36C78619Q0120-0001000.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION

OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT

THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO:

Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADM

INISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and d ate specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS

ENTERED INTO

PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 3

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO

MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 02-08-2019 N/A 36C786 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 75 Barrett Heights Road, Suite 309 Stafford

VA 22556

36C786 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 75 Barrett Heights Road, Suite 309 Stafford VA 22556 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C78619Q0120 02-08-2019

X X X

The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate the following:

[1] Services "Questions and Answers document from original solicitation posting.

[2] QUOTES DUE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019 AT 4:00 P.M. (EST)

XXXX LAST ITEM ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAINS UNCHANGED XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Joselito Roman Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

Zachary Taylor National Cemetery Solicitation: 36C78619Q0120 Questions from vendors

1. Is there any historical data on lime use at the cemetery? What percentage of the cemetery and/or application rate has required lime treatments annually? Has any lime (ie how many times has this CLIN been paid) at all been applied in the past 5-10 years?

I do not believe we have ever used this CLIN. A lime application would be needed after a soil test has been performed and calls for an application of lime.

2. Will the contractor be responsible for cemetery sweeps at any time? If so, when, what are the expectations, and which CLIN should this be incorporated into especially if it is a daily, year-round requirement?

No. The ZT team will perform task.

3. P8. “Walk-behind, push type machines, hand held weed whips or trimming shears will be used to trim grass from around headstones, monuments, markers, etc.” Does this prevent the use of powered string trimmers from being used?

No, it does not prevent the use of string trimmers. Trimmers will be used to trim around headstones and upright monuments. Edger’s will be used to edge around flat markers and flat monuments, sidewalks.

4. Is the contractor to blow off the roads, flat markers, etc after mowing/trimming/edging etc?

Yes, especially the markers.

YES- We must insure that ALL grass clippings are removed from the markers and roadways, sidewalks, etc.

5. P12. 1st paragraph: Please explain the significance of the words “ADD SPRING”

Remove “ADD SPRING”

6. Page 12/13: The table “Chemical Application Schedule” does not match the applications described in the paragraphs above. Eg. Table shows pre-emergent application in May when text has it in Mar; Fertilizer apps are in Apr/May, Jun and Sep vs May, Sep, Nov; Spot spraying before the main spray application could result in the entire coverage of the cemetery in Mar. Should the spot spraying be after the main application?; should spot spraying the trees be in Apr/May? Etc- Yes, the spot spraying should be after the main application. Spot spraying should be performed, as needed until the weeds are killed off. It is hard to determine a month. Spot spraying needs to take place as permitted by the weather. (As needed)

7. P. 14 Leaf Removal, paragraph 3: If conditions are correct for these methods, are mulching and/or using mowers with grass collection (vacuum) systems acceptable methods for removing leaves?

Yes

8. P 14: Tree/Shrub Maintenance: What is the expectation for tree maintenance? Eg. Trim anything that is below 8’ feet.

Yes, 8’ is the correct height.

9. P. 14, “Tree maintenance or removal services may also be required when felled and/or dead, diseased trees pose a potential safety hazard to the Cemetery staff and public.” This statement exposes the contractor to large financial obligations which drives up our price proposed to the government dramatically with services that may not be used. We suggest that this statement be moved to a tree maintenance contract that is negotiated per tree. If not, please provide a maximum number and size of tree every contractor bidding should include in their bid for each CLIN quantity. E.g. 1 x Oak, 3 ft diameter, 60 feet tall.

Agree

10. P. 15: Is the contractor expected to provide, plant, stake, water, etc new trees? If yes, please define quantities, types, sizes, etc.

No, the cemetery team will perform this task.

11. P 18. Storm Damage, “remove fallen trees”, This statement exposes the contractor to large financial obligations which drives up our price proposed to the government dramatically with services that may not be used. We suggest that this statement be moved to a tree maintenance contract that is negotiated per tree. If not, please provide a maximum number and size of tree every contractor bidding should include in their bid for each CLIN Quantity. E.g. 1 x Oak, 3 ft diameter, 60 feet tall.

Agree

12. Are there restrooms that the contractor can use or will we need to provide a portable toilet? Yes, public restrooms are available.

Yes, As long as they leave them as they found them, neat and clean, free of any mud, leaf’s, debris, etc.

13. For CLIN 12 Plant Maintenance, Mulch is to be removed and replaced 2 times per year. Will the current areas at the cemetery that have mulch be the only areas that will need mulching for the life of the contract? Or will these areas expand in square footage? If the areas that require mulch do expand, will the awarded contractor be able to increase pricing to accommodate for the increase?

The majority of mulch rings will not change in size. There may be a few that do over time depending on the state of the turf surrounding each tree. As Daniel stated above, the majority of the mulch rings will not change. If there is a need to enlarge a mulch ring, the cemetery team will perform that task.

14. There is not a CLIN or requirement for a turf application to treat for grassy weeds. Broadleaf weeds are different from grassy weeds. Does the cemetery want these treated? If so, what CLIN does this price go under?

Yes, we want grassy weeds treated. It should probably have its own CLIN- Correct this application should have its own CLIN- to include spot spraying as needed.

15. For the requirement for edging, can the contractor choose between a stick trimmer verses a line string trimmer?

NO, ALL edging will be performed using a stick edger. String Trimmers are not permitted to be used for edging- flat markers, sidewalks, etc.

16. At what time of year will the tree pruning be required?

January

17. There is not a written requirement for the process, materials required, approved de-icer, or timeframes for CLIN 16 Snow and Ice Removal. Can a requirement description be added so bidders are on the same page with the requirements?

SCOPE

Work consists of removing of snow and ice from the committal shelter, cemetery driveway, all walkways on the cemetery grounds, all steps to buildings and structures, and areas outside the cemetery walls, if applicable.

In the event of an interment during the snow season, the contractor will be responsible for clearing passages from the roadway to the gravesite.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Snow and Ice should be removed 1 hour before cemetery is open for visitation. Cemetery is open from Sun up to Sun down 7 days a week.

PROCEDURE

A. Snow will be removed with a plow attached to a tractor or a self-propelled unit, snow blower or shovel. The tractor or self-propelled unit will be restricted to paved areas.

B. Ice will be removed with an ice melt product. This chemical must be of the type that will not stain or damage, turf, shrubbery, trees, walkways and driveways. Using fertilizer is not acceptable.

End of Document