36C78619Q0014-002.pdf

36C78619Q0014

ATTACHMENT A - STATEMENT OF WORK

B.3 DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

STATEMENT OF WORK- FOREST HILL SOLDIER LOT CEMETERY

1.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, supplies and on-site supervision required to perform grounds maintenance at One Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705 covering the period of date of award through September 30, 2023 (base year plus four option years, if exercised). Forest Hill Soldier Lot is a National Shrine and the standards of maintenance and appearance at this cemetery must reflect this nation’s concern for those interred there. For this reason, the contractor’s strict adherence to the contract specifications is required and essential.

1.1 RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, materials, supplies, tools and equipment required to perform the work called for in this contract. Cemetery hours of operation are 8:00am to 5:00pm each day of the entire year.

B. The administration of this contract will be by the Contracting Officer.

C. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the contract is Mr. William Janowski, Wood National Cemetery, 5000 West National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53295. The telephone number is (414-382-5330).

1.2 STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE CONDUCT

A. Contractor’s personal appearance and conduct shall be professional and unobtrusive at all times. The Contractor and contractor personnel shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress and conduct while performing work on the grounds of the Soldier Lot cemetery. These standards and regulations are enforceable under Title 38, U.S.C., Section 218:

1. Contractor personnel shall be fully clothed at all times, to include an upper garment to cover the body from waist to neck. Tank tops as an outer garment is prohibited, as are any garments which have a message or slogan affixed thereon.

2. Contractor personnel shall conduct themselves in a respectful manner, not engaging in loud boisterous behavior or use profane or abusive language. Radios are not permitted while maintaining the grounds of the cemetery.

3. Contractor personnel shall not eat or drink beverages except water or non-alcoholic beverages while in the work area. The use of intoxicating beverages and/or drugs is strictly prohibited. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs on these premises is a violation of Federal Law and will not be tolerated.

4. Contractor personnel shall not lean, sit or stand on or against headstones or monuments. No tools or other items of equipment will be placed or leaned against headstones or monuments.

5. Contractor personnel shall take all necessary precautions to prevent damage to headstones, monuments, flower vases and other cemetery structures during execution of this contract. The contractor shall be charged current replacement costs for headstones or other property damaged as a result of actions by contractor personnel.

1.3 INSPECTION OF CEMETERY/ACCEPTANCE OF WORK/PAYMENT

A. The COR will perform inspections of the cemetery at regular intervals. During the inspection, the appearance of the cemetery will be observed and any deficiencies noted within the scope of the contract will be reported to the contractor for corrective action and completion within five (5) calendar days of receiving such notification from the COR. The COR will notify the contracting officer of items not corrected/completed within the five (5) calendar day period for further action by the contracting officer. Although the contractor’s attendance at inspections is at the discretion of the contractor, the contractor’s attendance and participation in the inspection is strongly encouraged.

B. Normally, the COR will verbally advise the Contractor of any discrepancies the first time they occur, and request that the Contractor correct the issue. If the Contractor fails to correct the issue and perform to the limits of satisfactory performance in accordance with the terms of the contract, the Contracting Officer will issue a written notice of correction to the Contractor. If at that time the contractor fails to take corrective action, payment will be withheld from the contractors invoice until such time that corrective actions have occurred. If the contractor fails to comply with written demand within a reasonable period of time, the Government may, by written notice to the contractor, terminate his right to proceed further with the work. In such event, the Government may take over the work and prosecute it to completion by contract or otherwise, and the contractor shall be liable to the Government for associated costs thereby.

C. The contractor is responsible for any damage to Government property caused by contractor equipment and/or contractor personnel. The contractor shall notify the COR promptly of any damage that occurs to Government property, including broken or damaged headstones.

D. Payment will be made on a monthly basis based on submission of invoices.

1.4 TURF, SHRUB, TREE AND HEDGE MAINTENANCE – Mowing and Trimming A. Mowing: season generally begins around April 1 and extends through November 15 of the contract year.

Earlier and later time periods may be required depending on weather.

1. Mowing the turf shall be done as needed, generally once a week, but may be required more or less often as the rate of grass growth changes through the season. Visible clumps or rows of grass clippings shall be removed or dispersed within 24 hours of mowing to present a positive appearance and to prevent smothering damage to turf. Use of mulching/recycling deck mowers is recommended to reduce the potential for accumulations of clippings.

2. All grass will be mowed to a height between three (3) to three and one-half (3.5) inches. It will be no higher than four and one half (4.5) inches due to adverse conditions. Mowing shall be accomplished so that no more than 1/3 of the height of the grass is removed at any one mowing.

3. Grave decorations will be removed to permit mowing and trimming around the headstones, and then will be replaced to their original location. However, if unsightly, grave decorations will be removed and disposed.

B. Turf Trimming: The grass around all headstones, monuments, inside and outside perimeter fence, sidewalk, trees, and storage building will be trimmed to conform to the surrounding turf area.

1. The trimming will be performed as part of the mowing cycle to keep all trimmed areas at the same height as the surrounding turf (and NO SHORTER than the surrounding turf) so as not to cause scalping of turf.

2. Caution shall be exercised to prevent any damage to headstones, monuments, trees, and all other markers or structures.

C. Hedge and Shrub Trimming: Trim all hedges and shrubs as needed to maintain a neat and manicured appearance by use of manual or power trimming shears.

D. Equipment: Riding mowers may be used provided that they are not operated within three (3) inches of headstones, monuments, tree trunks or other vertical surfaces. Walk-behind push type trimmers (not lawn mowers), string trimmers, or manual or power trimming shears will be used to trim grass from around headstones, monuments, and fences. Cutting blades on mowing and trimming equipment must be sharp so that grass blades are cut cleanly -- not torn or damaged. Cutting heights of all equipment shall be set according to heights specified under MOWING. The contractor shall ensure that the equipment is operating and maintained properly, with preventative maintenance accomplished as needed to keep equipment operating properly throughout the contract period. Any extended downtime due to equipment malfunction shall be promptly reported to the COR.

1.5 CEMETERY CLEAN-UP

A. Work consists of collecting and removing all trash, tree limbs, as well as any other debris, such as dead or unsightly flowers, within the cemetery and outside perimeter areas.

1. All trash, debris, fallen tree limbs, and dead or unsightly flowers, will be removed from the cemetery and outside perimeter areas a minimum of once weekly when not snow-covered.

2. Flowers will be removed from graves when they become withered, faded or unsightly. All other grave decorations will be removed after consulting with the Cemetery Director or his designee.

3. Removal of debris and disposal away from the cemetery grounds shall be the responsibility of the contractor.

4. Contractor shall assure that grounds are in a clean condition after each storm. The Contractor shall initiate action to pick-up scattered debris (limbs, twigs, branches, leaves, etc.) resulting from storms, winds and natural falling as soon as the weather permits.

1.6 LEAF COLLECTION-REMOVAL Work consists of finely mulching in place or collecting and removing all fallen leaves and twigs from the cemetery grounds and the immediate area outside the cemetery. Leaf removal or mulching (using mulching deck lawn mowers to mulch or finely shred leaves and leave in place) will be accomplished as needed, particularly in late fall and early spring. Mulched leaf material must be sufficiently thin or dispersed to allow for turf growth in all areas (no smothering of turf). All fallen leaves not mulched and returned to soil must be removed, except when delayed by the onset of severe weather conditions (snow/ice). Contractor shall schedule removal work accordingly. Contractor shall inspect all areas of the cemetery during this period and insure that there is no accumulation of leaves in any area.

1.7 TURF FERTILIZATION

The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining the turf area of the cemetery in healthy condition by proper application of fertilizers and herbicides.

1. Fertilizer at a rate of 1.0 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet shall be applied by the contractor three times each year, within a week before or after:

(1) June 1

(2) September 1

(3) October 20.

a. Fertilizer shall have at least 40% of the nitrogen in a slow or controlled release form (such as sulfur coated urea), and shall have an N-P-K ratio of approximately 2-0-1 or 3-0-2 (e.g., 24-0-12 or 30-0-20). No iron may be included in the fertilizer due to its potential to stain headstones.

1.8 HERBICIDE APPLICATIONS

Herbicide applications are to include two post-emergence spray treatments to control established broadleaf weeds, and one pre-emergence treatment to prevent growth of crabgrass. Dates of application shall be:

(1) pre-emergence – mid to late April (or prior to crabgrass germination, before soil is 55 degrees F)

(2) first post-emergence – late May

(3) second post-emergence – October

a. Herbicides applied shall be labeled for turf use, and all label directions shall be followed. Rates used shall be adequate to control the weeds present or targeted. Application must be under the direction of a Certified Applicator.

1.9 CORE AERATION OF TURF

In early September, and when soil moisture is appropriate (not too wet or dry), the cemetery is to be core aerated, avoiding areas near trees where large tree roots would be damaged by the aeration equipment.

1.10 OVERSEEDING AND SEEDING OF TURF

A. Work consists of overseeding the entire cemetery in early September immediately after core aeration.

Seeding consists of seed bed preparation, application of seed, starter fertilizer, and mulch to areas where turf has been disturbed or has died, and also overseeding and starter fertilization of areas with thin turf (10-60% bare soil).

B. MATERIALS

1. Grass seed shall be of a fresh new crop seed complying with purity and germination requirements stipulated herein. Grass seed to approximate the following:

Kind of Seed % By Weight % Purity % Germination Perennial Rye* 1/3 98-99 85 or above Kentucky Blue Grass* 1/3 98-99 85 or above Fine Fescue* 1/3 98-99 85 or above *Certified Only

2. Delivery tickets, indicating date, weight, analysis and vendor’s name, etc., shall be submitted to the cemetery director or COR.

3. Seeding rate shall be 5 lbs per 1000 square feet. Seed type shall be as described above, or a comparable mixture approved by the Director, Wood National Cemetery.

4. Bare areas (10 square feet or larger, unless too shaded to support turf growth) shall also have a standard commercial turf starter fertilizer applied as per label directions, the seed and fertilizer shall be raked into the top one quarter inch of soil, then the soil surface rolled with a standard turf roller, followed by mulching with a product to maximize seed germination and establishment (such as clean straw, PennMulch, or erosion control blankets).

1.11 REFILLING SUNKEN GRAVES

Work consists of refilling sunken graves with a good quality top soil to match existing adjacent graves. Any undesirable materials such as rocks will be raked out. The contractor shall be responsible for identifying sunken graves and renovating the gravesite. In addition, the COR will provide the contractor with a listing of the gravesites to be refilled, when needed. Sunken graves will be filled with topsoil to bring the gravesite to established grade. The disturbed area will then be raked free of stones and any debris larger than one inch (1”) measured in any direction. The area will then be seeded, fertilized, and mulched.

1.12 FENCE / FLAG POLE TOUCHUP MAINTENANCE

Fence and flagpole (within reach from ground) are to be kept in a presentable condition by touch-up painting with matching oil based Rustoleum paint as needed throughout the year. This work is considered to be minor maintenance.

1.13 FLYING OF FLAG

On Memorial Day the flag is to be flown at half staff until Noon and then at full staff for the remainder of the day. Fort Winnebago Cemetery is equipped with a solar lighting system to illuminate the flag during hours of darkness. Should this system fail the contractor is responsible to notify the COR or Cemetery Director as soon as possible so repairs can be made. A nylon flag will be provided by Wood National Cemetery. The contractor is to contact Wood National Cemetery whenever a new flag is needed.

(End of Work Statement)