Solicitation Questions and Answers - 36C78626Q50082 - 3-6-2026.pdf

Solicitation Questions & Answers for Mountain Home National Cemetery

Ground Maintenance Services

RFQ 36C78626Q50082

1. Question: Who is the current incumbent?

BYRD ENTERPRISES UNLIMITED, INC.

2. Question: What is the current contract # and total value of the contract?

36C78621D0082 / $622,779.96

3. Question: PWS 1.1.5 – Is the munition storage area consider under the improved grounds standards?

MHNC does not have a munitions storage area.

4. Question: What is total acreage and how many igloos or bunkers are there in this area?

Total acreage is approximately 96, as stated in the SOW. MHNC does not have any igloos or bunkers.

5. Question: PWS 1.1.6.1 – Could the government give the irrigated acreage and the acreage that the contractor is responsible o manual water? The appendix referenced did not have this data.

Approximate irrigated acreage is 15, see 4.2 UNDERGOUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATION, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE.

6. Question: PWS 1.1.8 To clarify, Leaf removal consists of mulching leaves in place and does not require removal form the area?

Leaf removal means removing leaves from the grounds, however mulching of leaves will be allowed sometimes pending turf and soil conditions, see 4.1.3 Leaf and debris removal.

7. Question: PWS 1.1.9.1 – Is the acreage for fertilization the 128.92 ac of the improved grounds? MHNC only has 96 total acres. This section also mentions “other soil amendments that may required but the pricing

CLIN 0004 is only for fertilizer, where are we to price the other soil amendments that may be needed?

CLIN and question does not align with SOW.

8. Question: PWS – 1.1.12 – Is the work required in this section to be priced in Attachment 3? CLIN and question does not align with SOW. Could the government give the quantities of pruning based on the categories in Pricing Schedule A? CLIN and question does not align with SOW.

9. Question: PWS 1.1.14 – What is the square footage of the artificial turf area?

MHNC does not have any artificial turf.

10. Question: Workload Estimates – Line 13 list “Airshow Insecticides” of 40 AC that is optional, is this to include in our pricing, if so what CLIN shall we price this under?

11. Question: PWS 1.3.7 - What is the location and acreage of the PL Area. Alos is this acreage separate from the 172.24 semi-improved AC?

12. Question: PWS 1.5.1 / 1.5.2 / 1.5.3 - Are the vegetative beds included in these 3 areas of the PWS in addition to the 4.81 AC of vegetative beds listed on line 3 of the workload estimate?

13. Question: Contractor Yard / Storage

Is a contractor yard, laydown area, or storage building provided on-site for equipment, materials, or supplies? If not, can the Government confirm that all storage and staging will be the Contractor’s responsibility off-site?

The “barn” located on the corner of Peace and Freedom roads (approximately 1,050 sf) will be available to the contractor for receiving and storing HS’s and for their equipment.

14. Question: Mowing Responsibility

Does this contract include turf mowing by the Contractor?

No.

15. The SOW references maintaining turf to NCA Operational Standards, which include turf height requirements, but there is no explicit mowing CLIN. Please confirm whether mowing is included in the

Contractor’s scope or if mowing is performed by Government personnel.

Mowing will be performed by cemetery staff.

16. Mulch Quantities and Specifications

Question: Can the Government provide either:

a) The square footage of landscaped beds requiring mulch installation, or

b) Historical information on the approximate cubic yards of mulch installed annually?

Average mulch used annually is 270 cubic yards. Additionally, is there a specific mulch type (e.g., hardwood, dyed, natural) required for this contract? MHNC uses dyed dark brown recycled pallet mulch that is supplied by the government.

17. Headstone Inventory

Question: What is the current total headstone count at Mountain Home National Cemetery for purposes of trimming and cleaning?

Current number of HS’s at MHNC is 18,719 and will increase by approximately 600 annually.

18. Material Delivery Thresholds

Question: Is there a minimum delivery quantity for crushed fines or screened topsoil furnished by the

Contractor (e.g., full truckload), or may these materials be delivered in partial loads as needed?

Materials should be delivered in the following quantities: Topsoil 10-20 cubic yards, fine crushed rock

(chat) 10-20 ton.

19. Irrigation Repair Response Time

Question: Is there a required response time for non-emergency irrigation repairs?

All repairs are to be made as soon as possible not to exceed 5 days.

20. Additionally, are non-emergency irrigation repairs expected to be completed during normal work hours only, or may repairs occur outside normal hours if necessary?

All work is to be performed during duty hours unless authorized by the COR.

21. Question: The new expansion areas (Phase 2/ 3)- When will these areas be "handed back" to the cemetery from expansion contractor and the GMS Contractor take them on as area of responsibility for maintenance? Will there be an official written notice of when GMS Contractor incorporates these areas into their responsibility? Are there any activities in the SOW that apply to new expansion phases before officially being "handed back?" (ie Mulching/trees, trimming/edging, irrigation, etc?)

Contractor should assume that all 96 acres are within the scope of work from day one. However, the current expansion area will not be under cemetery control or under contractor responsibility until it is finished and accepted, this date is not yet known.

22. Question: New sod and stone placement is requiring a 1-year work warranty. Is it incumbent on the government or contractor to document/ provide evidence of contractor fault vs non-contractor fault

(Cemetery visitors bumping stones, cemetery staff hitting with mowers/tearing up turf with machinery, etc?)

Contractor will only be responsible for improper installation and damage caused by the contractor.

23. Question: With the cemetery sharing borders with the VAMC and different municipalities, is the government able to provide a map showing the perimeters of cemetery acreage, as well as indicate any responsibility for any borders/fencing, if the contractor will be responsible for care of fencing exterior anywhere?

Contractor will not be responsible for any area outside the perimeter fence on the historic side. The only responsibility for the contractor on the fence itself, is pressure washing of the wrought iron fence in the front portion of the historic side. The boundaries on the annex side were identified during contractors meeting. Map of both side pictured below.

24. Question: For Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, and seed blanket app. Is this for 65 acres or 96 acres total?

All 96 acres.

25. Question: Who provides materials for sunken grave repairs, government or contractor?

The sod, seed and mulch for sunken grave repair are to be supplied by the contractor, any soil needed to fill the sunken grave will be provided by the government.

26. Question: Is contractor responsible to remove sod before internments?

No.

27. Question: Does contractor provide mulch, and if so we read that there were 2 different mulch types?

Brown hard wood vs dyed brown shredded pallets. Please clarify.

All mulch will be dyed brown shredded pallet mulch.

28. Question: Is Tree maintenance SOW language applicable regardless of height? (Width mentioned but no height min/max)

Yes, limbs have maximum diameter of 3" and maximum trunk diameter 18". Height is irrelevant, as industry standard measures tree diameter and /or diameter breast height (DBH) that more accurately calculates the materiel needed for a removal of a tree. Typically, these are the max diameters that can be handled by grounds maintenance contractor(s). Above these measurements, typically require a tree care company that specializes in removal due to complexity and machinery required to remove trees.

29. Question: Manual watering may be required to maintain cemetery grounds. Does this mean we may have to water all of the historic side due to drought or anything else?

No, manual watering will be to establish newly laid sod by the contractor.

30. Question: Does contractor blow all roads and sidewalks every day, open and close of business?

Yes, contractor will be responsible for blowing the roads first thing in the morning and by COB daily.

31. Question: Does contractor empty vase and trash receptacles?

Contractor is not responsible for the emptying of trash receptacles. Contractor is responsible for picking up trash throughout the cemetery due to littering or weather. And how often? Contractors will need to remove receptacle liners for cleaning quarterly.

32. Question: 6.3 CONTRACTOR STAFFING REQUIREMENTS- If during slow months/non activity, may the contractor do below this level if there is not enough work requiring the minimum 4 people onsite at all times if notified/requested in writing?

Yes, if approved by the COR.

33. Question: Is the irrigation currently fully operational/to manufacture performance specs and expected to work as intended upon contractor arrival? Are there connectors/spigots to allow for hook ups for connections?

Yes, it is expected that the system will be fully operational at beginning of contract. Yes, there are quick connection ports throughout the cemetery, but not all area will be accessible via 100 ft hose from these connection ports.