Questions and Answers Grounds Mx v2.pdf

Questions and Answers

Grounds Maintenance

FA452822QNB05

1. Question: Is there an incumbent?

Answer: Yes

2. Question: If so, are they eligible to re-compete for this solicitation Answer: Yes

3. Question: For this solicitation is the government expecting to be charged hourly or with a flat rate for snow removal services?

Answer: Rate

4. Question: The advertisement project category code states “maintenance, round-a bout construction.” Is the project for Round-a-Bout construction or some kind of Ground Maintenance?

Answer: The solicitation is posted as:

Product service code: S208 – HOUSEKEEPING –

LANDSCAPING/GROUNDSKEEPING

NAICS: 561730 – Landscaping Services

5. Question: Wanted to clarify that the due date is still on 20 October 2022?

Answer: As of 19 October 2022, the solicitation was extended to 21 November 2022.

6. Question: The only mowing this requirement is for is the improved grounds areas of 596 acre base proper and 7-acre Hospital grounds areas?

Answer: Yes, 596 acres for the base and 7 acres at the hospital

7. Question: Para 1.2 of the PWS does not have an estimated quantity of measurement; via (sq ft/sq yd/acres). Please provide clarification on quantity of measurement for the beds for section 1.2? Please identify the beds for the maintenance of vegetative beds, that the contractor is required to maintain.

Answer: Removed 1.1.7 from the PWS with amendment 5

8. Question: For Para 1.1.4 and 1.1.7 in evaluations/estimating each service being accomplished at twice a year is 1206 acres annually. So, for peace of mind in determining an accurate proposal, please provide clarification regarding the applications annually for each service required. For example weed control and fertilization application acreage is a total of 603 acres?

Answer: The Hospital receives fertilizer once per year and weed/pest control twice per .

The base side receives weed/pest control twice a year. The base side does not get fertilized. Please see updated PWS dated 7 November 2022 with amendment 5.

9. Question: Are the pathways/sidewalks linear footages, are basically on an average of 4 feet in width?

Answer: The pathway/sidewalk area is figured in square footage. There are sidewalks that are wider than 4 feet.

10. Question: The map key to features/legend show priority-1 as Red and shows facility number (8) totaling 122,604 sq ft. For priority 2 it also has facility numbers (4) totaling 222,728 sq ft. In review of the snow removal map of the priority 1 it shows a total number of 53 buildings that are associated with the red markings as priority 1. The legend indicates facility numbers (9) non of which are in the 900**. We will fix the facility numbers on the snow removal map

- For the map legend identifying 8 facilities all 900 numbering is this correct? No

- Bldg 546 and 548 is one facility to receive the sane required timeline of 0630 as the other building? ALL priority one sidewalks must be cleared by 0630

- Bldg 695 looks like it may be associated with 546/548 will it require the 0630 timeline requirement as well? ALL priority one sidewalks must be cleared by 0630

11. Question: When combining two totals you have 345,332 total sq ft, dividing this total by 4 you can up with a relative estimate of linear footage 86,333 in ft. You can go even further and divide by 9 and come up with an estimated total of 38,370 sq yds. We can assume or guess the remaining 7,551 square yardage missing estimate is associated from areas such as steps, stairs, landings, and ramps. Please provide clarification stated above regarding square yardage of areas other than sideways or pathways.

Answer: There are sidewalks that are wider than 4 foot.

12. Question: Government provided facility Bldg. 505 on Bomber Blvd., during the Fall & Winter seasons & early Spring temperatures can become very blustery cold or cool. For a contractor to have a facility that is enclosed and heated. It vital during the winters and cold temps along snowy/icy weather, to keep our needed inventory inside for snow/ice removal inside a heated facility.

Why we are making this statement, is having snow removal equipment in a heated shop space, will keep the equipment ready to start, will greatly assist a contractor to promptly respond to snow removal requirements. Also with serve cold temperatures using sand or washed sand alone will not melt or remove ice that has formed on walk-ways areas.

• Is the area inside the office and shop/storage heated or heat-able? The space is heated

• Is there an outside storage space associated with the bldg. 505 for the contractor to parking any vehicle, trailers, & equipment, as well as parking areas for employees? Yes

• Will a contractor be allowed to utilize an Ice Melt product/chemical for the ice removal requirement? Yes

13. Question: As Minot AFB is not close to the city of Minot storage and mixing off base can become problematic if a facility off base is not found/available in the near proximity of Minot AFB.

• Is there a facility or area off base the government will allow operation mixing of chemical for application of herbicides? No, the contractor must find an area

• Are there public/private facilities off base that a contractor to utilize for mixing operations of herbicides? No, the contractor must find an area

• If there are public or private facilities off base please identify that possibility or any possibilities that relatively close to Minot AFB? The Govt is not aware of any areas that the contractor can use

14. Question: You state that the contractor is subject to inspections of DOD certified applicator/inspection as well as State Dept of Agriculture Pesticides Division or equivalent agency. We are assuming this intent was for inspecting or assuring applications of herbicide chemicals were applied by a person holding a N.D. state certified applicator license.

• Please clarify the paragraphs intent or meaning regarding North Dakota Certified Applicators License?

• Regarding a person/employee of a contractor in possession of a DOD certification, it is our understanding that only a government employed person or soldier can hold a DOD applicator license, please clarify your intent of this statement?

Answer: Please see PWS para 4.5

15. I see on the map (Attachment 3) that cattails are not identified in the mowing areas. Are we required to mow them or are they considered designated wet lands and we are to leave them alone?

Answer: The cattails are wetlands. We do not touch those areas.

16. In the PWS 1.1.7.1 Fertilization and in the Estimated Workload Data is shows that both the hospital and Base grounds shall receive fertilizer treatments. Is this correct?

Answer: PWS dated 7 November 2022 with amendment 5 to this solicitation, has removed 1.1.7.1 from the requirement.

17. Can you please provide the ramp up time/transition period the new contractor will be allowed? What is the timeline for startup?

Answer: The period of performance would begin 1 April 2023. The government will award the new base + 4 option year contract 30 days prior to period of performance start date.

18. Can you please describe the onboarding process?

Answer: If onboarding process means access to the installation, please refer to section 4.8 of the PWS.

19. Can you provide the name of the incumbent, the contract number, total award amount, and period of performance?

Answer: This information can’t be disclosed; however, instructions for requesting information on the current contract can be found at Freedom of Information (af.mil) which is located at Minot Air Force Base Freedom of Information Act request.

20. Will the incumbent be under contract and performing work through December 31, 2022?

Answer: This information can’t be disclosed; however, instructions for requesting

21. Is there a recommended equipment list?

Answer: The government doesn’t have a special or unique requirement for equipment to perform this contract. The services are commercial and would be the same as expected in a commercial Grounds Maintenance.

22. Has the scope of work changed significantly from the current contract to this new 5-year requirement?

Answer: This information can’t be disclosed; however, instructions for requesting

23. During the site visit there was mention that the scope may change, removing some tasks.

Will a new performance work statement and/or price schedule be provided?

Answer: An updated PWS dated 7 November 2022 is now posted with amendment 5

24. Who is the incumbent contractor?

25. What is the price for the contract presently, inclusive of base and option years?

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

26. What is the incumbent contract number?

27. How has the new solicitation changed from the present contract?

which is located at Minot Air Force Base Freedom of Information Act request

28. How do weather delays affect contract performance and payments?

Answer: See PWS para 4.7.1 and 4.9

29. What kind of weather is considered a cause for stop work? Delay? High winds? Rain?

Snow?

Grounds Maintenance is only stopped for weather during a base closure. COR’s will notify Contractors of any base closures.

30. Storm debris is interpreted as what? Leaves, limbs, blowing trash?

Answer: See PWS para 1.1.5 and 1.1.6

31. How many snow events took place during the mowing season each of the last 5 years?

Answer: Standard websites can be utilized for this question. U.S Climate Data provides temperature and precipitation and snow reports.

https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/minot/north-dakota/united-states/usnd0551

32. How many inches of snow did these events average?

Answer: Standard websites can be utilized for this question. U.S Climate Data provides

33. Government-provided refuse removal - Does this include leaves and debris?

Answer: Government Furnished Property and Services is under section 3 of the PWS and relates to the space the contractor utilizes at Bldg 505

34. ATV or RTV buggies permitted on the streets? Does the driver need a driver’s license?

Yes, ATV’s/RTV’s are allowed on streets. Yes, drivers must have a driver license

35. Please verify the period of contract performance is 1 May through 31 October each year.

Answer: Period of Performance is 1 April – 31 March for each year.

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Freedom-of-Information/#:%7E:text=Freedom%20of%20Information%20The%205th%20Communications%20Squadron%2FSCXR%20is,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Freedom%20of%20Information%20Act.

36. Snow removal on page 18 of PWS list 77? What does 77 represent? Is snow removal only during the period of 1 May through 31 October?

77 is under the frequency column, it is estimated that snow will need to be moved 77 times. The snow removal season is 1 Nov – 30 April.

37. Is the Pruning of Shrubs, hedges, and other plants a requirement? Or has this requirement been removed?

Answer: As of 7 November 2022 PWS and amendment 5 to this solicitation, this requirement has been removed.

38. Pesticide approved list by the government. Can you provide a copy of the approved Pesticide list? There is no requirement for pesticide use on base.

39. What is the predominant type of grass on these grounds? Does the type of grass differ from one area to another? We are not aware of the predominant type of grass.

40. What is the dominant pest problem? Grasshoppers, Gophers, groundhogs? Moles? Is controlling these pests one of the contractor’s tasks? Gophers are the main pest problem.

No, the contractors are not responsible for pest control.

41. Can we use an outside storage area for the equipment? For storing sand? Is this permitted at the location of the government-provided storage building?

Answer: See section 3 of the PWS, para 3.1 regarding storage space.

42. Fuel storage tanks. Can we locate a fuel tank in the yard at the warehouse? That request will take extensive coordination with Base Safety, Environmental, CE and the Fire Department.

43. Emergency Wash shower station provided by the government? Does the warehouse have restrooms? Is there a locker room and showers? There is not an emergency wash shower provided by the Govt. The warehouse does have a bathroom but there is no shower or locker room.

44. Base Closure and road closures were discussed at the site visit. Does the government house, billet, feed our personnel who cannot leave the base during these events? Will we have to file an REA to be paid for these expenses? How long for an REA to be processed? Would it be better to have a line item with a number of personnel and a rate Per day of overnight stays?

Answer: Attachment 9 Clauses and provisions list DFARS 252.243-7002 Requests for Equitable Adjustment. This will be a firm-fixed price contract. The government does not house, billet, feed personnel if not able to leave base. Normal circumstances, before a base close or road closure or release of personnel there is ample notification.

45. What is the lowest temperature and high temperature we could expect for Minot? Does Temperature qualify as an acceptable natural delay in work? Do High Winds qualify as an acceptable delay in work?

Answer: Standard websites can be utilized for this question. U.S Climate Data provides

46. Unrestricted procurement? Is this to remain unrestricted procurement? Has it always been unrestricted? Please explain.

Answer: This is not an unrestricted procurement, as it’s set aside for 100% Small Business.

47. Would the government consider this RFQ and 8(a) or SDVOSB set aside requirement?

Answer: IAW FAR 19.502-2(a) and (b) The contracting officer has determined there is reasonable expectation that two or more responsible small business concerns will be competitive in terms of fair market prices, quality and delivery.

48. Can you please provide guidance if this proposal is to be submitted in 1 volume or 3 separate volumes – Administrative, Technical and Price?

Answer: The combo lists FAR provision 52.212-1 Instructions to offerors. There are no volumes associated with this request for quote, as we are not using FAR part 15 procedures. FAR provision 52.212-Evaluation criteria provides further instruction on basis for award and what the government will be evaluating.