36C10E20Q0009-001.docx

Department of Veterans Affairs

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

Interior Plants Maintenance Services

1. General Information

1.1 Background: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), New Orleans Regional Office has a requirement for interior plant maintenance services.

1.2 Scope of work: The contractor shall provide supervision, labor, material, and equipment to maintain all interior plants and replace any plant that is dying or dead with a plant of the same size and variety, unless the VA approves a substitute.

1.3 Period of Performance: Base Year 10-01-2019 to 09-30-2020 with four consecutive 12-month options periods.

1.4 Place of Performance: VBA New Orleans Regional Office 1250 Poydras Street, Suite 803 New Orleans, LA 70113-1871.

1.5 VBA Regional Office’s Hours of Operation: Services shall be performed during VBA New Orleans Regional office’s normal working hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Contractor shall not perform services during federal holidays observed by Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.6 References/Applicable Rules, Policies, Regulations: Service Contract Labor Standards (MAY 2014): Wage Determination No.: 2015-5189, Revision No.: 13, Date of Revision 06/04/2019, Hourly Rate / Class of Employee $15.75/11090-Gardener, Fringe Benefits: $4.48 per hour.

1.7 Safety Requirements: While in performance of the resultant contract, the contractor shall maintain safety and health standards compliant with requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and adhere to VAAR 852.237-70 Contractor responsibilities.

1.8 Security Requirements: Contractor personnel will be required to contact the government designated point of contact upon arrival when reporting for service calls or delivering supplies. Current rules and regulations applicable to the premises, where the work shall be performed, shall apply to the contractor and its employees while working on the premises. These regulations include but are not limited to, escort by VBA officials, presenting valid identification, smoking restriction and any safety procedures as outlined in the site regulations. Services will not require connection to the VA network. The Certification and Accreditation of network/application (C&A) requirements do not apply and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

1.8.1 The contractor shall not disclose or cause to disseminate any information concerning operations of Department of Veterans Affairs. Such action(s) could result in violation of the contract and possible legal actions.

1.8.2 All inquiries, comments, or complaints arising from any matter observed, experienced, or learned of as a result of or in connection with the performance of the contract, the resolution of which may require the dissemination of official information, shall be directed to the government’s designated representative.

1.8.3 See attached VA Handbook 6500.6, Contract Security Appendix C.

1.8.4 No background investigation is required.

1.9 Non-Personal Services: These services are non-personal. Contractor personnel are not subject to the supervision and control of a Government officer or employee in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 37.104(a) (1) (ii). Rather, contractor personnel perform their duties IAW specific tasks outlined in the SOW. Supervisory functions such as hiring, directing, counseling, and firing of contractor personnel are not performed by the Government. The contractor personnel who furnish services under this contract are subject to Government technical oversight of the services provided. The Government retains the right to reject services and or fees for contractual nonperformance.

1.10 Invoices: Contractor shall email invoices monthly in arrears to the email address listed on page one (1) block 18a of the contract that includes the following information: Contract and obligation numbers; Company name, address and phone number, and invoice number and invoice date.

2. Definition and Acronyms: N/A

3. Government-Furnished Items and Services.

4. Contractor-Furnished Items and Services: Performance Outcome – Objective.

Interior plant maintenance with horticultural services. Servicing of the interior plants includes: potting, mulching / top dress, cleaning, polishing, acclimation of plants, water on demand system, fertilization program and bi-weekly servicing.

4.1 Specific Contractor Tasks:

4.1.1 Check and water plants as required, perform dead leaf removal, fertilize as necessary to maintain healthy growth and appearance, stake and tie plants as required to support growth and maintain a pleasant appearance.

4.1.2 Perform integrated pest management control and treat as required.

4.1.3 Remove all debris from plant containers.

4.1.4 Maintain all plant containers so they look attractive and clean.

4.1.5 Perform seasonal pruning of plants as required keeping plants full and healthy as well as changing out the bromeliads in the Director’s Suite when needed.

4.1.6 Replace dying or unhealthy plants with the same size and type of plant.

4.1.7 The contractor will provide the designated VA employee with a schedule of services no later than 7 (seven) days after award. The schedule will depict the day/month the contract will perform the routine maintenance such as watering and dead leaf removal. The contractor will provide the designated VA employee with a revised schedule as necessary. The contractor agrees to respond within 24 hours of receiving a request for maintenance, inspection, or replacement.

4.1.8 Submittals are required for all new material and equipment to be installed. Submittals shall be approved by the designated VA employee prior to purchasing and or installation of any new plants or containers. Also, provide submittals or MSD sheets for any fertilizers or pesticides utilized under this contract.

4.2 Quality Control Program:

The Contractor shall maintain and follow its own established Quality Assurance and Surveillance Plan (QASP). The Government shall monitor the Contractor’s performance under this contract utilizing customer complaints and re-performance of requirements at no cost to the government. The Contractor is responsible for complying with all appropriate regulations and guidelines of OSHA and any other pertinent federal, state and local laws. The contractor shall obtain and maintain all necessary licenses, permits, insurance and applicable health and safety program.

4.3 Personnel Qualifications: The contractor shall be required to provide fully qualified and trained or certified service and management personnel in enough numbers to actively and efficiently service and support the contracted services.

5. Government Point of Contact:

TBA

6. Changes to the Statement of Work (SOW):

Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the Contracting Officer. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the Contracting Officer shall be borne by the contractor.