Request for Information (RFI) Ft. Devens National Cemetery Grounds Maintenance Services -- S208

The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential contractors capable of providing comprehensive grounds maintenance services at Fort Devens National Cemetery in Massachusetts. This market research initiative seeks sources qualified under NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services) with a size standard of $9.5 million to provide services including grave excavation, headstone maintenance, lawn care, tree and shrub management, debris removal, snow and ice removal, and ceremonial support for Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. The RFI requires respondents to submit detailed capability statements, business size status information, NAICS code qualifications, subcontracting plans, existing federal contract holdings, and general pricing information. Contractors must maintain strict performance standards including 90% weed-free turf in prominent areas, proper headstone alignment, and possess a Massachusetts commercial pesticide application license. All responses must be submitted via email to Antionette.Collins@va.gov by August 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM. This is strictly a sources sought notice and not a solicitation, with a potential solicitation announcement to follow based on the market research results.

This opportunity is designated as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-aside, reflecting the VA's commitment to supporting veteran-owned enterprises. The contract structure includes a base year with four optional one-year extensions, providing potential contractors with up to five years of service delivery. The Fort Devens National Cemetery encompasses 3.75 acres and contains 1,139 occupied gravesites with 71 available sites remaining, requiring meticulous maintenance to preserve the dignity befitting a national veterans' cemetery. No incumbent contractor or current service provider is identified in the documentation, suggesting this may be a new procurement or a complete re-competition of existing services. While specific contract values are not disclosed in this RFI phase, the NAICS 561730 size standard of $9.5 million indicates the anticipated annual contract value will likely fall within small business thresholds. The cemetery's relatively compact size but high ceremonial importance demands specialized expertise in cemetery maintenance and veteran memorial care standards.