36C24226Q0444 Amendment 0001.pdf

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

*= Required Field Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

SUBJECT* FY26 SERVICE - YEAR-ROUND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE (B+4)

BATH VAMC

Amendment 0001

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTRACTING OFFICE’S ZIP CODE* 14810

SOLICITATION NUMBER* 36C24226Q0444

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE 04-16-2026 15:00 EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

ARCHIVE 90 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS N

SET-ASIDE SDVOSBC

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE* Z1DZ

NAICS CODE* 561730

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Network Contracting Office 2

Department of Veterans Affairs Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Avenue Bath NY 14810

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Julie Monagan Barnard julie.monaganbarnard@va.gov 607-590-1325

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System Bath VA Medical Center 76 Veterans Ave.

Bath NY

POSTAL CODE 14810

COUNTRY USA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL https://www.va.gov URL DESCRIPTION Department of Veterans Affairs AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS julie.monaganbarnard@va.gov EMAIL DESCRIPTION Contract Specialist

DESCRIPTION

36C24226Q0444 | Year-Round Grounds Maintenance | Bath VA Medical Center Amendment 0001: Questions and Answers:

Please see Vendor questions in black, and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) responses in red:

a. Is there a place that bulk road salt can be stored on site or a area a small temp shed can be placed on site for bulk road salt? A 20'x20' area with a cover to keep salt dry?

Salt can be stored inside building 4, which can hold approximately 200 tons of salt. No temp shed needed.

b. The cemetery area is not maintained in this contract, correct?

Correct, National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is its own entity. This contract is for Bath VA Medical Center only.

c. Grounds Maintenance Service Level and Performance Expectations Under the “Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping – General” section, the Performance Work Statement (PWS) states that all areas shall be maintained in a “clean, safe, and manicured appearance,” with mowing performed weekly or as required and grass not to exceed three (3) inches in height.

To ensure consistent understanding and pricing among offerors, can the Government please clarify the intended service level expectations, specifically:

1. Whether the “clean, safe, and manicured” standard is expected to be maintained on a continuous/daily basis, or achieved through periodic scheduled services;

and

The required standard is that all areas must be maintained in a clean, safe, and manicured condition at all times. The frequency of service is at the contractor’s discretion with approval from the COR, provided this standard is met.

2. Whether mowing and related services, including trimming, debris removal, and seasonal cleanup such as leaf removal, are to be performed at contractor-determined frequencies sufficient to meet the standard, or if the Government has specific service frequencies in mind.

Services (mowing, trimming, debris removal, and seasonal cleanup) shall be performed at frequencies determined by the contractor with COR approval, provided all areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and manicured condition at all times. Accumulation of debris, leaves, or similar materials is not acceptable.

This clarification will help ensure all offerors align their staffing, scheduling, and pricing with the Government’s intended level of service.

d. Lawn Fertilization and Weed/Insect Control Treatments Under “Shrubbery and Landscape Bed Maintenance,” the PWS references lawn fertilization with weed and insect control, as well as non-selective vegetation control for curbs, sidewalks, beds, and building perimeters, and provides a list of approved chemicals.

However, the PWS does not specify the required frequency or number of applications.

Can the Government please clarify the expected number of annual applications for:

1. Lawn fertilization, including weed and insect control; and

Spring/summer/fall application. The contractor shall also perform additional spot treatments as necessary to maintain required site conditions.

2. Non-selective weed/vegetation control?

Spring/summer/fall application. The contractor shall also perform additional spot treatments as necessary to maintain required site conditions.

This clarification will help ensure consistent pricing among offerors.

e. Assistance with On-Site Projects Under “Assistance with On-Site Projects,” the PWS indicates the Contractor shall assist VA staff with minor grounds-related support activities, which may require the use of equipment such as an excavator, loader, or backhoe.

Can the Government please clarify whether these services are:

1. Expected to be included within the Contractor’s firm-fixed monthly price; or

2. To be performed on an as-needed basis and compensated separately, such as through a task order or other mechanism?

Additionally, if these services are to be included in the base scope, can the Government provide an estimated level of effort or frequency to ensure consistent pricing among offerors?

Assistance with on-site projects shall be performed on an infrequent, as-needed basis at the direction of the COR and is included in the firm-fixed monthly price.

These tasks are intended to be minor in nature (e.g., hole digging, small removals, and similar support activities) and do not constitute major construction or large-scale excavation work. No specific quantity of tasks is guaranteed.

f. Snow Management (Stockpiling vs. Removal) The PWS indicates that snow piles shall not create hazards and may need to be relocated or removed if directed by the COR.

Can the Government clarify whether snow hauling/removal off-site is expected under normal operations, or if on-site stockpiling is acceptable unless otherwise directed?

On-site stockpiling, in designated locations is acceptable and expected. Hauling off-site is not required unless specifically directed by the COR.

g. In the following paragraph on page 9 the SOW states the following:

Assistance with On-Site Projects - The Contractor shall assist VA staff, as requested by the COR, with minor grounds-related support activities including sidewalk clearing, hole-digging, and similar tasks in support of ongoing projects. This would require use of equipment such as an excavator, loader or backhoe. Such assistance shall be performed safely and without damage to underground utilities or VA property. –

1. Can the government please elaborate on this statement?

Assistance with on-site projects shall be performed on an infrequent, as-needed basis and is included in the firm-fixed monthly price. These tasks are intended to be minor in nature (e.g., hole digging, minor removals, and similar support activities) and do not constitute major construction or large-scale excavation. No specific quantity of work is guaranteed.

2. How often does this type of situation occur? Can the government give examples of past occurrences when the contractor was asked to use an excavator to dig?

This type of work has historically been performed by in-house staff and has been infrequent. Going forward, such tasks are expected to occur on an infrequent, as-needed basis.

3. What types of jobs required this action?

Typical tasks may include hole digging, minor removals, and similar grounds-related support activities. These efforts are expected to be minor is nature and do not include major construction or large-scale demolition.

4. Where will the contractor store bulk salt on site?

Bulk salt to be stored in Building 4 (enclosed garage), which is designated for this purpose.

5. How many Square feet of mulch is currently required on site?

Exact square footage is not available. There are approximately three

(3) areas requiring mulch application at a depth of 3 inches.

6. How many square feet of pine straw is required on site?

None, unless discussed with for COR before use.

7. Are there bathroom facilities available for contractor use?

Yes, there are bathroom facilities that can be used during normal business hours.

8. Is there an interior area the crew can use during winter months to stay warm during snow removal operations?

Yes, during normal business hours.

9. How many trash receptacles are on site?

Per Performance Work Statement, approximately 20 on site.