PWS_Landscaping_and_Gardening.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Landscape and Gardening Services Arlington National Cemetery and U.S. Soldier’s & Airmen’s Home National Cemetery

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

1.1. Description of Services: This requirement is for non-personal services contract in which the contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment and supervision necessary to perform landscape installation, maintenance, gardening and interior plant care services at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), Arlington, Virginia and the U.S. Soldier’s & Airmen’s Home National Cemetery (USSAHNC), Washington, DC in accordance with this Performance Work Statement (PWS). 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.

1.2. 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 is approximately 667 acres. USSAHNC is small in comparison to ANC; however, it too is a national shrine and final resting place for those who have served our nation. This Cemetery is approximately 17 acres and conducts approximately eight (8) funerals and four (4) ceremonies annually. See TE 6 for area map of USSAHNC. Landscaping and Gardening is an integral part of preserving the appearance of the grounds at the Cemetery. In order to maintain an image of respect and dignity, ANC and USSAHNC requires landscaping and gardening services. Due to the special significance and 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.

1.3. Objective: The objective of this requirement is to maintain the landscapes, tree basins, manage invasive species in riparian area and woods, and maintain interior plants at both ANC and USSAHNC.

1.4 Scope: The Contractor shall provide all management, supervision, personnel, supplies, materiel, and equipment to perform Landscaping, Gardening and Interior Plant Care service to support ANC and USSAHNC. Landscaping, Gardening and Interior Plant Care include planting and maintaining shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, roses, bulbs and spring and fall flowering annuals; edging, weeding and mulching of landscape beds and tree basins; creating new landscape beds; applying liquid and granular pesticides and fertilizers; hand watering plant material; maintaining interior plants; managing invasive species; creating rock swales; providing seasonal plants for the Memorial Day, and Veteran’s Day Events as well as the Administration and Welcome Center holiday plants for the month of December. The service also includes environmental impact awareness and compliance.

1.4.1 ANC and USSAHNC Grounds: The grounds of ANC are comprised of more than 8,800 trees. There are over 600 different species of flowering, coniferous and shade trees and shrubs of various ages and sizes. There are approximately 200 trees of various species at USSAHNC, as well as hedges and shrubs. Trees and shrubs and landscapes to receive maintenance can be located anywhere on ANC or USSAHNC property.

1.5. Period of Performance: The period of performance for this effort will be 12 months from date of award with two (2) 12-month option year period.

1.6. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.6.1. 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. The Quality Control Plan shall be submitted with the contractor’s proposal.

1.6.2. Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with its QCP and the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government shall do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards identified in the PRS (See Technical Exhibit 1) will be measured, by whom, the frequency of the surveillance, and the maximum acceptable defect rate(s).

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.

1.6.4. Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall perform work at ANC during the hours of 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM and at USSAHNC during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons.

1.6.4.1. Other than Normal Hours of Operation:

1.6.4.1.1 The Contractor shall provide personnel support outside the normal hours of operation as required, including holidays, to support the ANC and USSAHNC Cemetery 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.

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

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

1.6.7. Security Requirements: Contractor personnel or any representative of the Contractor entering ANC and USSAHNC shall abide by all security rules and regulations. Contractor shall coordinate with ANC Directorate of Emergency Services 5 days after award of the contract for all security requirements.

Five (5) days after contract award, the contractor shall provide the names and social security numbers or Alien Registration Numbers of new/replacement personnel to HQDA SSD for approval prior to the proposed new/replacement hire performing on the contract. The HQDA SSD will perform a criminal records check on all proposed contractor employees and provide an approval or disapproval to the contractor within 2 business days.

The Contractor Site Manager shall maintain and submit a current list of all vehicles and individuals issued such passes.

The Contractor shall carry passes issued by ANC for all vehicles entering both Cemeteries, whether company- owned or employees’ private vehicles.

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.

1.6.7.1.1. Badges: The Contractor shall provide ID badges. All Contractor personnel shall have on them, at all times, positive, photographic identification. 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.

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

1.6.7.1.3. Cemetery Access: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all contractor personnel authorized to perform work under this contract obtain cemetery access. Upon contract award the Contractor shall submit to the 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

1.6.7.2 Antiterrorism Level I Training (AT I): All Contractor employees, to include subcontractor employees, requiring access to Army installations, facilities and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within 15 calendar days after contract start date or effective date of incorporation of this requirement into the contract, whichever is applicable. The Contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected Contractor employee and subcontractor employee, to the COR, within five (5) calendar days after completion of training by all employees and subcontractor personnel. At Level I Awareness training is available at the following website: https://atlevel1.dtic.mil/at.

1.6.7.3. i Watch Training: All Contractor and associated subcontractors shall brief all employees on the local iWatch program (training standards provided by the Arlington National Cemetery Antiterrorism Officer (ATO). This locally develop training shall be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within 15 days calendar days of contract award and within 15 calendar days of new employee’s commencing performance, with the results reported to the COR no later than 30 after contract award.

1.6.7.4 Key Control: The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of making sure all keys/key cards issued to the Contractor by the Government are not lost or misplaced and are not used by unauthorized persons. NOTE: All references to keys include key cards. No keys issued to the Contractor by the Government shall be duplicated. The Contractor shall develop procedures covering key control that shall be included in the Quality Control Plan. Such procedures shall include turn-in of any issued keys by personnel who no longer require access to locked areas. The Contractor shall immediately report any occurrences of lost or duplicate keys/key cards to the Contracting Officer.

1.6.7.5 Lock Combinations: 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. All access will be provided or coordinated through the COR or Alt COR at the direction of the COR.

1.6.8 Post Award Conference/Periodic 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, Post Award Orientation. 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 written meeting minutes 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 shall apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced and written meeting minutes 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. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.6.9. 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.

1.6.10. Key Personnel: The Government considers the following positions to be key personnel: Site Manager, Quality Control Manager, and Certified Pesticide Applicator. Resumes are to be provided. Key personnel identified in the proposal will be assigned positions as identified on the proposal. Projected replacement of Key personnel shall be submitted in writing to the COR and Contracting Officer for approval 15 days prior to a replacement. All key personnel shall have means of verbal communication and by e-mail with the COR, as the Cemetery anticipates communication, at a minimum, twice daily. Key personnel and alternates must be able to communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.

1.6.10.1 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 site 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. The Site Manager shall have demonstrated experience as a direct supervisor of landscape maintenance operations in commercial or public site(s) of not less than 100 acres in total. The Site Manager must have demonstrated experience and knowledge in the installation, care and culture of shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs; operation and care of backpack blowers, edging equipment, string-trimmers, and rototillers and knowledge of IPM practices. The Site Manager shall meet with the COR on a daily basis. And will remain on site on a full time basis with the exception of the time period from 1 January through 10 February. During that time frame, the Site Manager or alternate will remain responsible for making sure all contract requirements are met, but will not need to remain on site daily. During that time frame, the Site Manager or alternate shall, either by phone or in person check-in with the COR on a not less than weekly basis.

1.6.10.2. Quality Control Manager: 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 Contract specification. This employee shall be available for consultation with the COR on a daily basis, during the normal work schedule of Monday through Friday.

1.6.10.3. Certified Pesticide Application: Shall be an employee provided by the Contractor, and be on site whenever pesticide mixing or applications are being performed. The Certified Pesticide Applicator shall be qualified to identify invasive plant species and distinguish beneficial native plants species and invasive plant species. The Certified Pesticide Applicator shall possess a Certified Pesticide Applicator License from the State of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Certified Applicators shall be certified in the proper category for applying pesticides for indoor plants and outdoor ornamental plants. 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.

1.6.11. Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contractor personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, 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. The Contractor shall ensure that all documents or reports produced by Contractors are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.11.1. 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.

1.6.12. Supervision of Contractor Employees: The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over Contractor or subcontractor employees while performing work under the contract. Such employees shall be accountable solely to the Contractor, not the Government. The Contractor, in turn, shall be accountable to the Government for Contractor or subcontractor employees.

1.6.12.1. 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.

1.6.12.2. 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.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: There is no planned travel associated with this effort.

1.6.13 Other Direct Costs (ODC): The contractor shall provide IAW Technical Exhibit 3, on a cost reimbursable basis, certain ODC, such as miscellaneous materials required to support this contract’s scope of work. The contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Representative to:

1.6.13.1. Obtain advance approval prior to purchasing any reimbursable item; validate receipt and acceptance of any ODC material deliverable. The Contractor shall provide receipts for all ODC materials. The contractor shall include a receiving report with any invoice submitted through Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) invoicing system. The Government is entitled to any item purchase as a direct charge to this contract. Upon completion of this award, all materials provided by the Contractor shall turn over to any incoming Contractor or the Government.

1.6.14 Phase In/Phase Out Period: The contractor shall develop and deliver to the Government a phase-in/ phase- out plan, allowing no more than 15 days for an orderly transition to any potential new contractor for the services described in this PWS. This plan is required to ensure the level and quality of services is maintained and prevents possible negative impacts on additional services. While this plan shall be due to the government as part of the proposal submission, the plan shall be updated as required during the period of performance.

1.6.15.1 Phase In: At the end of the existing contract period, if the incumbent contractor is not selected, the Government, in coordination with the incumbent contractor, will provide phase in support to the selected contractor for up to 15 days. The phase-in activities shall include:

· Transfer knowledge, experience, and lessons learned to the new contractor to become familiar with performance requirements in order to commence full performance of services.

1.6.15.2 Phase Out: The outgoing Contractor shall be fully responsible for performance during the 15 days of the transition period. This transition shall include copies of the following:

1.6.15.2.1. Documentation, standard operating procedures as related to this PWS.

1.6.15.2.2. Shall execute its transition plan and work closely with the follow-on Contractor or the Government to assure uninterrupted contract support.

1.6.16. Transportation: When on the ANC and USSAHNC grounds, the Contractor and Contractor Personnel shall abide by all speed limitations while operating motor vehicles on the grounds. ANC speed limit is 20 mph on cemetery roads and 10 mph when passing pedestrians.

1.6.17. CONTRACTOR CONDUCT AND RECOGNITION OF CEREMONIES

1.6.17.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that contract work does not cause any funeral, ceremony, procession or visitation to be delayed, altered, or otherwise impacted in such a way that the dignity or security of the event is compromised. The Contractor’s Site Manager shall be responsible for staying abreast of all such upcoming events. A list of scheduled ceremonies shall be provided, and a list of scheduled funerals will be provided on a daily basis. The Contract Site Manager shall coordinate daily with the COR and ensure he or she understands the off-limit areas - which will vary depending upon the event (As a rule-of-thumb, work – especially with power equipment – within 1,000 feet of a funeral or ceremony is not acceptable.) The Site Manager shall thus assign tasks accordingly throughout the rest of the Cemetery - so that productive use of labor and equipment is assured, and down-time is avoided. If the Contractor fails to re-direct employees away from an event in a timely fashion, the COR may then do so. The Contractor shall also visit with the COR on other issues of common Cemetery etiquette, such as conduct with next-of-kin and when processions pass by.

1.6.17.2. The Contractor shall maintain a neat and professional appearance throughout its workforce, vehicles, equipment, work sites, and staging areas.

1.6.17.3 The Contractor shall ensure all contract employees behave with appropriate decorum, courtesy, and respect while within the both Cemeteries or at their perimeter or entrances. Shouting, cursing, angry outbursts, sleeping, intoxication, and violence or criminal acts of any kind will not be tolerated - and is cause for immediate removal from the Cemetery and/or prosecution.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2.0. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER (KO): A Contracting Officer is a government employee who has authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, as well as make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. (Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government.)

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. DEFECTIVE SERVICE: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with it in the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE: A deliverable is a term used in project management to describe a tangle or intangible object produced as a result of the project that is intended to be delivered to a customer (either internal or external). Examples of a deliverable are a report, a document, a server upgrade or any other building block of an overall project.

2.1.6. INSTALLATION: Installation refers to the safe transport of materials/supplies within both Cemeteries and placement of the approved materials/supplies within the designated area, within the specified time, schedule, and without damage to Government property.

2.1.7. INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES: A plant that is both non-native, able to establish on many sites, grow quickly, and spread to the point of disrupting plant communities and ecosystems.

2.1.8. MEMORIAL SERVICE OR CEREMONY: Any formal group activity conducted within the ANC and USSAHNC grounds intended to honor the memory of a person or persons interred in the Cemetery or those dying in the Military service of the United States or its allies. “Memorial service or ceremony” includes a “private memorial service,” “public memorial service,” “public wreath laying ceremony” and “official ceremony” as defined in this section.

2.1.9. OFFICIAL CEREMONY: A memorial service or ceremony approved by the Commanding General Military District of Washington, in which the primary participants are authorized representatives of the United States Government, a state government, a foreign country, or an international organization who are participating in an official capacity.

2.1.10 PHYSICAL SECURITY: Physical Security is an action that prevents the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.11. PRIVATE CEREMONY: A memorial service or ceremony, other than an official ceremony, conducted at a private gravesite within ANC and USSAHNC by a group of relatives and/or friends of the person interred or to be interred at that gravesite. Private memorial services may be closed to members of the public.

2.1.12. PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE: A ceremony, other than an official ceremony, conducted by members of the public at the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, the Confederate Memorial, the Mast of the Maine, the John F. Kennedy Grave.

2.1.13. PUBLIC WREATH LAYING CEREMONY: A brief yet formal ceremony, other than an official ceremony, in which members of the public, assisted by members of the Tomb Guard, present a wreath or similar memento.

2.1.14. PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY: For the purposes of this PWS, means property ownership by a non- governmental organization (e.g. privately owned vehicles).

2.1.15. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA): A procedure or set of procedures taken by the Government to ensure that services acquired under government contracts conform to the contract’s quality and quality requirements.

2.1.16. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP): A plan specifying the surveillance methodology used by the COR for surveillance of the contractor’s performance.

2.1.17. QUALITY CONTROL (QC): Task performed by the contractor to ensure excellence of the organization’s output.

2.1.18. REAL PROPERTY: Land and rights in land, ground improvements, utility distribution systems, and buildings and other structures. It does not include foundations.

2.1.19. SUBCONTRACTOR: One that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privities of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.20. VISITOR: Means anyone on the grounds of ANC and USSAHNC, to include ANC Government employees and Contractor employees who are not on official Government duty (i.e., employees visiting outside of tour of duty or personal time off).

2.1.21. WORK DAY: The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.22. WORK WEEK: Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.1.23. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Arlington National Cemetery has implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) to proactively deal with the environmental impacts of its processes, activities, and services. All Contractors performing work at ANC and USSAHNC must be aware of and understand ANC's Environmental Policy. Contractors are also responsible for ensuring all subcontractors hired on their behalf are aware of and understand ANC's Environmental Policy. The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all goods and services used by the Contractor do not deviate from ANC's EMS. In the event of non-compliance with ANC's legal or other requirements, or non-conformance with the EMS, the Contractor is required to take immediate corrective action, perform a root-cause analysis and develop preventative action to keep the non-compliance/non- conformance from recurring. In addition, the Contractor shall ensure their employees are aware of their roles and responsibilities with regard to the EMS and how these requirements affect the work performed under this contract.

Waste, Recycling, and Storage: The Contractor shall recycle waste materials to the extent practicable. The Contractor may use the Government-provided recycling bins for cardboard, paper, aluminum/metal cans, plastic, and glass jars/bottles. The Contractor will provide the Government records of the type, weight and location of disposal for all waste materials sent offsite for recycling and/or disposal. Maintenance and cleaning of equipment must be conducted offsite or at a designated location approved by the COR.

2.1.4. STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION: The Contractor shall implement measures to prevent storm water pollution in accordance with ANC Environmental Policy requirements and submit records, as necessary, to demonstrate compliance. The Contractor must furnish and use drip pans under equipment oil and fuel tanks, and cover equipment when not in use and during rain events.

2.1.23. Extreme Weather - Extreme weather is categorized as heavy snowfall causing the closing of federal government or extremely, heavy rainfall that would impede successful landscaping work in the landscape.

2.1.24. Fall Flowers –Bulbs, and spring flowering annuals that are typically planted in the fall.

2.1.25. Groundcover - Herbaceous or semi-woody perennial or annual growing in a container up to 4 1/2 inches or one quart in size, or rooted in an open flat of soil with other groundcover plants.

2.1.26. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - is the combination of biological, physical and chemical methods to control pests.

2.1.27. Integrated Pest Management Coordinator (IPMC) - A DOD employee or contractor officially designated by the installation commander to coordinate and oversee the ANC IPM Program.

2.1.28 Ornamental Grass – Botanically recognized as a grass and grown as a plug, quart or up to a three gallon size container.

2.1.29. Perennial – Any herbaceous or semi-woody plant that lives for more than two years. Container sizes may range from a plug to a one gallon container.

2.1.31 Pesticide Applicator(s) - A Pesticide Applicator trained and certified in the appropriate pesticide applicator categories by the state of Virginia or Department of Defense (DOD). Registered Technicians are not eligible to apply pesticides on DOD installations under Army and DOD Pest Management Policy.

2.1.30. Small Shrub – Any woody plant growing in a container or having a balled and burlapped root ball with a volume under seven gallons.

2.1.31. Large Shrub – Any woody or herbaceous plant growing in a container with a volume of up to 10 gallons or having a root ball of 20 inches or less (regardless of the dimensions of the shrub’s top growth).

2.1.32. Trash - Anything other than woody material, grass, soil, sod, and materials that can be recycled; plastic, paper and glass. No rocks permitted in ANC trash dumpster.

2.1.33.

2.2 ACRONYMS:

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3.0 GENERAL: 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.

3.1. Facilities: The Government will furnish a parking and staging area for vehicles with no guarantee of security for the designated area – or any assurances of utilities or phone lines. A staging area for plant material will also be provided. Plant material shall be removed and planted within 48 hours. The government does not guarantee an available area for repair or service.

3.2. Equipment: The Government will provide a roll-off dumpster for trash. Dumping of landscape trimmings will not be permitted in trash dumpster. See PWS Para 5.20.4 for landscape trimmings dumpster requirement.

3.3. Utilities: Electric, gas or phone lines are not guaranteed for the Contractor in designated staging areas used by the Contractor. 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. 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.

3.3.1. Water: Will be available at wash basins (for interior plant care), at designated cemetery locations and in- ground water sources in the Columbarium Courts.

3.4 The Government will provide a list of needed supplies and materials prior to the required season (see TE 3)

3.5 The contractor will receive a planting plan and directions either verbally, in writing, or in the form of a drawing or map from the Cemetery Horticulture Staff. The Contractor shall plant IAW with the ANC and USSAHNC plan and directions.

3.6 The contractor will receive a planting plan and directions either verbally, in writing, or in the form of a drawing or map from the Cemetery Horticulture Staff. The Contractor shall plant IAW with the ANC and USSAHNC plan and directions.

3.7 A list of scheduled ceremonies will be provided, and a list of scheduled funerals will be provided on a daily basis.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4.1 GENERAL: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment facilities and non-personal services transportation and permits required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Part 3 of this PWS.

4.2. Materials: Contractor shall provide all landscaping materials required to perform work under this contract.

4.3. Equipment:

4.3.1. Equipment Guidelines: The Contractor’s equipment shall be commercial grade equipped with protective and safety features in good repair and clean IAW the requirements indicated in EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements.

4.3.2. Pesticide Dispersal Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish pesticide and pesticide dispersal equipment without visible deterioration or leaks in any component and shall operate the equipment IAW the manufacturer’s recommendations and 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.

4.3.3. Vehicles: The Contractor shall provide vehicles for the performance of services on this contract and shall be responsible for maintenance, repair, and associated equipment for the Contractor furnished mode of transportation

4.3.3.1 Vehicle Safety Equipment: Contractor vehicles used to transport pesticides 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 5 lbs.

4.3.4. Landscaping Equipment: The Contractor shall provide landscaping equipment for the performance of services on this contract and shall be responsible for maintenance, repair, and associated equipment for the Contractor furnished.

4.3.5 Communication Devices: The Contractor shall maintain wireless communication capability for key Contractor personnel performing services on this contract. All cost related to providing wireless communication devices are the responsibility of the Contractor.

4.3.6. Contractor-Furnished Permits: The Contractor shall obtain all permits required in the performance of services on this contract. All costs associated with obtaining such permits shall be borne by the Contractor. All permits obtained by the Contractor shall be maintained current throughout the entire period of performance of the contract.

4.3.7 Dumpsters: The Contractor shall provide a 10 cubic-yard capacity dumpster for plant material; old bulbs, end of the season annuals, ornamental grass debris accumulation after winter pruning, and any foliage, roots, leaves, sticks, and root balls that may otherwise accumulate from Contractor’s work. Contractor shall be responsible for making sure the dumpster is emptied and removed in a timely fashion to prevent an overflow of materials.

4.3.8 Backflow Preventers: Contractor shall utilize a backflow preventer device when connecting to any Arlington National Cemetery and U.S. Soldier’s & Airmen’s Home National Cemetery water device such as fire hydrants and wash basins and in-ground water sources that exist in the Columbarium Courts.

PART 5: SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1. Specific Tasks: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, supervision, supplies, materials, equipment and non-personal services necessary to perform the Landscaping and Gardening Service as defined in this Performance Work Statement to include but not limited to: planting and maintaining shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, roses, bulbs and spring flowering annuals; edging, weeding and mulching of landscape beds and tree basins; creating new landscape beds; the removal and management of invasive plant species; applying liquid and granular pesticides and fertilizers; watering plant material; maintaining interior plants and providing seasonal plants. The Landscaping and Gardening service also includes environmental impact awareness and compliance. The Contractor shall prepare and maintain reports and schedules for Government approval.

5.2. Landscaping and Shrub Maintenance:

5.2.1. Plant and Maintain Spring Flower Beds: The Contractor shall plant and maintain spring flower beds. Plants shall remain in a turgid, healthy condition from the time of unloading to the time of planting.

5.2.1.1. Spring flowers shall be planted in soil that has been rototilled to a depth of not less than six inches with two inches of soil amendments incorporated throughout the planting area. Tilling is not permitted when soil is wet or when such rototilling would cause clumping or a breakdown in soil structure. Hand-tilling or double digging may be required in confined areas.

5.2.1.2. The finished soil product shall be a crumbly mixture with relatively uniform particle sizes throughout.

5.2.1.3. Rototillers shall be repeated if measurable rain occurs prior to planting.

5.2.1.4. The planting of any specified bed shall begin and finish within 48 hours of soil preparation. Written or drawn directions for planting pattern and spacing will be provided by the COR. Spacing assignments will vary from six inches to 1 ½ or more feet.

5.2.1.5. Spring flowers shall remain intact, but not so intact that the roots are root bound, prior to and during planting. If plants are root bound, roots shall be teased apart. The finished planted product shall be set at the same depth it was growing in its container with smooth soil between individual plants so that elevation is even throughout the bed. A one inch layer of pine fines or leaf mulch (no shredded hardwood mulch) shall cover the planting area, but the plants and the base of the plants shall remain uncovered.

5.2.1.6. Immediately following planting, plants shall be watered deeply utilizing a water wand with a hose not to exceed one inch in diameter throughout growing season, during morning hours only, with an amount adequate for healthy, vigorous growth. Remove weeds and deadhead spent flowers and flower stalks on a weekly basis. Fertilize annuals not less than once every two weeks during the growing season. Continue above maintenance until killing frost. Immediately remove all bedding plants (including below-ground bulbs) when the maintenance seasons stated above are complete. Provide COR with fertilizer record within 48 hours of fertilization.

5.2.1.7.

5.2.1.8. Plants that die or become unhealthy shall be warranted within the seasonal display time frame.

5.2.1.9. Spring flowers shall be planted (approximately) between 10 May and 20 May of each year.

5.2.2. Plant and Maintain Fall Flower Beds: The Contractor shall plant and maintain fall flower beds. Plants shall remain in a turgid, healthy condition from the time of unloading to the time of planting. Maintenance season shall continue until flowers are spent the following late winter or spring.

5.2.2.1 Fall flower beds shall be planted (approximately) between 15 September and 1 November of each year.

5.2.3. Plant, Maintain and Warrant Perennials, Ground Covers and Ornamental Grasses: The Contractor shall plant, maintain and warrant perennials, groundcovers & ornamental grasses. Follow all the same requirements for bed preparation and planting. Plants shall remain in a turgid, healthy condition from the time of unloading to the time of planting.

5.2.3.1. Immediately following planting, plants shall be watered deeply utilizing a water wand with a hose not to exceed one inch in diameter throughout growing season with an amount adequate for healthy, vigorous growth. Plants shall be watered NLT 1130 hours in areas where Ceremonies and Funerals are not being conducted. In areas where Ceremonies and Funerals are being conducted, the Contractor shall coordinate with the COR regarding appropriate hours to water plants.

5.2.3.2 Contractor shall remove weeds and deadhead and prune or pinch spent flowers and flower stalks on a weekly basis.

5.2.3.3 Flower heads and stalks in the Asteracea Family shall remain through the end of March.

5.2.3.4 Ornamental grasses shall be cut back by ¾ the height of the grass at the end February. An integrated pest management approach shall be implemented to control pests and diseases.

5.2.3.5. Plants shall be warranted by obtaining and replacing all plants that die or became unhealthy within one year from time of plant installation. The replacements shall be planted immediately between 30 March through 15 June or 15 September through 1 November. The replacement plants shall also be watered with not less than one inch of water immediately after planting and re-mulching.

5.2.3.6 Contractor shall coordinate with the COR or Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative (ACOR) before mulching perennial flower beds – as the mulch may need to be of a different kind and lesser depth in these areas.

5.2.4. Plant, Maintain and Warrant Shrubs: The Contractor shall plant, maintain, and warrant shrubs. All shrubs shall meet American Standard for Nursery Stock ANSI Z60 1-2004.

5.2.4.1 The contractor shall plant an estimated quantity of 400 small shrubs and 100 large shrubs annually. (See TE 3.)

5.2.4.2 Shrubs shall remain in a turgid, healthy condition with solid root balls and sturdy stems or trunks from the time of unloading to the time of planting.

5.2.4.3. The contractor shall remove existing plant root balls and tops prior to planting.

5.2.4.5 The contractor shall not execute any planting when the soil is wet or when the digging of holes or mixing of backfill would otherwise adversely affect soil structure.

5.2.4.5 The contractor shall plant according to TE 4: ANC Shrub Planting Diagram. Shrubs planted three feet or closer to one another, when determined by COR, shall receive a backfill mix throughout the entire planting bed. Generally, shrubs greater than three feet apart will have individual holes dug and prepared.

5.2.4.6 The finished backfill mix shall be tamped as necessary to eliminate air pockets and to minimize settlement and shall be a crumbly mixture with relatively uniform particle sizes throughout.

5.2.4.7. Root balls and surrounding backfill shall be soaked with water immediately after planting. Soil clods, rocks and sticks shall be removed from the planting area.

5.2.4.8. Shrubs shall be warranted for a period of one year after planting by thoroughly soaking the root balls and surrounding backfill with water– at a frequency and quantity adequate to ensure vigorous, healthy growth. Dead or dying branches shall be pruned and removed. An integrated pest management approach shall be implemented to control pests and diseases.

5.2.4.9. Shrubs shall be warranted by performing a one- time replacement - should the plant die, begin to die, or otherwise remain in a state of poor health. Replacement shall occur as soon as possible after the plant dies or begins to die – during 1 March through 15 June or 15 September through 15 November. After replacement, the aforementioned maintenance shall continue until the one year period from the initial planting has expired.

5.3. Provide Gardening Services: The contractor shall provide gardening services. Tasks shall be gardening work other than planting the quantities of flower beds, and shrubs described previously.

5.3.1. Specific gardening tasks shall include the care of existing plant material; training and trimming vines, cutting back and dividing perennial plants; removal of invasive species, watering plants not otherwise covered in Cemetery contracts, such as the Sedum plantings at the JFK Flame; installing and/or removing support stakes and guy wires from young trees; seasonal cutting back of perennials and ornamental grasses; dividing of perennials; cutting back growth tips from groundcovers; the removal of groundcover; ground pruning of shrubs; mulching and edging; limb pick-up; gravesite repair; clean-up of trash; debris and leaves; hand weeding, power trimming and edging; and indoor plant care such as watering and repotting plants – as well as miscellaneous grounds laborer tasks.

5.3.2. Gardening tasks shall require the use of equipment and hand tools provided by the contractor: A vehicle for transportation and hauling (either a pick-up truck not to exceed one half ton in size, or a four wheel turf-type vehicle), low-emission backpack blowers, hand pruning tools and saws, hand trowel, spade, shovel, hoe, grass clippers, hoses, or other small power equipment mentioned below and any appropriate personal protective gear.

5.3.3. Other industry-standard gardening tasks may be assigned – except for general lawn mowing, climbing, and shade tree pruning. However, power equipment operation is expected if it involves backpack blowers, string or brush trimmers, edgers or rototillers. The Contractor shall provide the necessary equipment.

5.3.4. Extreme weather conditions may be cause for work stoppage as deemed appropriate by the Government for all workers.

Remove and Spray Invasive Plant Species: The contractor shall remove and or spray all herbaceous, invasive plant species, to include woody vines, located throughout the Millennium Site or as identified by the COR.

A site visit shall occur at start of the removal and spraying season and again by the middle of June. The COR, Certified Pesticide Applicator and the personnel responsible for the digging and removal of invasive species shall be in attendance for both site visits.

Work shall be carried out on a monthly basis, occurring from 1 March through 31 October. Work shall be carried out by personnel other than the designated Gardeners, and routine weeding crew during the months of…