DRAFT_sources_sought_version_Turf_and_Grounds_PWS.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Turf Applications and General Grounds Maintenance Arlington National Cemetery and U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

Description of Service: This requirement is a non-personal services contract in which the contractor shall provide all personnel, materials, equipment, supervision and maintenance necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance and improvement services are performed at both the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) located in Arlington, Virginia and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery (USSAHNC) located in Northwest, Washington, D.C . The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

1.1. Background: ANC is our nation’s most sacred shrine and the final resting place for our most revered military and political leaders. ANC receives four to six million visitors per year - including visits from the President of the United States, other heads of state, family members of the deceased, and millions of tourists from around the world. Approximately 6,000 funerals are conducted yearly – in addition to over 2,000 other ceremonies such as commemorations, wreath ceremonies, and head-of-state visits. These ceremonies and funerals often receive the intense focus of the press and other media. Total acreage of ANC and USSAHNC combined is approximately 667 acres, with approximately 585 acres of turfgrass. The USSAHNC is small in comparison to the ANC. However, it is a national shrine and a final resting place for those who have served our nation. USSAHNC is approximately 17 acres and receives visitors, conducts approximately 8 funerals and 4 ceremonies annually. See Technical Exhibit 6 for the USSAHNC area map. Due to the special significance and public attention both Cemeteries receive, strict adherence to these specifications is essential. Failure to meet specifications will have a negative impact on our nation’s image. ANC topography consists of rolling hills and flatlands dotted by over 8,800 trees, thousands of shrubs and herbaceous plants contained in gardens, and memorial sites and buildings scattered throughout the grounds. USSAHNCs topography is relatively flat, dotted with mature trees, and surrounded by the District of Columbia residential streets.

1.2. Objective: The basic service objective is to maintain the cemeteries’ esteemed grounds with care resulting in aesthetically pleasing turfs, care for burial sections and memorial sites to honor those who served our nation.

1.3. Scope Of Work: The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials and supervision of its employees to perform turf and grounds maintenance and improvement services at ANC and USSAHNC, which includes land previously known as the Navy Annex (now referred to as the Southern Expansion Site), and combined have approximately 667 acres of developed grounds. Services required for both cemeteries include mowing and trimming that includes highly prominent areas; edging; trash, debris and floral pickup and resetting; leaf removal; preparation of special ceremony sites; filling and grading; top-dressing; sodding; snow and ice removal; post-burial care to casketed gravesites; post-burial care to cremated remains; liquid pesticide applications; liquid pesticide spot treatments; granular pesticide applications, granular fertilizer applications, PH level adjustment/soil amendment applications; core aeration; aerovation; dethatching; turf renovation; soil structure repair; hydro-seeding; operating, maintaining, and repairing irrigation systems; spot watering; slit seeding; over seeding; and collecting and submitting soil samples.

1.4. Period Of Performance: The contract shall be a twelve (12) month base year plus four (4) twelve month option years.

1.5. General Information

1.5.1. Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. As a minimum, the contractor shall develop quality control procedures that address the areas identified in “Performance Requirements Summary”. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system. Quality Control Plan shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal.

1.5.2. Quality Assurance: The Government will monitor the Contractor’s performance under this contract using the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). All work performed under this contract will be subject to inspection at all times by the Government. See Technical Exhibit 8, Performance Requirements Summary.

1.5.2.1. Progress Meetings: The Contracting Officer may require the Site Manager to meet with the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and other Government personnel as deemed necessary. Written minutes of such meetings will be recorded by the Government and signed by the Site Manager and the Contracting Officer or COR and distributed within five (5) workdays after the meeting. The Contractor may request a meeting with the Contracting Officer or COR when the Contractor believes such a meeting is necessary. Written minutes of such meetings shall be recorded by the Contractor and signed by the Site Manager and the Contracting Officer or COR and distributed within five (5) workdays after the meeting. In either case if the Contractor does not concur with any portion of the minutes, recorded by the Government or the Contractor, such non-concurrence shall be provided in writing to the Contracting Officer within two (2) calendar days following receipt of the minutes.

1.5.3 Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall perform work during the hours of 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Sunday at ANC. Funerals and ceremonies occur regardless of weather conditions. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining access to all work areas during hours ANC is open to the public – including weekends – and up to two hours before the Cemetery opens and one hour after it closes or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar ANC directed facility closings. Earlier or later hours are only authorized, through exception, by the COR. Generally, watering and performing gravesite maintenance tasks are permitted on weekends with prior authorization from the COR. Hours of operation for the USSAHNC are between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and closed on Federal Holidays.

1.6.3. Recognized Federal Holidays: The Contractor is not required to work on the holidays listed below. Holidays occurring on weekends will be observed as directed by the published Army calendar.

1.6.3.1. Other Than Normal Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall provide personnel support outside the normal hours of operation as required, including holidays, to support the ANC mission. The Site Manager or the Alternate Site Manager shall be available after normal duty hours or on working holidays to serve as the central point of contact for Contractor operations.

1.6.3.2. Interface with Government Operation: Performance of work by Contractor personnel under the terms of this contract shall not interfere with regularly scheduled Government operational activities.

1.6.5. Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at ANC and USSAHNC.

1.6.6. Contract Type: The Government will award a Firm Fixed Price Contract.

1.6.7. Security Requirements: Security Requirements: Contractor personnel or any representative of the Contractor entering Arlington National Cemetery shall abide by all security rules and regulations. Contractor will coordinate with the ANC security office to ensure all Contractor employees have received the appropriate security background check. The Contractor is solely responsible for processing employees through the Department of Homeland Security e-Verify system and should consult with that agency for any questions. Contractor will receive additional security guidance upon award of contract. The Contractor shall carry passes issued by Arlington National Cemetery for all vehicles entering the Cemetery, whether company-owned or employee-owned private vehicles. The Contractor Site Manager shall maintain a current list of all vehicles and individuals issued such passes.

The Contractor shall ensure all names and social security numbers or Alien Registration Numbers of contractor personnel performing under this contract are provided to ANC security personnel within 5 days of contract award. The ANC security office will perform a criminal records check on all proposed contractor employees and provide an approval or disapproval to the contractor within 7 business days. After contract award, the contractor shall provide the names and social security numbers or Alien Registration Numbers of new/replacement personnel to the ANC security office for approval prior to the proposed new/replacement hire performing on the contract.

1.6.7.1. Physical Security: The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period, Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.6.7.2. Search and Seizure: Contractor personnel and property shall be subject to search and seizure upon entering the confines of ANC and upon leaving the confines of ANC.

1.6.7.3. Cemetery Access: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all Cpersonnel authorized to perform work under this contract obtain cemetery access. Within five (5) workdays after contract award, the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer and COR the names of ALL personnel working under this contract. Changes of the Contractor personnel list shall be submitted within 24 hours of the change taking place. All Contractor employees shall have on them, at all times, positive, photographic identification.

1.6.7.4. Gate Access: The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all gate access codes are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall notify the COR when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

1.6.7.5. Key/Lock Control and Reporting: The Contractor shall be responsible for keys/locks provided by the Government. Keys/locks shall not be duplicated by Contractor personnel, nor used by unauthorized Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to insure that keys/locks issued to the Contractor by the Government are safeguarded. The Contractor developed procedures covering key/lock control shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys/locks by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. NOTE: All references to keys include codes.

The Contractor shall report any occurrence of duplicated, misplaced, or lost keys/locks to the Contracting Officer and COR within 24 hours after discovery of occurrence, and submit a written report to the Contracting Officer by close of business the next workday. The written report shall provide complete details relating to duplication, misplacement, or loss.

In the event a key is duplicated, misplaced, or lost, all locks and keys for that system will be replaced at the discretion of the Government. The Contractor shall reimburse the Government for replacement of locks or rekeying required as a result of keys being duplicated, misplaced, or lost by the Contractor or Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall also reimburse the Government for any government property lost or stolen as a result of unauthorized key duplication, misplaced key, or loss of key by the Contractor or Contractor personnel.

The Contractor shall prohibit the use of Government issued keys/key cards by any persons other than the Contractor’s employees. The Contractor shall prohibit the opening of locked areas by Contractor employees to permit entrance of persons other than Contractor employees engaged in the performance of assigned work in those areas, or personnel authorized entrance by the Contracting Officer.

The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan.

1.6.7.6. Antiterrorism Training: Contractor will ensure all personnel receive Antiterrorism (AT) awareness training prior to contract performance, and annually thereafter. The Contractor may use its own training materials, provided the materials are reviewed and approved by the ANC security office prior to training being conducted; the Government will not be responsible for the cost of developing AT awareness training materials. Contractor-developed training will include information on identifying and reporting suspicious activity based on the Army's iWatch program. The Contractor may receive training materials and presentations from the ANC security office; however, it is the Contractor's responsibility to ensure all personnel receive the training. The Contractor will provide the Government with a report of training completed within 30 days from contract award, and annually thereafter. New employees will receive training prior to performing on this contract, and their training completion will be reported to the ANC security office within 10 days of their starting performance on this contract.

1.6.7.7. Employee Identification Badges: The Contractor shall provide ID badges. Each badge shall include, as a minimum, the company name, employee name, a photograph, the contract title, and the contract number and expiration date of the badge. An example of the Contractor- issued ID badge will be provided to the ANC security office for reference.

1.6.8. Conservation of Utilities: The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves.

1.6.9. Personnel: The Contractor shall provide a work force possessing the skills, knowledge, and training to satisfactorily perform the services required by this contract. Personnel performing work under this work statement shall remain employees of the Contractor and will not be considered employees of the Government.

1.6.10. Conflict of Interest: The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government or the Department of Defense, either military or civilian, if such employment would create a conflict of interest or be contrary to the policies contained in Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), DOD 5500.7-R.

1.6.11. Conduct of Personnel: The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to remove from the job site any employee working under this contract for reasons of misconduct, security, or found to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other incapacitating agents. Contractor employees shall be subject to dismissal from the premises upon determination by the Contracting Officer that such action is necessary in the interest of the Government. In accordance with (IAW) Joint Ethics Regulations, DOD 5500.7-R, and 18 U.S. 1382 (1972), the cemetery Executive Director (who has authority such as an installation commander) has the authority to bar individuals from the cemetery. The removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the Contractor of the requirement of providing sufficient personnel to perform the services as required by this contract.

1.6.12. Special Qualifications: The Contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees possess required state motor vehicle licenses for operating equipment and vehicles used in the execution of this contract. Anyone applying pesticides must be trained and certified in the appropriate pesticide applicator categories by the state of Virginia, District of Columbia or Department of Defense. A pesticide technician is not a valid substitute for a state or DOD certified pesticide applicator. Use of any chemicals shall meet Environmental Protection Agency EPA guidelines, State of Virginia law and District of Columbia law for licensed applicator requirements and shall not be used without prior review and consent of the COR.

1.6.13. Key Personnel: The Government considers the following positions to be key personnel: Site Manager, Turf Applications Supervisor, General Grounds Supervisor, Certified Pesticide Applicator(s), Safety Manager, Quality Control Inspector and Irrigation Specialist. Each key personnel position should not overlap roles involving more than one primary role (except for Safety Manager or Alternate). For example, the Turf Applications Supervisor may not also be supervising tasks that fall under the General Grounds Supervisor when tasks from both areas of responsibility are occurring at the same time. Projected replacement of Key personnel must be submitted in writing to the COR and Contracting Officer for approval 30 days prior to a replacement. Resumes are to be provided.

1.6.13.1. Site Manager: The Contractor shall provide a Site Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the Contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The Site Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. This Site Manager – and in his or her absence, an alternate – shall have a cellular phone so that the COR can call him or her at any time, and shall also have an e-mail address which shall be checked for information from the Cemetery prior to 7 AM and after 2 PM each day Monday through Sunday, as the Cemetery anticipates messaging up to twice daily. The Site Manager is to report daily with the COR prior to 7:00 am when any work is being performed. Additionally, the Site Manager or an alternate must be available to meet the COR on site within 12 hours’ notice, if requested by the COR.

1.6.13.2. Turf Applications Supervisor: An employee provided by the Contractor who is solely dedicated to supervising turf application tasks, which includes only pesticide applications, irrigation, fertilizations, hydro-seeding and mulching, aeration, and turf renovation (see Technical Exhibit 10). The Turf Applications Supervisor must have demonstrated experience as a direct supervisor of the aforementioned tasks at a large commercial or public facility comparable in scope and complexity to ANC. If no such tasks are being performed at a specific time in ANC, this supervisor may assist as Contractor sees fit with other tasks listed in this PWS and must be either a State of Virginia or DOD certified commercial pesticide applicator. He or she must be immediately available by cellular phone during application or mixing of any pesticides.

1.6.13.3. General Grounds Supervisor: An employee provided by the Contractor who is solely dedicated to supervising general grounds care tasks, which includes mowing and trimming of turf; edging of curbs; refilling, topdressing, seeding and sodding graves and other areas; clearing snow and ice from walks, plazas and steps; performing post-burial care to new gravesites; removing trash, debris, leaves and floral arrangements; and providing additional clean-up prior to ceremonies. If no such tasks are being performed at a specific time in ANC, this supervisor may assist as Contractor sees fit with other tasks listed in the PWS. The General Grounds Supervisor must have demonstrated experience as a direct supervisor of the aforementioned tasks at a large commercial or public facility comparable in scope and complexity to ANC.

1.6.13.4 Certified Pesticide Applicator: Employee(s) provided by the Contractor whenever pesticide mixing or applications are being performed. The Certified Pesticide Applicator must possess either certification as a Certified Pesticide Applicator from the State of Virginia or Department of Defense. Certified Applicators must be certified in the proper category for applying pesticides to turf. The Certified Pesticide Applicator, and in his or her absence, an alternate, shall have a cellular phone or two-way radio so that his or her supervisor can call at any time.

1.6.13.5. Safety Manager: The Safety Manager must have demonstrated experience with matters related to safety on grounds maintenance or commercial turf care projects similar in scope and complexity to ANC. This employee must meet the requirements of ANC’s Safety Manager – which in turn are the requirements of the Cemetery, Department of Army, OSHA, and the State of Virginia. It is incumbent upon the Contractor to be familiar with these requirements. Safety involves any and all actions initiated and/or completed by the Contractor necessary in the performance of the specified work – in a manner that safeguards all ANC visitors, employees, cultural and natural resources, and other public or private property. It is all actions initiated and/or completed by the Contractor that meet OSHA and State of Virginia legal requirements, right-to-know and hazardous material laws, EPA guidelines, and otherwise follows the ANC and Department of Army precautions cited or stated in this contract. “Safety” shall also include the Contractor having a safety representative who maintains regular and routine contact with the Safety Manager of ANC, and shall also include a written company safety plan. The Safety Manager may perform other duties as well as safety requirements.

1.6.13.6. Quality Control Inspector: The Contractor shall designate an employee for quality control and shall submit documentation of a monitoring system for assuring all line items are performed according to specification. Responsibilities of this position will include maintaining all quality control related documentation. This employee shall not be the Site Manager or other Key Personnel previously listed.

1.6.13.7. Irrigation Specialist: The Contractor shall provide an employee to serve as an Irrigation Specialist responsible for troubleshooting, maintaining, modifying, and repairing the various irrigation systems located at ANC. The Irrigation Specialist shall be responsible for setting and maintaining appropriate times on all systems. The Irrigation Specialist may direct others in minor irrigation repairs. The specialist shall be experienced with all equipment and tools required to repair irrigation lines, valves, controllers and other irrigation equipment. The Irrigation Specialist shall be a Certified Irrigation Contractor through Irrigation Association (IA).

1.6.14. Post Award Conference/Period Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The Contracting Officer, COR, and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. At these meetings the Contracting Officer will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.6.15. Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR will be nominated by the requiring activity and appointed by the contracting officer by separate letter. A copy of the COR’s appointment letter will also be sent to the awarded Contractor, identifying the designated duties and limitations of the COR. The CORs’ designated duties will describe the level of responsibility (inspection only – or inspection and acceptance) and what technical or administrative aspects of the contract are to be monitored. The COR’s oversight responsibilities are not limited to the QASP since all listed contract requirements or tasks are expected to be met by the contractor at all times, the COR is authorized to conduct oversight on any and all tasks or requirements and report observations to the Contracting Officer. The COR is not authorized to change any terms or conditions in the contract that pertain to cost, schedule, performance, quality, quantity, or other legal aspects of the resulting order.

1.6.16. Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contractor personnel attending meetings, and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by Contractors are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.17 Phase In/Phase Out: To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the Contractor shall have personnel on board, during the 30 day phase in/ phase out periods. During the phase in period, the Contractor shall become familiar with performance requirements in order to commence full performance of services on the contract start date.

PART 2: DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. Backflow Prevention: A device - to be provided by Contractor as an attachment to ANC’s hydrants and water spigots or as an attachment to the Contractor’s water hoses – that prevents any fluid from entering ANC’s hydrants, spigots, pipes, or other water sources. Contractor shall ensure such devices are employed whenever watering, filling water or pesticide mix tanks, or mixing pesticides or any other product with water.

2.1.2. Contract Administrator: The official Government representative delegated authority by the Contracting Officer to administer a contract. This individual is normally a member of the appropriate Contracting/Procurement career field and advises on all technical contractual matters.

2.1.3. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): A representative from the requiring activity appointed by the Contracting Officer to perform surveillance and to act as liaison to the Contractor.

2.1.4. Cremate: A ground burial containing reduced remains that would be contained within an urn, and assigned for Post-Burial Care.

2.1.5. Cycle: The completion on one unit of work, from beginning to end, that involves a give distance or length of time (For example, picking up all trash once a week, or an edging of all curbs along all Cemetery roads).

2.1.6. Cut: The mowing and trimming of all turf grass within a defined area.

2.1.7. Defective Service: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the PWS.

2.1.8. Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.9. First Interment Area: Areas within the burial sections where the government is actively assigning new gravesites and conducting new interments. Includes, but is not limited to, sections 55, 60, 62, 57, 71, 8A, 12A, 76, and 80.

2.1.10. General Areas: All burial sections and other developed areas that are not defined as” Highly Prominent Areas”.

2.1.11. Government Furnished Property (GFP) or Government Property (GP): Property in the possession of, or directly acquired by, the Government and subsequently made available to the Contractor.

2.1.12. Grounds and Boundaries: All developed land including turf, walks, beds, planter beds, drainage ditches, roads, steps, plazas, and parking lots – except the Visitor Center Parking Lot – within the boundary line of ANC (see Technical Exhibit 6).

2.1.13. Heavily Wooded Areas: Burial Sections 1, 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8, 27, 30, 42 and 48.

2.1.14. Height of Turf: Height, if not readily obvious, shall be determined by the COR (in the presence of the Site Manager) by measuring the height of the turf plants with a yardstick in four locations – randomly selected by the COR – within the burial section or Highly Prominent area in question. The COR will then determine the average height of those measurements.

2.1.15. Highly Prominent Areas: Memorial Amphitheater grounds, Ceremonial Mall, Kennedy Gravesites (Burial Section 45), Tomb of the Unknowns, Old Amphitheater grounds, Taft Gravesite area, Welcome Center Parking Facility grounds, Sir John Dill site, Columbarium grounds, Coast Guard Monument, Administration Building grounds, Welcome Center grounds (including tour bus loading/unloading area), the Buildings 123 and 117 complex, and Lodges One and Two.

2.1.16. Irrigation Hours: An hour of irrigation consisting of two contract employees working throughout the hour on operating below ground irrigation systems, setting up and operating above ground systems (hoses and/or pipe and irrigation guns), transporting the necessary equipment, adjusting spray heads, identifying broken heads or other leaks, and unclogging spray heads.

2.1.17. Key Personnel: Contractor Personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. 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 that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.18. Leaves: All fallen broad and narrow leaves including conifer needles (e.g., pine, spruce, cedar and fir). Fruiting bodies such as crabapples, conifer cones, and magnolia seed pods are also included.

2.1.19. Lightly Wooded Areas: Burial Sections 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 13, 21, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 46, 51, 52, and 53.

2.1.20. Non-Cremate: A ground burial containing full-size remains, such as those found in a casket, assigned for Post-Burial Care.

2.1.21. Posting Signs: Industry standard warning signs stating that a pesticide application has been applied.

2.1.22. Performance Work Statement: The PWS is a detailed set of verifiable performance or quality standards for everything the Contractor is required to perform or produce. Performance- based statements of work (referred to as a PWS) are the preferred method of stating needs in terms of performance outputs. A performance based statement of work structures all aspects of an acquisition around the purpose of the work to be performed and does not dictate how the work is to be accomplished. It maximizes Contractor control of work processes and allows for innovation in approaching various work requirements.

2.1.22. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.23. Quality Assurance: A procedure or set of procedures taken by the Government to ensure that services under development (before work is complete, as opposed to afterwards) meets specified requirements of the PWS.

2.1.24. Quality Control: A procedure or set of procedures implemented by the Contractor to ensure that the performed service adheres to and meets the requirements of the PWS.

2.1.25. Remaining General Areas: General Areas identified for leaf removal and other tasks that are not included in Heavily Wooded, Lightly Wooded, or Highly Prominent Areas.

2.1.26. Removal: The transport of identified material, such as trash and debris, from the area it was found to a place of final repository – such as a dumpster or off the Cemetery grounds.

2.1.27. Trash and Debris: Any item, material or foreign object not permanently attached to or planted within the grounds and boundaries. Items include – but are not limited to – fallen twigs and branches that are under ten (10) inches in diameter at their widest point, paper products, cigarette butts, glass and metal products, plastic and any other synthetic item, plus loose rock and stone three (3) inches in diameter or greater that are not the apparent result of an interment within the past 30 days. Not included are stains, loose soil, smaller stones, or leaves. Exception: Loose soil, smaller stones and leaves are included when part of blowing off a roadway or walk, and when performing a clean-up prior to a major ceremony.

2.1.28. Turf: All plants – regardless of species – growing on the established grounds and within the boundaries of ANC. Exceptions: Trees and shrubs; any plant growing within tree basins, shrub or flower beds; and any plant growing out of a walk, road, plaza, curb or other structure.

2.1.29. Turf-Type Tires: Tires designed to travel of turf grass with minimal impact and injury. A herringbone styled tire tread, for example, would not be on a turf-type tire.

2.1.30. Windrows of Turf Clippings: Any accumulation of turf clippings which cover or block sunlight from reaching the newly-mowed or trimmed turf area.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3.1 General Information: The Government will provide the property and services listed below. The Contractor shall not use the property or services provided by the Government for any purpose other than in the performance of this contract. All requests for Government furnished property and services shall be approved by the COR and Contracting Officer in writing.

3.2. Facilities: The Government shall furnish a parking and staging area for vehicles and equipment with no guarantee of security for the designated area or any assurances of utilities or phone lines. A temporary storage area for tree branches, sticks and leaves will be provided. The government does not guarantee an available area for repair or service of the contractor’s equipment.

3.3. Equipment: The Government will provide a roll-off dumpster for trash only.

3.4 Utilities: Water will be available at freeze hydrants and fill stations as designated by the COR, and in-ground water sources throughout the cemetery. Electric, gas or phone lines are not guaranteed for the Contractor in designated staging areas. The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities. If abuse or waste is suspected, the Government reserves the right, at any time during the contract performance period, to provide utilities to the Contractor on a fee-for-use basis.

3.5. Materials: The Government shall provide fill dirt, turf renovation signs, and one (1) LMR radio.

PART 4: CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4.1. General Information: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS. The contractor shall also provide transportation and permits necessary to perform the requirements of this contract. This includes having roll-off dumpsters for debris and soil removal.

4.1.1. Equipment Guidelines: The Contractor’s equipment shall be commercial grade equipped with protective and safety features that are in good repair and clean IAW the requirements indicated in EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements. The Contractor shall submit, to the Contracting Officer, an equipment list, which, includes, but is not limited to, quantities and descriptive data for all equipment prior to its use on ANC grounds. The Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer, in writing, of any equipment list changes, prior to implementing the changes. The equipment and supplies the Contractor uses shall not cause damage to turf areas, headstones, monuments, walkways, trees, or any other part of the landscape. It is expected that the Contractor will take preventative measures when entering soft ground with equipment – such as the use of boards to eliminate ruts. See Technical Exhibit 3 for an equipment characteristics list that has historically provided acceptable results when used properly.

4.1.2. Pesticide Dispersal Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish pesticide dispersal equipment without visible deterioration or leaks in any component and shall operate the equipment IAW the manufacturer’s recommendations. All pesticide tanks of powered dispersal equipment shall be clearly and plainly labeled “Contaminated with Pesticides.” All tanks of powered pesticide equipment dispersal equipment shall also have a license decal that is attached in a conspicuous location and contains an identification number and the name of the issuing agency.

4.1.3. Vehicles: The Contractor shall provide vehicles for the performance of services on this contract. Contractor and Contractor employees shall abide by all speed limitations while operating a vehicle on ANC. ANC speed limit is 25 mph on cemetery roads and 10 mph when passing pedestrians. The Contractor shall be responsible for all maintenance and repair, of Contractor furnished vehicles.

4.1.4. Vehicle Safety Equipment: Contractor vehicles used to transport herbicides shall house a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved spill and decontamination kit and shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher which has an ABC rating with minimum capacity of pounds.

4.1.5. Communication Devices: The Contractor shall provide and maintain wireless communication devices for all Contractor furnished vehicles and key Contractor personnel performing services on this contract. The devices shall have a wireless area coverage capability that is reliable, to the maximum extent possible, within the Continental United States. All cost related to providing wireless communication devices are the responsibility of the Contractor.

PART 5

SPECIFIC CONTRACTOR TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. BASIC SERVICES: The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials (unless otherwise specified), and supervision of its employees to perform turf and grounds maintenance and improvement services. ANC and USSAHNC combined have approximately 667 acres of developed grounds. Services required for both cemeteries include mowing and trimming; mowing and trimming highly prominent areas; edge; trash and debris removal; floral pickup and resetting; leaf removal; preparation of special ceremony sites; fill and top-dress, sod requirements; snow and ice removal; post-burial care to casketed gravesites; post-burial care to cremated remains; liquid herbicide application; liquid pesticide spot treatment; granular pesticide application, granular fertilizer application, PH level adjustment/soil conditioning application; core aeration; turf renovation; hydro seeding; operate, maintain, and repair irrigation systems; spot watering; slit seeding; over seeding and dormant over seeding; collection and submission of soil samples.

5.2. MOW AND TRIM: The contractor shall mow and trim the grounds at ANC and USSAHNC.

5.2.1. The Contractor shall mow turfgrass ensuring no less than 3” and no more than 5.5” in height; while also ensure no more than 1/3 of the leaf surface is removed at a mowing event. After any mowing event, there will be no visible clippings (windrows) on the grass, headstones or walkways with no shredding or tearing of the turf. Tree trunks and shrubs shall not be touched by mowers or trimmers. Trimmed area shall be the same height as mowed area. Flat markers shall be trimmed so that the inscription is able to be read. Mowing speed shall not be excessive to the point of causing scalping, damaging or disruption to the dignity of the cemetery.

5.2.2. The Contractor shall use equipment that will not scalp turf and that will not discharge clippings onto headstones or monuments. Contractor must use equipment and mow appropriately so clippings are not visible on the turf. Contractors must use appropriate equipment in contained areas and on sharply curved slopes to prevent damage or clipping accumulation. (Type and design of equipment are subject to Government approval).

5.2.3. The Contractor shall ensure the mowing and trimming of turfgrass in a specific section is completed within 12 hours of each other, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

5.2.4. Contractor shall ensure that sidewalks, roads and headstones are cleaned of clippings and mower debris within 2 hours of either trimming or mowing, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

5.2.5. Mowing Burial Sections 54 through 70: Work performed in these areas by the Contractor shall only be on weekdays prior to 9 AM or after 3 PM, or on weekends, out of respect for burial services, unless otherwise directed by the COR.

5.2.6. Spot Mowing and Trimming: The contractor shall spot mow and trim up to five (5) acres per week. Multiple areas may be identified at a minimum of one-fourth (1/4) acre increments up to a total of five total acres. COR will identify the spot mowing areas.

5.2.7. Mow and Trim Highly Prominent Areas: The Contractor shall mow and trim highly prominent areas as identified by the COR. There are approximately 22 acres on ANC identified as highly prominent areas. Standards for highly prominent areas are no less than 3" and shall never be more than 4.5” inches.

5.3. EDGE: The Contractor shall edge all walkways, plazas, and road way curbs adjoining a turf area to 1" depth.

5.3.1. The turf shall be severed and separated from the referenced structures. The debris shall be blown into adjoining turf.

5.3.2. Walkways, plazas and roadway curbs shall be edged each month from April to October

5.3.3. Flat Markers located in burial sections will be edged in May and October of each year, using a stick trimmer with metal straight shaft edger blade. Any markers out of place or sunken shall be reported to the government.

5.4. TRASH REMOVAL: The contractor shall ensure that all developed areas of ANC and USSAHNC are free of trash and debris.

5.4.1. All trash and debris shall be collected and removed on a daily basis. Trash and debris, except for sticks and limbs, may be removed to dumpsters provided by the Government (Sticks and limbs may be stockpiled in a site designated by the COR for up to 14 days before they must be removed from Cemetery property at Contractor expense). For USSAHNC trash must be removed on a daily basis, and no storage space is available. Only trash receptacles at USSAHNC must be emptied – which are immediately outside the cemetery’s lodge. When filling cone boxes throughout both cemeteries, trash is to be removed from the boxes.

5.4.2. Caisson debris (horse droppings) shall be picked up to ensure debris from caisson does not remain on the road for more than one hour.

5.4.3. Maintain Highly Prominent areas (All walks, steps, amphitheaters and plazas in Highly Prominent areas – and any areas of roads bordering Highly Prominent areas) free of trash with a minimum of 3 removal cycles daily. Provide Rapid Response capability for trash removal that will respond within 10 minutes of receiving the request. Blow off all roads, walks, plazas and steps at least twice weekly.

5.4.4. Following major storm events, contractor must have all fallen tree limbs and branches less than 10 inches diameter within 25 feet of all roadways cleared to ensure normal cemetery operations. All branches 10 inches in diameter or less must be removed from the cemetery grounds within 48 hours of a major storm event.

5.5. FLORAL PICK-UP AND RESETTING: The contractor shall remove and dispose of all items not permitted at the gravesite in accordance with ANC Floral Regulations.

5.5.1. Remove flowers and other items no sooner than 4 days after interment.

5.5.2. Remove all items from gravesites twice weekly, in accordance with ANC Floral Regulations (Technical Exhibit 4).

5.5.3. Twice weekly as needed, reset wreaths, flower arrangements, and the permanent in ground vases.

5.5.4. Serviceable government flower cones removed during pick-up will be returned to the flower cone containers located throughout the cemeteries. Non-serviceable cones will be placed in a designated area.

5.5.5. Contractor shall provide for a Memento Pickup (Technical Exhibit 5) in Section 60. This pickup will be in conjunction with the floral pickup schedule in the section.

5.5.6. Floral pick up in the Columbaria and Niche Wall will occur twice weekly (Technical Exhibit 4).

5.6. LEAF REMOVAL: The contractor shall maintain the appearance, contribute to a safe environment and protect the turf of ANC by removing fallen leaves from developed areas to include turf, roads, walks, shrub beds, drainage basins, and plazas. Leaves shall not be blown into flower/shrub beds and/or any other areas where it can pile-up and become unsightly; leaves must be picked up if accumulation occurs (Even if outside the dates for leaf removal time period). In areas where leaves cannot be mulched with one pass of a mower they must be picked up (Even if outside the dates for leaf removal time period).

5.6.1. Remove leaves from heavily wooded areas 6 times from Oct to March as directed by the government. Leaf removal in heavily wooded areas shall be completed within 10 days of an assigned start date.

5.6.2. Remove leaves from lightly wooded areas 4 times from Oct to March as directed by the government. Leaf removal in lightly wooded areas shall be completed within 14 days of an assigned start date.

5.6.3. Remove leaves from Highly Prominent areas 10 times from Oct to March as directed by the government. Leaf removal in Highly Prominent wooded areas shall be completed within 5 days of an assigned start date.

5.6.4. Remove leaves from remaining areas 4 times from Oct to March as directed by the government. Leaf removal in remaining wooded areas shall be completed within 21 days of an assigned start date.

5.6.5. For USSAHNC remove leaves 5 times from Oct to March as directed by the COR (Technical Exhibit 6). Removal of leaves must be complete within 5 days of assigned start date.

5.6.6. Windrows and piles of leaves in the developed land shall be removed within four (4) hours of their formation. The Contractor should expect to remove all leaves from the Cemetery on a daily basis (An area of undeveloped land may be provided to the Contractor for the temporary storage of leaves - with no leaves staying in storage for more than two (2) weeks before complete removal from Arlington – at the discretion of the government and with no guarantee that such storage will be available).

5.7. PREPARATION OF SPECIAL CEREMONY SITE:

5.7.1. The Contractor shall perform necessary special cleaning of sites identified on the weekly schedule. These areas designated by the COR must be cleaned no earlier than two (2) hours prior to the start of the ceremony but not completed no later than 1 hour before ceremony.

5.7.2. Ceremony sites include, but not limited to, the Tomb of the Unknowns, Ceremonial Mall, and the Memorial Amphitheater. Special cleaning shall include the roads, walkways, pavements, steps, and plazas at the point of or adjacent to the actual ceremony site. Cleaning responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the removal and disposal of all natural debris; trash, debris, loose soil, and leaves. In this case, leaves shall not be blown away, but Contractor shall pick up and remove. All other ceremony sites other than those listed above must be cleaned within 100 feet of road or walkways, centered at the entry point to the ceremony. Additionally, the ceremony site itself in the turf shall be cleaned and (not to exceed 10,000 square feet).

5.7.3. Contractor shall ensure that all hard surfaces where any ceremony occurs (plazas, walkways, steps, etc) are sure-footed. Measures shall be taken to remove any excessive moisture from the surface.

5.8. SOIL FILL AND GRADING: On an annual basis, the Contractor shall fill and top dress approximately 10,000 sunken gravesites, rutted, and other mechanically damaged graves, or other 5’ x 10’ areas (which may or may not be side-by-side).