Sources Sought JBNC Fertilizer updated 2202026.pdf

THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET

INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH

(IAW) FAR 10.002(b)(2).

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY.

It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service- Disabled Veteran Owned Small

Businesses and Veteran Owned Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below.

Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition.

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is NAICS Code

325311 Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing (1,050 employees)

**Responses to this notice shall include Sources Sought number “36C78626Q50097 Jefferson Barracks National

Cemetery” in the subject line of the email no later than 02/28/2025 @ 4:00 pm EST sent to April.Graves@va.gov

**The following shall be provided in the capabilities statement or in body of email:

1. Company name

2. Address

3. Point of contact

4. Phone, fax, and email

5. UIE number

6. Type of business: Large or small business (e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran-owned small business)?

7. Must provide a capability statement that addresses the organization’s qualifications and ability to supply product as a contractor for the needs described below.

8. Provide any relevant FSS, GSA Contract vehicles the company holds if applicable.

a. If you are an FSS GSA/NAC or NASA SEWP contract holder or other federal contract holder, are the items/solutions you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract?

9. Please review salient characteristics/ and provide feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A.

a. List any available products to meet needs as outlined in the statement of need below

i. Include any resources to support and contractor suggested products.

b. Please include any questions about the statement of need below.

c. Please provide sample pricing for market research purposes of each deliverable if available.

The National Cemetery Administration is issuing this sources sought as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for the delivery of bagged fertilizer, bagged fertilizer/herbicide combination, and grass seed to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on an as-needed basis. JBNC is seeking potential suppliers for an annual requirement of specialized turf-grade fertilizer

(35-0-10 with specific mineral compositions), fertilizer pre-emergent blend (35-0-7 with specific mineral compositions), and 1,298 50lb bags of tall fescue grass blends. Interested contractors must be prepared to deliver products with strict delivery parameters including Monday through Friday delivery between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM, excluding federal holidays.

The requirement falls under NAICS category 325311 for Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing and Product Service

Code 8720 for Fertilizers, indicating a highly specialized procurement. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the current documentation. Contractors must be prepared to meet precise delivery specifications, including using standard pallets and avoiding bulk tote or pallet bag formats. The comprehensive requirements suggest the government is seeking a reliable, precise, and professional fertilizer and grass seed supplier capable of maintaining consistent, high-quality deliveries to the national cemetery.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Nonmanufacturer Rule and Class Waiver

The notice does not explicitly specify a small business set-aside. However the Nonmanufacturer Rule and Class

Waiver does apply to NAICS 325311, which is subject to a Small Business Administration (SBA) approved class waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule in accordance with 13 CFR 121.406(b), 56 Fed. Reg. 22306.

As a result of the approved class waiver, any potential SDVOSB interest parties are not required to supply the product of a small business manufacturer and may offer products manufactured by either small or large business concerns, provided all other requirements are met.

NCA encourages all capable vendors (regardless of business size) to respond.

National Cemetery Administration (NCA)

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (JBNC)

CEMETERY MATERIALS-STATEMENT DESCRIPTION OF NEED

Requirement of Fertilizer, Herbicide, Grass Seed

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Project: Fertilizer, Fertilizer/Herbicide combination, and Grass Seed

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery has a requirement for the following materials: Fertilizer, Fertilizer/Herbicide combination, and Grass Seed

Scope of Work:

Delivery of Fertilizer, dithiopyr/fertilizer-herbicide combination, and Tall Fescue grass seed, to maintain cemetery grounds, meet the national shrine commitment and to keep turf healthy, lush and strong enough to provide solid competition from unwanted weeds, disease, drought and withstand high traffic wear and tear. Products shall be packaged in moisture proof bags no more than 50lbs/each for the herbicide and fertilizer, palettized and delivered to

JBNC. Cemetery personnel will offload and disseminate/apply fertilizer, herbicide, and seed with their own equipment on site.

SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES

Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverable: The Vendor shall provide the following material upon request:

LINE: Description Unit Qty

0001 FERTILIZER

50lb Bag 742

- 35-0-10 (+5%) N-P-K

- Will be delivered in moisture proof bags no larger than 50lbs

- 120-day slow release

0002 FERTILIZER/HERBICIDE

COMBINATION

- 35-0-7 (+5%) N-P-K

50lb Bag 742

0003 GRASS SEED

Tall fescue grass seed blend of top performing seeds from the A-List (website and PDF available) to be spread at a rate of 5 lbs. of seed per 1000 sq. ft.

50lb Bag 1298

The contractor shall deliver to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery located at 2900 Sheridan Rd. Saint Louis, Missouri 63125, the following: top quality Fertilizer, Herbicide, and Grass Seed.

Period of Performance: The term of this contract shall be for a period from Date of contract award through 365 calendar days plus four (4) 1-year Options, if exercised. Contractor shall submit an invoice electronically, in arrears, at the end of each month.

Requirements:

FERTILIZER: To be used yearly for grounds maintenance of healthy and vigorous turf grass for the cemetery grounds and grave sites. The material must be top quality to meet NCA minimum technical requirements.

Quantity: Will be delivered 742 bags which will cover 271 acres based on the manufacturer’s application rate for the specific product each base and option year.

Delivery: As needed/requested by authorized cemetery staff. Fertilizer is to be delivered from Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Material shall be delivered within a predetermined 3 day window. Typically mid-August.

Fertilizer will be delivered into the area that is assigned by the COR the day of delivery.

Minimum Technical Requirements:

-Polymer Coated Urea

-Fertilizer must contain 35% (+5) Nitrogen (N), 0% Phosphorus (P), and 10% (+5) Potassium (K) by weight.

-Must Have minimum total nitrogen at 35% (+ 5%)

-Must Have minimum urea nitrogen at 35% (+ 5%)

-Will be delivered in bags no larger than 50lbs

-Will be delivered in 742 bags which will cover 271 acres based on the manufacturer’s application rate for the specific product

-Fertilizer must have 120 day or greater slow-release technology

*(+5%) is used as plus-only tolerance; not less than the stated value with up to 5% overage permitted

FERTILIZER/HERBICIDE COMBINATION: To be used daily to treat and maintain a healthy and vigorous stand of turf without pests and disease. The material must be top quality to meet NCA minimum technical requirements.

Quantities: Will be delivered in 742 bags which will cover 271 acres based on the manufacturer’s application rate for the specific product and soil sample results

Delivery: As needed/requested by authorized cemetery staff. Herbicide is to be delivered from Monday through

Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Material shall be delivered within a predetermined 3 day window. Typically, late

March. Material will be delivered into the area that is assigned by the COR the day of delivery.

-Fertilizer-preemergent blend with 0.1-0.25% dithiopyr active ingredient; dithiopyr depends on application rate

- Must have Polymer Coated Urea

- Must Have minimum urea nitrogen at 35% (+ 5%)

-Fertilizer must contain 35% (+ 5%) Nitrogen (N), 0% Phosphorus (P), and 7% (+ 5%) Potassium (K) by weight.

-Must Have minimum total nitrogen at 35% (+ 5%)

-Must Have minimum urea nitrogen at 35% (+ 5%)

-Must Have minimum soluble potash at 5% (+ 5%)

-Will be delivered in bags no larger than 50lbs

-Will be delivered in 742 bags which will cover 271 acres based on the manufacturer’s application rate for the specific product and soil sample results

-Fertilizer must have 120 day or greater slow-release technology

*(+5%) is used as plus-only tolerance; not less than the stated value with up to 5% overage permitted

GRASS SEED: To be used yearly to overseed a healthy and vigorous stand of turf grass. The material must be top quality to meet NCA minimum technical requirements.

Quantities: Up to 1,298 50lb Bags each base and option year.

Delivery: As needed/requested by authorized cemetery staff. Grass Seed is to be delivered from Monday through

Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Material shall be delivered within a predetermined 3 day window. Typically late

August. Material will be delivered into the area that is assigned by the COR the day of delivery.

Tall fescue grass seed blend of top performing seeds from the A-List, https://a-listturf.org/a-list/ (PDF available as well) to be spread at a rate of 5 lbs. of seed per 1000 sq. ft., at a germination rate of no less than 90% and 0.00% contamination of weed seeds and 0.00% of other crop.

A total of 1,298 50lb bags.

All personnel delivering material must be trained in NCA rules of behavior, and aware of their surroundings always to prevent any damage to Government property. Any material that does not meet the minimum technical requirements will not be accepted.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa-listturf.org%2Fa-list%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ccf319f39ea2048f09cb908de6aa128dc%7Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251ab3bf%7C0%7C0%7C639065437590904664%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=75OpxsrRlke6R1lj%2FP4inPcQ9FLx9Jb5GN4Q344%2B7tk%3D&reserved=0

The contractor shall submit electronic invoices through Tungsten network within ten (10) calendar days after the material is delivered. The contractor and the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery POC shall jointly review the dispatch tickets to proceed accordingly with the correct invoice processing.

Identification is required for contractor’s vehicles and its personnel.

Contractor’s vehicle shall access cemetery thru JBNC maintenance entrance. The driver shall wait to receive drop-off instructions by JBNC authorized personnel.

Transited and drop-off/delivery areas shall be maintained safe and secured.

Areas are to be left in a condition equal to or better than that which existed.

Documentation Requirements:

· Valid driver’s license

· Insurance documents

The government thanks industry for continued feedback. To address proposed concerns see below.

The application rate for grass seed is specified because turfgrass establishment requires a biologically appropriate seeding density to achieve germination and stand uniformity. This is an agronomic constant that is not dependent on manufacturer formulation.

In contrast, fertilizer and fertilizer/pre-emergent products containing dithiopyr are applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s labeled rate necessary to deliver effective active ingredient per acre. Application rates for such products vary based on formulation (e.g., 0.10%–0.25% dithiopyr), and specifying a fixed lbs./1,000 sq. ft. rate would limit the Government’s ability to consider commercially available products and could result in application outside labeled use requirements.

Accordingly, coverage estimates are based on manufacturer-labeled application rates appropriate to the proposed product.

The three (3) business day delivery requirement reflects seasonal treatment windows necessary to maintain turf quality consistent with National Shrine Standards and is operationally required to support timely application by Government personnel.