Vendor Qs_Site Visit Roster 36C78623Q50286 0001.pdf

36C78623Q50286 0001

1. The locations for the two areas (cemeteries) within this contract are 3-hours apart. Will an allowance for the distance be written into the SOW?

Answer: No.

2. Section A.1. As it relates to the 'lowering device', will a lowering device be made available, or will the contractor be responsible for providing this device?

Answer: Contractor is responsible for providing all equipment necessary to complete all tasks assigned including and not limited to the lowering device(s).

3. Section A.1.3. Remove SOD: how much sod should be removed?

Answer: The amount necessary to allow for excavation of a casket site when interring in a casket section, which is approximately 3’ x 8’ and approximately 24” x 24” for an in-ground cremation site.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

Answer:

Description Unit of

Measurement Government Provided

QA

ONC-Mow and Trim ALL turfgrass areas including headstones; edge all sidewalks and curbs;

blow/sweep/remove debris.

Acre

Currently there are approximately 40 acres of turf grass area.

Headstones will increase daily.

8. What CLINS are the required 15 employees required to work? Will these employees need to be onsite 40 hours per week for 52 weeks? Please explain what the requirements are. This will greatly affect pricing for a requirement of this many employees.

Answer: Contractor must be able to perform burials (up to 5 per day) in FMNC, set headstones

– amount varies – likely no more than 10, mow/trim, snow removal, other CLINs, and also set headstones amount varies, mow/trim, snow removal, transport caskets to lowering device, etc., in ONC - all in the same day. Some days will have less work and others more dependent on burial numbers, headstones received, weather, etc. The contractor must be able to flex in order to meet requirements. No, they will not necessarily need 15 employees every day, 40 hours/52 weeks. Missing burials, not setting headstones within 10 days are critical errors and will not be acceptable.

9. It looks like the award will be made using the lowest price technically acceptable. Is this true?

Answer: Yes.

10. Chemical applications (herbicide, pesticides, etc.) license in the state of IL to apply chemicals and the proper equipment to apply it. Should this be changed to NE?

Answer: Yes, Nebraska

11. Was a government cost estimate done to determine the contract minimum and maximum dollar amounts? Did this estimate include 15 full time men working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks? If not, please disclose the number of men and hours/weeks that were used to come to these amounts.

Answer: Historical data was used, along with past performance and lessons learned. Minimum and maximum numbers were not used.

12. Under ONC Internment and Grounds Maintenance document - If mowing is delayed by weather or some other reason and grass height becomes excessive, then mowing height shall be increased so no more than one third of the grass height is removed, and it shall then be mowed twice per week at a slightly lower height each time till the COR-specified target height is again achieved. Will the contractor be able to charge for each additional mowing?

Answer: The amount of the mow/trim CLIN accepted/awarded.

13. Can the Government provide the SQFT of the areas requiring mulch at each cemetery?

Answer: answerer on another RFI – not exact, site visits were available.

14. Irrigation system – Is the irrigation system currently good working order? Are there currently any breaks in irrigation piping that the Gov is aware of? Is this a 2-wire system with decoders?

How many stations are in the irrigation system? Will the Gov supply irrigation parts? How many controllers are utilized in this system? Are all controls functional?

Answer: The system is working, various issues arise each year, heads break, lines blow out, as with any irrigation system as it is restarted each spring. No current breaks. System has 23 zones, 1 controller, approximately 310 rotary heads, 10 misters currently, this will increase after the current expansion project – new addition will have 22 stations with controllers, 20 pop-up rotary heads, approximately 300 pop up heads – as designed, as built may vary. The GOV will NOT supply parts. The current controller is operational. The new and current systems are 2- wire, with decoder.

15. Under -Use of cemetery facilities - The Government may provide limited storage, shop area and utilities, if available. Space offered will be in “as-is" condition. Can it be confirmed that there is space available for contractor storage and the sqft of the area available?

Answer: Approximately 2900 sf is currently available and subject to the contractor agreeing to maintain the property and sign an MOU/MOA.

16. Are there restrooms available for contractor use?

17. Can a dumpster be placed onsite.

18. Regarding the Statement of Work, Technical Specifications in Section A.19 Irrigation System:

Can you please provide further clarification regarding the sentence “When repair is not possible the Contractor shall notify the COR and additional costs for replacement parts shall be addressed on a case-by-case basis through the change’s clause of this contract.” How does the Contractor determine when repair is not possible?

Answer: If the work is beyond part replacement such as heads, breaks in pipes, and the replacement of controller parts.

19. Does this CLIN include major breakages and large worn components that may occur on an older system such as that at FMNC for which significant costs in labor and materials may be necessary?

Answer: Yes, parts for heads, sections of pipe where a blow out or cracking has occurred, not sure what constitutes significant.

20. For example, if a pump station failure such as a cavitation occurred due to non-preventable corrosion over time, is it be the intent of the government for the contractor to incur full replacement costs which could be as much as $50,000 or more in parts and labor and may need further engineering consultation?

Answer: Non-preventable full replacement of to the $50k range would not be on the contractor. The intent is that the contractor would act diligently in preventive maintenance and replace parts as necessary to maintain operation.

21. 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: Contractor must be able to perform burials (up to 5 per day) in FMNC, set headstones

– amount varies – likely no more than 10, mow/trim, snow removal, other CLINs, and also set headstones amount varies, mow/trim, snow removal, transport caskets to lowering device, etc., in ONC - all in the same day. Some days will have less work and others more dependent on burial numbers, headstones received, weather, etc. The contractor must be able to flex in order to meet requirements. No, they will not necessarily need 15 employees every day, 40 hours/52 weeks. Missing burials, not setting headstones within 10 days are critical errors and will not be acceptable.

22. Name of the current (or last) contractor(s). Total dollar value (Please include the Contract Number(s) and the time period that the pricing represents).

Answer: AB CEMETERY MANAGEMENT, INC.; 36C78618D0147; $1,899,145.44; 04/13/2028 - 04/12/2023.