S02_Attachment-1_SOW___Specifications---.pdf

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STATEMENT OF WORK/ DESCRIPTIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

1.1 BACKGROUND / NCA MISSION

The National Cemetery Administration 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, appearance and operational procedures performed by the Contractor at this cemetery shall reflect this nation’s concern for those interned there. For this reason, the Contractor’s strict adherence to the specifications shall be required and shall be essential. The Contractor shall demonstrate a clear understanding of, and the sensitivity to, environmental issues during the performance of the contract.

NCA DIGNITY CLAUSE

“Every action by Contractor personnel at a National Cemetery must be performed with special care, reverence, dignity, and respect that acknowledge the cemetery as the final resting place that commemorates the service and sacrifice that service members, Veterans and their families made for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness required of the Contractor employees of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed.

The utmost care must be given to these remains and the headstones and flat grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals.”

1.2 SCOPE

A. Contractor shall furnish all equipment, parts, materials, labor and supervision necessary to:

(i) Furnish / install below grade, reinforced concrete, Headstone Grid Support System

(ii) Raise, Lower, Realign, Reset & Backfill standard Upright Marble Headstones onto new Headstone

Grid Support System

(iii) Raise, Lower, Realign, Reset & Backfill Upright Marble Headstones (standard raise / realignment).

(iv) Clean upright headstones

(v) Renovate / re-establish turf with sod at the Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Ave.

Farmingdale, NY 11735.

B. All work shall be performed during the normal business hours of the Long Island National Cemetery, (between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, local time, Monday thru Friday, excluding Federal holidays).

The aforementioned is intended to briefly describe the services involved. All services described in the

Work Statement, including all attachments, specifications, schedules, addenda, clauses, terms and conditions of the contract shall form the complete scope of work.

1.3 DESIGNATED CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

A. The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and any alternates (ACOR) will be designated in writing by the CO.

B. The COR/ACOR responsibilities will include, but not be limited to surveillance of services required under this contract; determining the adequacy of Contractor performance per the specifications of this contract; acting as the Government’s representative; ensuring compliance with contract requirements insofar as the work will be concerned; and advising the CO of any contract issues.

C. The CO and COR/ACOR will be assisted in their contract responsibilities by multiple Cemetery and

North Atlantic District Quality and Technical Representatives who will make periodic site visits but will

NOT be on site daily.

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D. The COR/ACOR, Cemetery, and District Representatives cannot authorize deviations from the specifications and requirements of this contract. In the event the Contractor deviates without approval from the CO, such deviation shall be at the risk of the Contractor and any cost related thereto shall be borne by the Contractor.

E. If work is authorized to be performed after hours or on weekends/holidays and an emergency should occur, the Contractor shall contact the VA Police Office in the absence of the COR or his designee. The

VA Police will then contact the COR or take appropriate action.

1.4 CEMETERY LOCATION: Work will be performed at: LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY, 2040

Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale, NY 11735 Phone: (631) 454-4952, FAX: (631) 694-5422.

1.5 BURIAL SECTION DATA

Burial Section Total Number of Headstones

Burial Section

Square Footage / Turf

Renovation Sq. Ft.

3B 4,083 283,140

X N/A (turf only) 468,270

2C 5,765 402,930

1.6 SUMMARY OF WORK (General Requirements)

Headstone Grid Support System

A. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, management, supplies, transportation, equipment and supervision necessary to perform and complete all the work to construct a below grade reinforced concrete Headstone Grid Support System on a row by row basis within each section. This includes, but is not limited to, headstone identification tagging, headstone removal, clearing and grubbing vegetation, inspection pit excavation, section row excavation, existing concrete demolition and disposal, fabrication and placement of precast concrete headstone boxes, (sockets), 4,083 each, monolithic formed and reinforced concrete subsurface beam, headstone re-installation with crushed gravel / limestone, turf, restoration work, and headstone cleaning. Detailed requirements are identified in attached specifications and drawings.

B. A single “Row” of gravesites is defined as an array of continuous gravesites that begins and ends at the limits of a single section. The number of actual gravesites in each row may and does vary. Contractor shall complete all work, with the exception of turf, restoration, and headstone cleaning, for the first three adjacent gravesite rows as identified by the COR for inspection and approval prior to being authorized to proceed with work on any other gravesite rows. At no time shall the Contractor perform any work on more than 10 adjacent rows in a section, unless approved by the Contracting Officer in writing.

C. Much of the beauty that exists or should exist in a national cemetery is the direct result of the appearance of perfectly aligned section row and column headstones and markers. The Contractor shall ensure that completed headstones meet all horizontal, vertical, and traverse alignment requirements. It shall be critical that existing conditions are surveyed and contours adjusted as necessary and approved by the

COR to produce such an appearance. Failure to achieve required alignment tolerance requirements will be the basis for not accepting the finished work.

D. The Contractor shall insure that all landscaping and turf requirements are completed before a section can be approved.

E. The awarded contract shall cover a period from date of award through 24 months (730) calendar days from start through finish after Notice of award Notice of Award has been issued. Performance shall be in accordance with the requirements, conditions, terms and representations contained in this solicitation.

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1.7 RESPECT FOR HEADSTONES AND MARKERS IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES

A. Handling of Markers and Headstones

(i) Every action by Contractor personnel at a national cemetery must be performed with the special care, reverence, dignity, and respect that acknowledge the cemetery as the final resting place that commemorates the service and sacrifice that service members, Veterans and their families made for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness required of the Contractor employees of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed. The utmost care must be given to these remains and the headstones and flat grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals.

a. Contractors cannot walk, stand, lean, sit or jump on headstones or markers. Nor can they drive over them. Contractor personnel should use tools approved by the Contracting Officer

Representative (COR), such as shovels, pry bars or pinch bars to lift flat markers out of the ground; pick axes are not an acceptable tool.

b. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or markers. Once headstones/markers are removed from the socket, do not place on dirt piles or mud; they should be carefully placed on each associated gravesite and protected in such a way as to prevent any soiling and be out of the way of any other work.

c. Headstones shall be removed from their sockets using wooden and/or metal clamps. If metal clamps are used, the area that contacts the headstone must be protected with a rigid fabric that will prevent damage to and marking of the headstone. Clamps may be attached to a skid steer loader (i.e. Bobcat®) or similar machine to extract the headstone from the socket. When headstones are removed from their sockets, they shall be carefully stored on each associated gravesite; do not lean headstones against each other. Use care not to scratch or damage headstones in any manner. The headstones shall be laid with front inscription side up while the headstone is lying horizontally on the ground. The headstone shall be protected from direct ground contact while lying horizontally. The protection method shall be as approved by the COR and shall be free of deterioration in weather. An approved method is to support each headstone with two wood 4X4’s. Alternate methods can be approved. Cardboard shall not be used. Wood or other suitable appropriate and attractive material shall be used to keep the headstones from contact with the soil while lying horizontally during the construction period. This also shows respect towards the families visiting the gravesites and the remains that are buried.

d. Contractor shall be responsible for replacing damaged headstones and markers and for restoring turf damaged during performance of this work.

e. Additionally, should any activity result in the exposure and/or damage to any remains, container for remains (i.e., casket or urn), or outer burial container, the Contractor must contact the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or Contracting Officer (CO). Guidance, procedures, and direction on how to resolve any exposure and/or damage may only be provided by the CO or designated representative.

(ii) The Contractor is required to discuss existing guidance and procedures for exposure and/or damage to any remains with Contractor and Sub-Contractor employees and have each employee sign a statement of compliance. Signed statements of compliance are to be delivered to COR before any employee can work at the cemetery.

1.8 CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

A. 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 themselves

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or their 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 themselves or their employees’ fault or negligence.

B. Any negligence on the part 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.

C. The Contractor shall maintain workmen’s compensation, personal liability, automobile liability, and property damage insurance, as prescribed by the laws of the State of New York. Evidence of coverage shall be required before commencing work under this contract (copy of Certificate of Insurance), and it will not be changed or cancelled without thirty calendar days prior written notice to the Contracting

Officer.

1.9 CONTRACTOR DUTIES

A. Contractor Superintendent: A competent and experienced Contractor Superintendent shall be provided by the Contractor for not less than six (6) hours a day whenever work is being performed - other than trash and debris pick-up. In the absence of the Superintendent, the Contractor shall appoint a crew foreman or an employee who shall be responsible to ensure that the work shall be accomplished in an expeditious manner, shall be performed in accordance with the contract specifications and that the work shall progress without undue delay. The Contractor Superintendent shall have not less than three (3) years experience as a direct supervisor of a commercial service operation that included surveying, soil excavation, and site construction in industrial, commercial or public sites. The Contractor

Superintendent shall ensure all specifications shall be met, and ensure that contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals; and ensure that employees shall be adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained.

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

Friday, except for Holidays, unless otherwise directed by the COR. At Contractor request and with the written permission of the COR, work shall also be permitted to be scheduled for weekends and/or

Holidays. When emergency situations, that are caused by the Contractor or severe adverse weather prohibits work during the week, then he/she shall obtain approval from the COR to work on weekends in order to meet the period of performance. The Government will not compensate the Contractor for any alternate work schedules needed for the Contractor to complete all contract work within the specified project duration time frame. No work shall be permitted on Veterans Day and Memorial Day and the two days immediately prior to Memorial Day for preparation. Notwithstanding, if any work under this contract shall be performed outside of the VA’s normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), then Contractor shall notify the COR at least 48 hours in advance.

C. Federal Holidays: Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following ten public holidays for Federal employees. Please note that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday). The following is a list of all ten Federal holidays:

1. New Year's Day

2. Martin Luther King's Birthday

3. President's Day*

4. Memorial Day

5. Fourth of July

6. Labor Day

7. Columbus Day

8. Veterans Day

9. Thanksgiving Day

10. Christmas Day

*This holiday is designated as "Washington's Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States

Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local Governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.

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D. After Normal Hours On-Call/Emergency Situations: The Contractor shall establish and maintain a point-of-contact to receive emergency calls from the COR(s). The point-of-contact shall be available on a 24-hour basis including during weekends, Federal Holidays and after normal hours of operation. The

Contractor shall provide phone, pager and cell phone numbers for emergency and/or after hour’s situations. Repairs shall be made as expeditiously as circumstances allow or within (24) hours upon initial emergency call.

E. The Contractor shall be required to report on a daily basis to the Cemetery Director or COR at the main office of the Long Island National Cemetery. Contractor shall log in and obtain funeral and/or special schedules as defined herein. This check in shall be mandatory. The Contractor shall provide an anticipated work schedule on a daily basis or as agreed upon with the Cemetery Director or COR, and to ensure that no work is being performed at the immediate site of a scheduled interment or ceremony. The

Contractor shall document services performed and provide information to the COR as required during specific time frames. These daily meetings shall also be an opportunity for the Contractor to ask questions and ensure he/she understands the off-limit areas, which shall vary, depending on the event.

The site manager can thus assign tasks accordingly throughout the rest of the Cemetery - so that productive use of labor and equipment shall be assured, and downtime shall be avoided. If the

Contractor fails to re-direct employees away from an event in a timely fashion, the COR(s) will then assist in doing so. Daily meetings will be at an agreed upon time between the COR and the Contractor.

F. A list of scheduled ceremonies will be provided the week prior to the event, and a list of scheduled funerals will be provided daily. The Contractor shall be 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 shall be solely responsible for staying abreast of all such upcoming events and when in doubt, he/she shall ask the

COR(s). The Contractor shall meet with the COR or authorized designee, at the end of each day to determine work completed and ensure that work shall be on schedule.

G. The Contractor’s performance and progress on this contract shall be measured weekly based on how timely, accurately, and adequately he/she accomplishes and completes the weekly work schedules needed to systematically accomplish the contract work over the duration of the project. In instances where the

COR determines that the work shall be behind schedule, he/she will notify the Contracting Officer and the Contractor shall increase workforce and/or hours of operation at no additional cost to the Government in order to achieve completion of the contract work within the specified timeframe.

H. Where work conflicts with existing utility/service lines (above ground/below ground), the corresponding utilities company and the COR will be notified and the Contractor shall obtain any necessary permits/ blue prints and cooperate with the utilities company/cemetery staff to avoid any damage or liability, and provide a safe work environment for his/her employees. Contractor shall be responsible for damages to utilities, above and below ground.

I. The Contractor shall be 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 any and 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.

J. Damage to Government property: The Contractor shall be responsible for repair or replacement of any

Contractor damaged cemetery structure, to include: turf, curb, road pavement, headstones or markers, valve boxes, grid monument control markers, trees, plant beds, etc, which are chipped, marred, damaged and/or ruined at the fault of the Contractor and shall bear all costs associated with replacement and reinstallation. Any such damage shall be brought to the immediate attention of the appointed Contracting

Officer Representative (COR) prior to repair, replacement, and/or installation.

K. The Contractor shall be responsible for cleaning cemetery structures, headstones, monuments, and roadways that are soiled or stained as a result of Contractor’s performance. The Contractor shall wash-down with water all soiled or stained structures headstones, and monuments at the end of each workday.

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Roadways shall be cleaned with a street sweeper each day as needed to keep the existing roads free from dirt and mud resulting from Contractor operations. No hazardous chemicals shall be used at anytime on

Government property. The Contractor shall bear all costs associated with washing and cleaning. Any such washing/cleaning shall be brought to the immediate attention of the COR prior to washing/cleaning.

L. At the end of each day the Contractor shall remove all debris from the cemetery site resulting from the work. The Contractor shall ensure at all times that rubbish and trash generated by the Contractor shall be kept clear of vehicular and pedestrian traffic throughout the site. The Government will not provide receptacle(s) for disposal of debris related to this contract. The Contractor shall be permitted to place his/her trash receptacle dumpsters in the COR approved “Contractor Staging Area”.

M. Adequate warning devices, barricades, guards, flagmen or other necessary precautions shall be provided by the Contractor at all work sites to eliminate hazards and for the protection, safety, and warning of all public visitors, pedestrians, cemetery employees, and vehicular traffic within the area. All open and unattended holes in the ground shall be covered with plywood and/or barricaded for pedestrian safety.

N. The Government will 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, and needing any direction, it will be provided by the COR(s). The Contractor shall be responsible for reporting to the COR(s) any problems or questions that shall arise with any other personnel on site during the period of performance of this contract. 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 shall leave it to the COR(s) to resolve the issue.

O. The Contractor (including his or her employees, Sub-Contractors, consultants or the like shall not operate trucks, tractors, and other heavy equipment on any turf area except as provided in this contract to perform work or as authorized by the COR. The Contractor shall be responsible for repairing turf damage caused by Contractor equipment and staff at no additional cost to the Government.

1.10 WORK ENVIRONMENT:

A. All work under this contract shall be performed primarily out doors and personnel performing these services shall 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. Weather shall not be considered an excusable delay in meeting specifications or project schedule. The Contractor understands that it shall be necessary to work throughout all weather conditions (unless highly extreme, causing equipment rutting and/or hazards, and dangerous to employees or public) 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 could occasionally involve contact with and/or exposure to grieving individuals. Contractor personnel shall exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, composure and stability at all times and refer such individuals to Cemetery Staff.

1.11 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS:

A. The Contractor shall be responsible for supplying all equipment, personnel, tools, supplies and materials necessary to perform the services required by 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

OSHA, Federal, State, County, City laws, ordinances and regulations. 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.

C. Contractor Staging Areas: Primary staging area shall be located on the cemetery road adjacent to the section(s) being renovated and a secondary staging area will be where approved by the COR. Contractor shall base operations out of these staging areas, using it for materials, equipment storage, administration, employee toilets, trash dumpster area, employee parking, employee lunch/break area, etc.

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D. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all of his/her motor vehicles and equipment meet

State inspection, safety, licensing, registration, and insurance requirements.

E. ELECTRICITY: In case the Contractor requires electricity while in performance of this contract, the

Contractor shall provide and utilize portable generators as necessary to complete the work. Should it be necessary for the Contractor to hookup to Long Island National Cemetery electrical distribution system it shall be approved by COR and the Contractor shall provide all necessary connections and complete connection work in accordance with NEC requirements, and at no cost to the Government.

F. WATER: Water shall only be made available via Contractor connection to existing Cemetery water system in existing locations where connection is available, and for purposes of this contract only. The

Contractor shall be responsible for making connections to this water supply in accordance with regulations. Contractor shall not obstruct normal traffic flow on adjacent roads while water is being obtained. In locations where Cemetery water system is not readily available, the Contractor shall provide and utilize portable water tanks and/or water trucks as necessary to transport water to areas where needed in order to complete the work required by this contract, at no cost to the Government.

(i) If the Contractor gets his water from the cemetery or municipal fire hydrants, this water is not free but rather will be billed to the Contractor based on the readings from a water meter that will be required to be attached to the hydrant to measure the amount of water used. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to pay for all water used based on the monthly water bill received by the cemetery minus the water used by the cemetery. The charges to the Contractor will be based on the amount that the city charges for water as the cemetery water is from a municipal water source.

(ii) The Contractor is responsible for making connections to this water supply in accordance with regulations and shall install appropriate meter for monitoring usage. Contractor shall not obstruct normal traffic flow on adjacent roads while water is being obtained or dispersed.

(iii) The Contractor shall monitor and record rainfall occurring at this site during the contract period.

In the event of a State or Local Government mandate of a drought restriction, the Contractor will follow all guidelines concerning watering restrictions of turf and newly seeded areas. If the

Contractor does not follow the guidelines, he/she assumes the responsibility of paying any State or

Local imposed fines.

G. The Contractor shall provide his/her own REFUSE FACILITIES, and these shall only be located in the

COR approved “Staging Area”. The Contractor shall not be authorized to place dumpsters or refuse facilities in any other location at the cemetery other than the approved staging area. The Contractor shall be 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(S). The Government will not provide receptacles for disposal of debris as a result of the services provided under this contract. In case of Hazardous Materials

Contractor shall be required to obtain required disposal permits from the State regulatory agency.

H. The Contractor shall provide portable chemical toilets for use by workmen as necessary to comply with applicable OSHA requirements. These portable toilet facilities shall be kept clean and free of excessive odors, insects, etc. Locate portable toilet facilities in the COR approved Contractor Staging Area only. It shall not be permissible to locate portable toilet facilities in any other locations throughout the cemetery.

The use of the permanent cemetery toilet facilities by workmen shall be strictly prohibited throughout the duration of this contract.

I. IDENTIFICATION, PARKING, SMOKING, AND VA REGULATIONS: The Contractor's employees shall wear visible identification at all times while on the premises of the Cemetery. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to park in the appropriate designated parking areas. The Cemetery will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the Contractor under any conditions. Smoking shall be prohibited inside any buildings at the Cemetery. Possession of weapons shall be prohibited.

Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations will result in citation answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, not a local district, state, or municipal court.

J. ORIENTATION FOR CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES:

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(i) The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure that Contractor employees coming to the work site shall receive complete information on each of these subjects;

a. Fire and Safety,

b. Project Work Schedule,

c. Rules Pertaining to Workers,

d. General Parameter Job Related Issues,

e. Disaster procedures,

f. All technical requirements of the project.

(ii) The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure Contractor employees providing work on this contract shall be fully trained and completely competent to perform the required work.

K. The Contractor is responsible for placement of two COR approved signs approximately 24” x 36” with two posts each which convey to cemetery visitors in large type the project name, contract number, Contractor name, brief description of project and apologies for the temporary construction needed to beautify the cemetery. I.E.

Contract: 36C78619Cxxxx

Raise, Realign & Renovation Project

Please excuse the temporary appearance as we work hard to provide these veterans a national shrine deserving of their service and sacrifices.

Long Island National Cemetery

Contractor XYZ

Please direct all questions to the Cemetery Director

Thank you.

1.12 CONTRACTOR CONDUCT (Contractor personnel shall):

A. Shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress, conduct, supervision and training while performing work on Government property. It will be subject to immediate enforcement action by the

Contracting Officer if these standards are not adhered to during the period of performance of this contract. Contractor management shall be responsible for training and safety precautions prescribed by

OSHA regarding safety equipment and devices.

B. Be fully clothed at all times, to include upper garment to cover body from the waist to the neck and long pants or slacks. Garments, which have a message, slogan or printing of any kind other than the

Contractor’s business attire, shall be prohibited. Uniforms shall be acceptable. The Contractor shall maintain a neat and professional appearance throughout its workforce, vehicles, equipment, and maintenance areas. If uniforms are used, they shall be in unison among all employees. The cemetery

Director and the COR will be able to provide specific guidance.

C. The Contractor/personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, angry outbursts or use profane or abusive language at any time on Government premises. Playing radios and/or electronic games/devices shall be prohibited. Due to the sensitive mission of the cemetery, Contractor employees shall come into daily contact with grieving individuals, therefore Contractor employees shall exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, courtesy, and respect while within the cemetery or at its perimeter or entrances. Inquiries from cemetery visitors shall be politely referred to Government cemetery staff.

Gratuities of any kind shall be strictly prohibited.

D. Consume food and beverage only within areas designated by the COR(s). Intoxication, and violence or criminal acts of any kind will not be tolerated - and will be cause for immediate removal from

Government property. Use or sale of intoxicating beverages and/or drugs shall be strictly prohibited, and use of tobacco products shall only be allowed in specific areas designated by the COR.

E. Contractor employees shall only take breaks/rest periods and lunch breaks at the Contractor Staging

Area, not in the field. Workers shall utilize Contractor provided temporary chemical toilet facilities located only in the Contractor Staging Area. Misconduct shall form the basis for immediate contract enforcement action, to include immediate removal from the cemetery.

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F. Worker parking: All Contractor employees shall park only in the COR approved Contractor Staging

Area identified for this project. Workers shall not be allowed to park throughout the cemetery grounds, and violation of this requirement shall form the basis for immediate contract enforcement action, to include immediate removal from the cemetery.

G. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure that his/her employees (including Contractor’s consultants, Sub-Contractors, etc.) shall be aware of all the terms and conditions set forth above in this solicitation package regarding their performance and conduct during the performance period of this contract.

1.13 LABOR FORCE AND EQUIPMENT:

A. The Contractor shall be aware of the intensive labor and equipment requirements needed to meet contract specifications. Contractor shall be responsible to provide at no additional costs, labor and equipment as necessary to meet deadlines.

B. The Contractor shall use any additional resources necessary to meet or return to specified work requirements after special events and/or services.

C. The Contractor shall determine the number of employees and the amount and kinds of equipment needed during the period of performance.

1.14 SAFETY:

A. Matters related to safety, and any actions of the Contractor, shall meet all safety requirements of Long

Island National Cemetery's Safety Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, OSHA, and the State. It shall be incumbent upon the Contractor to be familiar with these requirements.

B. "Safety" shall also include the Contractor having a safety representative who maintains regular and routine contact with the Safety Officer at Long Island National Cemetery.

1.15 THE GOVERNMENTS RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Upon award of the contract, the Government will inform the Contractor prior to commencing the work, of any known damages to the cemetery grounds, headstones/markers or any other areas that the

Contractor shall be unaware of and not responsible for. In addition, upon award of the contract, a walk-through of the cemetery grounds by the Contractor and COR will be scheduled to occur.

B. The Government will not provide the Contractor with any furnishings, fuel storage, equipment, materials, restrooms, or telephones.

1.16 PHASING AND WORK SEQUENCING:

A. Phasing and Work Sequencing: All work shall be accomplished in a sequential row by row manner with work limited to no more than ten adjacent rows at any given time in order to minimize overall disruption to the cemetery. Work cannot begin in subsequent burial section areas until such time that all work, including turf renovation, has been completed in the current burial section area, unless authorized by the

CO.

B. The Contractor shall submit a proposed "Project Work Sequence Schedule" to the COR for review and approval prior to start of project. Schedule shall reflect completion of all work within the contract duration and as a minimum include Section row start and finish durations. Updates shall be provided to the COR monthly or whenever the work progress indicates delays of more than two weeks in the construction of rows currently under construction.

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1.17 HISTORIC PRESERVATION:

Where the Contractor or any of the Contractor's employees, prior to, or during the services 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.

1.18 SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS:

A. FIRE SAFETY: Applicable Publications: Publications listed below form part of this Article to the extent referenced. Publications are referenced in text by basic designations only.

(i) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

(ii) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

(iii) 10-1998 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

(iv) 70-1999 National Electrical Code

B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

(i) 29 CFR 1910 Safety and Health Regulations for Personal Protection, Safety Color Codes, Portable

Power Tools, Electrical Safety and Portable Electric Equipment.

(ii) Fire Safety Plan: Establish and maintain a fire protection program in accordance with 29 CFR

1910. Prior to start of work, prepare a plan detailing service-specific fire safety measures, including periodic status reports and submit to COR for review.

(iii) 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.

(iv) Separate temporary facilities, such as trailers, storage sheds, and dumpsters, from existing buildings and new construction by distances in accordance with NFPA 241. For small facilities with less than 6 m (20 feet) exposing overall length, separate by 3m (10 feet). Locate only in staging area where approved by COR.

(v) Temporary Electrical: Install, use and maintain installations in accordance with 29 CFR 1910, NFPA 241 and NFPA 70. If temporary electrical shall be required, the Contractor shall notify the

COR prior to use of Temporary Electrical Services.

(vi) Means of Egress: Do not block exiting for occupied buildings, including paths from exits to roads.

(vii) Fire Extinguishers: Provide and maintain extinguishers in service areas and temporary storage areas in accordance with 29 CFR 1926, 29 CFR 1910, NFPA 241 and NFPA 10.

(viii) Flammable and Combustible Liquids: Store, dispense and use liquids in accordance with 29 CFR

1910, NFPA 241 and NFPA 30.

(ix) Smoking: Smoking shall be prohibited except in designated smoking areas.

1.19 OPERATIONS AND STORAGE AREAS:

A. The Contractor shall confine all operations (including storage of materials) on Government premises to areas authorized or approved by the COR or Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall hold and save the

Government, its officers and agents, free and harmless from liability of any nature occasioned by the

Contractor's performance. It shall be understood that the VA will not be held responsible for any damage to the Contractor’s equipment, materials, supplies or the like which shall result from vandalism, theft etc.

while on site.

B. Temporary buildings (e.g., storage sheds, shops, offices) and utilities shall be erected by the Contractor only with the approval of the COR and shall be built with labor and materials furnished by the Contractor without expense to the Government. The temporary buildings and utilities shall remain the property of the Contractor and shall be removed by the Contractor at its expense upon completion of the work.

C. The Contractor shall, under regulations prescribed by the Contracting Officer or COR, use only established roadways, or use temporary roadways constructed by the Contractor when and as authorized by the COR or Contracting Officer. Vehicles shall not be loaded beyond the loading capacity recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle or prescribed by any Federal, State, or local law or

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regulation. When it shall be necessary to cross curbs or sidewalks, the Contractor shall protect them from damage. The Contractor shall repair or pay for the repair of any damaged curbs, sidewalks, or roads.

D. Working space and space available for storing materials will be where approved by COR in the

Contractor’s “Staging Area”.

E. Contractor personnel shall be subject to the rules of the Cemetery applicable to their conduct.

F. Execute work in such a manner as to interfere as little as possible with work being done by others. Keep roads clear of service materials, debris, standing service equipment and vehicles at all times.

G. Do not store materials and equipment in other than assigned areas.

H. Utilities Services:

(i) No utility service such as water, gas, steam, sewers or electricity, or fire protection systems and communications systems shall be interrupted without prior approval of COR.

(ii) The Contractor shall not interrupt irrigation to areas not “currently” being renovated. If necessary, the Contractor shall cap off, run by-pass lines or manually irrigate as necessary, as to not affect areas not currently being renovated.

(iii) Contractor shall submit a request to interrupt any such services to COR, in writing, a minimum of

48 hours in advance of proposed interruption. Request shall include the reason, date, exact time of, and approximate duration of such interruption.

(iv) Contractor shall be advised (in writing) of approval of request, or of which other date and/or time such interruption shall cause least inconvenience to operations of Cemetery. Interruption time approved by COR shall be that time which occurs at other than Contractor's normal working hours.

I. To minimize interference of service activities with flow of Cemetery traffic, comply with the following:

(i) Keep roads, walks and entrances to grounds, to parking and to occupied areas of buildings clear of materials, debris and standing service equipment and vehicles. At least one lane shall be open to traffic at all times.

(ii) Coordination of work with COR or authorized designee: The burial activities at a National

Cemetery will take precedence over service activities. The Contractor shall cooperate and coordinate with the COR or authorized designee, in arranging schedule to cause the least possible interference with cemetery activities in actual burial areas.

(iii) Work noise during the interment services shall not disturb the service. Trucks and workmen shall not pass through the service area during this period.

1.20 INSPECTIONS AND SURVEYS:

A. PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING SERVICES - A registered professional land surveyor or registered civil engineer whose services are retained and paid for by the Contractor shall be used for layout control of work and to restore any grave section corner monuments that may be disturbed as a result of the

Contractors performance of the contract work.

B. Survey: Before any work shall be started, the Contractor shall make a thorough videotape survey with the

COR of areas in which contract work occurs and areas of anticipated routes of access, etc., and provide a copy to the COR. This videotape shall include:

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C. Existing conditions at site. Use a video camera to survey and document existing conditions prior to start of work. Contractor shall provide the video camera and tapes for this purpose. The Contractor shall turnover one copy of the completed survey videotape to COR prior to starting work.

D. Re-Survey: At the final inspection and acceptance the Contractor and COR together will make a thorough re-survey of the areas where contract work occurred. Re-survey report shall list any damages caused by Contractor's workmen in executing work of this contract.

1.21 PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATION, STRUCTURES, EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES, AND

IMPROVEMENTS:

A. The Contractor shall preserve and protect all structures, equipment, and vegetation (such as trees, shrubs, and grass) on or adjacent to the work site, which shall not be removed and which does not unreasonably interfere with the work required under this contract. The Contractor shall only remove trees when specifically authorized to do so by the COR, and shall avoid damaging vegetation that shall remain in place. If any limbs or branches of trees are broken during contract performance, or by the careless operation of equipment, or by workmen, the Contractor shall trim those limbs or branches with a clean cut and remove and properly dispose of from the site as defined herein.

B. The Contractor shall protect from damage all existing improvements and utilities at or near the work site and on adjacent property of a third party, the locations of which shall be made known to or are known by the Contractor. The Contractor shall immediately notify the COR of any such occurrence and repair any damage to those facilities, including those that are the property of a third party, resulting from failure to comply with the requirements of this contract or failure to exercise reasonable care in performing the work. If the Contractor fails or refuses to repair the damage promptly, the Contracting Officer will have the necessary work performed and charge the cost to the Contractor.

C. Refer to Articles, "Inspections and Surveys", "Restoration", and "Operations and Storage Areas" for additional instructions concerning repair of damage to structures and site improvements.

1.22 RESTORATION:

A. Contractor shall remove, cut, alter, reinstall, replace, patch and repair existing work as necessary. Except as otherwise shown or specified, do not disturb any water, steam, gas, or electric services without prior approval of the COR or Contracting Officer. Existing work to be completed and that is found to be defective in any way, shall be reported to the COR before it shall be disturbed. Materials and workmanship used in restoring work shall conform in type and quality to that of original service, except as otherwise shown or specified.

B. Upon completion of contract, deliver work complete and undamaged. Existing cemetery features (lawns, paving, roads, walks, etc.) disturbed or removed as a result of performing required new work, shall be patched, repaired, reinstalled, or replaced with new work, and refinished and left in as good condition as existed before commencing work. All restoration work shall be accomplished without undue delay.

C. At Contractor's own expense, Contractor shall immediately restore to service and repair any damage caused by Contractor's workmen/Sub-Contractors to existing cemetery infrastructure.

D. Expense of repairs to such utilities and systems not shown on drawings or locations of which are unknown will be covered by adjustment to contract time and price in accordance with clause containing reference "CHANGES" (FAR 52.212-4).

E. The Contractor shall be responsible for replacement of any headstones or marker, which is chipped, marred, or damaged at the fault of the Contractor and shall bear all costs associated with replacement and reinstallation. Any such damage shall be brought to the attention of the COR prior to replacement or reinstallation.

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1.23 LAYOUT OF WORK:

A. The Contractor shall lay out the work and shall be responsible for all measurements in connection with the layout. Where burial section grid monumentation exists, it shall be utilized for all headstone row layout work, and Contractor shall coordinate all associated field layout dimensions with COR prior to start of work.

B. The Contractor shall furnish, at Contractor's own expense, all stakes, templates, platforms, equipment, tools, materials, and labor required to layout any part of the work. The Contractor shall be responsible for executing the work to the lines and grades needed to accomplish the work and to ensure that grave markers shall be correctly and accurately located on their associated gravesites.

C. The Contractor shall also be responsible for maintaining and preserving all temporary and permanent stakes and other marks until authorized by the COR to remove them. If such marks are destroyed by the

Contractor or through Contractor's negligence before their removal will be authorized, the Contracting

Officer will replace them and deduct the expense of the replacement from any amounts due or to become due to the Contractor.

1.24 AS-BUILT DRAWINGS:

Are Required (reference attachment I – earthwork 1.4 submittals / A, 4).

1.25 DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE:

The Contractor shall not dispose of any hazardous materials at any location on the cemetery premises except as specified and/or authorized by the COR.

1.26 METRIC CONVERSIONS:

A. Any measurements stated in this specification or in any documents associated with the proposed contract as normally used inch-pound units can be converted to metric units providing they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376.

B. Any measurements only given in inch-pound units are not meant to be restrictive. If the General

Requirements require replacement of parts to be included as part of the contract and a product (part) is manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request shall be made to the Contracting Officer to determine if the product will be acceptable.

1.27 GENDER:

For the purpose of equal rights, wherever the masculine gender will be used in this solicitation, and the resulting contract, it will be considered to include both masculine and feminine gender.

1.28 SALES OF COMPANIES OR NAME CHANGES:

The Contractor, gaining award of the contract, shall notify the Contracting Officer, Department of Veterans

Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (41D3A), Centralized Contracting Division, 75 Barrett Heights

Road, Suite 309, Stafford, VA 22556, in writing immediately upon entering an agreement (either oral or written) to sale or transfer all or part of its stock or other ownership interest to any other party. This

Contractor shall also, contact the Contracting Officer immediately in writing (at the above referenced address) in the event a company name change shall happen, with information as to the reasons and/or determinations causing this action.

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CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

ATTACHMENT DESCRIPTION

A LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY MAP

B TYPICAL PERMANENT BURIAL GRAVESITE CONTROL MARKER

C ELEVATION VIEW OF BURIAL SECTION ALIGNMENT

D PLAN VIEW HEADSTONE ALIGNMENT

E SECTION 01 33 23 - SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA, AND SAMPLES

F SECTION 01 45 29 -…