Grass Seeds for Riverside National Cemetery

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Pacific District, Contracting Office is continuing to conduct a market survey and is seeking potential sources for contractors to provide Grass Seed for Riverside National Cemetery. If you previously provided information on the FY25 Source Sought posting, we would like you review the attached revised Statement of Need and provide additional information.

The NCA wants to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification (HUBZone, 8(a), small, small disadvantage, veteran owned small business (VOSB), service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB), or large business) relative to NAICS 111998 for All other Miscellaneous Crop Farming with size standards of S2.5 Million.  Note that if VA’s pending market research establishes that two or more SDVOSB or VOSB, who are certified on SBA, Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov), can perform the project at a fair and reasonable price, VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. §8127. 

Responses to this synopsis will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions.  After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis, a solicitation announcement may be published on SAM.gov and/or GSA eBuy. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis are not considered adequate responses to the solicitation announcement. 

General Requirements:  

Background: Riverside National Cemetery maintains over 1,200 acres and 350 developed acres of irrigated turf that must meet the VA’s National Shrine standards for appearance, durability, and visitor safety. The cemetery faces challenges from Riverside’s hot, dry climate, reclaimed water with moderate salinity, and heavy visitors and ceremonial traffic. Turf-type tall fescue is required because it provides deep rooting, drought and heat tolerance, salinity resistance, and durability under wear, while maintaining a uniform, dark-green, shrine-appropriate appearance. Certified, noxious-free seed is essential to ensure quality, long-term turf performance, and consistent renovation and repair of high-use areas.

Objective: Procure certified, high-quality turf-type tall fescue seed (with an optional minor percentage of compatible cool-season species) to renovate and maintain cemetery turf to a dense, uniform, and aesthetically consistent appearance across burial sections, ceremonial lawns, and high-traffic corridors.

Scope: The contractor shall furnish and deliver turfgrass seeds meeting the salient characteristics and minimum quality specifications in this SON. Seed shall be suitable for drill-seeding, slit-seeding, and overseeding in irrigated landscapes using reclaimed water.

The Government plans to award a Firm-Fixed-Price Supply Contract for a Base year and four-year option (12 months) periods.

Inquiries/Questions will only be accepted in writing via email to Roberto.escobedo@va.gov by 10/14/2025 by 11:00 AM (PST). No questions will be accepted after this date.

In response to this announcement, please complete the information below and return to Roberto Escobedo, email: Roberto.escobedo@va.gov by 10/28/2025 by 11:00 AM (PST).

5. Provide input on the attached Statement of Need and provide potential grass seed products that can maintain the current cemetery grass type and weather condition to NCA high standards.

7. Provide capability statement and past performance of providing grass seed to customers at a similar scope.

8. Provide pricing information for market research purposes only and industry unit of issue (Bag Size).

This notice is neither a request for competitive proposal nor solicitation of offerors. This notice is to assist the NCA in determining sources only and a solicitation is not currently available.  If a solicitation is issued it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from this response. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. Information received as a result of this notice will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. This notice does not represent a commitment by the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of information or any other costs incurred as a response to this announcement.