SON Grass seed.docx

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE ACQUISITION (Required):

To maintain the cemetery's status as a national shrine, preparation for Memorial Day and Veterans Day is essential. As our turf matures, it may begin to degrade, leading to compromised grass health characterized by bare spots and dry patches. These conditions create an environment conducive to weed proliferation. Implementing a comprehensive grounds maintenance plan is crucial for preserving an aesthetically pleasing landscape for visitors. Strategic seeding in affected areas is necessary to restore the integrity of the grass cover and minimize the opportunity for weeds to establish. This approach is a key component of our ongoing grounds maintenance strategy.

1.1 SCOPE OR MISSION (Required):

Keep national shrine status.

Annal overseeding is recommended to thicken turf and make them more attractive, but also introduce improved varieties of grass that are hardier, less prone to insects and diseases, and more drought tolerant.

The best time to overseed:

Fall: October time frame Spring: April time frame

1.2 SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS (Required):

1. Grass Seed: Fresh, clean, dry, new-crop seed complying with "Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), Rules for Testing Seed" for purity and germination tolerances. Seed shall be labeled in conformance with U. S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations under the Federal Seed Act and applicable state seed laws. Wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged seed will not be acceptable.

2. Seed Species: Festuca arundinacea (Turf Type Tall Fescue); not less than 85 percent germination, not less than 98 percent pure live seed, and not more than 0.15 percent weed seed.

3. Seed Characteristics: The selected seed must exhibit an early expression of strong, aggressively spreading rhizomes under mown turf conditions. The seed must exhibit high wear tolerance under sports and high use pressure as turf. It must also produce active growth in cool weather conditions when soil and air temperatures cool off in late fall, winter and early spring. The turf must feature high brown patch and crown rust resistance, high turf density, with fine leaf texture and a dark green color, strong seedling vigor for quick establishment, high drought tolerance with good persistence, good cool weather active growth with early spring green-up, reduced fungicide requirements, a fast establishment, high endophyte levels for insect control and stress tolerance, increased wear tolerance and persistence, improved summer turf quality.

4. Turfgrass Seed Mix 100% Festuca arundinacea (Turf Type Tall Fescue) with a minimum of five regionally adapted cultivars, three of which must exhibit strong expression of spreading by rhizomes; Available Product: ‘Water Saver w/ RTF Turf Type Tall Fescue’, or approved equal.

NCA Pacific District Supply Request Document Statement of Need

a. Seed shall have minimum NTEP trial ratings as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Seed Description Characteristic

Rating (1-9) 9=Highest Rating

Mean Turf Quality

6.2

Leaf Texture Mean

6.0

Spring Density Mean

6.3

Relative Growth Rate

2.7

Seedling Vigor Mean

6.5

b. Seed shall have minimum Rutgers University trial ratings as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Seed Description Characteristic

Rating (1-9) 9=Highest Rating

Disease Rating

7.0

Turfgrass Quality Rating 6.9

1.3 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES/REQUIRED RESULTS (Required):

Self-repairing Turf:

· Quickly fills in damaged or open spots with new shoots of grass.

· High level of traffic tolerance

· Dense turf without open areas prevents weed growth.

Strong, deep root system and drought tolerance:

· Rapid development of a deep root system

· Excellent drought and heat tolerance with less irrigation

· Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions Grows great in sun or shade:

· Excellent in the transition zone climate and other tall fescue turf regions

· Will not brown out in the intense summer heat.

· One of the most shade tolerant cool season grasses Excellent color and density:

· Has fine leaves which produce a very dense, uniform sod.

· Early spring green-up

· Withstands stressful hot temperatures and keeps its rich green color.

Excellent insect and disease resistance:

· Endophyte enhanced for improved insect, disease, and drought tolerance.

· Environmentally friendly, reduces chemical and fertilizer inputs.

NCA Pacific District Supply Request Document Statement of Need

1.4 ANY OPERATING CONSTRAINTS (Required):

N/A, only overseeding during the Spring and Fall.

Bulk materials will be delivered to the Phase 4 yard on a one-time fulfillment per option year, based on a full truckload of materials or as close to full truckloads as practicable, but not exceeding 26.5 tons of material.

Orders will be placed via email 1 month prior to delivery, deliveries will be made Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30am – 3:30pm excluding federal holidays.

Delivery scheduled for September 15, 2025.

1.5 ANY PREFEREED MODELS/BRANDS (Optional):

Barenbrug Water Saver RTF Rhizomatous Tall Fescue Grass Seed

Revision Date: Jan 2024 Page 1 of 2 Pages

NCA Pacific District Supply Request Document Product Justification Statement

Specialized/Custom/Technical Requirements:

(i.e., Briefly describe any special or customized modifications to the supplies required for use in the cemetery. Include performance and/or safety items.

RTF Grass Seed

6. New

Replacement

8. Supply Need and Added Value To the Cemetery

A. Briefly describe how this product is necessary for the accomplishment of the cemetery objectives.

To maintain the cemetery's status as a national shrine, preparation for Memorial Day and Veterans Day is essential. As our turf matures, it may begin to degrade, leading to compromised grass health characterized by bare spots and dry patches. These conditions create an environment conducive to weed proliferation. Implementing a comprehensive grounds maintenance plan is crucial for preserving an aesthetically pleasing landscape for visitors. Strategic seeding in affected areas is necessary to restore the integrity of the grass cover and minimize the opportunity for weeds to establish. This approach is a key component of our ongoing grounds maintenance strategy.

B. Briefly describe how this product is unique in its ability to accomplish the task(s) described above (8A) compared to other potential options (i.e., other product types, contracting, etc.):

Water Saver with RTF Turf Type Tall Fescue is a self-repairing turf that rapidly fills in damaged areas or open spots with new shoots of grass. A low maintenance tall fescue that results in less overseeding and no wide-leafed clumps in open areas. Can withstand the stressful environment and maintains its green color even in a cold climate with fewer weed problems. It provides superior protection against pests and diseases. This tall fescue is highly recommended for its tolerance in high temperatures and drought even with less irrigation.

9. Director Endorsement

Name and Signature:

Signed on:

5/16/2025

Revision Date: Jan 2024

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