36C78625Q50096 Questions and Answers.docx

36C78625Q50096 Questions and Answers

1. Can the requirement of - Supervisor must be an employee of the prime contractor for minimum of three (3) years be removed?

A: No, the requirement will not be removed. However, the employee does not need to be a supervisor for three years, only employed by the prime contractor for this time.

2. As an overall entity, ______ does not meet the minimum 5-year track record with the NAICS code being registered with SAMS, although our team clearly possesses the experience you are seeking. Will this disqualify us?

A: Yes, the minimum 5 years’ experience in landscaping is necessary. Businesses with less than this experience will not be considered for award.

3. Will the contactors need anything to be able view the site?

A: No, just attend the site visit. No equipment required.

4. Is the 5 years of Business MANDATORY?

A: Yes

5. On the price schedule spreadsheet, do we send that directly to the contractor to let them fill It out?

A: The price schedule should be filled out by the offeror.

6. Does the government want D2 used for cleaning headstones?

A: Yes

7. Does the government want D2 used to clean the sidewalks, curbs, and entry fence?

A: No, pressure wash only

8. Pg 44 states – “All walkways, roads, and parking areas shall be swept on a weekly basis, or as directed by the COR.” Can these areas be blown with a commercial blower or does the Government only want these areas swept?

A: Blowing is acceptable.

9. What is the sqft and depth requirement for mulch in the beds?

A: Fort Douglas does not have any mulch beds.

10. Does the contractor provide the green tarp, tent, church cart, and folding chairs for burials?

A: Yes

11. What type of documentation does the contractor need to include in their proposal for the requirement under page 1 of the solicitation provisions document - Prime contractor must show documentation demonstrating business operations in primary NAICS category 561730 Landscaping Services for at least five (5) years. Business operations must be directly performing services. Businesses performing logistics or administrative or support elements only will not be considered.

A: We will verify this information through records checks.

12. What is the number of headstones?

A: According to GBSAT; 1168 U1

13. What is the number of flat markers?

A: Flat markers may exist as replacements in front of in-place but broken historical U1s. 5-7 max.

14. The PWS states that the fertilizer is recommended to be a 3-1-2 NPK ratio with a minimum of 30% slow-release nitrogen and contains micronutrients (i.e., S, Mn, Mg, Fe) (p. 34 of the PWS). In the past, iron (Fe) was not permitted in the fertilizer due to its potential impact on the headstones. Is Iron now permitted to be in the fertilizer?

A: No, due to possible staining on headstones.

15. A second question regarding fertilizer, if an off-the-shelf product cannot be found that meets the recommended criteria for fertilizer, will it be required that the contractor obtain a custom blend of fertilizer?

A: Yes

16. The PWS asks for 3 post-emergent applications. Do these applications need to be broadcast to the entire property or can an application be spot sprayed according to need? If for example, an area of the cemetery has an outbreak of dandelions, can the contractor control for the dandelions where they are popping up or do they need to spray the entire cemetery?

A: Does not have to be broadcast, spot spray is acceptable if deemed sufficient.

17. Last year, a vendor hired by the VA cut down some dead cottonwoods on the property. Due to the weight of the machines that the vendor drove over the grass, ruts were left behind in a number of areas. The vendor who cut down the trees has not returned to fix those ruts. Will it be required of the contractor to repair those ruts?

A: Not required, this will be repaired prior to commencement of the contract.

18. Regarding traditional interments, is a quantity of 1 sufficient? On a number of occasions in the past 5 years, the contractor had to disinter the 1st interment because there was not sufficient depth to accept a 2nd interment, dig the hole deeper and then reset the 1st interment all in preparation for the scheduled 2nd interment. How would such a scenario be billed in the new contract?

A: This would be a rare occurrence and handled on a case-by-case basis via contract modification.

19. Regarding snow removal, "6" is listed as the quantity for this line item. Can the contracting team please clarify how they would address situations when the weather would require that more than 6 snow removals would need to be performed during a given year?

A: A modification may be issued to increase CLIN quantity if required.

20. CLIN 0009 refers to tree/plant maintenance and has a quantity of 1 job. When would that be performed? Currently, the contractor prunes suckers from the crab apple trees several times a year and also cuts down low hanging limbs that are dead or need pruning on an as-needed basis.

A: Performed in the Fall, once per year service to trim/prune all necessary branches.

21. Regarding the cleaning of headstones, CLIN 0006 calls out a quantity of "1" for this service but the PWS calls out two cleanings per year (p. 24). Which one is correct?

A: It should be twice per year. One before Memorial Day and before winter. The price schedule will be corrected.

22. Should the United States see supply costs increase above and beyond what contractors or anyone else could reasonably anticipate as they did during COVID will the government support pricing adjustments in the contract to accommodate these increased costs? Or will this be a firm fixed price contract?

A: This is a Firm, Fixed-Price contract. In the event of an extraordinary circumstance such as COVID, you may file a claim with documented justification for the price adjustment. The request would be approved or denied on a case-by-case basis.

23. It was disclosed this is a closed cemetery however there are CLIN's for setting up graveside ceremony's as well as Internments for traditional casket and cremation remains. During the current bid or the past 4/5 years, have there been any burials at all?

A: Since FY23 total of 9 interments. 4 caskets and 5 in-ground cremations.

24. Line 0007 Irrigation Maintenance has 7 CLINS. I'm guessing 2 are for the winterizing and seasonal filling of the irrigation lines. Can you help me understand what other maintenance items could be expected? Winterizing could cost double what it would cost for a simple sprinkler head replacement for example. So, would it be appropriate to use multiple CLINS for the bigger jobs such as line breaks or winterizing?

A: No, major breaks would be a separate job. The quantity of 7 is for monthly maintenance of the system as outlined in the PWS and includes winterizing and setup as required. The CLIN should be priced as a flat monthly rate inclusive of all tasks to maintain the system during operational months.

25. For snow and ice removal, there is a parking lot outside of the fenced cemetery. Would this be included in snow/ice removal? Also, am I correct to understand that snow is to be removed from the cemetery and not piled up alongside the driveway/parking/sidewalks?

A: The parking lot is included in the snow removal. Reduce pile-up as much as possible.

26. For turf maintenance, would the boundary extend to the roadways or just within the boundary of the fence line?

A: Boundary extends beyond fence to curb.

27. Most applications of post-emergence herbicide are sprayed with the chemicals mixed with water. I know the scope of work indicates water and electric will not be provided but is there a chance we can use the irrigation water for filling spray tanks? It would be difficult and add extra expense to truck in water.

A: Yes, use of irrigation water is authorized.