ATTACHMENT A - SOUTH FLORIDA NC GMC STATEMENT OF WORK.pdf

South Florida National Cemetery

Grounds Maintenance Services

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE - STATEMENT OF WORK

B.1 DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Work describes the basic objectives of South Florida National Cemetery.

B.2 INTRODUCTION

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. South Florida

National Cemetery is one (1) of nine (9) Florida cemeteries that receive visitors, hold ceremonies, and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis.

B.3 BACKGROUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 155 National Cemeteries in 39 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies, and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. As the final resting place for our nation’s heroes, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the National

Cemetery Administration (NCA) to reflect this nation’s concern and respect for those interred there, therefor strict adherence to the following specifications is essential.

Every action by contracting personnel at a national cemetery must be performed with the special care, reverence, dignity, and respect that acknowledges the cemetery as the final resting place that commemorates the service and sacrifice that service members, Veterans and their families made for our

Nation. Critically important is the awareness required when scheduling and performing work to not interrupt or disrupt cemetery operations.

1. The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to plan and perform the activities associated with statements of work as described herein, which are required to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds in accordance with National Cemetery Administration Operational

Standards and Measures.

2. National cemeteries are a resting place for our nation’s heroes and as such, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have. been established by the

National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to reflect this.

3. National Cemeteries are our nation’s concern and respect for those interred there. The NCA mission: The NCA honors Veterans, active-duty Service Members, and eligible family members with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our nation.

The South Florida National Cemetery is in Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Florida which is approximately 45 minutes north of Ft. Lauderdale. The address is 6501 S State Road 7, Lake Worth, Florida 33449. The physical location is on the west side of SR7/Hwy 441, north of Hypoluxo Blvd, and south of Lantana Blvd. The cemetery’s anticipated burial rate will be 2900 per year.

National Cemeteries are National Shrines. The standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries must reflect this nation’s concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to the specifications is required as well as National Cemetery Administration standards.

a. Site features include a main entrance with floral beds, administration building, maintenance building with truck entrance, maintenance compound and contractors’ compound, 4 committal shelters, a flag assembly plaza, columbarium with floral beds, memorial trail with floral beds, extensive landscaping with trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Turf is

Celebration Bermuda, Empire Zoysia, St. Augustine and Argentine Bahia.

b. National Cemeteries are National Shrines, as codified in 38 U.S. Code § 2403 (c), “All national and other veterans’ cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery

Administration shall be considered National Shrines as a tribute to our gallant dead …”.

Therefore, the standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries must reflect this nation's concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to the specifications described in the attachments, which are based on the National Cemetery

Administration, National Shrine Commitment, Operational Standards and Measures, is mandatory.

c. A national shrine is a place of honor and memory that declares to the visitor or family member who views it that, within its majestic setting, every Veteran may find a sense of serenity, historic sacrifice, and nobility of purpose. Each visitor should depart feeling that the grounds, the gravesites, and the environs of the national cemetery are a beautiful and awe-inspiring tribute to those who gave much to preserve our Nation’s freedom and way of life.

d. The NCA National Shrine Commitment and Operational Standards & Measures should be considered as goals and requirements for the performance of key operational processes and should be applied at both open and closed national cemeteries where work is done by either a Federal or contract workforce.

B.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide

Grounds Maintenance Services to the South Florida National Cemetery. Specific location, size and services required for the cemetery are as follows:

Cemetery Address Acreage

Required

Services

South Florida National

Cemetery

6501 S State

Road 7, Lake

Worth, FL 33449

149 Turf Acres Current

20_Turf Acres after Phase

II = 169 Turf Acres

121 Irrigated Acres

Current

9 Irrigated Acres after

Phase II = 130 Irrigated

Acres

Grounds

Maintenance

Services

B.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

B.4.a SERVICES PROVIDED The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to perform the following Grounds Maintenance Services at South Florida National Cemetery. The contractor shall provide the workforce and all resources necessary to perform and complete multiple grounds maintenance requirements simultaneously to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds.

B.4.b DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), South Florida National Cemetery has an immediate need for Grounds, Turf, Headstone, Columbarium, Lawn, Tree, Shrub, Plant bed, Maintenance, Interment services, Irrigation System Maintenance and Testing, and Trash, Debris, and Leaf Removal. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items and services necessary to ensure total cemetery maintenance is performed at South Florida National Cemetery in a manner that shall maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance throughout.

Services include, but are not limited to: maintenance of grounds, to include regular mowing, weed eating, edge trimming of roadways, removal of trash, leaves, grave decorations, unsightly floral arrangements and debris, as well as, sweeping/blowing off walkways and roadways, and irrigation system operation, inspection and maintenance (to include pump house monitoring and irrigation pond maintenance, irrigation pipe maintenance and repairs 1”-10”, valve and head replacement, Monitoring Rainbird system); gravesite maintenance, to include sunken graves and grounds repair, cleaning and trimming around headstones and markers; plant material maintenance, to include maintenance of planting and mulch beds (to include tree rings), and tree & shrub trimming and pruning; lawn / turf maintenance, to include sod installation, aerification, de-thatching, overseeding, application of fertilizers and herbicides/pesticides, lime application (as indicated by soil tests), and weed control; pest control; storm debris clean-up, support services, to include casket transport, daily committal setup/teardown, headstone services, to include proper storage, transport and setting of all initial, subsequent, and replacement headstones at correct gravesite; cleaning and pressure washing of headstones, committal shelters, Administration Building, Maintenance Building, Entrance and Exit signs at both the main entrance and the maintenance entrance, and walkways/sidewalks and curbs.

Contractor shall keep drainage ditches clean and free from trash, debris, plant growth, and any manner of moss or algae formation.

All work shall be performed during normal workdays from 8:00am – 4:30pm local time (Monday thru

Friday - excluding Federal Holidays where NO burials are scheduled). Work performed outside of normal work hours shall be at the discretion and approval of the VA Contracting Officer's Technical

Representative (COR).

The Period of Performance for this project shall consist of a Base Year (12 Months) and 4 Option years

(if exercise).

Table of Contents

B.4.1 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

B.4.1.1 MOWING TURF AREA

B.4.1.2 MOWING NON-TURF AREA

B.4.1.3 EDGING OF WALKWAYS AND CURBS

B.4.1.4 TRIMMING OF HEADSTONES, MONUMENTS, MARKERS,

AND OTHER VERTICLE SURFACES

B.4.1.5

TRASH, DEBRIS, AND GRAVE DECORATION/FLORAL

REMOVAL

B.4.1.6 SWEEPING/BLOWING OFF WALKWAYS & ROADWAYS

B.4.1.7

UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATION,

INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE

B.4.2 GRAVESITE MAINTENANCE

B.4.2.1 SUNKEN GRAVE REPAIR & GROUNDS REPAIR

B.4.2.1a

SUNKEN CREMATION AND SMALL AREA GROUNDS REPAIRS

B.4.2.1b SOD REPAIRS AND INSTALLATION

B.4.3 LEAF AND TRASH COLLECTION & REMOVAL

B.4.4 PLANT MATERIAL MAINTENANCE

B.4.4.1 PLANTING BEDS

B.4.4.2 MULCHING

B.4.4.3 TREE TRIMMING / PRUNING /SHRUB MAINTENANCE

B.4.5 LAWN / TURF MAINTENANCE

B.4.5.1

SUPPLY & INSTALL SOD ON ALL 1ST & SUBSEQUENT

GRAVESITES

B.4.5.2 CORE AERIFICATION

B.4.5.3 FERTILIZATION

B.4.5.4 GIPSUM APPLICATION

B.4.5.5 WEED CONTROL

B.4.6 PEST CONTROL

B.4.6.1

ARMADILLOS/MOLES, IGUANAS AND OTHER PEST

B.4.6.2 FIRE ANT CONTROL

B.4.6.3 PESTICIDES AND INSECTICIDES

B.4.6.4 OPERATIONAL FLOW CHART WARM SEASON TURFGRASS AREAS

B.4.7 STORM DAMAGE AND DEBRIS CLEAN-UP

B.4.8 SUPPORT SERVICES

B.4.8.1 DAILY INTERMENT SHELTER SETUP/TEAR DOWN

B.4.8.2 HOLIDAY DECOR

B.4.9 HEADSTONE SETTING, AND REALIGNMENT (INITIAL)

B.4.9.1 HEADSTONE TRANSPORT TO GRAVESITE

B.4.9.2 HEADSTONE SETTING

B.4.9.3 HEADSTONE REALIGNMENT

B.4.10

B.4.10.1

B.4.10.2

B.4.10.3

B.4.11

B.4.11.1

B.4.11.2

B.4.12

B.4.13

INTERMENT SERVICES

CASKET TRANSPORTATION

CHAIN OF CUSTODY

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

CLEANING AND PRESSURE WASHING

CLEANING OF HEADSTONES AND MARKERS

ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS

WALKWAYS AND CURBS

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

B.4.13.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER

B.4.13.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

B.4.13.3 CONTRACTOR STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

B.4.13.4 SITE SUPERVISOR REQUIREMENTS

B.4.13.5 EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS

B.4.14 CONTRACTOR/EMPLOYEE CODE OF CONDUCT

B.4.15 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS

B.4.16 QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

B.4.1 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE-

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Feb. 2021

Category 5, Grounds Maintenance

Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Bases

Standard 2.1: Visually prominent areas have sand, mineral, or well-established healthy stand of turf.

• Measure 2.1: Sand, mineral, or turf in visually prominent areas are generally weed free.

Standard 2.4: Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf.

• Measure 2.4a: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are Generally Free of Bare

Areas.

• Measure 2.4b: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are maintained within one inch above the range of that which is professionally recommended for that type of turf and geographic region according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.6: Visually prominent areas are properly trimmed and edged.

• Measure 2.6: Other features (any additional turf areas requiring edging or trimming such as sidewalks, curbs, monuments) are trimmed or edged according to the Cemetery Grounds

Management Plan

Standard 2.7: Avoid damage and ensure continuation of a well-established, healthy stand of turf during grounds maintenance operations.

• Measure 2.7: Turf damage due to grounds maintenance tasks is identified and corrective action initiated by close of business the same day.

The contractor shall mow, edge, and trim all grass within the cemetery and the perimeter tree line, entry gates, and walls. All damage due to contractors’ equipment or operations shall be repaired and/or replaced by the contractor at no cost to the government. Contractor is responsible to report any damages immediately to the COR.

Note: Bermuda Grass and Zoysia Empire Grass height shall be maintained at 1 ½ to 2 inches or as directed by the COR. St Augustine turf and Argentine Bahia shall be maintained at 3 ½”-to 4” inches or as directed by the COR. Cutting height shall be established as per required in the Turf Maintenance Plan, with approval from the District Agronomist.

B.4.1.1 MOWING TURF AREA

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

SCOPE

All Mowing will be done a minimum of once a week during growing season, which is YEAR-ROUND.

The growing season may require mowing twice weekly due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turf from growing no more than one half (1/2”) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2 inches for Celebration Bermuda and Empire Zoysia turfgrass. No more than one half (1/2”) inch above the maximum recommended height of 4 inches for Argentine Bahia and St. Augustine turfgrass.

Advanced Written Notice and COR /Contracting Officer Approval is required prior to mowing more than once a week. Mowing should be performed often enough so that no more than 1/3 of leafage is removed at any 1(one) mowing.

Scalping is not acceptable. Where scalping is evident, and does not recover, the Contractor will be responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the Government. When scalping is a result of ruts, contractor shall ensure top dressing is completed in the ruts to not scalp the center of the gravesite.

After mowing, no excessive thatch will be permitted to remain on the turf. Visible rows or clumps of turf clippings shall not be allowed to remain on turf areas that have been cut. All clippings must be removed from the site. No clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch, or paved areas.

Turf in burial and public areas should be maintained at a height within one-inch range of that which is professionally recommended for the recommended grass type for that geographic region.

Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch (½) above that range. Grass is trimmed on borders.

Mowing equipment shall be kept 6 (six) to 12 (twelve) inches from upright headstones and other vertical structures and/or fixtures.

Top dressing areas with ruts from turf mowing to be completed once a year or on an as needed bases, requested by the COR. Proper top-dressing techniques shall be utilized (example – sand) and shall be approved by the COR prior to completion.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Contractor shall be responsible for mowing: edging and trimming all grass within the cemetery as specified by COR.

Turf shall be cut to maintain heights as set forth below (this may change if grounds require such height change):

Cutting Height, Inches Turf grass Species

1 ½” – 2” Celebration Bermuda

1 ½” – 2” Empire Zoysia

3” – 4” St. Augustine

3” – 4” Argentine Bahia Grass

All Mowing will be done a minimum of once a week during growing season, which is year-round or as directed by the COR. The growing season may require mowing twice weekly due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turf from growing above the maximum recommended height of 1.5”-

2” inches. Advanced Written Notice and COR/Contracting Officer Approval is required prior to mowing more than once a week. Mowing should be performed often enough so that no more than

1/3 of leafage is removed at anyone mowing.

responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the Government.

After mowing no excessive thatch/clippings will be permitted to remain. Visible rows or clumps of turf clippings shall not be allowed to remain on turf areas that have been cut. All clippings must be removed from the site. No clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch areas or paved areas.

All grass clippings clumped together excessively due to rapid growth or wet grass; the contractor will remove immediately after mowing.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Contractor shall utilize commercial grade mowers with mulching decks and mulching blades. Cutting blades on mowing equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are properly cut - not torn or damaged.

Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified in the Grounds

Maintenance Plan. The height of grass is what is measured to get correct cutting height. Contractor shall indicate cutting deck height on weekly report.

A. Riding mowers may be used if they are not operated within two (2) inches of headstones, markers, monuments, tree trunks or other vertical surfaces.

B. Commercial grade power trimmers and power edgers will be used to trim grass from around headstones, monuments, markers, etc.

C. Cutting blades on mowing and trimming equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are properly cut—not torn or damaged. Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified below. The height of grass is measured to get the correct cutting height.

D. All mowers must have mulching checks with mulching blades.

E. All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are < 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

F. Mowers and other ground equipment must be kept off irrigation boxes. Stress on boxes causes burst pipes as far as 10" from the box due to flex and pressure placed on pipes. Damage will be the responsibility of Ground Contractor for repair(s).

Any contractor equipment brought in from third-party vendors, or other job sites, to include other national cemeteries, must be cleaned with a diluted environmentally approved disinfectant cleaning solution to prevent any cross contamination of unwanted grasses/weeds, diseases, fungi, and/or insects. Contractor shall attest weekly, in writing (email), that all equipment being used on cemetery grounds has been cleaned.

Mowers used for non-turf services shall not be used on turf grass unless cleaned prior to entering the turf area. Contractor will attest, in writing, that all equipment being used on turfed areas has been cleaned prior to use.

Any cross contamination or associated turf damage resulting from Contractor negligence shall be repaired, treated, or replaced at the Contractor’s expense.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Scalping, mud striping, race tracking, and/or rutting of Cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. If such turf damage is identified, the Contractor shall repair and/or replace the damaged turf at the Contractor’s expense no more than 72 hours after identification.

No thatch layer shall exist at any time on cemetery grounds. By following the prescribed mowing schedule, the presence of thatch should be eliminated. If thatch is present following a mowing, it must be mulched, raked, or otherwise collected, and removed from cemetery grounds by close of business on the day it was created. Multiple passes of mowing equipment may be necessary to thoroughly mulch clippings.

There shall never be visible rows or clumps of grass clippings allowed to remain on grounds. All clippings must be removed from the site. No excess clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch areas, paved areas, and/or concrete surfaces. All clippings and thatch shall be mulched or removed by the end of the workday which they were created.

The walkways (inside and out), interment area, and roads shall be cleaned of grass clippings, dirt, and leaves after all ground maintenance operations (mowing, edging, and trimming, etc.). These areas shall be swept or blown off immediately after completion of grounds maintenance operations.

If additional time, weekend or after hour work is needed due to scheduling conflicts, negative impacts to cemetery operations, weather conditions etc., the contractor shall submit a written/email request to the

COR for approval. Overtime / weekend work will be at no cost of the Government. A written request/email must be submitted to the COR for consideration, a minimum of 24 hour(s) in advance of requested overtime/weekend work. Approval from COR is required prior to initiating any after-hours/weekend work or repairs. When after-hours/weekend work is authorized, a minimum of two (2) contractor personnel shall be on-site throughout the duration of work/repairs.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately. Contractor will be responsible for repair or replacement of all damage.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.2: MOWING NON-TURF AREA:

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

The contractor shall mow all non turf areas within the cemetery grounds and the perimeter tree line and walls.

GENERAL REQUIRMENTS

All Mowing will be done a minimum of once a week during growing season, which is year-round or as directed by the COR. The growing season may require mowing twice weekly due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turf from growing above the maximum recommended height of 1.5”-

2” inches. Advanced Written Notice and COR/Contracting Officer Approval is required prior to mowing more than once a week. Mowing should be performed often enough so that no more than

1/3 of leafage is removed at anyone mowing.

responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the Government.

After mowing no excessive thatch/clippings will be permitted to remain. Visible rows or clumps of turf clippings shall not be allowed to remain on turf areas that have been cut. All clippings must be removed from the site. No clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch areas or paved areas.

All grass clippings clumped together excessively due to rapid growth or wet grass; the contractor will remove immediately after mowing.

Contractor shall utilize commercial grade mowers with mulching decks and mulching blades. Cutting blades on mowing equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are properly cut - not torn or damaged.

Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified in the Grounds

Maintenance Plan. The height of grass is what is measured to get correct cutting height. Contractor shall indicate cutting deck height on weekly report.

A. Riding mowers may be used if they are not operated within two (2) inches of headstones, markers, monuments, tree trunks or other vertical surfaces.

B. Commercial grade power trimmers and power edgers will be used to trim grass from around headstones, monuments, markers, etc.

C. Cutting blades on mowing and trimming equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are properly cut—not torn or damaged. Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified below. The height of grass is measured to get the correct cutting height.

D. All mowers must have mulching checks with mulching blades.

E. All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are < 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

F. Mowers and other ground equipment must be kept off irrigation boxes. Stress on boxes causes burst pipes as far as 10" from the box due to flex and pressure placed on pipes. Damage will be the responsibility of Ground Contractor for repair(s)

Any contractor equipment brought in from third-party vendors, or other job sites, to include other national cemeteries, must be cleaned with a diluted environmentally approved disinfectant cleaning solution to prevent any cross contamination of unwanted grasses/weeds, diseases, fungi, and/or insects. Contractor shall attest weekly, in writing (email), that all equipment being used on cemetery grounds has been cleaned.

Mowers used for non-turf services shall not be used on turf grass unless cleaned prior to entering the turf area. Contractor will attest, in writing, that all equipment being used on turfed areas has been cleaned prior to use.

Any cross contamination or associated turf damage resulting from Contractor negligence shall be repaired, treated, or replaced at the Contractor’s expense.

Scalping, mud striping, race tracking, and/or rutting of Cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. If such turf damage is identified, the Contractor shall repair and/or replace the damaged turf at the Contractor’s expense no more than 72 hours after identification.

No thatch layer shall exist at any time on cemetery grounds. By following the prescribed mowing schedule, the presence of thatch should be eliminated. If thatch is present following a mowing, it must be mulched, raked, or otherwise collected, and removed from cemetery grounds by close of business on the day it was created. Multiple passes of mowing equipment may be necessary to thoroughly mulch clippings.

There shall never be visible rows or clumps of grass clippings allowed to remain on grounds. All clippings must be removed from the site. No excess clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch areas, paved areas, and/or concrete surfaces. All clippings and thatch shall be mulched or removed by the end of the workday which they were created.

The walkways (inside and out), interment area, and roads shall be cleaned of grass clippings, dirt, and leaves after all ground maintenance operations (mowing, edging, and trimming, etc.). These areas shall be swept or blown off immediately after completion of grounds maintenance operations.

If additional time, weekend or after hour work is needed due to scheduling conflicts, negative impacts to cemetery operations, weather conditions etc., the contractor shall submit a written/email request to the

COR for approval. Overtime / weekend work will be at no cost of the Government. A written request/email must be submitted to the COR for consideration, a minimum of 24 hour(s) in advance of requested overtime/weekend work. Approval from COR is required prior to initiating any after-hours/weekend work or repairs. When after-hours/weekend work is authorized, a minimum of two (2) contractor personnel shall be on-site throughout the duration of work/repairs.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.3: EDGING OF WALKWAYS, CURBS AND OTHER HORIZONTAL SURFACES:

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

All edging of walkways, curbs, and other horizontal surfaces will be done a minimum of once per week during the growing season, year-round or as directed by the COR.

All streets, curbs, walkways, irrigation control boxes, control markers, manhole covers, and crypt field drain clean-out covers shall be vertically edged with a bladed edger inside and outside cemetery grounds.

All streets, curbs, walkways, entry gates including walls, irrigation control boxes, control markers, manhole covers, and crypt field drain clean-out covers will be blown clean after mowing, trimming, and edging before close of business on the day edging occurs.

All edging will be done a minimum of once per week during the growing season, which is YEAR-

ROUND, or as directed by the COR.

All streets, curbs, walkways, irrigation control / valve boxes, control markers, manhole covers, all tree rings and planting beds shall be vertically trimmed with a bladed edger inside and outside cemetery grounds. The desired result will be a ½” wide clear gap between the turf/grass and the horizontal surface.

Street edges, with no discernable curbing, shall be edged in such a manner as to eliminate turf/grass from overlapping the roadway.

All edging shall be followed with a string trimmer to dress the top line of the grass. Turf along the edged areas shall be trimmed to ensure the height of the turf matches the entire turfed area. Turf shall not be higher near the edged area than the turf in the mow-able area. Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch (1/2) above specified range of turfgrass.

All edging will be followed with a string trimmer to dress the top line of the grass.

All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are < 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

Care shall be taken that no clippings are blown into mulch beds. Clippings shall be removed from mulch beds by close of business on the day they were created.

The walkways and roads shall be cleaned of grass clippings, dirt, and leaves after all ground maintenance operations (mowing, string trimming, and edging). These areas shall be swept or blown off immediately after completion of ground maintenance operations.

The COR will conduct random inspections of edging weekly.

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete semi-annual aeration.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility

B.4.1.4: TRIMMING OF HEADSTONES, MONUMENTS, MARKERS, AND OTHER

VERTICLE SURFACES

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

Work consists of trimming all un-mowed grass around headstones, monuments, markers, and other vertical surfaces to the recommended mowing height using line-type trimmers.

Mowing shall be performed prior to trimming or edging. All trimming shall be performed bi-weekly during the growing season, following the approved mowing schedule. All trimming shall be performed no more than one workday behind the mowers.

Will be done a minimum of once a week during growing season, which is Year-Round, or as directed by the COR. The growing season may require trimming twice weekly due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turf from growing more than One (1) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2 inches.

Advanced Written Notice and COR Contracting Officer Approval is required prior to trimming more than once a week.

All trimmings shall follow the mowing schedule.

Trimming will be performed no more than one workday behind the mowers. All un-mowed grass around headstones, monuments, markers, rocks, trees, and other vertical surfaces shall be trimmed to keep the grass at the height standard described in NCA Operational Standards and Measures (Attachment or

Appendix).

Turf in burial and public areas should be maintained at a height within one-inch range of that which is professionally recommended for the recommended grass type for that geographic region.

Care will be taken near headstones to prevent damage to the headstone. Grass clippings/stains will be removed from headstone bases after trimming.

Scalping is not acceptable. Trimmers will be kept level to prevent scalping between and around headstones. All string trimmers shall always have anti-scalping devices attached. Where scalping is evident, and does not recover, the Contractor will be responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the

Government.

All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are < 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

Discarded trimmer string shall be removed from the grounds after trimming operations are complete.

Care will be taken that no clippings will be blown into mulch beds. Any clippings will be cleaned from mulch beds by close of business on the day trimming occurs.

The walkways and non-grass surfaces (inside and outside the cemetery), flagpole bases, interment areas, and roads will be cleared of grass clippings and leaves after mowing, string trimming, and edging.

Visibly prominent areas, such as administrative offices, public restrooms, shelters, pavilions, and columbarium, will have clippings blown or swept from roads and walkways as soon as the operation causing debris is completed.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds, or equipment during grounds maintenance

The COR will conduct inspections of trimming weekly.

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.5: TRASH, DEBRIS, AND GRAVE DECORATION/FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

REMOVAL:

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

Category 3, Facilities Maintenance

Sub-Category 4: Waste Management o Standard 4.1: Trash is collected, disposed of, and does not detract from cemetery appearance.

• Measure 4.1a: The cemetery's central trash collection points are in areas that minimize public visibility.

Category 5, Grounds Maintenance

Sub-Category 5: General Management o Standard 5.1: All areas where cemetery operations have been conducted are neat, clean, and free of debris and equipment at the end of the workday.

• Measure 5.1a: Debris, equipment, tools, and supplies are removed at the conclusion of each task and at the end of the workday.

All trash, debris, trash blown in bushes and/or lakes, contents of trash cans, dead or unsightly flowers, and all fallen tree limbs and branches not attached to the tree shall be removed from the Cemetery areas a minimum of once each workday or as necessary. Any limbs or branches attached to the tree hanging down shall be reported to the COR as soon as possible for action.

All trash, debris, trash blown in bushes and/or lakes, contents of trash cans, dead or unsightly flowers, and all fallen tree limbs and branches not attached to the tree shall be removed from the Cemetery areas a minimum of once each workday or as necessary. Any limbs or branches attached to the tree hanging down shall be reported to the COR as soon as possible for action.

All unsightly grave decorations and/or flowers will be removed weekly or as needed in accordance with cemetery floral regulations. Serviceable floral cone vases will be cleaned and placed in the floral vase containers near the burial sections and admin. American flags will be disposed of appropriately.

a. Potted plants and other decorative items are only allowed on gravesites 5 days before through 5 days after Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Yom Kippur.

(Potted plants and baskets kill the grass, they are generally not allowed)

b. Seasonal Holiday Adornments for Christmas and Hanukkah, such as wreaths, potted plants and other seasonal items may be placed on graves from December 1st through January 20th.

c. Traditional gravesites: fresh cut flowers may be placed any time of the year and will be removed when they become unsightly and/or to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing or trimming. (If purchased, ornamental, vases are removed, follow the rules below for grave decorations)

d. All grave decorations once picked up, will be placed in the 30-day bin with a tag annotating the section and gravesite on it. It will be held for a minimum of 90 days in a designated location. If not retrieved by NOK, they will be discarded.

e. The designation will consist of (1) bin for only artificial flowers, (3) separate bins which represent 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days.

f. At the beginning of each month, the bins will be rotated to the next bin and then after the 90 days will be placed in the dumpster.

Unsightly (withered/dead flowers) and/or unauthorized decorations are to be removed daily from the cemetery grounds.

The contractor shall provide the necessary labor and suitable conveyance each workday for pickup of trash, debris, grave decoration, and unsightly floral arrangements from the Cemetery’s grounds.

A dumpster placement area shall be in a designated area of the cemetery and screened from public view.

Removal and disposal of debris from the Cemetery’s grounds shall be the responsibility of the contractor for all items found in and around the Cemetery.

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.6: SWEEPING/BLOWING OFF WALKWAYS & ROADWAYS:

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

Sub-Category 5: General Management o Standard 5.1: All areas where cemetery operations have been conducted are neat, clean, and free of debris and equipment at the end of the workday.

• Measure 5.1b: Roads, walkways, shelters, and burial sections are free of grounds maintenance debris by the end of the workday.

All walkways, roads, and parking areas will be swept prior to interment services or as instructed by the

COR. All roads, streets, committal shelters and public areas (to include the service roads behind committal shelters) will be cleaned daily or as instructed by the COR prior to the start of daily burial operations or at the conclusion of burial operations.

The roads, streets, committal shelters and public areas will be cleaned of all debris (i.e., mud, dirt, twigs, leaves, grass clippings, animal excrement’s, spider webs, bird, or insect nests, etc.). All roads and walkways will be blown at the beginning of the day (before -08:15am) and at the end of the day (no later than 4:15pm)

The walkways around the Administrative Building and committal shelters shall be swept/blown off prior to 9:00am daily. All pavement areas, benches, and signs (to include pavement under benches) around the

PIC will be cleaned of debris, spider webs, and animal droppings each workday.

Debris shall not be swept/blown into flower/planting beds, mulch areas, paved areas, nor left in rows or clumps on turf areas.

Committal Shelters will be swept free of bugs and debris on a weekly basis. Ensure all spider webs and/or bugs are swept from corners, ceilings, chairs and/or around the shelter daily.

Light pressure power spray with water to clean exterior will be conducted monthly at the PIC/Admin and

Committal Shelters, then quarterly at the maintenance building (break room and honor guard locations).

If the windows are dirtied during the process of the cleaning, they will be cleaned to keep a neat appearance. Brown, directional / wayfinding signs, around the cemetery will be washed monthly with light pressure spray and wiped to keep free from dirt and bird droppings.

Storm Clean-up (wind, rain, hail, etc.): Cemetery should be checked and cleaned up the next working day following the storm unless the extent of the storm prompts civil defense authorities to declare emergency movement only. Should this occur, clean-up should be done as soon as emergency restrictions are lifted.

The cemetery property includes all surrounding areas inside and outside the entrance to the main road, extending outside the stucco wall, to the end of the metal fence and a minimum of 300 feet on either side of the maintenance exit.

operations must be reported to the COR immediately.

The Contractor shall provide all necessary supervision, labor, supplies, OSHA approved personal protective equipment (PPE), and grounds maintenance equipment required for clearing/sweeping/blowing off all roadways, concrete surfaces, and designated areas.

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.7. UNDERGOUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATION, INSPECTION, AND

MAINTENANCE:

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

Work consists of monitoring, operation, and maintenance of the installed sprinkler system. The

Contractor shall assume responsibility for the irrigation system “as is “; as irrigation system is operational and fully functional as per manufacturer specifications. South Florida National Cemetery has approximately 169 acres of irrigated turf.

DESCRIPTION

The work specified herein shall be provided to facilitate the successful and ongoing operation of an automatically controlled underground landscape irrigation system, including system controllers and control devices, control valves, sprinkler heads and accessible field wiring, and startup in the spring and shutdown in the fall if required or designated by COR.

Irrigation parts required for repair(s) shall be supplied by the government.

All labor for repairs shall be charged at the hourly rate indicated in the schedule and broken down into quarterly hours (15 min) increments as appropriate. Labor Rates for Irrigation repairs to be provided on an “As-Needed/ As-Requested” bases.

Contractor and COR will inventory parts needed for frequent repairs. Designated location of parts will be established and maintained by the government. If additional parts are needed for a repair and not on hand, Contractor will notify COR with a list and specifics of what is needed for repair for the government to purchase.

The Contractor shall keep an Irrigation Repair Log, which shall be provided to the COR monthly, or more frequently if requested by the COR.

INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE

This contract shall include all irrigation system startup and operation, as well as shutdown if required. It also includes regular diagnostic and repair service, including emergency callback service, and periodic inspections and preventative maintenance of all above-ground system components, controllers, control devices, and replacing damaged or inoperable sprinkler heads, valves, heads, solenoids, and other irrigation components (per the COR).

System shall be operated efficiently to keep turfgrass and other landscape plants healthy, without being over-watered or drought stressed. The contractor shall be required to perform the following:

Underground Irrigation Systems with Stand-Alone Controllers

• Provide monthly examination of irrigation system by walking site and performing a thorough inspection of grounds and irrigation components. Contractor shall observe the sprinkler for 2 full rotations in all zones. 1x monthly and make report available to COR within 5 working days of the month.

• During each inspection, prepare a list of all trouble spots and problem issues that are visibly identifiable. In addition, review system operation with on-site operators to determine and record additional issues experienced during daily operation that may not be readily observable.

• In accordance with inspection notes, physically inspect all field controllers, including visible wiring in controller cabinet. Adjust controller programs to reflect site specific requirement, seasonal changes, and cemetery staff needs.

• Visibly inspect controller grounding grid for good mechanical connection.

• Verify operation of all irrigation valves and spray devices by manually running each station on each controller 4x annually.

• Adjust spray devices to assure proper spray pattern and radius of water pattern as identified within a 5-day time period.

• Repair or replace any broken or malfunctioning spray devices as identified with a 5day time period. Repair shall be performed by contractor. Replacement parts shall be furnished by the government.

• Verify that all flow sensors are operating properly. Recalibrate as required to meet manufacturer’s recommendations. 1x annually

• Verify that all system master valves are operating properly. Perform preventive maintenance service to valves to meet manufacturer’s recommendations. 2x annually.

• Inspect and clean as needed all filtering devices on irrigation system 5 times annually, including but not limited to mainline filters, drip line filter, and spray head filter devices.

• Test all controller grounding for proper resistance according to equipment manufacturers recommendations. Provide written report detailing grounding resistance for each controller, highlighting deficient ground locations, and notifying the site manager of required action.

2x annually

Underground Irrigation Systems with Computer-based Central Control.

• Shall be performed monthly when in operation, and specific items also addressed as needed when problems are noted, or more frequently if recommended by the manufacturer.

• Perform all system inspection and maintenance tasks as outlined in the previous section for

Underground Irrigation Systems with Stand-Alone Controllers.

• Routinely check laptop’s software event logs (located in the Cemetery Grounds

Supervisor’s office) to verify system has been operating properly. Adjust program settings in the software and make required program modifications to respond to site issues or problems as necessary as weather and season dictates.

• Verify communication is intact between Central Control computer and all field controller devices. Check program schedules for proper operation and adjust, if necessary, weekly.

• Verify system back-up function is programmed and working properly. Perform system back-up, provide back-up storage device to site manager for safe storage in remote locations weekly.

• Verify that system Weather Station is operating properly monthly if equipped, rain gauge if equipped. Perform preventive maintenance service to Weather Station/rain gauge to meet manufacturer’s recommendations.

• When notified by the COR of possible damaged, broken, or inoperable irrigation turf rotors and irrigation box lids, the contractor shall schedule an inspection of the identified damaged, broke, or inoperable irrigation turf rotors and irrigation box lids within 72 hours, however Contractor will ensure the site is covered with safety cones, plywood, or another barrier immediately to prevent injury. The contractor shall supply the COR a written report as to his or her finding no more than five (5) days after being notified. The contractor shall furnish exact replacement items and equipment for any item needing to be replaced. The contractor shall coordinate with the COR for a service repair start date and time range.

Place an orange safety cone over broken irrigation box lids until repaired or replaced to prevent trip hazards.

• Troubleshoot and repair faulty valves, heads, solenoids, and other components if required.

Contractor is to repair all leaks in the system up to and including 6–8-inch pipe when needed. Contractor will dig to expose pipes, heads, clear around boxes, and installation of solenoids / valves as required and refill holes to within 1" of grade to accept sod.

Troubleshoot and repair Rainbird System to include internet connectivity for irrigation controllers during monthly checks and as needed. This includes monthly inspection, diagnostics, and repair for the Hoover irrigation pumps.

WORK NOT INCLUDED

Maintenance service shall not include the performance of any work required as a result of improper use, accidents, or negligence for which the contractor is not directly responsible.

Any work determined to still be under warranty from another entity shall be identified to the COR immediately. Remedial action may be taken to mediate damage to government property.

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to perform tasks.

operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility

B.4.2 GRAVESITE MAINTENANCE

B.4.2.1 SUNKEN GRAVE AND GROUNDS REPAIR (Casket Sites) All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Base o Standard 2.8: The grade of every gravesite blends in with adjacent grade levels.

• Measure 2.8: Sunken graves have been identified and a plan of action developed to re-establish the ground level and cover within 30 calendar days of the date identified.

Category 8, Safety

Sub-Category 1: Operations o Standard 1.2: In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s

(OSHA) Walking…