36C78619Q0053-0002002.pdf

PAGE 1 OF 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. DUNS: DUNS+4:

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. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

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

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS 79

36C78619Q0053 11-06-2018

Max Andrade 540-658-7221 11-16-2018

43C1

Department of Veterans Affairs

NCA Contracting Service

75 Barrett Heights Rd. Suite 309

Stafford VA 22556

X 100

X

561730

$7.5 Million

X

N/A

X

Department of Veterans Affairs

Jacksonville National Cemetery

4083 Lannie Road

Jacksonville FL 32218

43C1

Department of Veterans Affairs

NCA Contracting Service

75 Barrett Heights Rd. Suite 309

43C1 http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer

-campaigns/veterans-affairs/

SEE VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC

SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS

1-877-752-0900

See CONTINUATION Page

This procurement is being made under FAR Part 13

Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Commercial Items and is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Set-Aside, Authority, 38 USC 8127(d).

The contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, tools, and supplies necessary for Grounds

Maintenance Services for the Jacksonville National Cemetery as specified in the solicitation and attachments.

Faxed and emailed offers will not be accepted

All quotes must be submitted through the Department of

Veterans Affairs Electronic Management System (eCMS) Vendor

Portal website https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov to be considered.

CONTRACTOR DUNS NO. ________________________________________

CONTRACTOR EMAIL ADDRESS:___________________________________

CONTRACTOR PHONE NUMBER:____________________________________

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

X 1

36C78619Q0053

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

B.2.1 BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION

B.2.2 CONTRACT TYPE SPECIFICS

B.2.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

B.2.4 PERFORMANCE PLAN

B.2.5 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT and PLACEMENT OF ORDERS

B.2.6 PERFORMANCE EVALUTION MEETING

B.2.7 DISCREPANCY ACTIONS

B.2.8 PERFORMANCE OF WORK REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

B.2.9 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

B.2.10 CONTRACTOR’S QUALITY CONTROL PLAN (QCP)

B.3 SUPPLIES OR SERVICES & PRICES / COSTS

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT

2018)

C.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.3 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)

C.4 52.203-99 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE

CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS (DEVIATION) (FEB 2015) ... 44

C.5 52.216-18 ORDERING (OCT 1995)

C.6 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

C.7 52.216-21 REQUIREMENTS (OCT 1995)

C.8 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.9 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

C.10 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING (JAN 2017)

C.11 52.223-3 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION AND MATERIAL SAFETY

DATA (JAN 1997)

C.12 52.228-5 INSURANCE—WORK ON A GOVERNMENT INSTALLATION (JAN 1997)48

C.13 52.232-18 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (APR 1984)

C.14 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

C.15 SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

C.16 VAAR 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (JUL 2016)(DEVIATION)

C.17 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV

2012)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.2 52.203-98 PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE

CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS—REPRESENTATION

(DEVIATION) (FEB 2015)

E.3 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2018)

ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS

E.4 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014)

ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-2

E.5 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL

ITEMS (OCT 2018)

E.6 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) 75

E.7 52.209-5 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID TAX

LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW

(DEVIATION)(MAR 2012)

E.8 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (JUL 2013)

E.9 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.10 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.11 52.237-1 SITE VISIT (APR 1984)

E.12 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

(SEP 2018)

E.13 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (SEP 2018)

E.14 VAAR 852.270-1 REPRESENTATIVES OF CONTRACTING OFFICERS (JAN 2008) 79

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

1. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer – Mr. Max Andrade

Department of Veterans Affairs

NCA Contracting Service

75 Barrett Heights Rd. Suite 309

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

[X] 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other Than System For Award

Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] monthly/periodic, after government acceptance

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.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the

Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

AMENDMENT NO DATE

5. MISSING PAGES, LOST OR MISSING QUOTES

This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for furnishing the commercial services in the Schedule. Quotes shall be received at the address specified in Block 20, i.e. https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov by the date and time specified in Block 8 of SF 1449.

Offerors shall examine this solicitation to verify that all pages have been received. In addition, in compiling this package, some pages may have been duplicated. If the offeror feels that pages are missing or duplicated, the offeror is encouraged to contact the Contracting Officer at the email address shown in https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/

Block 7a, Standard Form 1449. The offeror is responsible for the results of any failure to check for completeness or page duplication.

To address potential lost, delayed, or mis-delivered quotes, please email the Contracting Officer by the due date to ensure your offer was received. Offerors have the burden to make sure quotes are received at

VA by the date and time specified above. The Offerors bear the risk of having quotes rejected and not considered if filing is not completed by the date/time required.

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See provision 52.212-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions of this solicitation.

6. GOVERNMENT HOLIDAYS

Holidays observed by the Federal Government:

New Year's Day 1 January

Martin Luther King's Birthday Third Monday in January

President's Day Third Monday in February

Memorial Day Last Monday in May

Independence Day 4 July

Labor Day First Monday in September

Columbus Day Second Monday in October

Veterans Day 11 November

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November

Christmas Day 25 December

If a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as the legal holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a legal holiday by U.S. Government agencies.

Also included would be any day specifically declared by the President of the United States of America as a national holiday.

7. NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS

Prospective offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov.

Offers received from concerns that are not Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business

(SDVOSB) concerns shall not be considered. SDVOSBs must be verified for ownership and control and listed in the Vendor Information Pages at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov prior to the due date for quotes.

(See Provision 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-

Aside.)

Questions pertaining to this solicitation must be sent by e-mail to: max.andrade@va.gov no later than 08:00 AM ET, November 14, 2018. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Questions received after this date and time will not be considered.

Offerors shall inspect all sites where services are to be performed and to understand all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance (See Provision 52.237-1 Site Visit).

https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ mailto:max.andrade@va.gov

In no event shall failure to inspect constitute grounds for a claim or request for equitable adjustment after contract award. To make arrangements for site visits, contact the following cemetery Point of Contact: Ms. Maxine Griffin, Administrative Officer, Phone number: 904-766-

5222.

B.2 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

B.2.1 BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items and services necessary to ensure that complete facility grounds maintenance services is performed at Jacksonville

National Cemetery located at 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218. The items and services shall be provided in a manner that will maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance throughout the overall cemetery location. The overall responsibility of the

Contractor is to plan, coordinate, organize, manage, and perform the activities described herein, which are required to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds. The cemetery is approximately

525 acres with approximately 85 acres developed, and the cemetery’s anticipated burial rate will be 1600-

1900 per year.

National Cemeteries are a resting place for our nation’s heroes and as such, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the National

Cemetery Administration to reflect this nation’s concern and respect for those interred there. The

National Cemetery Administration (NCA) mission: The NCA honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. National Cemeteries are National

Shrines. The standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries must reflect this nation’s concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to the specifications is required as well as National Cemetery Administration standards.

B.2.2 CONTRACT TYPE SPECIFICS

This procurement is being made under FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for commercial items.

Contract period is for a base period with four (1) one-year options if exercised. Units and services to be in accordance with the Scope of Work, terms and conditions, contained in this solicitation. The offers shall include a price for each Contract Line Item Number (CLIN), a total price for the estimated quantities, and a sub total price for all estimated services in the contract base period and each option year.

Unit prices shall be all inclusive containing (unit prices for materials, unit prices for labor, any labor burden or fringes, any associated travel costs, profit, overhead, and of the like).

This is a firm-fixed priced, requirements contract. This requirement provides estimated quantities that are a realistic estimated total quantity for the resulting contract in accordance with FAR 16.503. The

Government is not obligated to any specified quantity as the initial contract award will be awarded at a

$0.00 amount and 0 quantities but succeeding executed task orders will obligate funding and exact quantities to the master contract, serving as a funding/quantity allowance for the contract. The contractor shall not exceed quantities listed on the individual task orders as they will not receive payment for additional services rendered outside the executed task order quantity limits. The contractor shall notify the

COR when quantities on the CLINs/Task Order are about to be exhausted, and the contractor considers more quantities are needed in order to perform future services on the contract. The COR will make the determination on ordering future services and will coordinate with the Contract Officer for executing new task orders. Once a new task order is executed, the Contracting Officer & COR will provide the order to the contractor for continuing/new services under this contract. The Government is only obligated to provide payments for all services requested from fully executed task orders following this solicitation.

B.2.3 PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION:

(a) This is a performance-based contract for cemetery grounds maintenance services at Jacksonville

National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

THE NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION (NCA) MISSION: THE NCA HONORS

VETERANS WITH A FINAL RESTING PLACE AND LASTING MEMORIALS THAT

COMMEMORATE THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION.

(b) THE NCA MISSION: The National Cemetery Administration honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our Nation as our nation's heroes and as such, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the National Cemetery Administration to reflect this nation's concern and respect for those interred there. National cemeteries are national shrines. The standards of maintenance, appearance and operational procedures performed by the contractor at these cemeteries shall reflect this nation's concern for those interred there. For this reason, the contractor's strict adherence to the specifications shall be required and shall be essential. The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to plan, coordinate, organize, manage, and perform the activities described herein, which are required to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds to the public.

INTRODUCTION:

This Statement of Objectives describes the basic objectives of the Jacksonville National Cemetery. The

Performance Based Service Contract provides potential offerors the flexibility to develop cost effective solutions and the opportunity to propose innovative alternatives to meet the stated objectives. It also presents the Government with an opportunity to assess the offeror's understanding of all aspects of the effort to be performed by eliminating the "how to" instructions to accomplish the required effort normally contained on the SOW the Government provides to prospective offerors.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:

a) The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supplies, supervision, and other items and services necessary to ensure that total cemetery maintenance is performed in a manner that will maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance throughout always.

b) Services include, but are not limited to maintenance of grounds, regular mowing, trimming, edging, removal of leaves and debris, as well as, sweeping or blowing off roads and sidewalks. Pressure washing of sidewalks, curbing, Memorial Wall, Columbarium Walls including Niche Covers, and buildings. Maintenance of internment sites and headstones, the alignment and washing of headstones, headstone installation and maintenance, turf maintenance, plant and tree maintenance, sunken grave repair, trash removal, Irrigation management and janitorial services.

c) The Contractor will clean, the Public Restrooms, Maintenance Building, Honor Guard Room, Administration Building and Committal Shelters first thing in the morning or as needed, but not less than daily. Cleaning shall include sweeping and mopping the floor, disposing of trash, removing cobwebs from all areas, emptying trashcans, etc. All items stored in service building shall be in a neat orderly fashion.

d) All work will be done during normal Federal workdays in daylight hours. Contractor shall accomplish all work in accordance with the technical specifications that have been provided as Attachments B through U to this solicitation. Overall work shall conform to the NCA Operational Standards and

Measures.

e) The Contractor shall be responsible for:

(1) Providing all grounds maintenance services including, but not limited to: Regular mowing, edging, trimming, removal of leaves and debris, as well as, sweeping or blowing off roads and sidewalks, and trash removal.

(2) Turf Maintenance: Proper fertilizing, weeding, sodding of turf.

(3) Turf surrounding a headstone or marker is trimmed to its recommended height.

(4) Plant and Tree Maintenance.

(5) Maintenance of internment sites and headstones

(6) Headstone cleaning and maintenance.

(7) Headstone Setting and Alignment.

(8) Sunken grave repair.

(9) Transportation of caskets from committal shelter to internment site.

(10) Snow and Ice removal.

(11) Placement and removal the Avenue of Flags and Tent for Ceremonies.

(12) Janitorial service of Administration, Maintenance Building, All Committal Shelters, Public

Restrooms.

(13) Pressure washing of all concrete surfaces to include but not limited to: sidewalks, curbing, Memorial Wall, Columbarium Walls including Niche Covers, Committal Shelters, Administration Building and Maintenance Building.

(14) Maintenance of Reflection Pool

(15) Maintenance of Ponds and Pond Floating Fountains

(16) Maintenance of Buffer Zones around Ponds

f) Provide a safe working environment for contractor personnel, cemetery staff and general public.

g) Janitorial service for Administrative, Maintenance, Honor Guard Room & Public Information

Buildings to include cleaning and sanitizing all public and employee restrooms, breakrooms, common areas and showers. Service will include monthly waxing of floors at Maintenance Building & Honor

Guard Room with a total stripping and waxing every six months. The carpet in the Administration

Building will be shampooed and cleaned quarterly. The bathroom floors in the Maintenance

Building, Public Restrooms and Honor Guard will be pressure washed bi-monthly. Janitorial closet’s will be maintained in a clean and orderly manner. No chemicals will be stored in the janitorial closets.

h) Contractor shall provide mulch required for all bedding areas and buffer areas. Contractor shall also provide any topsoil required to top dress all internment sites prior to laying sod.

i) Ensuring all work conforms to the NCA’s established National Standards.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

The successful Contractor shall be responsible for full management of the cemetery grounds maintenance services described herein. The Government's objectives are described in the NCA Operational Standards and Measures provided as Attachments to this solicitation. The Attachments attached to this solicitation serves as Guides or References (if/as needed) but the contractor shall develop a Performance Work Plan that contains solutions to accomplish the same objectives as stated in the NCA Operational Standards and

Measures as they are applicable to the services required in the schedule. The Contractor shall use whatever method he/she chooses to meet the objectives, (i.e. performance schedule, frequency of mowing, turf maintenance, weed eating, plant and tree maintenance, and of the like), if the result satisfies the minimum acceptable levels of performance.

STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE/CONTRACTOR CONDUCT:

a) Contractor and Contractor personnel shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress and conduct while performing work in the National Cemetery. These standards and regulations are enforceable under Title 38, U.S.C., Part I, Chapter 9, Section 901.

(1) Be fully clothed always in matching uniforms, to include long pants and shirt, buttoned up from neck to waist and tucked in at all times. Clothing shall be clean each day. Any soiled clothing should be cemetery work-related that day. T-shirts and/or tank tops as outer garments are prohibited. Shoes/boots will have no holes or loose soles. Steel-toed shoes/boots will be required in accordance with OSHA requirements. Any outer garments worn by contract personal will not have any objectionable wording or symbols. Contractor employees will maintain personal hygiene.

(2) Shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior or use profane or abusive language. Shall show proper reverence during committal services.

(3) Shall neither eat nor drink beverages (except water or non-alcoholic drinks) in the work areas, nor in site of committal shelter during a service. Use of intoxicating beverages and/or drugs is strictly prohibited.

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

(5) The only designated smoking areas for the Cemetery is located by the front door of maintenance building, one location in contractor’s maintenance yard and in front of the administration building. All other areas are designated as NO SMOKING.

(6) Shall not wear any type of ear buds or any type of hearing protection that plays music for safety reasons.

(7) All hats worn by contract personal shall not have any designs or objectionable wording of any kind. Hats must have company logo or name embroidered.

PARKING, AND VA REGULATIONS:

a) Contractor employees may park privately owned vehicles in the area designated for parking by the

COR. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure his employees park in the appropriate designated parking areas. The Cemetery will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the Contractor’s employees under any conditions. Smoking is prohibited inside any building at the Cemetery. Possession of any type of weapon is prohibited. All equipment, structures, enclosed containers, vehicles, lockers, tool kits shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in citation answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, not a local district, state, or municipal court.

b) All contractor personnel operating vehicles on government property must possess a valid state driver’s license. Contractor will provide documentation on company letterhead annually verifying all employees meet this requirement.

USE OF CEMETERY FACILITIES:

a) The Government shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of Contractor items.

Contractor shall be responsible for acceptable standards of housekeeping and custodial maintenance of Cemetery facilities used by Contractor's employees. All structures occupied by contractor are also required to be kept in acceptable standard of housekeeping.

b) The Government will not furnish a storage building at the cemetery site for use by the Contractor to store supplies and equipment. The Government will not be responsible for any damage to or loss of the Contractor's equipment and supplies stored on the Government's premises. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining fire extinguishers and need to have on file weekly and yearly inspection. Yearly inspections need to be conducted by a certified fire extinguisher technician.

Contractor shall inspect emergency eyewash station weekly. Contractor shall provide all necessary safety equipment and supplies for their employees.

c) The Contractor shall be responsible for safely storing all chemicals, cleaning solutions, etc. in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is required for all chemicals and cleaning solutions and maintained in three ring binders readily available to all personal in case of emergencies. Contractor shall be responsible to provide the SDS for all chemicals used on cemetery by any sub-contractor. A copy of all SDS sheets will also be turned in to the

COR/Alternate COR.

d) Electricity and phone service will NOT be furnished by the Government for the contractor’s work area. However, government will provide all electricity and water used on and for the cemetery facility.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

The contractor shall obtain all necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform this work. The contractor shall take all precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. The contractor shall be responsible for any injury to himself, his employees, or others, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by his or his employees' fault or negligence. Further, it is agreed that any negligence of the Government, its officers, agents, servants and employees, shall not be the responsibility of the contractor hereunder with the regard to any claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability resulting there from. The contractor shall maintain workmen's compensation, personal liability, auto liability, and property damage insurance, as prescribed by the laws of the state of Florida, and in accordance with FAR 52.282-5, Section B. Evidence of coverage is required before commencing work under this contract (copy of Certificate of Insurance), and it may not be changed or cancelled without thirty (30) calendar days’ prior written notice to the Contracting Officer.

SUPERVISION, WORK HOURS AND TRAINING:

A. Project Manager: A competent and experienced “Project Manager” shall be provided by the

Contractor for not less than two (2) hours per day whenever work is being performed - other than trash and debris pick-up. In the absence of the Project Manager, the Contractor will appoint a crew foreman or employee who will be responsible to insure the work is (i) being accomplished in an expeditious manner, (ii) performed in accordance with the contract specifications, and (iii) progress is being made without undue delay. The Project Manager must have no less than two (2) year experience as a direct supervisor of a commercial construction operation that includes surveying, soil excavation, and site construction in industrial, commercial and/or public sites. The Project Manager will ensure all specifications are being met, ensure contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals, and ensure employees are adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained.

BOTH PROJECT MANAGER AND CREW FOREMAN ARE REQUIRED TO BE FLUENT IN

ENGLISH. The Project Manager and Crew Foreman shall have completed the (30) hour OSHA class and provide documentation of the training to the COR/Alternate for filing.

B. Work Hours: Work shall be performed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through

Friday unless otherwise directed by the COR/Alternate COR. The Government shall not compensate the Contractor for any alternate work schedules needed for the Contractor to complete contract requirements. Contractor may need to work certain holidays depending on internment schedule.

Notwithstanding, if any work under this contract will be required outside of the cemetery’s normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), the Contractor shall request for a deviation in writing to the COR/Alternate COR at a minimum three working days in advance. The

COR/Alternate COR will notify the appropriate individuals regarding Contractor's request and anticipated schedule and will provide written approval or disapproval to the Contractor.

1. FEDERAL HOLIDAYS

a) New Year’s Day (January)

b) Martin Luther King’s Birthday (January)

c) President’s Day (February)

d) Memorial Day (May)

e) Fourth of July (July)

f) Labor Day (September)

g) Columbus Day (October)

h) Veterans Day (November)

i) Thanksgiving Day (November)

j) Christmas Day (December)

2. WORK SCHEDULING AND MAINTENANCE DURING CEMETERY FUNCTIONS

The Contractor shall coordinate a work schedule with the COR/Alternate COR daily to ensure that no work is being performed at the immediate site of a scheduled interment. These daily meetings are also an opportunity for the contractor to ask questions and ensure he/she understands the off-limit areas, which may vary, depending on the event. Contractor personnel shall not operate motorized equipment or conduct other commercial activities during interment services.

The COR/Alternate COR shall furnish the contractor with a schedule of all interments and/or ceremonies no later than the close of business of the day prior to the scheduled internment, and a minimum of three (3) days before any ceremonial events. The contractor is solely responsible for ensuring that no contract work causes any funeral, ceremony, procession or visitation to be delayed, altered, or otherwise impacted in such a way that the dignity or security of the event is compromised. The Contractor is solely responsible for staying abreast of all such upcoming events and when in doubt, he/she must ask the COR/Alternate COR. The Contractor shall meet with the COR/Alternate COR at the end of each day to determine work completed and ensure that work is on schedule. In the absence of the COR, the Contractor shall meet with the Alternate

COR

C. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining satisfactory standards of personnel conduct and work performance and shall administer disciplinary action as required. The Contractor shall remove employees for cause, to include, but not limited to, misconduct in performance of duty under these specifications and/or conduct contrary to the best interests of the Government.

D. The Contractor's performance will be measured based on how timely and adequately he/she accomplishes and completes the weekly work schedules.

E. The Contractor shall also be responsible for training and safety precautions for contractor employees performing work under these specifications. OSHA standards shall be observed by the contractor in all work performed. Appropriate safety equipment shall be furnished by the contractor to contractor personnel and shall be used as prescribed by OSHA standards, including hard hats, safety shoes/boots, safety glasses, hand protection and hearing protection. The following OSHA and NFPA standards and codes are to be adhered to:

a. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): 10-1998 Standard for Portable Fire

Extinguishers

b. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910 Safety and Health

Regulations for Personal Protection, Safety Color Codes, Portable Power Tools, Electrical Safety and Portable Electric Equipment.

c. Site and Building Access: Maintain free and unobstructed access to facility emergency services and for fire, police and other emergency response forces in accordance with

NFPA 241.

CONTRACTOR INSPECTION AND REPORTING DUTIES

a) The Contractor will perform a weekly inspection on Wednesday. During this inspection the appearance of the cemetery will be observed, and any deficiencies noted within the scope of the contract and will be corrected as soon as practicable and report turned into the COR/Alternate COR.

Items that need correcting outside the scope of the contract will be reported to the Contracting Officer or his representative. Contractor will not correct items outside scope of the contract without an official modification to the contract through the Contracting Officer.

b) The Contractor will be required to submit inspection reports and work accomplished to the

COR/Alternate weekly. Daily at 3:30PM, the contractor’s site supervisor and COR/Alternate COR will do an inspection of the cemetery to identify any deficiencies. The COR/Alternate will submit the daily and weekly report to the contractor for signature and forwarded to Contractor, Cemetery

Director, Foreman and Contracting Officer if needed.

c) The contractor is required to provide the Contracting Officer Representative (COR/Alternate COR) with monthly written progress reports. These are due to the COR by the second workday following the end of each calendar month throughout the project’s duration. The COR/Alternate COR is required to provide weekly reports to the contractor.

d) The progressive report shall cover all work completed during the preceding month and shall present the work to be accomplished during the subsequent month. This report shall also identify any problems that arose and a statement explaining how the problem was resolved. This report shall also identify any problems that have arisen but have not been completely resolved with an explanation.

CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS:

a. The contractor is responsible for supplying all equipment, personnel, tools, supplies and materials to perform these services unless otherwise specified in this contract.

b. Contractor-furnished items necessary to perform work as required under this contract shall be furnished, maintained and operated by the contractor and shall be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County, City laws, ordinances and regulations.

c. Materials and supplies procured for the performance of the contract by the contractor shall be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County, and City laws, ordinances and regulations.

d. The contractor is responsible for the supply, maintenance and repair of all contractor-owned equipment. This includes, minor maintenance/repair and minor operating parts for equipment such as lubrication, oil changes, spark plugs, gaskets, cotter pins/keys, electric extension cords, etc., to keep all equipment in good operational condition throughout the period of performance of this contract.

e. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all of his/her motor vehicles and equipment meet State of Florida inspection, safety, licensing, registration, and insurance requirements.

f. The contractor shall provide his/her own refuse facilities. The contractor is required to dispose of all debris and other waste materials generated by his/her work at a licensed off-site landfill unless otherwise directed by the COR and/or Project Manager.

GENERAL PARAMETERS:

a. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all work shall be done in a manner that safeguards all VA visitors, employees, and public. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for all actions initiated and/or completed by his/her employees. Furthermore, the contractor and his/her employees shall have a clear understanding of, and be sensitive to, such environmental issues as ground water contamination, wetlands, etc., and be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, Right-to-Know laws, EPA guidelines, and regulations.

b. Damage to Government property: Contractors shall be responsible for replacement of any cemetery structure, to include: turf, curb, road pavement, headstone or marker, valve boxes, drains, control upright headstones, sprinkler heads, which is chipped, marred, damaged and/or ruined at the fault of the Contractor. The Contractor shall bear all costs associated with replacement and reinstallation.

Any such damage shall be brought to the immediate attention of the appointed Contracting Officer

Technical Representative (COR) and/or Project Manager prior to repair/replacement/installation.

c. At the Government's discretion, the Contractor shall either repair or replace the property, or reimburse the Government the full amount for all property damage(s). The Contractor shall be aware that

Government property - beyond standard structures and equipment - also includes upright headstones, monuments, trees, beds, and turf, i.e. - wounded trees or scalped turf, roads, curbs, irrigation components as well as upright headstones shall be repaired or replaced.

d. The Government may undertake or award other contracts for additional work at or near the site of work for this contract. The Contractor shall fully cooperate with any other contractors and with

Government employees and shall carefully adapt scheduling and performance of work. Any work needing any direction shall be provided by the COR and/or Project Manager. The Contractor is responsible for reporting to the COR and/or Project Manager any problems or questions that may arise with any other personnel on site during the period of performance of this contract.

e. The Contractor shall not take it upon him or herself to resolve any problems or issues with other on-site contractors or employees, but rather will leave it to the COR and/or Project Manager to resolve the issue.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

a. All work under this service contract will be performed primarily out-of-doors and personnel performing these services will be exposed to wind, sun, cold, dampness, frost, fog and rain. These conditions may, at times, be extreme. The contractor shall take all necessary precautions to protect his/her employees from the elements to the maximum practicable extent. Inclement weather will not be considered an excusable delay in meeting specifications. The Contractor shall work throughout all weather conditions and to apply additional labor and equipment as necessary to meet deadlines, at no additional cost to the Government.

b. Due to the sensitive mission of the cemetery, the work often requires contact with, and exposure to, grieving individuals. Contractor personnel must exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, composure and stability always.

SUPERVISION AND TRAINING:

(a) The contractor shall maintain satisfactory standards of personnel conduct and work performance and shall administer disciplinary action as required. The contractor shall remove employees for cause, to include, but not limited to, misconduct in performance of duty under these specifications and/or conduct contrary to the best interests of the Government.

(b) The contractor shall also be responsible for training and safety precautions for the contractor's employees performing work under these specifications. Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) standards shall be observed by the contractor in all work performed.

Appropriate safety equipment shall be furnished by the contractor to the contractor's personnel and shall be used as prescribed by OSHA standards, including hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection devices (Note, this is for construction). The following OSHA and NFPA standards and codes are to be adhered to:

1. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): 10-1998 Standard for Portable Fire

Extinguishers

2. OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Safety and Health Regulations for Personal Protection, Safety Color Codes, Portable Power Tools, Electrical Safety and Portable Electric Equipment.

3. Site and Building Access: Contractor shall maintain free and unobstructed access to facility emergency services and for fire, police and other emergency response forces in accordance with

N FPA 241.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER

The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be under the supervision of the Director, Jacksonville National Cemetery. Inspection and acceptance of contract services are the responsibility of the COR. The Government's personnel inspecting contract services are not authorized to issue orders or direct the work of the contractor's employees, but shall provide operational information through the contractor or the chief supervisor of the contractor's personnel. Only the CO can make changes in the scope of work. The contractor shall contact the CO on all matters pertaining to administration. Only the

CO is authorized to make commitments or issue changes, which will affect the price, quantity or delivery terms of this contract.

MAINTENANCE DURING CEMETERY FUNCTIONS:

The contractor's personnel shall not operate motorized equipment or conduct other commercial activities during interment services. The COR or his/her representative shall furnish the contractor with a schedule of all interments and/or ceremonies no later than the close of business of the day prior to the scheduled internment, and a minimum of three (3) days before any ceremonial events.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION:

Where the Contractor or any of the Contractor's employees, prior to, or during the service work, are advised of or discover any possible archeological, historical and/or cultural resources, the contractor shall immediately notify the COR verbally, and then with a written follow up.

OTHER / EMERGENCY DAMAGE / MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Contractor is to be prepared to provide other maintenance services as necessary to maintain the cemetery, to address emergency situations, to continue operations, and/or to meet new requirement/regulations as necessary. This additional work will be assessed at a fair and reasonable price, and contractor may operate as prime when services require the use of a subcontractor. This requirement will particularly be necessary during Emergency storm damage situations.

CEMETERY RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. The Government will provide a staging area on site for contractor operations.

b. The Government shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of Contractor items.

Contractor shall be responsible for acceptable standards of housekeeping and custodial maintenance of Cemetery facilities used by Contractor's employees.

c. The Government will not furnish a storage building at the cemetery site for use by the Contractor to store supplies and equipment. The Government will not be responsible for any damage to or loss of the Contractor's equipment and supplies stored on the Government's premises. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining fire extinguishers and other safety equipment.

d. The Contractor shall be responsible for safely storing any chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, cleaning solutions, etc. in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is required for all chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and cleaning solutions.

e. Electricity and phone service will NOT be furnished by the Government for the contractor’s work area. However, government will provide all electricity and water used on and for the cemetery facility.

B.2.4 PERFORMANCE PLAN

The Contractor shall establish a detailed performance plan focusing on criteria set forth in this contract requirement to maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance throughout the overall cemetery location. The performance plan will be submitted with initial quotation submission package.

B.2.5 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT and PLACEMENT OF ORDERS

A. Representatives of the Contracting Officer: The VA Contracting Officer will designate one (or more) representatives to serve as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to act for him/her in furnishing technical guidance and advice or generally directing the work to be performed under the contract. Such designation will be in writing and will define the scope and limitations of the COR’s authority. A copy of the designation(s) shall be furnished to the Contractor at time of award.

(i) The COR may direct and arrange the Contractor’s work schedule in specific areas of the cemetery to coordinate with daily cemetery activities and operations.

(ii) The Contractor shall provide the COR with monthly schedules the last week of the month for the following month.

(iii) The Contractor shall provide the COR with detailed weekly schedules on the Friday before the following week.

(iv) The Contractor shall be required to report on a daily basis to the Cemetery Director or the

COR at the main office of the National Cemetery. Contractor shall log in and obtain funeral and or special schedules. This check in is mandatory.

B. Duties and responsibilities of the COR include day-to-day monitoring of the contract as follows:

(i) Providing contract oversight and technical guidance to the Contractor.

(ii) Placing orders for services.

(iii) Verification / certification of payments to the Contractor for services rendered.

(iv) Assuring that any changes effecting work involved, price, terms and/or conditions under the contract are not implemented before written authorization is issued by the Contracting

Officer.

C. All administrative contract functions are the responsibility of the VA CO. Any modifications to the contract, including those involving no-cost changes, increases and decreases in cost or level of services provided, termination or extension of the contract (in part or in whole) and decisions concerning claims or disputes, must be authorized in writing by the Government Contracting Officer.

D. Task Orders for services at the Jacksonville National Cemetery will be placed by the COR through the Contracting Officer and may be placed via electronic mail (e-mail).

E. Agents/Branches; if the Contractor maintains agents/branches, the Department of Veterans Affairs is to be provided with a list containing any information necessary indicating how and with whom orders are to be placed.

B.2.6 PERFORMANCE EVALUTION MEETING

A. The issuance of a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) may be cause for the scheduling of a meeting among the Contractor, Contracting Officer, and the COR. A mutual effort will be made to resolve all problems identified. The Government will prepare written minutes of the meeting. The Contractor, Contracting Officer, and the COR will sign minutes of the meeting(s).

B. Should the contractor not concur with the minutes, he will state in writing to the Contracting Officer within ten (10) calendar days, he/she does not concur and explain the reasons for non-concurrence. The

Contracting Officer will review and consider the reasons submitted for the Contractor’s non-concurrence and make a decision. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor of the decision in writing within ten calendar days.

B.2.7 DISCREPANCY ACTIONS

A. Normally, the COR will verbally advise or give a written inspection report to the Contractor of discrepancies the first time they occur and ask the Contractor to correct the problem. A notation will be made on the COR checklist of the date and the time the deficiency was discovered and the date and time the Contractor was notified.

B. If the Government created any of the discrepancies, these will not be counted against the Contractor’s performance. When the Government has caused the Contractor to perform in an unsatisfactory manner, the COR will forward a written notice to the responsible organizational element requesting corrective action be taken.

C. When the Contractor is not meeting the limits of satisfactory performance, a CDR will be issued to the

Contractor. The seriousness of the failures should govern whether to issue CDR at the end of the period, or as soon as the limit of satisfactory performance are exceeded.

D. When a CDR is issued for a service, the Contracting Officer must deduct from the periodic payment.

E. If the Contractor does not achieve satisfactory performance by the end of the next period or agreed suspense date, another CDR will be issued and the appropriate amount deducted from the periodic payment.

F. A third CDR will be the cause for a Cure Notice. However, the Contracting Officer may issue a Cure

Notice at any time he/she deems appropriate. Depending on the overall performance of the Contractor, an unsatisfactory reply to the Cure Notice should require a Show Cause letter to be issued, followed by consideration of termination of the contract.

B.2.8 PERFORMANCE OF WORK REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

A. The purpose of this segment is to:

1. List the contract requirements considered most critical to acceptable contract performance.

2. Show, where applicable, the maximum allowable degree of deviation from perfect performance for each requirement that shall be allowed by the Government before contract performance is considered unsatisfactory.

3. Define the procedure the Government shall use in…