Attachment A - Statement of Work (Revised).pdf

Fort Jackson National Cemetery Grounds Maintenance Services

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE - STATEMENT OF WORK

B.1 DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Work describes the basic objectives of Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

B.2 INTRODUCTION

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. Fort Jackson National Cemetery is one (1) of three (3) South Carolina cemeteries that receive visitors, hold ceremonies, and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis.

B.3 BACKGROUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 155 National Cemeteries in 39 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies, and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. As the final resting place for our nation’s heroes, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to reflect this nation’s concern and respect for those interred there, therefor 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 when scheduling and performing work to not interrupt cemetery operations.

1. The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to plan and perform the activities associated with the statement of work as described herein, which are required to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds in accordance with National Cemetery Administration Operational Standards and Measures.

2. National cemeteries are a resting place for our nation’s heroes and as such, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to reflect this.

3. National Cemeteries are our nation’s concern and respect for those interred there. The NCA mission: The NCA honors Veterans, active-duty Service Members, and eligible family members with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our nation.

The Fort Jackson National Cemetery opened on January 5, 2009. The site features consist of preset and conventional casket sections, cremation burials and a columbarium. The cemetery’s anticipated burial rate is 900-1200 per year. The cemetery comprises 583 acres of heavily forested land. The developed acreage is approximately 80 +/- acres with approximately 79 +/- irrigated turf acres. The standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries must reflect this nation’s concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to the specifications is required as well as National Cemetery Administration standards.

a. Ft. Jackson was designated a Gold National Shrine, August 2014.

b. Site features include a main entrance with floral beds, administration building, Maintenance building with truck entrance, maintenance compound and contractors’ compound, 3 committal shelters, a flag assembly plaza, columbarium with floral beds, memorial trail with floral beds, extensive landscaping with trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Turf is Bermuda 419.

c. National Cemeteries are National Shrines, as codified in 38 U.S. Code § 2403 (c), “All national and other veterans’ cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration shall be considered National Shrines as a tribute to our gallant dead …”.

Therefore, the standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries must reflect this nation's concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to the specifications described in the attachments, which are based on the National Cemetery Administration, National Shrine Commitment, Operational Standards and Measures, is mandatory.

d. A national shrine is a place of honor and memory that declares to the visitor or family member who views it, that, within its majestic setting, every Veteran may find a sense of serenity, historic sacrifice, and nobility of purpose. Each visitor should depart feeling that the grounds, the gravesites, and the environs of the national cemetery are a beautiful and awe-inspiring tribute to those who gave much to preserve our Nation’s freedom and way of life.

e. The NCA National Shrine Commitment, Operational Standards and Measures should be considered as goals and requirements for the performance of key operational processes and should be applied at both open and closed national cemeteries where work is done by either a Federal or contract workforce.

B.3.a PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide Grounds Maintenance Services to the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Specific location, size and services required for the cemetery are as follows:

Cemetery Address Acreage Required Services Fort Jackson National Cemetery

4170 Percival Road Columbia, SC 29229

583 Acres 80 +/- Turf Acres (Current) 79 +/- Irrigated Acres

3.03 Columbarium acres to be

added FY27

Grounds Maintenance Services

B.3.b PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The Period of Performance for this project shall consist of a Base Year (12 Months) and 4 Option years

(if exercised). The tentative dates are as followed:

Base Year: March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026 Option Year One: March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027 Option Year Two: March 1, 2027 – February 29, 2028 Option Year Three: March 1, 2028 – February 28, 2029 Option Year Four: March 1, 2029 – February 28, 2030

B.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

B.4.a COMPLETE GROUNDS MAINTENACE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED: The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to perform the following Grounds Maintenance Services at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The contractor shall provide the workforce and all resources necessary to perform and complete multiple grounds maintenance requirements simultaneously to maintain an acceptable appearance of the cemetery grounds.

B.4.b DESCRIPTION OF COMPLETE GROUNDS MAINTENACE SERVICES.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Fort Jackson National Cemetery has an immediate need for Grounds, Turf, Headstone, Columbarium, Lawn, Tree, Shrub, Plant bed, Maintenance, Interment services, Irrigation System Maintenance and Testing, Soil testing, Trash, Debris, Leaf Removal and Janitorial. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items and services necessary to ensure total cemetery maintenance is performed at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in a manner that shall maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance throughout.

Services include, but are not limited to: maintenance of grounds, to include regular mowing, weed eating, edge trimming of roadways, removal of trash, leaves, grave decorations, unsightly floral arrangements and debris, as well as, sweeping/blowing off walkways and roadways, and irrigation system operation, inspection and maintenance (to include pump house monitoring and, irrigation pipe maintenance and repairs 1”-10”, valve and head replacement, Monitoring Rainbird system); gravesite maintenance, to include sunken graves and grounds repair, cleaning and trimming around headstones and markers; plant material maintenance, to include maintenance of planting and mulch beds (to include tree rings), and tree & shrub trimming and pruning; lawn / turf maintenance, to include sod installation, aerification, de-thatching, overseeding, application of fertilizers and herbicides/pesticides, lime application (as indicated by soil tests), and weed control; pest control; storm debris clean-up, support services, to include casket transport, daily committal setup/teardown, headstone services, to include proper storage, transport and setting of all initial, subsequent, and replacement headstones at correct gravesite; cleaning and pressure washing of headstones, committal shelters, Administration Building, Maintenance Building, Entrance and Exit signs at both the main entrance and the maintenance entrance, and walkways/sidewalks and curbs.

Contractor shall keep drainage ditches clean and free from trash, debris, plant growth, and any manner of moss or algae formation.

All work shall be performed during normal workdays from 8:00am – 4:30pm local time (Monday thru Friday - excluding Federal Holidays where NO burials are scheduled). Work performed outside of normal work hours shall be at the discretion and approval of the VA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

B.4.1 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

B.4.1.1 MOWING TURF AREA NON-TURF AREAS

B.4.1.2 EDGING OF WALKWAYS AND CURBS

B.4.1.3 TRIMMING OF HEADSTONES, MONUMENTS, MARKERS, AND OTHER VERTICLE

SURFACES

B.4.1.4 DAILY TRASH, DEBRIS, AND GRAVE DECORATION/FLORAL REMOVAL

B.4.1.5 DAILY SWEEPING/BLOWING OFF WALKWAYS & ROADWAYS

B.4.1.6 UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATION, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE

B.4.1.7 IRRIGATION SYSTEM INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

B.4.2 GRAVESITE MAINTENANCE

B.4.2.1 SUNKEN GRAVE REPAIR & GROUNDS REPAIR

B.4.2.1a DIVOT AND HOLE REPAIRS

B.4.3 LEAF AND TRASH COLLECTION & REMOVAL

B.4.4 PLANT MATERIAL MAINTENANCE

B.4.4.1 PLANTING BEDS

B.4.4.1a ANNUAL FLOWER PLANTING BEDS

B.4.4.2 LONG NEEDLE PINE STRAW

B.4.4.3 TREE TRIMMING / PRUNING /SHRUB MAINTENANCE

B.4.5 LAWN / TURF MAINTENANCE

B.4.5.1 SUPPLY & INSTALL SOD ON ALL 1ST & SUBSEQUENT GRAVESITES

B.4.5.2 CORE AERIFICATION

B.4.5.3 DETHATCHING

B.4.5.4 FERTILIZATION

B.4.5.4a GYPSUM AND LIME APPLICATION

B.4.5.5 WEED CONTROL

B.4.6 PEST CONTROL

B.4.6.1 ARMADILLOS/MOLES, AND OTHER PEST

B.4.6.2 FIRE ANT CONTROL

B.4.6.3 PESTICIDES AND INSECTICIDES

B.4.6.4 OPERATIONAL FLOW CHART WARM SEASON TURFGRASS AREAS

B.4.7 STORM DAMAGE AND DEBRIS CLEAN-UP

B.4.8 SUPPORT SERVICES

B.4.8.1 DAILY INTERMENT SHELTER SETUP/TEAR DOWN

B.4.8.1 SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SPECIAL EVENT FLAG / WREATH PLACEMENT & PICKUP

B.4.9 HEADSTONE TRANSPORT, SETTING, AND REALIGNMENT

B.4.9.1 HEADSTONE RECEIVING, SETTING, & RE-ALIGN (INITIAL)

B.4.9.1 RECEIVING BLANK HEADSTONES FROM DELIVERY TRUCK (FORKLIFT) AND BREAKING

DOWN PALLETS OF BLANK HEADSTONES

B.4.9.1 HEADSTONE TRANSPORT

B.4.9.1 HEADSTONE SETTING REPLACEMENT

B.4.9.1 HEADSTONE SETTING REPLACEMENT & SUBSEQUENT RE-SET

B.4.9.2 HEADSTONE RAISE, LOWER AND REALIGNMENT

B.4.10 INTERMENT SERVICES

B.4.10.1 CASKET TRANSPORTATION, CHAIN OF CUSTODY, FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

B.4.11 CLEANING AND PRESSURE WASHING

B.4.11.1 CLEANING OF HEADSTONES AND MARKERS

B.4.11.2 ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS

B.4.11.3 CLEANING COMMITTAL SHELTERS (INCLUDING ALL SIDEWALKS)

B.4.11.4: CLEANING FLAG ASSEMBLY AREA, OSSUARY AND ALL SIGNAGE

B.4.11.5: CLEANING COLUMBARIUM WALLS AND NICHE COVERS

B.4.12 WALKWAYS AND CURBS

B.4.12.1 JANITORIAL SERVICE

B.4.13 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

B.4.13.1 CONTRACTING OFFICER

B.4.13.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

B.4.13.3 CONTRACTOR STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

B.4.13.4 SITE SUPERVISOR REQUIREMENTS

B.4.13.5 EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS

B.4.14 CONTRACTOR/EMPLOYEE CODE OF CONDUCT

B.4.15 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS

B.4.16 QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

B.4.1 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Bases

Standard 2.1: Visually prominent areas have sand, mineral, or well-established healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.1: Sand, mineral, or turf in visually prominent areas are generally weed free.

Standard 2.4: Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.4a: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are Generally Free of Bare Areas.

Measure 2.4b: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are maintained within 2” range of that which is professionally recommended for that type of turf and geographic region according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.6: Visually prominent areas are properly trimmed and edged.

Measure 2.6: Other features (any additional turf areas requiring edging or trimming such as sidewalks, curbs, monuments) are trimmed or edged according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.7: Avoid damage and ensure continuation of a well-established, healthy stand of turf during grounds maintenance operations.

Measure 2.7: Turf damage due to grounds maintenance tasks is identified and corrective action initiated by close of business the same day.

The contractor shall mow, edge, and trim all grass within the cemetery and the perimeter tree line, entry gates, and walls. All damage due to contractors’ equipment or operations shall be repaired and/or replaced by the contractor at no cost to the government. Contractor is responsible to report any damages immediately to the COR.

Note: 419 Bermuda and Emerald Zoysia turfgrass height shall be maintained at 2” inches or as directed by the COR. Cutting height shall be established as per required in the Turf Maintenance Plan, with approval from the District Agronomist.

B.4.1.1 MOWING TURF AREA

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Bases Standard 2.1: Visually prominent areas have sand, mineral, or well-established healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.1: Sand, mineral, or turf in visually prominent areas are generally weed free.

Standard 2.4: Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.4a: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are Generally Free of Bare Areas.

Measure 2.4b: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are maintained within 2” range of that which is professionally recommended for that type of turf and geographic region according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.6: Visually prominent areas are properly trimmed and edged.

Measure 2.6: Other features (any additional turf areas requiring edging or trimming such as sidewalks, curbs, monuments) are trimmed or edged according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.7: Avoid damage and ensure continuation of a well-established, healthy stand of turf during grounds maintenance operations.

SCOPE OF WORK

Turfgrass height shall be maintained at 2” inches or as directed by the COR. Cutting height shall be established as required in the Ground Maintenance Plan, with approval from the District Agronomist.

All mowing of non-turfed areas shall be done a minimum of one time (1x) a week during the growing season, (typically, but not limited to mid-February through November). The growing season may require mowing more frequently due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turfgrass from growing more than One half (1/2) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2” inches. Advanced Written Notice and COR Approval is required prior to mowing more than twice per week. During dormant periods, mowing shall be done as necessary to maintain National Shrine Quality Standards.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Contractor shall be responsible for mowing, edging, and trimming all grass within the cemetery as specified by COR.

B. Turf height of cut (H.O.C) shall be maintained at 2 inches. Cutting height shall be established as required in the Grounds Maintenance Plan/SOW.

Height of Cut (H.O.C) / Inches Turf grass Species

2” Bermuda 419 2” Emerald Zoysia

All mowing of turfed areas shall be done a minimum of once a week during the growing season, (Typically, but not limited to Mid-February through November) or as directed by the COR. The growing season may require mowing twice weekly due to weather conditions to keep the turf from growing more than One half (1/2) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2” (two) inches for 419 Bermuda and Emerald Zoysia. During dormant periods, mowing shall be done as necessary to maintain National Cemetery Standards.

Mowing shall be performed often enough so that no more than 1/3 of leafage is removed at any single mowing. Advanced written notice and COR approval is required prior to mowing more than once a week.

Scalping is not acceptable. Where scalping is evident, and does not recover, the Contractor will be responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the Government. When scalping is a result of ruts, contractor shall ensure top dressing is completed in the ruts to not scalp the center of the gravesite.

After mowing, no excessive thatch will be permitted to remain on the turf. Visible rows or clumps of turf clippings shall not be allowed to remain on turf areas that have been cut. All clippings must be removed from the site. No clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch, or paved areas.

Turf in burial and public areas should be maintained at a height within one half-inch range (1/2) of that which is professionally recommended for the recommended grass type for that geographic region.

Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch (½) above that range. Grass is trimmed on borders.

Top dressing areas with ruts from turf mowing to be completed once a year or on an as needed bases, requested by the COR. Proper top-dressing techniques shall be utilized (example – sand) and shall be approved by the COR prior to completion.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Contractor shall utilize commercial grade mowers with mulching decks and mulching blades.

Cutting blades on mowing equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are properly cut- not torn or damaged. Blades shall be sharpened prior to each mowing cycle.

Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified in the Grounds Maintenance Plan. The height of grass is what is measured to get correct cutting height. Contractor shall indicate cutting deck height on weekly report.

Direction of mowing shall be alternated weekly. When mowing between rows of headstones, begin each mowing at a point that will ensure that each row is mowed in the opposite direction from the previous cycle. Contractor shall indicate mowing pattern on weekly report.

A. Riding mowers may be used if they are not operated within six (6) inches of headstones, markers, monuments, tree trunks or other vertical surfaces.

B. Commercial grade power trimmers and power edgers will be used to trim grass from around headstones, monuments, markers, etc.

C. All mowers must have mulching checks with mulching blades.

D. All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are < 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

E. Mowers and other ground equipment must be kept off irrigation boxes. Stress on boxes causes burst pipes as far as 10" from the box due to flex and pressure placed on pipes. Damage will be the responsibility of Ground Contractor for repair(s).

Mowing equipment shall be kept 6 (six) to 12 (twelve) inches from upright headstones and other vertical structures and/or fixtures.

Any contractor equipment brought in from third-party vendors, or other job sites, to include other national cemeteries, must be cleaned with a diluted environmentally approved disinfectant cleaning solution to prevent any cross contamination of unwanted grasses/weeds, diseases, fungi, and/or insects. Contractor shall attest weekly, in writing (email), that all equipment being used on cemetery grounds has been cleaned.

Mowers used for non-turf services shall not be used on turf grass unless cleaned prior to entering the turf area. Contractor shall attest, in writing, that all equipment being used on turfed areas has been cleaned prior to use.

Any cross contamination or associated turf damage resulting from Contractor negligence shall be repaired, treated, or replaced at the Contractor’s expense.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Scalping, mud striping, race tracking, and/or rutting of Cemetery grounds are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. If such turf damage is identified, the Contractor shall repair and/or replace the damaged turf at the Contractor’s expense no more than 72 hours after identification.

No thatch layer shall exist at any time on cemetery grounds. By following the prescribed mowing schedule, the presence of thatch should be eliminated. If thatch is present following a mowing, it must be mulched, raked, or otherwise collected, and removed from cemetery grounds by close of business on the day it was created.

There shall never be visible rows or clumps of turf clippings allowed to remain on turf areas. Multiple passes may be needed to thoroughly mulch clippings. If, after two passes of the mowing equipment, clippings remain, they must be removed from the grounds, preferably by hand-raking the area. No clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch areas, paved areas, and/or concrete surfaces. All clippings and thatch shall be mulched or removed by the end of the workday which they were created.

The walkways (inside and out), interment area, and roads shall be cleaned of grass clippings, dirt, and leaves after all ground maintenance operations (mowing, edging, and trimming, etc.). These areas shall be swept or blown off immediately after completion of grounds maintenance operations.

Mower operators shall flag, with red marker flags, and report any sunken graves or turfgrass area(s) in need of repair to the Contractor on-site supervisor. The Contractor shall coordinate grounds repair with the COR.

If additional time, weekend or after hour work is needed due to scheduling conflicts, negative impacts to cemetery operations, weather conditions, etc., the Contractor shall submit a written/email request to the COR for approval. Overtime / weekend work will be at no cost of the Government. A written request/email must be submitted to the COR for consideration, a minimum of 24 hour(s) in advance of requested overtime/weekend work. Approval from COR is required prior to initiating any after-hours/weekend work or repairs. When after-hours/weekend work is authorized, a minimum of two (2) contractor personnel shall be on-site throughout the duration of work/repairs.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete the job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.1: MOWING NON-TURF AREA

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Bases Standard 2.1: Visually prominent areas have sand, mineral, or well-established healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.1: Sand, mineral, or turf in visually prominent areas are generally weed free.

Standard 2.4: Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.4a: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are Generally Free of Bare Areas.

Measure 2.4b: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are maintained within 2” range of that which is professionally recommended for that type of turf and geographic region according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.6: Visually prominent areas are properly trimmed and edged.

Measure 2.6: Other features (any additional turf areas requiring edging or trimming such as sidewalks, curbs, monuments) are trimmed or edged according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.7: Avoid damage and ensure continuation of a well-established, healthy stand of turf during grounds maintenance operations.

The contractor shall mow all non-sodded, non-turf, areas within the cemetery grounds and the perimeter tree line and walls.

GENERAL REQUIRMENTS

Turfgrass height shall be maintained at 2” inches or as directed by the COR. Cutting height shall be established as required in the Ground Maintenance Plan, with approval from the District Agronomist.

All mowing of non-turfed areas shall be done a minimum of one time (1x) a month during the growing season, (typically, but not limited to mid-February through November). The growing season may require mowing more frequently due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turfgrass from growing more than One half (1/2) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2” inches. Advanced Written Notice and COR Approval is required prior to mowing more than twice per month. During dormant periods, mowing shall be done as necessary to maintain National Shrine Quality Standards.

Scalping is not acceptable. Where scalping is evident, and does not recover, the Contractor will be responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the Government. When scalping is a result of ruts, contractor shall ensure top dressing is completed in the ruts to not scalp the center of the gravesite.

After mowing, no excessive thatch will be permitted to remain on the turf. Visible rows or clumps of turf clippings shall not be allowed to remain on turf areas that have been cut. All clippings must be removed from the site. No clippings or trimmings shall be left in any of the flower beds, mulch, or paved areas.

Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch (½) above that range. Grass is trimmed on borders.

The walkways (inside and out), interment area, and roads shall be cleaned of grass clippings, dirt, and leaves after all ground maintenance operations (mowing, edging, and trimming, etc.). These areas shall be swept or blown off immediately after completion of grounds maintenance operations.

Top dressing areas with ruts from turf mowing to be completed once a year or on an as needed bases, requested by the COR. Proper top-dressing techniques shall be utilized (example – sand) and shall be approved by the COR prior to completion.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Contractor shall utilize commercial grade mowers with mulching decks and mulching blades. Cutting blades on mowing equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are properly cut - not torn or damaged.

Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified in the Grounds Maintenance Plan. The height of grass is what is measured to get correct cutting height. Contractor shall indicate cutting deck height on weekly report.

A. Riding mowers may be used if they are not operated within two (2) inches of headstones, markers, monuments, tree trunks or other vertical surfaces.

B. Commercial grade power trimmers and power edgers will be used to trim grass from around +specified below. The height of grass is measured to get the correct cutting height.

D. All mowers must have mulching checks with mulching blades.

E. All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are > 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

F. Mowers and other ground equipment must be kept off irrigation boxes. Stress on boxes causes burst pipes as far as 10" from the box due to flex and pressure placed on pipes. Damage will be the responsibility of Ground Contractor for repair(s)

Any contractor equipment brought in from third-party vendors, or other job sites, to include other national cemeteries, must be cleaned with a diluted environmentally approved disinfectant cleaning solution to prevent any cross contamination of unwanted grasses/weeds, diseases, fungi, and/or insects. Contractor shall attest weekly, in writing (email), that all equipment being used on cemetery grounds has been cleaned.

Mowers used for non-turf services shall not be used on turf grass unless cleaned prior to entering the turf area. Contractor will attest, in writing (email), that all equipment being used on turfed areas has been cleaned prior to use.

Any cross contamination or associated turf damage resulting from Contractor negligence shall be repaired, treated, or replaced at the Contractor’s expense.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

If additional time, weekend or after hour work is needed due to scheduling conflicts, negative impacts to cemetery operations, weather conditions etc., the contractor shall submit a written/email request to the COR for approval. Overtime / weekend work will be at no cost of the Government. A written request/email must be submitted to the COR for consideration, a minimum of 24 hour(s) in advance of requested overtime/weekend work. Approval from COR is required prior to initiating any after-hours/weekend work or repairs. When after-hours/weekend work is authorized, a minimum of two (2) contractor personnel shall be on-site throughout the duration of work/repairs.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately. Contractor will be responsible for repair or replacement of all damage.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.2: EDGING OF WALKWAYS, CURBS AND OTHER HORIZONTAL SURFACES

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Bases Standard 2.1: Visually prominent areas have sand, mineral, or well-established healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.1: Sand, mineral, or turf in visually prominent areas are generally weed free.

Standard 2.4: Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.4a: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are Generally Free of Bare Areas.

Measure 2.4b: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are maintained within 2” range of that which is professionally recommended for that type of turf and geographic region according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.6: Visually prominent areas are properly trimmed and edged.

Measure 2.6: Other features (any additional turf areas requiring edging or trimming such as sidewalks, curbs, monuments) are trimmed or edged according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.7: Avoid damage and ensure continuation of a well-established, healthy stand of turf during grounds maintenance operations.

All edging will be done a minimum of once per week during the growing season, or as directed by the

COR.

All streets, curbs, walkways, irrigation control boxes, control markers, manhole covers, and crypt field drain clean-out covers shall be vertically edged with a bladed edger inside and outside cemetery grounds.

All streets, curbs, walkways, and entry gates including walls, irrigation control boxes, control markers, manhole covers, and crypt field drain clean-out covers will be blown clean after mowing, trimming, and edging, before close of business on the day edging occurs.

All edging will be followed with a string trimmer to dress the top line of the grass.

All edging shall follow the mowing schedule.

The COR will conduct random inspections of edging weekly.

All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are > 3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

All turf edging shall be done a minimum one time (1x) per week during the growing season, which is typically February through November, or as directed by the COR.

All streets, curbs, walkways, irrigation control / valve boxes, control markers, manhole covers, all tree rings and planting beds shall be vertically trimmed with a bladed edger inside and outside cemetery grounds. The desired result will be a ½” wide clear gap between the turf/grass and the horizontal surface.

Street edges, with no discernable curbing, shall be edged in such a manner as to eliminate turf/grass from overlapping the roadway.

All edging shall be followed with a string trimmer to dress the top line of the grass. Turf along the edged areas shall be trimmed to ensure the height of the turf matches the entire turfed area. Turf shall not be higher near the edged area than the turf in the mow-able area. Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch (1/2) above specified range of 2 inches for 419 Bermuda and Emerald Zoysia.

Care shall be taken that no clippings are blown into mulch beds. Clippings shall be removed from mulch beds by close of business on the day they were created.

The walkways and roads shall be cleaned of grass clippings, dirt, and leaves after all ground maintenance operations (mowing, string trimming, and edging). These areas shall be swept or blown off immediately after completion of ground maintenance operations.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.3: TRIMMING OF HEADSTONES, MONUMENTS, MARKERS, AND OTHER

VERTICLE SURFACES

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 2: Turf / Mineral Bases Standard 2.1: Visually prominent areas have sand, mineral, or well-established healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.1: Sand, mineral, or turf in visually prominent areas are generally weed free.

Standard 2.4: Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf.

Measure 2.4a: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are Generally Free of Bare Areas.

Measure 2.4b: Visually Prominent Areas with established turf are maintained within 2” range of that which is professionally recommended for that type of turf and geographic region according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.6: Visually prominent areas are properly trimmed and edged.

Measure 2.6: Other features (any additional turf areas requiring edging or trimming such as sidewalks, curbs, monuments) are trimmed or edged according to the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.

Standard 2.7: Avoid damage and ensure continuation of a well-established, healthy stand of turf during grounds maintenance operations.

Work consists of trimming all un-mowed grass around headstones, monuments, markers, and other vertical surfaces to the recommended mowing height using line-type trimmers.

Mowing shall be performed prior to trimming or edging. All trimming shall be performed bi-weekly during the growing season, typically but not limited to February through November, following the approved mowing schedule. All trimming shall be performed no more than one workday behind the mowers.

The COR will conduct inspections of trimming.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Mowing shall be performed prior to trimming or edging. All trimming shall be performed bi-weekly during the growing season, following the approved mowing schedule. All trimming shall be performed no more than one workday behind the mowers.

Trimming shall be done a bi-weekly during growing season, or as directed by the COR. The growing season may require trimming twice weekly due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turf from growing more than One (1/2”) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2 inches. Advanced Written Notice and COR/Contracting Officer Approval is required prior to trimming more than once a week.

All trimmings shall follow the mowing schedule.

Trimming will be performed no more than one workday behind the mowers. All un-mowed grass around headstones, monuments, markers, rocks, trees, and other vertical surfaces shall be trimmed to keep the grass at the height standard described in NCA Operational Standards and Measures (Attachment or Appendix).

Optimally, the height should be no more than half an inch (½) above that range. Grass is trimmed on borders. Care will be taken near headstones to prevent damage to the headstone. Grass clippings/stains will be removed from headstone bases after trimming.

Scalping is not acceptable. Trimmers will be kept level to prevent scalping between and around headstones. All string trimmers shall always have anti-scalping devices attached. Where scalping is evident, and does not recover, the Contractor will be responsible for repair of the damage at no cost to the Government.

Discarded trimmer string shall be removed from the grounds after trimming operations are complete.

Care will be taken that no clippings will be blown into mulch beds. Any clippings will be cleaned from mulch beds by close of business on the day trimming occurs.

The walkways and non-grass surfaces (inside and outside the cemetery), flagpole bases, interment areas, and roads will be cleared of grass clippings and leaves after mowing, string trimming, and edging.

Visibly prominent areas, such as administrative offices, public restrooms, shelters, pavilions, and columbarium, will have clippings blown or swept from roads and walkways as soon as the operation causing debris is completed.

All equipment used in cemetery on any/all inclines that are >3% (greater 3 percent) shall be rated by equipment manufacturer specifications for such and must meet proper OSHA standards to be allowed for usage at any time on cemetery grounds and surroundings.

The COR will conduct inspections of trimming.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.4: DAILY TRASH, DEBRIS, AND GRAVE DECORATION/FLORAL

ARRANGEMENT REMOVAL

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 3, Facilities Maintenance Sub-Category 4: Waste Management o Standard 4.1: Trash is collected, disposed of, and does not detract from cemetery appearance.

Measure 4.1a: The cemetery's central trash collection points are in areas that minimize public visibility.

Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 5: General Management o Standard 5.1: All areas where cemetery operations have been conducted are neat, clean, and free of debris and equipment at the end of the workday.

Measure 5.1a: Debris, equipment, tools, and supplies are removed at the conclusion of each task and at the end of the workday.

SCOPE OF WORK

All trash, debris, contents of trash cans, dead or unsightly flowers, and all fallen tree limbs and branches not attached to the tree shall be removed from the Cemetery areas a minimum of once each workday or as necessary. Any limbs or branches attached to the tree hanging down shall be reported to the COR as soon as possible for action.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

All unsightly grave decorations and/or flowers will be removed weekly or as needed in accordance with cemetery floral regulations. Serviceable floral cone vases will be cleaned and placed in the floral vase containers near the burial sections and admin. American flags will be disposed of appropriately.

Seasonal Holiday Adornments for Christmas and Hanukkah, such as wreaths, potted plants and other seasonal items may be placed on graves from Thanksgiving Day through January 10th.

Traditional gravesites: fresh cut flowers may be placed any time of the year and will be removed when they become unsightly and/or to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing or trimming. (If purchased, ornamental vases are removed, following the rules below for grave decorations)

All grave decorations once picked up, will initially be placed in the 30-day bin with a tag annotating the section and gravesite on it. It will be held for a minimum of 60 days in a designated location by following the process below. If not retrieved by Next of Kin by the end of 60 days, they will be discarded.

1. The designation will consist of (4) bin for only artificial flowers and grave adornments, with separate bins representing 30 days and 60 days.

2. At the beginning of each month, the bins will be rotated to the next bin and then after the 60 days will be placed in the dumpster.

Unsightly (withered/dead flowers) and/or unauthorized decorations are to be removed daily from the cemetery grounds.

The contractor shall provide the necessary labor and suitable conveyance each workday for pickup of trash, debris, grave decoration, and unsightly floral arrangements from the Cemetery’s grounds.

A dumpster placement area shall be in a designated area of the cemetery and screened from public view.

Removal and disposal of debris from the cemetery’s grounds shall be the responsibility of the contractor for all items found in and around the Cemetery.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.5: DAILY SWEEPING/BLOWING OFF WALKWAYS & ROADWAYS:

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these

NCA Cemetery Operations Operational Standards and Measures, Dec 2023 Category 5, Grounds Maintenance Sub-Category 5: General Management o Standard 5.1: All areas where cemetery operations have been conducted are neat, clean, and free of debris and equipment at the end of the workday.

Measure 5.1b: Roads, walkways, shelters, and burial sections are free of grounds maintenance debris by the end of the workday.

All walkways, roads, and parking areas will be swept prior to interment services or as instructed by the COR. All roads, streets, committal shelters and public areas (to include the service roads behind committal shelters) will be cleaned daily or as instructed by the COR prior to the start of daily burial operations or at the conclusion of burial operations. The roads, streets, committal shelters and public areas will be cleaned of all debris (i.e., mud, dirt, twigs, leaves, grass clippings, animal excrement’s, spider webs, bird, or insect nests, etc.). All roads and walkways will be blown at the beginning of the day (before -08:15am) and at the end of the day (no later than 4:15pm)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The walkways around the Administrative Building and committal shelters shall be swept/blown off prior to 9:00am daily. All pavement areas, benches, and signs (to include pavement under benches) around the PIC will be cleaned of debris, spider webs, and animal droppings each workday.

Debris shall not be swept/blown into flower/planting beds, mulch areas, paved areas, nor left in rows or clumps on turf areas.

Committal Shelters will be swept free of bugs and debris on a weekly basis. Ensure all spider webs and/or bugs are swept from corners, ceilings, chairs and/or around the shelter daily.

Light pressure power spray with water to clean exterior will be conducted monthly at the PIC/Admin and Committal Shelters, then quarterly at the maintenance building (break room). If the windows are dirtied during the process of the cleaning, they will be cleaned to keep a neat appearance. Brown, directional / wayfinding signs, around the cemetery will be washed monthly with light pressure spray and wiped to keep free from dirt and bird droppings.

Storm and/or Debris Clean-up (wind, rain, hail, etc.): Cemetery should be checked and cleaned up the next working day following the storm unless the extent of the storm prompts civil defense authorities to declare emergency movement only. Should this occur, clean-up should be done as soon as emergency restrictions are lifted.

The cemetery property includes all surrounding areas inside and outside the entrance to the main road, extending outside the brick wall, to the end of the wrought iron fence and a minimum of 300 feet on either side of the maintenance exit.

The Contractor shall be responsible for taking all precautions to prevent damage to the cemetery, in any manner, including headstones, markers, monuments, flower bases, trees, structures, fixtures (to include fences) and equipment during maintenance operations.

Any damage to cemetery property or grounds shall be reported to the COR immediately and shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to repair at no cost to the Government. All Damage resulting from the Contractor personnel, tools, and/or equipment shall be repaired, and/or items replaced, at the Contractor’s expense.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The Contractor shall provide all necessary supervision, labor, supplies, OSHA approved personal protective equipment (PPE), and grounds maintenance equipment required for clearing/sweeping/blowing off all roadways, concrete surfaces, and designated areas.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment, and/or tractor attachments required to complete job.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during grounds maintenance operations must be reported to the COR immediately and repair / replacement shall be the responsibility of the Contractor at no cost to the Government.

B.4.1.6. UNDERGOUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM OPERATION, INSPECTION, AND

MAINTENANCE MONITORING

All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder.

SCOPE OF WORK

Work consists of the yearly startup, weekly operation, monthly monitoring, inspection, and yearly shutdown (winterization, if required) of the automated underground RainBird irrigation system. Fort Jackson National Cemetery has approximately 79 acres of irrigated turf.

The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials, transportation, and supplies necessary to provide irrigation system operation and monitoring.

Cemetery Shall provide all irrigation parts.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The work specified herein shall be provided to facilitate the successful and ongoing operation of a manually set, automatically controlled underground landscape irrigation system.

This contract shall cover yearly start-up/shut-down, weekly operation, monthly monitoring, and inspection, troubleshooting, and repair service, which includes emergency callback service, and preventative maintenance of the irrigation system and corresponding system components.

This includes, but is not limited to, the backflow preventer, pump, control box, valves, lines, wiring, pipes, and sprinkler heads. Reports are to be provided to the COR no later than the 5th of each month.

Cemetery shall provide all Parts.

The contractor shall be required to perform the following:

Perform all system inspection and maintenance tasks for the irrigation system and system components at minimum 1x monthly.

Check program schedules for proper operation and adjust if necessary. Verify all field controllers have back-up programs, adjust programs as necessary to allow for changing site conditions, seasonal changes, and cemetery staff needs. Perform annual preventive maintenance inspection/service to the Reduce Pressure Valve (RPV) backflow valve to meet manufacturer's recommendations.

WORK NOT INCLUDED:

Maintenance service shall not include the performance of any work required because of improper use, accidents, or negligence for which the contractor is not directly responsible.

Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds or equipment during irrigation system operations must be reported to the COR immediately. Contractor will be responsible for repair and/or replacement of all damage.

GUARANTEE

The contractor is responsible for all training, supplies,…