Solicitation - 36C78625R50036 - Puerto Rico NC Ground Maintenance Services .pdf

PAGE 1 OF 118 1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NO. 5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls) 8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: % FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFP

15. DELIVER TO CODE 16. ADMINISTERED BY CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR CODE FACILITY CODE 18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

TELEPHONE NO. UEI: EFT:

PHONE: FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

ITEM NO. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA 26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only)

27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________ 29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY (BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION (REV. NOV 2021)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

36C78625R50036 12-16-2024

Janice Brooks 01-08-2025

10:00 AM EDT

36C786

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172

X 100

X

561730

$9.5 Million

N/A

X

36C786

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172 http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer

-campaigns/veterans-affairs/

1-877-752-0900

See CONTINUATION Page

The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, Tools, and supplies required to perform grounds maintenance

Services at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery.

See CONTINUATION Page

X X

X 1

Jose Roman

CONTRACTING OFFICER

36C78625R50036

Table of Contents

SECTION A

A.1 SF 1449 SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2023)

C.2 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

C.3 52.204-18 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE

(AUG 2020)

C.4 52.216-18 ORDERING (AUG 2020)

C.5 52.216-19 ORDER LIMITATIONS (OCT 1995)

C.6 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

C.7 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

C.8 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

C.09 52.222-32 CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS—PRICE ADJUSTMENT

(ACTUAL METHOD) (AUG 2018)

C.10 52.228-5 INSURANCE—WORK ON A GOVERNMENT INSTALLATION (JAN 1997)

C.11 52.232-18 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (APR 1984)

C.12 52.232-19 AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984)

C.13 52.237-3 CONTINUITY OF SERVICES (JAN 1991)

C.14 VAAR 852.201-70 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (DEC 2022)

C.15 VAAR 852.203-70 COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING (MAY 2018)

C.16 VAAR 852.204-70 PERSONAL IDENTITY VERIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR

PERSONNEL (MAY 2020)

C.17 VAAR 852.211-72 TECHNICAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS (NOV 2018)

C.18 VAAR 852.219-73 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR CERTIFIED SERVICE-

DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)

C.19 VAAR 852.219-74 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SET-ASIDE FOR VERIFIED VETERAN-

OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES (NOV 2022)

C.20 VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (JAN 2023)

(DEVIATION)

C.21 VAAR 852.232-72 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS (NOV

2018)

C.22 VAAR 852.237-75 KEY PERSONNEL (OCT 2019)

C.23 VAAR 852.242-71 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020)

C.24 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2024)

SECTION D - CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

D.1 ATTACHMENT A – PUERTO RICO NC GMC STATEMENT OF WORK

D.2 ATTACHMENT B - PUERTO RICO NC GMC COST SCHEDULE

D.3 ATTACHMENT C - PAST PERFORMANCE QUESTIONNAIRE PUERTO RICO

NATIONAL CEMETERY

D.4 ATTACHMENT D - PRNC - SERVICES WAGE DETERMINATION

D.5 ATTACHMENT E - PRNC - CONSTRUCTION WAGE DETERMINATION

D.6 ATTACHMENT F - VAAR CLAUSE 852.219-75 - VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON

SUBCONTRACTING 02

SECTION E - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

E.1 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

E.2 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB

1998)

E.3 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

E.4 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

E.5 52.222-5 CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS – SECONDARY SITE OF

THE WORK (MAY 2014)

E.6 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

E.7 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

(OCT 2018)

E.8 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (OCT 2018)

E.9 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (NOV 2021)

E.10 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (MAY 2024)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C786 Jose Roman

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[] 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System For Award Management, or

[] 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

a. Quarterly []

b. Semi-Annually []

c. Other [X] Monthly

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veterans-affairs/

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the

Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

AMENDMENT NO DATE

5. Dignity Clause:

Respect for Headstones and Markers in National Cemeteries; Handling of Markers and Headstones. Every action by Offeror 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 http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer-campaigns/veterans-affairs/ service and sacrifice that service members, Veterans and their families made for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness required of the Offeror employees of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed. The utmost care must be given to these remains and the headstones and flat grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals. Offerors cannot walk, stand, lean, sit or jump on headstones or markers. Nor can they drive over them. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or markers. Use care not to scratch or damage markers in any manner.

Offeror shall be responsible for replacing damaged headstones and markers and for restoring turf damaged during performance of this work. Additionally, should any activity result in the exposure and/or damage to any remains, container for remains (e.g., casket or urn), or outer burial container, the Offeror must contact the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or Contracting Officer (CO) for guidance. Any doubts as to proper procedures shall be brought to the attention of the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or CO for guidance or resolution. The Offeror is required to discuss the guidance with employees and/or subcontractors and have each employee sign a statement of compliance and deliver the signed statement to the COR before work may begin.

Contracted Site Supervisor will ensure that no Offeror personnel work will cause any funeral, ceremony, procession, or visitation to be delayed, altered, or otherwise impacted in such a way that the dignity, security, or safety of the event or visit is compromised. A list of scheduled ceremonies will be provided the week prior to the event, and a list of scheduled committal services will be provided on the day of the service. The Site Supervisor shall communicate not less than daily with the COR, to ask questions and ensure he/she and contracted personnel understands the off-limit areas.

6. Site Visit

Offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. If you plan to conduct a site visit / inspection of Puerto Rico National Cemetery, YOU MUST CONTACT the following personnel to make arrangements:

Morales Agniel, Cemetery Caretaker, Agniel.Morales@va.gov

Please cc Contract Specialist Janice Brooks at Janice.Brooks@va.gov.

Site Visit will be held on 12/27/2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm and will not be rescheduled.

7. Instructions to Offerors:

Interested Offerors MUST be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM) at http://www.sam.gov and must complete the Online Representations and Certifications Application

(ORCA) at http://www.sam.gov prior to the solicitation closing date. Failure to comply will result in the offeror being considered non- Responsive.

Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Veteran Owned Small Business

(VOSB) socioeconomic category concerns MUST have an active/current registration with www.verterans.certify.sba.gov . Failure to comply will result in the offeror being considered non-

Responsive.

Interested Offerors who do not have a current/active Sam account registration or who are not certified as a

Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business in the SBA website (veterans.certify.sba.gov) upon solicitation close date will be considered non-responsive.

Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.verterans.certify.sba.gov/

8. Proposal Submission Instructions:

This section provides general guidance for preparing proposals as well as specific instructions on format and content of the proposal. The Offeror’s proposal must include all data and information requested herein and must be submitted in accordance with these instructions. Nonconformance with the instructions provided herein may result in an unfavorable evaluation. Proposals shall be clear, concise, and shall include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of the stated claims. The proposal should not simply rephrase or restate the Governments’ requirements but shall address how the Offeror intends to meet these requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their abilities and experience and will base its evaluation on the information presented in the Offeror’s proposal. Offerors are required to meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements.

9. Solicitation Questions:

Questions concerning the solicitation will be accepted from the solicitation posting date until 10:00 AM

Eastern Standard Time, December 30, 2024. Questions will only be accepted by email to

Janice.Brooks@va.gov and cc Larry.Curtis@va.gov.

10. Information Regarding Submission of Proposal:

Proposals will be considered only from Interested Offerors who are regularly established in the business called for and who are financially responsible and have the necessary equipment and personnel to furnish the supplies and services required under this contract. Proposals will be only accepted electronically via email to Janice Brooks (Contracting Specialist) at Janice.Brooks@va.gov and cc Larry.Curtis@va.gov

(Administrative Contracting Officer) no later than January 08, 2025 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

(EST). Offerors shall submit Volume A through C in three (3) separate Adobe Acrobat (pdf.) and

Volume D as an Excel Spread sheet (xlsx.). Should the Interested Offeror have issues in submitting the

GANTT Chart in pdf format, the GANTT Chart may be submitted in xlsx. format if authorized by the

Contracting Officer (CO), or the Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) or by the Contracting

Specialist (CS) administering this acquisition. An email request must be submitted on time, prior to the solicitation closing date and time for this to be approved.

11. Proposal Volumes:

Each Volume will be identified as follows.

1. Company’s Information (Volume A)

2. Company’s relevant experience in performing Grounds Maintenance Services (Volume B) and will include the following:

a. Targeted Capability Statement

i. Corporate Data

ii. Short Summary

iii. Core Competencies

iv. Similar Work Performed

b. Key Personnel(s) managerial and technical qualifications in performing Grounds

Maintenance Services. To include Resumes.

c. Work Plan/Staffing Plan

i. Man hours

ii. Methodology

iii. List of Equipment/Vehicles

iv. Licenses/Permits and Insurance information

d. GANTT Chart mailto:Janice.Brooks@va.gov mailto:Larry.Curtis@va.gov mailto:Janice.Brooks@va.gov mailto:Larry.Curtis@va.gov

3. Past Performance (Volume C)

4. Pricing (Volume D) will be submitted as an Excel Spread Sheet

The offeror shall include only one copy of each part.

12. Evaluation Process:

In accordance with FAR 15.101-1 Tradeoff process, a tradeoff process is appropriate when it may be in the best interest of the Government to consider award to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror. Tradeoff process allows the Government to accept other than the lowest priced proposal. The perceived benefits of the higher priced proposal shall merit the additional cost.

In accordance with FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial items, the Government will award a contract using the best value tradeoff approach, resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Technical and past performance when combined are significantly more important than price.

13. Technical Rating:

In accordance with FAR 15.305 Proposal Evaluation, this Agency shall evaluate competitive proposals and then assess their relative qualities solely on the factors and subfactors specified in the solicitation.

Interested Offerors’ Technical Evaluations will be conducted by utilizing a combination of rating method that includes color, adjectival ratings, numerical weights, and ordinal rankings. See below:

• Blue/Excellent will demonstrate a Contractor’s excellent understanding of the requirements to include an approach that significantly exceeds performance or capability standards.

• Green/Good will demonstrate a Contractor’s good understanding of the requirements to include an approach that exceeds performance or capability standards.

• Yellow/Acceptable will demonstrate a Contractor’s acceptable understanding of the requirements to include an approach that meets performance or capability standards.

• Orange/Marginal will demonstrate a contractor’s shallow understanding of requirements to include an approach that only marginally meets performance or capability standards.

• Red/Unsatisfactory will demonstrate a contractor’s failure to meet performance or capability standards.

The overall numeric score will be tabulated utilizing each sub-factors’ color, adjectival rating, and numerical weights. The relative strengths, deficiencies, significant weaknesses, and risk identified for each sub-factor, together with the color, adjectival rating, numerical weights, and ranking will determine the awardee.

14. Past Performance Rating

Past Performance will be rated as Relevant or Non-Relevant to the current requirement. Relevant past performance is that which involved similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities.

Non-relevant past performance is that which does not involve similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities. Should an Interested Offeror lack any Relevant past performance history, the Offeror shall receive a Neutral evaluation for past performance. A Neutral evaluation is one that neither rewards nor personalizes offerors without relevant performance history. Offerors without a record of relevant past performance may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. Should an Interested Offeror submit more than the required three (3) references, only the most current three Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQs) will be considered.

15. Price

Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness in accordance with FAR subpart 15.4, as applicable.

16. Proposal Preparation Instructions:

An Offeror shall submit four (4) separate volumes. Each Volume will be titled Volume A, Volume B, Volume C, and Volume D respectively. Interested Offerors who fail to submit the four (4) separate volumes as directed will be considered non-responsive. If one document containing all four (4)

Volumes is submitted the Interested Offeror will be considered non-responsive.

Company Information (Volume A)

The following information shall be included in Volume A:

• Legal Business/Company Name (as listed in www.sam.gov). Should Legal Business/Company

Name not coincide with what is listed in the Government’s website www.sam.gov , the Interested

Offeror will be considered non-responsive.

• Complete Company Address (No P.O. Boxes). Should an Interested Offeror submit the

Company’s address as a P.O. Box, the Interested Offeror will be considered non-responsive.

• Duns Number

• SAM Unique Entity Identification (UEI).

• Company’s Point of Contract Name and Title

• Telephone Number

• Email Address

• Company’s Targeted Capabilities Statement

• Solicitation Amendments acknowledgement. Interested Offerors will acknowledge all amendments by either providing a signed copy of the Amendment(s) or by filling out page 4.

Titled ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS. Failure to acknowledge all subsequent

Amendments will result in the Interested Offeror being considered non-responsive.

• One (1) Copy of completed FAR Clause 52.223-3 “Hazardous Material

Identification and Material Safety Data” (if applicable).

• One (1) copy of Completed FAR Provisions 52.212-3 annual Certifications and

Representations or indicate whether contractor has completed the annual representation and certifications electronically at www.sam.gov (copy of current SAM status). Failure to provide a copy of the company’s annual Certifications and Representations or failure to indicate that a completed annual Certifications and Representations has been updated in www.sam.gov will result in the Interested Offeror being considered non-responsive.

• In accordance with Public Law 116-183 a Small Business claiming Veterans First Status, Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Veteran Owned Small

Business (VOSB), must certify in writing that their firm are performing 50 percent of the work. Therefore, Interested Offerors who claim SDVOSB or VOSB status shall provide

(1) document stating their compliance with PL 116-183. Failure to provide such document will result in the Interested Offeror being considered Non-Responsive. Should award be made to an SDVOSB or a VOSB who is suspected of violating PL 116-183 this

Agency will refer suspected violators to its department’s inspector general for investigation and possible fines, suspensions, or debarments.

Technical Proposal (Volume B)

The following shall be included as part of the Offeror’s technical submission, Volume B:

1. Company relevant experience in performing Grounds Maintenance Services: Grounds

Maintenance Service is defined as mowing, edging trimming, irrigation operation, inspections and maintenance, pump monitoring and maintenance, fertilizer, Gypsum application, herbicide, pre-emergent, insect pest disease control, flat marker cleaning, Pressure washing, and storm http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ damage clean-up. It also includes experience in irrigation system repairs. See Statement of Work

(SOW) to fully gauge what a Grounds Maintenance Service entails. Interested Offerors are to submit a Targeted Capability Statement that emphasizes their relevant experience in accordance with the SOW. A Targeted Capability Statement presents a contractor’s experience as capable, effective, and successful in providing the required service. Interested Offerors will provide information that includes the following:

i. Corporate Data: Contractor will state its registered company name as listed in www.sam.gov as well as the year and state of incorporation. Contractor will provide a hyperlink to their website if applicable, provide their business size and status regarding the required NACIS code (561730), and state whether their firm is a Service-disabled Veteran-

Owned Small Business.

ii. Short Summary: Contractor will provide a brief description of the company’s history, and mission statement.

iii. Core Competencies: Contractor will provide competencies such as capabilities and strengths, knowledge, skills, and resources within its organization that enables the contractor to provide the required service.

iv. Similar Work performed: Reference commercial, Local/State/or Federal Government

Agencies for whom your organization has done work. The detailed information will be submitted as part of a Contractor’s Past Performance Questionnaire but will be synopsized here. The evaluation for past performance shall be evaluated by the Contracting Officer.

2. Managerial & Technical Qualifications of Key Personal to include Resumes: Contractor shall demonstrate a Management Team that will be on site during the performance period and have the required experience in Grounds Maintenance Services. See paragraph B.4.b

Description of Services for additional information concerning site manager(s) responsibilities and prerequisites. This includes general ground maintenance services, headstone/marketer services, interment services, and irrigation services as defined in the

Statement of Work. Experience shall include workmanship in Private, Local/State, and or

National Cemeteries. Key Personnel must be employed by the Prime Contractor.

3. Work Plan/Staffing Plan to accomplish the required services to include man hours, methodology, list of equipment/vehicles to be used, licenses, permits and insurance information. See below:

i. Man hours: Contractor must provide an estimate as to the total amount of labor hours required in the performance of this service. Failure to provide man hours will result in the Contractor being considered non-responsive.

ii. Methodology: Contractor’s system of methods and principles in providing the service.

Failure to provide a Methodology will result in the Contractor being considered non-responsive.

iii. List of equipment/vehicles to be used: Include models, horsepower, and age. In addition, also provide any unique attributes of an equipment/vehicle that enhances proficiency if applicable.

iv. Licenses, permits and, Insurance information: Licenses/permits and Insurance must be up to date and meet Local/State and OSHA certification. Contractor must provide copies of any Licenses, permits and Insurance. Failure to provide copies of applicable

Licenses/permits and Insurance will result in the Contractor being considered non-responsive.

v. GANTT Chart: GANTT Chart needs to demonstrate the amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time to include personnel and equipment in relations to the amount planned for those periods within the initial base year. Subsequent

Option Year’s GANTT Charts will be provided by the awardee prior to the exercise of the

Option Years.

Past Performance (Volume C)

The following shall be included as part of the Offeror’s Past Performance submission, Volume C:

• Utilizing the Past performance Questionnaire (PPQ), Interested Offerors shall provide at least three (3) past performance references within the last five (5) years that provide similar or somewhat similar work to the required services. Interested Offerors shall list any National Cemetery Administration (NCA) contracts currently working or previously worked first followed by non-NCA contracts.

Pricing (Volume D)

The following information shall be included in Volume D

• Proposed pricing shall be submitted on the Price/Cost Schedule of Services

17. Price Schedule:

The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, tools, and supplies necessary to provide Ground Maintenance Services at Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Avenue Cementerio

Nacional#50 Bayamon PR 00961-8610. Services shall be provided in accordance with terms, conditions, specification, requirements, and schedules of the contract, including National

Cemetery Administration Standard Operating Procedures and Operational Standards & Measures.

Contract period will consist of a base period from Date of Award through 1 year, with four (4) one year renewal options, if exercised. Task Orders will cross fiscal years.

This is a single award, Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract issued in accordance with FAR 15 – Contracting by Negotiation. The one-time minimum guaranteed amount for this award is $10,000. The awarded contract shall have a ceiling of $1,500,000. The

Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract in excess of the guaranteed minimum award amount.

Contractor will fill out PUERTO RICO NC GMC COST SCHEDULE (Attachment B) and submitted as part of its proposal Volume D.

Puerto Rico National Cemetery

Grounds Maintenance Services

B.2 STATEMENT OF WORK

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE - STATEMENT OF WORK

B.1 DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Work describes the basic objectives of Puerto Rico 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. Puerto Rico

National Cemetery is one (1) of two (2) Puerto Rico cemeteries that receive visitors, hold ceremonies, and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis.

B.3 BACKGROUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ 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 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 contracting 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 or disrupt cemetery operations.

1. The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to plan and perform the activities associated with statements 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

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.

Puerto Rico National cemetery is located approximately 1.5 miles Northwest of Bayamon and about 13 miles from San Juan. The address is Avenue Cementerio Nacional #50, Bayamon, PR 00961. Puerto Rico

National Cemetery became a national cemetery on July 12, 1948. The cemetery serves over 150,000

Veterans in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean Region, and Central and South America. The cemetery accommodates casketed and cremated remains. Over 1,900 burials are conducted each year.

This 1 of 2 only national cemeteries located outside of the United States. In 1962, the remains of those interred on all other five military cemeteries on the island were transferred here.

National Cemeteries are National Shrines. 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. Site features include a main entrance with floral beds, administration building, maintenance building, maintenance compound, 2 committal shelters, a flag assembly plaza, columbarium with floral beds, memorial trail with floral beds, landscaping with trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Turf is Zoysia Manila and native turf species.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. The NCA National Shrine Commitment and Operational Standards & 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 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Puerto Rico National Cemetery is in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide

Grounds Maintenance Services to the Puerto Rico National Cemetery. Specific location, size and services required for the cemetery are as follows:

Cemetery Address Acreage Required Services

Puerto Rico

National Cemetery

50 Avenue Cementerio

Nacional, Bayamon PR

00961-3887

55 acres of turf Grounds Maintenance

Services

B.4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

B.4.a SERVICES PROVIDED

The Contractor shall furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to perform the following Grounds Maintenance Services at Puerto Rico National Cemetery. The contractor shall provide the workforce and all resources necessary to perform and complete multiple grounds maintenance requirements simultaneously to maintain a National Shine Standard appearance of the cemetery grounds.

B.4.b DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Puerto Rico National Cemetery has an immediate need for Grounds, Facilities Maintenance, and Flat Marker clean up Services. Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, supervision, and supplies to complete Grounds Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, and Flat Marker clean up Services necessary to ensure the services are performed at Puerto Rico National

Cemetery in a manner that will promote and maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants while presenting a clean, neat, and professional appearance throughout.

Services include, but are not limited to maintenance of grounds, regular mowing, weed eating, edge trimming of roadways, removal of leaves and debris, as well as, cleaning and pressure washing of headstones, turf maintenance, chemical turf applications/treatments, columbarium and committal shelter floor pressure wash cleaning, maintenance of gravesites by cleaning and trimming around headstones.

Turf maintenance, plant and tree maintenance, maintenance of gravesites and headstones, and the alignment and washing of headstones, headstone maintenance and irrigation maintenance.

All work shall be performed during normal workdays from 7:00am – 3:30pm local time (Monday thru

Friday - excluding Federal Holidays). Work performed outside of normal work hours shall be at the discretion and approval of the Cemetery Leadership in conjunction with the VA Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR).

The Period of Performance for this project shall consist of a Base Period of twelve (12) months and four

(4) one (1) year Option Periods (if exercised).

Contractor shall perform all work utilizing best management and safety practices.

Contractor shall understand and meet all current applicable NCA Operational Standards and Measures

(Attachment). Minor changes to standards and measures shall be at no cost to the government (i.e., timeline to perform tasks).

Contractor shall coordinate work in advanced with COR to minimize the impact to cemetery operations.

COR shall be notified in writing of all completed work by COB or no later than 9:00am the next business day.

The contractor shall provide a “Site Manager” (Supervisor, Foreman, or Work Leader) to be at the work site for not less than eight (8) hours a day whenever work is being performed - other than trash and debris pick-up. The “Site Manager” must have not less than five (5) years’ experience as a direct supervisor of employees supervising and performing all tasks set forth in the scope of work and must provide a statement of qualifications with the offer. The contractor shall furnish a copy of the specifications contained in this contract to the site manager to ensure complete familiarity with the requirements stated herein.

The “Site Manager” shall ensure all specifications are being met, ensure contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals, and ensure employees are adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained. At all times when any performance of the work at the site is being conducted by any employee of the Contractor or his subcontractors, the Contractor shall always have the “Site Manager” present during all times of the performance of this contract who has the capability of receiving instructions Spanish and English language, fluently speaking both languages, and explaining the work operations to persons performing the work in the language that those performing the work are capable of understanding.

Contractor's employees shall wear all required safety equipment such as, but not limited to, goggles or face shield, hearing protection, hard hats, respirators, if required, and uniforms identifying them as an employee of the contractor. The contractor shall be responsible for training and safety precautions prescribed by OSHA standards. The contractor and contractor's employees shall observe all traffic, parking, directional signs, and regulations when using the cemetery roadways. Contractors and contractor employees shall park only on cemetery roads or area as directed by the Cemetery Director or his/her representative. At no time shall the contractor’s vehicles block any roads within the cemetery enclosure.

Vehicles shall never be parked on a gravesite. The contractor agrees to leave all work areas free of debris and in the same condition as before the work commenced. The contractor agrees to take all necessary precautions to protect vegetation, as appropriate, in the immediate work area(s).

CLIN DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

2.1 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 2.1

2.1.1 Mowing (Zoysia Manila and Native Grass) 2.1.1

2.1.2 Edging of Markers, Walkways, Curb, and other Horizontal Surfaces 2.1.2

2.1.3 Trimming of monuments, Flat Markers, and other Vertical Surfaces 2.1.3

2.1.4 Mowing or Trimming (Detention Pond) 2.1.4

2.1.5 Irrigation System Operation, Inspections, Repairs and Maintenance 2.1.5

2.1.6 Pump Monitoring and Maintenance 2.1.6

3.1 TURF MAINTENANCE 3.1

3.1.1 Fertilization: Manila Zoysia and Native Turf 3.1.1

3.1.2 Gypsum Application 3.1.2

3.1.3 Weed Control: Herbicide Treatment/Application 3.1.3

4.1 PEST CONTROL 4.1

4.1.1 Control of Fire Ants and Mole Crickets 4.1.1

4.1.2 Insect/Pest/Disease Control 4.1.2

5.1

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE, CLEANING AND PRESSURE

WASHING

5.1

5.1.1 Flat Marker Cleaning 5.1.1

5.1.2 Flag Assembly Area, Plaza, and Roundabout 5.1.2

5.1.3 Columbarium, Memorial Walk, and Concrete Surfaces 5.1.3

5.1.4 Committal Shelters 5.1.4

5.1.5 Buildings and Surrounding Concrete Surfaces 5.1.5

5.1.6 Extreme Storm Damage and Debris Clean-up 5.1.6

2.1 GROUND MAINTENANCE

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 one inch above the 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: Zoysia Manila and native turf height shall be maintained at 1 ½ to 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.

2.1.1: Mowing (Zoysia Manila and Native grass) Weekly

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

All Mowing will be done a minimum of once a week during growing season, which is YEAR-ROUND.

The growing season may require mowing twice weekly due to favorable weather conditions to keep the turf from growing no more than one half (1/2”) inch above the maximum recommended height of 2 inches for Zoysia manila and native turf.

Turf shall be cut to maintain heights as set forth below (this may change if grounds require such height change):

Cutting Height, Inches Turf grass

2” – 2 1/2” Zoysia Manila

2” – 2 1/2” Native Turf

See Appendix C – PRNC Flower Pick-Up Plan & Mowing/Cut Legend

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

Mowing shall be performed frequently so that no more than one-third (1/3) of the leafage is removed during a single mowing. By following the prescribed mowing schedule, the presence of thatch should be eliminated.

There shall never be visible rows or clumps of turf clippings allowed to remain on turf areas. All clippings must be removed from the site by close of business on the day it was created.

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.

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.

The walkways (inside and out), flagpole bases, interment area, and roads will be cleaned up of grass clippings and leaves after mowing, weed eating, edging, and trimming. These areas will be blown off immediately after completion.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Contractor shall supply commercial grade power trimmers and power edgers to be used to trim grass from around the boarders of all streets, curbs, walkways, irrigation control boxes, control markers, manhole covers, and crypt field drain clean-out covers inside and outside cemetery grounds.

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 headstones, monuments, markers, etc.

C. Cutting blades on mowing and trimming 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 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 than 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, that all equipment being used on turfed areas has been cleaned prior to use.

Turf surrounding an erected obstruction shall be trimmed to the recommended height without a “bowl effect”.

The walkways (inside and out), flagpole plaza, committal shelters, and roads will be cleaned up of grass clippings and leaves after mowing, weed eating, edging, and trimming. These areas will be blown off

During heavy rain seasons, the mowing of turf areas in some sections (weather determined) may require the mowing of turf by means of hand trimming equipment.

Zoysia Manila Turf Mowers shall be rotary mowers with free floating contour cutting decks that are a minimum cutting width of 110”; allow the mowing of undulating terrain without scalping, shall have leaf mulching kit that can pulverize fallen leaves into fine mulch, mulching blades that shreds grass and leaves into small particles.

Mowers used on native grass sections shall be completely cleaned, decontaminated before and after, if same mower is intended to be used on Zoysia Manila turfgrass. Mowers used on native grass shall have mulching kit and mulching blades.

Zoysia sod A, AC, C, D, DD, E, F, G, H (half left section), I, L, N, O, P, PC, Q, R, S, T, U, V, QC, OC, NC, Columbarium, Maintenance, Admin, Front Gate, Plaza

Native grass B, H (half right section), J, K, M, RC, TC, SC

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

*NOTE: 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 damage at the Contractor’s expense no more than one (1) business day after identification.

** Any identified wildlife, wildlife nesting shall be avoid and COR, cemetery staff notified immediately

This area shall marked and avoided until entrance in permissible.**

If any 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 and/or Cemetery Leadership for approval. Overtime/ weekend work will be at no cost of the

Government. A written request/email must be submitted to the COR/Cemetery Leadership for consideration in advance of requested overtime/weekend work. Approval from Cemetery Leadership is required prior to initiating any after-hours/weekend work or repairs. When after-hours/weekend work is authorized, a minimum of 2 contractor personnel will 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 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.

2.1.2: EDGING OF MARKERS, WALKWAYS, CURBS AND OTHER HORIZONTAL

SURFACES

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

SCOPE

All edging of walkways, curbs, and other horizontal surfaces will be done on a bi-weekly during the growing season, which is year-round or as directed by the COR.

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

All streets, curbs, walkways, 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.

See “PRNC mowing plan” Appendix C.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

All edging will be done a minimum of bi-weekly during the growing season, which is YEAR-ROUND, 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 5/16” +/- 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 turfgrass.

Hitting markers with the edger blades is not acceptable, any damage to markers (such chipped corners, rust spots, etc.) due to this task must be reported to COR for assessment, remediation, to include replace marker, needs to be taken by contractor, identified…