36C25219Q0242-0002000.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION

OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO:

Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADM

INISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and d ate specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS

ENTERED INTO

PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 3

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO

MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) none 36C252 Department of Veterans Affairs Great Lakes Acquisition Center (GLAC) 115 S. 84th Street, Suite 101 Milwaukee WI 53214-1476 36C252 Department of Veterans Affairs

GLAC-NORTH CHICAGO IL

3001 Green Bay Road Building 1, Room 326 North Chicago IL 60064-3048 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25219Q0242 02-14-2019

X X

X Reference solicitation 36C25219Q0242 for interior plant care at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL and the Adam Benjamin Jr.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Crown Point, IN. The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to questions asked. Due date for offers remains 10:00am EST, 19 February 2019. End of Amendment.

DONALD ST. ONGE

Contracting Officer Questions & Answers related to 36C25219Q0242

1. Who can bid on this contract? Local contractors with no federal license? As stated on page 47 of the solicitation, the contractor must be registered in SAM.

1. How long to the award? When do you needs the bids? As stated in Amendment 1 to the solicitation, offers are due by 10:00am EST on 19 February 2019.

1. When does the new contract start? As stated both in the Statement of Work and on the Schedule, the contract will start on 1 March 2019.

1. Where can we store the water machine? Tank could be stored in the EMS Office on the 3rd floor of Taylor. Accessible during normal business hours, 8am to 4:30pm.

1. Any additional janitor closets available to the contractors to access water at JBVA? No

1. Any additional locations to access water at ABJ other than the sink in the front lobby? No

1. Is the current contractor bidding? Irrelevant.

1. Will the current contractor replace existing plants before the new contract starts? No

1. Will you validate parking? No

1. ABJ – The 2 large existing Ficus trees at ABJ need to be pruned and shaken for infection control reasons (per a contractor). Will the VA pay extra to have this done prior to the start of the maintenance contract? No

1. Some of the existing plants are unhealthy and in need of replacement. Will the current contractor replace those plants prior to the transition to the new contractor? No

1. Is there an option to change plant varieties during the course of the contract or do we need to stick with the current design? Stick to the contract as closely as possible with the understanding that the plants, called out on the contract, may not be available from time to time or when a plant needs to be replaced.

1. Final confirmation, is once weekly service weekly service still required?

(Over the last few years the standard in our industry is to service the plants on an every other week schedule. We have found that in many cases the plants responded better to that schedule.) Once a week visit is mandatory for the contract.

1. The current provider(s) that is(are) actually servicing the sites had/have the same clause of replacement guarantee within their scope? Yes

1. Can a full and total clean up and appropriate replacement plan be provided as an alternate option at the onset of any new provider beginning the contract? (would highly recommend). If this is a suggestion of an additional service prior to the start of the maintenance contract, the answer is NO.

1. Are all the plants government owned? Yes

1. Which plants are not gov. owned? Any plants not called out on the SOW or identified on the walkthrough. All the plants that are on the contract are government owned.

1. What is the process for the recommendation for plants replacements for Plants owned by the gov.?

(appropriate varieties, sizes and age issues for some of the plants may be deemed as necessary, however, this is a perspective issue from any provider.) None of the plants will be replaced by the current contractor at this time. If at some time in the future the contractor or VA notices a plant that is dead or dying, replacement will be needed. The plant will be the same variety and approximate size if at all possible.

1. What might the criteria be for the plants replacement to assist in a more industry speculation formula for this judgment? If at some time in the future the contractor or VA notices a plant that is dead or dying, replacement will be needed.

1. Are all the plant containers gov. owned? Yes

1. What is the process for recommendation for containers replacements? (example materials, types of containers, sizes, colors, etc..) Replacement of containers is not a part of this contract. If a contractor had recommendations regarding a new container that would be of a benefit to the facility or the plant, it would be considered separate of the maintenance contract.

1. Are there any options or alternatives for these issues? No

1. Specific to the Crown Point location, 2 of the 10" plants as listed for service have apparently been replaced with silk, and 3 smaller 6" plants have been added to the inventory.

Can this please be updated in the Plant Locations list in the S.O.W.? The plant maintenance contractor has not purchased artificial plants for the VA.

1. Crown Point location: Additionally, while not pertinent to the cost factors, many of the plants as listed are not in the locations as indicated, however, the count is correct but for the 3 additional 6" as I have mentioned.

Will this be updated too? The plants get moved around by various people not under control of the COR. It is very hard to keep plants in the same place if they are small enough to carry.

1. Crown Point location: At this location, there is poor access to a water source for filling a watering machine. Are there any options or alternatives for these issues? No other options.

1. Is there access to a floor plan for the Crown Point Location as provided for the Chicago Location? Yes

1. What are the differences in maintenance or services from what the current vendor is providing vs. this new contract? None

1. Are there any maintenance /services issues with current vendor? If yes, what are the problems? No

1. Are there any pest issues in both of these facilities?

If yes in which location, and which pests? What type of pests are you referring to specifically and what is your definition of an “issue”? The building, on occasion, may have pests of different varieties. We have a pest Management Specialist on staff who deals with any pests.

1. Will this be L.P.T.A. awarded? The solicitation clearly states the Government will select a quote that represents the best benefit to the Government at a price that can be determined reasonable. This is NOT LPTA. We are doing a comparative evaluation.

1. Have there ever been any pest infestations in any of the these 2 locations? If yes, which pest/s? We have, on occasion, pests of different varieties. We have a pest Management Specialist on staff who deals with any pests.

1. During evaluation which is equal or greater than (ex. price, Technical, Past performance, etc.)? We are doing a comparative evaluation. No factor has been determined to be of greater value than the others.

1. If plants are moved during the new contract, will contractor be notified? Because temperature fluctuations may affect the plant's appearance and health. The plants are moved without consent of the COR or the plant maintenance contractor and should be placed back in the original location that is best for the health of the plant and the aesthetics of the space. The COR would ask ABJOPC Management to relocate the plant back to the correct location when it is noticed that a plant has been moved.

1. Referring to #7 in the S.O.W. , it states: The contractor shall respond to a call within 24 hrs. Contractor will either return the call or a personal visit will be made. Is the visit to the locations required within 24 business hours or 24 Non-business hours (1-2 days)? Visit is required within 2 Business days

1. What was the date approximately of the original installation, and are the current plants part of this original installation? Most of the plants were here at the facility before 2011. The large fig trees at JBVA were placed here about 5 years ago.

1. Who has previously been servicing both locations? Urban Flora

1. What is the access to a water source? Ie: Janitor's closet with threaded spigot? Yes, 1st floor of the Damen Pavilion. JC and threaded.

1. What type of parking restrictions may be in place at each location (especially the Chicago facility)? Parking on the street or there is a parking garage with an associated cost to the contractor.

1. At the Chicago location, what is the elevator access for vendor services? Passenger elevator access.

1. What additional insurance requirements will be requested if the proposal is awarded? With contracts to work in/on government installations that are valued over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold, there is a clause that addresses the requirement for liability insurance. The minimum employer liability is $100,000 except in states that do not permit worker's compensation to be written by private carriers; General liability would be $500,000 per occurrence; automobile liability: $200,000 per person, $500,000 per occurrence and $20,000 property damage...without exclusionary clauses for asbestos that would void the general liability.

1. Is there a vandalism policy or well meaning care disclaimer? No

1. Your Task list includes a "Weekly Service Report". We currently provide such a report indicating weekly times and service notes for each visit on a monthly basis with invoicing. Is this acceptable or will we actually be required to submit a report following each visit? (This would require additional labor time to be included within our costs) There is a sign-in log at the Jesse Brown facility in which the contractor signs in the date, arrival time and departure. There is a "Services Completed" portion of the log in which the contractor can annotate a description of the services rendered. i.e. Interior Landscaping, Plant Rotation, Plant Inspection, Plant Dusting, Replacement of Missing Plant, etc. That is the extent of the Weekly Service Report.

1. We currently provide service for accounts in the downtown Chicago area on an every other week basis. Is there a possibility of providing this service into that scheduling so as not to multiply the excessive travel costs into the equation for the entire cost of the Chicago location? (The Crown Point location would remain on a weekly basis if required.) The solicitation clearly states weekly visits at both locations.

The live plant count at ABJOPC is correct on the solicitation. Some of the plants have been moved and some of the plants types have been replaced with other plant types. See below for updated details (items in red):

1 – 10” Clivia 1 – 10” 6’ Oleander Tree 1 – 10” Money Tree 1 – 10” Coffee Tree 1 – 6” Norfolk Pine 2 – 6” Sanseveria 1 – 6” Rubber Tree Plant 2 – 6” Anthurium 6 – 5” Orchids on rotation

1 – 14” Spathiphyllum, Peace Lily

2 – 6” Sanseveria 1 – 6” Pandanus variegated 1 - 6” Spider Plant

2 – 6” Sanseveria

1 – 6” Agla Silver Bay

1 – 6” Moses in a Cradle