Attach 5 Solicitation Amendment 1 Questions 20201116.docx

Amendment 1 to Solicitation W911SF-21-R-0004, Fort Benning Grounds Maintenance

Site Visit Questions and All Other Questions Received Question period closes: Nov 15, 2020 11:59 PM

Q1. Acreage, Improved Areas shown to be every 7 days, what is the period of service annually?

A1. Depending on grass growth, improved areas need to be cut every 7 days. This is potentially 52 times a year, yet the winter months typically do not have enough growth to merit cutting each week.

Q2. Improved areas, can you show the list of areas to be serviced with their acreage and relationship to distances on the Fort Benning Installation. Geographic distances for transportation is important.

A2. Please look at the Map files provided on solicitation for an approximate acres amount, let’s keep in mind acres could increase due to training requirements.

Q3. 2.1.1.2 Semi-Improved Cutting every 13 days. 200 acres Road Shoulders tree line or 15’ approximately? Is the mowing up to 15’ or the tree line?

A3. Both, in some areas it will not be possible to reach the tree due to terrain, on this circumstance will cut up to 15’.

Q4. 2.1.1.3, Unimproved Areas: No acreage provided in PWS?

A4. An estimate of 54,000 acres.

Q5. 2.1.3.1, Period of performance is this Base Year plus 4 Option Years?

A5. Yes.

Q6. 2.1.12.1, Key Personnel, Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager. I don’t see any requirements for their qualifications or experience listed? Is the Project Manager the same as a Program Manager? Are the Key personnel qualifications and experience considered in the evaluation of the Offerors bid submission? Can these personnel qualifications be used to qualify or disqualify a company’s offer?

A6. The Solicitation has the qualification for both Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager. The Project Manager being the same as a Program Manager depends on how your company is structured; on site you should have your primary PM and a backup. Qualifications and experience of Key personnel will be taken in consideration during the evaluation and selection and one of the two or a combination of both can be used to meet the 170,000 acres per year requirement.

Q7. 3.1.1.4.7, Weed Control: How many acres are to receive herbicide service? Who determines what areas are to receive the service and when to deliver the service? Who determines what method or chemical, or is chemical and method the Contractors Choice?

A7. Acres to receive herbicide service will be determine by COR, so the number of acres will change depending on requirements. Methods and chemical use will be approve by COR and DPW Environmental technician.

Q8. Pesticide Spray license for Alabama and Georgia? I have Alabama License, OTPS, ROW, Aquatic, Ground, which does Reciprocate with Georgia, but I have not paid the fee required to activate the Reciprocation of the license. Do I still need to pay the Reciprocation Fee so I can send proof in with my Bid Offer at this time?

A8. In the proposal, annotate clearly that contract employees will have all Georgia and Alabama licenses no later than 10 calendar days prior to the start of the contract period.

See PWS 3.1.1.4.7 Weed Control. All contract employees that apply herbicide must have a (Federal/State/Local) herbicide application certificate/license. The Contractor will be responsible to ensure that the licenses/certificates and training of Contractor personnel are kept current. Copies of these licenses/certifications will be provided to the Contracting Officer, not later than 10 calendar days prior to the start of the contract period, and again within 10 calendar days upon a change in personnel. Contract herbicides management employees shall not apply herbicides under someone else’s certification.

Q9. 3.1.1.4.8.1 Pruning Shrubs, Hedges and Other Plants. When is this to be accomplished? Where are the shrubs, hedges, and other plants? What are other plants? How many shrubs and how much hedge? How big are the plants, 3’ and under, over 3’ over 6’ and over? How many in each category? How many times a year do we trim, prune these shrubs?

A9.1 Pruning Shrubs, Hedges and Other Plants is schedule to be done during the months of Nov-Feb, keep in main in some especial occasion some areas will be done of cycle. (This task could be done any time of the years).

A9.2 No other plants.

A9.3 Approximately 1000 Shrubs and hedge each around buildings, 30LF along Roadsides. (+, -) A9.4 Plant sizes can be from 3’ to 10’.

A9.5 Difficult to do a break down per each category, Contractor will get pay by work done.

A9.6 This task will be done once a year as of today, just keep in minds things change as time goes.

Q10. Fences, perimeter fences and interior fences? I don’t see any requirement for contractor to clean these fences. I only see that we mow and trim grass to fences as an obstacle to mowing. Is this correct?

A10. You are correct we only mow to the fence line.

Q11a. Evaluation of Past Performance, more than 170K acres for each year of five years’ experience? Note: I don’t believe there could be more than one company that might have this number of acres each year for the past five on one project and that would be the prior incumbent at Fort Benning! This requirement could be used to eliminate all other companies regardless of how well they are otherwise qualified.

A11a. Based on current Market Research and responses to the previous requirement, there are enough small businesses capable of completing this requirement to fulfill adequate price competition. 170,000 acres per year provides contractors with the size and scope of this requirement. All contractor proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to perform this contract, either by showing one project or through several projects that add to the similar size and scope of this requirement.

Q11b. This new solicitation has more acreage than the previous contract. I request that the past performance acres be minimum of any project performing contracts with similar requirements for Cantonment improved, semi-improved and un-improved mowing to include: High Visibility (Cantonment), Roadside, landfills, Airfields, Ranges, Road shoulders, Shrub Pruning, licensed Herbicide weed control Spraying, Growth Retardant Spraying. The number of acres issue and size can be addressed through the offerors work plan submitted with the bid documents. Same experience of the project manager and alternate can be evaluated this same method of experience.

A11b. 170,000 acres per year provides contractors with the size and scope of this requirement. All contractor proposals must clearly demonstrate the ability to perform this contract, either by showing one project or through several projects that add to the similar size and scope of this requirement.

Q11c. How does the evaluation treat a bidder that has experience past performance on large grounds contracts but does not have the full more than 170,000 acres? The Evaluation says we’ll get a Neutral Rating? Please describe in detail how a Neutral Rating is handled in this case where you have experience but not the more than 170,000 acreage. We have a good Technical and good experience except for the more than 170,000 acres?

A11c. With respect to the neutral past performance evaluation criteria and evaluation of your CPAR ratings, the FAR requires that an offeror without a record of relevant past performance, or for whom information on past performance is not available, may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. The 170,000 acres is to demonstrate the size and scope of this project, and any past performance provided will be evaluated to determine if a contractor has the capability to perform a project of this size and scope. If a contractor cannot provide past performance of this size and scope, the past performance evaluation will be acceptable and neither favorable nor unfavorable for Section M4, Factor II: Past Performance.

Q11d. Note: Some of the acreage listed in the solicitation both in the past and this year are IDIQ or Requirements CLINS that often are not ordered. This actually inflates this 170,000 acres. Actual acres contractor is responsible for is considerably less than advertised.

A11d. The solicitation is for a requirements contract and quantities reflect the ceiling quantities/price. All work performed is ordered and paid through individual task orders. The 170,000 acres may be required throughout a year depending on environmental and other factors, and is provided for proposal planning, size and scope determinations, and funding planning.

Q12. Attachment 2 Technical Exhibit 2 Maps – Is this exhibit a complete list of all areas to be maintained? If not, can this exhibit be updated?

A12. Yes. Let’s keep in mind acres needing maintenance could increase in support of training.

Q13. Attachment 2 Technical Exhibit 2 Maps – Could all areas in this exhibit be individually designated as Improved, Semi-Improved, Un-Improved.

A13. Please refer to PWS.

Q14. Attachment 2 Technical Exhibit 2 Maps – Could the areas that are included in Item # 0003 of the pricing matrix be designated in the Technical Exhibit 2 Maps?

A14. It will be difficult to include areas on item 3, because these areas will be as requested and the areas could be different every time. Areas will be identified on the monthly delivery order if needed.

Q15. Pricing Matrix Items # 0003 and #0021 are for the removal of grass clippings and leaves. Where on post can this debris be disposed?

A15. It will be the contractor responsibility to dispose of debris properly from the installation.

Q16. Pricing Matrix - Item #0002 list edging in the improved areas as Est. Qty. 160 LFT and Item 0005 list the Est. Qty. as 150 LFT. This Est. Qty. is extremely low can a more accurate Est. Qty. be adjusted for these areas?

A16. 1 LF equals to 1000 FT, so 150X 1,000ft and 160x 1000ft. This CLIN will be as requested by COR as needed.

Q17. 3.1.1.4.8.3 of the PWS requires the contractor to requires the contractor to replace a tree with a like kind when a tree is removed and reimbursed with in accordance with the applicable CLIN price in the bid schedule. For clarity is the contractor to include the replacement cost as well as the tree removal cost for each Item / Clin that requires “Tree Removal” in the pricing matrix.

A17. Contractor does not need to provide replacement cost.

Q18. Item # 14 / PWS 3.1.1.4.8.3.4 To clarify, the PWS requires tree pruning for the encroachment of all the items listed in the PWS and does not include Crown pruning and dead wooding of the canopy. If crown pruning and dead wooding is required what are the specifications for this? For example: Remove all dead wood in the canopy 1” and greater.

A18. Pruning shall be accomplished IAW ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001, Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices (Pruning) and ANSI Z133.1-2006, Arboricultural Operations – Pruning, Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush – Safety Requirements, or the most current approved update.

Q19. PWS 3.1.1.4.8.2.2 – Is the Contractor responsible for the watering of the annual and perennial flowers that are to be planted?

A19. No.

Q20. Pricing Matrix Item # 24 - The Est Qty is 40 LFT. After the site visit it is apparent that the fence line that are to be sprayed are much more than 40 LFT. Can a more accurate Est Qty be given for this line item? Can there also be a list published as to where these fence lines are (For example Airfield fence line)?

A20. 1 LF equals to 1000 FT, so 40X 1,000ft. This CLIN will be as requested by COR as needed.

Q21. Pricing Matrix Items # 22 and #24. Item 22 would include the pavement cracks of this area; however, Item 24 includes pavement cracks as well. Can you distinguish the requirement between the 2 items?

A21. Item 22 covers weed control outside the daily requirements, special event areas, and item 24 is to cover Vegetation other than grass.

Q22. PWS 3.1.1.4.6 / Item # 34 – Item # 34 is for fertilizer only, however the PWS requires an application of lime as well as fertilizer. How do we price the lime application in the pricing matrix?

A22. Item 34 is for Maintenance of Native Grass and Plant Area.

Q23. PWS 3.1.1.4.5 / Item # 32 - The PWS requires that over seeding is required with the aeration. Are we to include the over seeding price in Line item # 34? What are the specifications of the seed to be used (type of seed, rate, etc.)?

A23. Yes, will be using Ft Benning mixture. This will be as requested by COR, or to fix any area damaged by the contractor.

Q24. Pricing Matrix Item # 33 - Is the contractor responsible for the watering and establishment of the native grass? If so, what is the establishment period until it can be accepted by government?

A24. If requested by COR for the contractor to establish native grass, the contractor will be responsible for maintaining the grass unto DPW Environmental approves; the timeline depends on season. This task is as requested.

Q25a. Is the selected provider allowed to store equipment on the base? If yes, where? If yes, is there a cost (rent) associated with that facility? Does it include an office for our PM and APM to be housed?

A25a. Yes, location to be determined, at no cost to the contractor.

A25b. Yes, location to be determined, at no cost to the contractor.

A25c. No office provided.

Q26. In the PWS, it mentions in article 2.1.1 that Irrigation is part of the “Improved Areas” scope, but article 3.1.1.4.10 reads “Irrigation. NA.” Is irrigation included in this contract, and if yes, can you provide details to what extent?

A26. At the moment there is no Irrigation needed for Fort Benning.

Q27. The solar fields are not all shown on the maps included (they do not appear to exist at the time those aerials were shot). Are any of the solar fields included in this contract?

A27. No Solar Fields are included in this contract.

Q28. Carmelo commented that no housing is included in this contract. Is that no housing at all, so therefore no barracks and no family housing? We would just like some clarification as to what constitutes housing, in regards to Carmelo’s comment.

A28. When I was referring to housing, I was talking about the privatized housing area managed by RCI (majority of family housing). We are responsible for taking care of the barracks and buildings in unit areas.

Q29. Page 1 & 2 Section 2.0 Requirements Paragraph; Improved Areas: Pg 16-17 These areas are the developed areas of the installation and will require an intensive level of maintenance, Average cutting will be every (7 days) to maintain areas and Improved grounds includes Lawson Army Airfield (LAAF) all facilities on Main Post, Brigade and above HQ, Benning Blvd., Dixie Road and 101st Airborne Div Road, Freedom Hall, 8th Div Road, Hospital Mall Complex. The work performed in these areas by the Contractor shall include mowing grass, edging and trimming grass, removing grass trimmings from paved areas, irrigating, aerating lawn areas applying fertilizer and/or lime, applying herbicide to lawn and landscape areas, maintaining plants, shrubs, and flowers, performing seasonal planting of plants and flowers, removing leaves, applying mulch, pruning trees, removing crack grass from sidewalks, pavements, asphalt, curve side and litter control. The government estimates improve grounds is about 6400 acres, at Lawson Army Airfield, the area with lighting and 100ft from runway will be cut weekly. As stated during the Site visit Improved grounds basically end with I-185, everything roughly was stated as Semi-improved. Are any Improved grounds for mowing requirements of the 7 days period off the Main Post/Cantonment as listed on the Maps and TE-1?

A29. Yes there are some areas outside Main Post that will be cut on the 7 days period schedule; such as Brigade and above Headquarters areas at Kelly Hill, Sand Hill, and Harmony church areas.

Q30. This paragraph and on page 15, section/paragraph 3.1.1.4.1. states standard requirements for the improved mowing areas identified under the TE-1 exhibit in this PWS. The TE-1 is only the ledger for the Maps pages 1 through 10 it is identifying; area ID number, area shown on Map, location name, area types, SSP, total area, percentage of area, maintained area. Please provide clarification where the standards are listed on the TE-1, for maintaining the services identified and listed under Improved grounds.

A30. For clarification refer to the PWS.

Q31. In reviewing the PWS, in the way it is written it can be interpreted that the description indicates the improved mowing are to be accomplished as performance base. Please provide clarification if all the listed above underlined services that have been described within these paragraphs for all the Improved grounds areas along with mowing are accomplished as performance base, or issuance of workload by requested as IDIQ requirements?

A31. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q32. At Lawson Airfield please provide clarification as what underlined services listed above will be required for the contractor to perform?

A32. Lawson Airfield has two requirements: First is signs, light, and 100ft from the runway on both sides will be on the 7 day cycle (as of today’s requirements). The rest of the Airfield will be on the 21 days cycle, unless conditions require to be done sooner.

Q33. During the Site visit it was noticed that several areas were very noticeable with crack-grass growing up through seams, cracks, and curb-lines in Improved grounds and Semi-improved grounds. Please provide clarification that areas described as such will be brought into standards prior to award of this new contract?

A33. Areas will be brought into standards by the new contractor.

Q34. 3.1.1.4.2 Edging. The Contractor shall edge all flowerbeds, mulched areas, sidewalks, driveways, street edges, curbs, and other concrete and asphalt edges located in the improved and semi-improve areas to present a neat appearance. Edging includes the removal of all grass or weeds sprouting from sidewalks, pavement, and curb joints and asphalt. The use of post-emergent herbicides by the Contractor, for edging purposes, is limited to grass in cracks and shall not be used to edge the entire area. The Contractor shall remove all edging debris the same day that edging is performed. Please provide clarification of the described/listed edging requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A34. Edging has individual CLINs for Improved and Semi-Improved areas. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q35. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of liner footage measurement for the edging requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A35. Propose for solicitation items 2 and 5 should cover this request. This task will be as requested by COR, to cover building 4, 6, 70, 35 and Brigade HQ and above facilities (7).

Q36. 3.1.1.4.4 Remove Debris, Leaves, and Litter from the Grounds. The Contractor shall perform litter patrol on improved grounds and airfield grounds. Those areas are identified in TE-2. Responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the removal and disposal of all natural debris, (i.e. leaves, tree limbs, dry brush, rodent habitats, dead animals, etc.) litter, and trash. During tree shedding months, leaves shall be removed from improved grounds during the frequency indicated in TE-1. The debris, leaves, and litter removal areas for identification of improved and airfield grounds in TE-1, is not available to the contractor for review.

TE-1 is a ledger for areas identified on the maps that shows what maps the identification number is on, area type, SSP, total areas acreage, etc. The Maps that identify the area are shaded in with color, but no-where on the Maps or TE-1 does indicate what the different colors represent.

Please provide clarification where the TE-1 indicates the frequency of leaf removal from improved grounds areas?

A36. This task will be as requested by COR, not set on frequency schedule.

Q37. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A37. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q38. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A38. Approximately 3 acreage per event if requested.

Q39. 3.1.1.4.4.1 Maintain Storm Drainage Systems and Storm Debris. The Contractor shall control vegetation for storm drainage systems, and remove obstructions for storm drainage systems. Storm debris shall be cleared within 48 hours after the cessation of a storm event. Please provide clarification as to your intent/meaning as to what the vegetation control is to perform; via by mowing, trimming, herbicides application, complete eradication of vegetation, etc?

A39. Vegetation control on storm drains will be accomplished by mowing and trimming. Directed by COR. Herbicides application cannot be used near water sources.

Q40. Please provide clarification on frequency if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A40. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q41. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A41. This task will be accomplish by COR request, approximately 340AC.

Q42. 3.1.1.4.5 Aerating and Overseeding Soil. Aerate and overseed soil annually to maintain roots in a healthy state as indicated in TE-1. Again TE-1 is a map ledger, it does not provide any description of standards/requirement. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A42. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q43. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A43. This task will be performed by COR request. This is under solicitation item 0032.

Q44. 3.1.1.4.6 Apply Fertilizer and Lime. The Contractor shall apply commercial fertilizer and lime, approved by the COR, to all improved areas, at a sufficient rate to provide a healthy growth rate of grass and other vegetated areas. Fertilizer/lime shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation. This section/paragraph states fertilizer and lime shall be applied to all Improved grounds, you have 6400 acres listed as Improved grounds. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A44. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q45. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A45. This task will be performed by COR request. This is under solicitation item 0031.

Q46. 3.1.1.4.7 Weed Control. The Contractor shall perform weed control during grounds maintenance services. Herbicide application shall be limited to parade fields, ranges, drop zones, airfields and athletic fields. All contract employees that apply herbicide must have a (Federal/State/Local) herbicide application certificate/license. The Contractor will be responsible to ensure that the licenses/certificates and training of Contractor personnel are kept current. Copies of these licenses/certifications will be provided to the Contracting Officer, not later than 10 calendar days prior to the start of the contract period, and again within 10 calendar days upon a change in personnel. Contract herbicides management employees shall not apply herbicides under someone else’s certification. The Contractor shall submit a consolidated list of all chemicals used during the month, in a monthly herbicide application record to the COR. All mixing and storage of herbicide shall be performed off the installation. If the Contractor spills or releases any hazardous substances, i.e. substances listed in 40 CFR 302, Designation, Reportable Quantities, and Notification, the Contractor must immediately notify the KO and Contracting Officer’s Representative, followed by written notification within one (1) hour. The Contractor shall submit an herbicide usage report of all herbicide use to the KO within one day after application of any herbicide. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A46. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q47. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A47. This task will be performed by COR request. This is under solicitation item 0022.

Q48. 3.1.1.4.8.1 Pruning Shrubs, Hedges and Other Plants. The Contractor shall employ established pruning techniques, to remove dead branches, thin out shrub density, simplify shrub structure, or reduce shrub size. Shrubs and other plants shall be pruned away from buildings, sidewalks curbs, and fire hydrants; under windows, around ground lighting to allow light usage for its intended purpose and shall be pruned to maintain a minimum of three (3) inches clearance from buildings, sidewalks, or other obstructions. The Contractor shall keep areas beneath shrubs and hedges free of all grass, weeds, vegetation, and debris. Additionally, the Contractor shall prune shrubbery, located on street corners and curb easements, to keep foliage from obstructing the view of oncoming traffic. The Contractor shall remove all pruning debris from beds, lawns, and adjacent paved surfaces before leaving the work area. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A48. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q49. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of Sq ft, Sq yd, or shrub/hedge count as measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A49. This task will be performed per COR request, solicitation items 25 and 26. Most likely scheduled for the months of Nov-Feb. Quantities could increase depending on weather.

Q50. When Pruning of shrubbery/hedges the clean-up of debris disposal what is the contractor to do with trimmings?

A50. It will be the contractor responsibility to disposed of debris properly from the installation.

Q51. 3.1.1.4.8.2 Service/Maintain Vegetative/Planter/Flower Beds. The Contractor shall fertilize, water, edge, trim, prune shrubs, eliminate weeds and involuntary seed growth, maintain bedding material, and repair or replace damaged plants in shrub and plant beds identified in TE-1. TE-1 is a ledger for areas identified on the maps, that shows what maps the identification number is on, area type, SSP, total areas acreage, etc. Please provide clarification where the TE-1 indicates or identifies the required services in the improved grounds areas?

A51. COR will select areas per direction from HQ.

Q52. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A52. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q53. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of Sq ft, Sq yd, or acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A53. This task will be performed by COR request. Areas could include Soldier Park, Traffic Circles, or Building 35 for example.

Q54. 3.1.1.4.8.2.1 The Contractor shall plant and maintain flowers. Only low maintenance, indigenous flowering plants shall be acceptable candidates for planting. Annual plants shall be removed at the end of each growing season respective of the geographic location. New flowers and annual plants shall be planted in accordance with best industry standards at the beginning of each growing season respective of the geographic location. Around Soldier Park and traffic circles. 3.1.1.4.8.2.2 The Contractor shall refresh planter beds by the removal of all existing mulch and replacement with a brown, medium grade, mulch that contains no factory dyes or preservatives, to the depth of 1.5 inches. Contractor shall ensure that mulch meets federal requirement all vegetation shall be cleared from an existing vegetative bed, so the customer can have new plants installed and new beauty bark/brown mulch spread. Around Soldier Park and traffic circles. Please provide clarification if the above two sections/paragraph’s requirements are accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A54. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q55. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of identified materials to include flower/flats to be planted for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A55. This task will be performed by COR request. Solicitation Items 27 and 28 have base quantities.

Q56a. Around Soldiers Park and Traffic Circles, please provide a measurement of quantity and size of flowers that will be required for planting by the contractor? Please identify numbers of required Traffic circles and their locations the contractor is required to perform the above services?

A56a. We have one traffic circle that will need flowers at Main post as requested per COR. Soldier Park has no flowers.

Q56b. Please provide a total quantity/measurement of the maintain, plant flowers, landscape beds that mulch is to be refreshed and removed from; posted wide, at Soldiers Park and Traffic circles.

A56b. Task above will be accomplished as requested by COR; quantity will be different every time.

Q57. Provide clarification regarding brown mulch, commercial brown mulch has a dye in it that produces it to be BROWN, but normally does not have any preservatives?

A57. The Contractor shall refresh planter beds by the removal of all existing mulch and replacement with a brown, medium grade, mulch that contains no factory dyes or preservatives, to the depth of 1.5 inches. Contractor shall ensure that mulch meets federal requirement all vegetation shall be cleared from an existing vegetative bed, so the customer can have new plants installed and new beauty bark/brown mulch spread.

Q58. Most all the beds on Post have Pine Straw as bed covering, does the government intend for the all Pine straw to be removed and replace with Brown mulch? To eliminate confusion or issue with dyes, you could possibly insert pine straw, natural colored mulch or natural bark.

A58. No, areas with pine straw will be maintained with pine straw, and areas with mulch will be maintained with mulch as requested by the COR.

Q59. 3.1.1.4.8.3 Service/Maintain Trees. As Ordered by the COR: The Contractor shall service all existing trees. Trees that become diseased or die shall be removed and replaced with like trees. Trees that are installed shall be two inch (2”) to two and a half inch (2½”) caliper. Installation of new shrubs and trees will be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable CLIN price in the bid schedule. The bid schedule does not have a CLIN for the contractor to insert a costing of this requested service. Provide clarification as to how the contractor is to insert a costing for the required service?

A59. This service will be done upon request by COR. The contractor will be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable CLIN price in the solicitation schedule.

Q60. 1.1.4.8.3.1 Tree, Brush and Stump Removal and Replacement. The Contractor shall identify dead or mortally damaged trees, to the KO, within seven (7) calendar days of identification by Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall only cut down and remove trees identified by the COR with an “X” painted on the trunk. The Contractor shall fell trees in a direction that will not cause collateral damage to surrounding trees, buildings, infrastructure(s) or property. Tree removal includes removal of the stump and perimeter roots, by chipping/grinding the tree stump to a depth of ten inches (10”) below ground level and disposal of all other debris. All debris shall be removed within ten (10) calendar days of tree removal and damaged area shall be raked, leveled and seeded.

The 1449 bid schedule has 5 different sizes of per caliper sizes of tree removal ad stump removals, there is NO CLIN line item for costing brush/shrubbery. Please provide clarification as your meaning and intent of brush removals?

A60. Brush/Shrubbery removal will be done per COR request. The contractor will provide a cost estimate before work is done for approval.

Q61. When Removing or Pruning of trees are accomplished the clean-up of debris disposal what is the contractor to do with woody debris?

A61. Remove from site and dispose properly from the installation.

Q62. 3.1.1.4.8.3.2 Emergency Removal Operations. When urgent tree and stump removal is required, the Contractor shall accomplish the action within 2 hours of notification by the COR. The 1449 bid schedule does not provide an emergency removal CLIN.

A62. The cost will be determine by the size of the tree, CLINs 15-19.

Q63. You state the contractor is to perform/accomplish this requested action within 2 hours. Clarify that if emergency removals are to be intended as a different requirement form the (5) CLIN’s you have listed in the 1449 bid schedule?

A63. The cost will be determined by the size of the tree, CLINs 15-19. The only difference from Emergency operation and the other 5 CLINS is the time to get the task accomplished.

Q64. The 2-hour time is un-reasonable, as tree removals are a minimal work requirement to this contract and is accomplished by work order/requested service, and when requested the contractor will have to coordinate and schedule efforts for this requirement as needed/requested. Please review your this stated required time line and our concerns, and provide and revised time line or your response as to why the time line can or will not be revised?

A64. The stated timeline (2 hours) is dictated by our Headquarters and is intended to resume operations within two hours. An example is a tree fell across the road and is blocking traffic. In this case, the government expects the contractor to move the tree off the road and allow traffic to resume within two hours. The contractor then has additional time to remove the tree from side of the road/area if needed, and that time is not held to the two hour timeline.

Q65. 3.1.1.4.8.3.4 Tree Pruning. As Ordered by the COR: The Contractor shall be responsible for pruning trees identified by the Government. Trees shall be pruned away from buildings, fences, sidewalks, curbs, fire hydrants; under windows, and around ground lighting to allow light usage for its intended purpose. When urgent tree pruning is required, the Contractor shall accomplish pruning within 2 hours of notification by the COR. Pruning shall be accomplished IAW ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001, Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices (Pruning) and ANSI Z133.1-2006, Arboricultural Operations – Pruning, Trimming, Repairing, Maintaining, and Removing Trees and Cutting Brush – Safety Requirements, or the most current approved update. Clarify that if emergency urgent pruning is to be intended as a different requirement from CLIN 0014 you have listed as tree pruning in the 1449 bid schedule?

Q65. No, not a different CLIN.

Q66. The 2-hour time is un-reasonable, as tree pruning are a minimal work requirement to this contract and is accomplished by work order/requested service, and when the contractor requested will have to coordinate and schedule efforts for this requirement as needed/requested. Please review your this stated required time line and our concerns, and provide and revised time line or your response as to why the time line can or will not be revised?

A66. The stated timeline (2 hours) is dictated by our Headquarters and is intended to resume operations within two hours. An example is a tree fell across the road and is blocking traffic. In this case, the government expects the contractor to move the tree off the road and allow traffic to resume within two hours. The contractor then has additional time to remove the tree from side of the road/area if needed, and that time is not held to the two hour timeline.

Q67. 3.1.1.4.9 Service/Maintain Xeriscape Areas. The Contractor shall ensure that xeriscape areas, those that require little or no irrigation, are serviced/maintained to ensure healthy growth and attractive appearances, while being free of debris, litter and weeds. During the ongoing performance of the contract, the Contractor shall identify existing improved areas that can be replaced with various types of bark/gravel mulches, drought tolerant trees, shrubs and grass turf indigenous to this climate, including providing steel or concrete edging. Please provide clarification if this requirement is accomplished as performance base workload or requested as IDIQ requirements?

A67. This is a requirements contract. The parent contract will be a “D” contract and reflect the ceiling price and ceiling quantities. Individual priced delivery orders will be written against this “D” contract. This is performance based for each delivery order; please see the PRS section of the PWS for performance standards.

Q68. IF Yes, please provide an annual or per event total quantity of Sq ft, Sq yd, or acreage measurement for this requirement that is estimated to be performed annually?

A68. There is no CLIN for Xeriscape areas and that section of the PWS has been removed.

Q69. This requirement does not have a line item in the 1449 bid schedule. Please provide clarification as to how the contractor is to provide costing of the required service?

A69. There is no CLIN for Xeriscape areas and that section of the PWS has been removed.

Q70. Provide locations and identify these areas the contractor is to maintain?

A70. There is no CLIN for Xeriscape areas and that section of the PWS has been removed.

Q71. 3.1.2 Special Services. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Contractor may be required to provide extra labor and equipment to service pre-identified locations within the Improved and Semi-Improved areas beyond the normal ground’s maintenance. The KO will notify the Contractor as soon as a special service requirement is known, but not less than 72 hours prior to the event. The Government will coordinate special service requirements with the existing grounds maintenance schedule. However, when the special service cannot be accommodated within the scheduled maintenance, the price will be based on the not to exceed Contract Line Item Number (CLIN). Pricing for this unscheduled service will be in accordance with the pre-established unit prices in the contract.

3.1.2.1 Special Event Services. Special events will occur that may require the Contractor to provide extra labor, materials, and equipment to enhance pre-identified locations within the Improved and Semi-Improved areas beyond the normal ground’s maintenance, if that normal grounds maintenance cannot be rescheduled to accommodate the special event. Special events may include, but are not limited to, Very Important Person (VIP) visits, retreats, ribbon cutting ceremonies, and open houses.

3.1.2.1.1 Upon receiving direction from the KO, the Contractor personnel shall begin work within ample time to complete prior to the event. Should the Contractor be required to deviate from its schedule to meet special event requirements, the Contractor shall do so at no additional cost to the Government. The Contractor shall be authorized/entitled one (1) additional duty day to return to its normal operations; furthermore, the Contractor shall not be held accountable for any unsatisfactory performance results, on a quality assurance inspection or complaint, due to Government directed schedule change(s), until such point when the Contractor resumes normal operations.

3.1.2.2 Other Special Services. These services are to include, but not be limited to, leaves/branches to be picked up during the fall, after a wind storm, if an area has been neglected, and/or when special cuts are needed.

Please identify all the CLIN line-item numbers that will be associated with the (3) service requirements listed above?

A71. Special events are solicitation CLINS 0041 – 0043.

Q72. 3.1.1.4.1 Mowing. All lawn areas within the improved areas (including Airfield) shall be mowed by the Contractor according to the standards listed in TE-1 including ditches, swales, and all areas where the ground is covered with grass of any type. The Contractor will cut this area every 7 days for Bahia, Rye, Fescue, tall Fescue, St. Augustine, Buffalo, Bermuda, Bent, Centipede, and Zoysia. Paved areas and walkways shall be free of lawn clippings/debris the same day the mowing is performed. The Contractor shall remove debris prior to mowing improved areas. The Contractor shall mow improved grounds to maintain two (2) to three (3) inches in areas where the grass exceeds four (4) inches in height. Mulch mowing is preferred. The Contractor shall remove visible grass clippings after mowing, before leaving work area. The lawn shall be uniform in appearance, free of skips, gaps, rutting, or scalping.

3.1.3 Service/Maintain Semi-Improved Areas. Grass will be cut every 14 days nor be cut lower than two (2) inches in height. Areas adjacent to obstructions such as buildings, structures, parking lots, poles, trees, ditches, exposed utilities, fences, or other obstacles are to be trimmed to the same general height as the open areas. Cuttings are not allowed to build up, to the extent of possible damage to the undergrowth.

3.1.4 Service/Maintain Unimproved Areas. Grass will be cut approximately every 21-25 days nor be cut lower than two (2) inches in height. Areas adjacent to obstructions such as buildings, structures, parking lots, poles, trees, ditches, exposed utilities, fences, or other obstacles are to be trimmed to the same general height as the open areas. Cuttings are not allowed to build up, to the extent of possible damage to the undergrowth. Unimproved grounds encompass weapon ranges, road shoulders in undeveloped areas, grazing lands, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

The three-service areas for mowing list above are for Improved, Semi-improved, and Un-improved, it is assumed that all three areas are identified in the TE-1. But the ledger does not delineate which each area of service it is regarding the three separate listed as is categories. Please provide clarification as how the contractor is to identify/delineate on the TE-1 the acreage for each category that the contractor is to maintain every; 7 days-Improved, 14 days-Semi-improved, 21-25 days-Unimproved?

A72. Improved Areas. These areas are the developed areas of the installation and will require an intensive level of maintenance, Average cutting will be every (7 days) to maintain areas and . Improved grounds includes Lawson Army Airfield (LAAF) all facilities on Main Post, Brigade and above HQ, Benning Blvd., Dixie Road and 101st Airborne Div Road, Freedom Hall, 8th Div Road, Hospital Mall Complex, . The work performed in these areas by the Contractor shall include mowing grass, edging and trimming grass, removing grass trimmings from paved areas, irrigating, aerating lawn areas applying fertilizer and/or lime, applying herbicide to lawn and landscape areas, maintaining plants, shrubs, and flowers, performing seasonal planting of plants and flowers, removing leaves, applying mulch, pruning trees, removing crack grass from sidewalks, pavements, asphalt, curve side and litter control. The government estimates improve grounds is about 6400 acres, at Lawson Army Airfield, the area with lighting and 100ft from runway will be cut weekly.

2.1.1.2 Semi-Improved Areas. These areas are used for operational and maintenance purposes. Erosion control shall be the predominant grounds maintenance work performed in this area by the Contractor, average Cutting approximately every 14 days to maintain. This will include grassed areas, vegetated areas, trees, and pavements. These areas are Kelley Hill, Sand Hill and Harmony Church. The work performed in these areas by the Contractor shall include mowing grass, removing grass trimmings from pave areas and removing crack grass from sidewalks, pavements, asphalt, curve side and litter control. Fort Benning has approximately 200 acres of road shoulder need cut to the tree line or approximately 15 ft. from the road shoulder.

2.1.1.3 Unimproved Areas. Unimproved areas are acreage on which periodic recurring maintenance is performed. Activities include mowing for life, health, safety, security, weed and brush control, erosion control, dust control, and drainage maintenance, average cutting every 21 to 25 days to maintain. These areas may include but are not limited to antenna fields, airfield shoulders, clear zones, drop zones, ranges, ponds, Patton Park and picnic areas, refuges, natural areas, forests and wildlife corridors where low levels of maintenance are acceptable and visibility is minimal. Services are not provided for Unimproved Areas as identified in the Work Capability Levels table.

Q73. When the contractor mowing schedule becomes disrupted by troop training or events that prevents the contractor to mow a specific area or areas. Please provide clarification/guidance as to what the contractor is to do by-bass and mow it on the next schedule cycle or return when the disruption has cleared the area or areas?

A73. If the contractor schedule gets disrupted due to training, he will contact the COR for guidance. The contractor is also responsible to coordinate with Range Division to prepare a mowing schedule to prevent training event disruptions.

Q74. Technical Exhibit 1 Work Capability Levels, On the work sheet TE-1, you have three (3) capability level each level has it’s own per time mow frequency, 4Y, 3Y, 2Y. This work sheet does not match up with the SF 1449 bid schedule, nor does have any instruction as to how, what, and why this is to be filled out. Please provide instruction’s or clarification as to how the contractor is to insert pricing on the work sheet for the all services listed on this form?

A74. Do not put pricing on this form. Contractors need to put their pricing on the solicitation CLINS. TE-1 is a base guidance document, but all performance is based on the PWS.

Q75. Page 2 section 2.1.1.3 Unimproved Areas; Along Benning blvd. close to the entry gate, is a park that is known as Patton Park, which we assume is Improved grounds. Please provide clarification to (old Golf Course) as Patton Park, Ponds, and Picnic areas as being located in Unimproved area?

A75. Patton Park, Ponds, and Picnic will be maintained under unimproved area guidance.

Q76. Maps & Ledger File; In reviewing the file with the ledger and maps, we were unable to match up areas listed on the ledger with map #63, that we noticed may have been omitted or is missing from the maps posted on SAMs, Please provide clarification on the issue of missing Map page #63?

A76. Working on get clarification if page 63 is missing or the page number got left on the document by mistake.