36C25620Q0794 0001.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 NUMBERE

D CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE 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 amendmen t, and is received prior to the opening hour and date 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 30

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) 520-21-1-543-0019 Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Network Contracting Office 16 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi MS 39531 Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Network Contracting Office 16 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi MS 39531 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25620Q0794 07-22-2020

X X

X A. The purpose of this amendment is to provide responses to questions received for Solicitation 36C25620Q0794 on or prior to the question due date of July 10, 2020. See pages 2-4 for questions and answers.

B. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Beth A. Cook Contracting Officer Solicitation 36C25620Q0794

1. It is required that the contractor by Licensed in turf and ornamental applications in the state of MS. We are currently licensed in New Jersey and New York, if awarded the contract it will take about 6 weeks for us to obtain our MS. License. In the interim we will utilize a licensed sub- contractor and present this license at the time of the award. We have a national relationship with TruGreen, they are more than happy to help with this requirement if needed. Is that acceptable?

Response: Yes, that licensing arrangement is acceptable.

2. To clarify, all tree trimming requirements for the PWS is for trees that are inside of the beds that designated in the PWS attachments only?

Response: Yes, but this service contract does not include trimming or pruning of any oak trees located in the landscape beds. Refer to performance work statement section 1.5.1 for further clarification.

3. How has the scope of work changed from the original contract to this new one?

Response: Additional services in the Ravine area has increased, the beds are to be maintained daily, and seasonal flowers. Ambiguous language such as “continual policing” has been modified for the government requirements/expectations to be understood.

4. Do you expect all of the mulch to be changed out yearly or just refreshed throughout the year and only when needed?

Response: Maintain mulch to minimum depth of 2.5 inches, contractor shall walk each landscape daily to maintain mulch to this depth by contractor adding additional mulch material as needed during the time of the daily bed inspection. Refer to performance work statement section 1.1.4 for further guidance on bed maintenance.

5. Is it OK to have mulch dumped at the “staging area” close to bldg. 10 and then distributed throughout the property when needed?

Response: Mulch can be delivered to area near trailer and or equipment storage area as long as it is done in a neat and orderly fashion. Contractor to work with the COR in determining exact location of area for mulch material and particulars regarding to placement of trailer/tools/machinery, etc. upon award of contract.

0. Can we leave vehicles and tools at the staging area over night on a long-term basis?

Response: Yes, as long as you have the contract. VA not responsible for loss or stolen tools and or machinery. Once your contract period has expired all tools/trailers/equipment/materials, etc. must be removed from the VA Medical Center property.

6. How many flowers are expected to be needed yearly. The SOW calls for 185 flowers but is that total for the year or is it 185 flowers 3x a year?

Response: The performance work statement is meant to be read and interpreted that the minimum number of seasonal flowers planted in one year for bed numbers 1, 3, 41, and 135 would be 3 X 185 = 555.

7. Areas to be cleared (A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4) – A-2 & A-3 are mostly clear on the top while the bank leading down to the water is heavily wooded. Are you asking for this area to be cleared out all the way to the water or are you just wanting a few remaining trees/shrubs on the top (not the bank) cleared out?

Response: The area intended to be cleared should include the side of hill up to the edge of water but not including any wetlands. The partial clearing described in this contract stops at the wetland line.

0. Are you wanting A-1 cleared out all the way to the water along the 112.8’ section designated on the diagram in the SOW?

Response: Yes, but do not clear in any wetland areas.

8. The SOW is calling for “Edging” around all beds. After reviewing the site it looks like there has been no edging done in the past and only a weed trimmer has been used. Are you wanting all flower beds to receive a “New” edge in order to meet the SOW requirements?

Response: Provide new bed edge where needed. Contractor is to maintain a neat vertical cut edge along the border of each bed to maintain a neat precise landscaping bed edge.

9. The VA has suggested a crew size of approximately 8‐10. If the contractor feels that a smaller crew can complete the service successfully, does the VA have a minimum crew size they required for this work?

Response: No, the crew size is suggestive and based on past experience.

10. Will the VA provide any facilities for the landscaping crew including the following:

Location to store equipment Facilities to use the restroom Breakroom for staff to eat lunch Parking location for staff vehicles Response: Successful contractor will have a space for trailer/equipment/parking/mulch/tools, etc in the area near building 10. Contractor can use VA restrooms as long as it does not become an issue. It is the ultimate responsibility of the owner to provide restroom facilities for their employees. No breakroom will be provided by VA.

13. Is there a previous contractor who has been providing landscaping services at this facility? If so, will the VA please provide their contact information?

Response: Wolverton Property Management, Contract 36C25620C0006

14. Is there any equipment available at the facility for the contractor’s staff to use, including lawn maintenance equipment, motorized vehicles, or tools?

Response: No, all equipment, vehicles, tools, and any other elements deemed necessary to perform the requested services shall be provided by the contractor.

15. Is the contractor’s horticulturist responsible for the selection layout and configuration of new landscaping including flowers and mulch type?

Response: This is the type of work that is thought to be performed by the successful contractor’s horticulturist.

16. Will the VA permit the contractor to use golf cart type vehicles on the premise for contractors’ staff?

Response: Yes, contractor can use golf cart like equipment to move around the medical center in order to successfully complete the required contract work.

17. Can the VA publish the site visit list?

Response: See Attachment for Site Visit list.

18. The ravine that will be cleared has many vines that extend into the treetop canopy.

Should these vines be removed it may damage some trees and their canopies. Does the VA want to remove these vines as part of the contracted work, or should they remain?

Response: The vines should be carefully removed in such manner from trees so as not to damage the canopies.

19. Many of the garden beds listed in this scope are currently unkept and not contained with edging. Does the VA want to install edging to separate the garden bed from the grass or should garden beds be maintained as they are?

Response: Provide new bed edge where needed. Contractor is to maintain a neat vertical cut edge along the border of each bed to maintain a neat precise landscaping bed edge.

20. Section 1.1.4 “Maintain Bedding and Plan Areas” calls for “repair or replace damaged plants is shrub and plant beds as identified in Appendix B”.

Appendix B did not provide any information regarding damaged plants Does this include existing damaged or dead plants/ shrubs / ornamental trees?

We have observed several including at the facility a dead WASHINGTOIA Palm on the East side of Building 30.

Response: Landscape beds numbered 1, 3, 23, 30, 41, 42, 43 ,101, 102, and 135 in addition to having the mulch and edge of beds maintained are to have the existing flowers maintained. Refer to section 1.5.1 in the performance work statement for requirements related to maintenance of the ornamental trees/shrubs/hedges.

21. There are several scope discrepancies that should be clarified prior to bidding including each of the following:

Ravine

a. Appendix A, Line 2 ‐ States 2.26 acres for Ravine area A‐1 to A‐4.

b. Performance Work Statement, Sect. 1 ‐ Description of Services ‐ "...(a ravine area of approximately 0.66 acres)

c. Performance Work Statement, Sect. 1.3.1, Par. 2 ‐ Mow Ravine Area ‐ ...The area to be one‐timed cleared have the following area: A‐1 (0.43 acres), A‐2 (.34 acres), A‐3 (0.65 acres), and A‐4 (0.18 acres)

Edging – 1,800 Ln.ft There should be more than 1,800 LF in 11,900 square yards of Beds.

Please verify.

Trimming – 1,800 Ln.ft Performance Work Statement, Sect. 1.1.4 Maintain Bedding and Planted Areas ‐ No weed eaters are to be used in mulched landscape beds.

Response: Recommend bidding contractors to perform an independent site visit and determine approximate bed areas and linear feet of beds to be trimmed.

SEE RESPONSE TO QUESTION NUMBER 7 ABOVE TO ASSIST IN ANSWERING QUESTION NUMBER 21: 7. Areas to be cleared (A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4) – A-2 & A-3 are mostly clear on the top while the bank leading down to the water is heavily wooded. Are you asking for this area to be cleared out all the way to the water or are you just wanting a few remaining trees/shrubs on the top (not the bank) cleared out? The area intended to be cleared should include the side of hill up to the edge of water but not including any wetlands. The partial clearing described in this service contract stops at the wetland line.

Are you wanting A-1 cleared out all the way to the water along the 112.8’ section designated on the diagram in the SOW? Yes, but do not clear in any wetland areas. The partial clearing described in this contract stops at the wetland line.

END OF RESPONSES

See attached document: S04 SITE VISIT 07082020 LANDSCAPING SERVICES BILOXI.

End of Document