36C78620Q0018-000.docx

FedBizOpps Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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* = Required Field FedBizOpps Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Rev. March 2010 S FY20 New - Pacific District - Los Angeles Natl Cemetery - Grounds Maintenance

TIERED EVALUATION

94612 36C78620Q0018 08-21-2019 N 561730 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 1301 Clay St, 1230 North Oakland, CA 9412 Sable Williams NCA Contracting Officer sable.williams1@va.gov Los Angeles National Cemetery 950 South Sepulveda Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90049

USA

www.va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs sable.williams1@va.gov CO's Email Address

RFQ FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Place of Performance: Los Angeles National Cemetery 950 South Sepulveda Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90049

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), solicitation number 36C78620Q0018.

This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2019-04 (7 Aug 2019).

TIERED EVALUATIONS INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS

This solicitation is being issued as a tiered evaluation for SDVOSB concerns or in the alternative, a tiered evaluation for VOSB concerns, or in the alternative, a set aside for other small business concerns with HUBZone small business concerns and 8(a) participants having priority. If award cannot be made, the solicitation will be cancelled and the requirement resolicited.

The applicable North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 561730, Landscaping Services with a business size standard of 7.5 million.

This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach.

Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Contracting Service (43C1), is the only activity authorized to issue orders under this contract.

In accordance with Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Clause 852.219-10, Offerors understand at least 51 percent of the cost of personnel for contract performance, will be spent for employees of your business concern or employees of other eligible small business concerns.

I. PART I - THE SCHEDULE

II. SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

PRICE SCHEDULE: The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, tools, and supplies to perform full grounds and facility maintenance services at Los Angeles National Cemetery Columbarium, on Constitution Avenue, between the U.S. Interstate 405-S and Davis Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90049.

The main cemetery administration office is located at 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049.

All work shall be performed in accordance the Description/Specifications/Statement of Work, contained in this contract; National Cemetery Administration National Shrine Commitment Operational Standards and Measures (Version 5.1 July 2014,or the most current version); Handbook 3120: Interment Area Layout; Handbook 3130: Interments in VA National Cemeteries; Handbook 3410: Integrated Pest Management Procedures for VA National Cemeteries; Handbook 3420: Turfgrass Maintenance in VA National Cemeteries; the most current Organizational Analysis and Improvement Guide (OAI); and in accordance with the NCA Environmental Management System (EMS). Copies of these documents may be obtained from the cemetery director, Tom Ruck (Tel.: 310-268-4030); or online at: http://vaww.nca.va.gov/leg_reg/leg_reg_dirhand.asp.

The base contract performance period is from October 1, 2019 (or Date of Award), through September 30, 2020 with four (4) one-year options beginning on October 1 through September 30, if exercised.

BASE YEAR: October 1, 2019 (or Date of Award) through September 30, 2020

(Broadcast & Spot Applications)

(1 job = 2 Split Applications)

Total Cost for Base Year :

OPTION YEAR 1: October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021

(Broadcast & Spot Applications)

(1 job = 2 Split Applications)

Total Cost for Option Year 1:

OPTION YEAR 2: October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022

(Broadcast & Spot Applications)

(1 job = 2 Split Applications)

Total Cost for Option Year 2:

OPTION YEAR 3: October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023

(Broadcast & Spot Applications)

(1 job = 2 Split Applications)

Total Cost for Option Year 3:

OPTION YEAR 4: October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024

(Broadcast & Spot Applications)

(1 job = 2 Split Applications)

Total Cost for Option Year 4:

NOTE: The quantities given are only estimates of work to be performed. The Contractor shall be paid only for services approved by the COR and actually rendered or performed. The Contactor shall meet with the COR at least weekly to plan the work to be performed as indicated on the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan. The COR will provide the Contractor with the interment schedule on a daily basis. The Contractor shall not be compensated for work unauthorized by the COR.

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

1. BACKGROUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 134 National Cemeteries in 39 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. Because of the special significance and attention our National Cemeteries receive from the public, strict adherence to the following specifications is essential.

1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide Grounds Maintenance Services at Los Angeles National Cemetery Columbarium, hereby known as “the Cemetery”. Specific locations, sizes and services required for the cemeteries are as follows:

Los Angeles CA 90049

6.4 Developed Acres

5.4 Undeveloped Acres

Full Grounds Maintenance Services

1. MAINTENANCE AREAS

The physical area of the contract includes the cemetery proper, structures, paving, and landscaped grounds, columbaria, roadways, perimeter landscaped areas, undeveloped areas, and all of its landscape elements. A portion of the cemetery may be under renovation by another contractor at any time; and specific grounds maintenance activities may be under separate contract with another vendor. Future phases of the cemetery may be under construction at any time which will reduce the total maintenance requirements for the undeveloped area.

1. CONTRACT OBJECTIVES

To use an innovative and creative technical approach to manage the grounds maintenance operation at the Cemetery in order to maintain the high standards of appearance as a National Shrine, in accordance with the National Cemetery Administration National Shrine Commitment Operational Standards and Measures (Version 5.1 July 2014) and standard commercial practices.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

SERVICES PROVIDED: The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to perform the following Grounds Maintenance Services at the Los Angeles National Cemetery Columbarium. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE MANPOWER & RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PERFORM AND COMPLETE MULTIPLE JOBS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Services to be provided include the following:

B.5.1 Cemetery Grounds Management Plan B.5.2 Turf Renovation B.5.3 Turf Maintenance – Fertilization B.5.4 Turf Maintenance – Pest Control B.5.5 Turf Maintenance – Mowing, Trimming & Edging B.5.6 Turf Maintenance – Aerification B.5.7 Turf Maintenance – Dethatching B.5.8 Turf Maintenance – Topdressing B.5.9 Tree, Shrub & Planting Bed Maintenance B.5.10 Palm Tree Maintenance B.5.11 Tree, Shrub & Groundcover Planting B.5.12 Irrigation System Management B.5.13 Irrigation System Scheduled Maintenance B.5.14 Irrigation System Maintenance and Repair B.5.15 Drainage System Maintenance B.5.16 Trash & Debris Removal (Waste Management) B.5.17 Pavement Sweeping and Cleaning B.5.18 Structure Maintenance B.5.19 Janitorial Service B.5.20 Contractor Responsibilities B.5.21 Supervision, Work Hours, and Training B.5.22 Government Contacts

B.5.1 CEMETERY GROUNDS MANAGEMENT PLAN

A. NCA STANDARDS

1. All maintenance activities are included in a current Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

B. SCOPE

1. Cemetery Grounds Management Plan: A maintenance plan developed by each national cemetery, which identifies required maintenance tasks and schedules for all grounds maintenance activities.

2. Contractor shall develop a Cemetery Grounds Management Plan for the national cemetery based on all required grounds maintenance activities specified herein.

3. Contractor shall update the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan on a monthly basis to reflect actual occurrence of maintenance activities. Submit an updated spread sheet to COR for review and approval.

C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Within 30 days after Notice to Proceed, the Contractor shall submit a Cemetery Grounds Management Plan to the COR and Pacific District Agronomist for review and approval.

2. The plan shall be developed on an electronic spread sheet, listing each task/activity specified herein, represented on a year-long time line beginning with the fiscal year. The spread sheet shall clearly show the frequency of all tasks/activities on a daily, weekly, monthly basis throughout the fiscal year. A sample Grounds Management Plan spreadsheet may be obtained from the Pacific District Agronomist.

3. The plan shall incorporate the activities outlined in the “Turf Application Schedule” and the “Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcover Application Schedule”.

4. The plan shall incorporate a legend to indicate which specific products (i.e., manufacturer and product name) are proposed to be supplied with each application and the application rate in quantity of product and/or active ingredient (ai) per Acre or 1000 square-feet.

5. The Contractor shall complete and maintain the Grounds Maintenance Checklists (Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annually) The COR will provide training in the proper use of these documents. (See Attachment C.)

B.5.2 TURF RENOVATION

1. Turf used shall be compatible with the geographic region and shall adhere to the Cemetery Master Plan, where applicable. Seek guidance from expert sources (e.g. local county agricultural extension agent or, NCA Pacific District Agronomist, or landscape architects in NCA-CO) is adhered to regarding turf selection.

2. Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf, generally free of bare areas.

3. Work consists of vegetation removal, soil preparation, and re-planting of turf by sod on areas of the cemetery where no turf has previously been installed; turf has been disturbed, has died, has become infested; or has 25 percent or more visually bare area.

B. SCOPE

1. Work consists of ground preparation and sodding of areas of the cemetery where the turf is thin, has died, has become infested, or otherwise is in need of renovation.

2. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of any weeds, dead turf, and shall use quality topsoil and compost in performance of the sodding.

C. DEFINITIONS

1. Turf: Turfgrass, grass, lawn. Any ground cover consisting primary of cultivated turfgrass species, such as turf-type tall fescue.

2. Irrigated Turf: Lawn that has permanent irrigation system installed.

3. RTF: Rhizomatous Tall Fescue. Turf-type tall fescue which produces rhizomes, underground stems that penetrates laterally through the soil to spread the plant while sending shoots up to the soil surface, forming a new plant.

D. TURF RENOVATION

1. Vegetation Removal:

a. Apply herbicide in a minimum of two applications. Do not turn off the irrigation system until just before the first application of the herbicide. Do not mow the area before application of herbicide. This will allow the turf/weeds to absorb the maximum amount of herbicide.

b. While the turf is still actively growing, the entire vegetated area shall be sprayed with an effective, non-selective herbicide. Application rate shall be at the maximum label recommended rate for the complete elimination of the existing turfgrass and weeds. Product label instructions shall be followed for elapsed time before moving to the next procedure to allow the herbicide to fully affect the plant material (approximately 10 to 14 days).

c. After the elapsed time for burn out, the area shall then be irrigated to encourage growth of any remaining plant material. When there is sufficient re-growth, the area will be retreated with the non-selective herbicide, again following the product label directions for time to elapse for the herbicide to fully affect the plants.

d. Power rake or verticut the entire area to loosen residual plant debris. Remove plant debris and dispose of as indicated for green waste in a legal manner.

2. Soil Testing: (See requirements of “TURF MAINTENANCE – FERTILIZATION”.)

3. Soil Preparation:

a. Soil Amendment: Follow the recommendations on the soils report for the amendment of topsoil through the incorporation of compost, lime, gypsum, and fertilizers (i.e., macro and micro-nutrients). Obtain soils report from COR for the turf area in which the work is to be executed. Where no soils report is available for a specific turf area, follow the recommendations for the nearest section. Fertilizers containing nitrogen shall have minimum of 50% of nitrogen formulated as “slowly available nitrogen” or slow-release form.

b. Prior to supplying the compost, soil amendments and fertilizers, submit the following for the approval of the COR and the Pacific District Agronomist:

i. One-half (1/2) cubic-foot sample of compost, and certification letter from the supplier attesting that compost is U.S. Composting Council Certified.

ii. Laboratory analysis of proposed soil amendments per the soils report, (i.e., lime, gypsum, etc.) and rate of application in pounds per 1000 square-feet.

iii. Composition and laboratory analysis of fertilizer (i.e., N:P:K plus micronutrients) and rate of application in pounds per 1000 square-feet.

c. Regardless of the recommendations of the soils report, add 1 cubic-yard of compost per 1000 square-feet to the soil. Incorporate the compost and other soil amendments uniformly to a depth of 6 to 8 inches by roto-tilling.

4. Fine Grading:

a. Restore the soil to an even condition before sodding by rolling in several directions with a standard turfgrass roller filled with water.

b. All irregularities in the finished surface shall be corrected to eliminate depressions and high spots. Fill low spots with high quality topsoil, similar to the soil already present, to eliminate the depressions and achieve the desired finish grade.

c. Finish grades adjacent to paving and curbs shall be 1-1/2 to 1-1/4 inches below the top of paving to allow for the placement of sod.

d. The finished sod bed must be fine in texture and firmly compacted and free of any plant material, rocks or other debris greater than one-half (1/2) inch.

e. Prepared sod bed areas shall be protected from damage by vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

5. Sodding:

a. Sod: Sod shall be produced from stolons and State of California certified. The composition of the grass species in the sod shall be 95 percent Semi-Dwarf Turf Type Tall Fescue and 5 percent Kentucky Bluegrass. The sod shall be certified weed and pest-free. The Turf Type Tall Fescue shall be a blend of three regionally adapted cultivars. Approved Product: West-Coaster Tall Fescue (Fescue/Blue) as available from West Coast Turf; Tel.: 888-893-8873.

b. Prior to delivery of sod, the COR shall inspect the work area. Any discrepancies in the ground preparation shall be corrected prior to the laying of sod in the work area.

c. Prior to installation of the sod, the COR shall have the right to inspect and to assess the condition and quality of the proposed sod. The COR shall have the right to reject poor quality sod before installation. The Contractor shall warranty the sod for one (1) year from date of Final Acceptance.

d. The sod shall be cut as thinly as possible (1.25 to 1.5 inch) to allow for faster rooting and shall be cut and delivered to the work site the same day of installation. Contractor shall make all necessary arrangements to protect delivered sod from excessive drying and wind damage.

e. Sod shall be laid expeditiously without interruption, until the work area is completely sodded. Sod shall meet elevations of existing adjacent turf, and

f. Sod shall be laid perpendicular to the direction of the slope with seams staggered and tightly matched, and then tamped lightly or rolled to ensure firm contact with the soil with no air gaps.

g. Sod placement shall match existing adjacent grades. Sod shall be cut and fitted around sprinklers, valve boxes, and all other objects.

h. Sod shall be kept continually moist until it is well rooted and able to survive with routine irrigation scheduling.

i. Gaps between sod slabs shall be filled with fine, washed, river sand.

j. Any substitution of sod type must be specifically approved by the COR and Pacific District Agronomist in writing.

k. Begin mowing new turfgrass when the leaf blades reach one inch above normal recommended mowing height. Mow at desired maintenance height (See “Turf Maintenance—Mowing, Trimming & Edging”). Never remove more than 1/3 of the total foliage length.

l. Continue watering and mowing until the new turfgrass is well-established. If weeds germinate with the turfgrass, do not treat with herbicides until the turfgrass has been mowed at least three times.