36C25018Q0030-001.docx

36C25018Q0030 Lawn Care and Landscaping/Snow and Ice Removal

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

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

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

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.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

(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 _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

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

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

583-19-1-669-0001 583-18-2-669-0025 36C25018Q0030 4-11-2018 Nikki Horther 260-426-5431 x 71593 5-14-2018 1:00 Eastern Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 Ft. Wayne Campus 2500 E State Blvd Fort Wayne IN 46805 X

XX

561730 $7.5 Million X N/A X Department of Veterans Affairs Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center 1481 W 10th Street Indianapolis IN 46202 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 Ft. Wayne Campus 2500 E State Blvd Fort Wayne IN 46805

Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Management System (FMS) PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 512-242-7300 N/A X This acquisition is set aside 100% for Veteran Owned Small Business. Award may be to a single source or two sources.

Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, tools, equipment, vehicles, transportation and chemicals necessary to provide lawn care and landscaping services and/or snow and ice removal for Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center with facilities on West 10th Street and Cold Spring Road in Indianapolis, IN in accordance with the Performance Work Statement.

See Schedule of Supplies/Services Questions shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer at Nikki.horther@va.gov no later than April 24, 2018 at 1 pm Eastern. No site visit is scheduled.

583-3690162-669-853300-2549 010055590 583-3680162-669-853300-2580 010055590 X X Nikki Horther Contracting Officer

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR: Name: ___________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ___________________________________

Telephone Number: ________________________________

Fax Number: _____________________________________

E-mail address: ___________________________________

DUNS: __________________________________________

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System For Award Management, or

[ ] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly [ ]

b. Semi-Annually [ ]

c. Other [X] Monthly

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

5. SUBMISSION OF OFFER:

a. Offerors shall complete and return all information designated in:

1) Blocks 17(a) and 30(a-c) of SF 1449

2) Contract Administration Data

3) The Price/Cost Schedule, Section B

4) 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, Quote Submission Information

5) 52.209-7, Information Regarding Responsibility Matters

6) 52.212-3, Representations and Certifications, or valid completion in SAM is acceptable

7) VOSB Self-Performance Certification

Information shall be received by the date and time specified in Block 8 of SF 1449 to be considered for award.

Sealed offers will be received at:

Department of Veterans Affairs, VANIHCS, Attn: Nikki Horther (90C), 2121 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Or if hand-carried to

Nikki Horther, VA Outpatient Annex, 2500 E State Boulevard, Room 703, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.

b. By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that the prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award. Offerors who are not registered in SAM should consider applying for registration immediately. Registration in SAM is a requirement to conduct business with the Federal Government. If the prospective awardee is not registered in SAM within the timeframe specified by the Contracting Officer, the successful offeror may be removed from further consideration for award. Offerors can register in SAM at https://www.sam.gov.

c. Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR Subpart 13.5 are being used to conduct the procurement.

d. Offeror must be certified in the SAM representations and certifications in FAR 52.212-3 that the firm meets the small business size standard for the NAICS Code assigned to the procurement.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes VAAR 852.219-11, VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to contractor's offices where the contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

B.3 SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

Description: Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, tools, equipment, vehicles, transportation and chemicals necessary to provide lawn care and landscaping services and/or snow and ice removal services for RLRVAMC at its properties located at 1481 W 10th St, Indianapolis IN 46202 and 2669 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis IN 46201 in accordance with the Performance Work Statement. Period of performance is from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 with four one-year option periods to be exercised at the discretion of the Government.

This may be a multiple offer award – For Offerors submitting quotes for lawn care and landscaping services only, provide pricing for those line items only. For Offerors submitting quotes for snow and ice removal, provide pricing for those line items only. Quotes will also be accepted by Offerors who supply pricing for both services and all items listed in the pricing schedule.

All prices are Firm Fixed Price

The total minimum dollar amount, or guaranteed minimum, for a contract is $8,000.00.

The maximum total of an awarded contract for Lawn Care and Landscape Services shall not exceed $875,000.00 dollars.

The maximum total of an awarded contract for Snow and Ice Removal Services shall not exceed $2,300,000.00 dollars.

Invoices shall list the line item number for each service rendered.

Schedule of Services:

Lawn Care and Landscape Services Base Year: July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019

Total Base Year

Option Year 1: July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020

Total Option Year 1

Option Year 2: July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021

Total Price

Total Option Year 2

Option Year 3: July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022

Total Price

Total Option Year 3

Option Year 4: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023

Total Option Year 4

Snow and Ice Removal Services Base Year: July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019

Total Base Year

Option Year 1: July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020

Total Option Year 1

Option Year 2: July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021

Total Option Year 2

Option Year 3: July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022

Total Option Year 3

Option Year 4: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023

Total Option Year 4

Price Schedule Grand Totals

Lawn Care and Landscape Services:

Total Base Year: ____________________________

Total Option Year 2: ____________________________

Total Option Year 3: ____________________________

Total Option Year 4: ____________________________

Grand Total: ____________________________

Snow and Ice Removal Services:

Total Base Year: ____________________________

Total Option Year 2: ____________________________

Total Option Year 3: ____________________________

Total Option Year 4: ____________________________

Grand Total: ____________________________

Both Lawn and Snow Services:

Lawn Care and Landscape Grand Total: ____________________________

Snow and Ice Removal Grand Total: ____________________________

Grand Total: ____________________________

B.4 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Part I: General Information

A. Introduction Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center (RLRVAMC) has a requirement for lawn care and landscaping services, and snow and ice removal at two locations – the West 10th Street (WTS) facility at 1481 W 10th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202 and the Cold Spring Road (CSR) facility at 2669 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN 46201. This may be a multiple offer award; one award for lawn care and landscaping services, one award for snow and ice removal services or one award for all services.

B. Background RLRVAMC provides health care to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Having a clean, appealing, well-kept and inviting appearance is of the utmost importance of the facility to provide a favorable impression to patients, visitors and guests of the medical center

C. Scope

1. Lawn Care and Landscaping Services Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, tools, equipment, vehicles, transportation and chemicals necessary to provide lawn care and landscaping services for RLRVAMC at its properties located at 1481 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 and 2669 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN 46201. Services shall include tree trimming, tree removal, removal of storm damaged debris, testing soil, amending soil, adding soil and stone when needed, grading and preparation where needed, repairing and maintaining bare spots in lawn, providing annual design and plans for planting and maintaining annuals in designated areas, inspecting and making recommendations for removal, planting/replanting for shrubs, trees and perennials, mowing, edging, trimming, mulching, weeding, over-seeding, fertilizing, pesticide control, and removal of debris. Contractor may be required to accomplish services during non-business hours for safety, efficiency, and to prevent damage to government and private property.

2. Snow and Ice Removal Services Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, tools, equipment, vehicles, transportation and chemicals necessary for snow and ice removal services for RLRVAMC at its properties located at 1481 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 and 2669 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN 46201. Snow and ice removal encompasses snow and ice removal from all designated sites, deicing from all designated areas, removal of snow and ice from all parking lots, drives, walkways, sidewalks, crosswalks and all ramps.

D. Applicable Documents Contractor shall ensure that equipment functions in conformance with the latest published edition of the regulations for the work identified. Contractors shall ensure that the application of chemicals is in conformance with the latest published edition of the regulations for the work identified.

· EPA (FIFRA (Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act) The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act was enacted in June 25, 1947.) https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act-fifra-and-federal-facilities

· Applicators of lawn chemicals classified as restricted use shall provide a copy of their current commercial pesticide/fertilizer applicator certification prior to applying any lawn chemicals on VA Property. http://www.oisc.purdue.edu/pesticide/continuing_certification_program.html#categories

· EPA (40 CFR 170 Pesticide Worker Protection Standard): All commercial applicators shall wear appropriate PPE to prevent chemical exposures. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/agricultural-worker-protection-standard-wps

· OSHA (29 CFR 1910.1200): Contractor shall inform employees of hazards of working with any chemicals they shall be working with. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099

· OSHA (29 CFR 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks): Contractor shall provide current training certifications for all staff operating applicable “powered industrial trucks”. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STaNDaRDS&p_id=9828

· OSHA (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I Personal Protective Equipment): Contractor shall ensure staff wear appropriate PPE to protect their employees from injury. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910

· EPA/State of Indiana (Clean Water Act (40 CFR 112, 116, and 117)): Any fuel, salt storage shall comply with the CWA and be added to the local spill plan as necessary. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=611677626beed63fc8ba9781cd6469e3&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfrv24_02.tpl#0

Part II: Work Requirements

A. Joint Commission Requirements

1. Contractor shall attend an orientation meeting prior to any work on site. The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) shall schedule the meeting and it shall include discussion of the following topics. COR shall provide information to Contractor regarding these topics and shall document the meeting.

· Fire and Safety

· Infection control

· Disaster procedures

· Security

2. Contractor shall ensure that contractor employees receive the above information.

3. Contractor shall ensure contractor employees are fully trained and competent on the procedures and equipment used to perform the required work with the appropriate licenses.

4. Contractor shall submit to COR a written list of any sub-contractor utilized. Contractor shall update list as needed throughout the contract period. Subcontractor employees shall adhere to and comply with all requirements as contractor employees.

B. Technical Requirements – Lawn and Landscaping Services Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, tools, equipment, vehicles, transportation and chemicals necessary to provide full service lawn care and landscape services for RLRVAMC for properties located at 1481 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (WTS) and 2669 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN 46201 (CSR). Required services not specifically listed in the price schedule shall be included into overall quote by contractor. Contractor may be required to accomplish services during non-business hours for safety, efficiency reasons and to prevent damage to government and private property.

1. Overview:

a. Lawn, grounds and landscaping care includes tree trimming, tree removal, removal of storm damaged debris, testing soil, amending soil, adding soil and stone when needed, grading and preparation where needed, repairing and maintaining bare spots in lawn, providing annual design and plans for planting and maintaining annuals in designated areas, inspecting and making recommendations for removal, planting/replanting for shrubs trees and perennials, mowing, edging, trimming, mulching, weeding, over-seeding, fertilizing, pesticide control, and removal of debris.

b. Lawn care and landscaping care shall take place during the months of April through the end of October. Contractor shall be available before April 1 and after October 31 if the season begins earlier or ends later, dependent upon local weather.

c. Lawn care and landscaping equipment shall not be stored onsite unless approved by COR. Short term equipment storage onsite may be approved by the COR for staging for specific tasks like tree trimming. Equipment shall be loaded, unloaded and staged in locations designated by the COR. Patient parking shall not be taken up by trucks, equipment or trailers that transport equipment during regular business hours.

d. The following drawings for lawn and landscaping services are in Section D.

· D.2 WTS Lawn and Landscape Overview

· D.3 WTS Planter-Flower Plant Locations

· D.4 WTS Landscaping Bed and Mulched Area Locations

· D.5 WTS Landscaping Bed and Mulched Area Details

· D.6 CSR Lawn and Landscape Overview

· D.7 CSR Lawn and Landscaping Bed Locations

· D.8 CSR Landscaping Bed Details

2. Lawn Care

a. Lawns shall be kept cleanly mowed at a height of approximately 3.5 inches tall. Under high growth conditions contractor may be required to mow more than once weekly. Under drought conditions and when no growth has occurred weekly service may not be required. Under said conditions the COR shall determine the need for weekly service. Contractor shall remove and dispose of any trash or debris before mowing.

b. Trimming shall be accomplished with regular lawn care equipment and shall provide a clean appearance for both properties. Trimming shall consist of weed eating and pulling, trimming of weeds and grass from any surface that cannot be readily mowed at all areas of both properties. Weed eating shall be performed around equipment, construction trailers, buildings, and in any area that is not practical to mow.

c. Edging shall be accomplished with powered lawn care edging equipment or attachments. It shall consist of edging and maintaining all areas where lawn meets hard surfaces such as borders, curbs and sidewalks.

d. Fenced in areas around properties shall be kept free of weeds and grass. Maintenance of these areas may be accomplished by contractor’s spraying of pesticides and removal of dead vegetation or by periodically weed eating. Arrangements shall be made with COR for access to areas.

e. Fall preparation of existing sod/soil/lawn and over- seeding shall be completed on all lawns during the period from September 15 to October 15; watering as needed for seeding using RLRVAMC utilities where available until stabilized and germinated. Where water is not available contractor shall provide adequate means to water as needed.

· Core aerate and level all lawn surfaces in preparation for over-seeding.

· Utilize basic landscaping blend type grass seed suitable for Indiana region and appropriate for sun and shade conditions on each lawn.

· Provide and apply suitable starter fertilizer as needed.

f. Sweeping and cleaning of solid surfaces shall be accomplished with powered lawn/leaf blowers and/or brooms. It shall consist of sweeping by hand or with powered equipment to ensure all patios, sidewalks aprons and concrete surfaces around buildings remain clear of dirt gravel, debris and lawn clippings. Contractor shall blow or sweep up grass clippings discharged onto drives or parking lots immediately after mowing service is completed. Special care shall be taken at building entrances so that grass clippings from mowing and weed-eating are not tracked inside the buildings.

3. Landscaping

a. Contractor shall continuously inspect and assess all lawns’ existing conditions for deficiencies and bare spots throughout the contract period. Contractor shall prepare and re-plant grass in these areas. Contractor shall prepare areas of lawns for re-planting by tilling, amending soils, adding topsoil, fertilizing and treating for weeds, application of straw mats and seeding. Contractor shall ensure good germination and growth of re-planted areas to provide nicely kept and manicured lawns. This shall apply to areas around walkways, lots and drives compromised by winter treatments for snow and ice removal. Contractor may substitute weed barrier and river rock stone in problematic locations at no additional cost if approved by COR. Periodically contractor shall be required to re-plant grass in locations where construction trailers and dumpsters have been located. Bare spots and damage to lawns caused by construction trailers and dumpsters shall be repaired in the same manner and will have a separate line item on the price schedule.

b. Mulching shall be accomplished for existing flower and landscape beds in the spring of the year. This shall consist of removal of prior year’s mulch down to a depth of approximately 4 inches and replacement with fresh mulch. Color of mulch shall be dark brown or black at all locations except the area around the North entrance to Building 1 at WTS. The mulch color around Building 1 North entrance shall be dark red to match the existing surrounding landscaping beds with permanent brick chip stone installed. Contractor shall take special care in the existing mulched landscape beds while mulching so the sprouts from existing perennial plants like tulips and hostas are not damaged. Contractor shall sweep and clean up all affected areas immediately after mulching is completed. Contractor shall not mulch any landscape areas that have permanent stone already installed. Contractor may choose the option of installing heavy duty weed barrier under new mulch to reduce overall maintenance and upkeep requirements if approved by COR and at no additional cost.

c. Contractor shall provide leaf and debris removal from WTS and CSR properties. Leaf, black gum tree seed pods, dead vegetation and other debris removal shall be completed as required during the fall and spring. Removal shall be conducted approximately twice per week during peak seasons or upon request by COR. Contractor shall provide services on an as needed basis to facilitate neat and clean grounds during the fall and spring seasons.

4. Landscape Bed Maintenance

a. Planters, security bollard flower pots, flower and landscape beds shall be maintained by cleaning, removing debris, raking to refresh weathered mulch, weeding, and application of pesticides. Plant flowers in Spring and replant dead flowers when needed, and water plants as needed. All areas shall be kept free of weeds, suckers and unwanted growth.

b. Contractor shall inspect existing conditions, assess and prepare areas to be planted. Assessment shall take into consideration specific conditions at each location regarding the amount of sun or shade present and soil content. In preparation for planting contractor shall test, amend and fertilize soils to match selected plant’s needs for all planters, flower pots and flower/landscape beds.

c. Contractor shall create and maintain permanent mulched landscaping beds suitable for planting of annual flowers around the locations listed below. Minimum size shall be 18” around designated object unless otherwise marked on drawings. Areas around trees shall not have flowers planted and mulched area size may be adjusted 12 inches measured from the trunk of the tree. New bed locations are marked on drawings “D.4 WTS Landscaping Bed and Mulched Area Locations” and “D.7 CSR Lawn and Landscaping Bed Locations.” Additional details are provided on drawings “D.5 WTS Landscaping Bed and Mulched Area Details” and “D.8 CSR Landscaping Bed Details”. Beds shall be created by removal of sod and fill dirt to a depth of approximately 5-6 inches deep, replacing with topsoil, weed barrier and a layer of mulch no less than 3 inches deep. Size of beds shall be determined by size required to prevent damage to signs, trees etc. from mowing and lawn care equipment. Contractor shall make recommendations to COR for selection of plants per the “Yearly Assessment and Planting Plan”.

i. Contractor shall test, amend and fertilize soils to match plant selection’s requirements. Cost of testing, fertilizing and amendments and new plants shall be incorporated into “Soil Quality and Fertilization/Pesticide Treatment Plan” and “Yearly Assessment and Planting Plan”.

· All permanent marquee signs on WTS property.

· Trees located in the lawns at WTS property.

· Permanent bollards, posts and informational signs located in the lawns on both WTS and CSR properties.

ii. Plantings in new landscape beds shall be a mixture of perennials, annuals and small shrubbery. Contractor shall make recommendations to COR for selection of plants per “Annual Plantings and Maintenance Plan”. Contractor shall test, amend and fertilize soils to match selected plant’s requirements. Cost of testing, fertilizing and amendments and new plants shall be incorporated into “Soil Quality and Fertilization/Pesticide Treatment Plan” and “Yearly Assessment and Planting Plan”.

5. Annual Plantings & Maintenance Program:

Contractor shall submit a written plan including diagrams of recommendations and plant selections to COR no later than March 1st of each year during the contract period. The written “Yearly Assessment and Planting Plan” shall consist of three sections, annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Upon approval by COR, contractor shall incorporate the approved plan elements into the overall contract requirements in a manner that does not affect or conflict with other sections in the Performance Work Statement. For example, mulching before plantings occur may result in an unsatisfactory appearance of mulched areas. In such an event, contractor shall be required to correct appearance at no additional cost. The “Yearly Assessment and Planting Plan” shall contain the following;

a. Annual flowers shall be planted in all locations marked on drawing “D.3 WTS Planter-Flower Plant Locations”. Contractor is encouraged to use creative ideas to provide an exceptional overall appearance of flowering plants through-out the spring, summer and fall seasons. Contractor shall ensure that the plant selections for the highlighted areas on accompanying site plans be repetitious and consistent at these locations. Annuals planted in locations shown on plans with existing perennials and shrubs shall be supplemental to enhance the appearance of that specific location.

b. Perennial flowers shall be planted at locations marked on accompanying site plans. Perennials shall be used in conjunction with annuals and shrubs to provide a pleasing appearance to the designated location. Site plans shall also have locations of existing perennials marked. Contractor shall identify existing plant species to develop a care and maintenance plan that promotes good healthy thriving plants. Recommendations for replacement of unhealthy, damaged or missing perennials shall be included in contractor’s written report. Upon acceptance and approval by COR plants shall be replaced.

6. Trees and Shrubs:

a. Contractor shall monitor and provide care for flowers, shrubs and trees through-out the contract period. Contractor shall ensure soil is not compacted, and soil is tested for appropriate nutrients and PH levels. Flowers, shrubs and trees shall be fertilized as needed, watered as needed, and treated appropriately for disease, fungus and insect infestations. Contractor shall ensure prompt replacement of any dead or dying flowers, shrubs or trees.

b. Trees and shrubs shall be evaluated during contractor’s assessment of existing conditions. Contractor shall identify existing plant species to develop a care and maintenance plan that promotes good healthy thriving plants. Recommendations for replacement of unhealthy, damaged or missing trees and shrubs shall be included in contractor’s written assessment report. Upon acceptance and approval by COR the recommended trees and/or shrubs shall be planted.

c. Tree and shrub trimming shall consist of periodic trimming of trees and shrubs at WTS and CSR properties to ensure a pleasant appearance, provide a safe environment for patients and visitors and healthy trees and shrubs at both properties. Tree trimming for maintenance shall be completed in mid-summer after seasonal growth is complete. Contractor shall trim and remove storm damaged tree limbs and branches when requested by COR. Extensive storm damage shall require total removal of damaged trees. Tree and shrub trimming shall include:

i. Trimming and pruning of low hanging, dead, broken, or otherwise unsafe trees and or branches from all trees; very large trees at CSR included.

ii. Trimming trees overhanging the property fence at CSR along the North and East boundaries. Neighboring property’s trees shall be kept trimmed from coming through the fence and in a plane extending up from the fence ensuring no tree branches are overhanging fence or…