Performance Work Statement_revised 3-17-2026.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Grounds Maintenance – Santa Fe National Cemetery

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Grounds Maintenance – Santa Fe National Cemetery

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

0. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE: This requirement is a non-personal services contract in which the contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, equipment (less select Government Provided Equipment (GPE)), and maintenance necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance and improvement services are performed at for Santa Fe located in Santa Fe, New Mexico hereby known as “the Cemetery”. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

0. BACKGROUND: The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 155 National Cemeteries in 41 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. Because of the special significance and attention our National Cemeteries receive from the public, strict adherence to specifications is essential.

Santa Fe National Cemetery is located within the city limits of Santa Fe, NM, approximately one mile northwest of the main plaza.

Thirteen years before the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth Colony, the Spanish had established a small settlement in Santa Fe, NM. Santa Fe would soon become the seat of power for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande and the oldest capital city in North America. Santa Fe is the site of both the oldest public building in America, the Palace of the Governors, and the nation's oldest community celebration, the Santa Fe Fiesta, established in 1712 to commemorate the Spanish reconquest of New Mexico in summer 1692. Conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta and his men laid out the plan for Santa Fe at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the site of the ancient Pueblo ruin of Kaupoge, or "place of shell beads near the water."

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Santa Fe became the capital of the province of New Mexico. With the Spanish defeat came an end to the policy of a closed empire; American trappers and traders journeyed into the region along the 1,000-mile Santa Fe trail beginning in Arrow Rock, MO. For a brief period in 1837, northern New Mexico farmers rebelled against Mexican rule, killing the provincial governor in what has been called the Chimayó Rebellion, and occupying the capital. The insurrectionists were soon defeated and peace returned to Santa Fe for almost a decade.

At the close of the Civil War, the federal government established a cemetery for the reinterment of Union soldiers who died during the brief military activity in the area. The ground initially chosen was located just west of Santa Fe and is currently part of Santa Fe National Cemetery. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Fe, who owned the property, donated the land to the United States in 1870. Santa Fe's initial designation as a national cemetery was short lived. In July 1876, the War Department decided that, to save expenses, its status should be downgraded to that of a post cemetery. The superintendent was transferred to Mound City National Cemetery, Illinois, and the quartermaster was transferred to Fort Macy, a local post in Santa Fe. Nine years later, however, it was re-established as a national cemetery.

0. OBJECTIVE: The basic service objective is to maintain the cemeteries’ esteemed grounds with care resulting in aesthetically pleasing landscape, care for burial sections, and memorial sites to honor those who have served our nation.

0. SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, and supervision of its employees to perform the service requirements under this contract for Santa Fe National Cemetery. Service requirements include:

· Interment and Disinterment Services

· Headstone Services

· Gravesite Maintenance

· Turf and Grasses Maintenance

· Tree, Shrub, Planting, and Bed Maintenance

· Irrigation System Services

· Drainage System Maintenance

· Trash & Debris Removal

· Pavement Sweeping and Cleaning

· Ice Prevention/Snow & Ice Removal

· Structure Cleaning and Light Maintenance

· Ceremonies Assistance

0. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contract shall be a twelve (12) month base year plus two (2) twelve-month option years if exercised.

0. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:

Santa Fe National Cemetery Cemetery Address – 501 N Guadalupe St Santa Fe, NM 87501

0. TYPE OF CONTRACT: The Government will award a hybrid fixed price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract consisting of services subject to the Service Contract Act (SCA) and construction efforts subject to the Davis Bacon Act (DBA). Multiple tasks and/or delivery orders incorporating this PWS will be issued based on the Governments requirements, each incorporating SCA or DBA components as applicable to their terms and conditions.

0. GENERAL INFORMATION:

7. QUALITY CONTROL: The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. At a minimum, the Contractor shall develop quality control procedures that address the Performance Requirements identified in Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). After acceptance of the quality control plan, the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system. The Quality Control Plan (QCP) shall be submitted with the proposal in draft form. A formal QCP shall be delivered within 30 days after contract award and within five (5) working days following each update. The QCP and any proposed update is subject to approval by the Contracting Officer prior to implementation. The formal QCP and all updates shall be provided to the Contracting Officer and COR electronically.

7. QUALITY ASSURANCE: The Government will monitor the Contractor’s performance under this contract using the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). All work performed under this contract will be subject to inspection at all times by the Government.

7. PROGRESS MEETINGS: The Contracting Officer may require the Site Manager to meet with the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and other Government personnel as deemed necessary. Written minutes of such meetings may be recorded by the Government and signed by the Site Manager and the Contracting Officer or COR and distributed within five (5) workdays after the meeting. The Contractor may request a meeting with the Contracting Officer or COR when the Contractor believes such a meeting is necessary. Written minutes of such meetings may be recorded by the Contractor and signed by the Site Manager and the Contracting Officer or COR and distributed within five (5) workdays after the meeting. In either case, if the Contractor does not concur with any portion of the minutes, recorded by the Government or the Contractor, such non-concurrence shall be provided in writing to the Contracting Officer within two (2) calendar days following receipt of the minutes.

7. NORMAL HOURS OF OPERATION: The Contractor shall perform work during the hours of 8:00AM – 4:30 PM (local time) Monday through Friday at the Cemetery. Funerals and ceremonies occur regardless of weather conditions. The Contractor is responsible for access to all work areas during these hours. The Cemetery is open to the public daily from sunup to sundown and Memorial Day from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Government facility may be closed to the public, at times, due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Cemetery directed facility closings, as authorized.

7. RECOGNIZED FEDERAL HOLIDAYS: Work is normally not conducted on Federal holidays unless otherwise authorized by the COR. The following is a list of the Federal holidays:

When a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a Federal Holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a Federal Holiday by U.S. Government Agencies. Also included would be any day specifically declared by the President of the United States of America as a Federal Holiday.

7. OTHER THAN NORMAL HOURS OF OPERATION: At the Contractor’s request, and with the written permission of the COR, work may also be permitted to be scheduled for weekends and Holidays. The Government must not compensate the Contractor for any alternate work schedules needed for the Contractor to complete all contract work within the specified project duration. No work will be permitted during Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day weekend activities. Notwithstanding, if any work under this contract will be required outside of the VA's normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), the Contractor must request for a deviation in writing to the COR at least 24 hours in advance.

The Contractor shall provide personnel support outside their expected normal hours of operation (4:31 p.m. – 7:59 a.m.) as needed, typically including holidays, special events or ceremonies, and during certain weather events, to support the Cemetery mission as authorized by the COR. The Site Manager or the Alternate Site Manager shall be available after normal duty hours or on working holidays to serve as the central point of contact for Contractor operations.

7. INTERFERENCE WITH GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS: Performance of work by the Contractor personnel under the terms of this contract shall not interfere with regularly scheduled Government operational activities.

7. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Contractor personnel or any representative of the Contractor entering the Cemetery shall abide by all security rules and regulations. The Contractor shall maintain a current list of all individuals working onsite. The Contractor shall maintain a list of all vehicles onsite, whether company-owned or employee-owned private vehicles.

7. PHYSICAL SECURITY: The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period. Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

7. CEMETERY ACCESS: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all personnel authorized to perform work under this contract obtain cemetery access. Within ten (10) workdays after contract award, the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer and COR the names of ALL personnel working under this contract. Changes of the Contractor personnel list shall be submitted within 24 hours of the change taking place. All Contractor employees shall have on them, at all times, positive, photographic identification.

7. KEY/LOCK CONTROL AND REPORTING: The Contractor shall be responsible for keys/locks provided by the Government. Keys/locks shall not be duplicated by Contractor personnel, nor used by unauthorized Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to ensure that keys/locks issued to the Contractor by the Government are safeguarded. The Contractor developed procedures covering key/lock control shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys/locks by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas.

The Contractor shall report any occurrence of duplicated, misplaced, or lost keys/locks to the Contracting Officer and COR within 24 hours after discovery of occurrence and submit a written report to the Contracting Officer by close of business the next workday. The written report shall provide complete details relating to duplication, misplacement, or loss.

In the event a key is duplicated, misplaced, or lost, all locks and keys for that system will be replaced at the discretion of the Government. The Contractor shall reimburse the Government for replacement of locks or rekeying required as a result of keys being duplicated, misplaced, or lost by Contractor or Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall also reimburse the Government for any government property lost or stolen as a result of unauthorized key duplication, misplaced key, or loss of key by the Contractor or Contractor personnel.

The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/codes by any persons other than the Contractor’s employee, The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

7. CONSERVATION OF UTILITIES: The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves.

7. PERSONNEL: The Contractor shall provide a work force possessing the skills, knowledge, and training satisfactorily perform the services required by this contract. Personnel performing work under this work statement shall remain employees of the Contractor and will not be considered employee of the Government.

7. PESTICIDE AND/OR HERBICIDE APPLICATION: In addition to providing certification/license information, Report applications to the Santa Fe Agriculture Commissioners Office when required. All Contractor personnel shall be trained on environmental issues such as ground water contamination, wetland protection, and be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, Right-to-Know laws, EPA guidelines, and regulations.

7. LAND SURVEY WORK: Only licensed land surveyors are permitted to reset grid or sectional monuments disturbed during raise & realignment of headstones.

7. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government, either military or civilian, if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in the Joint Ethics Regulation.

7. CONDUCT OF PERSONNEL: The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to remove from the job site, any employee working under this contract for reasons of misconduct, security, or found to be under the influence or alcohol drugs, or other incapacitating agents. Contractor employees shall be subject to removal from the premises upon determination by the Contracting Officer that such action is necessary in the interest of the Government. The removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the Contractor of the requirement of providing sufficient personnel to perform the services as required by this contract.

7. SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: The Contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees possess required state motor vehicle licenses for operating equipment and vehicles used in the execution of this contract. Anyone applying pesticides must be trained and certified in the appropriate pesticide applicator categories by the state of New Mexico. A pesticide technician is not a valid substitute for a state certified applicator. Use of any chemicals shall meet Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) Guidelines and State of California Law for licensed applicator requirements and shall not be used without prior review through a pre-application submittal and consent of the COR.

7. SITE MANAGER: The On-site manager must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a direct supervisor of commercial Landscape Maintenance/Installation operations and be accredited by the Landscape Contractors Association, or equivalent accreditation program, (e.g., PLANET). They shall speak and write fluent English. Provide licenses/certificates regarding capabilities at time of contract award and annually when an Option Year is exercised. The Contractor must provide the on-site manager with mobile phone(s) and radio(s) (same channel/frequency as the cemetery). The on-site manager must immediately communicate to the COR, by radio, and by cell phone after hours) when an alternate on-site manager has been placed in charge. The Contractor shall provide a Site Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The Site Manager shall have – degree, experience in scope and complexity. Skillset necessary for performing job requirements. The name of this person and an alternate who shall have full authority to act for the Contractor when the Site Manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. The alternate Site Manager shall have similar qualifications as the Site Manager, and the alternate can be a key personnel position other than the Site Manager. The Site Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract, and either the Site Manager or his/her alternate will be on job site during normal operation hours. The Site Manager – and in his or her absence, an alternate shall be available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and shall also have an email address which shall be checked for information from the Cemetery, prior to 7:00am and after 2:00pm each day Monday through Sunday, as the Cemetery anticipates messaging up to twice daily. The Site Manager is to report daily with the COR prior to 7:00am when work is being performed. Additionally, the Site Manager or an alternate must be available to meet the COR onsite within 12 hours’ notice, if requested by the COR. Also, the COR must be informed less than 24 hours in advance, anytime the Site Manager will be offsite for extended periods of time. One (1) resume and one letter of commitment from the individual proposed for: Site Manager. *Add to the source selection*

7. POST AWARD CONFERENCE/PERIOD PROGRESS MEETINGS: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the Contracting Activity. The Contracting Officer, COR, and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor’s performance. At these meetings, the Contracting Officer will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the Contractor’s performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

7. CONTRACTING OFFICER REPRESENTATIVE (COR): The COR will be nominated by the requiring activity and appointed by the Contracting Officer by separate letter. A copy of the COR’s appointment letter will also be sent to the awarded Contractor, identifying the designated duties and limitations of the COR. The COR’s designated duties will describe the level of responsibility and what technical or administrative aspects of the contract are to be monitored. The COR’s oversight responsibilities are not limited to the QASP. Since all listed contract requirements or tasks are expected to be met by the contractor at all times, the COR is authorized to conduct oversight on any and all tasks or requirement and report observations to the Contracting Officer. The COR is not authorized to change any terms or conditions in the contract that pertain to cost, schedule, performance, quality, quantity, or other legal aspects of the resulting order.

7. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES: All Contractor personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by the Contractor are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. A written list of contractor personnel shall be provided to COR within 10 workdays post contract award.

7. PHASE IN/PHASE OUT: To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the Contractor shall have personnel on board, during the phase in/phase out periods. The phase in period will begin on the first business day after the contract is awarded. During the phase in period, the Contractor shall become familiar with performance requirement sin order to commence full performance of the services on the contract start date, submit lists of employees working under this contract, and move and stage all needed equipment, materials, and supplies onto the designated contractor area at xxx NC. It is expected that this task will take no less than two weeks and no more than four weeks.

1. DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

1. DEFINITIONS: (See the “Glossary” of the National Cemetery Administration, Operational Standards and Measure Guidebook for a list of cemetery-specific definitions.)

0. Animal: any living that is not human being or a plant.

0. Backflow Preventer: A device which prevents any fluid from back-siphoning into the source water such as hydrants, spigots, pipes, or other water sources. Contractor shall ensure such devices are employed whenever watering, filling water or pesticide mix tanks, or mixing pesticides or any other product with water.

0. Clean: Free of all foreign matter.

0. Cleaning Agents: Products and substances (usually liquids, pastes, powders, sprays, or granules) used to remove dirt and detritus, including dust, stains, oxidation on surfaces.

0. Cleaning Equipment: Devices, tools, and machines designed for specific cleaning tasks, including pads and cloths.

0. Contract Administrator: The official Government representative delegated authority by the Contracting Officer to administer a contract. This individual is normally a member of the appropriate Contracting/Procurement career field and advises on all technical contractual matters.

0. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A representative from the requiring activity appointed by the Contracting Officer to perform surveillance and to act as liaison to the Contractor.

0. Crown Raising: The removal of the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance for buildings, signs, vehicles, pedestrians and vistas, also known as “limbing up” and “lifting”. Do not “limb up” coniferous trees.

0. Crown Thinning: The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken or weakly attached branches (Crown Cleaning) and: the removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown; thinning towards the branch tip to reduce the wind-sail effect of foliar clumps in the crown; and thinning to relieve the weight of heavy limbs. Only 25 percent of a tree’s leaf area can be removed at any one time.

0. Crown Cleaning: The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken or weakly attached branches. This constitutes regular landscape maintenance pruning that will correct small growth problems before they become larger, more costly problems.

0. Crown Reduction: Pruning to reduce the size of the tree.

0. Cycle: The completion on one unit of work, from beginning to end, that involves a give distance or length of time (For example, picking up all trash once a week, or an edging of all curbs along all Cemetery roads).

0. Deadwood Pruning: Pruning to remove deadwood and/or broken branches that pose a potential risk that could result in personal injury or property damage. This category is used for any tree with broken, hanging, dead, or otherwise potentially dangerous limbs or those trees with a significant number of dead branches that require removal.

0. Decomposed Granite: Fine, crushed, screened, naturally friable granite rock, 1/4-inch minus material to match existing. Gradation as determined by ASTM C 136 with 50 to 100 percent passing the No. 4 sieve, with 5 to18 percent passing the No. 200 sieve. Approved material: ‘Gail’s Gold’ decomposed granite as available from Gail Materials, Tel.: (951)667-6106; (or equivalent material as approved by the COR).

0. Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the PWS.

0. Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non‐manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

0. Drip Zone Assembly: Assembly consisting of remote-control valve, drip filter, drip pressure regulator, unions, shut-off valve, nipples, pipe, and valve box or vault.

0. Evapotranspiration: The combined loss of water from soil through evaporation and plant transpiration.

0. First Interment Area: Areas within the burial sections where the government is actively assigning new gravesites and conducting new interments.

0. Foreign Matter: Dirt, marks, stains which can be removed with reasonable cleaning effort and appropriate cleaning agents and equipment. Feces of all types.

0. Full Sun Areas: Areas receiving more than 5 hours of direct sunlight per day.

0. Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): Equipment in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently made available to the Contractor.

0. Government Furnished Property (GFP) or Government Property (GP): Property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently made available to the Contractor.

0. Ground cover: Low growing plants growing over an area of ground. Ground covers include grasses, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

0. Grounds and Boundaries: All developed land including turf, walks, beds, planter beds, drainage ditches, roads, steps, plazas, and parking lots within the property line of the Cemetery.

0. Headstone: including upright headstones and flat markers. The term headstone is synonymous with marker.

0. “Hot Spot”: An isolated patch of turf as evident by dry soil, hydrophobic soil, and brownish or yellowing leaf color.

0. Inorganic Mulch: Decomposed granite, path fines, gravel, pebbles, cobblestones, riprap, boulders, artificial bark mulch.

0. Interseeding: The practice of seeding the same species into itself for the purpose of increasing stand density and recovery of lost grass.

0. Irrigated Turf: Lawn that has permanent irrigation system installed.

0. Height of Turf: Height, if not readily obvious, shall be determined by the COR (in the presence of the Site Manager) by measuring the height of the turf plants with a yardstick in four locations – randomly selected by the COR – within the burial section or Highly Prominent area in question. The COR will then determine the average height of those measurements.

0. Irrigation Hours: Period of time during which landscape irrigation is permissible and does not interfere with visitation and cemetery operations; typically, between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

0. Master Valves: Mainline remote control valves controlling flow of water to mains. Master valves may be normally-open supplying water under pressure to mains, or normally-closed shutting off water under pressure to mains when not irrigating.

0. Mulch Bed: Any area containing primarily organic and/or inorganic mulches.

0. Non-irrigated Turf: Low Maintenance Lawn, Slow-Growth Area, “Green” Burial Section. Lawn that does not have a permanent irrigation system installed and is allowed to go dormant during extremes of heat and cold.

0. Non-pressure Piping: Lateral line pipe that is not under water pressure until the control valves are opened. Pipe that is typically downstream of the control valve.

0. Organic Mulch: Decorative tree bark, compost, nut shells.

0. Overseeding: The practice of seeding another species over an existing stand to produce viable turf when the existing stand has become dormant.

0. Part Sun Areas: Areas receiving less than 5 hours of direct sunlight per day normally due to shade from tree canopies.

0. Pest: Any plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns including weeds, fungi, molds, vertebrates, and invertebrates.

0. Pesticide: Includes herbicides, insecticides, horticultural oils, fungicides, poisonous baits, and fumigants.

0. Planting Bed: Any area planted with trees, shrubs, and ground covers.

0. Posting Signs: Industry standard warning signs stating that a pesticide application has been applied.

0. Performance Work Statement: The PWS is a detailed set of verifiable performance or quality standards for everything the Contractor is required to perform or produce. Performance‐ based statements of work (referred to as a PWS) are the preferred method of stating needs in terms of performance outputs. A performance-based work statement structures all aspects of an acquisition around the purpose of the work to be performed and does not dictate how the work is to be accomplished. It maximizes Contractor control of work processes and allows for innovation in approaching various work requirements.

0. Pressure Piping: Mainline and submain pipe that is constantly under water pressure. Pipe that is typically upstream of the control valve.

0. Outlets: Sprinkler heads, drip emitters, drip flush valves, drip air relief valves, including pipe risers and swing joints.

0. Polished: Smooth and shiny as a result of being rubbed. Free of oxidation.

0. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

0. Quality Assurance: A procedure or set of procedures taken by the Government to ensure that services under development (before work is complete, as opposed to afterwards) meets specified requirements of the PWS.

0. Quality Control: A procedure or set of procedures implemented by the Contractor to ensure that the performed service adheres to and meets the requirements of the PWS.

0. Reasonable Cleaning Effort: Commercially reasonable amount of time and expenditure of physical effort needed to clean an element utilizing commercially available equipment and products designed specifically for that task.

0. Remote Control Valve Assembly: Assembly consisting of remote control valve, unions, shut-off valve, nipples, pipe, and valve box or vault.

0. Removal: The transport of identified material, such as trash and debris, from the area it was found to a place of final repository – such as a dumpster or off the Cemetery grounds.

0. Routine Pruning: Regular maintenance to reduce the development of future problems or correct minor problems that could increase if not corrected. This primarily includes trees with minor amounts of deadwood less than two inches in diameter or with correctable structural problems. Trees with growth patterns that will eventually obstruct or interfere with understory plant growth and health, pedestrian or vehicular traffic clearance, and lines of sight are also included in this category.

0. RTF: Rhizomatous Tall Fescue. Turf-type tall fescue which produces rhizomes, underground stems that penetrates laterally through the soil to spread the plant while sending shoots up to the soil surface, forming a new plant.

0. Submaster Valves: Submain remote control valves controlling flow of water to submains. Master valves may be normally-open supplying water under pressure to submains, or normally-closed shutting off water under pressure to mains when not irrigating.

0. Training Pruning: Prune young or small trees less than 20 feet in height in order to reduce the development of future structural problems. Trees with growth patterns that will eventually obstruct or interfere with understory plant growth and health, pedestrian or vehicular traffic clearance, and lines- of-sight are also included in this category.

0. Stabilizer: A water-based polymer or organic powdered binder solidifying emulsion specifically manufactured to harden decomposed granite. The solidifying emulsion shall not alter the gravel color. A copy of the manufacturer’s product sheets and instructions for application shall be furnished to the COR for approval.

0. Topsoil: ASTM D 5268; natural or cultivated surface-soil layer containing organic matter and sand, silt, and clay particles, conforming to USDA classification for Loam or Sandy Loam; friable, pervious, and compatible in texture with the existing soil to prevent a perched water table; ECe less than 3 mmhos/cm; a minimum of 2 percent/maximum of 10 percent organic material content; pH range between 6 and 8; reasonably free of subsoil, clay lumps, gravel, rocks and other objects more than 13 mm (1/2-inch) in any dimension; and free of weeds, roots, and other extraneous materials harmful to plant growth.

0. Trash and Debris: Any item, material or foreign object not permanently attached to or planted within the grounds and boundaries. Items include – but are not limited to – fallen twigs and branches that are under ten (10) inches in diameter at their widest point, paper products, cigarette butts, glass and metal products, plastic and any other synthetic item, plus loose rock and stone three (3) inches in diameter or greater that are not the apparent result of an interment within the past 30 days. Not included are stains, loose soil, smaller stones, or leaves. Exception: Loose soil, smaller stones and leaves are included when part of blowing off a roadway or walk, and when performing a clean‐up prior to a major ceremony. Any item, material or foreign object not permanently attached to or planted within cemetery grounds and boundaries. Items include, but are not limited to leaves, needles, flowers, seedpods, twigs, branches of all sizes, feces, paper products, cigarette butts, gum, glass and metal products, plastic and any other synthetic items, gravel, asphalt, concrete, loose rock and stones over two inches (2”) in diameter, and soils that are a result of interment operations.

0. Turf: Turfgrass, grass, lawn. Any ground cover consisting primary of cultivated turfgrass species, such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue.

0. Valves: Backflow prevention devices, isolation valves, pressure regulating valves, automatic valves, hydrometers, master valves, air and vacuum release valves, remote control valves, blow-off valves, hose bibs, quick couplers.

0. Vegetation: All plant material including weeds.

0. “Water-Wise” burial section: is an interment area with a ground surface consisting of non-living groundcover material such as a mineral mulch. The mineral mulch is typically a crushed aggregate surfacing such as decomposed granite, or other COR-approved 1/4-inch minus crushed aggregate material.

0. Water-wise cemetery is surfaced with a layer of sand or mineral-based ground cover, (e.g., decomposed granite).

0. Weed: Any non-desirable plant material, including escaped and invasive ornamental plants

0. Wildflowers: Annual and perennial flowering ground cover plants grown by sowing seeds.

0. Windrows of Turf Clippings: Any accumulation of turf clippings which cover or block sunlight from reaching the newly‐mowed or trimmed turf area.

1. ACRONYMS:

1. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3.1 GENERAL INFORMATION: The Government will provide the property and services listed below. The Contractor shall not use the property or services provided by the Government for any purpose other than in the performance of this contract. All requests for Government furnished property and services shall be approved by the COR and Contracting Officer in writing.

3.2 FACILITIES: The Government shall furnish a parking and staging area for vehicles and equipment with no guarantee of security for the designated area or any assurances of utilities or phone lines. A temporary storage area for tree branches, sticks, and leaves will be provided. Maintenance of equipment must be conducted offsite (no hazardous materials), unless light routine repairs are needed, such as changing flat tires, blade sharpening, etc.

3.3 UTILITIES: Water will be available at various areas as designated by the COR through in-ground water sources throughout the cemetery. Electric, gas, or phone lines are not guaranteed for the Contractor in designated staging (i.e. Spoils area) area. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conversation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities.

3.4 HEADSTONES AND MARKERS: The Government shall provide new and replacement headstones and markers to the contractor for installation, ensuring proper wording and spelling.

3.5 FLORAL VASES: Floral vases for public use and stocking by the Contractor.

3.6 AMERICAN FLAGS: Cemetery will provide individual gravesite flags for Memorial Day. Cemetery will provide flags for Avenue of Flags.

3.7 EQUIPMENT: The Government may provide equipment necessary for contract performance, which may include (see Attachment K Equipment Inventory)

· Utility vehicles

· Hand tools

· Safety equipment designated for contractor use

· Lowering Devices

· Casket Carrier

· Tampers

A maintained and updated Equipment List will be provided by the Cemetery Director or designated representative.

3.7.1 Sign-In / Sign-Out Requirements

1. Contractor personnel shall sign out all GFE prior to use and sign in all GFE at the end of each workday.

1. A visual inspection must be completed before operation; deficiencies shall be reported immediately.

1. Equipment must be returned clean, fueled (if applicable), and serviceable.

3.7.2 Training Requirements

1. All Contractor personnel must complete required GFE training prior to operation.

1. Training shall include: equipment operation, cemetery-specific procedures, safety protocols, and accident reporting.

1. Contractor shall maintain operator training records and provide them upon request.

1. Only trained and authorized personnel may operate GFE.

3.7.3 Safety & Compliance Requirements

1. The Contractor shall ensure all personnel comply with OSHA regulations, VA/NCA safety policies, and any cemetery-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

1. Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall be worn at all times during equipment operation.

1. No equipment shall be operated in an unsafe manner or when visibility, weather, or site conditions create hazards.

1. Equipment found to be unsafe shall be removed from use immediately and reported to the Government representative.

1. Contractor shall ensure that all safety guards, shields, and features remain in place and functional.

3.7.4 Fueling and Battery Charging Procedures

1. Fueling shall be performed only in Government-designated fueling areas.

1. Fuel spills must be reported immediately and cleaned in accordance with environmental protection guidelines.

1. Battery charging for electric equipment shall occur only in approved charging locations.

1. The Contractor shall follow all posted safety warnings regarding fuel storage, handling, and fire prevention.

1. Smoking or open flames are strictly prohibited within fueling areas.

3.7.5 Contractor Responsibilities and Liabilities

1. The Contractor is responsible for proper care, safe operation, and protection of all GFE in their control.

1. The Contractor may be held financially liable for loss, negligence, misuse, or damage determined to be caused by Contractor personnel.

1. The Contractor shall report all equipment malfunctions immediately and shall not attempt unauthorized repairs.

1. The Government reserves the right to revoke GFE privileges for repeated violations or unsafe practices.

3.7.6 Accident / Incident Reporting

1. The Contractor shall report all accidents, injuries, equipment damage, or safety-related incidents immediately to the COR or Cemetery Director.

1. A written incident statement shall be provided by the Contractor within 24 hours of the event.

1. Equipment involved in a reported incident shall not be returned to service until cleared by the Government.

3.7.7 Restrictions on Use

1. GFE shall be used exclusively for contract-related work within authorized cemetery grounds.

1. No personal use is allowed.

1. Contractor personnel may not transport unauthorized passengers on any mower or utility vehicle.

1. GFE may not be used to move headstones, markers, burial containers, or any historical or ceremonial items.

3.7.8 Government Right to Inspect

1. The Government reserves the right to inspect, observe, and evaluate Contractor operation of GFE at any time.

1. Government personnel may verify operator training status, safety compliance, and equipment condition.

1. The Government may take immediate corrective action—including suspending operator privileges—if unsafe operation or misuse is observed.

3.7.9 Equipment Inventory and Accountability

A joint Government–Contractor inventory of GFE shall be conducted at project start, quarterly, and at contract completion. Discrepancies must be documented and resolved promptly. Equipment will be issued “as is” and will not be replaced once equipment is no longer serviceable.

1. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS, SERVICES & REQUIREMENTS

0. GENERAL INFORMATION: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment (less select Government Provided Equipment (GPE), facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 2 of this PWS. The Contractor shall also provide transportation and permits necessary to perform the requirements of this contract. This includes having roll-off dumpsters for debris and soil removal. This does not include the Government furnished dumpster for trash and obliterated headstones, as described in 3.3 of Government Furnished Property.

0. EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES: The Contractor’s equipment shall be commercial grade equipped with protective and safety features that is in good repair, and clean. The Contractor shall submit, to the Contracting Officer, and equipment list which includes, but is not limited to, quantities and descriptive data for all equipment prior to its use on CEMETERY grounds. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer, in writing, of any equipment list changes prior to implementing the changes. The equipment and supplies the Contractor uses shall not cause damage to ground areas, headstones, monuments, walkways, trees, or any other part of the landscape. It is expected that the Contractor will take preventative measures when entering soft grounds with equipment, such as the use of boards, to prevent ruts.

0. COMPREHENSIVE GROUNDS MANAGEMENT PLAN: A comprehensive Grounds Management Plan (GMP) submitted to the COR within 30 workdays following contract award. The GMP shall identify every task, frequency, and planned duration required under this contract. Changes to the plan must be approved by the COR prior to implementation and prior to any updates. Pesticide and fertilizer applications must include a legend indicating the specific product, application rate (quantity and active ingredient per acre or 1000 square feet).

0. WEEKLY WORK PLAN: Weekly electronic notification to the COR Team outlining the work planned during the following workweek no later than noon on the final workday of each week. The plan shall include sufficient detail by day and area to allow meaningful quality control by the Contractor and quality assurance by the COR Team.

0. COMPLETED WORK REPORT: Weekly electronic notification to the COR Team detailing what work was completed during the workweek no later than 3:00 p.m., on the final workday of each week. The report will detail all work completed, by day and area during the week, including specifics regarding marker settings, alignments, et cetera.

0. PESTICIDE DISPERSAL EQUIPMENT: The Contractor shall furnish pesticide dispersal equipment without visible deterioration or leaks in any component and shall operate the equipment IAW the manufacturer’s recommendations. All pesticide tanks of powered dispersal equipment shall be clearly and plainly labeled “Contaminated with Pesticides.” All tanks of powered pesticide equipment dispersal equipment shall also have a license decal that is attached in a conspicuous location and contains an identification number and the name of the issuing agency.

0. COMPOST, SOIL AMENDMENTS, FERTILIZER LIST: A list of all proposed compost, soil amendments, fertilizers with the proposal and the following samples and/or reports for review and approval by the COR and Pacific District Engineer within ten (10) workdays after contract award. Changes must be approved by the COR prior to use.

0. VEHICLES: The Contractor shall provide vehicles for the performance of services on this contract. Contractor and Contractor employees shall abide by all speed limitations while operating a vehicle at the Cemetery. The speed limit at the Cemetery is 15 mph on cemetery roads and 10 mph when passing pedestrians. The Contractor shall be responsible for all maintenance and repair of Contractor furnished vehicles.

0. VEHICLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT: Contractor vehicles used to transport herbicides shall house a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved spill and decontamination kit and shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher which has an ABC rating with minimum capacity of pounds.

0. COMMUNICATION DEVICES: The Key Personnel and vehicle drivers shall have radios turned on during normal operating hours as to be available to communicate with the COR at any time. Any employees performing during outside of normal operating hours (as authorized by the COR) shall also be available to communicate during those times. The Contractor shall be available by mobile phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the even they need to be contracted regarding an emergency, significant weather event, etc. All cost related to providing wireless communication devices are the responsibility of the Contractor.

0. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR CONTRACTOR AND CONTRACTOR-EMPLOYEES: Contractor and contractor personnel shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress and conduct while performing work in the National Cemetery. These standards are enforceable under Title 38, U.S.C. Section 218. Contractor, and all contractor personnel, shall follow all US Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, and Santa Fe National Cemetery environmental protection standards, policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, the NCA Environmental Management System and Green Purchasing policies.

Contractor and contractor's employees shall be required to wear uniforms displaying the name of the company the employee's name, and status. Outer wear (including jackets, coats, hats, rain gear, etc.) must also comply with above. Contractor’s employees shall be fully clothed at all times, to include long slacks or pants and shirt, buttoned up from neck to waist. Clothing shall be clean each day. Any soiled clothing should be cemetery work-related that day. T-shirts and/or tank tops as outer garments are prohibited. Garments displaying a “message” or “slogan” other than the Contractor’s business attire are prohibited. Other clothing in question shall require the Director’s written approval.

Contractor and contractor employees will maintain personal hygiene. Shoes/boots will have no holes or loose soles. Steel-toed shoes will be required in accordance with OSHA. All required uniforms and personal protective equipment will be provided by the Contractor-to-contractor personnel.

Contractor and contractor personnel shall show proper reverence during committal service and other cemetery ceremonies. Contractor and contractor personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, use profane or abusive language nor use personal radios. Due to the sensitive mission of the Cemetery, Contractor and Contractor employees shall exercise courtesy and respect while within the cemetery. If inquiries are received from visitors, they are to assist visitor to the best of their ability.

Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in citation answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, not a local district, state, or municipal court.

0. HANDLING OF HEADSTONES: Every action by…