Maintenance of Grounds

AMENDMENT 0001 issued to provide answer to question submitted by interested contractor and to change Site Visit Point-of-Contact (POC) to Eric Paulsen, Phone:  (352)339-6528, eric.paulsen@usda.gov.

Q1.  Could you please provide the total square footage of the area requiring service?
A1.  On the lease, it states 6.774 acres that is in two sections (top of hill and bottom of hill), but you would have to exclude the hard scape (parking lot, walkways, driveways, buildings, runoff pond, greenhouses and sheds) and the land in crops (peppers, etc.).  So that would be an estimated 3 acres? I have a map from the lease, but the numbers are indecipherable.

From the A&E plans for the new building  under their civil engineering section, it states  that the  site is 43,000 sq ft (0.98)  the building is 5,760 sq ft and the retention pond is 43,173 sq ft.  I don't know what they mean by the site as it obviously does not include the retention pond, and it does not include the greenhouse area below.

Here is a photo (attached) below with a scale on it and the red box does include the retention pond as well as the parking lot.

You will just have to guess with this information in mind as we do not have a precise number for the sq ft of landscapable ground.

Make sure that they know that it is in 2 sections.  Sorry that I don't have a precise number.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 and is being conducted in conjunction according to FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures as supplemented with additional information in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. 

The solicitation number is 12405B25Q0018 and solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).  This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-01.

This RFQ is issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside.  The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 561730 – Landscaping Services.  The Small Business Size Standards is $9.5 Mil. 

The USDA, ARS, SEA, Center for Biological Control, 6383 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 location has a requirement for the following.

FY2025 Ground Maintenance Services.  Contractor must provide and furnish all personnel, supplies, and equipment to perform ground maintenance services as detailed in attached Statement of Work (SOW).  NO DRAWINGS ARE AVAILABLE.

Base Year + 4 Option Years.

• Base Year - 02/01/2025 through 01/31/2026 
• Option Year 1 - 02/01/2026 through 01/31/2027
• Option Year 2 - 02/01/2027 through 01/31/2028
• Option Year 3 - 02/01/2028 through 01/31/2029
• Option Year 4 - 02/01/2029 through 01/31/2030

Contractor must be registered in System for Award Management, (SAM), prior to submitting a quotation. Registration is free and registration can be completed online at www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM.

A Site Visit is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).  Site visit contact:  Eric Paulsen, (352)339-6528 or eric.paulsen@usda.gov.

Questions.   All questions pertaining to this solicitation must be in writing.  All questions will be addressed by email only.  Submit questions referencing solicitation number 12405B25Q0018 electronically via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov.  Questions are due on or before January 16, 2025, not later than 12:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).  Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or returned.

Quotation Submission.  Quotation referencing solicitation number 12405B25Q0018 must be submitted electronically via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov by Thursday, January 23, 2025, not later than 3:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).  No late quotations will be accepted.

Any quotations not meeting the minimum specifications and requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) will not be considered.

In order to be considered for award, Offerors shall respond by submitting One (1) electronic copy as follows:

• Fully completed and signed SF1449 Offer Form original signature and date; Pricing must be submitted using the Schedule of Supplies/Services within the Offer Form (SF 1449); acknowledgment of any Solicitation Amendments (if applicable); SAM UEI Number.
• Price Quotation.  A Firm Fixed-Price Contractor Quotation (on company letterhead) for all CLINS listed in Solicitation. Document must provide cost of completing the services identified in the Statement of Work for each CLIN item requested. This must include equipment, material, shipping, delivery, etc. Offerors must present their configuration based upon the specifications required to fully and successfully complete the Statement of Work (SOW).  Offers that fail to provide a firm fixed price will not be evaluated.

Quotation must be valid for at least 60 days after receipt of quotation. 

Items delivered FOB Destination inclusive of all costs.

Rejection of Quotation.  Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quotation without further discussion.  All responsible sources may submit an offer and will be considered.

Prospective contractors who have not completed electronic annual representations and certifications at http://www.sam.gov/ in conjunction with required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, shall complete and submit FAR 52.212-3 Alternative 1 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items and DFARS Representations and Certifications in SAM to be eligible to receive an award for this solicitation.

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Government Point of Entry (GPE) (sam.gov) for information relevant to this solicitation, e.g., questions and answers, amendments, etc. Any amendments and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE) SAM.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 and is being conducted in conjunction according to FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures as supplemented with additional information in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. 

The solicitation number is 12405B25Q0018 and solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).  This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-01.

This RFQ is issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside.  The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 561730 – Landscaping Services.  The Small Business Size Standards is $9.5 Mil. 

The USDA, ARS, SEA, Center for Biological Control, 6383 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 location has a requirement for the following.

FY2025 Ground Maintenance Services.  Contractor must provide and furnish all personnel, supplies, and equipment to perform ground maintenance services as detailed in attached Statement of Work (SOW).  NO DRAWINGS ARE AVAILABLE.

Base Year + 4 Option Years.

• Base Year - 02/01/2025 through 01/31/2026 
• Option Year 1 - 02/01/2026 through 01/31/2027
• Option Year 2 - 02/01/2027 through 01/31/2028
• Option Year 3 - 02/01/2028 through 01/31/2029
• Option Year 4 - 02/01/2029 through 01/31/2030

Contractor must be registered in System for Award Management, (SAM), prior to submitting a quotation. Registration is free and registration can be completed online at www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM.

A Site Visit is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).  Site visit contact:  Dr. Alex Gaffke, (406)209-3122 or alexander.gaffke@usda.gov.

Questions.   All questions pertaining to this solicitation must be in writing.  All questions will be addressed by email only.  Submit questions referencing solicitation number 12405B25Q0018 electronically via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov.  Questions are due on or before January 16, 2025, not later than 12:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).  Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or returned.

Quotation Submission.  Quotation referencing solicitation number 12405B25Q0018 must be submitted electronically via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov by Thursday, January 23, 2025, not later than 3:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).  No late quotations will be accepted.

Any quotations not meeting the minimum specifications and requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) will not be considered.

In order to be considered for award, Offerors shall respond by submitting One (1) electronic copy as follows:

• Fully completed and signed SF1449 Offer Form original signature and date; Pricing must be submitted using the Schedule of Supplies/Services within the Offer Form (SF 1449); acknowledgment of any Solicitation Amendments (if applicable); SAM UEI Number.
• Price Quotation.  A Firm Fixed-Price Contractor Quotation (on company letterhead) for all CLINS listed in Solicitation. Document must provide cost of completing the services identified in the Statement of Work for each CLIN item requested. This must include equipment, material, shipping, delivery, etc. Offerors must present their configuration based upon the specifications required to fully and successfully complete the Statement of Work (SOW).  Offers that fail to provide a firm fixed price will not be evaluated.

Quotation must be valid for at least 60 days after receipt of quotation. 

Items delivered FOB Destination inclusive of all costs.

Rejection of Quotation.  Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quotation without further discussion.  All responsible sources may submit an offer and will be considered.

Prospective contractors who have not completed electronic annual representations and certifications at http://www.sam.gov/ in conjunction with required registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, shall complete and submit FAR 52.212-3 Alternative 1 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items and DFARS Representations and Certifications in SAM to be eligible to receive an award for this solicitation.

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Government Point of Entry (GPE) (sam.gov) for information relevant to this solicitation, e.g., questions and answers, amendments, etc. Any amendments and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE) SAM.