36C78620R0078_1.docx

36C78620R0078 QuestionsResponses to Questions from Industry from Industry Contract Opportunity Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

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DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

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PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field Contract Opportunity Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation S208 Northwoods RFP for new IDIQ for grounds maintenance.

Responses to questions from industry.

22172 36C78620R0078 K 08-14-2020 2:00 pm

EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

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561730 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 18434 Joplin Road Triangle VA 22172 Contract Specialist David Boyd David.Boyd7@va.gov Contracting Officer Northwoods National Cemetery 4520 Lakewood Road Harshaw WI 54529 https://www.cem.va.gov National Cemetery Administration David.Boyd7@va.gov Contracting Officer Questions from Industry are in Black

Responses from the government are in Blue

1. what is the responsibility of the contractor regarding the fence line. The site is next to woods with a lot of overgrowth. Is the contractor responsible for trimming the outside of the fence line. Can chemicals be used to control the growth? If brush grows up through fence, will contractor have to remove it.

A 5 foot perimeter should be maintained by the contractor from the fence. Perimeter should be periodically mowed always maintaining the vegetation below 12 inches and the fence should be maintained free of vines and other vegetation (no vegetation should be permitted to grow on or through the fence). Any use of chemicals would need to follow all State/Federal guidelines/restrictions/license requirements.

2. What is the level of care after a storm. There are many trees that could potentially fall and crush the fence, especially during a windstorm. Is the contractor responsible for that cleanup? Will it be part of the Cleanup CLIN to cleanup multiple twigs throughout the 6-acre site from a storm? What is the level of care?

Yes, to the storm clean up, no to the fence line repair. The government would be responsible for repair of fence line. CLIN 0003 would cover cleanup of multiple twigs/debris that may come down from a storm. CLIN 0013 could cover the removal of a tree that has fallen on the fence line. Level of care to NCA standards.

3. I understand there is no storage on-site, will that change in the future?

There will be no contractor storage available onsite.

4. There are 2 retention ponds. There are plantings around one and prairie grass around the other. Is the grass to be cut? Weekly, or once per year? Are we responsible for reeds or sedges growing into the pond? Can algaecide be used?

The grass should be cut weekly. The contractors are responsible for the weeds and sedges in the pond. Yes, algaecide can be used in compliance with State and Federal regulations.

5. There are many washout areas on the hillside. Will these be corrected before the start of the contract? And who is responsible for that? Is it part of maintenance?

The landscape of the undeveloped portion of the cemetery was designed to be lower maintenance than the active areas of the cemetery. This area will have native plantings which generally need to be mowed to a higher deck setting, and should not be cut lower than about 6 inches to remove weed overgrowth and then getting higher as the desirable plants get taller, but again frequently enough to keep the weeds from overgrowing, probably monthly the first year or two is fine, but that may need to be seasonally adjusted, a bit more in spring and less in summer. Range desired is not less than 6 inches but not more than 12 inches, free of clippings and cut materials laying in the area. The contractor is responsible for maintaining the portion of the Cemetery.

6. Will snow be allowed to pile up during the winter and what areas are designated for that? Or is snow expected to be hauled off site after each plow?

Contractor will have to haul it away or take it off site.

Is there a adjusted wage for this project?

See attachment C of the solicitation, to determine the Department of Labor’s applicable wage determination.

Am I responsible for sunken graves?

Yes, the contractor is responsible for sunken grave repair. Contract Line Item (CLIN) 0015 addresses sunken grave repair.

Do I summit a lump sum bid for each year or does everyone bidding use a certain format?

Offerors may use attachment B to fill in their pricing for the corresponding CLIN, as part of their proposal.

The award will result in a base plus four option years contract; for a total of five years – if option years are exercised. Pricing is needed for the base year and the four optional years.

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