The purpose of this Amendment is to post the Answers to Questions submitted. All other Terms and Conditions shall remain unchanged. -- S208

This Special Notice is Amendment S208 to a solicitation (RFQ 36C78626Q50069) for Grounds Maintenance Services at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies (NCOTA), posted by the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration on February 17, 2026. The amendment's primary purpose is to disseminate official responses to contractor questions that were submitted prior to the February 12, 2026 deadline. The opportunity is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside, classified under NAICS 561730 (Landscaping Services) and PSC S208 (Housekeeping-Landscaping/Groundskeeping). This amendment represents a clarification vehicle rather than a modification of substantive contract terms, as all other terms and conditions remain unchanged from the original solicitation.

The Special Notice details answers to questions submitted by potential bidders regarding operational requirements and site logistics for the grounds maintenance contract. Key contractual details include a performance period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, with a base year plus four option years available, and applicable wage determination 2015-4235, Rev. 32 (effective December 3, 2025). The proposal submission deadline is March 2, 2026. Critical operational requirements clarified in the responses include snow and ice treatment protocols prioritizing administration areas before 7:30 AM on weekdays, approval of specific de-icing compounds by location (salt for roads; calcium chloride or magnesium chloride for sidewalks), weekly task log submission requirements to the Contracting Officer's Representative, and designated contractor equipment storage areas with three-day temporary storage limitations. Only Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses are eligible to compete for this set-aside contract.