SOW Grounds Contract Services.docx

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

STATEMENT OF WORK

Grounds Maintenance Services

USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US Vegetable Laboratory 2700 Savannah Highway Charleston, SC 29414

Prepared by: Robert Simmons February 3, 2023

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR ARS, CHARLESTON, SC

The purpose of this procurement action is to obtain services for landscaping and grounds maintenance in Charleston, SC for all identified spaces.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide all manpower, materials. tools, supplies. equipment, transportation, and supervision necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance is performed at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in a manner that will maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants to display a clean, neat, and professional appearance. Lawn care/cutting will be conducted Bi-Weekly on every Monday or as instructed by local area contact. The work required is identified in this Statement of Work (SOW), including Appendix A. The Contractor must perform in accordance with the standards of this contract.

1.1 LOCATION OF SERVICES

This site is the Agricultural Research Services (ARS)/U.S. Vegetable Laboratory.

2700 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414.

1.2 SPECIFIC REQUIRMENTS

1.3 The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires that contractors be registered in the SAM database prior to being awarded a contract. Detailed information about SAM is available at http://www.sam.gov/.

1.4 At the start of each maintenance activity, notify the local area contact that Contractor personnel are on site and activities are commencing.

1.5 Provide at least 24 hour written notice of any proposed change to the Lawn/Spraying schedule. Submit the revised written schedule within one day of approval.

1.6 Provide a written I year installation warranty on all work activities performed. (i. e. Sod placement).

1.7 Ensure that the work area is clean and organized. Remove all debris from the work area da il y.

1.8 Mow Improved Grounds. Grass shall be cut on within the designate service area approximately one acres of improved grounds as indicated in Appendix A. Grass clippings shall be removed or mulched not visible after mowing. Contractor shall maintain the growth of grass height on improved grounds between 1 to 4 inches depending upon the type of grass. The height is a guideline for a neat and professional appearance. All improved grounds shall look well manicured at all times. Lawn care/cutting will be conducted Bi-Weekly on every Monday or as instructed by this contract.

· St. Augustine - 2 to 3 in.

· Bermuda grass - 1 to 1.5 in.

1.9 Edging. Sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and other concrete or asphalt edges located in the improved grounds areas shall be edged at least every other mowing. Edging shall include removal of vegetation from cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and curbs within .5 inch of the edged surface and to a depth of 2.0 inches. This work involves approximately 2000 linear feet of sidewalks, driveways, and curbs in designated areas indicated in Appendix A.

1.10 Trimming. Grass and weeds shall be trimmed around trees, shrubs, buildings. fences. poles, posts, fire hydrants, parking lot bumper blocks, boulders, and other fixed obstacles. Trimming height shall match surrounding area grass heights. This task involves all improved grounds as shown in Appendix A. All areas shall be trimmed concurrent with mowing. Damage to trees and shrubs from trimming shall be repaired by the contractor. If a plant should die or become unhealthy due to damage, the contractor will be responsible for replacing the damaged plant with a plant of same size and type. Plant replacement shall occur within 15 days of noticed damage.

1.11 Remove Debris/Police Grounds. The contractor shall perform general litter patrol in all areas identified in Appendix A. Responsibilities shall include. but not be limited to. the removal and disposal of all-natural debris, (tree limbs, dry brush, rodent habitats. dead animals. etc.). and man-made debris. Contractor shall police areas concurrent with mowing. During the fall months. fallen leaves shall be removed bi-weekly from those areas indicated in Appendix A. At other times leaves shall be removed, as necessary. Dispose of all debris at an off-base location in accordance with existing local, state, and federal regulations.

1.12 Repair Damaged Areas. Areas damaged by contractor vehicles, erosion, drought or insect/diseases shall be seeded, sprigged, or sodded to meet the standards of surrounding areas. Other than lawn areas will be repaired to match the surrounding area.

1.13 Apply Fertilizer and/or Lime. The contractor shall perform an effective commercial fertilizer/lime application program for all improved grounds. ARS provided fertilizers/lime shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The type and amount or fertilizer or lime applied shall be based on results of a soil test. Soil tests shall be conducted are the responsibility of the contractor.

1.14 Perform Pest Identification and Control. During performance of grounds maintenance services, identify pests and perform pest control. The contractor shall develop an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) for approval. The IPM plan will require the contracting officer's approval. The contractor's IPM plan shall establish the strategy and methods for conducting a safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management program. Treatment of pests that may damage any portion of grounds shall be in accordance with federal. state regulations. ARS provided pesticides shall be applied by South Carolina certified personnel.

1.15 Post/Pre-Herbicide Applications. The contractor shall provide all management. Personnel, valid licenses, tools, supplies, equipment, materials, transportation, and labor necessary to provide ARS provided post/pre-emergent herbicide treatments for abatement of broadleaf weeds and grasses. Areas to be treated with herbicides will include cracks at curbs, gutters, sidewalks, islands, pavers, beds, parking lots, and roadsides. Maps will be provided to the contractor to illustrate the areas to be treated with herbicides. All actions must comply with local. state, and Federal laws including, but not limited to, applicable parts of 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910. Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, 29 CFR 1925, Labor, Safety and Health Standards for Federal Service Contracts, 40 CFR 150-189, Protection of Environment, Pesticide Program, and 49 CFR 171, Transportation, General Information, Regulations, and Definitions. Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act. All Herbicide treatments will be accomplished with the use of backpack sprayers. Herbicide will be post/pre-emergent products. and provided by ARS. Items required for submission will be application time. A license Pesticide applicator(s) will be present while performing any herbicide application.

2.0 MAINTAIN TREES/SHRUBS/HEDGES.

2.1 Trimming/Pruning. Contractor shall prune trees in improved and semi-improved areas on a 3 to 5 year pruning cycle. Pruning shall be accomplished in accordance with industry (ANSI Zl33.l - 1994) standards. Class II medium pruning shall be used in general on all trees. Class IV pruning shall be used only for lifting, removal, and/or cutback of branches that conflict with normal traffic or safety in the vicinity of the trees. Minimum safety clearance is 14 feet over streets, 12 feet over driveways, 8 feet over walk areas, and 4 feet from buildings. Other trees shall be pruned on an as-required basis to provide safety, clearances and/or to prevent structural damage. Topping and de-homing shall not be permitted. Trimming/pruning of trees around utility poles/power lines is the responsibility of the contractor. Notify the local area contact when trimming/pruning around utility poles/power lines is needed. Shrubs. small trees. and other plants shall be maintained according to the American Society of Landscape Architect's standards. They shall be pruned as required to maintain their natural growth characteristics. Shrubs and small trees shall be trimmed and pruned to enhance the beauty and health of the plant. Hedges shall be maintained to their natural mature height and shape. Broadleaf evergreens and flowers beds shall be pruned annually or as required maintaining clearances of a minimum of 3 inches from buildings, sidewalks, or other obstructions.

2.2 Maintain Bedding and Planted Areas. Fertilize, water, edge, eliminate weeds. maintain mulch, and repair or replace damaged plants in shrub and plant beds as identified in Appendix A. All weeds shall be removed or eradicated manually, or chemically.

3. SAFETY

3.1 The contractor and each of its employees shall comply with all applicable local, state federal, and Authority rules, regulations, and practices.

3.2 Contractor shall notify the local area contact or designee immediately (both verbally and in writing) of all damage and/or discrepancies that they identify at the job site prior to the start of work.

3.3 The contractor shall also be responsible for all injury to any persons or damage property (USDA I Employee) that occurs as a result of the contractor's negligence and shall take proper safety and health precautions to protect the work, the workers, the public, and the property of others. The contractor shall be responsible for all materials delivered and work performed until completion and acceptance of the entire work.

3.4 The contractor shall perform all its activities pursuant to this contract in a safe manner. The contractor shall assume responsibility on the job site for the actions of all its personnel and subcontractor(s) who are associated with performance on this contract. The contractor shall take adequate measures to prevent injury to the public on the job sit e.

3.5 The contractor shall provide all barricades, warning signs (i.e., Caution Men Working Above. and other safety and protective equipment required to isolate or restrict public access to the work site and/or to protect Facility employees and the general public from personal injury due to materials. equipment or operations at the site. All barricades, warning signs, etc. shall be in accordance with Federal. State and Local codes, but in no case should barricades be lower than four (4) feet in height with support no farther than eight (8) feet apart.

3.6 The contractor shall provide and ensure that all its personnel at the job site properly wear all applicable safety devices and apparel. including but not limited to fall protection. These devices and apparel shall be provided at no cost to the Government.

4. OTHER

4.1 The Government shall have the right to inspect all areas for safety violations at its discretion, direct the contractor to make immediate improvement of conditions and/or procedures, and/or stop the work if other hazards are deemed to exist. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Facility shall not be obligated to make an equitable adjustment for any work stoppage that results from safety hazards created by the contractor.

4.2 In the event that the Government should elect to stop work because of any type of existing safety hazards on the job site after the contractor has been notified and provided ample time to correct. the contractor shall bear all costs for eliminating the hazard(s) and shall not be granted compensation for the work stoppage. The contractor shall pay any and all additional expenses.

4.3 The operation of the contractor's vehicles or private vehicles by the contractor’s employees on or about the property shall conform to all state/ Federal regulations and safe driving practices. /\II contractor vehicles shall be located in the visitor parking area or in spaces assigned by the local area contact.

4.4 It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to immediately notify the local area contact if the job site is visited by an official authorized to enforce any regulatory requirements including but not limited to OSHA.

4.5 The contractor shall provide and use adequate (adequate being capable of impeding the progress of pedestrians and or vehicles into the work area) barricades and signs to provide sufficient notice of potential safety hazards prior to, during, and after the performance of the services.

4.6 The contractor shall inspect all powered equipment daily before operations for signs of wear as well as potential safety hazards. The contractor shall immediately remove from service on the job sites all equipment including extension cords which are potentially unsafe, damaged, inoperable and/or do not meet the manufacturers operational specifications.

4.7 The contractor shall never leave power equipment unattended without disconnecting them from their power source.

5. SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

5.1 The USDA 's facilities are smoke free. The contractor and its employees shall adhere to all applicable rules and regulations regarding maintenance of a smoke free environment on the job site.

6.0 SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY. The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Maintain Improved and Semi- Improved Grounds

month

month

shall not exceed 2 per month

shall not exceed 2 per month.

shall not exceed 2 per month

pests are controlled. Pesticide usage is reported to local area contact Customer complaints shall not exceed 2 per month.

guidelines. Herbicide usage is reported to local area contact Customer complaints shall not exceed 2 per month

month

APPENDIX A

MAPS AND/OR SITE PLANS

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