S05_Attachment - RFIs and Answers - Florida NS.pdf

Solicitation: 36C78626B50215

Project: Florida National Cemetery National Shrine Project

RFI- Contractor Questions & Government Responses

A. LABOR STANDARDS

1. The attached Wage Determination (General Decision FL20260002, Mod 2, dated 05/18/2026) is designated Construction Type: Heavy, limited to Dredging Construction Projects, and contains only marine/dredging classifications. It includes no classification for Laborer, Landscape Laborer, Equipment Operator, Truck Driver, or any craft required by this Statement of Work.

Please confirm whether FL20260002 was attached in error and, if so, issue by amendment the correct General Decision for Sumter County, Florida. If FL20260002 is intended to apply, please confirm that all required classifications will be established by conformance under 29 CFR 5.5(a)(1)(iii) after award, and identify the wage and fringe rates appropriate for bidding purposes.

See updated wage determination published under solicitation amendment 0001. This replaces the previous wage determination in its entirety.

2. Please confirm whether Executive Order 13658 applies to this contract and confirm the minimum hourly rate the Government considers applicable at the anticipated date of award.

See updated wage determination published under solicitation amendment 0001. This replaces the previous wage determination in its entirety. EO 13658 does not apply to this solicitation.

3. Please confirm whether this project is federal, state, and/or contractor tax exempt, or a combination.

See FAR Clause 52.229-3 which is included in this solicitation terms and conditions.

B. SITE PREPARATION — HERBICIDE / KILL-OFF

4. Will the cemetery perform the initial herbicide spray-out and kill-off in all full-replacement and patchwork areas before releasing each area to the contractor? If so, what products will be applied, when will treatment occur, and what waiting period is required before soil preparation and sod installation?

Yes. Cemetery staff will be making all herbicide and fertilizer applications for this project., to include he kill off herbicide. It is anticipated, but not certain that the application waiting will be 7 to 10 days. The contractor that is awarded this project will provide a schedule to the cemetery that will be used to coordinate all applications.

C. TOPSOIL — REMOVAL, REPLACEMENT, AND GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED

MATERIAL

5. The SOW requires stripping 2 to 4 inches of topsoil and later requires installation of 4 inches of topsoil. Please confirm the intended typical excavation and replacement depth.

The required stripping and excavation of replacement depth should be expected to be 2 to 4 inches of topsoil.

6. Should bidders assume that 2 to 4 inches of material must be removed throughout all full-replacement areas, or will the required removal depth be determined based on actual field conditions?

2 to 4 inches of material should be assumed to used. A smooth level surface must be maintained prior to Sod installation.

Who will determine whether existing topsoil is suitable for reuse?

The contractor of award and COR will determine whether the existing topsoil is usable.

Does the requirement to spread 4 inches of topsoil apply to the entire turf renovation area, or only to locations where existing soil conditions require additional material? The requirement is to spread 2-4 inches of topsoil apply to the entire turf renovation area

7. Please confirm that Florida National Cemetery will furnish all additional topsoil required at no cost to the Contractor. If so, please state (a) the quantity available in cubic yards, (b) the on-site stockpile location, (c) whether it is screened or unscreened, and (d) whether the Contractor's responsibility is limited to loading, hauling, placing, and compacting.

a) Yes, Florida National Cemetery will furnish any and all additional topsoil at no cost to the contractor.

b) The quantity available will be sufficient to complete the contract work needed for sod replacement.

c) The onsite stockpile location. Will be provided to the contractor of award at time after award.

d) Florida National Cemetery will not be loading hauling, placing, or compacting any soil for the sod installation.

D. DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AND DEBRIS

9. The solicitation directs disposal in two conflicting ways — on-site disposal in a COR-designated area (the area under the bridge across from the Administration building) in several paragraphs, and off-site disposal at a licensed landfill in others. Please state definitively which categories of material may remain on site in the designated area and which must be transported off-site at Contractor expense.

Florida National Cemetery will provide onsite disposal in an area designated by the COR, However, it is the contractors discretion to dispose of it somewhere else of their choosing At no cost to the government.

10. Please provide the available capacity of the on-site disposal area in cubic yards and any restrictions on the type or quantity of material that may be placed there.

There's plenty of capacity to dispose of any and all the materials removed for the sod renovations areas. The cemetery encompasses several 100 acres, with plenty of open space.

Area will be designated by COR.

Only materials removed from sod renovation areas may be placed in these disposal areas.

11. For material required to be disposed of off-site, please confirm that bidders should include all transportation, landfill, tipping, and disposal fees in their pricing.

No materials are required to be disposed of offsite. Any materials disposed of offsite will be at the contractors discretion and no cost to the government.

12. Please confirm whether the Contractor will be required to remediate or remove any hazardous materials off-site.

No. No hazardous materials shall be allowed onto the site by contractor Other than operational, use items such as fuel, fuel storage, equipment, etc.

E. IRRIGATION SYSTEM — SCOPE

13. The Work Scheduling provisions repeatedly reference irrigation work (irrigation repair installation schedules, sequences for sections consisting of irrigation installation and repairs, re-surveying of monumentation disrupted by irrigation installation, and correction of headstone misalignment from irrigation repairs), yet the Scope section and Price Schedule contain only a single line item for turf renovation. Please confirm whether any irrigation installation, repair, or modification is within the scope of this contract. If so, provide the quantities, locations, and specifications necessary to price it. If not, please confirm these references are residual language and not requirements.

The scope of this project does not include any irrigation work.

14. Please confirm that the Contractor is responsible for repairing irrigation components damaged by Contractor operations but is not responsible for repairing pre-existing irrigation deficiencies unless specifically identified in scope.

The contractor shall be responsible for any damage incurred to irrigation system during work performance and will be responsible for those repairs. Irrigation, not properly marked by cemetery, will not be the responsibility of the contractor.

15. Will the Government and Contractor conduct and document a joint pre-work inspection of the irrigation system within each section before turf removal, so pre-existing damage (nonfunctioning heads, valves, wiring, controllers, etc.) can be distinguished from Contractor-caused damage?

Yes

16. Please provide available irrigation drawings, utility maps, and as-built drawings showing known irrigation lines, sprinkler heads, and underground features within the work areas.

Florida National Cemetery. Will provide what they have, but cannot guarantee that all areas are completely accurate. Drawings and as-builds availability is limited.

F. IRRIGATION SYSTEM — COVERAGE AND CAPACITY

17. Are the irrigation heads within the designated renovation areas rotors or spray/mist heads, and does the existing irrigation system provide complete and adequate coverage of all full-replacement and patchwork areas (approximately 15 acres)? If any areas are not adequately covered, please identify them or provide approximate acreage so bidders can account for supplemental watering equipment and labor.

Yes, there is irrigation in and around all the turf renovation areas. Florida National Cemetery irrigation techs will mark irrigation system in turf renovation areas prior to work, The contractor shall be responsible for any damage incurred to irrigation system during work performance and will be responsible for those repairs. Irrigation, not properly marked by cemetery, will not be the responsibility of the contractor.

18. Please confirm whether the existing irrigation system has sufficient capacity and coverage to water all newly installed sod in accordance with the specified watering requirements.

Yes.

G. WATERING AND TURF ESTABLISHMENT

19. Paragraph 2.2.a makes the Contractor responsible for applying 1/4 inch of water twice daily for three weeks, while the SOW also states the cemetery has a newly renovated, fully automated, and fully functional irrigation system, and Paragraph 2.2.c requires the Contractor to supply all watering equipment and labor. Please confirm whether the cemetery's automated system will be operated by cemetery staff to deliver the specified application (with the Contractor supplementing by hose only in uncovered areas), or whether the Contractor must deliver the full application by its own means throughout the establishment period.

Florida National Cemetery has a fully functional irrigation system that will adequately water the areas. However, Contractor shall be responsible for any hoses to hook up two irrigation system if needed to get the proper amount of water down as required.

20. Will the cemetery supply all water required for establishment, and where are the connection points for contractor-supplied hoses and watering equipment? After the Contractor performs the initial watering, who is responsible for operating the irrigation system and meeting the watering requirements throughout the three-week establishment period and until acceptance?

Water is available by Florida National Cemetery and will be identified after award of contract and schedule is defined. The contractor is responsible for the watering for the first 3 weeks.

21. If the Contractor is required to physically water twice daily for three weeks, please confirm whether this applies seven days per week, including weekends and Federal holidays.

Yes, However, all weekends and federal holidays shall be coordinated with COR.

22. Are contractor-furnished hoses, sprinkler heads, portable tanks, or water trucks required only for areas not adequately covered by the automated system? If the existing system provides sufficient coverage, may the Contractor use it to satisfy the watering requirements?

Florida National Cemetery will provide a water source. Contractor shall be responsible for any hoses, sprinkler heads, portable tanks, or water trucks if required.

In coordination with the cemetery, the contractor shall coordinate use of the existing irrigation system to provide sufficient water coverage.

23. Will the Contractor be required to measure and document the amount of water applied to demonstrate compliance? If so, please identify the acceptable method of measurement and documentation.

The contractor may measure and document the amount of water applied at their own discretion.

This falls into the means and method of the contractor.

24. May the twice-daily 1/4-inch requirement be reduced, suspended, or adjusted when sufficient natural rainfall occurs or when the District Agronomist/COR determines additional watering could cause overwatering, disease, erosion, or damage? If so, will the COR provide written direction documenting the adjustment?

Yes, this shall be done as in coordination, as needed.

H. ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD, ACCEPTANCE, AND MAINTENANCE TRANSFER

25. Please confirm which period governs final acceptance of a completed section. Paragraph 2.1 references a 30-day establishment period, Paragraph 2.2 specifies three weeks of twice-daily watering, and Paragraph 2.3 references evaluation at 45 days or more and watering until final acceptance. For bidding and pricing purposes, what period should Contractors assume responsibility for watering each section: 21 days, 30 days, 45 days, or until written final acceptance by the COR?

30 days is the initial start of establishment period. Time for establishment may be extended or shortened due to turf establishment. COR Shall inspect with contractor and make that determination no sooner than 21 days following installation on new turf.

26. Please confirm whether the Contractor's watering responsibility continues until written final acceptance of each section, including periods extending beyond 30 or 45 days due to delayed Government acceptance.

Contractor's watering responsibility shall continue past 30 days or less if required; based on acceptance inspection with COR with conformation on new turf.

27. At what point does the Government consider a section "accepted" for purposes of transferring maintenance and watering responsibility to the cemetery — immediately following installation, after the 30-day establishment period, after the 45-day evaluation, or at another point?

COR Shall inspect with contractor (at contractors’ request) and make acceptance determination no sooner than 21 days following installation on new turf.

28. Please confirm whether the cemetery will perform all mowing, fertilizer applications, and chemical applications after sod installation, with the Contractor responsible only for watering and replacement of unacceptable turf until acceptance.

Yes, Contractor will be required to notify COR upon time to mow and fertilize after turf installation.

29. Please provide the objective criteria the District Agronomist/COR will use to determine that sod is sufficiently rooted and established for final acceptance, including any required percentage of turf coverage, rooting depth, or visual standard.

Turf shall be well rooted and visually acceptable based on color and. density of turf.

30. After the Contractor notifies the COR that installation of a section is complete, within what period will the Government conduct the required inspection and provide written verification so the establishment period can begin? If Government inspection is delayed, will the establishment period be deemed to start on the date the Contractor gave notice of completion?

31. COR Shall inspect with contractor (at contractors’ request) and make acceptance determination no sooner than 21 days following installation on new turf.

32. Will the Contractor be required to replace sod that fails due to circumstances outside its control (malfunction of the Government's irrigation system, Government operations, excessive rainfall, flooding, drought restrictions, or severe weather)? If not, please clarify how responsibility for sod replacement will be determined.

Yes

I. SECTION PHASING AND PRODUCTION

32. Does "completed" (for purposes of the one-section-at-a-time limitation) mean completion of sod installation in the preceding section, or must the entire establishment and final acceptance period be completed before the next section may begin? May the Contractor proceed to the next approved section once sod installation is complete while the prior section remains in its establishment period?

Completed, is at the discretion of the contractor and to move on to any other section will be their decision. It is expected that the contractor will stay within the schedule they provide at time of award.

33. Please confirm whether the Contractor may perform work in the designated open areas concurrently with work in one burial section.

Yes

34. Please clarify the maximum area the Contractor may disturb at one time within a burial section before sod installation and restoration must be completed. Does the Government have a minimum or maximum square footage/acreage that may be disturbed, prepared, or sodded per day or week?

This shall be determined from the contractor award. This projects schedule, means and methods shall be provided to the cemetery for approval prior the start of work.

J. PATCH-WORK AREAS

35. The work-area table designates the PIC, Shelters, and Cortege area (43,560 SF / 1 acre) as patch work. Please provide the estimated square footage of sod actually required within the patch-work area, or a percentage of the one-acre total, so bids are comparable.

The actual means and methods of square footage measurements shall be determined by the Contractor. The government does not provide means and methods for the contractor in this scope of work.

36. Please confirm whether any portions of the other listed sections are anticipated to be patch work rather than full replacement.

Please reference SOW provided in solicitation.

K. TREE BUFFERS, MARKERS, AND MONUMENTATION

37. Please confirm that the intended tree buffer is a sod setback of approximately 36 to 54 inches from the tree trunk rather than 36 to 54 feet, and clarify how the required buffer distance will be determined in the field.

Yes approximately 36 to 54 inches-not feet. Approximate buffer distance will be determined upon scheduling and Coordination with COR

38. Please confirm whether mulch installation within the tree buffer areas is performed entirely by the cemetery after acceptance and is excluded from the Contractor's scope.

No mulch work is within the scope of this work.

39. Please confirm whether any headstones, markers, monuments, floral vases, or other cemetery features are anticipated to require temporary removal, relocation, raising, or realignment, other than correction of items disturbed by the Contractor.

No, No headstone shall be removed or touched from its site of location, other than correction of items disturbed by the Contractor.

40. Please confirm whether a licensed land surveyor is required as part of the base scope, or only if the Contractor disturbs existing grid/sectional monuments or permanent gravesite control monumentation.

No

41. Please provide the anticipated number of flat markers and floral vases within the work areas that will require locating, tagging, protection, adjustment, or documentation.

Information is not available at this time and sill be provided to contractor of award.

42. Please confirm whether the Government will identify known buried floral vases and other gravesite features prior to the Contractor beginning turf removal.

Yes, cemetery will identify known buried floral vases and other gravesite features prior to the Contractor beginning turf removal.

L. UTILITIES

43. Will the Government provide available utility and irrigation as-built drawings and identify or mark known Government-owned underground utilities? Should bidders include the cost of third-party/private utility locating services for Government-owned irrigation, electrical, potable-water, sewer, or other underground systems not covered by the standard locating service?

Contractors should be. Responsible for all utility locations. Cemetery will provide information as available to them.

M. SITE ACCESS, STAGING, AND PROTECTION

44. Please provide any anticipated restrictions on access routes, staging, haul routes, truck sizes, or equipment use beyond the stated prohibition on equipment over five tons operating on turf without written COR authorization.

No equipment is allowed to be driven over grave sites that is over 10,000 GVWR.

45. Please identify the anticipated Contractor staging area and confirm whether sufficient space will be available for sod deliveries, equipment, dumpsters, portable toilets, and temporary material storage.

All areas shall be shown and confirm by COR to contractor of award.

46. Please confirm whether temporary access mats or other ground protection will be required for equipment traveling across existing turf.

This shall be the contractor's discretion.

47. If the Contractor is on-site solely for watering during establishment, will personnel be permitted access outside normal working hours, including weekends and Federal holidays? If so, will advance approval or notification to the COR be required for each occurrence? Hey Cortana, can you play?

Yes., However, all coordination must be done through the COR prior for scheduling.

Cortana is out of the scope of work and cannot answer whether she/he can play.

N. WEATHER, DELAYS, AND SCHEDULE

48. How will delays caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, excessive rainfall, unsuitable soil conditions, Government closures, or other severe weather be addressed for purposes of the project schedule and establishment periods? Will documented weather delays or Government-directed suspensions result in corresponding extensions to the performance schedule?

Circumstances and corresponding extensions to performance schedule will be addressed on an as needed basis. These scenarios are governed by various terms and conditions within the solicitation such as FAR Clause 52.249-10.

49. Please confirm whether the 365-calendar-day period of performance includes the turf establishment/acceptance period and all final closeout activities.

Yes

O. PERMITS AND ENVIRONMENTAL

50. Please confirm whether erosion and sediment control plans, permits, or specific erosion-control measures are required, and whether such plans must be professionally drawn and stamped.

This shall be the determination of the Contractor for state requirements and be performed as required.

51. Please confirm whether any permits are anticipated for turf removal, grading, hauling, or related work, identify any permits to be obtained by the Government, and clarify whether permits will come from the national cemetery or from state/local environmental authorities.

This cannot be confirmed by the government and shall be determined by Contractor.

P. SOD — SPECIFICATION, DELIVERY, AND ACCEPTANCE

52. Is St. Augustine "Floratam" the only acceptable cultivar, with no substitutions permitted? If certified Floratam becomes temporarily unavailable due to weather, crop conditions, or supplier availability, will the Government consider schedule extensions or other relief?

St. Augustine "Floratam" is the required cultivar, with no substitutions permitted. Any consideration for schedule extensions shall be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

53. What documentation will the Government require from the sod supplier to demonstrate compliance with the applicable harvest, delivery, and installation timeframe? Will the certification provided with each delivery be sufficient, or must it specifically identify the date and time of harvest?

A sod certification certificate (often called a blue tag or official turfgrass tag). It shall contain genetic purity, variety identity, date, harvest field and tag. Please reference SSCA association reequipments for State of Florida certified sod. SOD certification should be provided at time of delivery.

54. What specific criteria will the Government use to reject a certified Floratam delivery prior to installation? If certified sod is rejected for reasons unrelated to Contractor handling or storage, please clarify responsibility for the cost of rejected material, replacement sod, transportation, and resulting schedule impacts.

Sod may be rejected when it has a visually unhealthy appearance, wrong type, too thinly cut, no certificate is provided, not disease and pest free and not harvested within the last 24 hours.

Determination shall be made by COR.

Q. MOWING AND FINISH GRADE

55. Please confirm that 4 inches is the governing maximum height of cut. The Turfgrass

Specifications page states a 4-inch maximum, while Item 3 of the Work Summary and Progress Report references a 2-inch maximum height of cut followed parenthetically by 4 inches H.O.C.

Florida National Cemetery will assume all mowing at their current height of four inches. Unless otherwise noted by contractor performing installation of this project. Contractor is responsible for notifying Florida National Cemetery of when to start mowing.

56. Please clarify the Work Summary & Progress Report requirement that turfgrass be mowed at least three times prior to final acceptance, given that the SOW assigns mowing to the cemetery after the turf reaches the specified height.

COR will provide a sheet. That is signed off on by. Contractor.

Please confirm the correct finish-grade requirement adjacent to upright headstones. The Work Summary & Progress Report states finish grade is nominally 25 inches below the top of upright headstones; please confirm this is correct.

24 to 27 inches will be the requirement.

R. PERSONNEL AND SAFETY

58. Please confirm whether this is a 5-day or 7-day work schedule.

Schedule shall be determined by Contractor and approved by Cemetery COR.

59. Please confirm whether the Contractor must provide a dedicated Site Manager on-site full time whenever any subcontractor or employee is performing work. If Contractor personnel are on-site solely to perform watering during establishment, must the Site Manager be physically present, or may another qualified representative supervise?

Yes, Contractor shall provide a dedicated and qualified site manager that is to be on site full time During work for this project.

60. Will the Government require the Site Manager, SSHO, and QA Manager to be three separate individuals, or may these roles be filled by one individual?

This is the determination of the contractor.

61. Please provide the anticipated frequency and duration of funeral services or ceremonies that may restrict construction activities.

It should be assumed that Florida National Cemetery performs anywhere between. 15-45 Internment services daily. Monday through Friday.

62. Please confirm that the SOW safety language referencing the "Beaufort National Cemetery" Safety Officer (Paragraph 6.m) is a typographical carryover and that all project-specific safety coordination will be with Florida National Cemetery personnel.

This is a typo and oversight. All project specific safety coordination will be done in coordination with Florida National Cemetery COR for this project.

S. PAYMENT AND BONDING

63. Will each completed section be inspected and accepted separately after satisfying establishment requirements, and may that section be included in the Contractor's next monthly progress-payment request? What documentation and acceptance criteria will be required for each section?

See FAR Clause 52.232-5 Payments under Fixed Price Construction Contracts which is included in the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

64. Will the Contractor be permitted to submit progress payment requests based on percentage of work completed and/or completion of individual sections, or will payment be withheld until final completion and acceptance of the entire project? If progress payments are permitted, please clarify the anticipated payment structure and required documentation.

See FAR Clause 52.232-5 Payments under Fixed Price Construction Contracts which is included in the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

65. Will progress payments include approved materials delivered to or properly stored for the project (sod, soil-related materials, and other incorporated materials), or will payment be limited to work completely installed and accepted?

See FAR Clause 52.232-5 Payments under Fixed Price Construction Contracts which is included in the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

66. Does the contract permit an advance or mobilization payment before physical work begins? If not, may mobilization be separately identified in the Schedule of Values and included in the first monthly progress-payment request, and what supporting documentation will be required?

Contract financing payments are not authorized under the terms and conditions of this solicitation. For progress payment requirements, see FAR Clause 52.232-5 Payments under Fixed Price Construction Contracts which is included in the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

67. Block 12b of the SF 1442 states performance and payment bonds are required within 10 calendar days after award, while Section L.11 states they shall be submitted within 5 calendar days after award. Please confirm which period governs so bidders may advise their sureties.

Bonds will be due within 10 calendar days after award. L.11 is hereby amended to also say “10 calendar days after award” to match what is stated on the SF 1442 by way of this RFI answer.