FY25 DNC Sod SON Supply.pdf

STATEMENT OF NEED

SOD AND GRASS SEED

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a supply-based contract for cemetery grounds maintenance needs at Dayton National

Cemetery, 4400 West Third Street, Dayton, OH 45428, hereafter referred to as “DNC” or

“Cemetery.” The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to provide Tall Fescue Turfgrass Sod and Sod Blend of Trophy mix seed described herein. These materials are required to maintain an aesthetic appearance of the Cemetery grounds and to complete mission objectives.

2. THE NATIONAL CEMETARY ADMINISTRATION MISSION

The National Cemetery Administration honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorial that commemorates their service to our Nation. The standards for management, maintenance, appearance, and operational procedures performed by the Contractor have been established by the National Cemetery Administration to reflect this Nation’s elevated regard and respect for those interred there. Further, each National Cemetery is to be maintained as a

National Shrine. A National Shrine is defined as a place of honor and memory that impresses upon the visitor/family who views it, that it is a majestic setting, offering a sense of serenity, historic sacrifice, and nobility of purpose. The National Cemetery is a beautiful and awe-inspiring tribute to those who gave much to preserve our Nation’s freedom and way of life.

4. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES

The Contractor shall furnish Tall Fescue Turfgrass Sod and Sod Blend of Trophy mix seed once it becomes available in the spring. An estimated 1,000 pounds of Sod Blend of Trophy mix Grass

Seed and 20,000 sq ft of Tall Fescue Turfgrass Sod.

Salient Characteristics Grass Seed Delivery

A. Grass seed will be certified high quality, Turf Type Tall Fescue select blend consisting of three different cultivars. Seed should be 95% pure grass seed with a minimum 80% germination rate. Delivery is once per year at the start of the growing season. Typically

March or April.

B. Label on grass seed will identify the following:

i. Name and address of the labeler

ii. Lot number

iii. Kind and variety of turf grass seed listed in order of predominance

iv. Percent by weight of pure seed of each species and variety (percent purity)

v. Germination percentage (percent viable seed)

vi. Percent by weight of other crop seed

vii. Percent by weight of weed seed

viii. Percent by weight of inert matter

ix. Date on which the germination test was conducted

x. Orders will be placed via phone call or email from a Cemetery representative. At that date, the Contractor will be notified about preference of delivery or pick-up. Orders will be placed as a specific product is needed, rather than on a routine schedule.

Delivery for all orders is expected within 7 business days.

Turfgrass Delivery

A. Grass sod shall be ordered and delivered on average once a month during the growing season (typically from March to November). The initial order for sod will be approximately 4,000 square feet with monthly deliveries of sod approximately 3,000 square feet.

i. For each order placed, the US Government guarantees a minimum order of 1,000 square feet. The maximum amount of sod ordered at a time for CLIN 001 shall not exceed 4,000 square feet.

ii. Depending on the circumstances, delivery may not be necessary. If the order quantity is low and the driving distance is not excessive, the Government may prefer to pick up the order. Preference for delivery or pick-up will be made clear at the time of the order.

iii. Orders will be placed via phone call or email from a Cemetery representative. At that date, the Contractor will be notified about preference of delivery or pick-up.

Orders will be placed as a specific product is needed, rather than on a routine schedule. Delivery for all orders is expected within 7 business days.

B. Grass sod shall be a certified Tall Fescue Turfgrass. The blend must be composed of at least three (3) regionally adapted Ohio cultivars. Each cultivar must range from a minimum of 33.17% Gold Medallion Tall Fescue, 33.14% Speedway Tall Fescue, 33.03% Rendition RX Tall Fescue, 0.08% other crop, 0.56% inert matter, and 0.02% weed seed.

C. The sod will be delivered freshly cut; weed, disease, and insect free, and of healthy appearance with uniform color.

i. Grass sod shall be relatively free of thatch, less than 0.5 inch (uncompressed).

Grass sod shall be machine cut at a uniform soil thickness of 0.60 inch, plus or minus 0.25 inch, at the time of cutting. Measurements for thickness shall exclude top growth and any thatch.

ii. Irregular sized pads, broken pads, and torn or uneven ends will not be acceptable.

Standard sized sections of grass sod shall be strong enough that it can be picked up and handled without damage.

iii. Grass sod shall not be harvested or transplanted when its moisture content

(excessive dry or wet) may adversely affect its survival.

iv. The COR shall reject any sod with yellow leaves, signs of mold or mildew, is brown or straw-like indicating sod has remained on pallets or has been stacked too long or has reduced vigor and will establish poorly.

5. CONTRACTOR EQUIPMENT, PERSONNEL, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Contractor shall not damage any government property within the cemetery grounds. Any damage incurred by Contractor shall be repaired or replaced at Contractor expense with no additional charge to the government. This damage includes, but is not limited to, rutting of grounds caused by Contractor equipment, headstone and marker damage, and any other damage to cemetery property and grounds caused by work of the Contractor.

B. Contractor shall not use any heavy equipment (i.e. back hoes, forklifts, dump trucks, etc.)

within burial sections. Contractor will be allowed to use light duty motorized utility carts for the transport of sod grass and tools, as needed, at Contractor’s expense (i.e.

Contractor personnel will not have access to Government vehicles or keys).

C. Contractor shall clean up and/or pick up any trash, debris, dirt, mud, tire marks or any other related items upon completion of work in that area on any given day.

D. Contractor shall not store any materials, tools, or equipment overnight on the cemetery grounds.

E. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining satisfactory standards of personnel conduct and work performance. In event of failure to meet these standards, Contractor is expected to administer disciplinary action. This may require removing employees from the Cemetery for cause, to include, but not limited to, safety violations, aggressive or belligerent behavior, or other misconduct in performance of duty under these specifications and/or conduct contrary to the best interests of the Government.

F. Every action by Contractor personnel at the Cemetery shall 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 of the

Contractor employees of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed.

The utmost care must be given to these remains and the headstones and flat markers that identify those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals.

6. CEMETERY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The cemetery is responsible for correct soil preparation and finished grade prior to sod delivery and installation.

B. The cemetery is responsible for grass sod damaged by cemetery personnel, third parties, storms, floods, frost, freeze, animals on cemetery grounds, or related unexpected events.

C. The cemetery is responsible for the required maintenance and care of the grass sod once it is delivered and accepted.

7. CONTRACTOR WORK HOURS AND WORKDAYS

A. All delivery work will be done during the normal Federal workdays between the hours of

7:30 am and 4:00 pm. Contractor is responsible for observing Federal holidays.

i. New Year’s Day January 1

ii. Martin Luther King, Jr. 's Birthday Third Monday in January

iii. Presidents Day Third Monday in February

iv. Memorial Day Last Monday in May

v. Juneteenth June 19

vi. Independence Day July 4

vii. Labor Day First Monday in September

viii. Columbus Day Second Monday in October

ix. Veterans Day November 11

x. Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November

xi. Christmas Day December 25

B. When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a Federal

Holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a

Federal Holiday by U.S. Government Agencies.

8. SAFETY AND SECURITY

A. The contractor shall always exercise care and caution in performing the duties described in the statement of work so as not to cause injury to themselves or other persons. The contractor shall perform the assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner in accordance with the VA, NCS, and OSHA regulations and policies.

B. The contractor shall indemnify to protect itself and render the United States Government, its employees, agents, and representative harmless from any liability resulting from personal injury arising out of performance of the work contained herein. The contractor shall maintain insurance in accordance with FAR 52.228-5, Insurance – Work on a

Government Installation, in an amount not less than $100,000 per occurrence per person.

The contractor shall provide evidence of insurance coverage, as well as evidence that employees performing work under the contract are bonded or otherwise insured against theft, damage, and loss.

C. The contractor and contractor’s employees shall follow the cemetery smoking policy.

The policy is available at the cemetery.

D. The contractor shall be responsible for any damage to Government and/or personal property. All damage by the contractor shall be repaired or replaced by the contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

E. Contractor shall provide all safety warning devices at the worksite to eliminate all hazards to visitors and cemetery employees.

Attachment 1: Site Maps

END OF STATEMENT OF WORK

PARK &

UNLOAD

Maintenance

Building