Amendment 001-W52P1J-20-R-GRND.pdf

Amendment 001 to Solicitation W52P1J-20-R-GRND is to answer questions, add Clause 52.204-25, add updated attachments per the questions below, and extend the close date to 14 August 2020 at 1300 CT.

1. In the pricing matrix it has a frequency listed for Improved, Semi-improved, and Unimproved, are we to assume those number of mows will be sufficient to keep these areas in standard?

A: We have based the frequency off of historical data and we believe the frequencies are correct. If updates are required throughout the life of the contract a modification will be completed.

2. Should the number of mows bid, be what we anticipate it will take to stay within the standards of Improved, Semi-improved, and Unimproved standards? Being familiar with the area seed heads have the capability of growing upwards of 16- 18 inches weekly. That would drastically increase the price depending on the standard at which they are kept.

A: For all areas, we overlook the seed heads accept for Special Events, we will ask that it be cut.

3. In the pricing matrix CLIN 0009 is listed as unimproved but has a frequency 8 mows please clarify to what standard is to be kept.

A: CLIN 0009 should be unimproved.

4. 4. Are seed heads and other fast-growing grasses which are not listed on 3.0 Work Capabilities Chart required to be maintained within the height requirements of Improved, Semi-Improved and Un-Improved? (i.e. bahia and Johnson grass) A: No.

5. Leaf Removal is mentioned in Four areas: a.) Attachment 1, 2.2.8 Remove Debris, Leaves and Litter b.) 3.0 Work Capabilities Chart - Debris Removal with a frequency of 1 time a year and also Leaf Collection with a frequency of 2 times a year c.) PWS for High Visibility Area along with Common Areas.

Please Clarify how many times a year is Leaf Removal and which CLIN should it be priced under?

A: For debris/litter removal needs to be done each time an Improved area is mowed. Leaf removal 2 times a year. These will be worked into the mowing CLINs for Improved areas.

6. In Attachment 1: 2.2.5 Seeding and Sodding has 2.2.5.1 Seeding, 2.2.5.2 Hydroseeding, and 2.2.5.3 Sodding each with an estimated quantity annually, but there is no line item to price these services. Could you please clarify which CLIN they are to be included in?

A: Turf Repairs -CLIN 0015.

7. In section 2.2.9, are the trees mentioned to be included in the price for improved areas or would that be included with CLIN 0016 Pruning or 0023 Service Call Work?

A: These will be priced on CLIN 0016.

8. In section 2.2.12 Athletic fields are considered Improved areas on the work capabilities chart but are not included on the Improved Area locations map?

Please clarify A: They are included in the Improved Area pricing.

9. What services are to be included in the pricing for CLIN 0022 Special Events?

Please clarify A: The descriptions for these events are listed in Section 2.2.13 Special Services.

10. How am I to give a price for CLIN 0023? It does not have a clarification for what it would include. Please clarify what services are to be included and if it is to be priced per acre, event, hourly etc…..

A: A Service Call consists of either mowing or trimming an area, priced per hour.

11. The Clara Barton center is listed on Semi Improved as well as Improved. Please Clarify A: The Clara Barton Center is Improved.

12. Are leaf removals required in Semi improved and Unimproved areas?

A: No, updated PWS

13. For CU Area 14, 20, and 21, it does not mention the igloos, are we to maintain the 265 igloos in that area and if so is equipment allowed on the igloo’s or are all 265 to be trimmed manually?

A: Trimmed manually.

14. For billing purposes, are the CU’s being considered grouped together as one for all Semi-Improved and Unimproved mowing? In that case if all but one of the semi-improved CU’s were mowed as scheduled for the month, how would I bill for what was accomplished? On the contrary if I had to mow an area an extra time due to excessive growth, how would I add the acreages to my invoice?

A: You will bill based on when you complete one frequency of each type of area.

15. Referencing the maps are we mowing from the roads to the wood line or is it visibly marked on post? It is unclear by only going off the maps and descriptions of CU’s.

A: Yes, mow from the road to the wood line.

16. In Attachment 1, 2.2.6 Maintain Flower Beds: It states 300 sf of beds. Is the requirement to completely fill the 300 sf with flowers? Please clarify the number of flowers to be planted annually.

A: No, the requirement is not to completely fill 300 sf with flowers. It includes the services to maintain the entire bed at each location.

17. On the capability Chart Frequency of Debris Removal is listed A/R as requested on the Semi-Improved and Unimproved, but there is no CLIN to include this service under. Can you clarify how this service is to be priced?

A: Debris removal is “as required” and should be done before mowing each time and should be worked into the respective mowing CLIN.

18. 2.2.9.2 Under which CLIN would Tree Mulching - annually be priced?

A: This has been removed from PWS.

19. 2.2.9.5 States Contractor Shall inspect for dead, damaged, and disease trees within high visibility areas and provide a written report to the COR/ACOR within

(5) five working days at the end of each. What does (at the end of each) mean?

Please clarify statement.

A: Should state “at the end of each month” and PWS has been updated.

20. 2.2.9.5.1 There is no CLIN for Emergency Tree Removal. Please clarify where this service is to be priced.

A: Emergency CLINs are located under the Special Services with the estimated frequency to assist pricing, Use CLINs 0018 -0021 for Emergency Tree Removal.

Price Matrix has been updated to reflect Emergency Call Out for CLINs

21. 2.7.4 States: Contractor shall submit a complete equipment list Including make, model, specifications and catalog cut sheets for KO approval with the proposal.

There are many variables to purchasing equipment, one being availability of said equipment. Will the company whom the contract is Awarded be held to purchasing the equipment it puts in their proposal?

A: No, you will not be held to that specific equipment.

22. How are we to price the CDRLS? Please clarify A: This CLIN is for any cost associated with providing the CDRLS called out in the PWS

23. The solicitation does not include a SF 1449 to submit with company signature.

Please advise or provide form needed to sign/commit company proposal.

A: Vendor shall sign the proposal since the Solicitation is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, letter.

24. Solicitation, Page 1, #1 states: This solicitation allows for full and open competition. Page 1, #4 states: This procurement is a 100% small business set-aside in accordance with FAR Part 19.5, Set-Asides for Small Business. Please clarify whether this competition is Full & Open or Small Business Set Aside.

A: That was a typo in bullet #1. This solicitation is 100% Set Aside for Small Business.

25. Solicitation, Page 1, #2 states: Request for Proposal (RFP) for preventive maintenance visits at PBA.

Please clarify whether contract is for Preventative Maintenance or Grounds Maintenance Services.

A: Preventive Maintenance was a typo, this solicitation is for Grounds Maintenance.

26. Solicitation Page 1, #6 states that Phase In begins August 10th. With proposals being due August 6th, is the Phase In start date correct? Please clarify.

A: The Phase In Period has been removed from the PWS. The US Government intends to have this awarded no later than the end August.

27. Original contract start date was listed as November 2020 in GovWin; current start date listed in the Solicitation is listed as September 1st.

Please clarify the contract start date.

A: The US Government intends to award by the end of August with start date as September 1st.

28. Attachment 0004, Item #3 states:

The Evaluation Factors for this solicitation are as follows:

a. FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL Technical Sub-factor 1: Staffing Plan Technical Sub-factor 2: Quality Control Plan

Attachment 0005, Item #5c states:

Technical Sub-factor 3: Licenses and Certifications Attachment 4 does not mention Licenses and Certifications as a Technical Subfactor. Please clarify the Factors & Subfactors that will be used to evaluate proposals for contract award.

Attachment 0005, item #5C states:

Technical Sub-factor 3: Licenses and Certifications “Acceptable” Criteria: Offeror provides copies of valid licenses and certifications applicable to the grounds maintenance/landscaping industry for each employee and/or subcontractor employee proposed to perform the requirements of this solicitation.

A: 3rd Sub-factor in Attachment 0005 has been removed

29. Attachment 7, the following clause is highlighted:

FAR Clause 52.211-11, Liquidated Damages – Supplies, Services, or Research and Development (SEP 2000) ???

Please provide details as to the significance of the highlighted text and question marks.

A: This clause has been removed from the solicitation.

30. 2.2.11 Irrigation. The Contractor shall operate, maintain, and adjust portable irrigations equipment to, IAW installation water restriction policies, maintain an adequate water supply for plant health in flower, shrub, hedge, and tree. The Contractor shall schedule irrigation as per weather to produce the most attractive and cost effective shrub and plants for the Pine Bluff Arsenal.

Please provide the estimated amount of acreage that does not have irrigation systems in place at PBA.

A: .2 acres

31. 2.2.12 Athletic Fields Grounds Maintenance. The Contractor shall maintain athletic fields, including baseball, softball, multipurpose and other recreational/athletic fields, IAW the Work Capability Levels table.

Are any or all of the athletic fields artificial turf?

A: No

32. Attachment 2, Item #6, A012: Provided with proposal; Phase in 21 days prior to Period of Performance start date; Phase out 21 days after end of last period of performance. Attachment 4 does not list Transition Phase In/Phase Out as a requirement for proposal submission.

Please clarify.

A: Phase in Period has been removed from the PWS.

33. Attachment 2, 7.1.1.39 Key Personnel. Contractor personnel evaluated in a source selection process and are used in the performance of a contract. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons who are listed in the proposal. The prime Contractor is responsible for performance of all subcontractors.

Attachment 4 does not indicate that key contract personnel should be identified by name in the proposal submission. Please clarify.

A: Shall provide the position titles for the staffing plan. No need to identify them by name.

34. 2.5.6.4 Dispute Contingency Plan. This plan shall establish procedures and identify responsible personnel to provide the services below, with no interruption in the event of a labor dispute:

a. Identify and address critical Preventive Maintenance and inspection tasks,

b. Maintain electrical emergency generators, and

c. Process and execute emergency and urgent service and work orders.

Please provide details of the service requirements needed for items a – c above.

Please identify the emergency generators to be maintained.

A: PWS has been updated. Should read:

2.5.6.4 Dispute Contingency Plan. This plan shall establish procedures and identify responsible personnel to provide the services below, with no interruption in the event of a labor dispute:

Identify and address critical Grounds Maintenance tasks, and Process and execute work.

The plan shall establish procedures and time frame to secure replacement personnel in the event of a strike; and shall also record the Contractor’s experience with and establish Contractor procedures for collective bargaining. The Contractor shall submit a Labor Contingency Plan NLT contract start date.

35. 2.5.3.3 Safety Briefing. All contractor personnel shall receive the Pine Bluff Arsenal General Safety Briefing prior to reporting to work. If proof of briefing attendance cannot be provided for any employee, that employee shall not be available to work until proof of attendance is provided. Time and location of briefing will be provided to the contractor at the Post Award meeting.

Please provide details concerning the safety briefings. How often are the briefings provided?

A: All personnel at the start of the contract and every time a new employee is hired, they will need to sit through the safety briefing.

36. What was the previous contract value?

A: $5.4M for the full five years

37. There is a serious time constraint on getting this proposal submitted by the due date. With questions going in on the 28 of July, that only leaves 9 days for getting the questions answered and the proposals in. Is it possible to extend the due date to August 13 for this solicitation in order to make it fair for other contractors aside from the incumbent?

A: If a time extension is necessary, Contracting will publish an amendment to the

38. Can the Government provide the total vehicle, trailer, and equipment counts used on the previous contract?

A: The USG will not dictate the number of trailers, vehicles, and equipment used during the previous contract. Further, the USG will not provide this information as it details information that is proprietary to the incumbent contractor. Contractors shall determine their strategy by reviewing all documents provided in this

39. Who was the contractor on the previous contract?

A: Roberts Treescaping

40. What is the previous contract number for this contract?

A: W52P1J-15-P-3066

41. What is the current staffing mix? (Program Manager, Supervisor(s), FTE's /PTE's) on previous/current contract?

A: This information is proprietary to the incumbent contractor and will not be released.

42. Please clarify if there are any Bldgs. Office spaces, and/or Warehouses available for contractor use or lease to support this contract?

A: None, contractor will need to provide their own facilities.

43. Due to COVID - 19, will this contract require the wearing of face masks while operating lawn mowers, tractors and weed eaters?

A: Not while operating unless the 6 foot distance cannot be maintained.

Add Clause

52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Aug 2019)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—

Covered foreign country means The People’s Republic of China.

Covered telecommunications equipment or services means–

(1) Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

(2) For the purpose of public safety, security of Government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities);

(3) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment; or

(4) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

Critical technology means–

(1) Defense articles or defense services included on the United States Munitions List set forth in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations under subchapter M of chapter I of title 22, Code of Federal Regulations;

(2) Items included on the Commerce Control List set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations under subchapter C of chapter VII of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, and controlled-

(i) Pursuant to multilateral regimes, including for reasons relating to national security, chemical and biological weapons proliferation, nuclear nonproliferation, or missile technology;

or

(ii) For reasons relating to regional stability or surreptitious listening;

(3) Specially designed and prepared nuclear equipment, parts and components, materials, software, and technology covered by part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to assistance to foreign atomic energy activities);

(4) Nuclear facilities, equipment, and material covered by part 110 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to export and import of nuclear equipment and material);

(5) Select agents and toxins covered by part 331 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 of title 9 of such Code, or part 73 of title 42 of such Code; or

(6) Emerging and foundational technologies controlled pursuant to section 1758 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817).

Substantial or essential component means any component necessary for the proper function or performance of a piece of equipment, system, or service.

(b) Prohibition. Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. The Contractor is prohibited from providing to the Government any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception at paragraph (c) of this clause applies or the covered telecommunication equipment or services are covered by a waiver described in Federal Acquisition Regulation 4.2104.

(c) Exceptions. This clause does not prohibit contractors from providing—

(1) A service that connects to the facilities of a third-party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(2) Telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(d) Reporting requirement.

(1) In the event the Contractor identifies covered telecommunications equipment or services used as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, during contract performance, or the Contractor is notified of such by a subcontractor at any tier or by any other source, the Contractor shall report the information in paragraph (d)(2) of this clause to the Contracting Officer, unless elsewhere in this contract are established procedures for reporting the information; in the case of the Department of Defense, the Contractor shall report to the website at https://dibnet.dod.mil. For indefinite delivery contracts, the Contractor shall report to the Contracting Officer for the indefinite delivery contract and the Contracting Officer(s) for any affected order or, in the case of the Department of Defense, identify both the indefinite delivery contract and any affected orders in the report provided at https://dibnet.dod.mil.

(2) The Contractor shall report the following information pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this clause

(i) Within one business day from the date of such identification or notification: the contract number; the order number(s), if applicable; supplier name; supplier unique entity identifier (if known); supplier Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (if known);

brand; model number (original equipment manufacturer number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number); item description; and any readily available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended.

(ii) Within 10 business days of submitting the information in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this clause: any further available information about mitigation actions undertaken or recommended.

In addition, the Contractor shall describe the efforts it undertook to prevent use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services, and any additional efforts that will be incorporated to prevent future use or submission of covered telecommunications equipment or services.

(e) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts and other contractual instruments, including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items.

(End of clause)