36C78626Q50096-0001 - Solicitation Questions with Answers - GMS - Ft Mitchell NC - Final 2-19-2026.pdf

1. Who is the current contractor, and what is the current annual contract price?

ANSWER: This Solicitation is for a new requirement for Complete Grounds Maintenance Services; Fort Mitchell has never had this contracted services.

2. Are mowers with mulching decks acceptable if there are no visible clippings after mowing?

ANSWER: The SOW indicates that All mowers shall have mulching decks with mulching blades.

3. The quantity for CLIN 0040 is listed as 266, with a unit of "each." Does this mean that the government is estimating 266 hours of labor for irrigation repairs, or does it represent 266 15-minute increments (which would equate to 66.5 hours)? Please clarify the unit of measurement for this CLIN.

ANSWER: Quantity of 268 with 15-minute increments totaling 67 hours.

4. The solicitation lists the quantity for CLIN 0020 (Core Aerification) as 1, with a unit of "JB" (job), and the description states "up to 56 acres." Please clarify whether the contractor should provide a single price for aerifying the entire 56 acres, or a per-acre rate.

Additionally, how will billing be handled if the contractor is requested to aerify less than the full 56 acres?

ANSWER: This task is for the full 56 developed acreage of the cemetery. The contractor will bill the entire JB. The COR may request less area to be aerated, but not more than the indicated 56 acres.

For example, if only 20 acres are completed, will the contractor bill for a partial job based on the actual acreage aerified, or will the government pay the full price for the job regardless of the actual acreage completed?

ANSWER: The contractor will bill the entire JB. The COR may request less area to be aerated, but not more than the indicated 56 acres.

5. CLIN 0021 (Dethatching) has a quantity of 1, a unit of "JB" (job), and the description states "As necessary - Cemetery Discretion - Up to 56 acres of turfed grounds." Please clarify if the contractor should provide a single price for dethatching the entire 56 acres or if the price should be per acre.

ANSWER: The contractor will bill the entire JB. The COR may request less area to be dethatched, but not more than the indicated 56 acres.

Furthermore, given that dethatching will be performed at the cemetery's discretion and on an as needed basis, how will billing be handled if the contractor is requested to dethatch less than the full 56 acres?

ANSWER: The contractor will bill the entire JB. The COR may request less area to be dethatched, but not more than the indicated 56 acres.

Will the contractor bill for a partial job based on the actual acreage dethatched, or will the government pay the full price for the job regardless of the actual acreage completed?

ANSWER: The contractor will bill the entire JB. The COR may request less area to be dethatched, but not more than the indicated 56 acres.

Additionally, is there a minimum acreage or threshold that must be met for the contractor to perform dethatching services under this CLIN, or will the contractor be expected to mobilize for dethatching regardless of the size of the area requiring treatment?

ANSWER: Minimum acreage is five acres.

6. The solicitation states that fertilization (CLIN 0022) should be performed on Bermuda grass in accordance with the SED Agronomist Recommendation and the Statement of Work. Please clarify if the acreage specified for fertilization includes both turf and non-turf areas or if it is limited to only turf areas.

ANSWER: Fertilization will be done on turf areas only.

Additionally, to help contractors accurately estimate the cost and resources required for each fertilization service, please provide the specific acreage that will need to be fertilized per application.

ANSWER: Fertilizer treatment will be for the entire turf area of the cemetery, 56 acres of developed turf grass.

The solicitation indicates that there will be 5 applications throughout the year (e.g., Mar 5, April 15, Jun 1, Aug. 15, Oct 1), but it does not specify the acreage for each application.

Providing the acreage per service will enable contractors to determine the appropriate labor, materials, and equipment needed to complete each fertilization application effectively and efficiently.

ANSWER: Fertilizer treatment will be for the entire turf area of the cemetery, 56 acres of developed turf grass.

7. For CLINs 0023 (Pre-Emerge Herbicide Application), 0024 (Post-Emerge Herbicide Treatment/Application), 0027 (Insecticide Treatment/Application), and 0030 (Fungicide Treatment/Application), please clarify if the applications are to be performed on all 56 acres of the cemetery grounds or only on specific areas as needed or directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

ANSWER: All applications will be for the entire turf area of the cemetery, 56 acres of developed turf grass.

If the applications are to be performed on specific areas, please provide an estimate of the typical acreage that may require treatment for each service to help contractors accurately plan for labor, materials, and equipment.

ANSWER: All applications will be for the entire turf area of the cemetery, 56 acres of developed turf grass.

8. CLIN 0026 states that Lime (Gypsum) Calcium Sulfate Application should be performed on all turf areas in early spring yearly, as indicated by soil test. Please confirm whether this application is required for the entire 56 acres of turf or is limited to specific areas based on the soil test results. If the application is to be performed on specific areas, please provide historical data or an estimate of the typical acreage that requires Lime (Gypsum) Calcium Sulfate treatment to help contractors plan accordingly.

ANSWER: All applications will be for the entire turf area of the cemetery, 56 acres of developed turf grass.

9. Please clarify whether the contractor should apply the full 56-acre rate to each service, or whether the actual acreage treated may vary based on the COR's direction.

ANSWER: All applications will be for the entire turf area of the cemetery, 56 acres of developed turf grass.

For CLIN 0029 (Fire Ant Control/Monitoring - Daily Treatment Invoiced Monthly), please provide an estimate of the typical daily acreage that requires treatment to help contractors accurately plan for labor and materials.

ANSWER: Daily treatment of fire-ants is a reactive approach and cannot be estimated, it is based on the emergence of fire ant mounds that are to be treated as they appear and are noticed by contractor and cemetery personnel.

Additionally, please confirm whether the contractor is required to monitor and treat fire ants daily (including weekends and holidays) or only on weekdays.

ANSWER: Daily treatment of fire-ants is a reactive approach and cannot be estimated.

Contractor is not expected to provide this service on weekends / holidays.

10. To accurately estimate the level of effort required for headstone cleaning and maintenance activities, please provide the total number of headstones that are currently in place at the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. If the exact number is not readily available, please provide an approximate count.

ANSWER: There are currently 12,000 +/- headstones and markers that will require cleaning.

11. CLIN 0024 includes both blanket and spot treatments for all turf areas on an as-needed basis, but the chemicals required for each type of treatment can be vastly different in terms of cost and application methods. Please clarify how the contractor should provide pricing for both treatment types under a single CLIN. Should the price be based on an average cost across both types, or would it be more appropriate to separate blanket and spot treatments into two distinct CLINs?

ANSWER: Spot treatments are considered a continuation of the blanket application and minimum area to be treated during spot applications is 2 acres. Blanket applications are for the entire developed turf acreage (56 acres). Quoters shall take this information into consideration when developing their proposals.

Additionally, please provide an estimated percentage breakdown of the total acreage requiring blanket versus spot treatments to help contractors accurately calculate their pricing. In other words, of the 5 jobs for CLIN 0024 – Post-Emerge Herbicide, how many are blanket and how many are spot treatments?

ANSWER: Spot treatments are considered a continuation of the blanket application and minimum area to be treated during spot applications is 2 acres. Blanket applications are for the entire developed turf acreage (56 acres). Quoters shall take this information into consideration when developing their proposals.

12. Is the contractor responsible for the parts needed to make repairs for CLINs 0013, 0014, and 0040, or will the government supply these items?

ANSWER: Parts for repairs are supplied by the Government as indicated in the SOW.

13. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, High Winds, above-average Rainfall, Hail, and Snow, or Ice Storms can cause a wide range of damage, from minor debris to massive tree-removal projects. Would the government consider imposing a size limit on the trees that must be removed under this CLIN? Major storms can cause severe devastation to the trees on Ft.

Mitchell NC, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, and to price this CLIN accurately puts great risk on the contractor.

ANSWER: Massive tree felling & removal or cleanup of extensive devastation from a severe weather event is not the intent of CLIN 0031. It is understood that major storms or weather events vary in the impact they may have on the cemetery. The intent for this CLIN is to ensure roadways & walkways are passable and that debris to include tree limbs (up to 24” in diameter) are removed from high visibility areas (i.e. burial sections).

14. Will the contractor be responsible for pruning above 15’? Typically, on contracts similar to this at National Cemeteries, the contractor is only responsible for pruning up to 15’ for clearances.

ANSWER: Crown Raising (Under-clearance) should be approx. 15’. Other pruning (Crown Cleaning, Thinning, Shaping, Restoration) may be required at higher elevations.

15. Volume A of the Instructions to Quoters states, "Quoters will acknowledge all amendments by either providing a signed copy of the Amendment(s) or by filling out page 4, titled ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS." Please clarify in which document bidders can find the referenced Page 4. Is this page included in the Instructions to Quoters (Volume A), or is it part of a separate document within the solicitation package?

ANSWER: Disregard the verbiage (by filling out page 4, titled ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS.") and fill out box 15 of the Standard Form 30, Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract. An Updated Combined Synopsis is provided with verbiage removed from document.

16. The solicitation states, "Experience gained by Key Personnel on government contracts with other companies will be considered Key Personnel's individual experience, will not be recognized as a Quoter's past performance experience and will be given a Neutral rating."

However, this appears to be contrary to the intent of FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii), which states:

"The evaluation should take into account past performance information regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or subcontractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement when such information is relevant to the instant acquisition." Please clarify whether the government will consider the past performance of key personnel gained on other contracts as part of the overall past performance evaluation, as outlined in FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii), particularly if the owner of the prime company gained experience as key personnel prior to forming their company.

ANSWER: If a contractor uses past performance information owned by another contractor without providing a team agreement or joint venture the past performance information will also be considered Neutral. Experience gained by Key Personnel on government contracts with other companies will be considered Key Personnel’s individual experience, will not be recognized as a Quoters’ past performance experience, and will be given a Neutral rating.

17. We request that the solicitation be amended to permit up to 49% of the Key Personnel to be employees of the subcontractor. The FAR and SBA rules permit a subcontractor to perform up to 49% of the work and encourage small business subcontracting, accordingly, meaningful consideration of the subcontractor key personnel identified in the proposal and committed to this contract is fair and reasonable.

ANSWER: Key personnel must be staffed by Contractor who’s awarded the contract.

The government will not allow a subcontractor to have key personnel fulfilling the duties of the prime contractor.

18. Please confirm that the past performance of a subcontractor who will perform a substantial portion of the work will be considered equal to that of prime contract experience. Since the FAR and SBA rules permit a subcontractor to perform up to 49% of the work, meaningful consideration of the subcontractor is fair and reasonable. See OMB Memorandum, July 10, 2014 “Making Better Use of Contractor Performance Information” (recommending agencies request “information about subcontractors and contractor team arrangements Request that prime contractors provide past performance information on subcontractors and contractor team arrangements.” “This will give the source selection official a complete view and better understanding of the prime contractor, subcontractors and contractor team arrangement’s performance capabilities.”); OFPP BEST PRACTICES for

COLLECTING AND USING CURRENT AND PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

(Recommending CPARS list major subcontractors: “Listing these firms allows them to cite the contract for past performance purposes in proposals for future work either as prime contractors or as subcontractors or other partners. Source selection teams may review the assessment to determine the ratings given for the work for which these firms were responsible.”) ANSWER: Past performance of a subcontractor will be considered for this requirement however, it is the expectation of the Quoter submitting a quote to have substantial experience and relevant past performance history.

19. Please confirm that relevant past performance examples may include work performed by the prime offeror as a major subcontractor. The experience and past performance gained by a prime offeror who previously served as a major subcontractor on an NCA project provides added value to the VA.

ANSWER: The Quoter submitting the quote will be evaluated for relevant past performance. Subcontractor relevant experience will be considered.

20. Please confirm that relevant past performance examples may include work performed by a proposed major subcontractor as a prime contractor or major subcontractor. The experience and past performance gained by a subcontractor who is proposed for up to 49% of the work here and who previously served as a prime or major subcontractor on an NCA project provides added value to the VA.

ANSWER: The Quoter submitting the quote will be evaluated for relevant past performance. Subcontractor relevant experience will be considered.

21. To accurately estimate the level of effort and resources required for mowing services, please provide the total acreage of turf areas (Tiftuf Bermuda) covered under CLIN 0004 and the total acreage of non-turf areas, including wild grass along access road edges, covered under CLIN 0005. This information will help contractors properly scale their operations and pricing for these CLINs. Compared with the cemetery map, the satellite aerial view makes it difficult to see where the non-turf areas are located, if any.

ANSWER: - Approx. +/- 50acres Tif Tuf; Approx +/-6 acres non turf acreage

22. Section B.8.2 of the Performance Work Statement indicates that there are approximately 89 irrigated acres at the cemetery. However, the Price Schedule suggests that the total turf area (CLIN 0004) is approximately 56 acres, additional page 2 of the SOW states “56 developed irrigated acres”. Please clarify the discrepancy between the 89 irrigated acres mentioned in the SOW and the 56 acres of turf area listed in the Price Schedule and elsewhere in SOW.

ANSWER: 56 developed acres – 89 acres is a typo. Approx. +/- 50acres Tif Tuf; Approx +/-6 acres non turf acreage

23. The description for CLIN 0022 (Fertilization) in the Price Schedule lists the application dates as Mar 5, April 15, Jun 1, Aug. 15, and Oct 1. However, the fertilization chart provided on page 56 of the Statement of Work specifies different application dates: March 1st, April 15th, May 15th, June 1st, and August 1st. Please clarify which set of dates should be followed for the fertilization applications.

ANSWER: Application dates in the SOW are estimates / examples only. The Contractor shall submit a detailed turf maintenance and chemical spray schedule to the COR no later than thirty (30) days following the award of contract and arrival onsite. The Contractor submitted turf maintenance and chemical spray plan shall directly correspond to the scope of work specified in the provided statements of work. The Contractor’s turf maintenance plan shall be approved upon review by the COR.

Additionally, the fertilization chart indicates that the applications should cover approximately 65 acres, while the Price Schedule and other sections of the Statement of Work suggest that the total turf area is approximately 56 acres. Please confirm the actual acreage that will require fertilization under this contract, as this discrepancy may significantly impact the cost and resources required for this service.

ANSWER: 56 acres

24. The Statement of Work (Section B.10.6) indicates that fungicide treatments should be applied as needed or directed by the COR, while the Price Schedule lists a quantity of 5 fungicide applications. Please confirm if the contractor should plan for 5 annual fungicide applications to the entire cemetery, as this is an increase from the previous requirement of two applications per year.

ANSWER: Fungicide application(s) will be applied as needed, up to 5 times per year. All based on and confirmed required by pathogen test.

Additionally, please clarify why fungicide treatments are not included in the turfgrass flow chart, as this may lead to confusion regarding the timing and frequency of these applications in relation to other turfgrass maintenance activities.

ANSWER: Fungicide will be applied as needed, not on a schedule. Proper turf maintenance, applications of fertilizer etc. should limit the need for yearly applications of fungicide.

25. Weatherzyme is an approved product for use in National Cemetery Administration (NCA) cemeteries. Will the government consider allowing the use of Weatherzyme as an alternative cleaning solution for headstone cleaning at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery?

ANSWER: D2 is the approved biological cleaning solution to be used at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.

26. For CLIN 0035 (Weekend/Holiday Burial Support) and CLIN 0036 (Ceremony Event Support), please clarify the extent of the contractor's responsibilities. Is the contractor expected to provide any materials, such as chairs, cremation stands, tents, lowering devices, church cart, or other equipment necessary for burial and ceremony support services, or will the contractor only be responsible for providing labor? If materials are to be provided by the contractor, please specify the types and quantities of equipment that should be accounted for when preparing a bid for these CLINs.

ANSWER: Weekend/Holiday Burial support consists of Sweeping/Blowing off the Roadways and Concrete Surfaces, and Leaf, Trash, Debris Collection and Removal.

Ceremony event support consists of the same listed above, and contractor staff may be asked to assist with setting up the event. The contractor is not expected to provide materials (chairs, etc.)

27. CLIN 0006 covers the edging of walkways, curbs, and other horizontal surfaces as described in Section B.7.4 of the Statement of Work. To accurately estimate the time and resources required for this task, please provide the total linear feet (LF) of surfaces that will require edging services under this contract. This information is crucial for contractors to properly price their bids and ensure they can meet the performance requirements outlined in the solicitation, as it is not feasible to gather such extensive measurements during a brief site visit.

ANSWER: Approx. 5,500 LF of hardscape will be required to be edged weekly. These measurements are approximate. Actual measurements shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of measurement can vary. Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor measurement as applications

28. CLINs 0015 and 0016 cover the maintenance of plant beds, shrubs, hedges, and bushes, as well as the removal of old mulch and placement of new mulch in all mulch beds, as described in Sections B.9.1 and B.9.2 of the Statement of Work. To accurately estimate the labor, materials, and equipment needed for these tasks, please provide the total square feet (SF) of plant beds and mulch beds that will require maintenance and mulching services under this contract. This information is essential for contractors to properly price their bids and ensure they can meet the performance standards outlined in the solicitation.

ANSWER: Approx. 34,000sqft of mulched planting beds and border. These measurements are approximate. Actual measurements shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of measurement can vary. Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor measurement as applications

29. CLINs 0017 and 0018 cover tree maintenance activities, including trimming, pruning, new tree establishment, and guying for all trees within the cemetery grounds and along the woodline of access roads, as described in Section B.9.3 of the Statement of Work. To accurately estimate the labor, equipment, and time required for these tasks, please provide an approximate count of the total number of trees that will require maintenance under this contract. If an exact count is not available, please provide a rough estimate or range to help contractors properly scale their operations and price their bids accordingly.

ANSWER: There is not an approximate count of trees to accurately determine. As the means and methods of the contractor cannot be determined by the government.

Contractor operations are that of the contractor.

30. The Price Schedule lists varying acreages for different turfgrass maintenance activities.

To ensure accurate pricing and resource allocation, please clarify the actual acreage for each CLIN as shown below:

• CLIN 0022 (Fertilization - Bermuda): 65.00 acres

• CLIN 0023 (Weed Control: Pre-Emerge Herbicide Application): 56.00 acres

• CLIN 0024 (Weed Control: Post-Emerge Herbicide Treatment/Application): 56.00 acres

• CLIN 0025 (Soil Test): 2.00 acres

• CLIN 0026 (Lime (Gypsum) Calcium Sulfate Application): 56.00 acres

• CLIN 0027 (Insecticide Treatment/Application): 56.00 acres

• CLIN 0028 (Fire Ant Control - Blanket Application): 56.00 acres

• CLIN 0029 (Fire Ant Control/Monitoring - Daily Treatment Invoiced Monthly): 56.00 acres

• CLIN 0030 (Fungicide Treatment/Application): 56.00 acres Specifically, please address the discrepancy between the 65 acres listed for fertilization (CLIN 0022) and the 56 acres listed for other turfgrass maintenance activities. Confirming the accurate acreage for each CLIN is crucial for contractors to properly estimate the materials, labor, and equipment needed to fulfill the requirements of the contract.

ANSWER: 56 acres

31. CLIN 0033 covers pressure/power washing of various surfaces, including entrance ways, walls (including the Columbarium), caps, brick pylons, the flag assembly area, curbs, sidewalks, composite enclosures, and all surrounding concrete surfaces. The Statement of Work (Section B.13) specifies that these services should be performed twice a year, once between April 15th and May 15th and again between November 1st and December 1st, or as directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). To accurately estimate the time, labor, and equipment needed for this task, please provide the total square footage (SF) of all surfaces that will require pressure/power washing under this contract.

ANSWER: 60,000sqft. These measurements are approximate. Actual measurements shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of measurement can vary.

Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor measurement as applications

32. Will the government provide a laydown area for the contractor to store company trucks, equipment, an office trailer, and conex boxes for use on this contract? Can employees park privately owned vehicles in this area during work hours?

ANSWER: The government will provide a laydown area for contractor personnel to use.

33. The solicitation does not list a tree inventory. Approximately how many trees are on site that require mulch rings?

ANSWER: There is not an approximate count of trees on the property. However, there is a estimated 34,000 sqft of mulched planting beds and borders and approximately 5,500 LF of hardscape areas to be mulched. These measurements are approximate.

Actual measurements shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of measurement can vary. Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor measurement as applications.

34. How many cubic yards of mulch are typically applied annually?

ANSWER: An average of 1900 cubic yards of mulch purchase annually

35. Which specific areas require mulching (e.g., burial sections, administration building areas, columbarium, committal shelters, etc.)?

ANSWER: Administration Building, all trees along, in, and around burial section(s), front entrance and around cemetery roadside, and columbarium. This is not an exhaustive listing of all areas that may require mulching. The contractor verification shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of verification can vary.

Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor verification.

36. How many mulch colors are required, and what are the approved colors?

ANSWER: Brown mulch shall be used.

37. Is the contractor responsible for repairing or replacing sod damaged by wildlife?

ANSWER: Yes

38. Does the cemetery have an existing wildlife mitigation program?

ANSWER: Yes

39. Who is responsible for wildlife management on the property?

ANSWER: Not relevant to this requirement. Sightings of wildlife are to be reported to the COR.

40. Are there specific requirements for purchasing fill dirt for interments?

ANSWER: Not relevant to this requirement. This contract does not include contracted interment activities.

41. Is there a required soil pH balance for burial site top dressing?

ANSWER: No, a course, aggregate sand is the recommendation.

42. Is there a required topsoil specification (composition, screening, source, etc.)?

ANSWER: Yes, Topsoil shall be a screened, well-graded soil of good uniform quality. It shall be a natural, friable soil representative of productive soils in the vicinity.

Topsoil shall be free of subsoil, foreign matter, objects larger than 25 mm (one inch) in any dimension, toxic substances, weeds and any material or substances that may be harmful to plant growth and shall have a pH value of not less than 5.0 nor more than 7.5.

Topsoil shall conform to 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; a minimum of 2 percent/maximum of 10 percent organic material content;; 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.

43. Over the past 3–5 years, how frequently has the irrigation system experienced failures?

ANSWER: The failures occur at least once per year.

44. What were the primary causes of those failures?

ANSWER: The primary failures are broken pipes, broken heads, broken valves, dirty/clogged filtration devices, lightning strikes.

45. Is irrigation repair within the contractor’s scope of responsibility, or is this managed separately by the VA?

ANSWER: This contract includes irrigation system inspection, operation, maintenance and repair.

46. If repairs are contractor-responsible, are parts furnished by the VA or contractor?

ANSWER: Parts are provided by the government.

47. How many water access points or hydrants are available throughout the cemetery?\ ANSWER: The cemetery has quick connects throughout each burial section, maintenance shop and admin building.

48. Does the cemetery provide burial lowering devices, or are contractors required to provide them?

ANSWER: Not relevant to this requirement. This contract does not include contracted interment activities.

49. Are contractors required to provide their own mobile office or trailer (particularly if access to VA buildings is restricted)?

ANSWER: Yes.

50. Are contractors required to provide boards for soil containment?

ANSWER: Not relevant to this requirement. This contract does not include interment activities.

51. Are there specific requirements for purchasing, staging, or storing fill dirt for interments?

ANSWER: Not relevant to this requirement. This contract does not include interment activities.

52. Approximately how many headstones are currently installed at the cemetery?

ANSWER: There are currently 12,000 +/- headstones and markers that will require cleaning.

53. Are flags and/or wreaths placed at all headstones?

ANSWER: Yes, unless requested by family not to have these items placed at the headstone.

54. Who furnishes the flags and wreaths?

ANSWER: Wreaths and Flags are provided by the Government and various Volunteer organizations.

55. Is placement and removal included within this contract’s scope?

ANSWER: The current SOW does not include a provision for contractor staff to assist with flag/wreath placement or removal.

56. Is Weatherzyme or a similar biological cleaner approved for headstone cleaning under

VA standards?

ANSWER: D2 is the approved biological cleaning solution to be used at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.

57. Is space available on site for a contractor trailer or mobile office?

ANSWER: Yes

58. Is electricity available for contractor use?

ANSWER: The government will not furnish electricity.

59. Is this the first time this requirement has been solicited under this structure?

ANSWER: Yes.

60. Are there known seasonal challenges unique to this location (soil conditions, drainage, flooding, extreme heat, etc.) that should be considered?

ANSWER: Yes.

61. With approximately 675 burials per year and multiple services occurring on certain days, how many days in advance are contractors typically notified of scheduled interments?

ANSWER: The contractor on-site supervisor and COR should meet on a daily basis to discuss scheduling of needs and work.

62. Our organization operates under an SBA-approved Mentor-Protege Joint Venture

Agreement (MPA). Are you familiar with the regulatory changes effective August 1, 2025, under which the protege’s SDVOSB status carries over to the Joint Venture, and the JV itself no longer holds a separate VOSB or SDVOSB designation?

ANSWER: If a joint venture has been established, the joint venture will be considered the Prime Contractor and must have its own established Unique Entity ID in Sam.gov before it can be considered. A joint venture is an enterprise owned and operated by two or more businesses and must meet VAAR 852.219-73 compliance. When assessing a joint venture’s past performance, consideration will be given to each partner’s experience and capabilities as well as the joint venture’s collective past performance.

Failure to provide a teaming agreement or joint venture agreement if applicable will result in the Quoters being non-responsive.

63. When evaluating a Mentor-Protege Joint Venture, is there any additional documentation or information we can provide to support your review and ensure clarity during the evaluation process?

ANSWER: No additional documentation is required as long as the Unique Entity ID in Sam.gov is verified as a Mentor-Protege Joint Venture.

64. As you evaluate Mentor-Protege Joint Ventures, does the evaluation consider the added past performance, systems infrastructure, and financial capacity depth the mentor brings in support of the protege’s SDVOSB eligibility?

ANSWER: Yes.

65. What is the irrigation zone count?

ANSWER: Approx +/- 100. The contractor verification shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of verification can vary. Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor verification

66. What is the Height of the buildings that need to be pressure washed?

ANSWER: Admin Building Est 18ft, Maintenance shop est 30ft. There are also other composite structures on the cemetery grounds of varying heights that will also require pressure washing, such as the irrigation retention tower (approx. 30ft). The contractor verification shall be done by the contractor as means and methods of verification can vary. Government cannot be responsible for variances for contractor verification.

67. Is there an expectation for mulch to be 3ft width from the 3ft river rock that goes around the perimeter road?

ANSWER: No.

68. Can you please provide a count of how many 3’x8’, 4’x10’ and 5’x10’ gravesite will require sodding annually?

ANSWER: No, as it is impossible to predict which grave sites will be used at any given time.

69. What type of top-dressing sand are contractors required to utilize?

ANSWER: A course, aggregate sand is the recommendation

70. Can a map with boundary lines showing the non-turf areas be provided?

ANSWER: Please refer to link below:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3518497,- 85.0216365,554m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3518497,-85.0216365,554m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D https://www.google.com/maps/@32.3518497,-85.0216365,554m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D