FY23_NATC_Grounds_Maint_PWS_updated.pdf

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Interior Region 2

West Major Acquisition Buying Office

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT:

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

AT

FORT ROSALIE

NATCHEZ VISITOR CENTER

AND

MELROSE ESTATE

Natchez National Historical Park

Natchez, Mississippi

Grounds Maintenance for the National Park Service

1. WORK LOCATION. Work on this contract will be performed at the following locations:

1.1. Fort Rosalie, 500 block of South Canal Street, Natchez, MS 39120

1.2. Melrose Estate, 1 Melrose-Montebello Parkway, Natchez, MS 39120

1.3 Natchez Visitor Center, 640 South Canal Street, Natchez, MS 39120

2. REQUIRED SERVICES. The contractor shall provide all labor, tools, equipment, materials, and supervision required to perform grounds maintenance at each site including:

2.1. Turf mowing and fertilizing (spring), grass to be cut on a two-week cycle, except for the Melrose fields as indicated, which are to be cut once per month.

2.2. Edging on curbs, sidewalks and paved areas; string trimmer under fences and signs.

2.3. Application / replacement of pine bark mulch as required.

2.4. Chemical weed control on all paved surfaces.

2.5. Removal of grass clippings from concrete and paved surfaces.

3. SITE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. Individual site-specific requirements are as follows:

3.1. Requirements for Fort Rosalie

3.1.1. Provide for new spring / fall seasonal plantings of annuals in the bed in front of the log cabin; weed, fertilize, and replacement of pine bark mulch.

3.1.2. Annual fertilizing and pine bark mulching of white azalea bed near log cabin.

3.1.3. Steep embankment of Fort requires use of string trimmer adjusted no lower than 1 ½” to prevent skinning of grass and cause erosion.

3.1.4 Remove small trees along bluff edge and chemically treat to prevent regrowth.

3.1.5 Hand pruning of suckers under all Crape Myrtle trees along Canal Street.

3.1.6 Spring application of Imidacloprid insecticide to Crape Myrtles for bark scale.

3.2. Requirements for Melrose

3.2.1. The park’s established mowing plan (attached) requires mowing at a high setting of the north side, front lawn, and flower garden of the estate. A zero-turn mower is acceptable for most of these areas.

A push mower must be used in the parterre garden area and within ten feet of all historic structures.

Work around buildings in the historic core of property to be completed between hours of 6:00 am to 9:00 am.

3.2.2. A more agricultural pasture-like bush hogging (5” or higher) is to be used on the front field, around the pond, in the stable yard, back yard, orchard, field near bally building and maintenance yard and Montebello field (color coded areas on the mowing plan, attached).

3.2.3. String trimmers must not be used within one foot of historic structures or tree trunks.

3.2.4. Trimming of all cherry laurel hedges twice per year to maintain a height of no more than 5 feet.

3.2.5. Annual fertilizing and application of new 3” pine bark mulch (fertilize prior to mulching) to hedges.

3.2.6. Pull weeds manually on a monthly basis from formal beds in parterre garden, except for larkspur which will be allowed to reseed annually. 3” application of new pine bark mulch to beds in formal garden, except around the bearded “cemetery” iris.

3.2.7. Annual spring fertilizing and application of new 3” pine bark mulch (fertilize prior to mulching) to established shrubs in formal garden, fruit trees in orchard, and camellias throughout the property.

3.2.8. Pruning of suckers and dead limbs from fruit trees in orchard.

3.2.9. Provide for new spring / fall seasonal plantings of annuals in the bed around the Melrose sign at the front entrance; weed, fertilize, and install new pine bark mulch.

3.3 Requirements for Natchez Visitor Center

3.3.1 Mowing of St. Augustine lawn on high mower setting.

3.3.2 String trimming around picnic tables, courtyard squares, light posts, and exhibit panels. String trimming must not be used within one foot of tree trunks.

3.3.3 Mow along the top edge of the bluff outside of the black metal fencing.

3.3.4 Hand pruning of suckers under all Crape Myrtle trees.

3.3.5 Spring application of Imidacloprid insecticide to Crape Myrtles for bark scale.

3.3.6 Weed, prune, fertilize, and mulch rose beds in colonnade and round bed by parking area as well as beds on south end of building near parking lot.

3.3.7 Weed, fertilize, and mulch azalea beds around inner edges of courtyard.

3.3.8 Annual pruning of wisteria on pergola in courtyard.

3.3.9 Removal of all leaves and other material from walkway between Crape Myrtles at south end of courtyard.

3.3.10 Edge all sidewalks

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE. One year from Notice to Proceed.

5. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES. The contractor will provide all turf mowing, weed control, fertilization, mulch and bush trimming as specified for the Melrose estate, Fort Rosalie, and Natchez Visitor Center units of Natchez National Historical Park. Contractor must receive prior approval from the park for use of any chemical treatments. Amounts used must be reported.

Contractor shall not perform any digging without prior approval, nor should they remove any artifacts, no matter how small, which may wash up and be found on the surface. Artifact hunting and use of metal detectors is strictly prohibited. Removing any artifacts, no matter how small, is a violation of federal law, even something as seemingly inconsequential as a piece of broken glass can yield clues about the past; therefore, take nothing from the site and leave nothing behind.

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS & SUPPLIES. The Government will not furnish any personal property, materials or supplies necessary for the performance of this contract.

7. BUSINESS HOURS. The contractor shall complete on-site work during normal business hours of operation from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding those federal holidays when the park is closed (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day) at Fort Rosalie, Melrose, and the Natchez Visitor Center.

Contractor will provide a detailed, monthly work schedule and will coordinate with the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative (COR) five days prior to performance start date. While on site, the COR may be reached by mobile phone during normal business hours. Work shall commence within 10 days after Contracting Officer issues notice to proceed. Any work outside of normal business hours shall be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer and COR.

8. MANAGEMENT. The contractor shall manage the total work effort in accordance with effective and efficient management principles and safe working practices to ensure on-time completion of this contract.

9. SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.

9.1. The contractor shall comply with all provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and all state and local safety laws.

9.2. The contractor shall comply with all Environmental Protection Agency laws and regulations.

9.3. The contractor shall provide their company safety plan to the National Park Service.

9.4. The Park Safety Officer has the authority to issue restraint or cease-and-desist orders to the contractor when violations or unsafe acts are present and threaten Government and contractor employees or damage to Government property.

9.5. The contractor shall immediately report to the Contracting Officer, COR and Park Safety Officer all accidents resulting in employee injury or death or damage to property while performing this contract.

9.6. Contractor shall stop work when visitors come within 40’ of operations.

9.7. All chemicals used on park property will be approved by the COR prior to use.

9.8. Contractor will provide COR the safety data sheets (SDS) for all chemicals used.

9.9. Contractor shall maintain and submit to the COR when requested a log identifying all chemicals used. List shall include:

9.9.1. Name of qualified person applying product

9.9.2. Product name

9.9.3. Amount 100% of active ingredient

9.9.4. Amount of product

9.9.5. Location and amount where used

9.9.6. Date used

9.9.7. Active ingredient

10. INSURANCE. The contractor shall be insured in accordance with State of Mississippi insurance regulations.

The government is not responsible for damage to contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The Government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

10.1. WORKERS COMPENSATION. The contractor shall furnish proof of workers compensation insurance to the Contracting Officer for those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the workman’s compensation laws of the State of Mississippi.

10.2. LIABILITY. The contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the contractor and the Government from any claims as a result of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract, and shall submit proof of insurance to the Contracting Officer.

11. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS). The contractor performance requirements are summarized into required services that relates directly to successful contract completion. The performance standard identifies the minimum acceptable levels of service allowed.

11.1. PRS for Fort Rosalie

PWS

Section

Required Service Standard Monitoring Method

Incentive/ Disincentive

2 & 3.1 Perform grounds maintenance at the Ft Rosalie site (fields and earthworks)

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.1 Perform grounds maintenance at Stietenroth House & log cabin

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.1 Install & maintain bed of seasonal annuals in front of log cabin

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.1 Annual application of fertilizer and pine bark mulch to white azalea bed near log cabin

100% compliance Random Inspections

Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.1 Use of string trimmer on steep embankments.

100% compliance Random Inspections

Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.1 Treat Crape Myrtles annually for bark scale & hand prune suckers

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

11.2. PRS for Melrose

PWS

Section

Required Service Standard Monitoring Method Incentive/ Disincentive

2 & 3.2 Perform grounds maintenance at Melrose

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.2 Prune, trim, and mulch 5’ cherry laurel hedges

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.2 Fertilize and perform weed control in the Melrose formal garden

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.2 Prune, fertilize, and mulch fruit trees in orchard.

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.2 Fertilize and mulch established shrubs in formal gardens and camellias throughout property

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2& 3.2 Install & maintain bed of seasonal annuals under sign at Melrose front gate

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

11.3. PRS for Natchez Visitor Center

PWS

Section

Required Service Standard Monitoring Method Incentive/ Disincentive

2 & 3.3 Perform grounds maintenance (grass cutting, edging blowing) at Natchez Visitor Center (NVC)

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.3 Weed, prune, fertilize, and mulch rose beds in colonnade, round bed by parking area, and beds on south end of building.

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.3 Annual pruning of wisteria on pergola in courtyard

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

2 & 3.3 Treat Crape Myrtles annually for bark scale & hand prune suckers

100% compliance Random Inspection Performance Evaluation

12. MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAFFIC REGULATIONS. Contractor employees operating motor vehicles shall possess a valid driver's license. Driver and vehicle permit, licenses, registrations and proof of insurance shall always be maintained in the vehicle and made available upon request. Contractor employees shall always comply with Federal vehicle motor law requiring seat belts be worn. Contractor employees shall adhere to the posted speed limits.

13. EMPLOYEE PARKING. All contractor employees shall comply with parking procedures published for the park.

14. REPLACEMENT OF CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE FOR SECURITY REASONS. The Government retains the right to request removal of the contractor’s employee(s), regardless of prior clearances.

15. NON-PAYMENT FOR ADDITIONAL WORK. Any additional contractor performed services not specified in contract, either at its own volition or at the request of an individual other than an appointed Contracting Officer, except as may be explicitly authorized in the contract, shall be performed at the financial risk of the contractor. Only an appointed Contracting Officer is authorized to bind the government to a change in specifications, contract terms, or conditions.

16. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The contractor shall not employ off-duty COR’s or other Government employees if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in conflict-of-interest directives.

17. QUALITY CONTROL. The contractor shall establish and maintain a quality control plan (QCP) to ensure the work performed conforms to the contract requirements. The performance requirements summary establishes performance standards that are the minimum requirements for acceptable performance of required services.

The contractor’s QCP shall address methods for remedying poor performance. The contractor shall develop QCP and submit with proposal package. The contractor’s QCP shall include the following:

17.1. Required services identified in performance requirements summary

17.2. Contractor’s surveillance methodology

17.3. Method and timeframe for responding to COR or customer complaints

17.4. Progress meetings with government stakeholders

17.5. Safety plan

18. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The COR will monitor the contractor’s performance under this contract using the quality assurance procedures specified in the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP may be modified after contract award upon review and acceptance of the contractor’s QCP to ensure both plans are mutually supportive. The purpose of the QASP is to ensure that the required services are performed in accordance with the contract requirements. The plan ensures reliable and continued operation by precluding unnecessary complaints and unacceptable performance. Government’s QASP includes:

18.1. Acceptance of the contractor’s quality control plan

18.2. Random inspection of the contractor’s work

18.3. Communicating customer complaints

18.4. Progress meetings with the contractor

19. COMPLIANCE WITH QCP AND REQUIRED SERVICES. The implementation of this QASP does not relieve the contractor of its responsibility to implement and abide by the QCP incorporated into this contract, and to provide acceptable performance of all required services listed herein. At the Contracting Officer’s discretion, the contractor may incur a payment deduction for lack of compliance with the QCP, PWS or PRS.

20. CONTRACTOR’S PROPOSAL PACKAGE. The following deliverables are to be submitted with offer in response to RFQ.

20.1. Technical approach to perform required services.

20.2. Contractor safety plan.

20.3. Contractor’s quality control plan (qcp)

20.4. Examples demonstrating experience performing work of similar nature and magnitude including verifiable contact information for past contracts and services

20.5. Proof of insurance–business liability & workers compensation.

21. INSPECTION. The Government will conduct inspection upon completion of required services. Final payment will be processed upon confirming that all noted contractor performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected.

22. GENERAL INFORMATION.

22.1. No equipment will be left on park property overnight.

22.2. Monthly invoices will be submitted via e-mail for approval prior to submitting via Invoice Payment Platform (IPP).

22.3. Monthly invoices will include dates of service, work performed including areas cut and number of cuts and amount invoiced.

22.4. Payments will be made in 12 equal monthly payments.

END