36C78621Q0143 0004.docx

Contract Opportunity Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE

SUBJECT

CONTRACTING OFFICE'S

ZIP-CODE

SOLICITATION NUMBER

BASE NOTICE TYPE

RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE

ARCHIVE

DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

NAICS CODE

CONTRACTING OFFICE

ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT

(POC Information Automatically Filled from User Profile Unless Entered)

DESCRIPTION

See Attachment

AGENCY'S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT'S EMAIL

ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field Contract Opportunity Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation S208

FORT SAM HOUSTON GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

BASE PLUS 4, ONE-YEAR OPTION PERIODS

22172 36C78621Q0143 04-28-2021 4pm

EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA

N

SDVOSBC

561730 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 18434 Joplin Road Triangle VA 22172

CONTRACTING OFFICER

KENNETH DOUGHERTY

KENNETH.DOUGHERTY@VA.GOV

703.630.9345

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 HARRY WURZBACH RD.

SAN ANTONIO

TX

78209

USA

https://www.va.gov///// Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Admin

KENNETH.DOUGHERTY@VA.GOV

CO'S EMAIL

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to 1) Establish a cut off date for questions related to this solicitation and 2) address questions from prospective quoters.

1. The cut off date and time for questions related to this solicitation is 4/23/2021 at 4:00 pm EDT. Any questions received after this deadline may not be answered prior to the solicitation closing date and time of 4/28/2021 at 4:00 pm EDT.

2. Questions and Answers:

Question 1: “Do you have a list of Qualified bidders who meet the set-aside qualifications?”

Answer 1: Below is a listed of companies known to demonstrate interest in this solicitation. Their individual set-aside qualifications are subject to expiration. Therefore, independent verification of their current set-aside status would be required by those seeking partnership.

-Fedley FX -Frontline Solutions -Avartara LLC -Jones General Contracting LLC -Zlynx Enterprise -Raven Operations -Allserv -Accord Federal -All Services Contracting -Aspire Therapy Services & Consultants -Earth Tones Designs -Global Construction -Hangar 4 Services -Knight Solutions -Moderno -Sonkin Enterprise -The HP Group

-WPR LLC

-Yellowstone Enterprise

Question 2: “Will the government be having an organized site walk?”

Answer 2: No. Call to schedule a site visit at phone number 210.820.3981.

Question 3: “The solicitation PWS, Paragraph CLIN 003: Semi-Improved Grounds Mowing and Trimming, Sub-paragraph 3.3.1. states, The Contractor shall maintain grass height between 2.5” and 3.5”. This generally requires a complete mow/trim cycle every two weeks during the growing season (March through November) – However, Attachment A – Price Schedule CLIN 003 indicates a service frequency of 34 occurrences per year. From March – November there are approximately 40 weeks. Therefore, based on the PWS there would be about 20 maintenance occurrences necessary. Please clarify how many service occurrences we would need to provide for the Semi-Improved Grounds Mowing and Trimming?”

Answer 3: The quantities in the price schedule are estimates only. For CLIN 003, Semi-Improved Grounds Mowing and Trimming, the required grass height is between 2.5” and 3.5”. For CLIN 001, Improved Grounds Mowing, the typical required grass height is between 1” and 3” and maintained within 1”. During the growing season the contractor shall maintain the grass at a height between 0.5” and 2”, or per the COR’s direction with concurrence from the District’s Agronomist. A complete mow & trim cycle is performed every week during the growing season (March through November).

Question 4: The solicitation PWS, Paragraph 3.4, CLIN 004 Trim Headstones and Blade Edge Flat Markers states, “Flat markers are grouped together in the same burial sections and only blade edgers may be used to trim around them. However, Sub-Paragraph 3.4.5. states, No metal blades shall be used to edge around flat markers. Finally, the Quality Assurance Report form also states no mental blades shall be used. Please provide some clarification. Are contractors to use blade edgers or not around Flat Markers?”

Answer 4: Metal blade edgers can be used for services provided under Item 3.5. Blade Edging / CLIN 005. Plastic blade edgers shall be used for services provided under Item 3.4. Trim Headstones and blade edge flat markers / CLIN 004; this includes flat markers. Headstones are to be trimmed with string trimmers. Flat headstones are recommended to be trimmed using stick edgers equipped with plastic blades so the contractor limits potential marring/damage to the marker with the edger.

Question 5: “Reference Attachment 5, Paragraph 4, Sub-paragraph A. states, “Contractor Lay Down Area” fencing: Before work operations begin, Contractor shall provide a chain-link fence, six (6) feet minimum height, around the “Contractor Lay Down Area”. The two previous PWSs provided in Amendment 1 also show this requirement. However, the current contractor laydown area does not have a 6’ fence for the laydown area. Can we assume that the requirement is not enforced or is longer necessary as the laydown area is in a remote area far away from burial sections? Please confirm that no laydown fence will be required over the project performance period.”

Answer 5: A six-foot chain-link fence with a minimum height is required for the laydown area. Additionally, there have been incidents of theft involving contractor requirement. The cemetery assumes no responsibility for contractor equipment. A six-foot chain-link fence provides a deterrent and some security for the contractor’s equipment. The cemetery anticipates a few construction projects in the near future. A fenced off area will be needed to separate the mowing and trimming equipment from other construction contractors’ items which will be stored in the same general area.

Question 6: “Reference Attachment 5, Paragraph 9. Does the contractor need to reinstall the headstones that are damaged by grounds maintenance operations? If so, please provide an estimated timeframe from reporting of a damaged headstone to the time a replacement is received.”

Answer 6: Yes. Headstones shall be installed within ten (10) days of receipt.

Question 7: “Please provide the current replacement cost of Headstones and flat markers.”

Answer 7: Upright headstones have an estimated price of $70.00. The cost of new headstone, including shipment, is $354.00.

Question 8: “Reference Attachment 5, Paragraph 8. states, Contractor shall wash down with water all soiled or stained structures headstones/flat markers, and monuments at the end of each workday. We have observed the washing down of headstones is not performed each day. Instead, it appears the washing down activities is performed more on an en-masse cleaning procedure by section. Additionally, after reviewing the two past PWS documents provided in Amendment 1, we see that the specification is the same as outlined above. We see that en masse cleaning is the most efficient process, therefore, please provide the days of the cleaning of headstones and flat markers will be permitted.”

Answer 8: The requirement to wash down all soiled or stained structures at the end of each workday is the standard.

Question 9: Please provide the route of entry for large trucks servicing roll-off dumpsters and temporary toilets positioned in the laydown area and any special requirements for entry onto the cemetery grounds.

Answer 9: Route depicted in below map. There are no special requirements to enter the cemetery. The max height of the bridge one must travel under is 11’ 6”.

Question 10: “It is understanding that section 3.1.9. of the PWS was added and the requirement to crosscut was not a part of the previous solicitation, therefore, the prices included in amendment 002 are not applicable to the current contract. Can the government confirm?”

Answer 10: That is correct. The cross-cutting language was not in the previous versions of this requirement.

Question 11: “Section 3.1.9. of the PWS states that, “The Contractor shall be familiar with and utilize different mowing patterns and shall change direction, change patterns, and vary mower wheel width patterns after each mowing thereby reducing turf wear, prevent wheel rutting, and provide a neat appears. The change in direction and change in patterns also may be referred to as cross cutting, diagonally.” Would “cross cutting” every other mowing service be acceptable?

Answer 11: No. Cross cutting is required for each mowing service.

End of Document image1.png