Solicitation Questions and Answers.docx

REQUIREMENT/STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) QUESTIONS

1. Does the community or landscape contractor maintain the garden at parking lot K? If managed by landscape contractor, can you elaborate on the specific maintenance expectations and responsibilities?

Contractor does not have to maintain small garden next to Parking Lot K.

2. Are there any other internal courtyards or restricted areas other than building 200?

Building 99 and Building 25 courtyards. Contractor will have to coordinate with VA representative and Medical Staff.

3. Section 6 item A on page 6 mentions “All applications of herbicides or pesticides shall be performed under the direction of a California Licensed & Certified Pest Control Specialist”. Can you confirm who will be responsible for pest/insect control with pesticides, Landscape contractor or pest control contractor?

The landscape contractor.

4. Is Glyphosate accepted on site for weed control in landscape and hardscape areas?

Per Section G contractor needs to turn in safety data sheet for review and approval. All chemicals used on site need to meet EPA, OSHA, local City of Los Angeles County and State of California requirements.

5. Page 32 of solicitation references Green waste dumpster will be provided but during the job walk is was mentioned it was the contractors responsibility. Please clarify.

Green waste dumpster is Contractor’s responsibility.

6. Can you provide the number of irrigation controllers and/or valves are on property?

Approximately 35 controllers

7. Is the new contractor expected to repair all existing broken irrigation components per the specifications at the onset of the contract period? Or is there a period of time allotted where the new contractor can assess the irrigation system, and provide an additional cost proposal to perform the work at an additional cost?

No. The sprinkler system is operational and will require repairs as needed. For outside of routine maintenance Contractor to follow Paragraph F requirements.

8. Who will supply the trash liners for the waste cans throughout the facility?

The Contractor.

9. As we will be moving to a mandate in 2025 for the replacement of 2-cycle equipment to electric, will there be any charging stations on the property?

This solicitation is for a one year contract. 2025 requirements will be considered in 2025.

10. SOW 5 During the site visit it was noticed that the property has a severe gopher infestation that inhibits any type of healthy turf. Until this problem is resolved it is our professional opinion that paying for fertilization and aeration is waste of the government’s money until this issue is resolved. Would the government consider removing these requirements until the pest issue is resolved and adding the requirement to option years?

Contractor to monitor and report for the VA per 6F.

11. SOW 6.F Is the cost for removal of the pest to be done via a separate task order or is this cost to be included in the contractor’s pricing?

The monitoring and reporting is part of this contract per 6F.

12. SOW 6.5 During the site visit it was noticed that there is severe broadleaf weed issue throughout the turf areas. If a proper weed control program is implemented much of the turf areas will be bear with the removal of the broadleaf weeds. Will the contractor be liable for turf replacement as this occurs?

Turf replacement is not part of the contract.

13. SOW 4 It was noticed during the site visit that there are several palm trees on the property (approx. 20), technically these should be pruned annually, however according to this section this the pruning of the Palm trees are not done unless they are part of the 100 trees the COR orders annually to be trimmed. Is this correct?

Palm trees would be part of the 100 trees. Contractor and VA representative to determine the trees.

14. During the site visit it was mentioned that there is tree list that can be published can this list be published?

Refer to attached tree list. Tree list need to be verified by the contractor.

15. SOW Section 1 – In the last paragraph of this section it states that the contractor will be responsible for storage of their equipment, however it states that the government will provide “ “some storage”. What is the size of this area, and does it include an interior area? Will the contractor need to provide containers for storage? Will the government consider allowing a laydown area for all the contractor’s equipment? This will save the government money!!

VA will provide inside garage storage, approximately 35 ft X 58 ft. Employee break room approximately 35ft X 12ft.

16. SOW Section 1 - In section 1 paragraph 4 and in section 9 it is mentioned that the contractor is expected to work with the Los Angeles County Department of Water and Power and the VA to help in installing zero landscapes on the facility.

a. How is the contractor expected to price the requirement for “installing zero Landscape” not knowing the requirement in terms of size and scope of work?

b. Is it possible to remove this requirement and issue a separate task order for the work as it arises?

This is for informational purpose for a future project only.

17. SOW Section 2.A.3 What is the total acreage of the irrigated area?

The irrigated area is approximately 70 Acres.

18. SOW Section 2.A.4 What is the total acreage of the “Non-Use Areas”

All grass should be kept at no more than 3 inch high.

19. SOW Section 4.G Does the requirement for canopy thinning apply to 100 trees referred to in Section 4.D. only?

No

20. SOW Section 5 How many acres are there that require fertilization?

Estimate 70 Acres

21. Sow Section 5 How many acres are there that require aeration?

Estimate 70 Acres

22. Section 6.D. – Is the “hard surface” weed control for side walks only and not parking lots and curbs? If this requirement is for all hard surfaces what is the total sqft of the hard surfaces?

Includes all paved areas – pavers, side walks, parking lots and curbs. Approximately 25 acres.

23. SOW Section 7.A This states that the VA will provide dumpsters for green waste, and in section D.3 sub factor D it states the contractor will need to provide the dumpster. Does the Va provide this dumpster or the contractor?

Contractor to provide green waste dumpster.

24. SOW 8.C How many cubic yards of ¾ rock has been historically needed to maintain erosion in this area?

10 cubic yards.

25. SOW Section 10 Will the irrigation system be turned over fully operational? If not will the new contractor be allowed to submit a task order to bring the system completely operational before it becomes the contractor’s responsibility?

No. At time of award contractor to provide.

26. SOW Section 10 How many acres are irrigated?

Estimate 70 Acres.

27. SOW section 10 What are the manufacturer of the irrigation heads used?

Various. Upon award contractor to verify.

28. SOW Section 10 How many irrigation zones are there?

Approximately 35 controllers.

29. SOW Section 10.D Is the reference to “irrigation controller” in reference to irrigation valves?

Yes.

30. SOW Section 10.D Could you please explain what you mean by “irrigation controller(s) utilizing hand tools”, does this mean if the contractor cannot repair that the cost to replace will not be the contractor’s responsibility?

Contractor to perform repairs per 10.D. For major digging using mechanical equipment Contractor will turn in cost proposal per 10.F.

31. SOW Section D.2 – “The contractor shall be expected to work along with Los Angeles County Department of Water and Power and VA for an ongoing project of installing zero landscapes on facility grounds as needed”. – Please clarify this requirement.

Refer to Answer for Question 16.

This is for informational purpose for future project only. Not in contract.

SOLICITATION SPECIFIC/CONTRACTING RELATED:

1. Line Item Number 0004 is confusing because it list 6 EA for Fertilization and Aeration. If we enter an amount in all line items (0004, 0004AA, & 0004AB) there will be duplicate pricing. Please clarify which line item/s we are to use to enter an amount?

A. The Contractor is to provide pricing for Sub-Line Item (SLIN) 0004A and 0004B. The combined pricing for the two SLINs provide the overall cost of Contract Line Item (CLIN) 0004. The Contractor shall provide 3 Fertilizations. The Contractor shall provide 3 aerations. Hence, the quantity for CLIN 0004 is 6 EA with SLIN 0004A and 0004B having a quantity of 6 EA.

2. Is an amount for Item Number 0010 of the Price / Cost Schedule required to be entered at the time the proposal is submitted?

A. The Contractor shall not provide pricing for Line Item 0010. This shall act as a non-priced line item. That can be funded in multiple ways at the discretion of the Government.

3. As per the site visit there is currently an incumbent on site. This request is for a Base Year only which does not allow for fare competition considering the amount of equipment that will need to be purchased and amortized for 1 year. It would be of “best value to the government” in getting competitive bids to make this a Base plus 4 year options, if changes in the SOW need to be made you can always change this via modifications. Will the government consider making this RFQ a Base to include 4 option years in order to allow for more competitive bids.

A. The Government does not intend to add option years for this solicitation 36C26224Q0390. This solicitation includes FAR 52.217-8 “Option to Extend Services”.

4. Who is the current contractor and what is the contract number and contract value to include the base and all options?

A. The current contract number is 36C26220C0175. The contract is performed by IAW Construction, Inc. The total contract value for the base and all exercised options is: $3,693,600.00. Please reference fpds.gov for further information.

5. As per B.2 “Price/Cost Schedule, this appears to be awarded for only 1 year without any options. As the government has already determined in section D.3 the equipment required exceeds 350,000.00. This will require the contractor to amortize the equipment for just that year, driving the cost to the government up. Typically, this size contract is priced for a base plus 4 option years. Will the government consider having this priced for a base plus 4 option years?

A. Please reference question 3, as this was answered above.

6. B-2 Pricing Schedule – Item #s 0004, 0004AA and 0004AB In Section 1 of the SOW Fertilization and Aeration is required 3 times for each. The above-mentioned Line Items Seemed to be redundant. In Line item 0004 the contractor is to give a price for Aeration and Fertilization and the QTY is 6. The cost for fertilization is significantly higher than aeration, not allowing the contractor to differentiate this cost in the pricing. Can line item 0004 be removed from the pricing schedule?

A. Please reference question 1, as this was answered above.

7. Because of the size and complexity of the Scope will be government consider the date for submission to be extended to 1/30/2024?

A. The Government will continue to evaluate the current solicitation and determine if it is in the Government’s interest to process an amendment to solicitation 36C26224Q0390 to extend the submission date.

8. What is the deadline for questions to be submitted?

A. All questions were to be submitted to the contract specialist: Darryl Handberg via email to Darryl.handberg@va.gov in accordance with the solicitation 36C26224Q0390 Amendment 0001, No Later Than 01/09/2024 by 1PM Eastern Time. Please reference the amendment posted on SAM.gov for details.

9. Is there an incumbent (company) to the contract/project? Or who is the incumbent to the existing contract if any?

A. IAW Construction, Inc.