S208--Landscaping and Grounds keeping services

QUESTIONS ARE WRITTEN IN BLACK & RESPONSES ARE WRITTEN IN RED

Additional sentences to the sow & additional line items are written in black.

I am inquiring if there is a current incumbent for solicitation 36C24523Q1004 or is this a new opportunity? This is a new requirement.

I also would like to know if there is a forecasted budget for this as well.

No. An interested party must complete the price/ cost schedule when submitting their quote.

1) Approximately, much mulch does your team currently use annually?

The contractor will have to determine this.

2) Lastly, will the contractor be expected to purchase flowers and foliage, or will your on-site staff continue to provide them?

The VA will purchase and the contractor will install.

3.a. it mentions all clippings and debris should be removed after mowing. It does not appear that is being completed currently. Are we to do that with every mowing?

Can you confirm if that is indeed the scope?

Yes. Clippings and debris shall be removed after every service visit.

 3.d. Under mulching it says hemlock bark mulch. They currently have regular double shredded hardwood mulch. Could you confirm that please?

Double-shredded hardwood bark mulch is acceptable, as long as it does not fungus within 6 months of installation.

 3.k. Can you please confirm the number of irrigation clocks and number of zones.

Two clocks:

Fisher House: 16 Zones

Patient Garage: 1 Zone

Will the Government supply the water for watering plants? Yes

Are there restrooms for contractor use? Yes

The price sheet just has qty 1 for each CLIN. Is the Government only wanting a price for 1 service? If so, what are the expected quantities for each CLIN?

The service priced as a quantity of one however the VA will have the option to order as many as needed. Example, if grass cutting is quoted at $4500.00 per cut, the VA will have the option to order as many of the CLIN as needed. Grass cutting would be every other week and estimated around 15/20 times between March through October.Â

We attended the site visit and noticed the grounds are very overgrown. Can the Government add a one-time clean-up of the grounds prior to the normal mowing and trimming services?

Yes.

Page 7 of the solicitation states - The Contractor shall not store any equipment, fuel, fuel mixtures or chemicals on any government property. We are checking to see if this is a strict requirement for the storage of equipment. Bringing and removing equipment each day will add an unnecessary mobilization cost for this contract if there is an area the contractor could use.Â

Would discuss this with the awardee. We want to make sure we stay within all of the environmental guidelines.

What is the estimated sq ft of mulch required per year?

The contractor would have to determine that.

Can a connex container be utilized on site for covered storage of equipment?

Would discuss this with the awardee. I want to make sure we stay within all of the environmental guidelines.

Can the hemlock bark mulch as stated in the solicitation be substituted with hardwood mulch in the case of material unavailability? Yes

1. Is there any format for the proposal? Yes, Use the SF1449 to submit your quote. Volumes or sections? Yes. Limitations on pages? Yes, Use the SF1449. Margins? Yes

Please review Section . E.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS, Offeror must:

2. Mulching is referenced but there is no CLIN for it, will a CLIN be added specifically for mulching? Yes

3. Spring cleaning, what does this entail?

Cleaning and remove limbs, leaves and debris for the winter months, Cleaning flower beds mulching and planting flowers.

4. Can a dumpster be placed onsite for debris removal and cleaning? Yes

5. Is there a specific type of annual/perineal plants requested? If not, do choices need to be approved by COR? Yes

6. What are the approved chemicals for weed treatment?

Approved list will be provided upon award. Products that contain 2-4-D are restricted on VHA grounds.

7. What are planting flats? Plants ready and available to be planted.

8. The RFQ states all pesticides shall be applied by a state of Oregon licensed applicator, is this accurate?

No. It should be Washington DC

9. How many flower beds are there? Approximately 5-10

10. What are normal business hours for the VAMC?

Normal business for these particular services is 0700 - 1530 or 7:00 AM 3:30PM

ADDITIONS TO THE SOW

1. General: Added after sentence #3. The contractors should be licensed to perform services Landscaping services as well as adhere with the environmental requirements in the District of Columbia.

3. Project Requirements:

f. FERTILIZING, PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES. Sentence #8. Changed from - All pesticides shall be applied by a state of Oregon licensed applicator. Changed to - All pesticides shall be applied by a Washington DC licensed pesticide applicator. Add as last sentence to the paragraph - Products that contain 2-4-D are restricted on VHA grounds.

5. Access, Work hours, and Identification, Add as 1st sentence in paragraph # 2 - Normal business for these particular services are 0700 - 1530 or 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

ADDITIONAL LINE ITEMS

To Ordering Period 1 - Line Item 0000

Description A one-time clean-up of the grounds prior to the normal mowing and trimming services.

Line Items to the ordering periods

0016 Mulching Service, 1016 Mulching Service, 2016 Mulching Service, 3016 Mulching Service and 4016 Mulching Service

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM NUMBER

DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

0000

1.00

EA

__________________

__________________

One-time clean-up of the grounds prior to the normal mowing and trimming services.

Contract Period: Ordering Period 1

POP Begin: 10-01-2023

POP End: 09-30-2024

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

0016

1.00

EA

__________________

__________________

Mulching Service

Contract Period: Ordering Period 1

POP Begin: 10-01-2023

POP End: 09-30-2024

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

1016

1.00

EA

__________________

__________________

Mulching Service

Contract Period: Ordering Period 2

POP Begin: 10-01-2024

POP End: 09-30-2025

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

2016

1.00

EA

__________________

__________________

Mulching Service

Contract Period: Ordering Period 3

POP Begin: 10-01-2025

POP End: 09-30-2026

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

3016

1.00

EA

__________________

__________________

Mulching Service

Contract Period: Ordering Period 4

POP Begin: 10-01-2026

POP End: 09-30-2027

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

4016

1.00

EA

__________________

__________________

Mulching Service

Contract Period: Ordering Period 5

POP Begin: 10-01-2027

POP End: 09-30-2028

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 561730 - Landscaping Services

PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: S208 - Housekeeping - Landscaping/Groundskeeping

This is a request for quote for a Firm Fixed Price contract under Far Part 13.