S208--fort SAM houston grounds maintenance base plus 4, one-year option periods

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to address questions from prospective quoters.

Question 1: The government stated, Cross cutting is required for each mowing service.

Question 1.a.: Will mowing (example) East to West along the face of the headstones in week one, and then mowing from West to East with a different mower/tread width/weight in week two meet the requirement of varying mow patterns, or will North to South mowing between headstones be required?

Question 1.b.: If North to South is required, will that be acceptable, or is diagonal mowing required?

Answer 1.a.: Contractor is required to mow all improved turf. That is the turf on the rows on the face and back of the headstones. Crosscutting, or cutting between the headstone in a column is also required. The pattern of mowing should be changed up regardless of whether a contractor is mowing in the rows or along the columns.

Answer 1.b.: Mowing in the columns is all that is required. Diagonal mowing isn t required. All improved turf is to be mowed.

Question 2: The solicitation offers that contractors should change directions, wheel width, equipment weight, etc. between each mowing.

Question 2.a.: Is diagonal mowing, or mowing between the headstones required?

Question 2.b.: What is the contractor to do if a section in the cemetery does not allow the contractor to diagonally mow due to headstone layout?

Answer 2.a.: Cross cutting mowing between the stones along the column is required. Diagonal mowing is not required.

Answer 2.b.: Diagonal mowing is not required.

Question 3: Has cross cutting ever been performed at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery?

Answer 3: Yes, weekly.

Question 4: When cross cutting is performed, how does the government require the grass that is left between the front and the back of the headstones to be cut?

Question 4.a.: The most feasible way to cut this area of uncut grass is to run a mower long ways down the headstone rows, however doing this would put traffic on the areas that we are trying to avoid, defeating the purpose. Hand trimming these areas would add substantial labor hours and additional cost to the contract.

Question 4.b.: A contractor could also cross cut a double diagonal at a cemetery, but this leads to double the amount of vehicle traffic on the same square footage of turf and defeats the purpose of maintaining the condition of the cemetery grounds as well.

Answer 4.a.: All improved turf is to be cut each cycle. This includes turf in the columns between the stones (cross cutting) and in the rows along the face and back of the headstones. Varying patterns are to be used. The government does not dictate to the contractor the how of mowing, and the type of mowers used. The government s concern is that the contract specifications are followed and no damage to the existing turf. Trimming of the headstones is required weekly per the Performance Work Statement.

Answer 4.b.: Diagonal cutting is not required. Mowing in the rows and cross cutting in the columns is required to ensure that all improved turf is mowed.

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is provide a revised phone number for scheduling a site visit provided in Question 2. of Solicitation Amendment A0004.

The phone number will change from: 210.820.3981 to: 210.820.3891.

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to answer questions from prospective quoters.

Question 1: Please clarify if the list of references (attachment E) and past performance questionnaires (attachment F) are excluded from the 30-page limit in the technical proposal.

Answer 1: Attachment E is included in the 30-page limit of the technical proposal. Attachment F, past performance questionnaires, is not included in the 30-page limit of the technical proposal due to the fact that the past performance questionnaires are to be submitted directly to the contracting officer from past customers.

Question 2: Please clarify if the cemetery desires for the contractor to provide herbicide/fertilization treatments within the improved and semi-improved areas.

Answer 2: No.

Question 3: Please clarify if the contractor should include herbicide/fertilization treatments with the CLIN for improved and semi-improved services.

Answer 3: No.

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to 1) Establish a cut off date for questions related to this solicitation and 2) address questions from prospective quoters.

1. The cut off date and time for questions related to this solicitation is 4/23/2021 at 4:00 pm EDT. Any questions received after this deadline may not be answered prior to the solicitation closing date and time of 4/28/2021 at 4:00 pm EDT.

2. Questions and Answers:

Question 1: Do you have a list of Qualified bidders who meet the set-aside qualifications?

Answer 1: Below is a listed of companies known to demonstrate interest in this solicitation. Their individual set-aside qualifications are subject to expiration. Therefore, independent verification of their current set-aside status would be required by those seeking partnership.

-Fedley FX

-Frontline Solutions

-Avartara LLC

-Jones General Contracting LLC

-Zlynx Enterprise

-Raven Operations

-Allserv

-Accord Federal

-All Services Contracting

-Aspire Therapy Services & Consultants

-Earth Tones Designs

-Global Construction

-Hangar 4 Services

-Knight Solutions

-Moderno

-Sonkin Enterprise

-The HP Group

-WPR LLC

-Yellowstone Enterprise

Question 2: Will the government be having an organized site walk?

Answer 2: No. Call to schedule a site visit at phone number 210.820.3981.

Question 3: The solicitation PWS, Paragraph CLIN 003: Semi-Improved Grounds Mowing and Trimming, Sub-paragraph 3.3.1. states, The Contractor shall maintain grass height between 2.5 and 3.5 . This generally requires a complete mow/trim cycle every two weeks during the growing season (March through November) However, Attachment A Price Schedule CLIN 003 indicates a service frequency of 34 occurrences per year. From March November there are approximately 40 weeks. Therefore, based on the PWS there would be about 20 maintenance occurrences necessary. Please clarify how many service occurrences we would need to provide for the Semi-Improved Grounds Mowing and Trimming?

Answer 3: The quantities in the price schedule are estimates only. For CLIN 003, Semi-Improved Grounds Mowing and Trimming, the required grass height is between 2.5 and 3.5 . For CLIN 001, Improved Grounds Mowing, the typical required grass height is between 1 and 3 and maintained within 1 . During the growing season the contractor shall maintain the grass at a height between 0.5 and 2 , or per the COR s direction with concurrence from the District s Agronomist. A complete mow & trim cycle is performed every week during the growing season (March through November).

Question 4: The solicitation PWS, Paragraph 3.4, CLIN 004 Trim Headstones and Blade Edge Flat Markers states, Flat markers are grouped together in the same burial sections and only blade edgers may be used to trim around them. However, Sub-Paragraph 3.4.5. states, No metal blades shall be used to edge around flat markers. Finally, the Quality Assurance Report form also states no mental blades shall be used. Please provide some clarification. Are contractors to use blade edgers or not around Flat Markers?

Answer 4: Metal blade edgers can be used for services provided under Item 3.5. Blade Edging / CLIN 005. Plastic blade edgers shall be used for services provided under Item 3.4. Trim Headstones and blade edge flat markers / CLIN 004; this includes flat markers. Headstones are to be trimmed with string trimmers. Flat headstones are recommended to be trimmed using stick edgers equipped with plastic blades so the contractor limits potential marring/damage to the marker with the edger.

Question 5: Reference Attachment 5, Paragraph 4, Sub-paragraph A. states, Contractor Lay Down Area fencing: Before work operations begin, Contractor shall provide a chain-link fence, six (6) feet minimum height, around the Contractor Lay Down Area . The two previous PWSs provided in Amendment 1 also show this requirement. However, the current contractor laydown area does not have a 6 fence for the laydown area. Can we assume that the requirement is not enforced or is longer necessary as the laydown area is in a remote area far away from burial sections? Please confirm that no laydown fence will be required over the project performance period.

Answer 5: A six-foot chain-link fence with a minimum height is required for the laydown area. Additionally, there have been incidents of theft involving contractor requirement. The cemetery assumes no responsibility for contractor equipment. A six-foot chain-link fence provides a deterrent and some security for the contractor s equipment. The cemetery anticipates a few construction projects in the near future. A fenced off area will be needed to separate the mowing and trimming equipment from other construction contractors items which will be stored in the same general area.

Question 6: Reference Attachment 5, Paragraph 9. Does the contractor need to reinstall the headstones that are damaged by grounds maintenance operations? If so, please provide an estimated timeframe from reporting of a damaged headstone to the time a replacement is received.

Answer 6: Yes. Headstones shall be installed within ten (10) days of receipt.

Question 7: Please provide the current replacement cost of Headstones and flat markers.

Answer 7: Upright headstones have an estimated price of $70.00. The cost of new headstone, including shipment, is $354.00.

Question 8: Reference Attachment 5, Paragraph 8. states, Contractor shall wash down with water all soiled or stained structures headstones/flat markers, and monuments at the end of each workday. We have observed the washing down of headstones is not performed each day. Instead, it appears the washing down activities is performed more on an en-masse cleaning procedure by section. Additionally, after reviewing the two past PWS documents provided in Amendment 1, we see that the specification is the same as outlined above. We see that en masse cleaning is the most efficient process, therefore, please provide the days of the cleaning of headstones and flat markers will be permitted.

Answer 8: The requirement to wash down all soiled or stained structures at the end of each workday is the standard.

Question 9: Please provide the route of entry for large trucks servicing roll-off dumpsters and temporary toilets positioned in the laydown area and any special requirements for entry onto the cemetery grounds.

Answer 9: Route depicted in below map. There are no special requirements to enter the cemetery. The max height of the bridge one must travel under is 11 6 .

Question 10: It is understanding that section 3.1.9. of the PWS was added and the requirement to crosscut was not a part of the previous solicitation, therefore, the prices included in amendment 002 are not applicable to the current contract. Can the government confirm?

Answer 10: That is correct. The cross-cutting language was not in the previous versions of this requirement.

Question 11: Section 3.1.9. of the PWS states that, The Contractor shall be familiar with and utilize different mowing patterns and shall change direction, change patterns, and vary mower wheel width patterns after each mowing thereby reducing turf wear, prevent wheel rutting, and provide a neat appears. The change in direction and change in patterns also may be referred to as cross cutting, diagonally. Would cross cutting every other mowing service be acceptable?

Answer 11: No. Cross cutting is required for each mowing service.

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to 1) incorporate revised Attachment B Performance Work Statement and 2) rescind and invalidate the revised Attachment B Performance Work Statement provided in solicitation amendment A0002 dated 4/19/2021.

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to 1) address questions from prospective vendors in response to the solicitation, 2) revise language found in Attachment B Performance Work Statement, section 3.4.12., and 3) incorporate revised Attachment B Performance Work Statement.

1) Question 1: In reference to PWS Section 3.4.12: The PWS states the Contractor shall use plastic blade attachments to cleanly trim edges around all headstones. Can the government confirm that this is not a requirement for upright headstones and only string trimming of upright headstones is required. Plastic blade edgers should only be used on flat markers.

Answer 1: Turfgrass within 6 to 12 inches of upright headstones, monuments, etc., will be trimmed to the recommended mowing height using line-type trimmers. Each trimmer will be fitted with an anti-scalping devise and used only with the device properly attached.

Question 2: I am writing to ask if a bid tabulation or matrix was released to any of the bidders for the cancelled solicitation #36C78621Q0026 that was submitted in November 2020, and if so, would you please send us a copy as well?

Answer 2.a.: No, a bid tabulation or matrix was not released to any of the bidders for the cancelled solicitation #36C78621Q0026.

Answer 2.b.: Bid matrix provided below.

QUOTER

QUOTED PRICE

A

$3,415.702.75

B

$2,511,102.00

C

$3,793,525.19

D

$4,616,326.87

E

$4,729,828.01

F

$4,942,747.60

G

$5,463,342.21

H

$5,879,629.12

I

$7,984,625.60

J

$6,525,600.80

K

$22,011,295.28

L

$6,794,207.86

M

$6,973,216.00

N

$7,915,400.99

O

$6,495,600.80

P

$10,804,091.36

Q

$5,033,696.00

2) The language in Attachment B Performance Work Statement See Attachment B Performance Work Statement item 3.4.12. will change from, The Contractor shall use edgers with a plastic blade attachment to cleanly trim edges around all headstones and flat markers, monuments, section markers, etc. Equipment or attachments not meeting the descriptions provided under this section require approval for use by COR prior to implementation.

To:

The Contractor shall use edgers with a plastic blade attachment to cleanly trim edges around all flat markers, monuments, section markers, etc. Equipment or attachments not meeting the descriptions provided under this section require approval for use by COR prior to implementation.

3) Revised Attachment B Performance Work Statement is hereby incorporated into the solicitation.

The purpose of this amendment to the solicitation is to address questions from prospective quoters.

Question 1. [r]equest the name of the bridge contract awardee and the contract number.

Answer 1. The name of the bridge contract awardee was Zlynx Enterprises. The contract number of the bridge contract is 36C78621D0078.

Question 2: I would also like to get copies of the Statement(s) of Work for the previous contract held by Zlynx under contract VA786-16-C-0021.

Answer 2. See Attachments A and B. Attachment A is the Statement of Work for contract VA786-16-C-0021. Attachment B is the Statement of Work for contract 36C78621D0078.

SEE 36C78621Q0143 AND ATTACHMENTS A THROUGH F