W9124G-20-R-0003 Grounds Qustions Part 3 dpw12SEP20.docx

W9124G-20-R-0003 Grounds Questions Part 3

1. Has anything changed in the Scope of Work from the previous award?

Answer 1 Past contracts have no bearing on the requirements in this solicitation. Contractor is to meet all requirements as identified in this solicitation.

2. TE 3-16 shows a section of the Museum service area marked in yellow. Does this yellow area indicate special instructions?

Answer 2 That area is an active construction site and is NOT included in the current PWS. After completion of that project, maps and acreage will be adjusted accordingly.

3. Section 2.2.9.4 indicates “the Contractor shall trim all tree limbs which are damaged, unsightly, or present unsafe conditions, shoots, and remove all associated debris". This only applies to the Crepe Myrtles, correct?

4. Can the contractor deviate from the submitted key personnel upon contract award? If not, will the government consider removing the resume requirement? It is the intent of most vendors to retain the incumbent staff if that staff is satisfactory to the customer. Of course, the incumbent will not want to provide those resumes, and thus, competing vendors are forced into locating and hiring employees in the local area with the required qualifications, all before they even know if they have been awarded the contract. Requiring resumes hand cuffs most competing vendors except of course the incumbent.

5. CLIN 0001 references PWS 3.2. Should it reference PWS 2.2?

6. Should CLIN 0003 be the total of CLINS 0003AA-0003AN?

7. Can the government provide the yearly and total value of the incumbent contract?

8. Will the government be providing a laydown area onsite for the contractor’s equipment?

9. Will the government consider using CPARs in lieu of PPQs, or, possibly allow the submission of existing PPQs, or just the current PPQ cover page with our proposal? Frequently, government personnel refuse to complete PPQs citing that this is the whole reason that CPARs / PPIRs system was created.

10. Who is the present Fort Rucker incumbent cantonment grounds contractor, and what is the total awarded contract value?

2.1 Current on-the-ground conditions in some locations may not always represent the expected outcome as identified in this ANNEX.

Additional effort will be needed at these locations to normalize existing conditions on the first cutting.

The normal understanding and practice have been if the grounds are not in compliance when a new contractor begins the new contract, they are compensated to bring the affected areas back into compliance.

11. Please provide a clear intent of what you are requiring / requesting?

2.2.1 The contractor shall bag and remove all grass clippings, each cutting, from the “CDC and Chapel Complex”, “Soldier-On Field” and “New Chapel”, “Parade Field” and “Veteran’s Park and Museum”, as identified in TE 3, Grounds Maintenance Inventory and Grounds Maintenance Services.

This is a considerable number of acres you are requiring to be bagged, for each mowing 26 times a year/season. This will be increase workload; labor, specialized equipment, collection and debris disposal.

12. Does the present contract have this requirement or is this a new requirement in this contract?

Answer 12 Past contracts have no bearing on the requirements in this solicitation. Contractor is to meet all requirements as identified in this solicitation.

2.2.9.4 Tree Pruning – Crepe Myrtle. During December of each year, the Contractor shall trim all tree limbs which are damaged, unsightly, or present unsafe conditions, shoots and remove all associated debris. Pruning shall be accomplished IAW

13. Have all the 971 Crepe Myrtle trees been maintained on a regular annual bases in present grounds contract?

2.5.1.1 Perimeter Fence Line / Cable Barrier.

· Work shall consist of the cutting / removal of grass, weeds, vines, trees (less than 4.0 inches in diameter at ground level), and all other vegetation on and/or around the fence or cable barrier to ground or pavement level within TWENTY (20) FEET on the exterior side and FIFTY (50) FEET on interior side of the fence or cable barrier.

· Where established tree lines are closer to the fence / cable barrier than the distance established above, then that distance shall be the limits of cut.

· The area shall be maintained IAW Paragraph 3.0, Work Capability Levels.

· Unless otherwise specified in TE 3, Grounds Maintenance Inventory and Grounds Maintenance Services, removal shall be by mechanical means.

· Frequencies are identified in TE 3, Grounds Maintenance Inventory and Grounds Maintenance Services.

14. Are the stated areas of 20 feet exterior and 50 feet interior, presently in compliance, and will be in compliance at award?

15. Is all the areas of perimeter fence line / cable barrier accessible by contractor equipment and or vehicles?

If not please provide a description as to what or why an area is not accessible?

1. Short run of perimeter fence to a water well.

2. Area in and around the DPW shop areas.

3. Some limited areas along the Northern perimeter fence.

16. Please clarify as to what you are requiring to be removed by mechanical means and what?

Answer 16a Work shall consist of the cutting / removal of grass, weeds, vines, trees (less than 4.0 inches in diameter at ground level), and all other vegetation on and/or around the fence or cable barrier to ground or pavement level within TWENTY (20) FEET on the exterior side and FIFTY (50) FEET on interior side of the fence or cable barrier by the use of weed eaters, Bush Hogs, etc., etc. along with hand work.

Widespread and continued use of chemical agents to kill vegetation is not acceptable.

** In reviewing past history of Fort Rucker awards and payment history, it is difficult to determine just how a company should bid your project, and stay profitably viable. What we are seeing is you have 3 / 4 companies since 2011 to present that have provided proposals/bids for mowing grounds Improved, Semi-improved, Un-improved grounds, and Landscaping work.

These proposals/bids show $X,XXX,XXX.oo dollars, and payments history shows payments of less than 50% on the original bids awarded amounts. Our analysis shows so many change orders were issued, the best we can determine is cancellation of funds, which results in lack of funds for a company to profitably operate and meet financial obligations for this projects.

The 1449 bid schedule does not provide information nor is there a excel work sheet, that could allow prospective bidders an idea as your intentions in issuing workloads.

Our question / concern is this contract performance based, or is IDIQ work order issuance?

Answer 16b TO BE ANSWERED BY MICC. Contract FAR Clauses???

17. Bid Schedule 1449 - CLIN 0001 – Phase in period is referencing in accordance with the PWS Section 3.2, section 3.2 on page A-23 is referencing quality control plan requirements.

Please provide the correct section for reference to the Phase-In Plan?

CLIN 0003 – This clin is referencing in accordance with the PWS in section C and section J. We cannot find Section C within any of the Files/Document posted on SAMs.

Please provide instruction where to find section C or post Section C on SAMs?

Answer 17b Correct reference is PWS-Annex F.

CLIN 0003AA – Improved grounds “A” – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - acre / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17c The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform 26 cuttings in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and ALL the ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F: Mowing, edging, trimming, debris removal, and bagging.

Improved Grounds “A” – Has a total of 224.4 acres to maintain 26 times a year/season, you have a requirement to Bag 69.1 acres of the 224.4 acres at (7) separate locations listed on the TE 3-1. There are 155.3 acre that does not require bagging. Having to perform these two services within Improved grounds, Non-bagging and bagging will require separate price/costing CLINs.

Mowing an acre without bagging requirement is considerably at a lower cost, the bagging requirement will require specialized equipment, increased labor/time, collection and disposal time and equipment. You need to have two separate CLINs for each improved ground requirement.

EXAMPLE:

Bagging per mow 69.1 acres at $200.00 = $13,820.00 X 26 events$359,320.00 Mow without bagging per mow 155 acres at $55.00 = $8,525.00 x 26 events = $221,650.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17d The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform 26 cuttings in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and ALL the ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F: Mowing, edging, trimming, debris removal, and bagging.

CLIN 0003AB – Improved grounds “B” – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - acre / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17e The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform 14 cuttings in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and ALL the ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F: Mowing, edging, trimming and debris removal.

CLIN 0003AC – Improved grounds “C” – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - acre / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17f The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform 14 cuttings in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and ALL the ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F: Mowing, edging, trimming and debris removal.

CLIN 0003AD – Semi- Improved grounds – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - acre / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17g The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform 4 cuttings in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and ALL the ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F: Mowing, trimming and debris removal.

CLIN 0003AE –Unimproved grounds – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - acre / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17h The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform 3 cuttings in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and ALL the ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F: Mowing, and trimming CLIN 0003AD – Improved grounds “C” – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - acre / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17i This CLIN has been listed twice.

CLIN 0003AF – Pruning Shrubs – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of Shrubs annually) then unit should state Shrub, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - Shrub / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17j The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform pruning of shrubs twice (2) per year in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and any other ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F.

CLIN 0003AG – Pruning Crepe Myrtles – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of trees annually) then unit should state Trees, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - tree / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17k The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform pruning of Crepe Myrtles once (1) per year in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and any other ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F.

CLIN 0003AH – Herbicide Application – This show CLIN shows for a contractor to insert a unit price; Quantity (1) Unit as (Job) then insert Unit Price ($$$$) for TOTAL AMOUNT. How do you want a bidder/contractor insert a dollar amount for submitting a total costing for this CLIN.

When there is an absents of a quantity (should be total of acres annually) then unit should state acre, this will allow us sum up a total the cost to insert into the unit price this calculation will provide a total Amount for this CLIN.

Example: qty - 100 / unit - tree / unit – price $50.00 / = Amount total $5,000.00 Please provide clarification as to how you want a contractor to insert a costing for calculating an accurate annual costing for the contract/proposal?

Answer 17l The price should reflect TOTAL price to perform herbicide application to the railroad rights-of-way four (4) times per year in accordance with the quantities and schedules in Section J and any other ancillary requirements that are identified in PWS - Annex F.

CLIN 0003AN – Contractor Manpower Reporting - This CLIN states Monitory reporting in accordance with PWS section 5.5, NO such section is provided in any attached files of this contract or documents.

Please provide clarification as to where the contractor is to reference guidance in filling this requirement?

Answer 17m See PWS – Annex A, section 7.8 ECMRA Reporting Labor Hours Answer 17n See PWS – Annex A, section 7.8 ECMRA Reporting Labor Hours Pruning of the shrubs you have provided a Map on TE-90 that basically only shows grids of the areas where shrubbery is to be trimmed, on TE-89 it shows the quantity on shrubs to be pruned within that grid. If you could provide a map that could be blown as this one showing the areas of mowing requirement, this would benefit prospective bidders greatly to formulate an accurate costing proposal.

Please provide a Map that show identifications of the required workload requirements?

Answer 17o Shrubs and plants are not identified individually, but are identified as a total quantity per area.

A larger cantonment map is provided for your use.

In the Evaluation Basis for Award document page 2 section (a), certification of each piece of equipment that meets or exceeds specifications, as outlined in PWS 2.3 and 2.8. You have two PWS documents neither of those document’s refer to equipment specifications.

Answer 17p Section 2.3 has a subsection 2.3.4 “Herbicide Applications to Rail Road Right-Of-Way” that identifies minimum specific criteria for the application equipment.