36C78620R0001-0002001.pdf

RFI QUESTIONS FOR LITTLE ROCK NATIONAL CEMETERY 36C78620R0001

1. Topic: Irrigation System, Ref: SOW, pg. 41 Question: In what condition is the irrigation system in currently? Are there any outstanding repairs or will the entire system be fully operational at time of this contract start?

Answer: The irrigation system is in fair to good condition. Repairs are expected due to water hammering, water quality, seismic or soil composition.

2. Topic: Tree and Shrub Maintenance, Ref: SOW, Pgs. 45-47 Question: Can the government provide sizes, species, and total count of trees and shrubs to be maintained by the contractor?

Answer: Yes, but not before Proposals are due.

3. Topic: Snow and Ice Removal, Ref: SOW, pg. 50 Question: Can the government provide total square footage of the paved areas to be cleared of ice and snow?

Answer: There is approximately 4875 linear feet of paved roads and 654 linear feet of sidewalk.

4. Topic: Committal Shelter Pressure Washing, Ref: Section B – CLIN 0012 Question: Can the government provide total Square footage of the committal shelter to be pressure washed each month?

Answer: Is approximately 600 square feet.

5. Topic: Sodding and Seeding, Ref: SOW, pg. 37 Question: Can the government provide total square footage and gravesite count to be sodded and seeded?

Answer: This is part of the interment process, the estimate for burials is 100 per year which requires reestablishment of turf. Using the average of interments, the estimate is approximately 4000 square feet.

6. Topic: Mulch beds, Ref: SOW, pg. 2 Question: Can the government provide total square footage of the mulch beds to be maintained/mulched?

Answer: Approximately 910 square feet, front entryway, shelter and admin building.

7. Topic: Leaf Removal, Ref: SOW, pg. 43 Question: Can the government provide historical data regarding the necessary frequency of leaf removal at Little Rock National Cemetery?

Answer: Normal accumulation during the fall season and during adverse weather conditions.

8. Topic: Mowing/trimming/edging, Ref: SOW Question: Can the government provide historical data regarding the necessary frequency of maintenance of the improved grounds?

Answer: Mowing will be inspected by the COR on an unscheduled basis during growing season, which is typically March through November. The growing season may require mowing weekly in Improved areas and monthly in Unimproved areas. Mowing outside the growing season (i.e. during the winter months) may be required once or twice in Improved areas. Mowing should be performed often enough so that no more than 1/3 of leafage is removed at any one mowing. Turf in burial and specialty areas should be maintained at a height within a one-inch range of that which is professionally recommended for the recommended grass type for that geographic region. Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch above that range. For example, the height of Bermuda grass should be between 2 and 2.5”. Grass is trimmed on borders.

9. Topic: Pest control – prairie dogs, gophers, and moles, Ref: SOW pg., 36 Question: Can the government provide information regarding the current pest infestation level at LRNC? How many services are historically necessary to control these pests?

Answer: None known, Not a problem to date. The most you may ever have is an armadillo or possum hole.

Usually easy to remedy with coyote urine spray or some other irritant.

10. Topic: Flat Markers, Ref: SOW Question: Can the government provide the total quantity of flat markers?

Answer: There are 1912 flat markers.

11. Topic: Unimproved Grounds, Ref: SOW Question: Can the government provide the acreage of unimproved grounds?

Answer: Approximately 1.3 acres.

12. Topic: Avenue of Flags, Ref: CLIN 11 Question: Can the government provide the total quantity of flags?

Answer: There are 25 avenue of flags that will need to be placed for Memorial Day.

13. Topic: Headstone Cleaning, Ref: SOW, Section 2

Question: Is there a requirement to use D/2 cleaner for headstone cleaning?

Answer: Clean water is used to clean the headstones, also high pressure spraying and cleaner can be used like D/2 or Weatherzyme.

14. Topic: Edging. Ref: SOW, Section 6.5.11 Question: Can the government provide the approximate number of edging events per year? Since this is a performance-based contract, the contractor should make this determination based on the SOW however this section puts this determination responsibility on the COR which would be an IDIQ based contract.

Answer: The first edging cycle will be completed approximately at the start of the mowing season, the second cycle one week prior to Memorial Day, the third during the month of July, and a fourth edging during the month of September. At least two additional edging events may be scheduled by the COR. The exact dates will be coordinated with the COR.

15. Topic: Tree Pruning, Ref: SOW, Section 10 Question: Section 10.3.2 of the SOW states that tree pruning should only occur up to 15 feet however section

10.4 suggests that methods of pruning in the crown that would require higher elevations of tree pruning. Can the government please confirm that no tree pruning above 15 feet is required?

Answer: The contractor is required to maintain trees that are 15 feet in height. In pruning/trimming the bottom branches of trees for under clearance, care should be given to symmetrical appearance, and cuts should not be made so large they shall prevent normal sap flow. The under clearance of trees shall be maintained at ten (10) to fifteen (15) feet, depending on the species and maturity of the trees, and as instructed by the COR. The bottom canopy shall be trimmed/pruned to maintain consistent height from ground level throughout the canopy.

16. Topic: Weed Control, Aerating, Dethatching, Sod Watering, and Sunken Grave Repair., Ref: Incumbent Question: During the site visit it seemed that none of these services were being performed. Are these services on the incumbent contract or is this an addition to the new solicitation?

Answer: This is not a new requirement.

Weed control - Treatment of weeds in turfgrass areas shall be accomplished by two (2) pre-emergent herbicide applications, along with three (3) post-emergent herbicide treatments in Spring, Summer, and Fall, as approved and directed by the COR. Turf in high visibility areas shall be maintained at 95% weed-free throughout each year. Any repeat or follow up applications necessary to maintain the 95% weed-free standard, respectively, shall be applied at no additional cost to the government.

Aerating and dethatching – This is part of the normal ground maintenance process IAW industry standards.

Sod watering – Normally turf requires 1 inch of water per week without runoff and watering to a point as close to field capacity as possible.

Sunken graves – This is at the discretion of the COR; sunken graves can occur for several reasons and they are unpredictable; the main thing is to keep the grounds as level and groomed as possible.