Questions_and_Answers_for_Grounds_Maintenance.docx

Questions and Answers for Grounds Maintenance

1. What type of maintenance is carried out at Little Mountain?

Semi-Improved/Improved mowing and irrigation are done at Little Mountain; the acreage has been included in the sections for Semi-Improved/Improved in Appendix A Workload Projection Data.

2. Who is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of backflows and main isolation valves?

If a mainline is broken, the CE Water Shop will handle the maintenance and repairs. Backflows from the valve to the # 1 side belong to CE, and backflows from the valve to the # 2 side of the backflow belong to the contractor.

3. How many manually operated irrigations systems are and what size of acreage do they serve?

There are 5 manually operated irrigations systems. The total size of all 5 is about 2 acres. This information has been added to Appendix A Workload Projection Data.

4. Prune trees indicates an estimated quantity of 4,000 each as the estimated workload. Does this mean the contractor should anticipate pruning approximately 1,333 annually on a 3 year cycle?

As stated in the Appendix A Workload Projection Data, the contractor should expect to prune approximately 500-700 trees per year.

5. What is the approximate number of truckloads/tons of debris hauled during Air Show and Distinguished Visitors visits?

During Air shows, the contractor only provides trash cans, trash bags, police grounds, remove trash from the cans take to the Dumpsters provided and insert new trash bag in the trash can. (Air Show). None for the DV visits. The contractor is not responsible to haul truckloads of debris.

6. Are there any maps available for snow removal? Maps are not currently available, prospective offerors are to use the information in Appendix F Snow/Ice Removal Areas to form their proposal.

7. What are the current acres for DV routes?

DV routes change based on current needs and interests of the DV. The Appendix A Workload Projection Data and Bid Schedule have been updated to define small, medium and large DV routes.

8. CLIN 0002AG states 15 lots/or 3 per year. Question: Is weed control all year?

Improved grounds should be treated 3 times per year for weeds.

9. Appendix A states: item 19: Special Cuts = 19 units. Question: What is a unit consisting of? How is it funded? Does 19 equal 3.8 units per year?

Appendix A has been updated to read 10 each per year. Special cuts will be small, medium, or large, and will be defined and funded in individual task orders.

10. Appendix A states: item 10: Renovate Lawns = 10 units. Question: What is a unit consisting of? How is it funded?

Appendix A has been updated to read 40,000 sq. ft. per year. This will be approximately 4 jobs per year, @ 10,000 sq. ft. per job if needed. Exact specifications will be defined and funded in individual task orders.

11. Item 0007 snow equals 4 months per year. Question is snow funded prior to winter months.

It is anticipated that CLIN 0007 will be funded with the first task order at the time of award.

12. Is snow fall considered IDQ or FFP?

CLIN 0007 Snow removal is FFP

13. CLIN 0008AA tree pruning = 60 lots, what is a lot?

The Unit of Issue for this CLIN has been changed to Months. The contractor will provide 12 months of tree pruning services per year. The anticipated number of trees to be pruned is approximately 500 – 700 per year as stated in Appendix A Workload Projection Data.

14. CLIN 0008AB emergency spot pruning, what is a lot?

The Unit of Issue has been changed to Each. The government anticipates approximately 4 emergency tree prunings per year.

15. Special Cuts states 100 lot, what is a lot?

The Unit of Issue has been changed to Each. The special cuts have been defined as small, medium, and large in Appendix A Workload Projection Data, and will be further defined in individual task orders.

16. Item No. 0002AD Remove Debris and Trash Removal. Solicitation and Work Load mention Improved grounds while the PWS mentions Improved and Simi-improved Grounds.

The Solicitation and Appendix A Workload Projection Data will be updated to include Semi-Improved Grounds.

17. Each of these have under Unit “Lot”. What is the definition of “Lot”?

Item No. 0002AH Lawn Renovation. As stated in 10 above, a Lot will be approximately 10,000 sq. ft.

Item No. 0008AA Tree Pruning. Unit of Issue has been changed to Months.

Item No. 0008AB Emergency Tree Pruning. Unit of Issue has been changed to Each.

Item No. 0009AA-0009AG Tree & Stump removal and Emergency Tree & Stump Removal. Unit of issue has been changed to Each.

18. Item No. 0011 Plant Trees, Shrubs, Vegetative Beds. Solicitation request 100 Lots. Each item has different cost associated with it, a 24” box tree, B&B Tree or Shrub, 15 gal Tree or Shrub and so on, what are we to quote?

As stated in PWS paragraph 1.7.5, this CLIN will be negotiated at the Task Order level. This CLIN will not be evaluated on the basic contract.

19. Item No. 0012 Irrigation Material. As irrigation repair is part of the PWS under Irrigation, is this to be a not to exceed cost on the contracts responsibly?

This is a cost reimbursable CLIN. Contractors will be reimbursed for cost incurred and approved in accordance with the PWS. This CLIN will not be used to evaluate the total proposal price.

20. We would like to request a better printable site map.

A better map is not currently available. Contractors are advised to use the current map, Appendix A Workload Projection Data, and information obtained at the site visit to prepare their proposals.

21. What is the total with all options value of the current Grounds Maintenance Contract?

The contract was awarded for $6,096,721.60.

22. What is the current Option Period Contract annual value?

This question will not be answered as it may provide proprietary information and/or competitive advantage.

23. To better understand site conditions; are the contract performance requirements in this solicitation, except for minor changes the same as what is being performed in the current contract?

The work is similar; however, prospective offerors are advised to rely on the PWS and Appendices for performance requirements of the new requirement.

24. See the following CLINS 0002AF, 0002AG, 0002AH, 0003AA, 0005, 0008AA, 0008AB, 0009AA, 0009AB, 0009AC, 0009AD, 0009AE, 0009AF, 0009AG, 0010, 0011. With each CLIN’S Task Order requirement being an unknown, undefined level of effort including man-hours, equipment and material cost. It is impossible to submit a single Unit Price based on potentially unknown “Jobs” competitively against other offerors. What constitutes a “Lot” in each of these CLINs?

A Bid Schedule has been added and Appendix A Workload Projection Data have been updated to address this issue.

25. In the instructions to offerors item 6.1.1 states that the offeror is to complete blocks 12 17a, 26, 30a, 30b, and 30c of Standard Form 1449. Block number 26 on the 1449 says "Total Contract Award" for govt use only. Is it Contracting’s position for the Offeror to insert the “Total Proposal Price” in block 26 on the SF1449?

The SF 1449 represents a model contract. Contractors are to insert the Total Proposal Price in block 26. The Contracting Officer will update this block prior to contract Award.

26. PWS 1.8 COMPOSTING OPERATIONS - Which CLIN should be used to account for and price composting operations in the Growing and Non-Growing Seasons?

CLIN 0013 has been added to cover the requirements for Composting Operations and Wood Chipping/Hauling

27. PWS 1.9 WOOD CHIPPING/HAULING - Which CLIN should be used to account for and price composting operations in the Growing and Non-Growing Seasons?

CLIN 0013 has been added to cover the requirements for Composting Operations and Wood Chipping/Hauling

28. PWS 1.1.4.1 Operation of irrigation systems manual irrigation requirements state in part “The Contractor is prohibited from connecting to any hydrant within the boundaries of the installation.” Is there any other sources on-base that can be used for irrigation purposes such as building hose bibs, etc.? The contractor will only be permitted to use approved sources for irrigation purposes. Can the contractor connect to a hydrant using an approved backflow prevention valve designed for such use? No, The contractor is prohibited from connecting to any hydrant on base.

29. Appendix G - Government Furnished Equipment - Is it the responsibility of the contractor to repair, and or provide replacements for this equipment during the life of this contract?

See Clause 52.245-2 “If any or all of the Government property is lost or becomes no longer usable, the Contractor shall be responsible for replacement of the property at Contractor expense. The Contractor shall have title to all replacement property and shall continue to be responsible for contract performance.”

30. PWS 1.8 COMPOSTING OPERATIONS and PWS 1.9 WOOD CHIPPING/HAULING - Does the government consider these requirements recycling or a composting and wood chipping requirement for wage application purposes?

The Service Contract Act labor category should be 11210 – Laborer, Grounds Maintenance.

31. Paragraph 6.2.4 of the Instructions to offerors asks the offeror to report a variety of OSHA reporting data for NAICS Code 811219 (Other Electronic & Precision Equipment Repair & Maintenance???). I'm assuming this is an error and you're looking for data on NAICS 561730, which is Grounds Maintenance.

The Instructions to Offerors has been corrected to reflect NAICS 561730.

Questions and Answers from the Site Visit

1. How often is the contractor responsible to mow the Semi-Improved areas?

It depends on the amount of rainfall and season. The contractor is required to meet the specifications in the PWS.

2. Is the contractor responsible to trim around trees?

Yes

3. How are the berms to be mowed.

They should be mowed by hand. Heavy machinery causes erosion problems.

4. The irrigation system used to be a “Maxi System”. It’s not anymore right?

That’s correct.

5. On semi-improved areas requiring access is there a penalty for doing it later/not doing it if access is denied due to training exercises, etc.?

If the contractor is denied access to any areas that require service they should contact to COR/CO to revise the schedule.

6. PWS paragraph 1.1.2 states that the contractor is responsible for weeds in sidewalks and other hard surfaces. Is this correct?

The PWS has been updated with the correct language. Contractors are responsible for sidewalks and hard surfaces, but not for pavements.

7. What is the contractor’s responsibility concerning weed control around the buildings and in rock beds?

The PWS has been updated to state that unless required by the COR, the contractor is not responsible for weed control within 75 feet of buildings.