Answers to vendors questions_0002.pdf

36C78623R50084 0002

1. It looks like on the document titled Solicitation; the proposal is due in just 4 days (only 2 of which are business days). However, on the document titled Instructions to Offers, the due date is the 26th (just 6 days from the postdate 2 of which are not business days). What is the correct due date? Can the due date be extended? For a contract of this magnitude with 2 National Cemeteries, bidders will need more than just 4 or 6 days to put together a proposal. Can contractors have at least 2 weeks for this solicitation?

Answer: A pre-solicitation notice was published on 3/29/2023, inviting vendors to attend a 4/07/2023 site visit. Solicitation was amended on 04/21/2023 to post the correct due date for proposals, which was 04/26/2023. Solicitation amendment 0002 extends the receipt for proposals to no later than 3PM CST on 05/05/2023.

2. On the document Instructions to offers - WORK CREW. Work crew consist of a minimum of fifteen

(15) employees. Provide roster of employees and confirm that the minimum number of employees will be available to perform services on the effective date of the award.

Answer:

Correction as follows: Ten (10) full time (40 hours/week, 8am – 430pm, Monday – Friday) Work Crew Employees: Minimum number of employees per site for winter staff: four (4) full time employees per site (minimum of four (4) are required for casket transports at both cemeteries). Summer staff: five (5) full time employees per site (minimum of four (4) staff members for casket transport, clean shelter and grounds maintenance services without delays). Two (2) employees on call year-round for when full time work crew employees call in sick, on vacation, position vacant or work load it not able to be completed in a timely manner with four (4) employees per location.

3. These requirements limit competition to only a local contractor or the incumbent contractor. The requirement to already be staffed and ready to start work at the start of this contract which looks to start May 1, limits competition - A stated commitment by the contractor that the Site Supervisor and work crew are ready to provide services onsite May 1st. Also, 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:

Full time staffing will need to be provided on day 1 due the burial CLINS: ten (10) full time Ten (10) full time (40 hours/week, 8am – 430pm, Monday – Friday). Work Crew Work Crew Employees: Minimum number of employees per site for winter staff: four (4) full time employees per site (minimum of four (4) are required for casket transports at both cemeteries). Summer staff: five (5) full time employees per site (minimum of four (4) staff members for casket transport, clean shelter and grounds maintenance services without delays). Two (2) employees on call year-round for when full time work crew employees call in sick, on vacation, position vacant or work load it not able to be completed in a timely manner with four (4) employees per location.

Note: number of employees may be able to be reduced during times with COR approval when full staffing is not needed after contractor has purchased or modified equipment to perform CLINS with less employees in a safe and satisfactory manner. Request to reduce daily staff must be approved each day after 3pm based on CLINS needed to be performed the next day.

4. This statement - A stated commitment by the contractor that they will attend the mandatory meeting with the cemetery to go over the mowing, trimming, chemical application, and snow removal plans no later than two weeks prior to mobilization and startup of the contract. How will this be possible when the contract start date is listed as May 1 and the solicitation was just posted on April 19th which is less than 2 weeks away?

Answer: these are tentative dates based on the actual award and effective date of the contract.

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

Answer: Correct and includes special standards of responsibility.

6. 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: NE only. For clarification purposes, Fort McPherson is located at 12004 South Spur 56A, Maxwell, NE 69151

7. 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: The Independent Government Cost Estimate will not be disclosed to offerors.

8. 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: Yes, each mowing will be billable for the amount of work that was performed.

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

Answer: Omaha: approximately 58,000 SQFT Fort McPherson: approximately 10,000 SQFT

10. 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: Irrigation system at both cemeteries is currently in good working order with no known breaks or control issues. Both cemeteries irrigation systems are controlled by Toro controllers. Omaha currently has 9 controller stations with up to 36 zones on each, irrigation fed by a two-pump system controlled by Watertronic controller. Fort McPherson currently has 1 controller station that controls 23 zones, irrigation fed by a one pump system controlled by Watertronics controller. Irrigation parts will be supplied by the Government.

11. 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:

There are no Government provided facilities at Omaha National Cemetery. There will be available lot space inside a fenced area. Contractors will be allowed to install a fence and gate if they wish to lock equipment in this area. Area is approximately 120’x120’ or 50’x50’ area with fence and gate already installed.

There will be limited government storage/shop area provided at Fort McPherson National Cemetery.

Actual size has not been determined due to upcoming renovation project that will require the government to need part of this area for storage and use. There will be a minimum of three garaged storage bays large enough to house excavation equipment for internment use. Each bay is approximately 10’W x 25’L x 12’H. Exterior space will be available inside a fenced area, approximately

1000 SQFT.

12. Are there restrooms available for contractor use?

Answer: There are no Government provided restrooms available at Omaha National Cemetery.

Restrooms are available at Fort McPherson National Cemetery for contractor use.

13. Can a dumpster be placed onsite.

Answer: Yes, dumpsters can be placed onsite in designated areas at both sites.