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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF JANUARY 19, 2018 FBO #5901
DOCUMENT

S -- Cemetery Grounds Maintenance - Attachment

Notice Date

1/17/2018
 

Notice Type

Attachment
 

NAICS

812220 — Cemeteries and Crematories
 

Contracting Office

VA National Cemetery Administration Centralized Contracting Division - Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration
 

Solicitation Number

36C78618R0119
 

Response Due

1/22/2018
 

Archive Date

3/23/2018
 

Point of Contact

Joseph Mendoza
 

E-Mail Address

7-6287<br
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

Page 17 of 17 This acquisition is a Prospective 100% set aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB). If Two or more interested (SDVOSB) and/or (VOSB) respond, then the solicitation to acquire services described below, shall be 100% Set-aside to the appropriate VOSB or SDVOSB. If there are less than 2 interested veteran certified companies, this requirement shall be set aside to all small businesses. The NAICS Code is 812220 (Cemeteries and Crematories) $20.5 Million size standard. Please note: That this is not a request for quotes or proposals; this is a Pre-solicitation notice to inform all interested Small Businesses that the VA National Cemetery Administration, Pacific District as directed by the VA Riverside National Cemetery, is preparing to solicit the appropriate Set-Aside Proposal Depending on the interested Reponses on this Notice. Contract award will consist of One Base year and up to 4 one-year option; a total of five years (maximum if needed). A solicitation is currently not available. The intent of an awarded contract shall be Total Cemetery Grounds Maintenance services for the Riverside National Cemetery. Subject to all terms, conditions, provisions, and schedules of the contract; contractor shall furnish all equipment, parts, materials, supplies, labor, and supervision necessary and incidental to the work required. Technical and Past Performance is significantly Greater Than Price BACKGROUND: The VA National Cemeteries are a resting place for our nation's heroes and as such, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to reflect this nation's concern and respect for those interred there. NCA mission is to honor veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. National Cemeteries are National Shrines. The standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries shall reflect this nation's concern for those interred. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the interested respondent s expense. The objective of this Notice is to allow industry the opportunity to provide comments to the VA NCA Pacific District. Review of the responses to the Notice will focus on the offeror s technical input and clarification of requirements. Notice Response Due Date: The VA NCA Pacific District will only entertain written communication; no verbal communions will be accepted. Please submit written information via e-mail to Joseph Mendoza, Contracting Officer, at joseph.mendoza1@va.gov no later than 22 January 2018 4:00 p.m. Pacific time. Response Contact: Respondents to this Notice shall designate a primary and one alternate point of contact within the company (Name, Address, Email, and Telephone). Clarification of Notice Responses: To fully comprehend the information contained within a response to this Notice, there may be a need to seek further clarification from those responding. This clarification may be requested in the form of brief verbal communication by telephone; written communication; electronic communication; or a request for a presentation of the response to a specific VA NCA Pacific District group or groups. The VA NCA Pacific District reserves the right to seek additional information from those respondents identified with unique solutions that are determined to be beneficial to the VA NCA Pacific District. PART I - THE SCHEDULE DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT BACKGROUND The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 134 National Cemeteries in 39 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. Because of the special significance and attention our National Cemeteries receive from the public, strict adherence to the following specifications is essential. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide Interment and Grounds Maintenance Services at Riverside National Cemetery, hereby known as the Cemetery. Specific locations, sizes and services required for the cemeteries are as follows: Cemetery Address Acreage Required Services Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92518 278 Developed Acres 250 Turf Acres 5 Acres Vegetation Control Full Grounds Maintenance Services MAINTENANCE AREAS The physical area of the contract includes the cemetery proper, structures, paving, and landscaped grounds, maintenance areas, roadways, irrigation lakes, stormwater facilities, perimeter landscaped areas, and all of its landscape elements. A portion of the cemetery may be under renovation by another contractor at any time; and specific grounds maintenance activities may be under separate contract with another vendor. CONTRACT OBJECTIVES To use an innovative and creative technical approach to manage the grounds maintenance operation at the Cemetery in order to maintain the high standards of appearance as a National Shrine, in accordance with the National Cemetery Administration National Shrine Commitment Operational Standards and Measures (Version 5.1 July 2014) and standard commercial practices. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS SERVICES PROVIDED: The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to perform the following Grounds Maintenance Services at the Riverside National Cemetery. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE MANPOWER & RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PERFORM AND COMPLETE MULTIPLE JOBS SIMULTANEOUSLY. Services to be provided include the following: Cemetery Grounds Management Plan Turf Renovation Turf Maintenance Fertilization Turf Maintenance Pest Control Turf Maintenance Mowing, Trimming & Edging Landscape Bed Maintenance Irrigation System Scheduled Maintenance Pond and Lake Maintenance CEMETERY GROUNDS MANAGEMENT PLAN NCA STANDARDS All maintenance activities are included in a current Cemetery Grounds Management Plan. SCOPE Cemetery Grounds Management Plan: A maintenance plan developed by each national cemetery, which identifies required maintenance tasks and schedules for all grounds maintenance activities. Contractor shall develop a Cemetery Grounds Management Plan for the national cemetery based on all required grounds maintenance activities specified herein. Contractor shall update the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan on a monthly basis to reflect actual occurrence of maintenance activities. Submit an updated spread sheet to COR for review and approval. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Within 30 days after Notice to Proceed, the Contractor shall submit a Cemetery Grounds Management Plan to the COR and Pacific District Agronomist for review and approval. The plan shall be developed on an electronic spread sheet, listing each task/activity specified herein, represented on a year-long time line beginning with the fiscal year. The spread sheet shall clearly show the frequency of all tasks/activities on a daily, weekly, monthly basis throughout the fiscal year. A sample Grounds Management Plan spreadsheet may be obtained from the Pacific District Agronomist. The plan shall incorporate the activities outlined in the Turf Application Schedule and the Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcover Application Schedule. The plan shall incorporate a legend to indicate which specific products (i.e., manufacturer and product name) are proposed to be supplied with each application and the application rate in quantity of product and/or active ingredient (ai) per Acre or 1000 square-feet. The Contractor shall complete and maintain the Grounds Maintenance Checklists (Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Annually) The COR will provide training in the proper use of these documents. (See Attachment D.) TURF RENOVATION NCA STANDARDS Turf used shall be compatible with the geographic region and shall adhere to the Cemetery Master Plan, where applicable. Seek guidance from expert sources (e.g. local county agricultural extension agent or, NCA Pacific District Agronomist, or landscape architects in NCA-CO) is adhered to regarding turf selection. Visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf, generally free of bare areas. Work consists of vegetation removal, soil preparation, and re-planting of turf by sod on areas of the cemetery where no turf has previously been installed; turf has been disturbed, has died, has become infested; or has 25 percent or more visually bare area. Lawn at newly dug or repaired sunken graves shall be re-planted by sod. Both full casket and cremain graves will require re-planting. SCOPE Work consists of ground preparation and sodding of areas of the cemetery where the turf is thin, has died, has become infested, or otherwise is in need of renovation. The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of any weeds, dead turf, and shall use quality topsoil and compost in performance of the sodding. All newly dug or refilled graves shall be re-planted with turf by sod. The finished grade of each flat marker gravesite prior to sodding shall be establish to be 1 inch below the top of the marker, or as directed by the COR. DEFINITIONS Turf: Turfgrass, grass, lawn. Any ground cover consisting primary of cultivated turfgrass species, such as perennial ryegrass and fescue. Irrigated Turf: Lawn that has permanent irrigation system installed. Topsoil: ASTM D 5268; natural or cultivated surface-soil layer containing organic matter and sand, silt, and clay particles, conforming to USDA classification for Loam or Sandy Loam; friable, pervious, and compatible in texture with the existing soil to prevent a perched water table; a minimum of 2 percent organic material content; pH range between 6 and 8; reasonably free of subsoil, clay lumps, gravel, rocks and other objects more than 13 mm (1/2-inch) in any dimension; and free of weeds, roots, and other extraneous materials harmful to plant growth. ABBREVIATIONS: USDA. United States Department of Agriculture. ASTM. American Society for Testing and Materials. TURF RENOVATION - Irrigated Turf Vegetation Removal: Remove and dispose existing sod/vegetation using a commercial sod cutter to remove surface vegetation plus 2-inch minimum depth of roots. Dispose of sod/vegetation in cemetery spoils area as directed by the COR. Soil Preparation: Prior to soil amendment, the top 2-inches minimum of the sod bed shall be friable, high quality, topsoil per ASTM 5268. Place topsoil as required to bring grades up to proper elevation making allowance for compost, soil amendments, and sod thickness. Soil Amendment: Follow the recommendations on the Contractor-provided soils reports for the amendment of topsoil through the incorporation of compost, gypsum, soil sulfur, and fertilizers (i.e., macro and micro-nutrients). Soil amendments shall be thoroughly incorporated into the top 4 to 6 inches of the soil. Fertilizers containing nitrogen shall have minimum of 50% of nitrogen formulated as slowly available nitrogen or controlled-release form. Prior to supplying the compost, soil amendments and fertilizers, submit the following for the approval of the COR and the Pacific District Agronomist: One-half (1/2) cubic-foot sample of compost, and certification letter from the supplier attesting that compost is U.S. Composting Council Certified. Laboratory analysis of proposed soil amendments per the soils report, (i.e., soil sulfur, gypsum, etc.) and rate of application in pounds per 1000 square-feet. Composition and laboratory analysis of fertilizer (i.e., N:P:K plus micronutrients) and rate of application in pounds per 1000 square-feet. Regardless of the recommendations of the soils report, add 1 cubic-yard of compost per 1000 square-feet to the soil. Incorporate the compost and other soil amendments uniformly to a depth of 4 to 6 inches by roto-tilling. Fine Grading: Restore the soil to an even condition before sodding by rolling in several directions with a standard turfgrass roller filled with water. All irregularities in the finished surface shall be corrected to eliminate depressions and high spots. Fill low spots with high quality topsoil, similar to the soil already present, to eliminate the depressions and achieve the desired finish grade. Finish grades adjacent to paving and curbs shall be lowered below the top of paving to allow for soil thickness of sod. The finished sod bed must be fine in texture and firmly compacted and free of any plant material, rocks or other debris greater than one-half (1/2) inch. Prepared sod bed areas shall be protected from damage by vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Sodding: Sod: State of California certified, produced from stolons, including limitations on thatch, weeds, diseases, nematodes, and insects, complying with "Specifications for Turfgrass Sod Materials" in TPI's "Guideline Specifications to Turfgrass Sodding". Furnish viable sod of uniform density, color, and texture, strongly rooted, and capable of vigorous growth and development when planted. Sod Species: The composition of the grass species in the sod shall be 90% Dwarf Tall Fescue and 10% Bluegrass. The sod shall be certified weed and pest-free. The Dwarf Tall Fescue shall be a blend of three regionally adapted cultivars. Prior to delivery of sod, the COR shall inspect the work area. Any discrepancies in the ground preparation shall be corrected prior to the laying of sod in the work area. Prior to installation of the sod, the COR shall have the right to inspect and to assess the condition and quality of the proposed sod. The COR shall have the right to reject poor quality sod before installation. The Contractor shall warranty the sod for one (1) year from date of Final Acceptance. The sod shall be cut as thinly as possible (1 to 1.25) to allow for faster rooting and shall be cut and delivered to the work site the same day of installation. Contractor shall make all necessary arrangements to protect delivered sod from excessive drying and wind damage. Apply 18:24:12 (N:P:K) granular starter fertilizer at 5 lbs. per 1000 sq-ft. using a calibrated spreader. Do not lay sod on excessively dry sod bed. Lightly water soil without creating a muddy condition. Sod shall be laid expeditiously without interruption, until the work area is completely sodded. Sod shall meet elevations of existing adjacent turf. Sod shall be laid perpendicular to the direction of the slope with seams staggered and tightly matched, and then tamped lightly or rolled to ensure firm contact with the soil with no air gaps. Sod placement shall match existing adjacent grades. Sod shall be cut and fitted around all markers, headstones and other objects. Sod shall be kept continually moist until it is well rooted and able to survive with routine irrigation scheduling. Any gaps between sod slabs shall be filled with fine, washed, river sand. Place soil/compost along any temporary exposed edges of sod to keep the edges from drying out. Any substitution of sod type must be specifically approved by the COR and Pacific District Agronomist in writing. Begin mowing new turfgrass when the leaf blades reach one inch above normal recommended mowing height. Mow at desired maintenance height (See Turf Maintenance Mowing, Trimming & Edging ). Never remove more than 1/3 of the total foliage length. Continue watering and mowing until the new turfgrass is well-established. If weeds germinate with the turfgrass, do not treat with herbicides until the turfgrass has been mowed at least three times. Then eliminate the weeds by using appropriate post-emergent herbicides in accordance with procedures specified under Turf Maintenance Pest Control, (and as indicated in NCA Handbook 3410 Integrated Pest Management Procedures for VA National Cemeteries). Establishment: Care for turf by watering, mowing, and fertilizing until a healthy stand of turf is established. Hand mow with walk-behind mowers until turf is established to prevent damage from riding mowers. SODDING OF FIRST INTERMENT AREAS Prepare sod bed for first interment areas to be sodded for the first time as indicated for Turf Renovation Irrigated Turf beginning with Soil Preparation, unless noted otherwise. SODDING OF INDIVIDUAL GRAVESITES Prepare sod bed for re-sodding of second interment gravesites as indicated for Turf Renovation Irrigated Turf beginning with Soil Preparation, unless noted otherwise. SATISFACTORY TURF Turf installations shall meet the following criteria as determined by COR: Satisfactory Sodded Turf: At end of 30 days, a healthy, well-rooted, even-colored, viable turf has been established, free of weeds, open joints, bare areas, and surface irregularities, with coverage exceeding 95 percent over any 10 sq. ft. (0.92 sq. m) and bare spots not exceeding 5 by 5 inches (125 by 125 mm). GUARANTEE The Contractor, coordinating with the COR, shall be responsible for mowing, trimming, and ensuring all new turf areas are automatically irrigated, and maintained in a healthy and vigorous condition. The Contractor shall, at his own expense, replace any turf which has died or been damaged within 30 days of being installed. Healthy turf shall be re-established within 30 days on all grave re-openers during the growing season. TURF MAINTENANCE FERTILIZATION NCA STANDARDS All visually prominent areas have a well-established, healthy stand of turf. SCOPE Contractors shall be responsible for maintaining the turf area of the cemetery and the immediate area surroundings of the cemetery in a healthy condition by proper application of fertilizers and soil amendments indicated in soil tests for each burial section. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Fertilizer: Fertilizer shall be applied based on the results and recommendations of soil reports. The Contractor shall apply at least 5 pounds of actual Nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year with 30% to 50% of the Nitrogen from controlled-release sources. To avoid salt burn limit single application of Nitrogen to 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per 1000 square-feet with: no more than 1.0 pound water-soluble Nitrogen, and 0.5 to 1.0 pound of controlled-release Nitrogen. The fertilizer shall be split into 3 applications every year April/May, October and December or as determined by the COR. Apply first application after initial heavy flush of spring growth has subsided. (Apply one to two weeks prior to Memorial Day and Veterans Day to green-up the lawn.) The fertilizer shall be uniformly applied with an accurately calibrated spreader. Soil pH shall be maintained at acceptable level for cool season turfgrass between 6.5 and 7.2. Gypsum: When soil tests indicate a need for gypsum, it shall be applied at the rate indicated in those tests. Time of application shall be in fall immediately after soil aerification. Split applications if report requires more than 50 pounds per 1000 square-feet to be applied to correct soils. A pelletized product shall be used for ease of application. Product shall be derived from: Calcium Sulfate and consist of: Calcium (Ca) 21.00%; Sulfur (S) 16.00%; and Gypsum (CaSO4 2H2O) 60.00%. Elemental Sulfur: When pH above 7.2 in soil tests indicates a need for elemental sulfur, it shall be applied at the rate indicated in those tests. Limit sulfur applications to 5 pounds per 1000 square-feet (200 lbs./A) every 5 to 6 weeks during the active growing season until the total recommended amount of product has been applied. A pelletized product shall be used for ease of application. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES The Contractor shall provide all required chemicals, fertilizers, soil amendments and any other supplies as indicated in the Turf Application Schedule. Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, applicators, hoses and other equipment. Water will be furnished by the Government at no cost to the Contractor. SOIL TESTING The Contractor shall have the soil tested during the base year and every year thereafter before the spring fertilizer application. Soil tests shall be conducted by a qualified, independent, soils and plant laboratory, university laboratory, or an Agricultural Extension in the state of California recognized by the State Department of Agriculture, with the experience and capability to conduct the testing indicated and that specializes in types of tests to be performed. Soil laboratories affiliated with vendors are not permitted. The Contractor shall provide nine (9) soil reports and recommendations annually. Soil extractions shall be performed in accordance with standard guidelines for agricultural soil sampling and under the observation of the COR. Soil samples shall be taken from areas within the cemetery that will properly represent the soil conditions. The soil tests shall clearly identify the cemetery section(s) from which the samples were taken to assist the contractor in the application of specific soil amendments. For each soil sample submitted to the laboratory, a minimum of 10 soil extractions shall be taken. At least two extractions shall be taken from each cemetery section included in a region. The Contractor shall provide nine (9) soil reports and recommendations annually; one for each of 9 regions of the cemetery identified below: Region 1: Sections 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, 4, and 11. Region 2: Sections 5, 6, 7, 12 and 12A. Region 3: Sections 8, 8A, 8C, 9, 10, 13, and 13A. Region 4: Sections 14, 14A, 15, 16, 17, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, and 21. Region 5: Sections 26, 27, 28, 41, 42, 43 and 44. Region 6: Sections 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 37, 38 and 39. Region 7: Sections 46, 46A, 47, 45, 48, 49, 49A and 50. Region 8: Sections 51, 51A, 52A-D, 53A, 55, 56A-C, 57A-B, 58A-B, 59A-H, 62A-F and 63A-F. Region 9: Sections 61A, 61, 53B, 54A-B (Imported topsoils). The Contractor shall provide a copy of each soil test results and recommendations to the COR and Pacific District Agronomist for approval prior to the fertilizer and amendment purchase. Provide soil analyses in the form of a graphical report showing: Soil composition (USDA particle size analysis indicating percentages of sand, silt and clay). Percent organic matter. Macro and micro nutrient fertility tests as determined by pH. Salinity (ECe). Elements: nitrate nitrogen, chloride, sulfate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, soluble phosphate phosphorus, manganese soluble copper, zinc, iron saturation extract, and boron.. Toxic Elements: aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, lithium, mercury, selenium, silver, strontium, tin, vanadium. Cation exchange capacity (CEC). Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) [and estimate of Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP)]. Report suitability of tested soils for plant growth: Based upon the test results, the laboratory shall provide recommendations for fertilizers and soil amendments to be applied for the maintenance of healthy turf. State recommendations for macro and micro nutrients in pounds per 1,000 square foot or tons per acre, as necessary to correct soil nutrient deficiencies. State recommendations for soil amendments to be added in pounds per 1,000 square foot or tons per acre to adjust soil pH to within the range of 6.5-7.2. State recommendations for soil amendments to be added in pounds per 1,000 square foot (or tons per acre) to correct soil salinity problems as evidenced by surplus Sodium (Na). State recommendations for soil amendments to be added in pounds per 1,000 square foot or tons per acre to correct soil salinity problems where ECe is greater than 4.0 dSm-1 and ESP is less than 15%. State recommendations for soil amendments to be added in pounds per 1,000 square foot or tons per acre to improve soil permeability and increase soil infiltration rates. For Turf Renovation: state recommendations for compost to be added in cubic yards per 1000 square feet to adjust soil organic matter content of the soil to a minimum of 6 percent. VERIFICATION List dates for fertilizer applications on the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan. The actual date of application shall be reported to the COR no later than 5 working days after completion of work. Submit to the COR and Pacific District Agronomist for approval, laboratory analyses and compositions of each soil amendment and each fertilizer intended for use on the cemetery prior to procuring those products. Submit to the COR and Pacific District Agronomist a spread sheet listing each burial section in the cemetery and indicating each fertilizer composition (i.e., N:P:K plus micronutrients), and soil amendment (i.e., lime, gypsum, elemental sulfur) to be applied in each burial section corresponding to the recommendations of the soils reports. The spread sheet will list each product s manufacturer, trade name and application rate in pounds of product per Acre or 1000 square feet. Documentation of compliance with the soil test application rate shall be provided to the COR within 5 working days of fertilizer/soil amendment application. Examples of suitable documentation include: purchase order; invoice; or delivery documents. TURF MAINTENANCE PEST CONTROL NCA STANDARDS Turf in burial areas and visually prominent areas are to be 90 percent weed and pest free. Turf in all other areas is to be generally weed and pest free. SCOPE Contractors shall be responsible for maintaining the turf area of the cemetery and the immediate area surroundings of the cemetery in a healthy condition by proper application of fertilizers, and chemicals (to control weeds, diseases, and invertebrate and vertebrate pests). Turf in high visibility areas shall be at least 90 percent pest and disease free. Conduct pest control in accordance with requirements as stated in NCA Handbook 3410 Integrated Pest Management Procedures for VA National Cemeteries. DEFINITIONS: Pest is defined as any plant or animal detrimental to humans or human concerns including weeds, fungi, molds, vertebrates, and invertebrates. An animal is any living thing that is not a human being or a plant. A pesticide is herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, and poisonous baits. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Pesticides: Contractor shall keep a record of all insecticides, herbicides, etc. applied and submit a copy to COR on the appropriate form within 5 working days of application along with all supporting SDS sheets for any chemicals used in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). (See Attachment X Pesticide Application Data Sheet ). The COR will train the Contractor in the proper use of this form. Records will show type, amount, application area, and weather conditions. Post signs along the perimeters of treated areas informing the public that a chemical has been applied (Date and Time of Application). Weed Control: Weed growth and disease in turf shall be controlled by means of mowing, trimming and pesticide application or any other method approved by the COR. All personnel using such sprays shall be properly trained, and the person in charge shall be duly licensed by the State of California to use pesticides. Broadcast applications of pesticides for weeds shall be accomplished in the spring and the fall as specified in the Turf Application Schedule. Spot treatments of pesticides for weed control shall occur monthly. Broadleaf Weed Control: Broadleaf herbicides shall be applied with calibrated measured spraying equipment (not a hose end sprayer). The chemical must address issues of various broadleaf weed types which include dandelion, white clover, bristly oxtongue, speedwell, bristly mallow, California burclover, filaree, chickweed, curly dock, yellow wood-sorrel, black medic, plantain, spurge, prickly lettuce, purslane, etc.. Applications shall be timely and at the proper dosage so that perennial weeds do not go to seed. Chemicals shall be broadcast and spot-applied to turf areas throughout the cemetery as appropriate for the degree of weed pressure. Use three-way herbicide products containing triclopyr; 2,4-D; and dicamba. Tank mix with MCPP or MCPA to increase spectrum of control. Test tank mixtures on small non-burial turf areas for compatibility, safety, and efficacy before treating large areas. Grass Weed Control: Grass weed herbicides shall be applied with calibrated measured spraying equipment (not a hose end sprayer). Applications shall be timely and at the proper dosage so that grass weeds do not go to seed. Chemicals shall be broadcast and spot-applied to grass weeds in turf areas throughout the cemetery as appropriate for the degree of weed pressure. Alternate between herbicides products containing dithiopyr and pronamide to reduce herbicide resistance. Tank mix with fenoxapropto increase spectrum of control. Do not apply to newly overseeded turf. Sedge Weed Control: Sedge weed herbicides shall be applied with calibrated measured spraying equipment (not a hose end sprayer). The chemical must address issues of various weeds which include green kyllinga, annual sedge, purple nutsedge, yellow nutsedge, and aquatic sedges. Applications shall be timely and at the proper dosage so that grass weeds do not go to seed. Chemicals shall be spot-applied throughout the cemetery where infestations are evident, particularly in moist and low-lying areas prone to poor drainage. Tank mix with adjuvant per manufacturer s printed instructions. Reapply 4 to 6 weeks per manufacturer s printed instructions. Alternate between herbicides products containing halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, and sulfosulfuron to reduce herbicide resistance. Rodent Control: The Contractor shall establish a treatment to control gophers, ground squirrels, moles and other rodent pests within the developed cemetery grounds throughout the calendar year for approval of COR. This schedule shall be incorporated into the Grounds Management Plan. Gophers, ground squirrels, moles, etc. shall be controlled by trapping, elimination of their food source, or other effective methods. Trapping shall be performed by licensed professionals permitted to trap the target pest. Shooting of animals will not be authorized. Comply with U.S. Fish and Wildlife laws and regulations, and state Fish and Game Code with regard to baiting and trapping of animal pests. All animals shall be disposed of or relocated in accordance with federal, state and local laws. All treatments must be conducted with compliance to the Endangered Species Act due to the adjacent Kangaroo Rat preserve. Obtain maps from COR which show location of Kangaroo Rat preserve. If soil is disturbed by these pests, the Contractor shall ensure that all holes/ruts be filled with soil or other COR-approved material, tamped and re-graded. Areas of repair include both turf and planting beds. The Contractor shall: within 10 calendar days from start of the contract period conduct a complete inspection of the cemetery grounds and report all vertebrate pest damage using Attachment F Vertebrate/Invertebrate Pest Inspection Sheet or other COR-approved document. The report shall identify the following: Species, Location (ID Number, Section, and Headstone) of all treatments. The Contractor shall provide this document to the COR each week, and shall identify all of the above work that took place within the previous seven days. The Contractor shall also provide upon request a plan of action for the upcoming week. Within 15 calendar days from the start of the contract period the Contractor shall have treated with bait, and/or set traps, or other approved methods to eliminate the pests. The Contractor shall inspect for pest damage at least weekly. If any additional signs of pest damage are found the Contractor shall set baits and/or traps the day of discovery. The inspections shall be documented and reported to the COR on a weekly basis. Approximately 30 days after the start of the contract period, and every 15 days thereafter as required, the COR will inspect the cemetery grounds to determine if the vertebrate pest damage has been reduced to an acceptable level. (Acceptable is defined as 90% of vertebrate pests are eliminated). Invertebrate Pest Control: Imported Red Fire Ants (all life cycle stages), shall be controlled by insecticides, biological controls or other effective methods. The Contractor shall establish a treatment to control Imported Red Fire Ants within the developed cemetery grounds throughout the calendar year for approval of COR. This schedule shall be incorporated into the Grounds Management Plan. Based on the approved schedule or as directed by the COR, treat all turf areas in the cemetery two-times per year with a broadcast application of granular herbicide effective in the control of all Imported Red Fire Ant species present on the cemetery. Provide spot-application of pesticides directly to the ant mounds on monthly or on an as-needed basis as directed by the COR. Fertilizer and Pesticide Application: All application methods of shall be in strict accordance with manufacturer, Department of Environmental Protection, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, and all federal, state and local laws. All applications shall be made in accordance with manufactures label instructions to ensure proper rate and timing of application. Prior to any application, the Contractor shall provide to COR, a copy of product label for each chemical used and appropriate supporting SDS sheets. The Contractor shall provide the COR with SDS sheets one (1) week in advance of any application. Contractor personnel applying turf applications shall possess a current, valid State of California commercial pesticide/herbicide application license. A copy of the license will be provided to the COR. The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage resulting from the application of any fertilizer, herbicide or pesticide treatments. Train employees on environmental issues such as ground water contamination, wetland protection, etc., and be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable Federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances, Right-to-Know laws, EPA guidelines, and regulations. Post appropriate flags or markers in all treated areas for a period of 24 hours after a fertilizer and/or pesticide treatment has been applied accompanied by a sign informing the public of the time and date of the chemical application. Remove all flags and signs upon expiration of the 24-hour period. Turf applications shall be applied with appropriate calibrated spreading and spraying equipment. Liquid and pellet surface applications shall be uniformly distributed within the cemetery s defined area of coverage. Surface applications shall not be made where surface run-off is likely to occur or near a water source. Spot applications of herbicide shall be made with an appropriate non-staining marker dye compatible with the herbicide being applied. Use surfactants and adjuvants with herbicides to improve herbicidal activity or application characteristics when recommended by herbicide manufacturer. Complete each application within the Annual Application Date specified in the Application Schedule, (weather permitting). Applications shall be provided in accordance with manufacturers label instructions to ensure proper rate of active ingredient (ai) and timing. Thirty (30) days after completion of the application, jointly inspect the pesticide application with the COR and assess results. In areas where results are less than acceptable* re-perform the application at no additional cost to the Government. (*Acceptable is defined as 90% of target pest species are eliminated). Take precautions to prevent damage to the cemetery, in any manner, including headstones, monuments, shrub and flower beds, trees and other structures during maintenance operations. Current replacement costs for headstones, other cemetery structures or property damaged by the work under this contract will be deducted from the contract price. Do not use any pesticide or fertilizer in either granular or liquid form that will stain or discolor any headstones. Notify the COR of all materials scheduled for use on turf before beginning any turf application. Clean cemetery structures, headstones, monuments, and roadways that are soiled or stained as a result of the application. Wash-down with water all soiled or stained structures, headstones, and monuments at the end of each workday. Do not use hazardous chemicals at any time on Government property. Bear all costs associated with washing and cleaning. Notify the COR of any such soiling or staining of structures prior to washing/cleaning. TURF MAINTENANCE MOWING, TRIMMING & EDGING NCA STANDARDS Visually prominent areas in the cemetery are properly trimmed and edged. SCOPE Turf shall be maintained at a height within one-inch range of that which is professionally recommended for the turfgrass type appropriate for the geographic region. Optimally, the height is no more than half an inch above that range. Turf surrounding a headstone shall be trimmed to the recommended height. There shall be no signs of grass burns caused by mowers. There shall be no signs of turf being scalped. The Contractor shall be responsible for mowing, trimming and edging all grass within the cemetery and any grass outside perimeter enclosure walls and fences. This encompasses approximately 250 acres of irrigated turf grass within the developed area of the cemetery. The Contractor shall disperse or remove and dispose of grass clippings and soil associated with mowing, trimming and edging as indicated. EQUIPMENT Riding mowers may be used if they are not operated within 2 inches of monuments, tree trunks or other vertical elements unless directed to do so by the COR. Riding mowers may straddle flat headstone markers to cut turf, but mower tires are not permitted to drive on top of markers at any time. Thirty-inch (30 ) deck or smaller commercial walk-behind mowers shall be used to mow along curb edges, small spaces, and areas too steep to mow with riding mowers. Sixty-inch (60 ) minimum and ten-foot (10 ) maximum deck commercial mowers shall be used to mow aisles between upright headstones within burial sections. Wheel paths of mowers shall not align on return passes within aisles to avoid creating ruts in the turf area. Mowers with decks larger than Seventy-two inches (72 ) must be comprised of multiple contour cutting units. The Contractor shall not operate trucks, tractors, mowers, and other heavy wheeled equipment in excess of 2 tons, or track equipment in excess of 3 tons on any burial section except when authorized in writing by the COR. Tow-behind mowers are not allowed. Commercial-grade power trimmers and power edgers will be used to trim grass from around headstones, monuments, curblines, walkways, etc. Power trimmers shall be equipped with scalp-protectors. Use bicycle-handled stick string trimmers for mowing around all headstones and other structures to avoid operator fatigue resulting in unsatisfactory results. No metal blades will be used to trim around flat markers. The Contractor shall use trimmers with a plastic blade attachment to cleanly trim edges around all flat markers, or as otherwise approved by the COR to provide a clean, neat edge around each flat marker. Care must be taken not to chip flat markers with blades. Cutting blades on mowing and trimming equipment must be sharpened every 20 hours of use, at the minimum so that grass tips are cleanly cut, and not torn or damaged. Cutting heights of all mowing equipment shall be set according to heights specified below. The height of grass is what is measured to get correct cutting height. Mowing equipment shall be properly maintained such that mowed areas are free of scalping, rutting, bruising, and uneven and rough cutting. Use of cutting equipment that is out of adjustment, thereby causing streaks or irregularities, uneven cutting, plowing, or gouging of the soil is not permitted. After cutting, grass will have a uniform height. (End of Work Statement)
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/VANCA/VANCA/36C78618R0119/listing.html)
 

Document(s)

Attachment
 

File Name: 36C78618R0119 36C78618R0119.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=4022280&FileName=36C78618R0119-000.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=4022280&FileName=36C78618R0119-000.docx

 

Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
 

Record

SN04791868-W 20180119/180117231254-865a42d2c022d5f7645e5f4c22110919 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

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