A22- QA_Rev1_30MAR20.pdf

Q&A – W912PM20T0022 – Grounds Maintenance for Piedmont

REVISED 30 MARCH 2020 TO ADD #14 BELOW.

1. What “other” areas for mulching are you all referring to? What is the total square footage of all mulched areas in scope to include these "other" areas? As stated in the scope 20,000 square feet total shall be mulched between both projects with approximately 12,000 at Falls and 7,000 at Jordan. The use of “other” areas deals with the remaining 1000 sq ft of mulch to be placed where needed in coordination with the COR. Examples of areas not listed in the scope where that extra 1000 sq ft might be needed include around public restrooms and entrance signs. Clarification has been added to the solicitation to address this under paragraph 2.6.

2. Are contractors expected to be onsite and working on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor

Day? If so, is it possible to not be onsite and allow personnel to enjoy their Federal Holidays as well and can work be scheduled those weeks to be conducted between Tues-Fri from 6 am to 5 pm? I do not like to work my employees on holidays unless it is a true landscape emergency or to respond to storm damages or inclement winter weather. Please see Section 1.6 the Performance Work Statement for typical working hours of M-F, 0730-1630. Federal holidays would not be included as regular workdays for the grounds contractor provided the scope of the contract can be met prior to and around Federal

Holidays. See Amended Performance Work Statement, section 1.12 for further clarification.

3. What is the approximate total linear feet of all curb, parking lot, and sidewalk line trimming edging in scope? Specifically, edging where concrete or asphalt borders green space. Please see the maps within the solicitation. Offerors have the opportunity to view the site as well during the organized site visit also listed within the solicitation. No measurements will be provided.

4. What does the 20% maximum of work week hours per service employee mean? If I am understanding what that means it is that one person cannot work onsite more than one day per week, assuming a 40 hour work week in total for that person. Is that correct? Please see 52.212-3 OFFEROR

REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS (DEC 2019)

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management (SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (v) of this provision.

Please also read through FAR 22.1003(d)(1) for information pertaining to Certain Services and the

Service Contract Act.

5. What does a small business size standard of $8M mean? What are the factors that determine that value? Size standards define the largest size a business can be to participate in government contracting programs and compete for contracts reserved or set aside for small businesses. Size standards vary by industry and are generally based on the number of employees or the amount of annual receipts the business has. You can find small business size regulations in Title 13 Part 121 of the Electronic Code of

Federal Regulations (eCFR).

6. What are the insurance requirements for bid proposal? The solicitation references clause 52.225-8

Insurance - Work On A Government Installation. In accordance with FAR 28.306 for fixed price contracts, the insurance requirements are as applicable and in accordance with amounts shown in FAR 28.307 and

28.308.

7. Are there any limitations for the use of subcontractors? This requirement is a Total Small Business

Set-Aside. Subcontractor requirements are listed throughout the solicitation, specifically provisions/clauses 252.244-7000, 52.232-40, 252.209-7004, 252.225-7002, 52.203-6, 52.204-10, 52.209-

6, 52.219-14, and 52.219-8.

8. Are there any opportunities for work outside of contract scope of services through the course of the regular year? There are no anticipated additional services needed at this time. Additional work similar in scope and complexity is not guaranteed to fall under this contract action. If a change is required after award, the Contracting Officer may utilize the changes clause as applicable unilaterally or issue a Request for Quote and execute in a bilateral modification to the contract.

9. What projects, if any, would be expected to impede completion of or add to contract scope of services over the next 5.5 years; and what are the expected quantifiable additions to scope? Are there opportunities to assist in the completion of any of that work through separate proposed landscape or hardscape construction or renovation enhancement services? This is a firm-fixed price contract with definable and quantifiable services already listed. Any additional services needed that fall outside of the scope of this contract will be handled under a separate contract action. If the Contracting Officer feels a change to this contract is anticipated, they will submit a Request for Quote with potential negotiation of price under a bilateral modification where agreement must be made by both parties to become binding.

Additional work similar in scope and complexity is not guaranteed to fall under this contract action.

10. Are there any limitations on preferred herbicide type used? For example, can low impact herbicides be used that limit impact to aquatic, hydrologic, and natural pollinator resources? If so, are there any recommended products or specifics in suggested guidance that meet other more broad USACE environmental management goals for the limitation in usage of noxious or toxic herbicides? Restricted

Herbicides (i.e. not available to be purchased by the public) are not allowed. As stated in the scope the

COR must approve the herbicide the contractor chooses prior to use. Low impact herbicides would be approved by the COR provided they are not classified as restricted. The pollinator garden at Jordan Lake should only use Avenger Certified Organic Herbicide.

11. What environmental conservation goals can the execution of this maintenance contract help to fulfill with respect to broader USACE goals? Some examples would be overall aquatic health, hydrologic resource health, native or adapted species restorative efforts, or pollinator/wildlife preservation and enhancement, etc. This does not pertain directly to the solicitation requirements. The Offeror shall quote based on the services described as stated.

12. What was the total value of the previous contract (base and any options)? Who was the incumbent contractor? This is a new requirement.

13. Would there possibly be room somewhere on either site to accommodate a small CONEX box, truck and equipment? Perhaps in the same vicinity of where landscape waste can be disposed of onsite? I'm imagining having dedicated teams onsite Monday through Friday, as I do not want to distract them with other sites and I would want them to direct report if possible and stay on the sites all week. There will be no area available onsite for the purpose of storing or staging Contractor equipment.

ADD 30 MARCH 2020:

14. I was reviewing the bid format provided in the form of an excel spreadsheet on beta.sam.gov website regarding this project and I am confused regarding frequency of service. On the bid sheet the frequency is listed as “height specified” with a quantity of 6, is the 6 a suggestion, a minimum number of cuts, or a maximum? Is the unit we are bidding a single service or a month? The bid sheet states height specified, as in what’s referenced in the Statement of Work. The number you are referring to is an 8, not a 6, and includes the number of months we expect mowing to occur. The bid sheet is clear in that the

Quantity is 8, the Unit is Months, and then Unit Price and Total Price follows.