SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS.docx

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JAN 2017)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition appear in Block 10 of the solicitation cover sheet (SF 1449). However, the small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish an item which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender's request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with subpart 4.10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation), or alternative commercial items for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to—

GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925 Facsimile (202) 619-8978.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:

(i) ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/);

(ii) Quick Search (http://quicksearch.dla.mil/);

(iii) ASSISTdocs.com (http://assistdocs.com).

(3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by?

(i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard (https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm);

(ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or

(iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers exceeding $10,000, and offers of $10,000 or less if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation ‘‘Unique Entity Identifier’’ followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror’s name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(k) System for Award Management. Unless exempted by an addendum to this solicitation, by submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database in the time prescribed by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial items, the make and model of the item to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

(End of Provision)

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

The following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

E.2 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

SPECIAL NOTES: To maintain the integrity of this solicitation and subsequent award, all quoters are advised that any question(s) must be submitted in written form via e-mail to the Contracting Officer at William.Bridger@va.gov no later than AUGUST 16, 2025 AT 10:00 a.m. EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST). The Contracting Officer will issue a consolidated response via solicitation amendment to SAM.GOV Contract Opportunities. No telephone questions will be accepted.

AUTHORITY: This Request for Quote (RFQ) is issued under the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Items in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation, and award prescribed in FAR Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

ELIGIBILITY: This solicitation is set-aside and limited to responsible SDVOSB Set-aside with the ability to provide GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES, as described in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Quotes will be considered only from offerors who are regularly established in the business called for and, in the judgment of the Contracting Officer, financially responsible and able to show evidence of their reliability, ability, experience, equipment, facilities, and personnel directly employed or supervised by them to render prompt and satisfactory service. To be eligible for award, Contractors must be considered a small business under the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to the acquisition and possess a valid and active System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

It is the offeror’s responsibility to ensure all completed documentation and signed copies of quotes are received on or before the required due date, but no later than the required receipt time.

CONTRACTOR’S SIGNATURE:

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 4, contractual documents (e.g. bids, proposals, awards, modifications, etc.) shall be completed and signed by the Contractor as follows:

(a) Individuals. Signed by the individual.

(b) Individual doing business as a firm. Signed by that individual, and the signature shall be followed by the individual’s typed, stamped, or printed name and the words, “an individual doing business as _________________ (insert name of firm).”

(c) Partnership. Signed in the partnership name. Prior to award, provide a list of all partners and designate which partners have authority to bind the partnership.

(d) Corporations. Signed in the corporate name followed by the work “by” and the signature, and title of the person authorized to sign. Prior to award, provide a list of individuals who have authority to bind the corporation.

(e) Joint Ventures. Signed by each participant in the joint venture in the manner prescribed in (a) through (d) above.

Agents. When an agent is to sign the contract, other than as stated in paragraph (a) through (e) above, the agent’s authorization to bind the principal must be established by evidence satisfactory to the Contracting Officer.

QUOTE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Quotes are due by AUGUST 25, 2025 at 15:00 (3:00 pm) EST. One electronic copy of all items requested below shall be submitted to the Contract Officer via email to William.Bridger@va.gov.

The subject line of the email must read: 36C24825Q1028 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES. Emails with attachments may not exceed 5mb. If your submission is larger than 5mb, you may send multiple emails – please add the following label to the email’s subject line, e.g. ‘1 of 3’, ‘2 of 3’, and so on. (NOTE: Faxed quotes are NOT permitted under any circumstances.)

The following items must be submitted:

1. Completed Section B.1(1)(a) titled Contract Administration.

2. Signed Amendment(s) (SF 30 – if applicable) OR completed ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS.

3. Completed Section B.3 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & PRICING.

4. Completed fill-ins for C.8 VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING

5. Provide a capabilities statement of your company to demonstrate your ability to perform the required services. At a minimum, include the number of years your firm has provided solid waste collection and disposal services, the number of solid waste vehicles in your vehicle fleet, the number of qualified solid waste drivers, and the method to be used to clean and sanitize containers on a regular basis. If subcontracting, provide list of anticipated subcontractor(s). Including name, address, and telephone numbers. Define the specific task(s) the prime and subcontractor(s) will perform.

6. Provide an example of delivery of similar services or specifically state there is no past performance in this area. Examples may include, but are not limited to: current or prior solid waste contracts or agreements. List of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of customer references, a contract or agreement number, and dates during which services were performed. References must be accurate.

7. OHSA 30 Certification for onsite supervisor.

8. Arborist Certification.

9. Commercial Applicator License

10. Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Certification

11. Insurance

12. All quotes shall include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows:

"The terms and conditions in the RFQ are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition."

OR

"The terms and conditions in the RFQ are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:"

(NOTE: Contractors may submit more than one quote; however, contractors are strongly encouraged to submit their best technical solutions and prices in response to this request for quote.)

EVALUATION OF QUOTES

· The contracting officer and at least one VA user will read all quotes.

· VA will compare quotes against each other in an impartial and simplified manner based on FAR Part 13. Source selection techniques described in FAR Part 15 will not be used.

· VA may ask questions to one or more submitters, but is not obligated to do so.

· The Government may reject all quotes.

· The Contracting Officer and VA users may use any means available to examine the past performance, such as contractor reliability, reputation, and suitability of the service to meet the VA’s need.

· Quotes deemed too expensive or not practical for VA will not be considered further and without notice to the submitter.

· VA may discuss price or price discounts with the one or more submitters before awarding an order or rejecting all quotes.

AWARD AND SELECTION

The Government anticipates selecting the quote that represents the best benefit to the government and the price can be determined reasonable.

(End of Provision)

E.3 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— "Administrative proceeding" means a non-judicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission Administrative Proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings, and Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals Proceedings). This includes administrative proceedings at the Federal and State level but only in connection with performance of a Federal contract or grant. It does not include agency actions such as contract audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables.

"Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000" means—

(1) The total value of all current, active contracts and grants, including all priced options; and

(2) The total value of all current, active orders including all priced options under indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, 8(a), or requirements contracts (including task and delivery and multiple-award Schedules).

"Principal" means an officer, director, owner, partner, or a person having primary management or supervisory responsibilities within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head of a division or business segment; and similar positions).

(b) The offeror [ ] has [ ] does not have current active Federal contracts and grants with total value greater than $10,000,000.

(c) If the offeror checked "has" in paragraph (b) of this provision, the offeror represents, by submission of this offer, that the information it has entered in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is current, accurate, and complete as of the date of submission of this offer with regard to the following information:

(1) Whether the offeror, and/or any of its principals, has or has not, within the last five years, in connection with the award to or performance by the offeror of a Federal contract or grant, been the subject of a proceeding, at the Federal or State level that resulted in any of the following dispositions:

(i) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction.

(ii) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more.

(iii) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in—

(A) The payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or

(B) The payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000.

(iv) In a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the Contractor if the proceeding could have led to any of the outcomes specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (c)(1)(ii), or (c)(1)(iii) of this provision.

(2) If the offeror has been involved in the last five years in any of the occurrences listed in (c)(1) of this provision, whether the offeror has provided the requested information with regard to each occurrence.

(d) The offeror shall post the information in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(iv) of this provision in FAPIIS as required through maintaining an active registration in the System for Award Management database via https://www.acquisition.gov (see 52.204-7).

(End of Provision)

E.4 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Quoter whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, technical, price, past performance. This is a competitive Request for Quote (RFQ) conducted under FAR Part 13.106-2(b)(3) - Comparative Evaluation, to include the following areas:

Technical

The Quoter shall present information that clearly describes their management controls, techniques and procedures to ensure that required work is performed in a timely, responsive, professional and efficient manner.

Price

In evaluating the quoted price, the Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes by adding the total price of the base price plus the four options. The Government may determine fair and reasonable pricing based upon FAR 13.106-3

The Government will conduct comparative evaluations of all quotes received and award to the quote which represents the best overall benefit to the Government. Each response must at minimum meet the solicitation requirement statement. Responses may exceed the requirements. Exceeding the minimum requirement can include but is not limited to any applicable Federal, State and Local certifications, the time estimated to complete and price. Quotes will be compared to other responses received to achieve the best overall benefit to the Government. Once the Government determines that there is a quoter that provides the best overall benefit it may communicate with only that quoter to address any remaining issues.

The Government reserves the right to select a response that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum. The Government is not required to select a response that exceeds the minimum.

The Government is not accepting alternate quotes; only one (1) quote shall be submitted by the quoter. Be sure to respond to any information the Government is requesting within this Request for Quote.

All quotes shall be submitted electronically (email) only (limited to 5MB per email). Quotes received via mail will not be accepted.

(b) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful Quoter within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful Quoter within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

E.5 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from: Mr. W. Lance Bridger, Contracting Specialist.

Hand-Carried Address: Department of Veterans Affairs

NCO 8

1201 NW 16th Street Contracting Office Miami, FL 33125

Mailing Address: Department of Veterans Affairs

NCO 8

1201 NW 16th Street Contracting Office Miami, FL 33125

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision)

E.6 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (JAN 2008)

(a) Any protest filed by an interested party shall:

(1) Include the name, address, fax number, and telephone number of the protester;

(2) Identify the solicitation and/or contract number;

(3) Include an original signed by the protester or the protester's representative and at least one copy;

(4) Set forth a detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds of the protest, including a description of resulting prejudice to the protester, and provide copies of relevant documents;

(5) Specifically request a ruling of the individual upon whom the protest is served;

(6) State the form of relief requested; and

(7) Provide all information establishing the timeliness of the protest.

(b) Failure to comply with the above may result in dismissal of the protest without further consideration.

(c) Bidders/offerors and contracting officers are encouraged to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures to resolve protests at any stage in the protest process. If ADR is used, the Department of Veterans Affairs will not furnish any documentation in an ADR proceeding beyond what is allowed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(End of Provision)

E.7 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (JAN 1998)

As an alternative to filing a protest with the contracting officer, an interested party may file a protest with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management, Acquisition Administration Team, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, or for solicitations issued by the Office of Construction and Facilities Management, the Director, Office of Construction and Facilities Management, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. The protest will not be considered if the interested party has a protest on the same or similar issues pending with the contracting officer.

(End of Provision)

PLEASE NOTE: The correct mailing information for filing alternate protests is as follows:

Or for solicitations issued by the Office of Construction and Facilities Management:

E.8 VAAR 852.270-1 REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTRACTING OFFICERS (JAN 2008)

The contracting officer reserves the right to designate representatives to act for him/her in furnishing technical guidance and advice or generally monitor the work to be performed under this contract. Such designation will be in writing and will define the scope and limitation of the designee's authority. A copy of the designation shall be furnished to the contractor.