S02 - Amendment 001 - Question and Answers.docx

Question and Answers Solicitation Number: 36C78626Q50155 Amendment Number: 001 Q&A Release Date: 08-12-2026

Notice to Offerors: The Government's responses below are provided for clarification purposes only and are incorporated into the solicitation via Amendment 001. These Q&As do not constitute a change to the solicitation unless expressly stated. All other terms and conditions of Solicitation No. 36C78626Q50155 remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

Question 1:

Arborist Requirements in Volume B, Factor 1(b) and (c), requires an International Society of Arboriculture certification and a Certified Arborist resume demonstrating commercial tree-maintenance experience, including removal, trimming, and stump removal. Attachment A appears to be limited to HVAC maintenance services. Please confirm whether the arborist certification and arborist resume requirements were included in error and will not be required or evaluated for this solicitation.

Answer: Amendment-001 serves to remove the Arborist Certification requirement previously included in the solicitation. This change is made to ensure the solicitation accurately reflects the Government’s requirements. Furthermore, this amendment also removes the requirement for “Certified Arborist resume demonstrating commercial tree maintenance experience, including removal, trimming, and stump removal.” This supersedes original statement in the combined synopsis.

Question 2:

The solicitation states in one location that the Government anticipates a single-award definite-quantity contract with no option periods. Elsewhere, the solicitation states that the contract will consist of a base year plus four 12-month option periods and provides for evaluation of option pricing. Please confirm the intended contract period and whether the requirement is a base year plus four option years.

Answer: The government intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Base + 4 Option Periods (12-month period for each option period) Purchase Order. This supersedes original statement in the combined synopsis.

Question 3:

May the prime offeror rely upon the relevant experience, technical qualifications, and past performance of its named major mechanical subcontractor when responding to Volume B, Factors 1 and 2? If so, may the three required comparable past-performance projects include projects performed by that subcontractor?

Answer: Yes. A prime offeror may present the relevant experience and technical qualifications of a named, committed major mechanical subcontractor under Volume B, Factor 1, provided the subcontractor is identified by name in the proposal and the offeror clearly describes the specific scope of work the subcontractor will perform under this Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order (Base + 4 Option Periods). The Government will evaluate the combined technical capability of the proposed team. Please reference Volume A – Administrative on page 3 of 13 on the Combined synopsis attachment. The offeror shall provide documentation demonstrating subcontractor commitment to perform identified scope of work.

Question 4:

Corrective Repairs, Emergency Service, and Replacement Parts Please clarify whether the firm-fixed-price scheduled maintenance pricing is intended to include unscheduled corrective repairs, emergency service calls, and replacement parts, or whether corrective repairs and replacement parts outside the scheduled preventive-maintenance requirements will be separately authorized and quoted.

Answer: The price schedule does not include unscheduled services out of scope services. These will be addressed separately.

Question 5:

Limitation on Subcontracting – Materials and Parts For purposes of VAAR 852.219-75 and the limitation on subcontracting applicable to this service requirement, please clarify how filters, refrigerant, replacement parts, and other materials furnished in connection with HVAC maintenance are to be treated when calculating compliance with the limitation on subcontracting.

Answer: Materials and supplies aren’t considered services when calculating compliance of Limitation on Subcontracting. Supplies are excluded from the calculation.

Question 6:

We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

Answer: This is a new requirement Question 7: The PWS references Attachments 1 through 4 (Equipment Inventory, Service Frequency, Air Filter Inventory, QASP), but they are not in the posted package. Can they be posted? Offerors need the unit and filter counts to price the CLINs.

Answer: These referenced attachments are all included in the PWS document posted to the solicitation under attachments. Labeled

· Equipment Inventory (Pg. 5 of 8)

· Service Frequency (Pg. 5 of 8)

· Air Filter Inventory (Pg. 5 of 8)

· QASP (Pg 6 of 8) Question 8:

It says that there needs to be both an Arborist Certification from International Society of Arboriculture and a Resume for Certified Arborist demonstrating a minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a direct supervisor of a commercial tree maintenance operation that included removal, trimming, and stump removal in commercial, industrial, or public sites. I was wondering why an arborist certification would be needed for an HVAC solicitation, and if there is any other certification that would be needed in order to bid.

Answer: Amendment-001 serves to remove the Arborist Certification requirement previously included in the solicitation. This change is made to ensure the solicitation accurately reflects the Government’s requirements. Furthermore, this amendment also removes the requirement for “Certified Arborist resume demonstrating commercial tree maintenance experience, including removal, trimming, and stump removal.” This supersedes original statement in the combined synopsis Question 9:

The synopsis states a Definite Quantity contract with no option periods, but the Period of Performance section and Attachment C show a base year plus four option years. Which structure applies?

Answer: The government intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Base + 4 Option Periods (12-month period for each option period) Purchase Order. This supersedes original statement in the combined synopsis.

Question 10:

Volume B, Factor 1 requires an ISA Arborist Certification and a Certified Arborist resume. This is an HVAC solicitation under NAICS 238220. Do these requirements apply, or will they be removed by amendment?

Answer: Amendment-001 serves to remove the Arborist Certification requirement previously included in the solicitation. This change is made to ensure the solicitation accurately reflects the Government’s requirements. Furthermore, this amendment also removes the requirement for “Certified Arborist resume demonstrating commercial tree maintenance experience, including removal, trimming, and stump removal.” This supersedes original statement in the combined synopsis

Question 11:

What are the permitted working hours at the Administration and Maintenance buildings, and are there blackout dates or restricted periods during ceremonies or committal services?

Answer:

Question 12:

What are the check-in, badging, or escort requirements for contractor personnel on site?

Answer: Contractor will check-in with the COR prior to performing services and when accessing non-public areas. Contractor will be escorted by cemetery staff.

Question 13:

Does the fixed price include minor component replacement (belts, capacitors, contactors) and refrigerant top-offs during maintenance visits, or is corrective work beyond filter changes reported for separate government action?

Answer: Yes, minor corrective work is included