Sources Sought Notice.docx

Sources Sought Notice

Background:

The Sterling Field Support Center (SFSC) has a requirement for the periodic ground maintenance of the fields, evaluation test beds and the areas adjacent to the buildings that are part of the SFSC. The SFSC is located on a 230-acre parcel of land in Eastern Loudoun County Virginia. This property contains the SFSC laboratory buildings, various outdoor meteorological testbeds, and The Baltimore-Washington Regional Forecast Office. The period of performance for this contract will be a base period year plus four optional periods.

For purposes of landscaping maintenance, the SFSC’s property can be divided into five general areas:

1. SFSC Testbeds and Building Areas – Sections of property surrounding the SFSC buildings, parking areas, sewage lift station, and instrument test beds. The grass in these areas is to be kept short.

1. SFSC Field Areas – Approximately 128 acres of largely undeveloped land where the grass is allowed to grow long. The fields must be cut twice per year to prevent the land from becoming a forest.

1. SFSC Roadways and Fence Lines – Property adjacent to the facilities roadways and perimeter fence. The grass along the roads and perimeter fence is to be kept short

1. SFSC Forest Land – The forested areas along the southern border of the property. These areas do not require maintenance however these forest areas must not be allowed to expand (through the growth of new trees) into the existing fields.

1. Forecast Office Areas – The areas surrounding the Forecast Office building, parking lots, access driveway, NEXRAD radar, and solar power array. No landscaping maintenance is required in these areas because the Forecast Office maintains their own property.

Notice:

This is a Sources Sought Notice for a commercial acquisition. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Notice or reimburse the costs incurred by potential offerors in providing the information requested herein. The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, equipment, and materials for the general care of the existing outdoor landscape items (trees, shrubs, grass, and planting beds) located at the Sterling Field Support Center (SFSC). The work shall include mowing, edging, pruning and weeding.

Requirements:

Site has multiple fields that require cutting twice a year. Once in the spring and once in late fall. The perimeter of the facility shall be maintained to ensure that is free of bushes and other shrubberies. Contractor employees shall generally perform all work between the hours 0700 and till dark, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays) If work is required during the weekends, this work will be coordinated with the Site Manager and the COR.

1) Mowing — In the “short grass areas” the grass will be maintained at a uniform height of between 3 and 4 inches and shall not exceed 6 inches. The contractor shall cut the grass evenly, taking care to prevent scalping, uneven mowing, rutting by equipment, and damage to trees and shrubs. All trash, litter, tree limbs and other debris shall be removed prior to cutting. All clippings shall be removed from hardened surface such as pavement and sidewalks the same day services are provided.

2) Trimming — Grass will be trimmed in conjunction with mowing. The grass shall be trimmed from around the instruments in the testbeds, entrance gates, coverts, ditch lines and around the buildings on site.

3) Edging — The contractor shall edge all sidewalks, driveways, and curbs within the premises in conjunction with grass cutting. Edging includes the removal of all grass or weeds sprouting from sidewalks, pavements, and curb joints. The contractor shall cut all edges clean and vertical at the junction to turf or soil and concrete edge so as not to cause erosion by ditching.

4) Landscaping and Maintenance

a) Plant spring and fall annuals in front of the Sterling main building flowerbed. Flower/planting beds shall be maintained free of weeds, debris, leaves, branches, and dead plants and shrubs. Grass and weeds shall be removed from the pavement and sidewalks. All perennials will be cut back in the beginning of April. A weed barrier shall be installed in the front of the main building.

b) Mulching — The area in front of the Sterling Field Support Center shall be mulched as early as practicable each year. During the base year of the contract, all mulch beds shall be stripped and, repair or replacement of existing weed barrier before re-mulching. All mulch beds will be edged.

5) Field Mowing — The fields shall be mowed in late spring and in late fall, once between April 1 – June 30th and once August 1st- November 15th. The contractor is to identify any mowing hazards such not to damage federal property. Coordination with the COR and Site Manger may be necessary to identify existing hazards. The federal government shall not be liable for not identifying all hazards.

6) Unscheduled Mowing — Some areas may require unscheduled mowing when there is more rain than usual. Upon request, the contractor shall complete the required task within 72 hours. The subject areas are listed below:

SFSC Testbeds and Building Areas: Approximately 18.4 acres SFSC Roadways and Fence Lines: Approximately 9.1 acres image1.jpeg