S05_Attachment - RFIs and Answers.pdf

Solicitation: 36C78626B0019

Project: Memphis National Cemetery National Shrine Project

RFI- Contractor Questions & Government Responses

1. I wanted to ask if you would accept a proposal for the Headstone Raise and Realignment portion of the project only, without a proposal for the turf renovation. Headstone Raise and Realignment has been removed from this solicitation. See solicitation Amendment 0001 and revised Statement of Work.

2. In regard to the (1.1) Vegetation Removal and (1.2) Stripping Topsoil Sections of the Statement of Work and taking into account Contract Time, Staging Areas, and Existing Monuments and/or Irrigation Components, would it not be more feasible to spray the existing Turf, rototill the dead vegetation, amend the existing soil, and regrade the site prior to sodding with Palisades Zoysia. If the Contractor is required to strip 2-4" of Existing Soil across 44 Acres and either Stockpile On-Site or Haul-Off, that volume of Soil is between 15,000 to 30,000 CY. It is preferred that the existing soil be used for project and should only be amended as needed/ determined by soil test. A stockpile area will be allowed to be used in area through side gate-across from administration building under bridge area.

3. Please clarify if the Palisades Zoysia Sod shall come from one source or will multiple sources be acceptable. Palisades Zoysia Sod may come from whoever contractor should choose to procure for use for this project. Sod is only required to be Certified Palisades Zoysia.

4. Can you clarify and/or confirm if the Existing Irrigation System is operational and fully functioning without leaks or needed repairs? Existing irrigation is fully functional. Irrigation system was full renovated in 2025.

5. Can a digital copy of the Irrigation As-Builts and/or original Design Drawings be made available in determining possible repairs required during the course of the Turf Renovation work? No, The cemetery only has had written as-builts at this time. These will be provided to winning bidder.

6. Please clarify if the Existing Irrigation System Control System is a Conventionally Wired System or Two- Wire System. Existing irrigation is fully functional. Irrigation system was full renovated in 2025 and is 2-wire communications.

7. Please clarify if the Irrigation Control Wires are installed in Conduit or Direct Burial. Irrigation control wires are direct burial.

8. Section 1.5 Guaranty - Line 1 states "The Contractor shall guaranty all work for a period of one year (182 calendar days) after final inspection and acceptance of the entire project by the Government."

Please clarify if the Guaranty is for a period of One Year or 182 Calendar Days. See revised Statement of Work. This section has been removed.

9. The General Scope of Work for Bid OPTION 1 states "Memphis National Cemetery needs the raise and re-align of the upright headstones, floral vases and markers to all sections to the cemetery consisting of approximately +/- 36,403 upright headstones and 358 markers." However, on page 19 the Scope reads "The realignment, resetting and backfill of all upright headstone markers and floral vases in sections 19, 20, and 21 (Approximately 1710 upright headstones)." Please clarify which statement is correct. Bid Option 1 has been removed from this solicitation. See revised Statement of Work published under solicitation Amendment 0001.

10. Based on our understanding of the Performance Work Statement, the project appears to include:

• Removal and replacement of turf across approximately 44 acres (±1.9 million SF); and

• Raising, realigning, and resetting of approximately 36,000 headstones and associated markers.

Using typical industry production rates and prevailing wage requirements, the magnitude of work described above would generally correspond to a project value significantly exceeding the stated Government estimate range of $2 million to $5 million.

Accordingly, please confirm the Government’s intent regarding the scope of work to be performed under this contract:

• Is it the Government’s expectation that all turf areas (±44 acres) will be fully removed and replaced under the base contract?

• Is it the Government’s expectation that all headstones (±36,000 units) will be raised, realigned, and reset under this contract?

• In rough numbers, if the sod work is 1.9 million SF X $9/SF and the headstone alignment is $200 per headstone x 36,000 Units or +$20,000,000. Please confirm the IGCE is correct.

CLIN 0002 for Bid Option 1 has been removed from this solicitation. See revised Statement of Work published under Solicitation Amendment 0001. The Government believes the updated Statement of Work has a magnitude of construction between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000.

11. Please confirm whether the Government intends:

• Full execution of all quantities described in the PWS within the stated budget range.

See revised Statement of Work published under Solicitation Amendment 0001.

12. Upon walking the property, contractor noticed areas of well-established thick Palisade Jorge. In this case, can these areas be left undisturbed and new sod added to the grade of the existing turf as to create smooth level appearance after new sod installation? See revised Statement of Work. If this area was noticed in the now descoped area by the revised Statement of Work then this RFI is no longer applicable. If it is in the area to be replaced, then no, all turf must be replaced in accordance with the revised Statement of Work.

13. If silt fencing is necessary to protect walk, drive-through areas or existing drainage catch basins will this be installed at an extra charge change order? This is determined by the contractors means and methods.

14. If grade work requires changing grades more than one to 2 inches in areas there will be a change order for this as a substantial amount of new soil maybe necessary to correct these issues. The price will be submitted to contractor for approval before work can begin on these areas. This is determined by the contractors own means and methods. It should be assumed that excisting soil in cemetery will used for any light grade required for leveling on any area.

15. Is it possible for contractor to have access to the site during off duty hours or to get gate keys in the instance that sod must be delivered earlier than the opening time or additional work needs to be completed after the closing time? No, only Federal employees and security are only allowed with gate keys.

16. Will there be a spot on the property, or under the bridge, designated for machinery, storage container, new soil, or spoil materials? Yes, A stockpile area will be allowed to be used in area thru side gate-across from administration building under bridge area.

17. Ideally contractor would like to spray glyphosate to kill Bermuda and weed areas prior to operating Harley Rake pulverizer. In order for this to be most effective there needs to be a window of time to allow the chemical to kill back noxious weeds prior to tilling. Will this cause a conflict if areas are sprayed ahead of the tilling, then new sod installation in sections at a time?

No should not be a problem, However there shall be a schedule presented by the contractor of award for this scheduling of project.

18. Is the magnitude of construction estimate just for CLIN 0001? Or does CLIN 0002 (bid option

1) also need to be included in that range?

19. The site had various sizes of headstones. If a headstone has to be replaced, is there a standard size that is used today or is the intent to match the original? Is there a process for contractors to highlight headstones that are already damaged? If a headstone is to be replaced or need to be replaced. Yes, the cemetery COR shall be notified immediately upon discovery and will advise on how to proceed at that time.

20. Some headstones are different sizes, is the intent that all will be the same height as a part of the alternate CLIN? Headstone Raise and Realign under CLIN 0002 has been removed from this solicitation. See revised Statement of Work published under Solicitation Amendment 0001.

21. How deep is the irrigation system that runs throughout the property? It should be assumed, but guaranteed that the irrigation pipping and wires are 18” to 24” deep throughout the cemetery.

22. Will partial payments be authorized for this project given the duration and large amount of material and labor required to perform the scope of work? If so, does the KO know what frequency they will authorize? All progress payments will be administered in accordance with FAR Clause 52.232-5 Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts.

23. Are there any times of the year that the tombstones cannot be removed for cleaning? For example, memorial day is just around the corner and do all headstones need to be in place for that holiday? Headstone Raise and Realign under CLIN 0002 has been removed from this solicitation. See revised Statement of Work published under Solicitation Amendment 0001.