for standard services that have been satisfactorily performed.

After contract award and submission of acceptable insurance certificates, the Contracting Officer shall issue a Notice to Proceed. The Notice to Proceed will establish a date (a minimum of ten

(10) days from date of contract award unless the Contractor agrees to an earlier date) on which performance shall start.

The performance period of this contract is from the start date in the Notice to Proceed and continuing for 12 months, with four one-year options to renew. The initial period of performance includes any transition period authorized under the contract.

2.0 PRICING:

The Contractor shall complete all work, including furnishing all labor, material, equipment and services, unless otherwise specified herein, required under this contract for gardening services within the time specified herein. The price listed below shall include all labor, materials, insurance

(see FAR clause 52.228-4 and 52.228-5), overhead and profit. In consideration of satisfactory performance of all scheduled services required under this contract, the Contractor shall be paid a firm fixed-price for all gardening services. The contractor shall be compensated monthly at the rate of one-twelfth of the firm fixed-price.

2.1 VALUE ADDED TAX

VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT) Value Added Tax (VAT) is not included in the CLIN rates. Instead, it will be priced as a separate Line Item in the contract and on Invoices. Local law dictates the portion of the contract price that is subject to VAT; this percentage is multiplied only against that portion. It is reflected for each performance period.

19TC1021Q0001 Page 5 of 70

2.2. BASE YEAR PRICES

The firm fixed price for the base year of the gardening maintenance services contract is:

Sl. No. Description Per month (AED) Per year (AED)

2.2.1.1 Embassy compound (9,238

square meters)

2.2.1.2 Optional Service 1: CMR

compound (1,115 square meters)

2.2.1.3 Optional Service 2: DCMR

compound (125 square meters)

One-time supply & replacement of life cycle plants at Embassy Compound

Sl. No. Description of Plant Price/Plant Total Amount (AED)

2.2.2 Ixora plants (200 plants total)

2.2.3 Hibiscus plants (250 plants

total)

2.2.4 Desert Rose plants (100 plants

2.2.5 Pennisetum plants (150 plants

2.3. FIRST OPTION YEAR PRICES

The firm fixed price for the first year of the gardening maintenance services contract is:

2.3.1.1 Embassy compound (9,238

2.3.1.2 Optional Service 1: CMR

2.3.1.3 Optional Service 2: DCMR

2.3.2 Pennisetum plants (300 plants

2.3.3 Leucophyllum plants (125

plants total)

2.3.4 Bougainvillea plants (175 plants

19TC1021Q0001 Page 6 of 70

2.3.5 Hibiscus plants (25 plants total)

2.4 SECOND OPTION YEAR PRICES

The firm fixed price for the second year of the gardening maintenance services contract is:

2.4.1.1 Embassy compound (9,238

2.4.1.2 Optional Service 1: CMR

2.4.1.3 Optional Service 2: DCMR

2.4.2 Dodonea Viscosa Green plants

(100 plants total)

2.4.3 Bougainvillea plants (150 plants

2.4.4 Leucophyllum plants (150

2.4.5 Vidalia plants (500 plants total)

2.5 THIRD OPTION YEAR PRICES

The firm fixed price for the third year of the gardening maintenance services contract is:

2.5.1.1 Embassy compound (9,238

2.5.1.2 Optional Service 1: CMR

2.5.1.3 Optional Service 2: DCMR

2.5.2 Pennisetum plants (400 plants

19TC1021Q0001 Page 7 of 70

2.5.3 Salt Bush plants (80 plants

2.5.4 Dedonia Viscosa Green plants

(80 plants total)

2.5.5 Leucophyllum plants (100

2.6 FOURTH OPTION YEAR PRICES

The firm fixed price for the fourth year of the gardening maintenance services contract is:

2.6.1.1 Embassy compound (9,238

2.6.1.2 Optional Service 1: CMR

2.6.1.3 Optional Service 2: DCMR

2.6.2 Murraya Paniculata plants (100

2.6.3 Pennisetum plants (250 plants

2.6.4 White Jasmine plants (75 plants

2.6.5 Dumdum plants (300 plants

2.7 GRAND TOTAL

Base Year AED

First Option Year AED

Second Option Year AED

Third Option Year AED

Fourth Option Year AED

Grand Total – Base plus All Option Years AED

19TC1021Q0001 Page 8 of 70

CONTINUATION TO SF-1449

RFQ NUMBER 19TC1021Q0001

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES, BLOCK 20

1. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.1 The purpose of this contract is to obtain gardening services for the U.S. Embassy compound, the residences of the Ambassador and the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, in Abu

Dhabi, UAE. The Contractor shall perform gardening services in all designated spaces.

1.2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.2.1 This is a firm-fixed-price contract for the provision of gardening services for the U.S.

Embassy compound, the residence of the Ambassador and the residence of the Deputy Chief of

Mission in Abu Dhabi – UAE so as to maintain and enhance the livability of its respective properties and promote the public image of the United States. The Contractor shall furnish managerial, administrative and direct labor personnel to accomplish all work as required in this contract. Specific services are described in detail below.

1.2.2 Maintenance of the appearance of the grass, shrubbery, garden areas, trees, planter boxes, and related landscape elements of the U.S. properties is an important part of the representational responsibilities of the U.S. mission. The measure of quality of services delivered under this contract shall be the appearance of all aspects of the landscape of properties covered by this contract. The Contractor shall perform complete gardening and landscape maintenance services as described in this contract for all Government properties listed in this Statement of Work. These gardening services shall include all planning, programming, administration, and management necessary to assure that all services described herein are conducted in accordance with the contract, the COR's schedules and instructions, and all applicable laws and regulations. The Contractor shall ensure that all work meets the required standard of performance as included in references herein.

The Contractor shall perform all related support functions such as supply, procurement, quality control, financial oversight, and maintenance of complete records and files.

1.2.3 The gardening service area at the U.S. Embassy is approximately 9,238 square meters.

This quantity includes soft landscaped areas inside the Embassy compound, the ‘Constructed

Wetlands’ surface area for reclamation of wastewater, the soft landscaped area and ninety-five

(95) numbers of concrete planter boxes just outside the Embassy compound main gate. The elements that require gardening services include grass, trees, palms, shrubs, hedges, bushes, vines, groundcover, flower beds, planter boxes, and indoor plants. Quantities of these elements are provided in the Attachment-D: Vegetation Schedule (The Contractor shall verify these in site walkthrough during RFP process). The Contractor shall supply seasonal plants three times a year, totaling 7,500 seasonal flower plants per year.

1.2.4 The gardening services also include in the ‘Pricing’ section for replacement of old / mature plants identified as ‘One-time supply & replacement of life cycle plants’ item for base year as well as option years

19TC1021Q0001 Page 9 of 70

1.2.5 The gardening service area at the Ambassador Residence is approximately 1,115 square meters. The elements that require gardening services include 1,115 square meters of lawn area, 30 each of trees of various kind including date palms, 125 meters of hedges, and miscellaneous elements such as shrubs / hedges / bushes / vines / groundcover / flower beds / planters / indoor plants. The Contractor shall supply seasonal plants three times a year totally 1,500 Seasonal flower plants per year.

1.2.6 The gardening service area at the Deputy Chief of Mission residence is 125 square meters.

The elements that require gardening services include 125 square meters of lawn area, 35 meters of hedges, and miscellaneous elements such as shrubs / hedges / bushes / vines / ground-cover / flowers / indoor plants. The Contractor shall supply seasonal plants three times a year totally 1,000

Seasonal flower plants per year.

1.2.7 The Contractor shall include all costs associated with removing/disposing old plants, preparing soil and planting new plants on the basis of option exercised by the Government.

1.3. MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

1.3.1. MANAGEMENT: The Contractor shall be responsible for the management of the total gardening services effort. This includes the planning and programming of all services described herein, performance of these services, and compliance with all record and reporting requirements.

1.3.2. SCHEDULE: The Contractor shall maintain work schedules. The schedules shall take into consideration the hours that the staff can effectively perform their services without placing a burden on the security personnel of the Post. The Contractor shall deliver standard services between the hours of 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Saturday through Thursday at the Embassy Compound and 08:00 AM and 05:00PM at both the Chief and Deputy Mission of the Residences. For those items other than routine daily services, the Contractor shall provide the COR with a detailed plan as to the personnel to be used and the time frame to perform the service.

1.3.3. SUPERVISION. The contractor shall designate a representative who shall be responsible for on-site supervision of the Contractor's workforce at all times. This supervisor shall be the focal point for the Contractor and shall be the point of contact with U.S. Government personnel. The supervisor shall have sufficient English language skill to be able to communicate with members of the U.S. Government staff. The supervisor shall have supervision as his or her sole function.

The on-site supervisor will be authorized to use his/her personal non-camera cell phone for service contract purposes. The supervisor shall visit the site and meet U.S. Government personnel three times a week at the minimum, and more frequently if required to coordinate the work effort.

1.3.4. QUALITY CONTROL

1.3.4.1 Quality Control shall be the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor shall perform inspection visits to the work site on a monthly basis at the minimum, and more frequently if deemed necessary to meet the requirements of the contract. These visits shall be coordinated with the COR but shall be surprise inspections to those working on the contract. The Contractor shall develop and maintain a quality program to ensure grounds services are performed in accordance

19TC1021Q0001 Page 10 of 70 with quality performance requirements stated in this performance-based contract document. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. Service frequency schedules need to be forwarded to COR on monthly basis.

As a minimum the contractor shall develop quality control procedures addressing the areas identified in Section One Scope of Work. Services will be rated on a 1 – 5 scale with 3 being contract acceptable. On a monthly basis, if average quality control scores fall under 3.0, the contractor will be evaluated as not performing to contract specifications.

1.3.5 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE.

1.3.5.1 The Contractor shall have the services of a trained horticulturist with experience in the climate and soil conditions found locally to give technical guidance to the Contractor's work force and to develop / guide the Contractor's programs for lawn and tree care. The horticulturist shall visit the work site monthly at the minimum, and more frequently as deemed necessary to meet the requirements of the contract. These visits shall be coordinated with the COR.

1.3.5.2 The Contractor shall conduct monthly training/s (at least one) to all workers at site to make sure to follow Contractor’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to accomplish the expected quality service at site. The training shall also include but not limited to guide the workers to maintain standard work practices, personal hygiene, use of appropriate clean uniforms, PPEs and to follow safety practices on handling chemicals / pesticides related to gardening maintenance.

1.3.5.3 The Contractors shall ensure gardeners are trained to handle the provided equipment at the site for the intended use.

1.3.5.4 The Contractor’s personnel and their work practices shall be inspected by Embassy

COR/his representatives/Assistant Post Occupational Safety Health officer (APOSHO) to make sure that the standard Safety work practices are always followed. (as some of the gardening maintenance activities like setting up the scaffoldings & long stepladders, use of pesticide applications, reviewing MSD sheets, barricading excavation areas etc., require COR/APOSHO review and approval before the work begins)

1.3.6. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PLAN

1.3.6.1 The Contractor is responsible for submitting an annual Grounds Maintenance Plan that reflects the proposed frequency for accomplishing the requirements of this contract. The Grounds

Maintenance Plan shall be developed to fit the requirements of local conditions, types of vegetation, and climate factors. The annual Grounds Maintenance Plan shall be submitted to the

COR for approval 15 days after award of the contract. Annual palm dates fruit harvesting plan shall also be included in this submittal. A weekly update of the plan shall be submitted to COR in the form of Work Plan. The Contractor shall incorporate in the weekly work plan the matters related to routine activities, quality control, technical guidance, safety, fertilizer application and pest control.

19TC1021Q0001 Page 11 of 70

1.4 LAWN AND PLANTER BOXES CARE

1.4.1. GRASS CUTTING. The Contractor shall maintain the height of grass between 4 and 6 centimeters. All equipment and fuels for the grass cutting requirement shall be supplied by the

Contractor. All lawn areas shall always look green and manicured.

1.4.2 EDGING. The Contractor shall edge all sidewalks, driveways, and curbs each time the adjacent grass is cut. Edging shall include removal of vegetation from cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and curbs.

1.4.3. TRIMMING. The Contractor shall trim grass around trees, shrubs, cultivated areas, sprinkler heads, valves, fences, buildings, poles, and structures, so that grass height does not exceed the height of the adjacent grass. Trimming height shall match surrounding area grass heights. All areas shall be trimmed concurrent with grass cutting. Damage to trees and shrubs from trimming shall be repaired by the contractor. If a plant should die or become unhealthy due to damage, the contractor will be responsible for replacing the damaged plant with a plant of same size and type.

1.4.4. WEEDING. Weeding of grounds and gardens shall be carried out on a continuous basis so as to prevent the growth of weeds into lawn and landscapes. To prevent the growth of weeds, a weeding plan to eliminate grass and weeds in the cracks and joints within or along sidewalks and curbs will be implemented.

1.4.5. TURF REPAIR AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT. The Contractor shall, whenever necessary, repair areas damaged by vehicular traffic, oil and gas, building repairs, and normal foot traffic. The damaged area shall be filled in and leveled and then seeded or sodded and maintained to conform to adjacent areas. The method, frequencies, and dates of grass cutting, hedging, trimming, weeding, and turf repair shall be presented in a written schedule as a part of the

Contractor's Grounds Maintenance Plan.

1.4.6. The Contractor shall maintain the seasonal plants appropriately at all locations.

1.4.7. The Contractor shall inspect indoor plants and maintain in good health. This will be a weekly inspection. The Contractor is required to replace the weak and/or dead indoor plant/s with a same type/size/height of the existing plants. Total indoor plants in the office common corridor and lobbies are approximately twenty (20) plants. Embassy is responsible for replacing pots for the indoor plants when needed.

1.4.8. The Contractor shall maintain the wetlands at the Embassy including trimming the plants and repairing the jute mulch. Trimming the plants will be done as needed to maintain height of plants between 30 to 120 centimeters. Mulch shall be repaired to keep the gravel covered fully.

19TC1021Q0001 Page 12 of 70

1.5. PRUNING & TRIMMING

1.5.1 The Contractor shall accomplish all work necessary to maintain trees, shrubs, hedges, bushes, vines, groundcover and flowers. The method, frequencies, and dates of pruning shall be presented in a written schedule as part of the Contractor's Grounds Maintenance Plan and weekly updates. Shrubs, vines, bushes, groundcover, and trees shall be pruned so as to direct and encourage plant growth in directions desired, to remove dead and unsightly growth, and to maintain a neat and attractive appearance. Minimum safety clearance is 14 feet over streets, 12 feet over driveways, 8 feet over walk areas, and 4 feet from buildings. Trees shall be pruned on an as-required basis to provide safety, clearances and / or to prevent structural damage. Topping and de-horning shall not be permitted. Trimming / pruning of trees around utility poles / power lines / light poles is the responsibility of the contractor. Notify the COR when trimming / pruning around utility poles / power lines is needed. They shall be pruned as required to maintain their natural growth characteristics. Shrubs and small trees shall be trimmed and pruned to enhance the beauty and health of the plant. Hedges shall be maintained to their natural mature height and shape. Broad leaf evergreens and flowers beds shall be pruned as required maintaining clearances of minimum of 3 inches from buildings, sidewalks, or other obstructions. Mesh cloth covering shall be done to cover dates bunches before it gets ripened in all palm trees. 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.

1.6 PLANTER BOX PLANT CARE

1.6.1 The plants in the planters must always remain in good health. Decaying plants shall be replaced with fresh plants by the contractor.

1.6.2 The plants shall be trimmed as needed to maintain near uniform height and growth in all planters. The trimmed plants shall present an appearance of natural growth. If a plant should die or become unhealthy naturally or by negligent performance of work, the contractor shall replace the damaged plant with a plant of same size and type.

1.6.3 Weeds in the planters shall be removed manually or by chemical treatment as recommended by the horticulturist. Chemical treatment plan must be approved by COR. Weed removal plan shall be a part of the quality control plan.

1.6.4. The existing plants in the planters include 1. Sesuvium portulacastrum, Common name:

Sea purslane, common carpetweed, shoreline sea purslane. 2. Bougainvillea - Pink.

1.6.5. The contractor shall note the existing condition of the plants and provide supplies & services in this contract to restore to good health, if any decaying plants are present, within first month of contract.

19TC1021Q0001 Page 13 of 70

1.7. PLANTER BOX MAINTENANCE

1.7.1 The Contractor shall maintain appearance of the concrete planters. Surface damages to the planters due to contractor’s negligence shall be repaired by the contractor. Structural damages due to aging shall be noted and communicated to the COR for action.

1.7.2 The drain holes in the planters shall be maintained with removable plugs. These plugs may be removed and re-inserted as needed for dewatering by the contractor.

1.8. RECYCLED MATERIALS

1.8.1 In the interest of cost efficiency and waste management, the Contractor is encouraged to promote recycled uses for lawn and tree debris in meeting other aspects of the gardening services requirement, e.g., mulch and compost.

1.9. REMOVAL OF DEBRIS

1.9.1 Foreign material, cuttings, grass, leaves, bark, limbs, dead vegetation, paper, trash, dirt and dust are to be removed from the maintained areas including walkways, driveways, stairways, roadways, parking lots and curbs within or adjacent to the maintained area on a daily basis. The walkways and driveways shall be hose cleaned during appropriate climatic and water use conditions, but water usage shall be minimized to conserve water. During times of rain, the

Contractor will be required to remove stagnant water from walkways, driveways, and parking areas. In the interest of cost efficiency and waste management, the Contractor shall promote recycled uses for lawn and tree debris in meeting other aspects of the gardening services requirement, e.g., mulch and compost. The Contractor shall provide details of the recycling program and techniques employed at site, for information to COR.

1.9.2 The Contractor is required to keep an appropriately sized trash skip (preferably a covered/lockable skip) at the Embassy Compound at the Contractor’s cost to temporary collect all debris resulting from the Contractor's operations from the Compound. Debris removal is to be performed to prevent unsightly or inordinate accumulation. The on-site supervisor shall do timely monitoring and coordinating with the third party for clearing the trash skip from the compound.

The Contractor is responsible for all expenses incurred in the collection and disposal of debris.

1.9.3 Collected debris shall be properly disposed from the Residences of the Chief of the Mission and Deputy Chief to the nearest Abu Dhabi Municipality provided waste collection bins or to an authorized disposal site. Debris removal is to be performed to prevent unsightly or inordinate accumulation. The on-site gardeners shall do timely monitoring and informing their gardening supervisor for coordinating with the third party for clearing the trash skip from the compound, when opted for disposing the waste to the authorized site. The Contractor is responsible for all expenses incurred in the collection and disposal of debris.

19TC1021Q0001 Page 14 of 70

1.10. WATERING

1.10.1 Independent automatic water sprinkler systems are installed for grass in the lawn area inside the Embassy compound and for the outside lawn & planter boxes at the entrance of the Embassy.

Similarly, automatic drip irrigation system is installed in for the plants and trees inside the Embassy compound.

1.10.2 Automatic water sprinkler system is installed for grass in the lawn area at the Ambassador

Residence but manual watering shall be done during times of repair or outage with portable sprinklers. Manual irrigation shall be performed for planters.

1.10.3 Portable sprinklers shall be used in the lawns at the Deputy Chief of Mission Residence.

1.10.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for proper operation of the irrigation system. The

Contractor is responsible for minor repair on plumbing lines include but not limited to repair / replace the broken drip irrigation tubes, nozzles, lawn sprinkler sprayer heads, and mechanical control valves. Maintenance of the irrigation system includes but not limited to replacement of electro-mechanical solenoids, modifying the existing and /or relaying new lines, repairing wiring faults, controller and any of control panel components shall be the responsibility of the

Government. Lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees are to be watered to provide for adequate moisture penetration to a depth of 7 centimeters. If natural precipitation has occurred in amounts sufficient to fulfill this requirement, the Contractor may request the COR's permission to suspend watering to avoid detrimental saturation of the soil. The method, frequencies, and dates of watering shall be presented in a written schedule as a part of the Contractor's Grounds Maintenance Plan. The schedule shall take into account the kinds of vegetation, local soil conditions, and the seasonal variations in plant moisture requirements. The Contractor shall provide all hoses, portable sprinklers, and other similar irrigation equipment not provided by the Government and will maintain such equipment in good working condition (i.e. daily cleaning). The Government shall supply the water. In the interest of cost efficiency and to reduce use of water for irrigation, the

Contractor shall promote techniques for water conservation for the gardening services requirement. The Contractor shall provide details of the techniques employed at site, for information to COR.

1.11. FERTILIZER

1.11.1 Fertilizing and liming shall be performed in a manner that promotes proper health, growth, color, and appearance of cultivated vegetation, in accordance with proper horticultural practice for the types of vegetation, soil, weather conditions, and seasons of the year. The method of application, fertilizer type, frequencies, and dates of fertilizing and liming shall be presented in a written schedule as part of the Contractor's Grounds Maintenance Plan and weekly updates. Lawn areas shall be fertilized a minimum of two times per year with NPK and every month with Nitrogen in the form of Urea or Sulphate of Ammonia. Trees, shrubs, bushes, hedges and plant growth shall be fertilized a minimum of thrice a year. The fertilizing materials shall be stored safely at site.

Natural manure and other organic substances shall be used only after prior approval from the COR.

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1.12 PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL

1.12.1 The Contractor shall maintain a program for controlling pests and plant disease so as to maintain flowers, shrubs, vines, trees and other planted areas in a healthy and vigorous condition.

The Contractor shall submit Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of all the pesticides which will be approved by the COR prior to application of pesticides.

1.12.2 The Contractor shall present a plan for pest and disease control as a part of its Grounds

Maintenance Plan and provide weekly updates. The contractor’s plan shall establish the strategy and methods for conducting a safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management program. The materials shall be stored safely at site.

1.12.3 The pest and disease control plan shall be part of the comprehensive work schedule. The safety plan shall incorporate the MSDS recommendations as related to application of the chemicals. The materials shall be stored safely at site. The MSD sheet/s shall be filed in the MSDS file folder which is being kept in the Embassy Compound Contractor’s breakroom, for future reference/timely inspection.

1.13. HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES:

1.13.1 It is the Contractor's responsibility to ensure the safe handling, application, removal and environmentally sound disposal of all hazardous or potentially hazardous fertilizers, weed killers and pest control products utilized in this requirement.

1.14. PERSONNEL:

1.14.1 The Contractor shall provide at the minimum five (5) full time gardeners at the US Embassy compound.

1.14.2 The Contractor shall provide at the minimum two (2) full time gardeners at the Ambassador

Residence.

1.14.3 The Contractor shall provide one (1) full time gardener at the Deputy Chief of Mission

Residence.

1.14.4 It will be the responsibility of the Contractor to provide additional workforce as dictated by the needs arising out of the Grounds Maintenance Plan for Embassy Compound, Residences of

Chief of Mission and Deputy Chief.

1.15 QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL

1.15.1 The horticulturist shall have minimum three years of relevant experience in the field of landscape maintenance and good managing skills. He/she shall be able to provide clear guidance to on-site gardening maintenance crew members and monitor timely performance of the landscape

19TC1021Q0001 Page 16 of 70 maintenance and crew members at site. Be able to submit monthly quality score card reports and solutions to the problems to COR/or his representative on regular basis.

1.15.2 The full-time gardeners shall have minimum three years of relevant hands-on work experience in the landscape maintenance activities. He shall be able to perform minimal plumbing works limited to repairing/replacing/adding branch circuit drip lines and spray nozzles. Be able to perform minimum electrical works limited to replacing very-low voltage rated (50VDC/AC) solenoid coils and understanding of control panel status/messages of drip irrigation/sprinkler controllers.

1.16 TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

1.16.1 It is the responsibility of the Contractor to supply all necessary tools, equipment to site and are to be new. The Contractor is to ensure and maintain proper functioning of the supplied equipment at all times by doing timely inspection of the equipment. Refer Attachment-E for the list of proposed tool, equipment and PPE that shall be supplied and maintained at all times.

1.16.2 The Contractor to make sure and provide guidelines to the on-site gardeners to keep all the used tools and equipment to store at the designated place.

1.17 REPLACEMENT OF LIFE CYCLE PLANTS/HEDGES AT EMBASSY COMPOUND

1.17.1 There are a few life cycle replacement plants/hedges identified each year in the pricing table section 2.2 through 2.6 for contractor’s action as a part of landscape maintenance of this contract.

Contractor shall identify the plants in the specified areas (as directed by COR/or his representatives), prepare action plan and coordinate with COR/or his representatives for replacing the plants/hedges.

1.17.2 Contractor is required to remove/dispose the old plants/hedges, prepare the soil, replace the existing branch irrigation tubes by new ones, extend new drip lines when deemed necessary, apply approved fertilizers, nutrition and supply/plant the new approved plants/hedges in the identified area.

1.17.3 It is the responsibility of the Contractor to supply new plants/hedges in good health condition and each plant shall be 3 feet high. The delivered items shall be inspected and accepted by COR or his representative. Once the planting of new plants/hedges are completed, routine care should be taken to ensure proper watering and maintaining growth of the plants/hedges. If any newly plants/hedges die/weak in three months due to poor quality of supply or improper maintenance then the Contractor shall replace it at contractor’s cost.

1.17.4 It is the responsibility of the Contractor to do a phasing plan and make use of site gardening maintenance crew’s effort efficiently such that the routine landscape maintenance activities shall not be affected during the life cycle replacement of plants/hedges work.

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1.18 VOLLEYBALL COURT MAINTENANCE

1.18.1 There is a sand filled outdoor type volleyball court (approximately 20x10 meter size) by the wetland at CAC2 area within the Embassy Compound. The Contractor is required to do patrol the court daily to remove any debris and dispose of it properly. Rake the sand to bring up any sharp objects and trash it. Even out low spots in the sand with a rake and shovel. Fill this in with sand from higher spots on the court.

1.18.2. Stretching, repairing/replacing the net, supplying sand and maintenance of the poles in the volleyball court is the responsibility of the Embassy.

1.19 SUPPLY OF DE-MOUNTABLE STORGAE CABINS

1.19.1 The Contractor is required to supply two numbers of good quality de-mountable storage cabins of 10x8x8feet size for Embassy Compound at the Contractor’s cost for safe keeping the garden maintenance materials, tools and equipment. The storage cabins shall have appropriately sized (one) door with a security lock provision. The door shall have louvers in such a way to get natural ventilation. One of the cabins shall be used for storing fertilizers, pesticides, nutrition related items and the other for hand tools and equipment related items.

1.19.2 Contractor is responsible for logistics, supplying, installing the storage cabin and maintaining it at the designated place. Supplied storage cabin shall remain at the Embassy

Compound until the full-term contract period (Base + 4 Option years) is completed or is terminated.

1.19.3 Preparing site preparation and constructing foundation for the storage cabins will be the responsibility of the Embassy.

1.20. LOCATION FOR GARDENING SERVICES

1.20.1 All standard services are to be delivered on at the Embassy at:

U.S. Embassy, P.O. Box 4009, Embassies District Area, Street No. 18, Sheik Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

1.20.2 All standard services are to be delivered on at the Ambassador’s Residence at:

Chief of Mission Residence (CMR)

Khalidiya Area, Corniche

1.20.3 All standard services are to be delivered on at the Deputy Chief of Mission Residence at:

Deputy Chief of Mission Residence (DCMR)

Khalidiya Area, Corniche

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2. WORKING HOURS

2.1 All standard services at the Embassy shall be performed between the hours 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, Saturday through Thursday, except for the mandated local holidays, and as approved. Work hours shall be coordinated by COR.

2.2 All standard services at the CMR and DCMR shall be performed between the hours 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Saturday through Thursday, except for the mandated local holidays, and as approved by occupants of the official residences. Work hours shall be coordinated by COR.

2.3 Other hours may be approved by the COR as dictated by the needs arising out of the Grounds

Maintenance Plan. Notice must be given 24 hours in advance to COR who will consider any deviation from the hours agreed beforehand.

2.4 The Contractor is required to schedule the work hours for their workforce for the Ramadan period and hot/humid weather conditions per guidance of the local government laws.

3.0 DELIVERABLES

The following items shall be delivered under this contract:

DESCRIPTION QUANTITY DELIVERY DATE DELIVER TO

List of Personnel 1 5 days after award Contracting Officer

Insurance (Workmen

Compensation) 1 10 days after award Contracting Officer

DBA Insurance 1 10 days after award Contracting Officer

Grounds Maintenance Plan 1 15 days after award COR

Transition Plan 1 15 days after award COR

Payment Request 1 monthly COR

Work Plan 1 weekly COR

Monthly Quality Score Card 1 monthly COR

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4. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 GENERAL. The Contractor shall maintain discipline at the site and shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unlawful, riotous or disorderly conduct by Contractor employees at the site. The Contractor shall preserve peace and protect persons and property on site. The Government reserves the right to direct the Contractor to remove an employee from the worksite for failure to comply with the standards of conduct. The Contractor shall immediately replace such an employee to maintain continuity of services at no additional costs to the

Government.

4.1. 1 At the end of each work day, the Contractor needs to make sure the key/s that were collected from Post 1 / FM office, are duly returned to the concerned offices and cleaning equipment and/or its associated tool, materials are secured at the appropriate place.

4.1.2 The Contractor shall make sure the duty site supervisor and gardeners are in well cleaned and washed uniform. The color and model of the uniform shall be approved by Embassy.

4.1.3 The Contractors are encouraged to keep standby crew members who have Embassy issued

Red Badges to maintain the continuity of services, when duty gardeners failed to report due to sickness / planned annual leave.

4.1.4 The Contractor shall bear complete responsibility for safe performance of work at site and comply with all local laws pertaining to construction labor and safety. In addition, the safety requirements relative to this SOW as contained in the USACE Manual EM 385-1-1 shall apply.

In case of a conflict between the local laws and the requirements of EM 385-1-1, the stringent of the two shall apply. A soft copy of the USACE Manual EM 385-1-1 is available in the following link:

http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-

1_English_2003.pdf

4.1.5 The Contractor requires to submit risk assessment plan and safety plan associated with the requested service.

4.2 EMPLOYEE LIVING CONDITIONS

4.2.1 If the company provides living accommodations for its employees, it must comply with

Article 35 of UAE local law. The living accommodations must include the following:

1. Climate controlled bedrooms where all employees have their own beds, and the space allotted for each bed is equal to two feet on all directions.

2. A separate cupboard for each employee.

3. The number of WCs must be proportional to the number of employees.

4. The number of bathrooms must be proportional to the number of employees.

5. Kitchens for preparing meals.

6. Dining halls.

7. Places and equipment for washing clothes.

http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-1_English_2003.pdf http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-1_English_2003.pdf

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8. Places for entertainment.

9. An administrator/manager in charge of the accommodation.

10. Around-the-clock security guard.

USG personnel will perform housing site visits during the evaluation process to ensure that the offerors’ employee provided housing living accommodations comply with Article 35 of UAE local law as stated in Section 1, 4.1.2. USG personnel will also perform housing site visits bi-annually during the performance of the contract.

4.3 STANDARD OF CONDUCT.

4.3.1 Uniforms and Personal Equipment. The Contractor's employees shall wear clean, neat and complete uniforms when on duty. All employees shall wear uniforms approved by the Contracting

Officer's Representative (COR).

4.3.2 Neglect of duties shall not be condoned. The Contractor shall enforce no sleeping while on duty, unreasonable delays or failures to carry out assigned tasks, conducting personal affairs during duty hours and refusing to render assistance or cooperate in upholding the integrity of the worksite security.

4.3.3 Disorderly conduct, use of abusive or offensive language, quarreling, intimidation by words, actions, or fighting shall not be condoned. Also included is participation in disruptive activities, which interfere with normal and efficient Government operations.

4.3.4 Intoxicants and Narcotics. The Contractor shall not allow its employees while on duty to possess, sell, consume, or be under the influence of intoxicants, drugs or substances that produce similar effects.

• Criminal Actions. Contractor employees may be subject to criminal actions as allowed by law in certain circumstances. These include but are not limited to the following actions:

• Falsification or unlawful concealment, removal, mutilation, or destruction of any official documents or records or concealment of material facts by willful omission from official documents or records;

• Unauthorized use of Government property, theft, vandalism, or immoral conduct;

• Unethical or improper use of official authority or credentials;

• Security violations; or,

• Organizing or participating in gambling in any form.

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4.4. KEY CONTROL. The Contractor shall receive, secure, issue and account for any keys issued for access to buildings, offices, equipment, gates, etc., for the purposes of this contract. The

Contractor shall not duplicate keys without the COR's approval. Where it is determined that the

Contractor or its agents have duplicated a key without permission of the COR, the Contractor shall remove the individual(s) responsible from this contract. If the Contractor has lost any such keys, the Contractor shall immediately notify the COR. In either event, the Contractor shall reimburse the Government for the cost of rekeying that portion of the system.

4.5. NOTICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF LABOR DISPUTES

The Contractor shall inform the COR of any actual or potential labor dispute that is delaying or threatening to delay the timely performance of this contract.

4.6.1. PERSONNEL SECURITY

4.6.1 After award of the contract, the Contractor shall provide the following list of data on each employee who will be working under the contract. The Contractor shall include a list of workers and supervisors assigned to this project. The Government will run background checks on these individuals. It is anticipated that security checks will take forty-five (45) days to perform. For each individual the list shall include:

• Full Name

• Nationality

• Place and Date of Birth

• Current Address

• Identification number

• Passport Copy

4.6.2 Failure to provide any of the above information may be considered grounds for rejections and/or resubmittal of the application. Once the Government has completed the security screening and approved the applicants, a badge will be provided to the individual for access to the site. This badge may be revoked at any time due to the falsification of data, or misconduct on site. These identity cards are the property of the US Government. The Contractor is responsible for their return at the end/termination of the contract, when an employee leaves Contractor service, or at the request of the Government. The Government reserves the right to deny access to U.S.-owned and U.S.-operated facilities to any individual.

5. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

5.1 The Contractor shall provide appropriate number of all necessary gardening supplies, life cycle replacement plants/hedges and equipment, including rakes, lawn mowers, hoe, pitchfork, pruning shears, fertilizers to perform the work identified in this Statement of Work.

5.2 All equipment and tools used in the Embassy must be new at start of contract and kept in clean and good working order. The newly supplied equipment will be inspected by the COR and/or his

19TC1021Q0001 Page 22 of 70 representatives. If found unacceptable then the Contractor is required to replace them by new ones.

Any repair to the gardening maintenance equipment will be the responsibility of the Contractor.

5.3 The supplies to all the three sites (Embassy, CMR and DCMR) shall be limited to do proper maintenance for a maximum of three months period. Contractor is required to avoid storing of excessive supplies at sites and do timely inventory and replenish the supplies as needed. The

Contractor shall keep enough spare supplies, materials, gardening equipment at the allocated place to provide the requested services on time without compromising the expected quality. The

Contractor shall deliver supplies and equipment to site shall be properly stored in the designated areas in coordination with COR.

6. INSURANCE

6.1 AMOUNT OF INSURANCE. The Contractor is required to provide whatever insurance is legally necessary. The Contractor shall, at its own expense, provide and maintain during the entire performance period the following insurance amounts:

6.2 GENERAL LIABILITY (includes premises/operations, collapse hazard, products, completed operations, contractual, independent contractors, broad form property damage, personal injury)

1. Bodily Injury stated in United Arab Emirates Dirham:

Cumulative: AED 1,500,000.00

2. Property Damage stated in United Arab Emirates Dirham:

Cumulative: AED 1,500,000.00

6.3 The types and amounts of insurance are the minimums required. The Contractor shall obtain any other types of insurance required by local law or that are ordinarily or customarily obtained in the location of the work. The limit of such insurance shall be as provided by law or sufficient to meet normal and customary claims.

6.4 For those Contractor employees assigned to this contract who are either United States citizens or direct hire in the United States or its possessions, the Contractor shall provide workers’ compensation insurance in accordance with FAR 52.228-3.

6.5 The Contractor agrees that the Government shall not be responsible for personal injuries or for damages to:

• any property of the Contractor,

• its officers,

• agents,

• servants,

• employees, or

• any other person, 19TC1021Q0001 Page 23 of 70

• arising from and incident to the Contractor's performance of this contract. The

Contractor shall hold harmless and indemnify the Government from any and all claims arising, except in the instance of gross negligence on the part of the

Government.

6.6 The Contractor shall obtain adequate insurance for damage to, or theft of, materials and equipment in insurance coverage for loose transit to the site or in storage on or off the site.

6.7 Government as Additional Insured.