0006 Answers to Vendor Questions_10272023.pdf

36C78623Q50286 0006

Questions follow:

1. Topic: PWS A.1.2 Ref: Transport Casket and Floral Arrangements from Committal Shelter, and Place Casket onto lowering device over gravesite for all Casket interments including weekend and Holiday burials, includes first and subsequent interments/ reinterments and dis-interments. (ONC and

FMNC).

Question: The PWS states that the above service will occur at ONC and FMNC. What is the corresponding CLIN for FMNC?

ANSWER: 0027

2. Topic: Janitorial Services Ref: SF 1449 Question: The SF 1449 states this RFP is for a grounds maintenance contract to include janitorial for both the Omaha and Fort McPherson National Cemetery, however, there are no CLINs or PWS associated with janitorial services. Does this RFP include janitorial services?

ANSWER: No janitorial services requirements included in 36C78623Q50286.

3. Topic: Storage Ref: N/A Questions: Will the government provide a storage area for the contractor? May the contractor place an office trailer and storage conex boxes at both the Omaha NC and Fort McPherson NC properties? If a storage area is provided, can the government provide the measurements?

ANSWER: ONC – no storage area, Conex boxes and or office trailer space available and subject to agreement to maintain the areas around and near the containers and trailer. FMNC – Space is limited, a Conex box may be able to be placed, but will be size dependent. The northern building on site has a garage available, and a small office – new gas lines and propane tank are being installed. Filling the propane tank that supplies this area will be the contractor’s responsibility.

Remaining utilities will be provided by the government. This area’s usage will also be subject to agreement to maintain the areas within NCA workplace environment standards and to make no modifications to the buildings. Approximately 300 SF of garage space, office space is approximately 60 sf.

4. Topic: Quantities Ref: N/A Questions: Can the government provide the following quantities so that accurate pricing can be provided. Even with a site visit, it would be difficult for a contractor to estimate these quantities accurately without conducting a full grounds survey.

ANSWERS ARE IN THE FAR-RIGHT COLUMN:

5. Topic: Tree Maintenance Ref: Scope of Work A.1.15 Questions: Will the contractor be responsible for pruning above 15’. Typically, on contracts similar to this at National Cemeteries, the contractor is only responsible for pruning up to 15’ for clearances.

ANSWER: No. 15’ and below is sufficient.

6. Topic: Irrigation Ref: Scope of Work A.1.19 Questions: Per A.1.19 “The Government does not guarantee 100 percent coverage by irrigation systems. The Contractor shall ensure all improved areas receive water and shall further prevent excessive accumulation of water, except where unpreventable due to unforeseen excessive natural precipitation.” Is the contractor responsible for manually irrigating areas the irrigation does not reach? If yes, which CLIN should this work be priced under? Additionally, can the government provide the quantity of zones, controllers, and irrigation heads?

ANSWER: There are currently no areas specifically that need hand watering, this statement is more for ensuring new sod is watered in properly and when the contractor may need days to repair an irrigated area, then it should be watered as necessary. Currently, there are 23 zones, 1 controller, and approximately 310 rotary heads and 10 misters.

7. Topic: CLIN Series 27 and 28 Ref: CLIN Series 27 and 28 Questions: Both CLIN Series 27 and 28 state the description is Remove Sod. Is there a specific difference between the two?

ANSWER: 27 is for casket sites and 28 is for cremation sites.

8. Topic: Casket and Cremain Excavations Ref: SOW Section A.1.3 Questions: SOW Section A.1.3 states that the contractor is responsible for casket and cremain excavations however there is no associated CLIN. Please advise.

ANSWER: CLIN 27 and 28.

9. Topic: Headstone Destruction Ref: SOW Section A.1.4 Questions: If a headstone requires destruction, which CLIN should this service fall under?

Also, can the government utilize government dumpsters for removal of destroyed headstones?

ANSWER: CLIN 30. The government waste removal will allow up to 8 bi-monthly, beyond that, the contractor is responsible for waste removal. FMNC averages approximately 150 per year.

10. Topic: Committal Shelters Ref: SOW Section A.1.5 Questions: How many committal shelters are there at Omaha and McPherson National Cemeteries?

ANSWER: Two in ONC and One in FMNC.

11. Topic: Solicitation Number Ref: E.1 Instruction to Offerors and SF 1449 Questions: Can the government confirm the solicitation number? It appears to be different on the SF 1449 and the Instructions to Offerors.

ANSWER: Please use Instructions to Offerors_Evaluations dated 10/11/2023. Solicitation number is 36C78623Q50286.

12. Topic: Start Date

Ref: Technical Acceptability Evaluation Factor 2.

Questions: Can the government confirm that per Technical Acceptability Evaluation Factor 2, the awardee must have a minimum of 15 people working onsite the day of the award, or are the 15 people required to start work after the post-award meeting is held, notice to proceed is provided, and the period of performance start date is set?

ANSWER: Personnel shall be available on the first day of the period of performance and able to perform all tasks assigned under the contract.

13. SOW A.1.1 – To clarify, is this only for transportation of cremation remains only and casket transportation.

ANSWER: Only for Urns (cremations in FMNC. ONC transports their own cremations. Chain of custody documentation will be filled out by the contractor and inspected by Gov personnel).

14. SOW A.1.2 – Is the contractor to provide the casket lowering device?

ANSWER: No. Contractor shall provide ALL their own equipment.

15. SOW A.1.3 – To clarify the contractor is only responsible for the sod removal and not any excavation of the site at ONC and will be responsible for excavation of both the casket and cremation remains at FMNC is this correct?

ANSWER: Correct.

16. CLIN 0027 and 0028 - Which of these CLINS is for Cremation and which CLINS is for Casket?

ANSWER: 0027 casket, 0028 in-ground cremation, 0026 Columbarium cremation.

17. SOW A.1.3 - We understand services are year around but for CLINS 0003, CLINS 0027 and CLINS 0028 how many of these for each CLINS is done during the winter and would require sodding in the spring.

ANSWER: If we consider NOV-MAR winter = 003 – average approx. 20 per month. 0027, 0028

18. SOW A.1.4 – Will the Contractor be able to have a dumpster on site for disposal?

ANSWER: No, contractor responsible.

19. SOW A.1.5 How often are committal services performed on the weekends or holidays?

ANSWER: There is potential for every federal holiday.

20. SOW A.1.6 How many gravesites are 3X3 and how many gravesites are 4X4 for each cemetery?

Secondly, is a 36” mower to wide for the 3x3 section considering the headstone?

ANSWER: There is 1101 3x3 at Fort McPherson, none at Omaha. There is 764 4x4 at Fort McPherson and 4465 4x4 at Omaha with 2240 being occupied. A 30” or smaller mower will be needed for the 3x3 sections.

21. SOW A.1.7 How many AC of Native Grass (Prairie grass) and unimproved native turf areas are there for each cemetery?

ANSWER: Currently there is roughly 90 acres at Omaha and 3 acres at Fort McPherson. These number will change as both cemeteries are going through expansion projects. Omaha will decrease by roughly 4 acres and Fort McPherson will increase by roughly 15 acres depending on if acreage is leased out or kept.

22. SOW A.1.14 Historically what is approximate total cubic yards of mulch used for this requirement for each cemetery?

ANSWER: Approximately 58,000 square feet at ONC and 10,000 square feet at Fort McPherson.

23. SOW A.1.19 Will the irrigation system be turned over in 100% working order?

ANSWER: ONC irrigation is currently 100% operational with minor issues that are being addressed. Fort McPherson irrigation is currently operations with some controller issues and will be receiving updates during the scheduled expansion project FY24.

24. SOW A.1.19 It is implied that the contractor is responsible for proper watering in areas that is not covered by the irrigation system. What areas of the cemetery that are not covered by the irrigation system and what is the square footage of these areas.

ANSWER: Areas effected by irrigation issues and freshly installed sod on gravesites that will require additional hand watering. Areas that are not being covered by the irrigation system due to high winds or improperly adjusted heads.

25. SOW A.1.19 What is the manufacture of the sprinkler heads used in the cemetery?

ANSWER: Irrigation system at Omaha is all Toro heads. Irrigation system at Fort McPherson is a mix, mainly Toro and Rain Bird.

26. SOW A1.19 Who is the manufacturer of the pump and what is the model #?

ANSWER: Omaha: US Electric DT93 HO40V2BLF/DT97 HO40V2BLG 230/460 Volt, Franklin 2343268802 460 Volt; Fort McPherson: US Motors DT 97 HO40V2BL6 230/460

(please see photos at the end of this document)

27. SOW A.1.19 If the pump needs to be replaced would this be at the expense of the contractor if was no fault of the contractor?

ANSWER: Major irrigation issues not at fault of contractor will be covered by the cemetery.

28. SOW B.1.b and B.2.a There is no definitive answer as to rather the contractor will be allowed storage area for their equipment. This makes a big difference in cost. Will the government be providing an area for the contractor to store equipment at each cemetery? If so, will this include inside storage, or will the contractor need to provide storage containers?

ANSWER: There is a garage with three bays approximately 600sf and a small office approximately 60sf and one bathroom available for the contractor in FMNC

29. Will the contractor need to provide portable toilets for their staff?

ANSWER: Contractors will need to provide portable toilets at both cemeteries for their employees.

30. SOW B.7.k will the contractor be allowed to have a dumpster on the facility?

ANSWER: Space will be provided for contractor to place a dumpster.

31. Who is the current incumbent and what is the current contract number and value?

ANSWER: AB Management. 36C78618D0147; $3,803,534.56.

32. Will an area be provided to store topsoil and gravel?

ANSWER: An open fenced area will be provided for materials and equipment. Contractors ability to manage space provided will determine the amount space for stored materials.

32.Technical Acceptability Eval Factor 2 – Is the 15-employee requirement a combination of the 2 cemeteries or for each cemetery.

ANSWER: Combination of both cemeteries.

33. CLIN27 on the price sheet heading states “Remove SOD Casket Site”. Although this CLIN# will entail a little sod work, shouldn’t this heading read “Casket Burial” instead? As written, it may mislead some bidders into thinking it is to be priced as simply removing the sod for a burial.

ANSWER: The CLIN task includes but not limited to:

CLIN 0027: Remove Sod, excavate assigned casket gravesite, place and lower casket, gather and submit GIS/GPS data, backfill grave, tamp grave, place Temporary Marker on gravesite, and properly dress gravesite with approved materials to cover exposed soil and or sod replacement.

Transport Casket and Floral Arrangements from Committal Shelter, and Place Casket onto lowering device over gravesite. Tag floral arrangement with grave number and completion of "chain of custody" documents.

* Photos provided below in support of question # 26. SOW A1.19 Who is the manufacturer of the pump and what is the model #?