Amend 4 - Q and A Grounds MNX Recompete 2024 - 6 Jun 24.pdf

Questions and Answers for Grounds Maintenance Recompete 2024 – FA481424R0003

1. We note that there is no DOL Wage Determination published. Is there one forthcoming?

No. According to FAR 22.1002.3(a) Successor contractors performing on contracts in excess of $2,500 for substantially the same services performed in the same locality must pay wages and fringe benefits (including accrued wages and benefits and prospective increases) at least equal to those contained in any bona fide collective bargaining agreement entered into under the predecessor contract. This requirement is self-executing and is not contingent upon incorporating a wage determination or the wage and fringe benefit terms of the predecessor contractor’s collective bargaining agreement in the successor contract.

2. Does this contract come under the Service Contract Act?

No

3. Do Executive Orders: 14026, 13658 and 13706 apply to this contract, both currently and this new solicitation (FA481424R0003)?

No. Since the Collective Bargaining Agreement states the wages and benefits.

4. What wage rate are we to use for the person employed on shrub pruning? Or should we refer to the SCA rate for this Florida county for this occupation?

Laborer rate. Please see Schedule A, Revision 1/05/ 2023 of CBA.

5. The current CBA is an agreement between S C Jones and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and not between any potential new contractor. Article 21 of the CBA is confusing. Should we wish to not participate do we have to comply with the CBA until the expiration date of Sep 30, 2025, giving 60 days notice prior to Sep 30, 2025? Or can we terminate on Sep 30, 2024 with 60 days notice prior to that date?

The National Labor Relations Act, as amended, governs. Generally, if an incoming contractor hires 50%+1 (simple majority) of the incumbent, union-represented employees, the incoming contractor must recognize and bargain with the union. The typical product of this negotiation is a new CBA.

Contractor may give 60 days’ notice to terminate CBA until September 30th, 2025.

6. Who validates the contractor's fertilizer application program?

The certified Pest Control Operator in Charge. (CPO ).

7. Has the incumbent contractor been applying fertilizers?

Yes. A monthly report is provided to the government.

8. Can we please see a copy of the past 5 years fertilizer applications and what the proportions and quantities of nutrients that have been applied by acre?

This is contractor’s proprietary information.

9. Where on PWS Appendix A is the 8,356,242 square feet of "Crackweed Vegetation shown?

Appendix A does not show these quantities. Crackweed vegetation control must be factored into improved grounds and semi-improved (BASH) operating costs.

10. Are we to use PWS Appendix A or Appendix H Workload Estimates for calculating our estimate? We ask because the quantities do not match up.

Both Appendix A and Appendix H are tools for calculating workload estimates. Appendix H provides a more detailed description of estimated workload quantities by location and required function.

Also, CHANGE appendix A table (changed referenced CLIN #s) to:

CLIN No. Service Total Unit of Issue

0001-5001 0002-5002 Improved Grounds 440.32 AC

0001-5001 0002-5002 Improved Edging 287,071 LF

0001-5001 0002-5002 Improved Trimming 396,193 LF

0003-5003 Irrigation System 9726 EA

0004-5004 Irrigation System MX reimburse (Contractor Acquired Parts)

1 LOT

0005-5005 Remove Debris/Police Grounds 440.32 AC 0006-5006 Leaf Removal 1 AC 0007-5007 Fertilization 24.3 AC 0008-5008 Pest Control 24.3 AC 0009-5009

Shrub/Other Plant Pruning 16,769 EA

0010-5010 0011-5011 Semi-Improved Grounds 490.81 AC

0012-5012 0013-5013

BASH (Airfield) 1084.5 AC

0014-5014 Unimproved Grounds 61.12 AC

0015-5015 Vegetative Beds/Rock Beds 241,645 SF

0016-5016 Surface Drainage Ditches 253,769 LF

11. PWS Item 4.5 requires pesticide application licenses in the Lawn and Ornamental categories.

What category of license is required for chemical weed control of "Crackweed Vegetation", (8,356,242 Square Feet), in Improved Grounds as listed in Appendix H of the PWS.

Lawn and ornamental license is required for all pest control in the grounds maintenance contract.

12. Attachment 2 - 5th Ordering Period (6 Mo Ext) is showing some of the Estimated Quantities as greater than 6 months and the same quantities as the previous ordering periods. Would this not make the Extension of 6 months the same price as for a full year? Also, most of the performance period is within the Non-Growing Season which has a greatly reduced Labor hours requirement.

The government requires a 6-month extension based on 12-month pricing costs.

13. CLIN 0007. Where is the 24.3 acres of fertilizing located and what is the grass species? Same question for Pest Control.

CENTCOM, SOCOM, Davis Conference Center, Bldg. 296, Bldg. 299, Hangar 3, and all athletic fields.

The grass species are St Agustine and Bahia Turf. These are the same areas for pest control.

14. CLIN 0004. How are we to price this? Should this not be a "Not To Exceed" price set by the government?

Yes, the not to exceed price is $2500. The intent is to replace the systems/irrigation clocks through natural attrition.

15. CLIN 0015. There is no workload for this regarding quantity of mulch required annually to maintain vegetative beds.

There is no mulch required to maintain vegetative beds as stated in paragraph 1.5.1 Vegetative and Inert Beds.

CLIN 0018 has three line items that references installing mulch

- If the government requires mulch it will be requested under CLIN 0018. There is no expectation of mulching under CLIN 0015

16. CLINs 0025 - 0036. What species and size of trees need to be pruned in these zones?Please refer to PWS 5.12 Tree Pruning and Trimming for description, quantity, and species of trees.

17. Are there GFE dumpsters and roll offs available for contractor use? If so, is there a cost to contractor for these?

Please refer to PWS paragraph 3.6, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal.

18. PWS 3.1. Will the new facility have GFE fuel tanks (gas and diesel) for contractor use?No.

19. Are GFE fuel tanks currently provided for contractor use?

No.

20. Can we please get a date when the contract will be awarded? This is needed for us to place orders for equipment and have them delivered for an Oct 1, 2024 start and for us to prepare our mobilization / transition in plans.

The contract is anticipated to be awarded 1 Oct 2024 with a one (1) month transition period. Full contract responsibility will begin 1 Nov 2024.

Are we expected to be fully staffed on Oct 1 to work alongside the incumbent's staff until Nov 1?

No, the expectation is to have key personnel available during the transition period and to be fully staffed by 1 Nov when you assume full responsibility for all grounds activities.

21. Will all areas be in PWS compliance on Oct 1, 2024. We noted that the fence-line is not in compliance on both sides per the incumbent's responsibility in the current PWS (Item 1.2.3) dated: 16 August 2019.

Current contract complies to date with new contract paragraph 1.2.3 Perimeter Fence Line.

22. If the fence-line, or any other areas, is out of PWS compliance after carrying out an acceptance drive around with the government on Oct 1, 2024, or the actual first day of the contract, what is the government's expectation of the new contractor?

Please refer to answer in paragraph 21.

23. If a new contractor is expected to bring areas into PWS compliance, how will the additional labor costs required be reimbursed by the government to the contractor?

We anticipate all areas will be in PWS compliance.

24. Are we correct in understanding that CLINs 0001 - 0017 to be firm fixed price and guaranteed even though described as "Estimated Quantity" on Attachment 2?

Yes. CLINs 0001-0016 are Annual Requirements

25. Are we correct in understanding CLINs 0017 - 0042 to be indefinite delivery indefinite quantity with no guarantee of any of these items being required?

Yes. CLINs 0017-0041 are ID/IQ CLINs. CLIN 0042 is for Transition from the current contract to the new contract.

26. PWS 1.8.7. What are the quantity, size and species of trees and shrubs requiring pruning in CLINs 0037 - 0039 Please refer to drawing map A-2.1, Sheet 6 of 6, Special Events Enlarged Aerial Plan.

27. Are there any size restrictions for mowers/equipment used on the Airfield?

No.

28. The winner of the contract will be able to store equipment on site, correct?

Yes.

29. If the PWS says “Issued by separate work order by the CO/COR”, does that mean it is not included in the “annual cost” but will be billed separately throughout the contract?

Yes.

30. What areas need to be hand watered?

All planter boxes at CENTCOM and SOCOM.

31. Who is the current incumbent?

SC Jones

32. What is the value of the current contract?

$7,733,494.27.

33. Attach. 6 CBA Agreement - The hourly rates for the labor and tractor operator are lower than the $17.20 per hour required by the EO 14026 that has been incorporated into the SCA Wage Determinations. Are we to use the wage rates listed in the CBA for the dates 10/01/24 – 09/30/25 for the base and all options and then submit an REA after the new agreement is established or use the SCA wage determination?

Refer to CBA dated 1-5-2023

34. Attach. 6 CBA Agreement – If we are to use the SCA wage Determination can you publish the correct Wage Determination that we are to use?

Please refer to question 33.

35. PWS 1.1.5 - How many Igloo/Bunkers are there in the Munition Storage area?

Twenty-one

36.PWS 1.1.6.1 – This section requires manual watering. Of the active irrigation areas how many acres or square feet require manual watering?

All active irrigation areas do not require manual watering.

37.PWS 1.1.6.2 / CLINS 0004 - How are we to price CLIN 0004 not knowing the manufactures, types, the number of items that may need to be repaired, etc., that are to be reimbursed. Can the government give a fixed maximum price for this CLIN for all to have since this is based on a reimbursable requirement?

Please refer to question 14.

38.PWS 1.1.7 – Is there an area on base to dump debris or is the contractor responsible for removing all debris off base?

Daily policing is dumped at the Base transfer station. All other debris is removed off base at contractor’s cost.

39.PWS 1.1.10 – in the second paragraph it states that the “The following types of pests are common on this installation and their abatement should be specifically addressed the IPM plan and used to determine the workload for lawn and ornamental pests” but does not list the type of pest that are to be addressed. Could these pests please be listed so they can be addressed in the IPM plan?

Remove that reference from PWS 1.1.10. All standard central Florida lawn and ornamental pests should be considered.

CHANGE PWS 1.1.10 to read:

“The contractor shall provide all management, licenses, laboratory testing, tools, supplies, equipment, transportation and labor to develop and implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan in the areas covered by this Grounds Maintenance PWS in a manner that will ensure the health and general well-being of installation personnel and grounds. Abatement of all standard central Florida lawn and ornamental pests should be specifically addressed the IPM plan and used to determine the workload for lawn and ornamental pests. The Contractor shall use only approved pesticides as stated in DoD Manual 4150.07 Volume 1, DoD Pest Management Program Elements and Implementation, para 4.3.a and AFM 32-1053, Integrated Pest Management Program, para 3.9.1.2 and 3.9.1.3. All pesticides, herbicides, and rodenticides are defined in DoD and Air Force documents. The Contractor shall comply with current federal, state, local, DoD, and Air Force regulations, plans, manuals and policies. The contractor shall comply with all applicable parts of 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910, Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, 29 CFR 1925, Labor, Safety and Health Standards for Federal Service Contracts, 40 CFR 150-189, Protection of Environment, Pesticide Program, and 49 CFR 171, Transportation, General Information, Regulations, and Definitions. The Contractor shall ensure that all workers have current state certification for the pest control services being performed. Civil Engineer Asset Management Flight must approve all herbicides prior to use in accordance with AFM 32-1053 and DODM 4150.07. All products used must be on the installation-approved inventory list and applied by certified personnel.”

40.PWS 3.1 – If the GFE provided space is not adequate can the contractor have containers placed in the area?

A limited amount of containers are acceptable as long as they don’t impede yard management operations.

41. Will it be permissible to work Saturdays and/or Sundays to catch up, in the event that weather conditions halt the mowing program during the regular work schedule?

Yes

42. PWS 1.1.7 - Remove Debris / Policing - What is the governments expectation of the debris policing, following a storm or hurricane?

Removal of debris after a storm or hurricane will be separately priced with a contract modification.

CHANGE PWS 1.1.7 to read:

“The contractor shall perform general litter patrol in areas of improved grounds prior to mowing. Remove and dispose of natural debris, (tree limbs, dry brush, etc.), and man-made debris. Police areas to maintain a neat and professional appearance.”

43. PWS 1.5 - Vegetative Beds, Inert Beds, Rock Beds - Has the quantity of the rock beds increased from the current contract?

Yes. The security rock boundary along Bayshore Boulevard. It is 23,700 square feet.

44. PWS 1.86 - Pruning and Trimming Zones (1-12) - Has the quantity of tree zones increased from the current contract?

Yes. The current contract has 10 zones. The new contract has 12 zones.

45. PWS 3.1 - Facilities - Closed Loop Vehicle wash water system. As the contractor is required to maintain the new wash system, what is the projected annual maintenance cost?

Yes. The estimated annual cost is approximately $3,000; however, the contractor may want to account for future inflation cost increases.

46. Some of our unit prices extend to four decimal places. Is this permissible?

The UNIT prices can extend 4 decimal places as long as the EXTENDED prices don’t exceed 2 decimal places.

47. Are we pricing these CLINs for the pruning of 1 tree in the zone or for pruning all trees in the zone? (CLINS 25-36) Pricing for those CLINs should be for all trees in that zone.