SOW farm contractor modified May 2026.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0

INTRODUCTION:

The contractor shall furnish all labor to provide management of the farm at Valor Point Domiciliary located at 7350 W Eastman Pl Lakewood, CO 80227.

HOURS OF OPERATION

The contractor will work 64 hours a month.

Classes will be held at various times and days of the week to meet the needs of the program. Hours may range from 2-8 hours per day.

2.0

BACKGROUND:

Recreational Therapy patients that would benefit from participating in the farming program within the ECHCS Network. The farm is located at Valor Point Domiciliary. Veteran's will be residents of Valor Point.

3.0

OBJECTIVE:

Program office is seeking an experienced farmer to manage our farm on site. The farm includes an indoor light growing cart, outdoor raised garden beds, in ground plants, a geodesic greenhouse dome, and an orchard. Farmer will work with Veterans, in a therapeutic manner, with the goal of introducing Veterans to gardening/farming as a positive way to spend their leisure time and as a way to improve their health through physical activity, socialization, and good nutrition.

4.0

SCOPE OF WORK:

Contractor will report to Valor Point to perform the duties. The farm classes should include some discussion about techniques but will mainly be hands-on classes engaging Veterans with tasks on the farm. Farmer will be expected to be knowledgeable in the management of a small farm. Farmer will be teaching and will demonstrate best practices to Veterans, have evidenced based knowledge of history and theory behind the skills, instruct Veterans on completing tasks each session according to Veteran goals, and use hands on teaching techniques. Contractor shall work with VA facility program lead to obtain needed supplies to run the farm. Contractor will help VA facility program lead seek out grants and other funding sources to sustain the program. VA facility will supply the things needed for the farm such as soil, plants, fertilizer, pest control products, irrigation supplies, etc.

Contractor will report to Valor Point where the farm is located. These classes will include verbal discussion and hands on learning to teach the skills needed each session. Classes may be held in a group setting or 1:1 session, structured as a series or a single session. Farmer will be expected to have experience managing a community farm and leading small group classes. Farmer will be expected to interact with Veterans in a therapeutic and professional manner. Veterans in the program are often dealing with recovering from significant mental health challenges and farmer must be sensitive and skilled with working with this population. Farmer will be knowledgeable to manage all areas of the farm, demonstrate techniques to Veterans, have knowledge of history and theory behind the skills demonstrated, use hands on teaching plus any other skills needed to facilitate each session according to veteran goals. VA Facility will supply needed materials to sustain the farm with help of the farm contractor.

Contractor will be required to complete a sign-in/sign-out. The sign-in/sign-out log sheet will be provided and monitored by the VA facility program lead. The Contractor employees daily work scheduling that is based on work demands on the farm and subject to immediate changes. The VA reserves the right to propose alternate daily scheduling so as to least interfere with the normal operation of the treatment facility.

4.1 Farming services to be provided:

4.1.1 Maintain orderly seed library with a variety of seeds. Start plants from seed on the 3 tier indoor seed starting light cart. Tend to and grow seedlings to be ready to be transplanted to outdoor garden beds, in ground on the property, or into the geodesic greenhouse dome beds.

4.1.2 Prepare beds both outdoor and within the geodesic greenhouse dome for planting.

4.1.3 Maintain raised beds to produce vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers.

4.1.4

Cultivate and harvest crops for consumption in Healthy Teaching cooking classes and in the Valor Point kitchen meals. Work with the dietitian to grow in demand produce, fruits, and herbs.

4.1.5 Post-harvest responsibilities include properly labeling, washing, handling, and storing produce.

4.1.6

Follow Food Safety Modernization Act guidelines and Good Agricultural Practices to ensure health and safety of the people eating the food.

4.1.7

Maintain aquaponic water tank inside the geodesic greenhouse dome. Apply fish wastewater to raised beds to fertilize the plants in greenhouse dome via a solar powered pump drip system. This system is to be installed and maintained by farmer.

4.1.8 Complete all needed maintenance on the geodesic greenhouse dome. Prepare the dome for seasonal shift between summer and winter growing seasons.

4.1.9 Install and maintain drip water system to irrigate outdoor raised garden beds and future in ground crops.

4.1.10 Basic pest prevention, identification, and organic pest control techniques.

4.1.11 Establish and maintain composting program.

4.1.12 Have farm duties out and accessible to participants. The goal is to reinforce the farm schedule highlighting the curriculum and duties to Veteran participants with field examples.

4.1.13 Maintain an annual growing plan and recorded keeping for the farm.

4.1.14 Create business plan for eventual distribution of surplus crops to include selling at local farmer's markets or sharing with food pantries or rehab facilities near the Valor Point farm.

4.1.15 Maintain farm tools and equipment in a clean and safe manner in the shed and geodesic greenhouse dome.

4.1.16 Include and engage Veteran participants with structured classes on the farm as well as including them in more informal farm work sessions. These participants will be both inpatient at Valor Point and outpatient Veterans from their own homes or other VA programs. Engage Veterans with meaningful tasks to help them work on recovery goals in different life domains to include physical goals, emotional/mental health goals, social goals, and cognitive goals.

4.1.17 Develop meaningful relationships with volunteer groups to maintain community engagement.

4.1.18 Participate in research and development for continued expansion of the farm.

5.0

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS:

5.1 Behavioral Expectations: Farmer must complete a VA background check, obtain a PIV badge, and complete onboarding new employee orientation trainings:

· HIIPA and Privacy

· Privacy and information Security training

· Rules of behavior

· Statement of Understanding Patient Abuse and Neglect MCP 00Q-78

· Employee/ Patient Relationships MCP 001-23

· Employee commitment to Safety and Respect MCP 00-5 5.2 Communication: Daily effective communication is critical and requires ability to speak, understand, and follow simple instructions in English.

5.3 Uniforms and Employee Identification: Professional attire is to be clean and maintained in good repair.

Contractor personnel will be provided, a clearly readable name identification device consisting of the employee’s name and the service name will be worn on or in the area of the left breast pocket (above the waist). All other safety/protective clothing or equipment for the contractor shall be provided and maintained by the contractor at no expense and worn when appropriate. All Contract personnel will receive a background check and documentation will be provided before beginning work at any VA facility.

6.0

CONTRACTOR STAFF REQUIREMENTS:

6.1 Personnel Rosters: Current written rosters of all regular and alternate employees will be provided to the COR. Employees not listed will not be allowed to work in the facility.

6.2 Miscellaneous: Contractor personnel shall not consume food, snacks, drinks, or tobacco products except during specified break periods in appropriate designated break/smoking areas only. There will be no usage of personal cell phones while on stations. Unauthorized smoking, eating, theft or pilferage by Contractor personnel shall constitute adequate cause for the Government to require that the Contractor immediately remove the offender(s) from employment on the medical facility premises for the duration of this contract.

7.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT:

The VA shall furnish the supplies needed to operate the farm. Contractor is welcome to work with VA facility program leaf to identify grants and funding opportunities to help raise money to purchase needed supplies for the farm program.

9.0

SAFETY:

9.1 The Contractor shall take such safety precautions as are necessary to protect the lives and health of participants on the farm or in the greenhouse dome and/or building during performance of contract requirements. The Contractor shall immediately correct any fire and safety deficiencies caused by his/her personnel.

10.0 Contract Modifications:

10.1 Modification Approval: Once approval is received from the COR, the contractor will be required to document comments into the proposal and provide a final draft to the CO for inclusion in the SF30 modification documents. All modifications will be processed and approved by the CO. The contractor should not provide any services outside the contract’s statement of work (SOW) without first receiving written authorization from the CO in the form of a fully executed modification.

11.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

11.1 Quality Control:

11.1.2 Contractor Quality Control Program: Contractor shall have a quality control program to assure all requirements of the contract are provided as specified. This can be documented in paper or digital format.

12.

QUALITY CONTROL MONITORING

12.1 The Government appointed COR will monitor the Contractor’s performance to assure that the performance thresholds and standards of performance are met. In accordance with FAR 52.212-4 (a) “Inspection/Acceptance” the Government reserves the right to inspect or test any supplies or services that have been tendered for acceptance. The Government may require repair or replacement of nonconforming supplies or performance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price.

12.2 The Government COR will evaluate the services required by this contract to ensure compliance and quality 12.3 The contractor shall perform all work required by this contract in a satisfactory manner in accordance with the SOW. The COR will not consider the task complete until all deficiencies have been corrected.

12.4 The Government COR will receive complaints from facility personnel and pass them on to the Contractor’s quality inspector for correction.

12.5 The COR should receive no more than two (2) complaints. Unacceptable performance will be notified to the supervisor or quality inspector for further corrective action.