QSE_36C78626Q50175.pdf

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 1 of 64

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

NOTE: OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24 & 30 1. REQUISITION NUMBER

F367214-26-2000006

PAGE 1 OF

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

36C78626Q50175

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE

DATE

04/30/2026

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME David Hester

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (No collect calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE / LOCAL

TIME

05/15/2026

11:00 AM EST

CODE 36C786

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (786)

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

18434 JOPLIN RD.

TRIANGLE, VA 22172

9. ISSUED BY UNRESTRICTED OR X SET ASIDE: 100.00 % FOR

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

X SERVICE-DISALBED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

(SDVOSB)

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL

BUSINESS (WOSB)

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WOMEN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (EDWOSB)

8(A)

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY

CLASSIFICATION STANDARD

(NAICS): 561730

SIZE STANDARD: 9.5 million

10. THE ACQUISITION IS

SEE

SCHEDULE

11. DELIVERY FOR FREE ON BOARD

(FOB) DESTINATION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

0 Days: 0.00 %

0 Days: 0.00 % 0 Days: 0.00 % 0 Days: 0.00 %

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS

RATED ORDER UNDER THE

DEFENSE PRIORITIES AND

ALLOCATIONS SYSTEM –

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

X REQUEST

FOR

QUOTE

(RFQ)

INVITATION

FOR BID

(IFB)

REQUEST

FOR

PROPOSAL

(RFP)

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

36C786CODE15. DELIVER TO

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (786)

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

BATON ROUGE NATIONAL CEMETERY

220 N 19TH ST

BATON ROUGE, LA 70806

CODE 36C78616. ADMINISTERED BY

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (786)

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

18434 JOPLIN RD.

TRIANGLE, VA 22172

FACILITY

CODE

CODE

TELEPHONE NUMBER

17a. CONTRACTOR/

OFFEROR

NCA-VACOCODE18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

TUNGSTEN

http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/ veterans-affairs/

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN

OFFER SEE ADDENDUM

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS

CHECKED

19. ITEM NUMBER 20. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

21. QUANTITY 22. UNIT 23. UNIT PRICE 24. AMOUNT

Please fill-out and sign the clause 852.219-75 on page 47. If not filled out, the offer will be consider unresponsive.

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Government Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE (FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION) FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3

AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

X 28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN ____ COPIES TO

ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH

OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE

TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REFERENCE _____________________________

OFFER DATED _________________ . YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION (BLOCK

5) INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE SET FORTH

HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021)

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 2 of 64

19.

ITEM NUMBER

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY

22.

UNIT

23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: _________________________________

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f. TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

PARTIAL FINAL

33. SHIP NUMBER 34. VOUCHER NUMBER 35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

COMPLETE PARTIAL FINAL

36. PAYMENT 37. CHECK NUMBER

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT 42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 11/2021) BACK

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 3 of 64

Table of Contents

Section Description Page Number

1 Continuation Sheet 1 Administrative Guidance for Offerors 1 Tree Maint SOW 1 Tree Maint Map_FY26_Baton Rouge.pdf 1 Tree Maintenance Eval Criteria 2 Contract Clauses

Deliveries or Performance 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) 52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded (Jan 2025) 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015) 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023) 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) 52.222-3 Convict Labor (June 2003) 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (Aug 2018) 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (Oct 2025) 52.222-62 Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (Jan 2022) 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies To Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024) 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct 2018) 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) 52.233-3 Protest after Award (Aug 1996) 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) 52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Oct 2025)

852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

852.204-70 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL (MAY

2020)

852.219-73 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR VERIFIED SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES (NOV 2022)

852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (NOV 2022)

852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV 2018)

852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

52.222-90 Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

3 Documents, Exhibits, or Attachments 4 Solicitation Provisions

52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements--Representation (Jan 2017) 52.204-7 System for Award Management (Nov 2024) 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) 52.216-1 Type of Contract (Apr 1984)

852.209-70 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (OCT 2020)

852.252-70 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS OR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(JAN 2008)

EOD Wage Determination 2015-5177

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 4 of 64

Section 1 - Continuation Sheet

Number Supplies or Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees) Quantity Price Break

0001 See Description Below

PSC: S208

LANDSCAPING/

GROUNDSKEEPING

SERVICES

2.000000 EA

Description: Large Tree Routine Pruning height >40' AND DBH >24"; tree pruning, cleanup and disposal of debris

Period of Performance:TBD- 09/30/2026

Reference Line: F367214-26-2000006 - 0001

Number Supplies or Services Qty Unit Unit Price Total (Inc. disc., tax, and fees) Quantity Price Break

0002 See Description Below

PSC: S208

LANDSCAPING/

GROUNDSKEEPING

SERVICES

4.000000 EA

Description: Large Tree Deadwood Pruning 1 height >40' AND DBH >24"; tree pruning, cleanup and disposal of debris

Period of Performance: TBD - 09/30/2026

Reference Line: F367214-26-2000006 - 0002

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 5 of 64

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE FOR OFFERORS

Site Visit:

A site visit is scheduled is 5/5/2026 @10:00 am, the meeting place is the Restroom area behind the lodge at Baton Rouge National Cemetery. The meeting for Vendors shall report to the Parking Lot upon arrival and must arrive on time. Vendors are strongly encouraged to attend the site visit to ensure a full understanding of the requirements. No additional or repeat site visits will be scheduled.

Vendor Questions:

All vendor questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted by email to the david.hester@va.gov no later 5/6/2026 9:00 am MTN. Questions received after this deadline may not be addressed, and answers will be provided via amendment no later than 5/11/2026 on SAM.gov.

Late Quotes:

Late quotes will not be accepted. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that their complete quote is submitted prior to the solicitation closing date and time.

SAM Registration:

Only quotes submitted by vendors that are actively registered in SAM.gov at the time of quote submission and award will be considered. Quotes from vendors that are not actively registered in SAM.gov will be rejected as non-responsive.

Amendments:

Vendors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for all solicitation amendments up to the closing date.

Failure to acknowledge or comply with amendments may result in the quote being deemed non-responsive.

Review of the Solicitation:

Vendors shall read the entire solicitation, including all sections, attachments, specifications, and amendments, prior to submitting a quote. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that all requirements are addressed in their submission.

Completeness of Quote:

The Government will evaluate only the information submitted. The Government will not make assumptions about vendor capabilities, technical approaches, or past performance not clearly documented in the quote. Vendors must provide complete, accurate, and detailed responses to all solicitation requirements.

(End of Document)

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 6 of 64

SCOPE OF WORK

National Cemetery Administration

Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Tree Pruning and Removal

A. GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Department of Veteran Affairs, National Cemetery Administration intends to award a firm, fixed price contract for the procurement of tree maintenance services at Baton Rouge National Cemetery and hereafter referred to as “Cemetery”. The Contractor(s) gaining award shall provide all labor, tools, materials, and equipment necessary to accomplish tree and/or stump removal, pruning, trimming, cabling, cavity repair, root pruning, and the removal and disposal of resulting waste and debris for the National Cemeteries listed below, on a one-time basis. The contractor shall provide all professional advice/guidance, parts, materials, equipment, and personnel, to provide these services.

1. LOCATION:

These services will be performed at the following location:

Baton Rouge National Cemetery

22 North 19th Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

2. SITE VISIT:

Offerors / quoters are required to inspect all sites where services are to be performed to verify the work involved and satisfy them regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance. In no event shall failure to inspect the sites constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

Visits to the site by bidders may be made only by appointment with the COR or authorized designee of the Cemetery.

3. WORK SUMMARY:

As indicated on the Tree Worksheet (Attachment A) and CLIN Sheet (Attachment B), work to be done to trees shall consist of one or more of the following; tree removal, pruning, trimming, stump removal, and removal and disposal of resulting waste and debris.

- Two (2) large trees are to receive routine pruning.

- Four (4) large trees are to receive deadwood pruning 1.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The period of performance for this contract will be from award of contract and/or notice to proceed, until accepted completion by Government which will be no longer than a period of sixty (60) calendar days.

B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND STATEMENT OF WORK:

1. CERTIFIED ARBORIST:

A “Certified Arborist” shall serve as the “site manager” for this contract and will be provided by the Contractor work is being performed - other than trash and debris pick-up. The certified arborist must be certified by International Society of Arboriculture, or other acceptable national or state certifying agency, society, or association. The Contractor shall submit the arborist’s current certificate to the COR prior to commencing work. The Certified Arborist must have at least 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. The Certified

Arborist will ensure all specifications are being met, ensure contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals, and ensure employees are adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained. Any proposed personnel change for the Certified Arborist shall be approved a minimum

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 7 of 64 of ten (10) business days prior to any tree work.

2. TREE MAINTENANCE CATEGORIES:

Tree work is categorized into CLINs by size and maintenance categories.

a. Size Categories:

Small – Trees in this category are 25 feet or less in height AND 12 inches or less in DBH.

Medium – Trees in this category are between 25 and 40 feet in height OR their DBH is between 12 and 24 inches.

Large – Trees in this category exceed 40 feet in height OR 24 inches in DBH.

b. Maintenance Categories:

Deadwood Pruning 1 – Trees in this category will have any deadwood and/or broken branches removed that pose a potential risk that may result in personal injury or property damage. This category includes any trees that contain broken, hanging, dead, or otherwise potentially dangerous limbs generally greater than 4” in diameter or any trees with a significant number of dead branches that require removal. Deadwood pruning requires the removal of all deadwood present in the tree (4) inches in diameter and less.

Deadwood Pruning 2 – Trees in this category will require pruning to remove deadwood and broken branches or living branches to improve the structural integrity of the tree. This category includes any tree with broken, hanging, dead, or otherwise potentially dangerous limbs generally greater than 2” but less than 4” in diameter. Deadwood pruning requires the removal of all deadwood present in the tree (2) inches in diameter and less.

Routine Pruning – Trees in this category include any larger trees (over 20’ in height) with minor amounts of deadwood less than 2” in diameter or with correctable structural problems. Any large trees whose growth pattern may obstruct or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic clearance, traffic control devices, lines of sight, or overhead traffic lines are included in this category. Work under Routine Pruning shall remove 20 to 25% of the tree’s total leaf area by means of one or combination of:

- crown thinning: the selective removal of dead, diseased, broken or weakly attached branches (Crown Cleaning); and the removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown; thinning towards the branch tip to reduce the wind-sail effect of foliar clumps in the crown; and thinning to relieve the weight of heavy limbs.

- crown cleaning: The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken or weakly attached branches of any size, and aerial roots. This constitutes regular landscape maintenance pruning that will correct small growth problems before they become larger, more costly problems.

- crown reduction: Pruning to reduce the size of the tree and to provide a symmetrical shape to the tree crown.

- crown raising: The removal of the lower branch of a tree to provide clearance for buildings, signs, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas.

Training Pruning – Trees in this category include young or small trees less than 20’ in height that are in need of training pruning to reduce future structural problems that are listed under routine pruning. Trees with growth patterns that will eventually obstruct or interfere with turf growth and health, pedestrian or vehicular traffic clearance, and, lines of sight are also included in this category.

Removal – Trees in this category are dead, dying, and diseased or have suffered extensive storm damage and require complete removal, to include stump removal.

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 8 of 64

Stump Removal - Tree has been removed but stump remains and requires removal.

3. TREE REMOVAL/STUMP GRINDING:

a. Existing trees and stumps indicated on the Tree Work Sheet (See Attachment A) for removal shall be cut down under the instruction/guidance of a Contractor provided Certified Arborist.

b. All trees shall be topped prior to falling and all limbs over 3 ½” in diameter must be lowered to the ground by ropes. The Contractor shall take every precaution to prevent any falling branches or trees from damaging any headstones, adjacent plant material or structures.

c. The stumps are to be ground to a minimum of 6” and a maximum of 8" below soil level, or to the lateral roots, if reached before the specific depth. The Contractor shall never grind the stumps to the depth that would interfere with the roots of any adjacent tree(s) that the Government will retain.

The cavity of the stump is to be filled with high quality, weed free topsoil and tamped to meet the existing grade.

d. All wood, chip particles, and debris from the tree and stump removal shall be cleaned up thoroughly and removed from the cemetery grounds.

e. Any damage or breakage during the performance of these services by the Contractor shall be repaired, replaced, given remedial and/or corrective treatment and cleaned up by the Contractor at the Government’s satisfaction and at no additional cost to the Government.

4. PRUNING/TRIMMING STANDARDS:

a. All work shall comply with: Best Management Practices: Tree Pruning (2018 ISA or latest edition) companion publication to the ANSI A300 (Part 1) -2017 or latest edition: Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance – Standard Practices, Pruning.

b. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all pruning cuts shall be made just outside the collar or shoulder ring (branch bark ridge/swollen trunk collar) close to parent stem so that healing can readily start under normal conditions.

c. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that when reducing the tree height and spread, he/she shall retain the natural shape of the tree by removing the entire lateral branches back to their point of origin also known as drop crotching or thinning.

d. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all limbs one inch in diameter or over must be precut to prevent splitting. All branches and/or tree material 3 1/2" in diameter or larger shall be lowered by proper lowering methods, such as using ropes.

e. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all trees shall be pruned and shaped to retain the trees natural crown characteristics and patterns.

f. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all trees shall have the live branches removed to permit penetration of sunlight and circulation of air through the canopy in conjunction to the aesthetic appearance, natural crown characteristics, and growth patterns.

g. The Contractor is responsible to ensure care when removing living and/or dead crossed or rubbing branches, where practicable, so the removal will not leave large holes in the aesthetic appearance, natural crown characteristics and growth patterns of the tree.

h. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that, when pruning trees known to be diseased or susceptible to diseases, tools are disinfected with alcohol after each cut and between trees, where there is known to be danger of transmitting the disease on the tools.

i. The Contractor is responsible for reporting to the COR all of the following conditions: when old scars are not healing properly; where callus growth is not already established; visible girdling roots, and when there are any structural weaknesses such as but not limited to decayed trunk or branches, and split trunk/branch crotches.

j. The following methods of pruning are NOT acceptable therefore, the contractor is responsible to ensure that these methods are never performed: topping, heading-back, stubbing, de-horning, lion-tailing, and pollarding.

k. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that in lifting the bottom branches of the trees for under clearance, care shall be given to symmetrical appearance, esthetic appearance, natural crown characteristics and growth patterns of the trees.

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 9 of 64

l. In general, the Contractor shall ensure when reducing the size of a tree and with respect to retaining the tree’s natural crown characteristics and patterns, not more than 1/4 of the total area shall be reduced at a single operation, unless instructed in writing to do so by the COR.

m. The Contractor is required to dispose of all debris and other waste materials generated by his/her work at a licensed off-site landfill or recycling center, unless otherwise directed in writing by the

COR. NOTE: The Government shall NOT provide receptacle(s) for disposal of debris related to this contract.

n. The contractor will take all necessary precautions to prevent damage to trees while performing pruning. The use of climbing spikes is prohibited, unless prior permission is obtained from the

COR in writing, and on a tree by tree basis. This permission will only be granted in cases where there are no other means to access the work to be performed, as determined by the COR.

C. WORK HOURS AND MEETINGS:

All work shall be performed during the normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through

Friday, except with the written permission of the COR. All work shall be scheduled and coordinated with the

COR. When emergency situations are caused by the Contractor, then he/she shall make arrangements with the

COR to work on weekends to correct/eliminate the emergency in order to meet the period of performance.

The Government shall not compensate the Contractor for emergency situations caused by the Contractor.

D. RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING:

1. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary and current licenses, Arborist certification, permits, vehicular insurance and registration, Workman’s

Compensatory Liability Insurance, property liability insurance etc., prior to the start date of these services. The Contractor gaining award shall provide the Contracting Officer copies of these required documents immediately after award of contract.

2. UTILITY LINES COMPLIANCE: Where pruning/stump grinding/tree removal conflicts with existing utility/service lines (above ground/below ground), the corresponding utilities company/cemetery staff shall be notified and the Contractor shall obtain any necessary permits/ blue prints and cooperate with the utilities company/cemetery staff to avoid any damage or liability, and provide a safe work environment for his/her employees.

3. INSPECTION: At the completion of the work, the COR shall inspect the contracted tree maintenance in the company of the Contractor’s site manager. Work determined by the COR to be incomplete shall be completed by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government. Disputes arising regarding the status of the work will be reported to the CO for final resolution.

E. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

1. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all work shall be done in a manner that safeguards all VA visitors, employees, and public. The Contractor shall be solely responsible for any and all actions initiated and/or completed by his/her employees. Furthermore, the Contractor and his/her employees shall have a clear understanding of, and be sensitive to, such environmental issues as ground water contamination, wetlands, etc., and be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, Right-to-Know laws, EPA guidelines, and regulations.

2. The Contractor shall be responsible for cleaning any cemetery structures that are soiled or stained as a result of Contractor’s performance. The Contractor shall wash-down with water all soiled or stained structures and grounds at the end of each workday. No hazardous chemicals are to be used at anytime on Government property. The Contractor shall bear all costs associated with washing and cleaning. Any such washing/cleaning shall be brought to the immediate attention of the COR prior to washing/cleaning.

3. At the end of each day the Contractor shall remove all debris from the cemetery site resulting from the work, unless otherwise specified by the COR. The Contractor shall ensure at all times that rubbish and trash generated by the Contractor is kept clear of vehicular and pedestrian traffic throughout the site. NOTE: The Government shall NOT provide receptacle(s) for disposal of debris related to this contract.

4. Adequate warning devices, barricades, guards, flagmen or other necessary precautions shall be

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 10 of 64 provided by the Contractor for the protection, safety, and warning of all pedestrians and vehicular traffic within the area.

5. The Government may undertake or award other contracts for additional work at or near the site of work for this contract. The Contractor shall fully cooperate with any other Contractors and with

Government employees and shall carefully adapt scheduling and performance of work, needing any direction, it shall be provided by the COR. The Contractor is responsible for reporting to the COR any problems or questions that may arise with any other personnel on site during the period of performance of this contract. The Contractor shall not take it upon him or herself to resolve any problems or issues with other on-site Contractors or employees, but rather will leave it to the COR to resolve the issue.

6. The Contractor shall not operate trucks, tractors, and other heavy equipment on any turf area except when authorized in writing by the COR. Contractor shall “Board-in” and “board-out” when moving heavy equipment over turf. That is, the Contractor shall place plywood sheets or mud tracks to protect turf from damage from heavy equipment. Protection boards shall be removed from turf by the close of business each day to avoid damaging turf.

7. Due to the sensitive mission of the cemetery, the work often requires contact with, and exposure to, grieving individuals. Contractor personnel must exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, composure and stability at all times.

8. The Government shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of contractor items.

Contractor shall be responsible for acceptable standards of housekeeping and custodial maintenance of Department of Veterans Affairs facilities used by Contractor's employees.

9. Electricity and water will be furnished by the Government.

10. The COR may designate an area for the Contractor to use to store a limited amount of supplies or equipment, if available.

11. The COR will designate an area for Contractor employees to take lunch and other breaks.

F. DAMAGE TO GOVERNMENT PROPERTY:

1. Contractors shall be responsible for replacement of any cemetery structure, to include: turf, curb, road pavement, headstone or marker, valve boxes, control markers, sprinkler heads, which is chipped, marred, damaged and/or ruined at the fault of the Contractor. The Contractor shall bear all costs associated with replacement and reinstallation. Any such damage shall be brought to the immediate attention of the appointed COR prior to repair/replacement/installation.

G. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS:

1. The Contractor is responsible for supplying all equipment, personnel, tools, supplies and materials to perform these services. All pruning tools shall be kept sharp and properly functioning.

2. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all of his/her motor vehicles and equipment meet State inspection, safety, licensing, registration, and insurance requirements.

H. CONTRACTOR CONDUCT: Contractor personnel shall:

1. Be required to adhere to the following standards of dress, conduct, supervision and training while performing work on Government property. It shall be subject to immediate enforcement action by the

Contracting Officer if these standards are not adhered to during the period of performance of this contract. Contractor shall be responsible for training and safety precautions prescribed by OSHA regarding safety equipment and devices.

2. Be fully clothed at all times, to include upper garment to cover body from the waist to the neck and long pants or slacks. Garments, which have a message, or printing of any kind other than the

Contractor’s business attire, are prohibited. Uniforms are acceptable.

3. Maintain a neat and professional appearance throughout its workforce, vehicles, equipment, and maintenance areas. Uniforms are acceptable. If uniforms are used, they must be in unison among all employees.

4. The Contractor/personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, angry outbursts or use profane or abusive language at anytime on Government premises. Playing radios and/or electronic games/devices, shall only be done at lunchtime and in a designated break area. Due to the sensitive

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 11 of 64 mission of the cemetery, Contractor employees will come into daily contact with grieving individuals, therefore Contractor employees will exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, courtesy, and respect while within the cemetery or at its perimeter or entrances. Inquiries from cemetery visitors shall be politely referred to Government cemetery staff. Gratuities of any kind are strictly prohibited.

5. Consume food and beverage only within areas designated by the COR. Intoxication, and violence or criminal acts of any kind will not be tolerated - and is cause for immediate removal from Government property. Use or sale of intoxicating beverages and/or drugs is strictly prohibited, and use of tobacco products is only allowed in specific areas designated by the COR.

6. Contractor employees shall only take breaks/rest periods and lunch breaks at the Contractor Staging

Area, not in the field. Workers are to utilize contractor provided temporary chemical toilet facilities located only in the Contractor Staging Area. Misconduct shall form the basis for immediate contract enforcement action, to include immediate removal from the cemetery.

7. Worker parking: Parking is limited. The COR will designate an area for all contract employees to park. Workers are not allowed to park throughout the cemetery grounds, and violation of this requirement shall form the basis for immediate contract enforcement action, to include immediate removal from the cemetery.

8. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure that his/her employees (including contractor’s consultants, subcontractors, etc.) are aware of all the terms and conditions set forth above in this solicitation package regarding their performance and conduct during the performance period of this contract.

End of Scope of Work

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 12 of 64

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A Tree Worksheet for Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Attachment B CLIN Sheet for Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Attachment C Site Plan for Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 13 of 64

Attachment A

Tree Worksheet for Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Individual Tree

Section Location Species DBH (in)

Estimated Height

(ft)

CLIN Description Notes

1 45 3044-C Live Oak 40 >40 002 Deadwood Pruning

Power lines

2 24 1534 Magnolia 25 >40 001 Routine Pruning Remove deadwood and water sprouts

3 31 2015-C Live Oak 15 >40 002 Deadwood Pruning

Power lines

4 40 15 Live Oak 41 >40 002 Deadwood Pruning

Power lines

5 28 10 Live Oak 39 >40 001 Routine Pruning

6 Lodge Behind Live Oak 40 >40 002 Deadwood Pruning

Remove limbs from roof of lodge

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Attachment B

CLIN Sheet for Baton Rouge National Cemetery

CLIN DESCRIPTION QTY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

Large Tree Routine Pruning – height >40' AND DBH >24"; tree pruning, cleanup and disposal of debris

2 EA. $_________ $________________

Large Tree Deadwood Pruning 1 – height >40' AND DBH >24"; tree pruning, cleanup and disposal of debris

4 EA. $_________ $________________

TOTAL AMOUNT = $___________________

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 15 of 64

Attachment C

Site Plan for Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Tree maintenance approximate locations indicated.

Number (1,2,3…) indicates number of trees at location.

Letter indicates size: S = small; M = medium; L = large.

Color indicates maintenance required: red = removal; orange = stump removal; green = training pruning; pink = routine pruning; blue = deadwood pruning 2; purple = deadwood pruning 1.

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1L

1L

1L

1L 1L 1L

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Source Selection Plan / Evaluation Factors

Baton Rouge National Cemetery – Tree Maintenance

I. BACKGROUND

A. Purpose. The purpose of this Source Selection Plan is to set forth the process by which the NCA

Contracting Office will evaluate offers received in response to the solicitation for Tree

Maintenance at Baton Rouge National Cemetery.

B. Source selection approach. This plan covers the approach for soliciting and evaluating offers, provides the source selection organizational structure, and designates persons who will perform the evaluation.

II. BASIS OF AWARD: This procurement is being conducted pursuant to FAR Part 13 procedures.

The Government intends to award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror who offers the lowest price, whose quoted price is found to be reasonable, and whose quote is found to be technically acceptable when considering the non-price evaluation factors described below. Offerors who fail to meet any technical acceptability evaluation factors below will not be eligible to receive contract award.

III. EVALUTION FACTORS

1) Factor 1: Technical Approach and Understanding of the Work: Proposal shall be evaluated in accordance with the criteria contained in the Statement of Work and on how well the technical approach meets the Government requirements. The proposal shall be more than restating the SOW.

Technical approach will be evaluated for the following:

a) Contractor-provided statements and/or literature that clearly explains their experience, approach and/or abilities to perform the tasks described in the Statement of Work (SOW).

b) Arborist Certification from International Society of Arboriculture

c) 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.

2) Factor 2: Past Performances: Past performance shall be evaluated based on the Contractor’s technical qualifications on projects within the last 5 years that are comparable in size, complexity, and scope. Past Performance information shall be obtained by the following methods.

a) The Contracting Officer’s knowledge of previous experience with the supply or service being acquired.

b) Contractor’s past performance descriptions of a minimum of 3 recent (within the last 5 years) projects of similar size and scope

c) The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) at https://www.cpars.gov

d) Any other reasonable basis.

3) Factor 3: Price: Proposed price will be evaluated for LPTA and completeness/accuracy in the provided CLIN structure.

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Section 2 - Contract Clauses

Deliveries or Performance

Line Number/ Delivery Number

Delivery Quantity FOB Point Address

0001/1 2.000000 NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (786)

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

BATON ROUGE NATIONAL CEMETERY

220 N 19TH ST

BATON ROUGE, LA 70806

Line Number/ Delivery Number

Delivery Quantity FOB Point Address

0002/1 4.000000 NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (786)

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

BATON ROUGE NATIONAL CEMETERY

220 N 19TH ST

BATON ROUGE, LA 70806

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

ITEM START END

0001 09/30/2026

0002 09/30/2026

52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023)

(a) This contract and employees working on this contract will be subject to the whistleblower rights and remedies established at 41 U.S.C. 4712 and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 3.900 through 3.905.

(b) The Contractor shall inform its employees in writing, in the predominant language of the workforce, of employee whistleblower rights and protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712, as described in FAR 3.900 through 3.905.

(c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts.

(End of clause)

52.203-19 Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--

"Internal confidentiality agreement or statement" means a confidentiality agreement or any other written statement that the contractor requires any of its employees or subcontractors to sign regarding nondisclosure of contractor information, except that it does not include confidentiality agreements arising out of civil litigation or confidentiality agreements that contractor employees or subcontractors sign at the behest of a Federal agency.

"Subcontract" means any contract as defined in subpart 2.1 entered into by a subcontractor to furnish supplies or services for performance of a prime contract or a subcontract. It includes but is not limited to purchase orders, and changes and modifications to purchase orders.

"Subcontractor" means any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm (including a consultant) that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor.

(b) The Contractor shall not require its employees or subcontractors to sign or comply with internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or subcontractors from lawfully reporting waste, fraud, or abuse related to the performance of a Government contract to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information (e.g., agency Office of the Inspector General).

(c) The Contractor shall notify current employees and subcontractors that prohibitions and restrictions of any preexisting internal confidentiality agreements or statements covered by this clause, to the extent that such prohibitions and restrictions are inconsistent with the prohibitions of this clause, are no longer in effect.

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(d) The prohibition in paragraph (b) of this clause does not contravene requirements applicable to Standard Form 312 (Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement), Form 4414 (Sensitive Compartmented Information Nondisclosure Agreement), or any other form issued by a Federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified information.

(e) In accordance with section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, (Pub. L. 113-235), and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions) use of funds appropriated (or otherwise made available) is prohibited, if the Government determines that the Contractor is not in compliance with the provisions of this clause.

(f) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f), in subcontracts under such contracts.

(End of clause)

52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, Proposed for Debarment, or Voluntarily Excluded (Jan 2025)

(a) Definition.

Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item, as used in this clause--

(1) Means any item of supply (including construction material) that is--

(i) A commercial product (as defined in paragraph (1) of the definition of "commercial product" in Federal Acquisition Regulation

(FAR) 2.101);

(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(iii) Offered to the Government, under a contract or subcontract at any tier, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and

(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 40102(4), such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

(b) The Government suspends or debars Contractors to protect the Government's interests. Other than a subcontract for a commercially available off-the-shelf item, the Contractor shall not enter into any subcontract, in excess of the threshold specified in FAR 9.405-2(b) on the date of subcontract award, with a Contractor that is debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment by any executive agency unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

(c) The Contractor shall require each proposed subcontractor whose subcontract will exceed the threshold specified in FAR 9.405-2(b) on the date of subcontract award, other than a subcontractor providing a commercially available off-the-shelf item, to disclose to the Contractor, in writing, whether as of the time of award of the subcontract, the subcontractor, or its principals, is or is not debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or voluntarily excluded, by the Federal Government.

(d) A corporate officer or a designee of the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, before entering into a subcontract with a party (other than a subcontractor providing a commercially available off-the-shelf item) that is debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or voluntarily excluded (see FAR 9.404 for information on the System for Award Management (SAM) Exclusions). The notice must include the following:

(1) The name of the subcontractor.

(2) The Contractor's knowledge of the reasons for the subcontractor being listed with an exclusion in SAM.

(3) The compelling reason(s) for doing business with the subcontractor notwithstanding its being listed with an exclusion in SAM.

(4) The systems and procedures the Contractor has established to ensure that it is fully protecting the Government's interests when dealing with such subcontractor in view of the specific basis for the party's debarment, suspension, proposed debarment, or voluntary exclusion.

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(e) Subcontracts. Unless this is a contract for the acquisition of commercial products or commercial services, the Contractor shall include the requirements of this clause, including this paragraph (e) (appropriately modified for the identification of the parties), in each subcontract that--

(1) Exceeds the threshold specified in FAR 9.405-2(b) on the date of subcontract award; and

(2) Is not a subcontract for commercially available off-the-shelf items.

(End of clause)

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause--

"Inverted domestic corporation" means a foreign incorporated entity that meets the definition of an inverted domestic corporation under 6 U.S.C. 395(b), applied in accordance with the rules and definitions of 6 U.S.C. 395(c).

"Subsidiary" means an entity in which more than 50 percent of the entity is owned--

(1) Directly by a parent corporation; or

(2) Through another subsidiary of a parent corporation.

(b) If the contractor reorganizes as an inverted domestic corporation or becomes a subsidiary of an inverted domestic corporation at any time during the period of performance of this contract, the Government may be prohibited from paying for Contractor activities performed after the date when it becomes an inverted domestic corporation or subsidiary. The Government may seek any available remedies in the event the Contractor fails to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract as a result of Government action under this clause.

(c) Exceptions to this prohibition are located at 9.108-2.

(d) In the event the Contractor becomes either an inverted domestic corporation, or a subsidiary of an inverted domestic corporation during contract performance, the Contractor shall give written notice to the Contracting Officer within five business days from the date of the inversion event.

(End of clause)

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2023)

(a) Inspection/Acceptance. The Contractor shall only tender for acceptance those items that conform to the requirements of this contract. The Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or reperformance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price. If repair/replacement or reperformance will not correct the defects or is not possible, the Government may seek an equitable price reduction or adequate consideration for acceptance of nonconforming supplies or services. The Government must exercise its post-acceptance rights--

(1) Within a reasonable time after the defect was discovered or should have been discovered; and

(2) Before any substantial change occurs in the condition of the item, unless the change is due to the defect in the item.

(b) Assignment. The Contractor or its assignee may assign its rights to receive payment due as a result of performance of this contract to a bank, trust company, or other financing institution, including any Federal lending agency in accordance with the Assignment of Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3727). However, when a third party makes payment (e.g., use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card), the Contractor may not assign its rights to receive payment under this contract.

(c) Changes. Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.

(d) Disputes. This contract is subject to 41 U.S.C. chapter 71, Contract Disputes. Failure of the parties to this contract to reach agreement on any request for equitable adjustment, claim, appeal or action arising under or relating to this contract shall be a dispute

Document Number: 36C78626Q50175 Page 21 of 64 to be resolved in accordance with the clause at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.233-1, Disputes, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Contractor shall proceed diligently with performance of this contract, pending final resolution of any dispute arising under the contract.

(e) Definitions. The clause at FAR 52.202-1, Definitions, is incorporated herein by reference.

(f) Excusable delays. The Contractor shall be liable for default unless nonperformance is caused by an occurrence beyond the reasonable control of the Contractor and without its fault or negligence such as, acts of God or the public enemy, acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual capacity, fires, floods, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, strikes, unusually severe weather, and delays of common carriers. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as soon as it is reasonably possible after the commencement of any excusable delay, setting forth the full particulars in connection therewith, shall remedy such occurrence with all reasonable dispatch, and shall promptly give written notice to the Contracting Officer of the cessation of such occurrence.

(g) Invoice.

(1) The Contractor shall submit an original invoice and three copies (or electronic invoice, if authorized) to the address designated in the contract to receive invoices. An invoice must include--

(i) Name and address of the Contractor;

(ii) Invoice date and number;

(iii) Contract number, line item number and, if applicable, the order number;

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price and extended price of the items delivered;

(v) Shipping number and date of shipment, including the bill of lading number and weight of shipment if shipped on Government bill of lading;

(vi) Terms of any discount for prompt payment offered;

(vii) Name and address of official to whom payment is to be sent;

(viii) Name, title, and phone number of person to notify in event of defective invoice; and

(ix) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Contractor shall include its TIN on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(x) Electronic funds transfer (EFT) banking information.

(A) The Contractor shall include EFT banking information on the invoice only if required elsewhere in this contract.

(B) If EFT banking information is not required to be on the invoice, in order for the invoice to be a proper invoice, the Contractor shall have submitted correct EFT banking information in accordance with the applicable solicitation provision, contract clause (e.g., 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--System for Award Management, or 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--Other Than System for Award Management), or applicable agency procedures.

(C) EFT banking information is not required if the Government waived the requirement to pay by EFT.

(2) Invoices will be handled in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (31 U.S.C. 3903) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prompt payment regulations at 5 CFR Part 1315.

(h) Patent indemnity. The Contractor shall indemnify the Government and its officers, employees and agents against liability, including costs, for actual or alleged direct or contributory infringement of, or inducement to infringe, any United States or foreign patent, trademark or copyright, arising out of the performance of this contract, provided the Contractor is reasonably notified of such claims and proceedings.

(i) Payment.--

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(1) Items accepted. Payment shall be made for items accepted…