Puerto Rico Ground Maintenance Services Solicitation Questions and Answers 4-10-2026.pdf

Solicitation Questions & Answers for Puerto Rico National Cemetery

Grounds Maintenance Services

CLIN 014 Insect/Pest/Disease Control: White Grubs, Army Worms, Termites and other damaging insect/Fungicides? HERE is as per Government here is two types of pesticides with different functions:

fungicide kills fungi, insecticide kills insects.

1. what type of application work is required for this task?

1a- Localized for termites?

1b- Broadcast applications? For white grubs, army worms, other damaging insect (insect).

1c- Broadcast with Fungicide for Fungus?

Blanket and Spot applications of insecticide or fungicide shall be performed as part of insect and disease management program.

Applications shall be made on an identified/needed basis and confirmed by COR prior to any application.

This section shall include control of insects that can damage all trees and shrubs on cemetery grounds.

Army Worm, White Grub Worm control and other insects - Broadcast applications Termites – not broadcast due to targeted nature.

Fungicide – Broadcast application applied over turf and landscape areas (preventively and curatively disease control).

2. Is the pump station ground area to be mow and chemical ground applications to be performed?

The contractor shall mow, edge, and trim all grass within the cemetery and the perimeter tree line, entry gates, and walls.

Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining the turf area of the cemetery and the immediate surrounding areas of the cemetery in a healthy condition by proper application of fertilizers and chemicals (to control weeds, diseases, and pests).

3. Is the Maintenance Shop to be Water pressure cleaned? IF SO, only walkways or also buildings structures?

Work consists of power washing all walkways, curbs around buildings and walkway/curbs that lead to Maintenance Building.

Maintenance building & back gate entrance Sidewalk pavement Appx. 1,738 sq. ft.

4. Are the Maintenance shop dirt/topsoil storage Bins also included to be pressure wash?

No.

5. Are all concrete fences and aluminum fences on all cemetery to be pressure wash?

No.

6. PWS call for Alignment of stones/markers? Is this correct? Which is the scope for this task and the sections?

No alignment of flat marker stones in this contract.

7. Does the contractor have to bring onsite EVERYDAY the materials and equipment’s?

Yes.

8. PWS shows a task for Columbarium and Shelters floors to be pressure wash, does walls and columns are also to be pressure washed?

Columbarium Sidewalk pavement Appx. 4,800 sq. ft.

Decorative stone Appx. 286 sq. ft.

Natural stone Appx. 2665 sq. ft.

Shelter 1

Sidewalk pavement & shelter floor

Appx 2,111 sq. ft.

Decorative stone Appx. 53 sq. ft.

Natural stone Appx. 131 sq. ft.

Shelter 2

Sidewalk pavement & shelter floor

Appx. 2,566 sq. ft.

Decorative stone Appx. 83 sq. ft.

Natural stone Appx. 129 sq. ft.

9. PWS shows a task for Plant and tree maintenance, will such task be included in the work?

No plant and tree maintenance other than the following CLINs.

Weed Control: Herbicide Treatment/Application - Pre-Emergent - Planting beds.

Weed Control: Herbicide Treatment/Application - Post-Emergent - planting beds, bark areas, cracks, sidewalk and/or concrete asphalt.

Insect/Pest/Disease Control: White Grubs, Army Worms, Termites and other damaging insect/Fungicides.

Section 4.1.2 Insect/Pest/Disease Control - This section shall include control of insects that can damage all trees and shrubs on cemetery grounds.

10. is the water well holding tank reservoir (40k gallons tank) to be anyhow maintained?

Cleaned, repaired, on its interior or exterior?

Preventative maintenance service shall be performed as recommended by manufacturer specifications.

See manufacturer manual attached.

11. Will soil tests are to be performed by the contractor on this project or by the government?

Soil tests shall be obtained by the contractor or their representative. Soil test samples shall go to a USDA certified soil testing lab for testing. The soil test shall be conducted by the Contractor with a copy of the results provided to the COR. Soil testing shall be performed once (1x) annually. If there are problematic soils at the cemetery, testing shall occur bi-annually to annually until the desired soil fertility/pH level is achieved.

12. Page 46- Equipment and Supplies state that Fall protection is required for the completion of the task, WHAT DOES IT REFERS TO?

Means systems and practices used to prevent employees from falling or to safely stop a fall when working at elevated heights. Any work performed over OSHA required height needs to have fall protection. For example: General Industry 4ft or over and Construction 6ft and over, but always protect when there’s a risk, even below that height if conditions are hazardous.

13. -Are FAR and DFAR Certifications to be PRESENTED with the proposal?

Offerors are required to submit all applicable FAR and DFARS certifications and representations as part of their proposal submission.

14. If the 400lbs or 800lbs water pressure does not remove mold, mildew, etc from stones, how will the job performance will be evaluated?

When water under pressure is used, the pressure shall not exceed 3500 psi for concrete surfaces and 1000 psi for natural (limestone) and decorative stone.

Excess soil and/or debris may be removed with plain water and a stiff brush (no wire brushes), followed by rinsing with clear water.

Any stone cleaning intended to be used must be approved first by COR and/or district subject matter experts. (not required on this contract)

Communication with COR regarding “water pressure does not remove mold, mildew, etc.” is key when job performance is to be evaluated.

15. Does PRNC have computer monitoring for water tank or control skid/controller.

PRNC do not use federal computers for monitoring, system has a digital operator JVOP 183 display screen with different functions.

16. Are we allowed to enter to the PRNC Software that monitors the tanks and controllers?

PRNC do not use federal computers for monitoring. If possible, contractor can request access to COR, contractor will use their equipment and will be responsible for any damage to system.

17. Does PRNC have an active Backup function programmed?

No.

18. Does contractor have to perform a quarterly soil test?

Soil tests shall be obtained by the contractor or their representative. Soil test samples shall go to a USDA certified soil testing lab for testing. The soil test shall be conducted by the Contractor with a copy of the results provided to the COR. Soil testing shall be performed once (1x) annually. If there are problematic soils at the cemetery, testing shall occur bi-annually to annually until the desired soil fertility/pH level is achieved.

19. A fungicide is another type of pesticide that is aimed at controlling fungi, Most of the clin aims to insects.

CLIN 14 includes disease control/fungicide:

Insect/Pest/Disease Control: White Grubs, Army Worms, Termites and other damaging insect/Fungicides.

20. Related to the Main Satellite,- Does the Main Satellite WORKS at this time? - If working. Does the satellite is controlling the irrigation system? - If not working, do we need to supply and program a new Satellite and related control valves and connections or PRNC will supply all those equipment? - IF SO, will the PRNC will perform trench services if needed? - Is there any back up system working for the irrigation system?

No irrigation CLIN on this contract, only CLIN 3: Pump Monitoring and Maintenance.

21. GYPSUM application: Who will decide at what season will the gypsum be applied?

The Contractor shall determine the necessary amount of gypsum to be applied as indicated by the soil test results.

When soil test indicates a need for sulfate inputs, Gypsum shall be applied at the minimum rate of 8lbs.

per 1000 sq ft. The rate of application shall not exceed 10lbs/1000sqft as reflected in the soil test.

Time of application shall be in late spring or early summer unless local practice indicates a more favorable time.

22. Who is the current contractor and contract number?

Isonic Corp. / Contract number 36C78625P50336.

23. Can you clarify if the minimum of 12 dedicated employees required for the services includes the site supervisor (totalling 12 personnel), or if it requires a minimum of 12 dedicated subordinate employees plus a site supervisor (totalling 13 personnel).

12 total as minimum (including Supervisor)

24. As mentioned on the site visit and on section 2.1.1: "Mowing" of the SOW, it is specified that the mowing will be applicable to Option Year 3 and 4 only. But the "Cost Schedule" is considering the mowing (Zoysia Manila and Native Grass) the CLIN 0019, 10019 and 20019 (Base year, 1st and 2nd year) is considered. The question would be, are we doing the mowing for these option years? or will it be eliminated from the "Cost Schedule"?

Base year, 1st and 2nd year – Est. Qty 4 per year – will be requested by COR when needed during the performing year. When COR requests 1 mowing service it means 1 week of mowing.

1 qty = 1 week.

Option Year 3rd and 4th – Est. Qty. 52 per year – mowing all year.

25. Can the Cemetery provide the Make and Model of the three (3) pumps? So we can consider the maintenance requirements of the pumps.

The Pumps are A.Y. McDonald #24750T32, 7.5 hp, 230 volt/ 3 phase.

Please see attached Booster pump system information manual.

26. On the SOW, the description of services and on Section 5.1 "Facilities Maintenance, Cleaning and Pressure Washing" mention the cleaning by power/pressure washing the interment areas (flat markers).

But the "Cost Schedule" doesn't have a schedule/ CLIN for this service. How many flat markers are on site? And what would be the recurrence of the mentioned service?

Marker cleaning will not part of this contract.

27. Equipment Cleaning and Decontamination

Given the requirement to prevent cross-contamination between turf types (e.g., Zoysia and native grass) and to maintain compliance with operational and environmental standards:

• Please confirm whether a designated on-site area for equipment cleaning and decontamination will be provided.

• If no such area is available, should contractors plan for off-site cleaning and include associated transportation, labor, and time impacts in their pricing?

The absence of an on-site cleaning area may affect operational efficiency, increase labor hours, and introduce additional logistical requirements necessary to maintain compliance.

The COR will provide an on-site cleaning area.

28. Equipment Storage and Staging Area

Considering the continuous nature of the required services and the need for efficient daily operations:

• Please confirm whether the Government will provide a designated on-site area for equipment storage and staging.

• If not, should contractors include daily mobilization of equipment, materials, and personnel in their pricing assumptions?

Daily mobilization may significantly impact execution timelines, labor requirements, and overall cost structure for this requirement.

The Government will not provide a designated on-site area for storage.

Offerors shall include all necessary logistics in their pricing and technical approach.

29. Chemical Handling and Mixing

With respect to chemical applications and environmental compliance:

• Are there designated areas for chemical mixing within the cemetery?

• If not, are there restrictions or requirements contractors must follow when selecting mixing locations?

Contractors may perform chemical mixing on cemetery roadways (streets) with the following precautions and restrictions:

Mixing shall occur only on paved or stabilized surfaces, away from flat markers, turf areas, drainage inlets, stormwater pathways and water bodies.

Spill prevention, any spill must be immediately contained, cleaned and reported to COR.

Environmental compliance, all activities must comply with EPA, OSHA and local environmental regulations.

Weather restrictions, mixing shall not occur during rain events or when run off risk is present.

Maintain safe distance from visitors, funeral services or staff.

30. Use of Maintenance Facilities and Utilities

Will the contractor have access to any on-site facilities for storage, staging, or administrative use?

No storage or staging.

Contractor will not have an area inside building for administrative use.

31. Are utilities such as water and electricity available for contractor use, or should these be self-provided?

Water will be supplied by the cemetery. Contractor will supply the hoses to fill tanks as needed.

If by any means electricity is needed, requests approval from COR.

32. Contractor Parking and Vehicle Access

Considering the daily operational requirements and the need for efficient personnel and equipment movement:

Please confirm whether a designated parking area will be provided for contractor personnel.

Contractors and contractor employees shall park only on cemetery roads. At no time shall the contractor’s vehicles block any roads within the cemetery enclosure. Vehicles should never be parked on a gravesite or in front of Shelter that can block committal services.

Use of traffic cones is required when work equipment and/or trailers are parked on cemetery roads.

33. Are there any limitations on the number of contractor vehicles allowed within the cemetery during daily operations?

No.