P09_Statement of Need Fertilizer at Black Hills.docx

National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Black Hills National Cemetery (BHNC) Cemetery Materials – Statement Description of Need Requirement of Fertilizer

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

Title of Project: Fertilizer Requirement

Black Hills National Cemetery has a requirement for the following fertilizer: Turf Fertilizer and Starter Fertilizer.

Statement of Need:

The vendor shall provide and deliver fertilizer only when requested by the cemetery Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The transportation/delivery of material to the cemetery will be provided by the vendor and offloaded in a designated location provided by the COR at the time of delivery. The delivery price shall be included in the total price of the contract.

SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES

Description of Tasks and Associated Deliverable: The Vendor shall provide the following Brand Name or Equal material upon request by the COR:

FOB: Destination Black Hills National Cemetery located at 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, Sturgis, SD 57785. The contractor shall deliver to the following: Turf Fertilizer and Starter Fertilizer. See Attachment C for map of Black Hills National Cemetery Period of Performance: The term of this contract shall be for a period from Date of contract award through 365 calendar days plus four (4) 1-year Options, if exercised. Contractor shall submit an invoice electronically, in arrears, at the end of each month.

Federal Holidays: (Holidays observed by the Federal Government)

Requirements:

TURFGRASS FERTILIZER: Brand Name or Equal to Simplot Partners Part Number 21-7-14 50% SCU Turfgrass fertilizer with a formula of 21-7-14 with 50% SCU to be delivered to the Maintenance Compound and used for grounds maintenance in the spring and fall. The fertilizer must be top quality and meet NCA minimum technical requirements and must have the following properties:

1. The nitrogen (N) content shall be at least 21%.

2. 50% or more of the nitrogen in the fertilizer shall be in a slow or controlled-release form (e.g., sulfur coated, polymer coated, urea-form, isobutylidene diurea, etc.).

3. Phosphate (P) percentage shall be at least one fourth of the nitrogen percentage

4. Potash (K) content percentage shall be one third or more of the N percentage

5. Example 21-7-14 would be acceptable.

6. It shall contain no iron (to prevent headstone staining).

Variations of this regime may be approved by the COR, in consultation with the District Agronomist, if needed, based on soil test results or extreme weather conditions.

Quantities: Estimated at 240 bags, 50 lbs each, with one spring and one fall delivery in each base and option year.

Delivery: As needed/requested by authorized cemetery staff. Turfgrass fertilizer is to be delivered from Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Material shall be delivered within thirty (30) days from day requested.

Minimum Technical Requirements:

See Attachment B Service Delivery Summary (SDS) for minimally acceptable levels.

If the quality of the turfgrass fertilizer is to be deviated from or changed at contractor expense, the contractor shall inform the COR and the Contracting Officer for the new product. If the turfgrass fertilizer that is delivered is of poor or unacceptable quality, it shall be the contractors’ responsibility to coordinate with the COR to remove all substandard turfgrass fertilizer and replace it within 7 days with the replacement of acceptable turfgrass fertilizer product as identified in the MTR.

STARTER FERTILIZER: Brand Name or Equal to Kirby Agri Part Number 25-0-10 50% XCU Starter fertilizer with a formula of 15-25-10 to be delivered to the Maintenance Compound and used for grounds maintenance in the spring and fall. The started fertilizer must be top quality and meet NCA minimum technical requirements and must have the following properties:

1. The nitrogen (N) content shall be at least 15%.

2. Phosphate (P) percentage shall be at least 25%

3. Potash (K) content percentage shall be at least 10%

4. Example 15-25-10 would be acceptable.

Variations of this regime may be approved by the COR, in consultation with the District Agronomist, if needed, based on soil test results or extreme weather conditions.

Quantities: Estimated at 2 bags, 50 lbs each, with spring delivery in each base and option year.

Delivery: As needed/requested by authorized cemetery staff. Starter fertilizer is to be delivered from Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Material shall be delivered within thirty (30) days from day requested.

Minimum Technical Requirements:

See Attachment B Service Delivery Summary (SDS) for minimally acceptable levels.

If the quality of the starter fertilizer is to be deviated from or changed at contractor expense, the contractor shall inform the COR and the Contracting Officer for the new product. If the starter fertilizer that is delivered is of poor or unacceptable quality, it shall be the contractors’ responsibility to coordinate with the COR to remove all substandard starter fertilizer and replace it within 7 days with the replacement of acceptable starter fertilizer product as identified in the MTR.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor employees shall behave with appropriate decorum, courtesy, and respect while within the Cemetery or at its perimeter or entrances. See Attachment A Dignity Clause for more information.

All personnel delivering material must be trained in NCA rules of behavior and aware of their surroundings at all times to prevent any damage to Government property.

The Contractor must meet all safety requirements of Black Hills National Cemetery’s Safety Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the State of South Dakota. It is incumbent upon the Contractor to be familiar with these requirements and maintain regular and routine contact with the COR and Safety Officer of Black Hills National Cemetery. The Contractor and his/her employees shall have a clear understanding of, and be sensitive to, such environmental issues as ground water contamination, wetlands, etc., and be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, Right-to-Know laws, Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, and regulations.

The contractor will obtain all necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform this work. Contractor will take all reasonable precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. Contractor will be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by contractor’s employee’s fault or negligence and will maintain personal liability and property damage insurance having coverage for a limit as required by the laws of the State of South Dakota.

The Contractor is responsible for spill prevention, containment, clean up, and reporting all spills on Government property in a manner that complies with all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations or otherwise stated herein, and the installation spill control plan at no cost to the Government.

The Contractor shall perform the services as specified herein. Changes in delivery schedules or delays must be communicated with the COR. The contractor must request, in writing, any deviations to these hours and receive approval from the COR in advance of any changes.

At the end of each workday, unless otherwise specified by the COR, the contractor shall remove all debris resulting from work. At all times rubbish and trash generated by the contractor shall be kept clear of vehicular and pedestrian circulation throughout the site.

The contractor shall submit electronic invoices through Tungsten network within ten (10) calendar days after the material is delivered. The contractor and Black Hills National Cemetery POC shall jointly review the dispatch tickets to proceed accordingly with the correct invoice processing.

Identification is required for contractor’s vehicles and its personnel.

Contractor’s vehicle shall access cemetery thru BHNC main entrance, located at 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, Sturgis, SD 57785. The driver shall wait to receive drop-off instructions by BHNC authorized personnel.

Transited and drop-off/delivery areas shall be maintained safe and secured. Contractors shall use public restrooms located near the main entrance.

Areas are to be left in a condition equal to or better than that which existed. In the event damages result to turf, structures, headstone, markers, monuments, irrigation sprinkler, trees, gravesites, curb, road, flower vases, facility structures, fences, disfigurement or damage to structure or property on or adjacent to this project, third parties, etc., due to neglect by the Contractor, repair, replacement and/or replacement costs of the damaged item will be required at no additional cost to the Government as directed by the COR.

Contractor employees may park vehicles in the area designated for parking by the COR. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure his employees park in the appropriate designated parking areas.

Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 may result in citation/summons answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, or other appropriate jurisdiction/agency. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest. Examples of prohibited items include but are not limited to:

1) Firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons of any kind;

2) Explosive materials such as blasting caps or similar items;

3) All forms of illegal drugs

The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all of his/her motor vehicles and equipment meet State inspection, safety, licensing, registration, and insurance requirements.

Documentation Requirements:

· Valid driver’s license / DOT CDL appropriate License

· Insurance documents

· Safety Data Sheet associated with the formula for each type of fertilizer.

ATTACHMENT - A – DIGNITY CLAUSE

DIGNITY CLAUSE

Respect for Headstones and Markers in National Cemeteries; Handling of Markers and Headstones

1. Every action by contractor personnel at a national cemetery must 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 grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals.

0. Contractors cannot walk, stand, lean, sit or jump on headstones or markers. Nor can they drive over them.

0. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or markers.

0. Use care not to scratch or damage markers in any manner.

0. Contractor shall be responsible for replacing damaged headstones and markers and for restoring turf damaged during performance of this work.

0. Additionally, should any activity result in the exposure and/or damage to any remains, container for remains (e.g., casket or urn), or outer burial container, the contractor must contact the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or Contracting Officer (CO) for guidance.

1. Any doubts as to proper procedures shall be brought to the attention of the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or CO for guidance or resolution.

1. The contractor is required to discuss the guidance with employees and/or subcontractors and have each employee sign a statement of compliance and deliver the signed statement to the COR before work may begin. (END)

ATTACHMENT - B – SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY (SDS)

SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY (SDS)

The contract service requirements are summarized in performance objectives that relate directly to requirements. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimally acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. The SDS and the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan provide information on contract requirements, the expected level of Contractor performance and the expected method of government validation and confirmation of services provided. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

During the initial 30 days of the contract, two additional errors on each performance objective shall be allowed to identify normal “phase-in” problems.

Phosphate (P) at least one fourth of the nitrogen %

Potash (K) at least one third or more of the nitrogen %

50% or more of the nitrogen shall be a slow or controlled release form (sulfur coated, polymer coated, urea-form, isobutylidene diurea)

No iron Time of delivery is 30 days

Timeliness of delivery and redelivery Re-performance within 7 workdays of notification by COR.

Document performance in CPARS.

Phosphate (P) at least 25%

Potash (K) at least 10%

Time of delivery is 30 days

Timeliness of delivery and redelivery Re-performance within 7 workdays of notification by COR.

Document performance in CPARS.

ATTACHMENT – C Black Hills National Cemetery Map *Cemetery map annotating locations for deliveries.

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