38--Commodity: FY17 Topsoil for Interment Operations Chattanooga National Cemetery 07/05/17

1 This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only Solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written Solicitation will not be issued. Quoters: Please reference RFQ #VA786-17-Q-0573 on all quotation and supporting documents pertaining to this request. This will be a 100% Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside procurement. To receive consideration as a SDVOSB concern, your company must have a current (not expired) registration in the Veteran Information Pages (VIP) database at www.vip.vetbiz.gov at time of award. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 484220 - Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local (Waste Hauling) with a size standard of $27.5 million. Any interested Quoter that does not meet the capability and size standard under this NAICS code, should not submit a response to this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation request. Additionally, to be considered for award, Quoters must have a current/active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database located at www.sam.gov . Quoters already registered, are encouraged to go to the SAM database www.sam.gov to verify that their company maintains an active status at time of award to avoid any possible delays in award of this contract. Company Online Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) information must also be current in SAM database at time of award. Requesting Service: The Department of Veterans Affairs - Chattanooga National Cemetery Cemetery Address: 1200 Bailey Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 Description of Need: The Chattanooga National Cemetery has an immediate need for the following services: Topsoil for Interment Operations (as required) The Contractor shall: Provide Topsoil with delivery for the Chattanooga National Cemetery located at 1200 Bailey Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404 as requested by the Chattanooga National Cemetery Point of Contact (POC). One (1) Load of topsoil mix shall be a tandem load dump truck containing a minimum of 18 cubic yards of material. Delivery shall be made within three (3) business days upon notification all deliver Topsoil (in cubic yards) Topsoil Mix shall be a well-graded soil of good uniform quality. It shall be a natural, friable soil representative of productive soils in the vicinity. Topsoil shall be free of admixture of subsoil, foreign matter, objects larger than 25 mm (one inch) in any dimension, toxic substances, weeds and any material or substances that may be harmful to plant growth and shall have a pH value of not less than 5.0 nor more than 7.5. Topsoil Mix shall contain 25-35% mushroom compost and 30% sand (may be river sand or masonry sand) well blended and sifted. Product should be workable when wet and should provide excellent growth potential for plants and turf. Testing for pH and organic content will be required by an approved laboratory. Copies of the Analysis Report shall be furnished to the designated Cemetery POC PRIOR to the initial topsoil delivery. Mix may not have noxious or undesirable odors. Mix should be relatively odor free. Respirometry (Co2 evolution rate) should be between 1-8 Units in mg CO2-C/g organic matter/day. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, fuel, and supplies associated under this contract. Additional Information: Period of performance is from contract date of award through September 30, 2017. Performance shall be in accordance with the requirements, conditions, terms and representations contained in this solicitation, any pertinent OSHA Occupational and Safety regulations, and any State and/or local regulations, laws and codes. All work shall be accomplished Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. excluding Federal Holidays. Invoices shall be submitted electronically per delivery Quoters are hereby advised that any Quoter-imposed terms and conditions which deviate from the Government s material terms and conditions established, may render the Quoters s quote Unacceptable, and thus ineligible for award. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items (OCT 2014). The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Quoter whose Quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate Quotes based on (LPTA) Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable. All quotes shall be subject to evaluation by Government personnel. The Government reserves the right to award without discussions based upon the initial evaluation of quotes. The Quote will be evaluated strictly in accordance with its written content. Quotes which merely restate the requirement or state that the requirement will be met, without providing supporting rationale, are not sufficient. Award will be made to Quoter whose price for items are lowest among all quotes that were deemed to be technically acceptable. Quoters who fail to meet the technical requirements of the solicitation will be rated Unacceptable and thus, ineligible for award. Quotes will be evaluated based on the following factors listed as shown below: TECHNICAL EVALUATION APPROACH. The evaluation process will consider whether the quote demonstrates a clear understanding of the technical features involved in meeting the requirements and whether the Quoter s methods and approach have adequately and completely considered, defined and satisfied the requirements. Descriptive literature (and supplemental technical Quotes, if deemed necessary by Quoter to supplement the descriptive literature) will be evaluated to determine whether the quoted items meet all of the technical requirements (described above) and are thus considered technically acceptable. Any quoted product that does not meet all of the salient characteristics will be deemed technically unacceptable, and thus ineligible for award. PRICE EVALUATION APPROACH. Proposed pricing shall be provided on a unit price line basis. The Government will evaluate Quotes by adding the total of all line item prices. Evaluation Process: A Responsibility Determination will be made in accordance with FAR 9.1 Responsible Prospective Contractors. The Government will make use of several data bases to aid in establishing a more complete picture of responsibility and ability the databases include, but are not limited to: Experian, PPIRS, EPLS, VetBiz (VIP) and SBA. ALL QUESTIONS SHALL BE DIRECTED TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER ONLY! Please do not contact the Chattanooga National Cemetery staff regarding this solicitation. Questions must be submitted via email at to Ms. Tené Tarver Becknell at contact@example.gov. All questions must be received no later than July 2, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) to allow a reasonable response time to questions prior to close of this RFQ. No questions will be accepted after July 2, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) as this solicitation will close on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern). Due Date for Final Quote Submission: Quotes must be submitted via email to contact@example.gov only and in .pdf format by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Please contact Ms. Tené Becknell at contact@example.gov should you encounter issues with email submissions, contact Ms. Becknell ASAP. *NOTE*: IT IS THE CONTRACTOR S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING PROPER SUBMISSION AND RECEIPT OF THEIR QUOTES TO THE DESIGNATED CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO). CLAUSES: SBA ACT 8(D)(13)(B); DIGNITY STANDARDS FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions (JAN 2017) applies to this acquisition. Addendum to The clause at FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (JAN 2017) applies to this acquisition. Under paragraph B, the following clauses are incorporated: 52.203-18, Prohibition On Contracting With Entities That Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (JAN 2017). PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) 52.203-3, Gratuities (APR 1984) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistle Blower Rights (APR 2014) 52.204-4, Printed of Copied Double-Sided on Recycled Paper (MAY 2011) 52.204-18, Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (JUL 2016) 52.211-17 Delivery of Excess Quantities (SEP 1989) 52.223-2, Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts (SEP 2013) 52.246-1 Contractor Inspection Requirements (APR 1984) 52.247-34, F.O.B. Destination (NOV 1991) 52.246-16 Responsibility For Supplies (APR 1984) 852-219-10 Limitations on Subcontracting-Monitoring and Compliance (JUL 2016) http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oamm/oa/ars/policyreg/vaar/index.cfm SOLICIATION PROVISIONS: 52.212-1, Instructions to Quoters- Commercial Items (JAN 2017) 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters (OCT 2015) 52.209-5, Representation By Corporations Regarding An Unpaid Tax Liability Or Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law (DEVIATION) (MAR 2012) 52.209-7, Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (JUL 2013) 52.216-1 Type Of Contract (APR 1984) 52.233-2, Service of Protest (Sep 2006) 52.237-1 Site Visit (APR 1984) 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items (OCT 2014) 52.212-3, Quoter Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (JAN 2017) ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: SOLICITATION PROVISION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998) 52.204-7, System for Award Management (JUL 2013) 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (JAN 2016) 52.204-17, Ownership Or Control Of Quoter (JUL 2016) 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999) 52.223-1, Biobased Product Certification (MAY 2012) 52.225-25, Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Engaging in Certain Activities Or Transactions Relating to IRAN-Representation and Certifications (OCT 2015) VAAR CLAUSES: The VAAR Clauses that may be applicable to this acquisition are: 852.203-70, Commercial Advertising (JAN 2008) 852.203-71, Display of Department of Veterans Affairs Hotline Poster (DEC 1992) 852.211-73 Brand Name or Equal (JAN 2008) 852.211-75, Product Specifications (JAN 2008) 852.219-11, VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (JUL 2016) 852.228-70, Bond Premium Adjustment (JAN 2008) 853.232-72 Electronic Submission Of Payment Request (NOV 2012) 852.233-71 Alternate protest procedure (JAN 1998) 852.246-71, Inspection (JAN 2008) 852.270-1, Representatives of Contracting Officers (JAN 2008) Information concerning clauses and provision incorporated by reference may be obtained in Full text at https://www.acquisition.gov. DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES: The government is in no way obligated to conduct business with or enter into a contract award with any company or its affiliates or otherwise, that pay for the information provided in this synopsis.