36C26126Q0750_Landscape and Grounds Maintenance.docx

36C26126Q0750

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

SERVICE-DISABLED

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.

UEI:

EFT:

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. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

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

570-26-4-633-0136

07-22-2026 Karen Cooper karen.cooper332@va.gov 08-24-2026 08:00

EDT

00261

Department of Veterans Affairs

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 21

X

561730 $9.5 Million

N/A

VA Central California health Care Fresno VA Medical Center 2615 E Clinton Avenue Fresno CA 93703 00261

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 21

FMS-VA-2(101) Financial Services Center

PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971

See CONTINUATION Page

Landscape and Grounds Maintenance IAW the Performance Work Statement.

An optional, but strongly encouraged, site visit will be held 5 August, from 10:00am to 11:00am PDT. See Attachment 8 Site Visit Information, for map and POC information.

This is a 100% SDVOSB set-aside. Offerors must be verified at the time of quote submission and shall continue to be registered until time of award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract resulting from this solicitation. Failure to submit SDVOSB certification

AND completion of VAAR Clause 852.219-75 will result in being excluded from evaluations and ineligible for award.

WD 2015-5609 REVISION 29, DATED 05/13/2026 APPLIES TO THIS

SOLICITATION.

ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL TO KAREN COOPER

AT karen.cooper332@va.gov NO LATER THAN 12 AUG 2026.

Jill Williams Contracting Officer

Table of Contents

C.5 52.222-42 STATEMENT OF EQUIVALENT RATES FOR FEDERAL HIRES (MAY 2014)……………………………………………………………………………………………..44

E.2 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021) (DEVIATION OCT 2025)……………………………………….70

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:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C261 Jill Williams

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

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. Invoicing shall be in accordance with the requirements of The Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center (VAFSC). The latest information shall be used for invoicing and payments and may change during the period of performance of this acquisition. Current invoicing information is located at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

VA’s Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System – The FSC uses a third-party contractor, Tungsten, to transition vendors from paper to electronic invoice submission. Please go to this website: http://www.tungsten-network.com/US/en/veterans-affairs/ to begin submitting electronic invoices, free of charge.

More information on the VA Financial Services Center is available at http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp Vendor e-Invoice Set-Up Information:

Please contact Tungsten at the phone number or email address listed below to begin submitting your electronic invoices to the VA Financial Services Center for payment processing, free of charge. If you have question about the e-invoicing program or Tungsten, please contact the FSC at the phone number or email address listed below:

· Tungsten e-Invoice Setup Information: 1-877-489-6135

· Tungsten e-Invoice email: VA.Registration@Tungsten-Network.com

· FSC e-Invoice Contact Information: 1-877-353-9791

· FSC e-invoice email: vafsccshd@va.gov ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

ROUTINE LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE IAW THE PWS

Contract Period: Base POP Begin: 09-25-2026 POP End: 09-24-2027

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

ANNUAL NON-ROUTINE TREE TRIMMING AND ARBORIST SERVICES IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2026 POP End: 09-24-2027

MULCHING IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2026 POP End: 09-24-2027

LANDSCAPING OF DECORATIVE AREAS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2026 POP End: 09-24-2027

FERTILIZATION AND CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2026 POP End: 09-24-2027

ROUTINE LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE IAW THE PWS

Contract Period: Option 1 POP Begin: 09-25-2027 POP End: 09-24-2028

ANNUAL NON-ROUTINE TREE TRIMMING AND ARBORIST SERVICES IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2027 POP End: 09-24-2028

MULCHING IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2027 POP End: 09-24-2028

LANDSCAPING OF DECORATIVE AREAS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2027 POP End: 09-24-2028

FERTILIZATION AND CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2027 POP End: 09-24-2028

ROUTINE LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE IAW THE PWS

Contract Period: Option 2 POP Begin: 09-25-2028 POP End: 09-24-2029

ANNUAL NON-ROUTINE TREE TRIMMING AND ARBORIST SERVICES IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2028 POP End: 09-24-2029

MULCHING IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2028 POP End: 09-24-2029

LANDSCAPING OF DECORATIVE AREAS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2028 POP End: 09-24-2029

FERTILIZATION AND CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2028 POP End: 09-24-2029

ROUTINE LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE IAW THE PWS

Contract Period: Option 3 POP Begin: 09-25-2029 POP End: 09-24-2030

ANNUAL NON-ROUTINE TREE TRIMMING AND ARBORIST SERVICES IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2029 POP End: 09-24-2030

MULCHING IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2029 POP End: 09-24-2030

LANDSCAPING OF DECORATIVE AREAS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2029 POP End: 09-24-2030

FERTILIZATION AND CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2029 POP End: 09-24-2030

ROUTINE LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE IAW THE PWS

Contract Period: Option 4 POP Begin: 09-25-2030 POP End: 09-24-2031

ANNUAL NON-ROUTINE TREE TRIMMING AND ARBORIST SERVICES IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2030 POP End: 09-24-2031

MULCHING IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2030 POP End: 09-24-2031

LANDSCAPING OF DECORATIVE AREAS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2030 POP End: 09-24-2031

FERTILIZATION AND CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS IAW THE PWS

POP Begin: 09-25-2030 POP End: 09-24-2031

Page 1 of Page 1 of

B.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Services VA Central California Health Care System – Fresno VA Medical Center

1. BACKGROUND

The VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHCS), Fresno, California, requires comprehensive landscape and grounds maintenance services to maintain a safe, professional, and aesthetically pleasing healthcare environment for Veterans, visitors, staff, and the public. The Fresno VA Medical Center campus includes developed landscape areas, decorative planting areas, turf areas, trees, shrubs, irrigation systems, and associated landscape features requiring routine maintenance throughout the year. The Contractor shall perform all services necessary to maintain these areas in accordance with this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this contract is to maintain all designated landscape and grounds areas in a healthy, safe, attractive, and well-maintained condition consistent with the appearance standards expected of a major healthcare facility.

Services shall be performed in a manner that:

• Promotes healthy turf, trees, shrubs, groundcover, and ornamental plantings.

• Maintains a clean, professional, and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

• Minimizes disruption to patients, visitors, and hospital operations.

• Protects Government property and landscape assets.

• Maintains irrigation-supported landscape areas in a healthy condition.

• Preserves the visual quality of designated decorative and focal point landscape areas.

3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Contractor Responsibilities

The Contractor shall provide all management, supervision, labor, materials, equipment, tools, vehicles, transportation, licenses, permits, certifications, and incidentals necessary to perform all services required by this contract unless otherwise specified. The Contractor shall be responsible for the quality, completeness, and timeliness of all services performed.

3.2 Areas Covered by the Contract

The Fresno VA Medical Center campus consists of approximately twenty (20) total acres. The Government estimates the contract includes approximately 5.5 acres of developed landscaped areas requiring routine maintenance, approximately 1.2 acres of undeveloped grounds areas, approximately 4.6 acres of parking lots, approximately 2.4 acres of sidewalks, and approximately 5,000 square feet of decorative and focal point landscape areas.

Services shall be performed in the landscape and grounds areas identified in Attachment 5, Site Map. Attachment 5 is provided as a general reference to assist offerors and the Contractor in identifying the areas included in the scope of work. The site map may not identify every individual plant, tree, planter, irrigation component, or landscape feature. The Contractor remains responsible for performing all services necessary to meet the requirements of this PWS in the designated service areas.

Attachment 5 identifies the general locations of:

· Developed landscape areas;

· Undeveloped grounds areas;

· Irrigated landscape areas;

· Decorative and focal point landscape areas;

· Parking lot landscape areas;

· Sidewalks and pedestrian areas requiring debris removal; and

· Other special maintenance areas.

Offerors are encouraged to attend the scheduled site visit to verify existing site conditions, service areas, access limitations, and other observable conditions that may affect pricing and performance.

3.3 Performance-Based Services

This is a performance-based service contract. The Contractor shall determine the staffing levels, work methods, equipment, service schedules, and operational procedures necessary to meet all requirements and performance standards identified in this PWS. Nothing in this PWS shall be construed as requiring a specific staffing level, crew size, or daily on-site presence unless specifically stated.

3.4 Hours of Performance and Federal Holidays

The Contractor shall perform all services in a manner that minimizes disruption to patient care, visitors, staff, and normal hospital operations. Routine landscape maintenance activities may be performed during normal operating hours when such activities do not interfere with hospital operations. Work performed during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) shall be conducted in a manner that minimizes impacts to patient care and facility operations.

The following activities shall not be performed during normal business hours unless specifically authorized by the COR:

· Activities generating excessive noise

· Activities requiring closure of sidewalks

· Activities requiring closure of parking areas

· Activities that significantly disrupt patient, visitor, or staff access Weekend work is permitted and may be required to perform certain activities that cannot reasonably be completed during normal operating hours.

Tree trimming, power washing, roadway closures, parking lot closures, and other activities that may significantly impact hospital operations shall be coordinated with the COR in advance.

Work shall not be performed on Federal holidays or during Government facility closures resulting from local emergencies, national emergencies, administrative closures, or other Government-directed closures unless specifically authorized by the COR.

Federal Holidays The following holidays are observed by the Federal Government in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 6103, Executive Order 11582, Public Law 94-97, and any additional holiday declared by the President of the United States:

· New Year's Day – January 1

· Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Third Monday in January

· Presidents Day – Third Monday in February

· Memorial Day – Last Monday in May

· Juneteenth National Independence Day – June 19

· Independence Day – July 4

· Labor Day – First Monday in September

· Columbus Day – Second Monday in October

· Veterans Day – November 11

· Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November

· Christmas Day – December 25 When a Federal holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday shall be observed in accordance with Federal Government holiday observance rules.

3.5 Protection of Government Property

The Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions necessary to prevent damage to Government buildings, utilities, pavement, irrigation systems, vehicles, signs, structures, landscape features, and other Government property.

Any damage resulting from Contractor operations shall be promptly reported to the COR and repaired or replaced by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

3.6 Site Conditions

The Contractor acknowledges that contract pricing is based upon its assessment of the site conditions, areas requiring maintenance, and the requirements identified in this Performance Work Statement and its attachments.

The Contractor shall be responsible for performing all services necessary to meet the requirements of this contract, regardless of any failure to inspect or evaluate site conditions that were reasonably observable prior to contract award.

The Government shall not be responsible for additional costs resulting from the Contractor's failure to become familiar with site conditions that were reasonably ascertainable before contract award.

3.7 Contract Structure

Services under this contract are organized into the following Firm-Fixed-Price Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs). The Contractor shall include all labor, supervision, management, materials, equipment, tools, vehicles, transportation, licenses, permits, certifications, overhead, profit, and incidentals necessary to perform the requirements of each CLIN within the fixed price proposed and awarded.

The CLIN structure is intended to provide pricing visibility for major service areas while maintaining the Firm-Fixed-Price nature of the contract. The Contractor shall not invoice for labor hours, material markups, actual costs incurred, or reimbursement of expenses. The Contractor shall perform the work required under each CLIN for the fixed price awarded for that CLIN.

The following CLIN structure shall be used:

CLIN x001 – Routine Landscape and Grounds Maintenance CLIN x001 includes routine landscape and grounds maintenance services required by this PWS, including turf maintenance, mowing, edging, trimming, pruning of shrubs/hedges/groundcover, weed management, irrigation system monitoring and minor corrective maintenance labor, debris removal, parking lot and sidewalk grounds policing, pressure washing, routine landscape condition monitoring, routine tree trimming, certified arborist support related to routine tree maintenance, Tree Management Plan development and updates, and other routine landscape maintenance activities not specifically identified under another CLIN.

CLIN x001 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced monthly.

CLIN x002 – Annual Non-Routine Tree Trimming and Arborist Services CLIN x002 includes non-routine tree trimming, comprehensive tree trimming cycles, arborist services associated with non-routine tree work, and related tree maintenance activities required by this PWS. This CLIN is intended for larger tree trimming efforts that exceed routine maintenance and may require additional coordination, including road closures, sidewalk closures, parking area closures, traffic control, or other operational coordination with the COR.

The Government anticipates larger non-routine tree trimming efforts during the Base Year and Option Year Three due to cyclical maintenance requirements and deferred maintenance needs.

CLIN x002 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced by job upon completion and Government acceptance of the work.

CLIN x003 – Mulching CLIN x003 includes mulch replacement, mulch replenishment, landscape bed preparation associated with mulching, debris removal associated with mulch work, and related services necessary to maintain mulch areas in accordance with this PWS.

CLIN x003 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced monthly.

CLIN x004 – Landscaping of Decorative Areas CLIN x004 includes maintenance of designated decorative and focal point landscape areas, seasonal color plantings, replacement of approved decorative flowers and ornamental plant material, and related services necessary to maintain the visual quality standards identified in this PWS and Attachment 2.

CLIN x004 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced monthly.

CLIN x005 – Fertilization and Chemical Applications CLIN x005 includes fertilization, herbicide applications, pre-emergent treatments, soil amendments, pesticide applications if required and approved, and other approved chemical applications necessary to maintain healthy turf, trees, shrubs, groundcover, and ornamental plantings in accordance with this PWS.

CLIN x005 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced monthly.

3.8 Contract Attachments

The attachments identified in this PWS are incorporated into the contract and shall be used as described below. The attachments are intended to clarify Government expectations, identify service areas, support contractor pricing, and assist with contract administration. The attachments do not replace the requirements of this PWS.

Attachment 1 – Seasonal Landscape Maintenance Schedule Attachment 1 provides a general schedule of seasonal landscape maintenance activities anticipated throughout the year.

The schedule is intended to communicate Government expectations regarding seasonal maintenance activities and does not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for determining the specific timing and frequency of work necessary to meet the requirements of this PWS.

Attachment 2 – Quality Standards for Hospital Focal Point Landscape Areas Attachment 2 provides photographic examples illustrating the quality standards expected for decorative and focal point landscape areas and includes photographs of existing focal point planter areas.

The Contractor shall maintain decorative and focal point landscape areas in a clean, healthy, orderly, and visually appealing condition consistent with the quality expectations represented in Attachment 2.

Attachment 3 – Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) Attachment 3 identifies the methods and standards the Government will use to evaluate contractor performance.

The QASP does not replace the requirements of this PWS.

Attachment 4 – Daily Grounds Maintenance Checklist Attachment 4, Daily Grounds Maintenance Checklist, is provided as a sample checklist for reference.

The Contractor shall develop and submit its own daily grounds maintenance checklist to the COR for review and approval in accordance with Section 14.2. The Contractor shall complete the approved daily grounds maintenance checklist for each day work is performed, and completed checklists shall be submitted with the monthly report.

Attachment 5 – Site Map Attachment 5 identifies the landscape areas, irrigated areas, decorative landscape areas, undeveloped areas, special maintenance areas, and other locations included within the scope of this contract.

The Site Map shall be used as a general reference to identify areas requiring maintenance under this contract. The Site Map may not identify every individual tree, plant, planter, irrigation component, or landscape feature. Offerors are encouraged to attend the scheduled site visit to verify existing conditions, service areas, access limitations, and other observable conditions that may affect pricing and performance.

Attachment 6 – Entrance and Canopy Photos Attachment 6 identifies the Main Hospital Entrance and Emergency Department Entrance locations included within the scope of this contract.

The photographs show the concrete walking surfaces, ramps, stairs, overhead metal canopies, and associated areas requiring pressure washing under this contract. The Contractor shall use Attachment 6 together with the requirements of this PWS to identify the entrance and canopy areas subject to pressure washing.

3.9 Government-Furnished Equipment and Utilities

The Government will not provide equipment, tools, vehicles, materials, supplies, or storage facilities unless specifically identified elsewhere in this contract. The Contractor shall furnish all equipment necessary for contract performance.

The Government will provide reasonable access to existing water sources necessary for performance of landscape maintenance services, irrigation monitoring, chemical applications, and power washing activities.

Availability and locations of water sources shall be coordinated with the COR.

The Government will not provide electrical power for Contractor equipment unless specifically authorized by the COR.

The Contractor shall furnish all equipment, hoses, extension cords, generators, fuel, and other items necessary to perform the services required by this contract.

4. ROUTINE LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE (CLIN x001)

4.1 General

The Contractor shall provide routine landscape and grounds maintenance services for all developed landscape areas identified in Attachment 5, Site Map.

Services under this CLIN include turf maintenance, edging, trimming, pruning of shrubs, hedges, and groundcover, routine tree trimming, routine certified arborist support, routine tree condition monitoring, weed management, irrigation system monitoring, minor corrective maintenance labor, debris and trash removal, power washing, landscape condition monitoring, and other routine landscape maintenance activities not specifically identified under another CLIN.

Chemical treatments associated with weed management, fertilization, pre-emergent applications, herbicide applications, pesticide applications, and related regulated chemical applications shall be performed in accordance with Section 8, Fertilization and Chemical Applications (CLIN x005).

The Contractor shall perform all services necessary to maintain landscape areas in accordance with the requirements of this PWS.

4.2 Turf Maintenance

The Contractor shall maintain all turf areas identified in Attachment 5.

The Contractor shall:

· Mow all turf areas at least weekly during the growing season and as necessary during dormant periods.

· Maintain turf height between 2.5 inches and 4 inches unless otherwise directed by the COR.

· Prevent scalping and rutting.

· Remove grass clippings from sidewalks, parking lots, streets, curbs, and other hard surfaces upon completion of mowing operations.

· Maintain turf free of weeds. Manual removal or approved herbicide treatment shall be used.

· Maintain turf free of dead or visibly dying patches or areas. Turf condition shall be consistent throughout.

· Perform aeration and overseeding as necessary to maintain turf coverage and vigor.

· Perform reseeding and sod replacement as necessary to maintain turf coverage and continuity.

Existing turf areas that cannot be restored through routine maintenance practices over a period of thirty (30) calendar days and do not meet the standards of this PWS shall be replaced with sod.

4.3 Edging and String Trimming

The Contractor shall edge all sidewalks, curbs, driveways, and planting bed boundaries each time adjacent turf is mowed.

The Contractor shall string trim all areas inaccessible to mowing equipment to maintain a uniform appearance throughout turf areas.

The Contractor shall remove debris generated from edging and trimming operations upon completion of work.

4.4 Shrub, Hedge, and Groundcover Maintenance

The Contractor shall prune shrubs, hedges, and groundcover as necessary to:

· Remove dead, damaged, or diseased growth.

· Prevent encroachment into sidewalks, building entrances, security cameras, fire hydrants, roadways, parking lots, signs, lighting, buildings, and other structures.

· Maintain pedestrian and vehicular visibility and clearance.

· Maintain plant material within the boundaries of designated planting areas.

The Contractor shall remove and properly dispose of all pruning debris.

4.5 Weed Management

The Contractor shall remove weeds from developed landscape areas, planter beds, sidewalks, curbs, parking lots, roadways, property lines, fence lines, and around permanent structures through mechanical removal, hand removal, trimming, mowing, or approved chemical treatment.

Weed management may include mechanical removal, hand removal, mowing, trimming, or chemical treatment performed under CLIN x005.

At a minimum, weed removal shall be performed monthly in parking lots, curbs, roadways, planter beds, property lines, fence lines, and around permanent structures. Additional weed control activities shall be performed as necessary to maintain the requirements of this PWS.

4.6 Debris Removal

The Contractor shall remove litter, leaves, branches, trash, and other debris from maintained landscape areas during each service visit.

The Contractor shall also remove litter, leaves, trash, and other debris from parking lots, sidewalks, curbs, and non-landscaped grounds areas at least weekly.

Tree trimming debris generated under CLIN x002 shall be removed from the site and disposed of by the Contractor.

Routine landscape debris may be disposed of in Government-designated waste containers when authorized by the COR.

4.7 Irrigation System Monitoring and Minor Corrective Maintenance The Contractor shall inspect and monitor irrigation systems serving all landscape areas identified in Attachment 5.

The Contractor shall perform monthly irrigation inspections and monitor landscape conditions during routine service visits.

The Contractor shall:

· Inspect irrigation controllers, valves, sprinkler heads, emitters, and nozzles for proper operation.

· Adjust irrigation schedules as necessary to support healthy landscape conditions, appropriate for the plant type and season.

· Adjust sprinkler heads, nozzles, and emitters to maintain proper coverage.

· Identify irrigation system deficiencies.

· Document irrigation deficiencies requiring corrective action.

· Notify the COR of irrigation system deficiencies requiring Government-furnished replacement components or major repair.

The Contractor shall install Government-furnished replacement components associated with routine irrigation maintenance, including:

· Sprinkler heads;

· Nozzles;

· Emitters;

· Swing joints;

· Drip tubing repairs;

· Solenoids;

· Valve diaphragms;

· Solenoid batteries;

· Irrigation controllers;

· Irrigation valves; and

· Similar minor irrigation components approved by the COR.

The Government shall furnish replacement components.

The Contractor shall provide labor associated with installation.

The Contractor shall not be responsible for furnishing irrigation replacement parts.

The Contractor shall not be responsible for major irrigation system repairs including:

· Main line repairs or replacement

· Lateral line repairs requiring significant excavation

· Backflow prevention device replacement

· Irrigation system redesign

· Irrigation system expansion

· Utility conflict repairs

· Repairs associated with unknown underground conditions

· Repairs requiring trenching, excavation, concrete removal, asphalt removal, boring, or similar construction activities The Contractor shall promptly notify the COR upon discovery of any excluded condition and provide recommendations for corrective action.

4.8 Power Washing

The Contractor shall power wash the main entrance walking surfaces to Building 1 and the Emergency Department entrance weekly. This includes the entrance ramps serving both locations. The overhead metal canopies and their light fixtures shall be power washed monthly.

Power washing shall be performed before 7:00 a.m., on weekends, or during other periods approved by the COR to minimize disruption to hospital operations.

The Contractor shall remove dirt, stains, debris, and cobwebs from entrance areas and overhead canopies.

The Government estimates the following areas for power washing:

· Building 1 entrance: approximately 6,500 square feet of concrete sidewalks, stairs, and ramps, and approximately 5,600 square feet of overhead canopy.

· Emergency Department entrance: approximately 1,800 square feet of concrete sidewalk, stairs, and ramps, and approximately 1,500 square feet of overhead canopy, including the upper Emergency Department elevator canopy.

4.9 Routine Tree Maintenance

The Contractor shall perform routine tree maintenance as part of Routine Landscape and Grounds Maintenance under CLIN x001.

Routine tree maintenance includes minor pruning, clearance pruning, removal of small dead or damaged limbs, removal of low-hanging branches, trimming necessary to maintain pedestrian and vehicular clearances, trimming necessary to maintain visibility of signs, lighting, buildings, security features, and traffic control devices, and routine monitoring of tree conditions during normal landscape maintenance activities.

Routine tree maintenance shall be performed to:

· Promote tree health and appearance;

· Maintain pedestrian, vehicular, and facility clearances;

· Prevent encroachment into sidewalks, building entrances, roadways, parking lots, signs, lighting, security cameras, buildings, and other structures;

· Remove small dead, damaged, diseased, or broken limbs that can be safely addressed during routine maintenance activities;

· Identify and report tree hazards or conditions requiring non-routine tree trimming or arborist services under CLIN x002; and

· Preserve the professional appearance of the campus.

Debris generated from routine tree maintenance performed under CLIN x001 shall be removed from the site and properly disposed of by the Contractor unless otherwise authorized by the COR.

4.10 Landscape Condition Monitoring

The Contractor shall monitor landscape conditions during routine maintenance activities.

The Contractor shall identify dead, diseased, damaged, declining, or missing trees, shrubs, groundcover, and ornamental plant material.

The Contractor shall notify the COR of plant material requiring replacement and provide the location and description of the affected plant material.

5. ANNUAL NON-ROUTINE TREE TRIMMING AND ARBORIST SERVICES (CLIN x002)

5.1 General

The Contractor shall provide annual non-routine tree trimming, tree thinning, arborist services, and related tree maintenance activities for all trees located within the landscape areas identified in Attachment 5, Site Map.

Services under this CLIN are separate from routine tree maintenance performed under CLIN x001. CLIN x002 is intended for larger tree trimming efforts, comprehensive trimming cycles, non-routine arborist-supported tree work, and tree maintenance activities that exceed routine landscape and grounds maintenance.

Services under this CLIN are intended to:

· Promote tree health and longevity.

· Improve structural integrity.

· Reduce hazards to patients, visitors, staff, vehicles, and Government property.

· Maintain pedestrian and vehicular clearances.

· Preserve the appearance of the campus.

· Support long-term management of Government tree assets.

The Government’s tree inventory consists of approximately 215 trees located throughout the Fresno VA Medical Center campus.

Tree height classifications are estimated as follows:

· 97 trees less than 15 feet in height;

· 65 trees between 15 and 30 feet in height; and

· 53 trees greater than 30 feet in height.

The Government estimates that comprehensive tree trimming activities are typically performed every three (3) years, with routine maintenance trimming performed under CLIN x001 as needed throughout the contract period. The Government anticipates that tree maintenance requirements during the Base Year and Option Year Three may exceed those of other performance periods due to cyclical maintenance requirements and deferred maintenance activities.

The following memorial trees, protected trees, heritage trees, or specialty landscape assets require special handling, approval, or maintenance considerations:

All trees within the “Walk of Honor” (refer to Attachment 5) must be trimmed with special care to avoid damage to the specialty sidewalk and granite memorials below. Motorized carts and vehicles are prohibited on this sidewalk. The Contractor shall take special precautions and protect the walk and memorials from damage during trimming operations.

CLIN x002 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced by job upon completion and Government acceptance of the work.

5.2 Certified Arborist Services

The Contractor shall employ or subcontract a certified arborist to perform tree assessments, support development of the Tree Management Plan, and provide technical oversight of tree maintenance activities.

The certified arborist shall maintain current professional certification throughout the period of performance.

Documentation of certification shall be provided to the COR upon request.

5.3 Tree Management Plan

Within ninety (90) calendar days after contract award, the Contractor shall develop and submit a Tree Management Plan for COR review.

The Tree Management Plan shall:

· Identify general tree maintenance requirements.

· Establish recommended trimming frequencies.

· Identify observed hazards and deficiencies.

· Prioritize maintenance activities based upon health, safety, and operational considerations.

· Promote long-term tree health and structural integrity.

· Provide recommendations for future maintenance activities.

The Tree Management Plan shall support both routine tree maintenance under CLIN x001 and annual non-routine tree trimming and arborist services under CLIN x002.

The Contractor shall review the Tree Management Plan annually and submit updates to the COR as necessary.

5.4 Annual Non-Routine Tree Trimming and Thinning

The Contractor shall perform annual non-routine tree trimming and thinning using accepted arboricultural practices.

Tree trimming and thinning shall be performed to:

· Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or hazardous limbs.

· Improve tree health and structural integrity.

· Promote natural branching structure.

· Improve air circulation throughout the canopy.

· Reduce canopy density where appropriate.

· Maintain pedestrian and vehicular clearances.

· Maintain visibility of signs, lighting, buildings, security features, and traffic control devices.

· Maintain fence line and walkway clearances.

· Reduce potential hazards to patients, visitors, staff, vehicles, and Government property.

Tree branches shall be removed in a manner that prevents damage to trees, surrounding vegetation, buildings, utilities, vehicles, and other Government property.

Branches too large to be safely handled by one individual shall be lowered using appropriate arboricultural methods and equipment.

The Contractor shall not remove more than twenty-five percent (25%) of a tree canopy during a single trimming cycle unless specifically recommended by the certified arborist and approved by the COR.

5.5 Hazard Identification and Reporting

The Contractor shall identify and report trees exhibiting:

· Structural defects.

· Disease.

· Insect infestation.

· Significant deadwood.

· Dead or declining conditions.

· Hazardous limbs.

· Root damage.

· Conditions presenting a safety hazard.

· Conditions interfering with buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, roadways, utilities, or other Government property.

The Contractor shall document observed deficiencies and provide recommendations for corrective action.

Tree removal may be performed only when approved by the COR and authorized by the Contracting Officer.

5.6 Work Coordination

The Contractor shall coordinate all planned tree maintenance activities requiring:

· Road closures.

· Sidewalk closures.

· Parking lot closures.

· Traffic control measures.

· Restricted access to Government facilities.

The Contractor shall provide a minimum of seven (7) calendar days advance notice for planned closures.

When practical, activities requiring closures shall be performed during weekends or other periods approved by the COR to minimize disruption to hospital operations.

Non-emergency tree maintenance activities requiring significant operational impacts shall be coordinated with the COR in advance.

5.7 Debris Removal

The Contractor shall remove and properly dispose of all tree trimming debris generated under this CLIN.

Tree debris shall not be disposed of in Government waste containers unless specifically authorized by the COR.

The Contractor shall clean all affected work areas upon completion of tree maintenance activities.

6. MULCHING (CLIN x003)

6.1 General

The Contractor shall provide mulch replacement, mulch replenishment, mulch maintenance, landscape bed preparation associated with mulching, debris removal associated with mulch work, and related services necessary to maintain mulch areas identified in Attachment 5, Site Map.

CLIN x003 shall be performed on a Firm-Fixed-Price basis and invoiced monthly. The Contractor shall include all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, disposal, overhead, profit, and incidentals necessary to perform the requirements of this section within the fixed price proposed and awarded for this CLIN.

6.2 Mulch Standard

The Contractor shall maintain mulch in designated mulch areas at a minimum depth of three (3) inches at all times.

Mulch shall be maintained in a consistent, uniform, clean, and professional appearance. Mulched areas shall be free of excessive deterioration, bare areas, washout, uneven coverage, weed intrusion, debris, trash, and foreign materials.

The Contractor shall monitor mulch conditions throughout the contract period and replenish, redistribute, or replace mulch as necessary to maintain the required three (3) inch minimum depth and appearance standard.

6.3 Base Year Full Mulch Replacement

During the Base Year, the Contractor shall perform full mulch replacement in all designated mulch areas identified in Attachment 5, Site Map, except for the areas highlighted in yellow and brown on Attachment 5, which contain crushed rock rather than organic mulch. These areas shall not require full replacement during the Base Year and shall instead be maintained and replenished as necessary in accordance with Sections 6.5 through 6.8 of this PWS.

The Contractor shall evaluate existing mulch conditions and coordinate the schedule for full mulch replacement with the COR. Full mulch replacement shall be performed in a manner that minimizes disruption to patients, visitors, staff, traffic flow, parking operations, and normal facility operations.

Prior to installing new mulch, the Contractor shall prepare mulch areas in accordance with Section 6.7.

6.4 Option Year Mulch Maintenance and Replenishment

During each option year, the Contractor shall maintain and replenish mulch as necessary to maintain the required minimum depth of three (3) inches at all times.

Option year mulch maintenance includes replenishment, redistribution, replacement of deteriorated mulch, correction of bare areas, correction of washout, weed removal, bed edge maintenance associated with mulching, and other actions necessary to maintain a uniform and professional appearance.

6.5 Decorative Landscape Fill Materials

Certain landscape areas may utilize decorative materials other than mulch, including:

· Crushed rock.

· Decorative stone.

· Xeriscape materials.

· Other decorative landscape fill materials.

The Contractor shall identify areas requiring replenishment or replacement of decorative landscape materials and provide recommendations to the COR.

Replacement materials shall match existing materials unless otherwise approved by the COR.

6.6 Material Requirements

Mulch shall consist of commercial-grade shredded hardwood bark or other material approved by the COR.

Mulch and decorative landscape materials shall be free of:

· Sticks

· Trash

· Stones not intended as landscape material

· Clods

· Foreign materials The Contractor shall submit product information and samples upon request by the COR.

6.7 Installation Requirements

Prior to installation of mulch or decorative landscape materials, the Contractor shall:

· Remove accumulated debris.

· Remove weeds.

· Re-establish landscape bed edges as necessary.

· Correct uneven material distribution.

The Contractor shall install materials in a manner that provides a uniform appearance throughout the treated area.

6.8 Coordination and Acceptance

The Contractor shall coordinate mulch replacement, replenishment, and maintenance activities with the COR.

The Contractor shall notify the COR of planned full replacement, major replenishment, or work that may affect access, parking, sidewalks, entrances, patient care areas, or normal facility operations.

The Contractor shall not invoice separately for labor hours, material costs, markups, receipts, or actual costs associated with mulch work. All mulch work required under this section shall be included within the Firm-Fixed-Price amount awarded for CLIN x003.

7. LANDSCAPING OF DECORATIVE AREAS (CLIN x004)

7.1 General

CLIN x004 requires the Contractor to provide maintenance of designated decorative landscape areas, seasonal color plantings, and replacement of approved shrubs, groundcover, decorative flowers, and ornamental plant material in accordance with this PWS.

The purpose of this CLIN is to maintain highly visible landscape areas in a condition consistent with the quality standards expected of a major healthcare facility.

Decorative landscape areas shall be maintained in accordance with this section and the quality standards illustrated in Attachment 2, Quality Standards for Hospital Focal Point Landscape Areas.

7.2 Decorative Landscape Areas

The following locations are designated decorative landscape areas:

· Parking Lot A North Sidewalk Planters (approximately 2,000 square feet)

· Parking Lot B North Sidewalk Planters (approximately 900 square feet)

· Hospital Main Entrance Flower Beds (approximately 1,800 square feet)

· Emergency Department Entrance Flower Beds (approximately 350 square feet)

· North Hospital Entrance Walkway Planters (approximately 275 square feet) The Contractor shall maintain these areas in a clean, orderly, and visually appealing condition throughout the year.

The Contractor shall notify the COR of any conditions negatively impacting the appearance or health of decorative landscape areas.

7.3 Decorative Landscape Area Maintenance

The Contractor shall maintain all designated decorative landscape areas in a condition consistent with the quality standards illustrated in Attachment 2.

The Contractor shall:

· Remove weeds.

· Remove dead or declining plant material.

· Maintain decorative shrubs and groundcover.

· Maintain landscape bed edges.

· Remove litter and debris.

· Maintain mulch and decorative landscape materials in accordance with CLIN x003.

· Maintain decorative landscape areas free of conditions that detract from the overall appearance of the area.

The Contractor shall promptly identify conditions requiring corrective action and provide recommendations to the COR.

7.4 Seasonal Color Program

The Contractor shall maintain seasonal color within the designated decorative landscape areas through replacement and installation of seasonal flowers and ornamental plant material.

Seasonal plantings shall be selected and maintained to provide continuous color and visual interest throughout the year consistent with the quality standards illustrated in Attachment 2.

The Contractor shall submit proposed seasonal planting plans to the COR for review and approval prior to installation.

The Government anticipates approximately 4 seasonal planting rotations annually.

8. FERTILIZATION AND CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS (CLIN x005)

8.1 General

CLIN x005 requires the Contractor to provide fertilization, herbicide applications, pre-emergent treatments, soil amendments, and other approved chemical applications necessary to maintain healthy turf, trees, shrubs, groundcover, and ornamental plantings throughout the areas identified in Attachment 5, Site Map.

The Contractor shall perform all fertilization and chemical applications in accordance with this section, applicable Federal, State, and local regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and approved product labeling requirements.

8.2 Turf Fertilization

The Contractor shall fertilize all turf areas four (4) times annually during each growing season.

Fertilizer shall be a commercial-grade…