36C78621Q0077 0001 QA.pdf

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 ADMINISTRATIVE 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 date 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 30 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)

1 4

NA

36C786

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172

36C786

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172

36C78621Q0077

01-19-2021

X

X X

January 28, 2021 @ 1630 PST

See CONTINUATION Page

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to add Questions/Answers.

There are no changes to the terms and conditions of the solicitation as a result of this amendment.

Brian Trahan

Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

Questions/Answers

1. CLIN 0003: Headstone Maintenance, and its associated Option Year CLINs states that in addition to cleaning the headstones, the contractor will be responsible for the ". . . maintenance of headstones to proper height, alignment, and degree of plumb." Given the historic nature of the property and it's headstones, it is our understanding that there is a special dispensation (or like governing document) that has been procured which allows for the headstones to exist as they currently are and discourages adjusting any that are not themselves broken. As it exists today, many of the historic markers are out of alignment. The Statement of Work Section B.5.3.2 and

B.5.3.3 call for both headstone fine tuning adjustments and headstone raise and realignment work.

o Question 1: Given the historic nature of the cemetery, it's headstones / markers, the above referenced special dispensation (or like document), and the fact that many headstones are out of alignment today, is it the government's expectation that the contractor will be responsible for Headstone "Fine-Tuning Adjustments" and "Raise and Realignments" throughout the property?

With the exception of private markers, standard upright headstones shall be receive “Fine-Tuning

Adjustment” or “Raise & Realign” as described in the SOW with the following exception: Do not remove a headstone from its current socket to bring it into alignment with adjacent headstones where no such alignment previously existed . However, a headstone(s) may need to be extracted from the socket to raise it if it is lower than others in the same row. The work to bring headstones to proper height and alignment should be planned incrementally, and executed with the proper actions and milestones over the course of contract (Five Years) to meet NCA Shrines standards and this Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) presented in the Cemetery Grounds

Management Plan. What is your plan to meet shrine standards by 2026?

o Question 2: If it is the government's expectation that each of the headstones throughout the property are to be raised and realigned, is it possible to make this work its own line item? NO. Given the historic nature of the property, and the unknown factors related to the location of remains and how they may or may not correspond to the headstones in place today, this would be a fairly significant undertaking if done correctly. If performed correctly, it would likely require work throughout the entire property, the engagement of a surveyor, the adjustment of many historic markers, possible negative impacts to the existing aged irrigation system, and require turf renovation throughout the property as well. In the past we have seen raise and realignment work and fine tuning as their own line items with estimated numbers.

As a closed cemetery, this work should be performed with an expectation of a gradually applying of reasonable level of effort and not construed to be a one-time complete Raise & Realign

(National Shrine project) per se, to provide overall headstone appearance that conveys respect and reflects the level of care expected of a National Cemetery.

2. CLIN 0004: Paving and Structure Maintenance o Can the contracting team please confirm how often power washing of asphalt roads, gravel paths, and other paving; walls, gates, fences, signage, plaques, flagpole, site furnishings, and other site amenities would be required? The way the solicitation reads, it would appear as though power washing will be required each month. Is that correct?

Typically power washing is performed approximately twice a year.

Paving and Structure Maintenance is to be performed as needed to meet the objective of a clean and well-maintained appearance. Minimally, paving is to be power-washed two times per year, swept monthly, and as cleaned needed where maintenance work has created the need. Cleaning of all other structures shall be minimally two (2) times per year May and November (one week prior to Memorial Day and Veterans Day), and other times of the year “as needed”.

3. CLIN 0002: Grounds Maintenance, there are currently flowers (roses in particular), that are at the end of their life cycle. Would the contracting team like contractors to specifically include pricing for the removal and replacement of the rose garden on site today as part of our monthly Grounds

Maintenance costs?

Provide in your Grounds Management Plan a proposal for replacement of plants that are dead or at the end of their life. Note that the plant species in to be confirmed by the NCA Agronomist prior to purchase. The roses may not need to be replaced at this time, but may just need proper care.

4. Arbor work: Similar to the above, there are a small number of trees growing on the property today that were never intended to be a part of the landscaping. Some have been removed utilizing the enhancement budget, but others were not able to be removed due to budgetary restraints.

Would the contracting team like vendors to include this work as part of our Grounds Management pricing?

NO to Tree Removals.

Per the SOW:

Pruning and trimming (of trees) shall be limited to cuts that can be executed within 15 feet from the ground directly below the cut location. Pruning and trimming above that height shall be provided by others under a separate contract. Prune trees both within the cemetery grounds and within easements. Pruning shall be done on as required basis when conditions warrant.

Contractor shall remove dead, diseased, wind-thrown and storm-damaged trees that hinder cemetery operations. Report all other trees outside of this classification to the COR so that they may be removed under separate contract.

5. There is currently a section of undeveloped area directly behind the Pet Cemetery. In the past, vendors have been asked to leave this area alone. To that end, it is not currently being cared for.

Can the contracting team please clarify what; if any services are expected to be performed within this section of the property?

This area should be maintained as “Natural Area” per the SOW: “Natural Areas: Both naturally existing and landscaped areas within the cemetery grounds which have a natural appearance but still require regular maintenance to remove dead plants, fallen limbs and control excessive plant growth.” Furthermore, dead limbs, branches, and other combustible debris in the Natural Area presents a fire hazard. The removal of deadwood within trees, and debris from the natural area floor is important to prevent fires. The Pet Cemetery is maintained as though it is a planting bed.

6. There is a rose garden there that is well past its prime. We've addressed this in our first set of questions, but wanted to mention it here as well. We'd like to understand if you'd like us to factor replacing that rose garden into our pricing so that all interested vendors will do the same.

Provide in your Grounds Management Plan a proposal for replacement of plants that are dead or at the end of their life. Note that the plant species is to be confirmed by the NCA Agronomist prior to purchase. The roses may not need to be replaced at this time, but may just need proper care.

7. Irrigation system

The irrigation system will need to be maintained in its current state within the requirements of the

SOW. “Make adjustments and repairs to sprinkler heads and irrigation/water control equipment as required to assure even distribution of water to all irrigated areas.”

End of Document