Attachment B- West Virginia Herb and Fert SOW- Final.doc

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

A.1 BACKGROUND

West Virginia National Cemetery was established as a National Cemetery in 1985 with the first interments beginning in 1987. There will be a total of 40 acres of turf that will be treated at the WVNC. Grafton National Cemetery which is a satellite cemetery under the direction of the West Virginia National Cemetery staff was established in 1867 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A total of 3.2 acres of turf will be treated at Grafton. Because of the special significance and attention that these cemeteries receive from the public, strict adherence to the following specifications is essential.

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.

A.2 GENERAL INFORMATION

(a) The standards for management, maintenance and appearance of VA National Cemeteries have been established by the National Cemetery Administration to reflect this nation's concern and respect for those interred there. The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to plan, coordinate, organize, manage, and perform the activities described herein, which are required to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds.

(b) Work called for under the contract includes turf fertilization, broadleaf weed and crabgrass control services, all of which are defined within the statement of work. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, equipment, vehicles, tools, materials, services, quality control and technical support necessary to accomplish the work involved.

A.3 TYPE & TERM OF CONTRACT

(a) The VA will award a single “firm-fixed price / IDIQ” pursuant to this solicitation for commercial items. The contract will contain one (1) base year and four (4) renewable option years.

(b) This contract is SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF VA FUNDS. No services will be performed by the Contractor after September 30th of each year, until the Contracting Officer authorizes such services in writing.

A.4 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide turf fertilization and broadleaf / crabgrass weed control applications to the following VA National Cemeteries:

Grafton, WV 26354

Grafton WV. 26354

A.5 TURF APPLICATION SCHEDULE / GRAFTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Contractor shall provide turf fertilization, pre-emergent crabgrass & post emergent broadleaf weed control services at the Grafton National Cemetery in accordance with the following Application Schedule:

Application Date Description

Stipulation: VA National Cemetery anticipates ordering and the Contractor furnishing the quantities & types of services stated in the Price Schedule and Turf Application Schedule. The Government, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify turf application dates or increase/decrease estimated quantities based on unforeseen circumstances including changes in weather and/or turf conditions.

Any such changes effecting the scope or price shall require a written modification to the contract executed by the Government Contracting Officer. Except as this contract may otherwise provide, if the Government's requirements result in changes to the application schedule and/or estimated quantities stated in the contract, that fact shall not constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment.

A.5.1 TURF APPLICATION SCHEDULE / WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL CEMETERY

Contractor shall provide turf fertilization, pre-emergent crabgrass & post emergent broadleaf weed control services at the West Virginia National Cemetery in accordance with the following Application Schedule:

Application Date Description

Stipulation: VA National Cemetery anticipates ordering and the Contractor furnishing the quantities & types of services stated in the Price Schedule and Turf Application Schedule. The Government, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify turf application dates or increase/decrease estimated quantities based on unforeseen circumstances including changes in weather and/or turf conditions.

Any such changes effecting the scope or price shall require a written modification to the contract executed by the Government Contracting Officer. Except as this contract may otherwise provide, if the Government's requirements result in changes to the application schedule and/or estimated quantities stated in the contract, that fact shall not constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment.

A.5.2 SPRAY APPLICATION SCHEDULE / WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL CEMETERY

Contractor shall provide tree / shrub spraying services for insects & disease control at the West Viginia National Cemetery in accordance with the following Application Schedule:

Application Date Description

Stipulation: VA National Cemetery anticipates ordering and the Contractor furnishing the quantities & types of services stated in the Price Schedule and Spray Application Schedule. The Government, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify spray application dates or increase/decrease estimated quantities based on unforeseen circumstances including changes in weather and/or plant / tree conditions.

Any such changes effecting the scope or price shall require a written modification to the contract executed by the Government Contracting Officer. Except as this contract may otherwise provide, if the Government's requirements result in changes to the application schedule and/or estimated quantities stated in the contract, that fact shall not constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment.

A.6 TURF APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

(a) Initial Pre Emergent Crabgrass / Post Emergent Broadleaf Weed Application: Contractor shall apply a herbicide that is combined to control pre emergent crabgrass and post emergent broadleaf weeds in liquid form at manufactures recommended rate allowable for cool season grasses. All herbicide must be applied with properly calibrated spraying equipment. The contractor will begin the application after the soil temperature has reached 55 degrees for three consecutive days. This is the time that crabgrass seeds begin active germination in the soil. Any application that is completed before this time period may not be as effective in overall crabgrass control. The dates for application listed in the application schedule are only an estimated time frame and could begin earlier or later depending upon the soil temperatures.

(b) Second (Split) Crabgrass Application: Contractor shall apply herbicide in liquid form to control early post emergent crabgrass (in early tiller stage) and pre emergent crabgrass control at manufactures recommended rate allowable for cool season grasses. Pre-emergent herbicide must be applied with properly calibrated spraying equipment. This application will occur between 6-8 weeks after initial crabgrass application.

(c) Broadleaf Weed Control: Broadleaf herbicides must be applied with properly calibrated spraying equipment. The herbicide must control various cool season turf broadleaf weed species such as white clover, dandelions, plantain and prostrate spurge. Applications must be timely and at the proper dosage so that perennial weeds do not go to seed. Herbicide shall be applied to all turf acreage, in burial sections and including areas between and around all headstones and along section perimeters.

(d) Fertilization: Contractor shall apply a granular turf fertilizer, which is specified in the application schedule to all turf areas using a properly calibrated spreader/sprayer. The fertilizer will have a guaranteed NPK analysis of 26-0-12 and consist of a minimum 50% slow release nitrogen from sulfur coated urea. Fertilizer will be applied to all turf areas at the times and rates that are listed in the turf application schedule.

(e) Post Emergent Crabgrass / Sedge Grass Control: Contractor shall apply post emergent herbicide in liquid form that controls both actively growing crabgrass (Acclaim) and nut sedge grass (Sedgehammer). Contractor will concentrate on areas where actively growing crabgrass is common such as along curb lines and in any areas of cemetery turf where there may be actively growing nut sedge grass.

(f) White Grub Control: Contractor shall apply at the appropriate time (mid-August), a granular pesticide for the control of beetle grub larvae. An appropriate pesticide such as Merit (imidacloprid) or Acelepryn will be used and applied at the manufacturers recommended label rate. The Contractor will try and coordinate this application as best as possible within a time period where rainfall is expected within 24 hours after the application is completed.

(g) Treatment of Broadleaf Weeds on Cemetery Hill: Contractor will apply broadleaf herbicide to any and all broadleaf weeds that are actively growing on a large hill that borders the cemetery entrance leading up to burial sections across from section 1. Herbicide must control various broadleaf and perennial weeds and will be applied at the maximum rate allowable according to label specifications. Please note that this area is quite steep and will more than likely need to be treated with a backpack or handheld sprayer. Broadleaf herbicide will be applied throughout the growing season, in conjunction with the broadleaf weed control applications in the application schedule.

(h) All application methods of herbicides and treatments shall be in strict accordance with manufacturer, Environmental Protection Agency and all applicable federal, state and local laws.

(i) All applications must be made in accordance with manufactures label instructions to insure proper rate and timing of application. The contractor will apply liquid broadleaf herbicide no earlier than 6 hours before anticipated rainfall to allow herbicide sufficient time to be absorbed into plant tissue to maximize the herbicide’s full potential. Any rainfall that is received within this six hour time frame after the application will require the contractor to treat all turf areas a second time at the contractor’s expense. Prior to any application, the Contractor shall provide to the COR, a copy of product label for each chemical used and appropriate supporting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

(j) Contractor personnel applying herbicides shall possess a current / valid State of West Virginia commercial pesticide/herbicide application license. The Contractor is responsible for any damage resulting from the application of any herbicide treatments.

(k) All turf applications will be applied with appropriate calibrated spreading and spraying equipment. Liquid and pellet surface applications shall be uniformly distributed within the cemetery’s defined area of coverage. Surface applications shall not be made where surface run-off is likely to occur or near a water source.

(l) Appropriate flags or markers will be posted in all treated areas for a period of 24 hours after herbicide treatment has been applied. The Contractor shall remove all flags upon expiration of the 24-hour period.

(m) Each turf application shall be completed within each “Annual Application Date” (weather permitting) specified in the Schedule. All applications shall be applied in accordance with manufactures label instructions to ensure proper rate and timing. Ten (10) days after completion of the application, the Contractor and COR will jointly inspect and assess results. In areas where results are less than acceptable* and there is still active weed growth, the Contractor will re-perform the application at no additional cost to the Government (*Acceptable is defined as 90% of actively growing broadleaf weeds are eliminated).

(n) The contractor shall not dispose of, rinse, mix nor store any herbicide containers/bags on cemetery premises except as authorized by cemetery management.

(o) No herbicide application equipment may be kept or stored on the cemetery premises when the contractor is not working.

A.7 TREE &SHRUB SPRAY APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

(a) The general tree population of the cemetery (trees in burial sections, interment shelters, cemetery entrance, along roadways, at administration building) not including trees in wood lines or wooded areas is to be treated as part of all the scheduled applications.

(b) Dormant / Horticultural Oil Application: The Contractor shall apply horticultural / dormant oil for the control of over wintering insect eggs from insects such as mites, aphids, caterpillars, and scale. The application will be performed in late winter / early spring before bud swelling / bud break occurs on woody trees. The following precautions will be taken by the Contractor when performing the oil application:

Do not apply when temperatures are below 40 degrees. Do not apply oils during freezing weather. This can cause the emulsion to break down and produce uneven coverage.

Do not apply oils if plant tissues are wet or rain is likely. These conditions inhibit oil evaporation. High humidity (above 90 percent) also may contribute to injury risk, while low humidity generally reduces it.

Do not spray when shoots are growing.

(c) The Contractor will take necessary precautions not to treat certain species of trees that may have sensitivity to horticultural dormant oil such as

· Black walnut

· Cryptomeria

· Douglas-fir

· Hickories

· Junipers and cedars

· Maples (particularly Japanese and red maple)

· Redbud

· Smoke tree

· Spruce (particularly dwarf Alberta spruce)

(d) Insecticide / Fungicide Applications: Contractor shall apply insecticide / fungicides in liquid form for the control of various chewing - sucking insects that may damage trees and shrubs. These insects may include but are not limited to aphids, mites, lace bugs, weevil, Japanese beetles, tent caterpillars and pine sawfly and webworm. Fungicide to be applied to trees will help in the control of apple scab, leaf spot and powdery mildew and other specific fungus that may affect deciduous trees during the growing season. All pesticide / fungicide must be applied with properly calibrated spraying equipment applied at the manufacturers recommended label rate.

(e) All application methods of dormant / horticultural oil, pesticides and fungicides shall be in strict accordance with manufacturer, Department of Environmental Protection and all applicable federal, state and local laws.

(f) All applications must be made in accordance with manufactures label instructions to insure proper rate and timing of application. Prior to any application, the Contractor shall provide to the COR, a copy of product label for each chemical used and appropriate supporting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

(g) Contractor personnel applying pesticides shall possess a current / valid State of West Virginia commercial pesticide/herbicide application license. The Contractor is responsible for any damage resulting from the application of any herbicide treatments.

(h) All applications will be applied with appropriate calibrated spreading and spraying equipment. Liquid and pellet surface applications shall be uniformly distributed within the cemetery’s defined area of coverage. Applications shall not be made where surface run-off is likely to occur or near a water source or on days where excessively high winds may cause drift of pesticide and spotty coverage.

(i) Appropriate flags or markers will be posted in all treated areas for a period of 24 hours after a herbicide treatment has been applied. The Contractor shall remove all flags upon expiration of the 24-hour period.

(j) The contractor shall not dispose of, rinse, mix nor store any herbicide containers/bags on cemetery premises except as authorized by cemetery management.

(k) No herbicide application equipment may be kept or stored on the cemetery premises when the contractor is not working.

A.7 SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

(a) Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative: The VA Contracting Officer will delegate one or more representatives to serve as the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COR). The COR is responsible for providing contract oversight and technical guidance to Contractor, placing orders for services and certification of invoices, and overseeing technical aspects of the contract. All administrative functions remain with the VA Contracting Officer.

(b) Communication & Coordination of Work with COR: Communication with the COR (or designee) is strongly encouraged. Burial activities at a National Cemetery shall take precedence over construction and servicing activities. Work activity and noise during the interment services cannot disturb Burial Services. Trucks and workmen are prohibited from passing through the service area during this period. As a general "rule-of-thumb", work should not take place within 1,000 feet of an ongoing committal service or ceremony. The COR may direct and arrange the Contractor’s performance in specific areas of the cemetery to coordinate with the cemetery’s mowing operations. The Contractor’s foreman shall advise COR of work accomplished at the end of each work day and coordinate the following day’s schedule of trimming.

(c) Site Manager: The Contractor shall provide a “Site Manager” for directing, overseeing and coordinating the work involved. To cause the least possible interference with cemetery activities, the Contractor will cease (stop) all work in areas where burials are taking place. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that contract work does not cause any committal service, ceremony, procession or visitation to be delayed, altered, or otherwise impacted in such a way that the dignity, security, or safety of the event or visit is compromised.

(d) Working Conditions: Work called for under this contract will be performed primarily out-of-doors and personnel performing such work will be exposed to wind, sun, cold, dampness, fog, and rain. These conditions, may, at times, be extreme. The Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to protect personnel employed under the contract from the elements to the maximum practicable extent. The Government expects the Contractor to perform throughout all weather conditions and to apply additional labor and equipment as needed to meet deadlines. Due to the sensitive mission of the cemetery, the work could occasionally come in contact with grieving individuals. Contractor personnel must exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, composure and stability at all times.

(e) Environmental Considerations: The contractor shall demonstrate a clear understanding of, and sensitivity to, such environmental issues as ground water contamination, wetlands, etc., and shall be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, and City laws, ordinances and regulations.

(f) The Contractor shall possess and maintain all necessary insurance, licenses and permits required for contract performance. Contractor is 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 his/her employees fault or negligence, and shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance having coverage for a limit as required by the laws of the State of West Virginia.

(g) Reporting "on-the-job" Injuries: The Contractor is required to report all "on-the-job" injuries incurred by the Contractor, its agents or employees, resulting from performance of this contract. Contractor will notify the COR (either orally or via telephone) within twenty-four (24) hours of the injury and provide details and exact location of the incident. This will be followed up by a written notice to the COR. Any Contractor (including its agents and employees) that knowingly files a false claim may be criminally prosecuted.

A.8 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES & CONDUCT

(a) Contractor’s employees shall wear all required safety equipment such as goggles or face shield, hearing protection, hard hats, respirators, if required, and uniforms identifying them as an employee of the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for training and safety precautions prescribed by OSHA standards.

(b) The Contractor shall observe all traffic, parking, directional signs and regulations when using the cemetery’s roadways. Contractors shall park only on cemetery roads. No heavy-duty vehicles or tractors shall be permitted to drive on turf without prior permission from the COR. The Contractor shall be responsible for repair or replacing any turf damage caused by the Contractor’s wheeled or tracked vehicles or equipment as determined by the COR.

(c) The Contractor shall leave all work areas free of debris and in the same condition as before the work commenced. The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions to protect vegetation, as appropriate, in the immediate work area(s).

(d) The Contractor shall be responsible to repair, replace, or reimburse the Government for property damage as a result of Contractor personnel, vehicle or equipment and materials. Government property includes, besides the standard structures and equipment, sprinkler heads, irrigation equipment, headstones, monuments, trees, beds, planters, turf, i.e., wounded trees or scalped turf, which shall be replaced or repaired at no additional cost to the Government.

(e) Contractor employees shall be fully clothed at all times, to include an upper garment to cover the body from the waist to neck and long pants. Garments that have a message or slogan other than the Contractor’s business attire is prohibited. Other clothing in question shall require the Assistant Director/Director’s written approval.

(f) Contractor personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, use profane or abusive language or use personal radios. Due to the sensitive mission of the Cemetery, contractor employees must exercise courtesy and respect while within the cemetery. If inquiries are received from visitors they are to be referred to the West Virginia National Cemetery employees in the field or the administrative office.

(g) Food and beverages shall be consumed only within areas designated by the COR. Use or sale of intoxicating beverages and/or drugs is strictly prohibited. The Contractor personnel shall follow the Cemetery Smoking Policy that is available at the Cemetery’s Administration Building.

(h) Breaks and lunch periods shall be taken at areas designated by the COR, not in the field.

(i) Safety – Matters related to safety, and any Contractor’s actions, must meet all safety requirements of the West Virginia National Cemetery’s Safety Policies, Department of Veterans Affairs, OSHA, and the State of West Virginia. The Contractor is responsible for being familiarized and kept abreast of all safety requirements.

(j) The Contractor shall obtain all necessary licenses and/or permits required to perform this work. He/She shall take all precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. He shall be responsible for any injury to himself, his employees, or others, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by his or his employees’ fault or negligence.

(k) The Contractor shall maintain personal liability, automobile liability, and property damage insurance, as prescribed by the laws of the State of West Virginia. Evidence of coverage is required before commencing work under this contract (copy of Certificate of Insurance) and it may not be changed or cancelled without thirty calendar days prior written notice to the Contracting Officer.

A.9 NORMAL WORKING HOURS

(a) Normal working hours are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays. Federal holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and other specifically designated days by the President of the United States to be a national holiday.

(b) Working hours under this contract may be modified only with the written approval of the COR. However, the Contractor may work whenever necessary to meet the Cemetery needs, including holidays and weekends, provided that work hours have been approved by the COR.

(c) All work performed during normal hours of operations that extend beyond those hours shall be fully completed without interruption or stoppage and at no additional cost to the Government.

A.10 COOPERATION WITH OTHER CONTRACTORS

(a) The Government may undertake or award other contracts for additional work at or near the site of performance under this contract.

(b) The Contractor shall fully cooperate with other Contractors and with Cemetery personnel and shall carefully adopt scheduling and performance of the work, heeding any COR direction.

(c) The Contractor shall participate in regular meetings with other Contractors and Cemetery personnel to coordinate contract work schedules and contract related information.

(End of Work Statement)