0009 UPDATED PWS.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Grounds Maintenance Services PWS – Sacramento Valley National Cemetery

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Grounds Maintenance Services PWS – Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Revised 02/04/2026 Removal of highlighted text from PWS required.

Addition to PWS

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

Description of Service: This requirement is a non-personal services contract in which the contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, equipment, and maintenance necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance and improvement services are performed at for Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (SVNC) located in Dixon California hereby known as “the Cemetery”. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

1.1. Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 155 National Cemeteries in 41 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. Because of the special significance and attention our National Cemeteries receive from the public, strict adherence to specifications is essential.

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery is the seventh national cemetery built in California and the 124th in the national cemetery system.

Like many lands in the western United States, the Homestead Act of 1862 facilitated the settlement of the site of what is now the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. In the late 1860's, the site consisted of nine separate parcels, which were subsequently acquired by private citizens through preemption (an individual's right to settle land first and pay for it later) and homestead claims. During the 20th century, these separate parcels were gradually consolidated under one owner. The site was continuously used as farmland from the 1860's until it was purchased by the National Cemetery Administration in 2004. Crops raised on the property at the time of NCA's purchase included corn, alfalfa, beans, squash, and peppers.

The Union Pacific Railroad, formerly the Southern Pacific Railroad, and prior to that the Central Pacific Railroad, intersects the southeastern corner of the property. In May 1869, the famous golden spike was driven in Promontory Summit, Utah, to symbolically mark the completion of the "First Trans-Continental Railroad," connecting Omaha, Nebraska, to Sacramento. However, the rail network did not actually reach the Pacific Ocean until the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad, connecting San Francisco and Sacramento in November of that year.

The First Trans-Continental Railroad linked the West Coast with the existing railroad network in the eastern United States, and contributed dramatically to the economic development and population growth of California. The Southern Pacific Railroad leased the Central Pacific railroad in 1885; over time, the Southern Pacific Railroad grew into a massive railway network throughout the Western and Southwestern United Sates, stretching down from Portland, Oregon to New Orleans. The Southern Pacific Railroad was acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1996.

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery opened for burials in 2006, and was formally dedicated on April 22, 2007.

Monuments and Memorials Sacramento Valley National Cemetery features a memorial pathway lined with a variety of memorials that honor America's veterans. As of 2017, there are 9 memorials here.

1.2. Objective: The basic service objective is to maintain the cemeteries’ esteemed grounds with care resulting in aesthetically pleasing landscape, care for all burial sections, and memorial sites to honor those who have served our nation. Green burial sections are included in all ground’s maintenance and services listed in PWS and Scope of Work.

1.3. Scope of Work: The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, and supervision of its employees to perform the service requirements under this contract for Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. Service requirements include:

· Headstone Services

· Gravesite Maintenance

· Turf and Grasses Maintenance

· Tree, Shrub, Planting, and Bed Maintenance

· Irrigation System Services

· Pond Services

· Drainage System Maintenance

· Trash & Debris Removal

· Pavement Sweeping and Cleaning

· Structure Cleaning and Light Maintenance

· Ceremonies Assistance

1.4. Period of Performance: The contract shall be a twelve (12) month base year plus four (4) twelve-month option years if exercised.

1.5. Place of Performance:

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (SVNC) 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon California 95620

1.6. Type of Contract: Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity Contract to Include Services subject to Service Contract Act (SCA) and Construction Services subject to Davis-Bacon Act (DBA).

1.7. General Information:

1.7.1.1. Quality Control: The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. At a minimum, the Contractor shall develop quality control procedures that address the Performance Requirements identified in Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). After acceptance of the quality control plan, the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system. The Quality Control Plan (QCP) shall be submitted with the proposal in draft form. A formal QCP shall be delivered within 30 days after contract award and within five (5) working days following each update. The QCP and any proposed update is subject to approval by the Contracting Officer prior to implementation. The formal QCP and all updates shall be provided to the Contracting Officer and COR electronically.

1.7.1.2. Quality Assurance: The Government will monitor the Contractor’s performance under this contract using the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). All work performed under this contract will be subject to inspection at all times by the Government.

1.7.1.3. Progress Meetings: The Contracting Officer may require the Site Manager to meet with the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and other Government personnel as deemed necessary. Written minutes of such meetings may be recorded by the Government and signed by the Site Manager and the Contracting Officer or COR and distributed within five (5) workdays after the meeting. The Contractor may request a meeting with the Contracting Officer or COR when the Contractor believes such a meeting is necessary. Written minutes of such meetings may be recorded by the Contractor and signed by the Site Manager and the Contracting Officer or COR and distributed within five (5) workdays after the meeting. In either case, if the Contractor does not concur with any portion of the minutes, recorded by the Government or the Contractor, such non-concurrence shall be provided in writing to the Contracting Officer within two (2) calendar days following receipt of the minutes.

1.7.1.4. Normal Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall perform work during the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (local time) Monday through Friday at the Cemetery. Funerals and ceremonies occur regardless of weather conditions. The Contractor is responsible for access to all work areas during these hours. The Cemetery is open to the public daily from sun up to sun down and Memorial Day from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Government facility may be closed to the public, at times, due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Cemetery directed facility closings, as authorized.

1.7.1.5. Recognized Federal Holidays: Work is normally not conducted on Federal holidays unless otherwise authorized by the COR. The following is a list of the Federal holidays:

When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a Federal Holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a Federal Holiday by U.S. Government Agencies. Also included would be any day specifically declared by the President of the United States of America as a Federal Holiday.

1.7.1.6. Other than Normal Hours of Operation: At the Contractor’s request, and with the written permission of the COR, work may also be permitted to be scheduled for weekends and Holidays. The Government must not compensate the Contractor for any alternate work schedules needed for the Contractor to complete all contract work within the specified project duration. No work will be permitted during Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day weekend activities. Notwithstanding, if any work under this contract will be required outside of the VA's normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), the Contractor must request for a deviation in writing to the COR at least 24 hours in advance.

The Contractor shall provide personnel support outside their expected normal hours of operation (4:31 PM – 7:59 AM) as needed, typically including holidays, special events or ceremonies, and during certain weather events, to support the Cemetery mission as authorized by the COR. The Site Manager or the Alternate Site Manager shall be available after normal duty hours or on working holidays to serve as the central point of contact for Contractor operations.

1.7.1.7. Interference with Government Operations: Performance of work by the Contractor personnel under the terms of this contract shall not interfere with regularly scheduled Government operational activities.

1.7.1.8. Security Requirements: Contractor personnel or any representative of the Contractor entering the Cemetery shall abide by all security rules and regulations. The Contractor shall maintain a current list of all individuals working onsite. The Contractor shall maintain a list of all vehicles onsite, whether company-owned or employee-owned private vehicles to be available to the COR for inspection upon request.

1.7.1.9. Physical Security: The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period. Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.7.1.10. Cemetery Access: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all personnel authorized to perform work under this contract obtain cemetery access. Within ten (10) workdays after contract award, the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer and COR the names of ALL personnel working under this contract. Changes of the Contractor personnel list shall be submitted within 24 hours of the change taking place. All Contractor employees shall have on them, at all times, positive, photographic identification.

1.7.1.11. Key/Lock Control and Reporting: The Contractor shall be responsible for keys/locks provided by the Government. Keys/locks shall not be duplicated by Contractor personnel, nor used by unauthorized Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to ensure that keys/locks issued to the Contractor by the Government are safeguarded. The Contractor developed procedures covering key/lock control shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys/locks by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas.

The Contractor shall report any occurrence of duplicated, misplaced, or lost keys/locks to the Contracting Officer and COR within 24 hours after discovery of occurrence and submit a written report to the Contracting Officer by close of business the next workday. The written report shall provide complete details relating to duplication, misplacement, or loss.

In the event a key is duplicated, misplaced, or lost, all locks and keys for that system will be replaced at the discretion of the Government. The Contractor shall reimburse the Government for replacement of locks or rekeying required as a result of keys being duplicated, misplaced, or lost by Contractor or Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall also reimburse the Government for any government property lost or stolen as a result of unauthorized key duplication, misplaced key, or loss of key by the Contractor or Contractor personnel.

The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/codes by any persons other than the Contractor’s employee, The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall not receive keys to Cemetery Maintenance or Administrative buildings.

1.7.1.12. Conservation of Utilities: The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves.

1.7.1.13. Personnel: The Contractor shall provide a work force possessing the skills, knowledge, and training satisfactorily perform the services required by this contract. Personnel performing work under this work statement shall remain employees of the Contractor and will not be considered employee of the Government.

1.7.1.14. Pesticide and/or herbicide application: In addition to providing certification/license information, Report applications to the Solano County Agriculture Commissioners Office when required. All Contractor personnel shall be trained on environmental issues such as ground water contamination, wetland protection, and be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, Right-to-Know laws, EPA guidelines, and regulations.

1.7.1.15. Land survey work: Only licensed land surveyors are permitted to reset grid or sectional monuments disturbed during raise & realignment of headstones.

1.7.1.16. Pond management and Treatment: A licensed aquatic biologist shall create a pond management plan identifying all maintenance activities and schedule of pond treatment applications throughout the year. Aquatic pesticides must be applied by licensed pesticide applicators in the state of application. Copies of the plan and all licenses shall be provided to the COR prior to initiation of contract and annually when an option year is authorized.

1.7.1.17. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government, either military or civilian, if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in the Joint Ethics Regulation.

1.7.1.18. Conduct of Personnel: The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to remove from the job site, any employee working under this contract for reasons of misconduct, security, or found to be under the influence or alcohol drugs, or other incapacitating agents. Contractor employees shall be subject to dismissal from the premises upon determination by the Contracting Officer that such action is necessary in the interest of the Government. The removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the Contractor of the requirement of providing sufficient personnel to perform the services as required by this contract.

1.7.1.19. Special Qualifications: The Contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees possess required state motor vehicle licenses for operating equipment and vehicles used in the execution of this contract. Anyone applying pesticides must be trained and certified in the appropriate pesticide applicator categories by the state of California. A pesticide technician is not a valid substitute for a state certified applicator. Use of any chemicals shall meet Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) Guidelines and State of California Law for licensed applicator requirements and shall not be used without prior review through a pre-application submittal and consent of the COR.

Site Manager: The Contractor shall provide a Site Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The Site Manager shall have – degree, experience in scope and complexity. Skillset necessary for performing job requirements. The name of this person and an alternate who shall have full authority to act for the Contractor when the Site Manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The alternate Site Manager shall have similar qualifications as the Site Manager, and the alternate can be a key personnel position other than the Site Manager. The Site Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract, and either the Site Manager or his/her alternate will be on job site during normal operation hours. The Site Manager – and in his or her absence, an alternate shall be available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and shall also have an email address which shall be checked for information from the Cemetery, prior to 7:00am and after 2:00pm each day Monday through Sunday, as the Cemetery anticipates messaging up to twice daily. The Site Manager is to report daily with the COR prior to 7:00am when work is being performed. Additionally, the Site Manager or an alternate must be available to meet the COR onsite within 12 hours’ notice, if requested by the COR. Also, the COR must be informed less than 24 hours in advance, anytime the Site Manager will be offsite for extended periods of time. One (1) resume and one letter of commitment from the individual proposed for: Site Manager. *Add to the source selection*

1.7.1.20. Post Award Conference/Period Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the Contracting Activity in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer, COR, and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor’s performance. At these meetings, the Contracting Officer will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the Contractor’s performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.7.1.21. Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR will be nominated by the requiring activity and appointed by the Contracting Officer by separate letter. A copy of the COR’s appointment letter will also be sent to the awarded Contractor, identifying the designated duties and limitations of the COR. The COR’s designated duties will describe the level of responsibility and what technical or administrative aspects of the contract are to be monitored. The COR’s oversight responsibilities are not limited to the QASP. Since all listed contract requirements or tasks are expected to be met by the contractor at all times, the COR is authorized to conduct oversight on any and all tasks or requirement and report observations to the Contracting Officer. The COR is not authorized to change any terms or conditions in the contract that pertain to cost, schedule, performance, quality, quantity, or other legal aspects of the resulting order.

1.7.1.22. Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contractor personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by the Contractor are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. All Contractor employees are required to wear uniforms with employee name printed on the front of the shirt.

1.7.1.23. Phase In/Phase Out: To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the Contractor shall have personnel on board, during the phase in/phase out periods. The phase in period will begin on the first business day after the contract is awarded. During the phase in period, the Contractor shall become familiar with performance requirements to commence full performance of the services on the contract start date, submit lists of employees working under this contract, and move and stage all needed equipment, materials, and supplies onto the designated contractor area at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (SVNC). It is expected that this task will take no less than two weeks and no more than four weeks.

2. Definitions & Acronyms

2.1. Definitions: (See the “Glossary” of the National Cemetery Administration, Operational Standards and Measure Guidebook for a list of cemetery-specific definitions.)

2.1.1. Animal: any living that is not human being or a plant.

2.1.2. Backflow Preventer: A device which prevents any fluid from back-siphoning into the source water such as hydrants, spigots, pipes, or other water sources. Contractor shall ensure such devices are employed whenever watering, filling water or pesticide mix tanks, or mixing pesticides or any other product with water.

2.1.3. Clean: Free of all foreign matter.

2.1.4. Cleaning Agents: Products and substances (usually liquids, pastes, powders, sprays, or granules) used to remove dirt and detritus, including dust, stains, oxidation on surfaces.

2.1.5. Cleaning Equipment: Devices, tools, and machines designed for specific cleaning tasks, including pads and cloths.

2.1.6. Contract Administrator: The official Government representative delegated authority by the Contracting Officer to administer a contract. This individual is normally a member of the appropriate Contracting/Procurement career field and advises on all technical contractual matters.

2.1.7. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A representative from the requiring activity appointed by the Contracting Officer to perform surveillance and to act as liaison to the Contractor.

2.1.8. Crown Raising: The removal of the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance for buildings, signs, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas, also known as “limbing up” and “lifting”. Do not “limb up” coniferous trees.

2.1.9. Crown Thinning: The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken or weakly attached branches (Crown Cleaning) and: the removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown; thinning towards the branch tip to reduce the wind-sail effect of foliar clumps in the crown; and thinning to relieve the weight of heavy limbs. Only 25 percent of a tree’s leaf area can be removed at any one time.

2.1.10. Crown Cleaning: The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken or weakly attached branches. This constitutes regular landscape maintenance pruning that will correct small growth problems before they become larger, more costly problems.

2.1.11. Crown Reduction: Pruning to reduce the size of the tree.

2.1.12. Cycle: The completion on one unit of work, from beginning to end, that involves a give distance or length of time (For example, picking up all trash once a week, or an edging of all curbs along all Cemetery roads).

2.1.13. Deadwood Pruning: Pruning to remove deadwood and/or broken branches that pose a potential risk that could result in personal injury or property damage. This category is used for any tree with broken, hanging, dead, or otherwise potentially dangerous limbs or those trees with a significant number of dead branches that require removal.

2.1.14. Decomposed Granite: Fine, crushed, screened, naturally friable granite rock, 1/4-inch minus material to match existing. Gradation as determined by ASTM C 136 with 50 to 100 percent passing the No. 4 sieve, with 5 to18 percent passing the No. 200 sieve. Approved material: ‘Gail’s Gold’ decomposed granite as available from Gail Materials, Tel.: (951)667-6106; (or equivalent material as approved by the COR).

2.1.15. Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the PWS.

2.1.16. Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non‐manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.17. Drip Zone Assembly: Assembly consisting of remote-control valve, drip filter, drip pressure regulator, unions, shut-off valve, nipples, pipe, and valve box or vault.

2.1.18. Evapotranspiration: The combined loss of water from soil through evaporation and plant transpiration.

2.1.19. First Interment Area: Areas within the burial sections where the government is actively assigning new gravesites and conducting new interments.

2.1.20. Foreign Matter: Dirt, marks, stains which can be removed with reasonable cleaning effort and appropriate cleaning agents and equipment. Feces of all types.

2.1.21. Full Sun Areas: Areas receiving more than 5 hours of direct sunlight per day.

2.1.22. Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): Equipment in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently made available to the Contractor.

2.1.23. Government Furnished Property (GFP) or Government Property (GP): Property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently made available to the Contractor.

2.1.24. Ground cover: Low growing plants growing over an area of ground. Ground covers include grasses, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

2.1.25. Grounds and Boundaries: All developed land including turf, walks, beds, planter beds, drainage ditches, roads, steps, plazas, and parking lots within the property line of the Cemetery.

2.1.26. Grounds Management Plan (GMP). A highly detailed document that includes all tasks and their related schedule within a weekly, monthly, and annual layout. All updates to the GMP shall be approved by the COR prior to implementation.

2.1.27. Headstone: include upright headstones and flat markers. The term headstone is synonymous with marker.

2.1.28. “Hot Spot”: An isolated patch of turf as evident by dry soil, hydrophobic soil, and brownish or yellowing leaf color.

2.1.29. Inorganic Mulch: Decomposed granite, path fines, gravel, pebbles, cobblestones, rip-rap, boulders, artificial bark mulch.

2.1.30. Interseeding: The practice of seeding the same species into itself for the purpose of increasing stand density and recovery of lost grass.

2.1.31. Irrigated Turf: Lawn that has permanent irrigation system installed.

2.1.32. Height of Turf: Height, if not readily obvious, shall be determined by the COR (in the presence of the Site Manager) by measuring the height of the turf plants with a yardstick in four locations – randomly selected by the COR – within the burial section or Highly Prominent area in question. The COR will then determine the average height of those measurements.

2.1.33. Irrigation Hours: Period of time during which landscape irrigation is permissible and does not interfere with visitation and cemetery operations; typically between 4:30pm and 8:00am.

2.1.34. Master Valves: Mainline remote control valves controlling flow of water to mains. Master valves may be normally-open supplying water under pressure to mains, or normally-closed shutting off water under pressure to mains when not irrigating.

2.1.35. Mulch Bed: Any area containing primarily organic and/or inorganic mulches.

2.1.36. Non-irrigated Turf: Low Maintenance Lawn, Slow-Growth Area, “Green” Burial Section. Lawn that does not have a permanent irrigation system installed and is allowed to go dormant during extremes of heat and cold.

2.1.37. Non-pressure Piping: Lateral line pipe that is not under water pressure until the control valves are opened. Pipe that is typically downstream of the control valve.

2.1.38. Organic Mulch: Decorative tree bark, compost, nut shells.

2.1.39. Overseeding: The practice of seeding another species over an existing stand to produce viable turf when the existing stand has become dormant.

2.1.40. Part Sun Areas: Areas receiving less than 5 hours of direct sunlight per day normally due to shade from tree canopies.

2.1.41. Pest: Any plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns including weeds, fungi, molds, vertebrates, and invertebrates.

2.1.42. Pesticide: Includes herbicides, insecticides, horticultural oils, fungicides, poisonous baits, and fumigants.

2.1.43. Planting Bed: Any area planted with trees, shrubs, and ground covers.

2.1.44. Posting Signs: Industry standard warning signs stating that a pesticide application has been applied.

2.1.45. Performance Work Statement: The PWS is a detailed set of verifiable performance or quality standards for everything the Contractor is required to perform or produce. Performance‐ based statements of work (referred to as a PWS) are the preferred method of stating needs in terms of performance outputs. A performance-based statement of work structures all aspects of an acquisition around the purpose of the work to be performed and does not dictate how the work is to be accomplished. It maximizes Contractor control of work processes and allows for innovation in approaching various work requirements.

2.1.46. Pressure Piping: Mainline and submain pipe that is constantly under water pressure. Pipe that is typically upstream of the control valve.

2.1.47. Outlets: Sprinkler heads, drip emitters, drip flush valves, drip air relief valves, including pipe risers and swing joints.

2.1.48. Polished: Smooth and shiny as a result of being rubbed. Free of oxidation.

2.1.49. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.50. Quality Assurance: A procedure or set of procedures taken by the Government to ensure that services under development (before work is complete, as opposed to afterwards) meets specified requirements of the PWS.

2.1.51. Quality Control: A procedure or set of procedures implemented by the Contractor to ensure that the performed service adheres to and meets the requirements of the PWS.

2.1.52. Reasonable Cleaning Effort: Commercially reasonable amount of time and expenditure of physical effort needed to clean an element utilizing commercially available equipment and products designed specifically for that task.

2.1.53. Remote Control Valve Assembly: Assembly consisting of remote-control valve, unions, shut-off valve, nipples, pipe, and valve box or vault.

2.1.54. Removal: The transport of identified material, such as trash and debris, from the area it was found to a place of final repository – such as a dumpster or off the Cemetery grounds.

2.1.55. Routine Pruning: Regular maintenance to reduce the development of future problems or correct minor problems that could increase if not corrected. This primarily includes trees with minor amounts of deadwood less than two inches in diameter or with correctable structural problems. Trees with growth patterns that will eventually obstruct or interfere with understory plant growth and health, pedestrian or vehicular traffic clearance, and lines of sight are also included in this category.

2.1.56. RTF: Rhizomatous Tall Fescue. Turf-type tall fescue which produces rhizomes, underground stems that penetrates laterally through the soil to spread the plant while sending shoots up to the soil surface, forming a new plant.

2.1.57. Submaster Valves: Submain remote control valves controlling flow of water to submains. Master valves may be normally-open supplying water under pressure to submains, or normally-closed shutting off water under pressure to mains when not irrigating.

2.1.58. Training Pruning: Prune young or small trees less than 20 feet in height in order to reduce the development of future structural problems. Trees with growth patterns that will eventually obstruct or interfere with understory plant growth and health, pedestrian or vehicular traffic clearance, and lines- of-sight are also included in this category.

2.1.59. Stabilizer: A water-based polymer or organic powdered binder solidifying emulsion specifically manufactured to harden decomposed granite. The solidifying emulsion shall not alter the gravel color. A copy of the manufacturer’s product sheets and instructions for application shall be furnished to the COR for approval.

2.1.60. Topsoil: ASTM D 5268; natural or cultivated surface-soil layer containing organic matter and sand, silt, and clay particles, conforming to USDA classification for Loam or Sandy Loam; friable, pervious, and compatible in texture with the existing soil to prevent a perched water table; ECe less than 3 mmhos/cm; a minimum of 2 percent/maximum of 10 percent organic material content; pH range between 6 and 8; reasonably free of subsoil, clay lumps, gravel, rocks and other objects more than 13 mm (1/2-inch) in any dimension; and free of weeds, roots, and other extraneous materials harmful to plant growth.

2.1.61. Trash and Debris: Any item, material or foreign object not permanently attached to or planted within the grounds and boundaries. Items include – but are not limited to – fallen twigs and branches that are under ten (10) inches in diameter at their widest point, paper products, cigarette butts, glass and metal products, plastic and any other synthetic item, plus loose rock and stone three (3) inches in diameter or greater that are not the apparent result of an interment within the past 30 days. Not included are stains, loose soil, smaller stones, or leaves. Exception: Loose soil, smaller stones and leaves are included when part of blowing off a roadway or walk, and when performing a clean‐up prior to a major ceremony.

2.1.62. Trash & Debris: Any item, material or foreign object not permanently attached to or planted within cemetery grounds and boundaries. Items include, but are not limited to leaves, needles, flowers, seedpods, twigs, branches of all sizes, feces, paper products, cigarette butts, gum, glass and metal products, plastic and any other synthetic items, gravel, asphalt, concrete, loose rock and stones over two inches (2”) in diameter, and soils that are a result of interment operations.

2.1.63. Turf: Turfgrass, grass, lawn. Any ground cover consisting primary of cultivated turfgrass species, such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue.

2.1.64. Valves: Backflow prevention devices, isolation valves, pressure regulating valves, automatic valves, hydrometers, master valves, air and vacuum release valves, remote control valves, blow-off valves, hose bibs, quick couplers.

2.1.65. Vegetation: All plant material including weeds.

2.1.66. Weed: Any non-desirable plant material, including escaped and invasive ornamental plants

2.1.67. Wildflowers: Annual and perennial flowering ground cover plants grown by sowing seeds.

2.1.68. Windrows of Turf Clippings: Any accumulation of turf clippings which cover or block sunlight from reaching the newly‐mowed or trimmed turf area.

2.2. Acronyms:

3. Government Furnished Property, Equipment, and Services

3.1 General Information: The Government will provide the property and services listed below. The Contractor shall not use the property or services provided by the Government for any purpose other than in the performance of this contract. All requests for Government furnished property and services shall be approved by the COR and Contracting Officer in writing.

3.2 Facilities: The Government shall furnish a parking and staging area for vehicles and equipment with no guarantee of security for the designated area or any assurances of utilities or phone lines. A temporary storage area for tree branches, sticks, and leaves will be provided. Maintenance of equipment must be conducted offsite (no hazardous materials), unless light routine repairs are needed, such as changing flat tires, blade sharpening, etc.

3.3 Equipment: The Government will provide a roll-off dumpster for trash and demolished headstones only.

3.4 Utilities: Water will be available at various areas as designated by the COR through in-ground water sources throughout the cemetery. Electric, gas, or phone lines are not guaranteed for the Contractor in designated staging areas. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conversation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities. If abuse or waste is suspected, the Government reserves the right, at any time during the contract performance period, to provide utilities to the Contractor on a few-for-use basis.

3.5 Headstones and Markers: The Government shall provide new and replacement headstones and markers to the contractor for installation, ensuring proper wording and spelling.

4. Contractor Furnished Items, Services & Requirements

General Information: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 2 of this PWS. The Contractor shall also provide transportation and permits necessary to perform the requirements of this contract. This includes having roll-off dumpsters for debris and soil removal.

4.1.1 Equipment Guidelines: The Contractor’s equipment shall be commercial grade equipped with protective and safety features that is in good repair, and clean. The Contractor shall submit, to the Contracting Officer, and equipment list which includes, but is not limited to, quantities and descriptive data for all equipment prior to its use on CEMETERY grounds. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer, in writing, of any equipment list changes prior to implementing the changes. The equipment and supplies the Contractor uses shall not cause damage to ground areas, headstones, monuments, walkways, trees, or any other part of the landscape. It is expected that the Contractor will take preventative measures when entering soft grounds with equipment, such as the use of boards, to prevent ruts.

4.1.2 Comprehensive Grounds Management Plan (GMP): A comprehensive Grounds Management Plan (GMP) submitted to the COR within 30 workdays following contract award. The GMP shall identify every task, frequency, and planned duration required under this contract. Changes to the plan must be approved by the COR prior to implementation and prior to any updates. Pesticide and fertilizer applications must include a legend indicating the specific product, application rate (quantity and active ingredient per acre or 1000 square feet).

4.1.3 Pesticide Dispersal Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish pesticide dispersal equipment without visible deterioration or leaks in any component and shall operate the equipment IAW the manufacturer’s recommendations. All pesticide tanks of powered dispersal equipment shall be clearly and plainly labeled “Contaminated with Pesticides.” All tanks of powered pesticide equipment dispersal equipment shall also have a license decal that is attached in a conspicuous location and contains an identification number and the name of the issuing agency.

4.1.4 Vehicles: The Contractor shall provide vehicles for the performance of services on this contract. Contractor and Contractor employees shall abide by all speed limitations while operating a vehicle at the Cemetery. The speed limit at the Cemetery is 15 mph on cemetery roads and 10 mph when passing pedestrians. The Contractor shall be responsible for all maintenance and repair of Contractor furnished vehicles.

4.1.5 Vehicle Safety Equipment: Contractor vehicles used to transport herbicides shall house a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved spill and decontamination kit and shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher which has an ABC rating with minimum capacity of pounds.

4.1.6 Communication Devices: The Key Personnel and vehicle drivers shall have radios turned on during normal operating hours as to be available to communicate with the COR at any time. Any employees performing during outside of normal operating hours (as authorized by the COR) shall also be available to communicate during those times. The Contractor shall be available by mobile phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the even they need to be contracted regarding an emergency, significant weather event, etc. All cost related to providing wireless communication devices are the responsibility of the Contractor.

4.1.7 Standards of Employee Conduct & VA Regulations: Contractor and contractor personnel shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress and conduct while performing work in the National Cemetery. These standards and regulations are enforceable under Title 38, U.S.C. Section 218. Contractor, and all contractor personnel, shall follow all US Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, and Sacramento Valley National Cemetery environmental protection standards, policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, the NCA Environmental Management System and Green Purchasing policies.

Contractor and contractor's employees shall be required to wear uniforms displaying the name of the company the employee's name, and status. Outer wear (including jackets, coats, hats, rain gear, etc.) must also comply with above. Contractor’s employees shall be fully clothed at all times, to include long slacks or pants and shirt, buttoned up from neck to waist. Clothing shall be clean each day. Any soiled clothing should be cemetery work-related that day. T-shirts and/or tank tops as outer garments are prohibited. Garments displaying a “message” or “slogan” other than the Contractor’s business attire are prohibited. Other clothing in question shall require the Director’s written approval.

Contractor and contractor employees will maintain personal hygiene. Shoes/boots will have no holes or loose soles. Steel-toed shoes will be required in accordance with OSHA. All required uniforms and personal protective equipment will be provided by the Contractor-to-contractor personnel.

Contractor and contractor personnel shall show proper reverence during committal service and other cemetery ceremonies. Contractor and contractor personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, use profane or abusive language nor use personal radios. Due to the sensitive mission of the Cemetery, Contractor and Contractor employees shall exercise courtesy and respect while within the cemetery. If inquiries are received from visitors, they are to assist visitor to the best of their ability.

Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in citation answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, not a local district, state, or municipal court. 4.1.8

4.1.8 Handling of Headstones: Every action by contractor personnel at a national cemetery must be performed with the special care, reverence, dignity, and respect that acknowledge the cemetery as the final resting place that commemorates the service and sacrifice that service members, Veterans and their families made for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness required of the Contractor employees of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed. The utmost care must be given to these remains and the headstones and flat grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals. Contractor personnel cannot walk, stand, lean, sit or jump on headstones or markers, nor shall the wheels/tracks of any Contractor vehicle ever drive over them.

No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or markers. Once headstones/markers are removed from the socket, do not place the headstones on dirt piles or mud; they should be carefully placed on each associated gravesite and protected in such a way as to prevent any soiling and be out of the way of any other work.

Headstones shall be removed from their sockets using wooden and/or metal clamps. If metal clamps are used, the area that contacts the headstone must be protected with a rigid fabric that will prevent damage to and marking of the headstone. Clamps may be attached to a skid steer loader (i.e., Bobcat®) or similar machine to extract the headstone from the socket. Contractor personnel should use tools approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), such as shovels, pry bars or pinch bars to lift flat markers out of the ground; pickaxes are not an acceptable tool.

When headstones are removed from their sockets, they shall be carefully stored on each associated gravesite; do not lean headstones against each other. Use care not to scratch or damage headstones in any manner. The headstones shall be laid with front inscription side up while the headstone is lying horizontally on the ground. The headstone shall be protected from direct ground contact while lying horizontally. The protection method shall be as approved by the COR and shall be free of deterioration in weather. An approved method is to support each headstone with two (2) wood 4x4’s.

Alternate methods can be approved. Cardboard shall not be used. Wood or other suitable appropriate and attractive material shall be used to keep the headstones from contact with the soil while lying horizontally during the construction period. This also shows respect towards the families visiting the gravesites and the remains that are buried.

Contractor shall be responsible for replacing damaged headstones and markers and for restoring landscape damaged during performance of this work. Additionally, should any activity result in the exposure and/or damage to any remains, container for remains (i.e., casket or urn), or outer burial container, the Contractor must contact the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or Contracting Officer (CO) for guidance.

Any doubts as to proper procedures shall be brought to the attention of the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or CO for guidance or resolution. The Contractor is required to discuss this guidance with their employees and have each employee sign a statement of compliance and deliver the signed statement to the COR before work may begin.

4.1.9 Use of Cemetery Facilities: The Government will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of contractor items. Contractor shall be responsible for acceptable standards of housekeeping and custodial maintenance of Department of Veterans Affairs' facilities used by contractor's employees that are acceptable to the COR and in accordance with National Cemetery Administration Operational Standards and Measures (Version 5.1, July 2014, or the most current version).

All contractor personnel operating motorized vehicles/equipment on government property must possess a valid state driver's license. Contractor and contractor personnel may park privately owned vehicles in the area designated for parking by the COR. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure his employees park in the appropriate designated parking areas. The Cemetery will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the Contractor or contractor’s personnel under any circumstances. The Government is not responsible for any damage, theft of vandalism to privately owned vehicles parked on cemetery property. All Contractor employees park on cemetery property at their own risk. The Contractor shall observe all traffic, parking, directional signs and regulations when using the cemetery’s roadways. The Cemetery will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the Contractor’s employees under any conditions.

4.1.10 Storage Facilities: The Government will not furnish any building(s) at the cemetery site for use by…