Florida National Cemetery, National Shrine Turfgrass Renovation Project

The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration seeks sealed bids for turf renovation at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, with bids due August 27, 2026, at 14:00 EDT. This is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside, foreclosing competition outside that pool. A mandatory site visit occurred August 12, 2026; bid opening will be conducted via teleconference.

The project scope covers approximately 15 acres of dead St. Augustine turfgrass replacement with certified St. Augustine "Floratam" sod across seven burial sections and specialized cemetery areas, totaling 653,400 square feet. The contractor must complete work within 365 calendar days of notice to proceed, with work beginning within 10 calendar days of award. Place of performance is Bushnell, Florida. The contract is firm-fixed-price under NAICS 237990, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.

The Davis-Bacon Act applies; prevailing wage rates for the applicable Florida county wage determination (FL20260100, effective May 18, 2026) range from $8.58 to $20.21 per hour base wage depending on classification, with fringe benefits up to $12.38. Executive Order 13706 (paid sick leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage through 2026) are incorporated. The contractor must provide a dedicated site manager with minimum five years' direct supervisory experience on-site whenever work is performed and ensure a bilingual-capable representative is present for instruction receipt.

The government estimated project value ranges from $1 million to $2 million. A bid guarantee of 20 percent of bid price or $3 million (whichever is less) and performance and payment bonds totaling 100 percent of contract amount are required within 10 calendar days after award. The government furnishes additional topsoil at no cost and assumes post-acceptance maintenance; the contractor bears responsibility for sod supply, installation, 30-day establishment including twice-daily watering for three weeks, monument protection and repair, irrigation damage repair, and damage to cemetery structures. Evaluation is based solely on price and price-related factors, awarding to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.