36C78625Q50121 Question 2.docx

36C78625Q50121 Question 2

1. Topic: Incumbent Contract Questions: Can you provide the most up-to-date annual price of the incumbent contract, including any modifications? Is this contract similar to the previous contract, or is the new solicitation consolidating multiple contracts into one? Can you please include the incumbent’s contract number?

Current Contract number is 36C78619D0141 with Lander Group, LLC. Aggregate Contract price was $2,117,733.00.

2. Topic: Contractor Staging Area REF: SOW B.1.(b) Questions: Can the government confirm that there is a staging area for the contractor to store equipment on-site? What is the total square feet of the area available? Can the government provide a map or pictures of the area? Will the contractor be permitted to install Conex boxes and an office trailer for their operations? Will the contractor be responsible for installing a fence?

There is a contractor building just North of the administrative building, see attached pictures. This is the contractors building. The far-right bay is heated. All contractor equipment is stored in this building. An office trailer and fencing is not necessary.

3. Topic: SCA Wage Determination REF: 2015-5021 Revision 22 Question: WD 2015-5021 Revision 22 was included with the solicitation. However, the most recent revision is Revision 24. Can the government confirm that we should proceed with the rates set in Revision 22 even though it is not the most up-to-date SCA Wage Determination for this region?

Current wage determination is at Wage Determinations | SAM.gov

4. Topic: DBA Wage Determination REF: Decision Number IL20240002 Question: WD Decision Number IL20240002 was included with the solicitation. However, it appears it was replaced with Decision Number IL20250002 on January 10, 2025. Can the government confirm which DBA Wage Determination should be used for this solicitation?

Current wage determination is at Wage Determinations | SAM.gov

5. Topic: DBA Wage Determination REF: Decision Number IL20240002 Question: Can the government confirm which CLINs require DBA rates?

CLINS 24, 25 & 26.

6. Topic: Fertilization, Herbicide, and Insecticide

REF: SOW A.1.6 CLIN 0006

Question: CLIN 0006 has a quantity of 3 on the price schedule. However, the description in the PWS states Provide and Apply ALL turfgrass areas (JUNE, SEP., & OCT) /Pre/Post- emergence Herbicide, including grub control insecticide: Provide and Apply on All turfgrass areas -Appropriate to the USDA Hardiness Zone (APR, MAY, JUN, & OCT). Additionally, A.1.6 of the SOW further addresses applications for Prairie Thistle. This would be, at a minimum, 10 separate applications. Should CLIN 0006 be updated to a quantity of 10, or should additional CLINs specific to Pre/Post Emergence Herbicide and Prairie Grass Thistle Control be added?

NOTE: Fertilization 3X/year.

Pre-Emergence Herbicide 2X/year.

Post-Emergence Herbicide 2X/Year.

i. Fertilization schedule: June (depending on weather – Late May), September and October (about the time of the last mowing).

ii. Pre-emergence 2X/year. 1st late March or early April. 2nd, 7 weeks after 1st application (May or June depending on 1st application).

iii. Post-emergence 2X/year. 1st early May (in preparation for Memorial Day). 2nd, October.

7. Topic: Fertilization, Herbicide, and Insecticide

REF: SOW A.1.6 CLIN 0006

Questions: How many acres are to be serviced under CLIN 0006? Will the native, prairie, and unimproved grounds also receive these services?

There are approximately 34 developed acres at Danville National Cemetery.

There are approximately 26 acres of turfgrass/cemetery grounds with headstones/markers.

8. Topic: Turfgrass

REF: CLIN 0004

Question: Can the government clarify the total acres of turfgrass to be serviced under CLIN 0004? This information cannot be determined from a site visit.

There are approx. 26 acres of turfgrass/cemetery grounds with headstones.

9. Topic: Price Schedule Quantity

REF: CLIN 0004

Question: CLIN 0004 Mow and Trim turfgrass has a quantity of 12 and a unit of months. Assuming roughly 40 services are performed under this CLIN each year, should the 40 services be spread out over the 12 months for this CLIN? How will billing occur in the winter months when no mowing and trimming is performed? We suggest changing the CLIN to the estimated quantity of annual mowing services and calling the unit “jobs” to alleviate this issue.

Unit is a week. 36 units

10. Topic: Native and Prairie Grass Areas and Unimproved Native Turf Areas

REF: CLIN 0005

Question: Can the government clarify the total acres of native and prairie grass areas and unimproved native turf areas to be serviced under CLIN 0005? This information cannot be determined from a site visit.

There is no prairie grass at the DNC.

11. Topic: Native and Prairie Grass Areas and Unimproved Native Turf Areas

REF: PWS A.1.5

Question: Roughly how many times per year will contractors be directed to mow the native prairie grass and unimproved areas?

There is no prairie grass at the DNC.

12. Topic: Setting Initial and Replacement Headstones REF: Irrigation CLIN 0022 Questions: Approximately how many of the 175 headstones under CLIN 0022 will be initial headstone settings, and how many will be replacements? Can a percentage or split be estimated if a number cannot be provided? For example, 40% are replacements, and 60% are initials.

Approx 30% of headstones are replacements.

47 of the total interments in FY24 were subsequent.

13. Topic: Soil REF: Interments Questions: Is the soil rocky? Is it anticipated that the contractor would need to break up any large rocks to complete the interments?

No, the soil is not rocky. Current contractors rarely encounter any rocks larger than a baseball.

14. Topic: Disinterments REF: PWS Page 6 Questions: The PWS states: “When a grave is opened to receive a second interment and is found to be of insufficient depth to permit interment due to an existing vault, poly or concrete liner, or casket not being deep enough, the Contractor shall notify the COR immediately.

After notification to the COR, the remains of the first interment shall be removed.” Who is responsible for these disinterments? If the contractor is responsible, how will these additional costs be recouped?

If disinterment is needed it will be handled by the cemetery.

15. Topic: Transportation of Remains

REF: CLIN 0002

Question: Is the contractor required to provide equipment similar to a Toro Casket Carrier to traverse the turf from the road to the gravesite?

Yes

16. Topic: Pressure Wash Committal Shelter, Columbaria, Hardscapes, Bathrooms, and Pump House Building Reference: CLIN 0010 and PWS A.1.10 Question: What is the approximate square footage of the committal shelter, columbaria, hardscapes, bathroom, and pump house building to be pressure washed?

Committal shelter is approx. 1,000 SF.

No columbarium.

Contractor building is approx. 2,580 SF.

The administrative building is approx. 2,400 SF.

17. Topic: Committal Shelter Assembly Reference: PWS A.1.11 Question: Will the government provide the casket mover for casket burial and placement table for cremations?

Yes

18. Topic: Placement and Removal of Flags (Grave Flags) Reference: PWS A.1.12 Question: Will the government provide the flags and storage area for the gravesite flags?

Yes

19. Topic: Headstones Reference: Trimming Question: How many headstones are presently installed at Danville National Cemetery?

There are currently 11,794 headstones.

20. Topic: Placement and Removal of Flags (50 Avenue Flags) Reference: PWS A.1.13 Question: Will the government provide the 50 flags and storage area for the avenue of flags?

Yes

21. Topic: Mulch Bed Weeding Reference: PWS A.1.16 and CLIN 0015 Question: A.1.16 of the PWS states that the contractor is responsible for maintain all mulch and planting beds and tree rings supplied with mulch and weed free as long as there is no snow cover throughout the year. To keep planting beds and tree rings weed-free would require monthly, if not weekly, maintenance. However, the CLIN for this service is a quantity of 2. Can the government confirm if this CLIN is intended for twice-annual mulching or if it should be increased to monthly planting bed and tree ring maintenance to ensure the beds remain weed-free year-round?

CLINS is changed to monthly quantity of 9.

22. Topic: Mulch Bed Weeding Reference: PWS A.1.16 and CLIN 0015 Question: Approximately how many square feet of planting beds and tree rings are at Danville National Cemetery?

Please kindly find attached photos of all planting beds and tree rings for your situational awareness.

23. Topic: Tree Pruning

REF: SOW A.1.16

Questions: Can the government confirm that tree pruning above 15’ is not required? Approximately how many shrubs and trees need pruning annually?

The Contractor is responsible for Shrub and Tree Maintenance/Pruning/Shaping as described in SOW A.1.16.

The COR and Contractor will determine which trees and how many will need manually pruning annually.

24. Topic: Irrigation System

REF: SOW A.1.19

Question: Can the government provide the quantity of zones and irrigation heads present and the estimated turf acres covered by the system?

10 irrigation zones.

25. Topic: Mole, Gopher, and Rodent Control

REF: CLIN 0017

Question: Mole, gopher, and rodent control is a service that would be required monthly year- round, or at a minimum, April through October. However, the CLIN for this service is 1. Is the intention to perform this service once annually, or should the quantity be updated to 12 months?

6 monthly units.

26. Topic: Herbicide for Maintenance of Rock-Filled Ditch

REF: SOW A.1.18

Questions: Is the contractor required to apply an aquatic herbicide to the rock-filled ditch, or is a selective herbicide such as Triplet acceptable? How many linear feet is the total ditch, including the north and south sides? What is the average width?

Yes. The Contractor determines the selective herbicide with COR approval.

The Rock-Filled Ditch is approximately 410 feet long and 50 feet wide.

27. Topic: On-site Water

REF: PWS A.1.18

Question: The PWS states that water availability is unknown at the time of writing this contract. Is this statement still valid, or can the government confirm there is an onsite water source for filling up spray equipment?

There is full access to water and electricity currently.

28. Topic: Road, Parking Lot, and Sidewalk Cleaning

REF: CLIN 0020

Questions: The PWS states: Contractor shall maintain all Cemetery roadways, cortege lanes, sidewalks, walkways, and parking areas free of trash, debris, dirt build up, snow, and ice daily by cleaning/clearing and applying snow/ice prevention treatment (ice melt/salt) as necessary, at a minimum following/during all edging, trimming, mowing, snow, or sleet fall or as stated in the PWS. The CLIN quantity is 5 each. Understanding this quantity is suitable to cover snow and ice removal, if daily removal of trash, debris, and dirt build-up is required, should this CLIN quantity be 12 months? Otherwise, how can the contractor invoice for the work performed during the non-winter months?

CLIN is changed to Monthly unit of 12.

29. Topic: Cleaning & Maintenance of public restrooms and shop areas

REF: PWS A.1.21

Question: Is Cleaning & Maintenance of public restrooms and shop areas a weekly or daily service requirement?

Daily.

NOTE: Public restrooms are available 7 days a week and require daily cleaning before 9:00am. Office and shop space is available 5 days a week, Monday – Friday.

30. Topic: Cleaning & Maintenance of public restrooms and shop areas

REF: PWS A.1.21

Question: Approximately how many square feet are to be cleaned and maintained under CLIN 0021?

Approximately 3,000 square feet.

31. Topic: Cleaning & Maintenance of public restrooms and shop areas

REF: PWS A.1.21

Questions: Is the contractor responsible for restocking paper goods such as toilet paper and paper towels? What about soap and sanitizer? The PWS mentions an attachment that provides janitorial guidance. Can the government please provide this?

Yes, the contractor is responsible for restocking paper goods such as toilet paper, paper towels, soap, and sanitizer.

32. Topic: Janitorial Services

REF: PWS A.1.21

Questions: How many toilets are there in each restroom? How many restrooms are there?

There are 2 public restrooms. The mens room has 1 urinal and 1 toilet. The womens restroom has 1 toilet. The downstairs breakroom has 1 toilet and 1 urinal.

33. Topic: Niche Covers

REF: CLIN 0023

Question: Should the CLIN title/description be updated to include the word “Install” to comply with the PWS requirements?

CLIN 23 is changed to Niche Covers – receiving shipments, storage, initial setting within 10 calendar days, replacing within 10 calendar days and destroying replaced niche covers.

34. Topic: Electricity REF: SOW B.1(c) Question: It is understood within B.1(c) of the PWS that the Government will not provide utilities for the contractor. However, is there an electrical hookup available to the contractor so that they may obtain and pay for their own electricity?

Electricity and water are provided.

35. Topic: Parking REF: SOW B.1(e) Question: How many vehicles can fit in the area designated for parking?

Approx 6 contractor vehicles will fit in the designated parking area between the administrative building and contractor building.

36. Topic: Mowing / Double Cuts

REF: PWS A.1.4

Question: If the contractor is required to cut more than once a week, will the contractor be permitted to bill for two cuts?

Only 1 cut per week is required.

37. Topic: Past Performance Question: Please confirm that the past performance of a subcontractor who will perform a substantial portion of the work will be considered equal to that of prime contract experience. Since the FAR and SBA rules permit a subcontractor to perform up to 49% of the work, meaningful consideration of the subcontractor is fair and reasonable. See OMB Memorandum, July 10, 2014 “Making Better Use of Contractor Performance Information” (recommending agencies request “information about subcontractors and contractor team arrangements Request that prime contractors provide past performance information on subcontractors and contractor team arrangements.” “This will give the source selection official a complete view and better understanding of the prime contractor, subcontractors and contractor team arrangement’s performance capabilities.”); OFPP BEST PRACTICES for COLLECTING AND USING CURRENT AND PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (Recommending CPARS list major subcontractors: “Listing these firms allows them to cite the contract for past performance purposes in proposals for future work either as prime contractors or as subcontractors or other partners. Source selection teams may review the assessment to determine the ratings given for the work for which these firms were responsible.”) The contractor should complete Attachment H-Sub-contractor participation document.

38. Topic: Past Performance Question: Please confirm that relevant past performance examples may include work performed by a proposed major subcontractor as a prime contractor or major subcontractor. The experience and past performance gained by a subcontractor who is proposed for up to 49% of the work here and who previously served as a prime or major subcontractor on an NCA project provides added value to the VA.

The instruction says not to exceed 20 pages.

39. Topic: Page Count REF: Technical Proposal Question: Is there a page limit for the entire technical proposal or only the capability statement included within the technical proposal? Do cover pages and table of contents count towards the page count?

All required documents needs to be submitted with the quote.

40. Topic: Herbicide Application License REF: Technical Proposal Volume B Question: Technical Proposal Volume B requires a current State of Illinois commercial pesticide/herbicide application license. Could this be provided upon award?

It is the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain commercial pesticide/herbicide applicator license from the State of Illinois and provide certification to the CO.

41. Topic: Attachment H – Subcontractor Participation Document REF: Attachment H Question: Can Attachment H be recreated in Word to expand the chart on page 3?

Yes it can be expanded.

42. Topic: Turfgrass Renovation

REF: PWS A.1.14

Question: Can the government confirm the desired sod to be used for turfgrass renovation?

Generally, RTF Saver but the COR has designated approval authority.