The National Cemetery Administration is soliciting offers under Solicitation Number: VA786-13-R-0320 for the following cemetery: Mobile National Cemetery 1202 Virginia Street Mobile, AL 36604 Phn:
+1 (555) 000-0000 This Acquisition is 100% Set Aside for Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. The NAICS Code is: 561730, Size Standard is $7.0 Million. The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration intends to award a firm fixed price contract for the procurement of general arboreal maintenance of trees to include pruning, cabling and complete tree removal. The primary emphasis during completion of the work shall be to preserve and improve the health of the older growth trees without compromising the safety of the public or cemetery personnel. All work must be done without disturbing or damaging existing gravesites and must be completed according to the specifications and ANSI A300 (Part 1) -2001 (American National Standard Institute) requirements for tree maintenance pruning. SCOPE: Crown Cleaning: The contractor shall perform crown cleaning on all trees designated for crown cleaning in "Attachment B" of the Performance Work Statement. Crown Cleaning shall meet ANSI A300 standards and shall include selective removal of all dead, dying, and diseased branches from each tree requiring this action. Trees requiring this service range from about 10 feet in height to over 60 feet tall. Branch sizes range from less than ½" in diameter to over 8" in diameter. In many cases branches must be lowered in a controlled manner to avoid damaging existing gravesites. Crown Thinning: The contractor shall perform crown thinning on all trees designated for crown thinning in "Attachment B" of the Performance Work Statement. Crown thinning shall be conducted in two steps. The first step shall be the removal live branches to increase light penetration, air movement, and reduce weight. The second step will be general shaping of the crown to balance the removal branches in step one. Crown thinning shall meet ANSI A300 standards and shall include selective removal of all weak branches; water sprouts (suckers) and live branches from each tree requiring this action. Trees requiring this service range from about 10 feet in height to over 60 feet tall. Branch sizes range from less than ½" in diameter to over 8" in diameter. In many cases branches must be lowered in a controlled manner to avoid damaging existing gravesites. Crown Raise: The removal of the lower branches of a tree in order to, provide clearance and allow sufficient light for turf grass growth. CONTRACTOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: A certified arborist or experience tree specialist shall serve as the "Site Manager" for this contract and will be provided by the Contractor for no less than eight (8) hours per day whenever work is being performed - other than trash and debris pick-up. The Site Manager must have not less than five (5) years experience as a direct supervisor of a commercial tree maintenance operation that included removal, trimming, and stump removal in industrial, commercial or public sites or must possess a degree in Forestry with a minimum of 5 year experience. The Site Manager will ensure that all specifications are being met, contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals, and that employees are adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained. PERFORMANCE PERIOD: The contractor shall complete the work required under this statement of work in 60 days or less from the date of award, unless otherwise directed by the contracting officer. If the contractor proposes an earlier completion date, and the government accepts the contractor's proposal, the contractor's proposed completion date shall prevail. The work shall begin within 14 calendar days of award. Contractor shall be required to prune three (2) typical trees in the presence of the "Contracting Officer's Representative" or his representative, at which time a level of acceptability will be established for completion of the balance of the trees to be pruned. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION: The Contractor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary and current licenses, permits, vehicular insurance and Registration, Workman's Compensatory Liability Insurance, property liability insurance etc., prior to the start date of this Service. The contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer copies of these required documents with his/her proposal. Contractor must provide references past and/or present on jobs where tree pruning was the primary task. At least three (3) References must be provided. Contractor must provide a number of workers who will perform the actual work of(Pruning) at the cemetery on a daily basis. Also, Contractor's shall provide the name, address and telephone numbers of Past Performance projects with a statement providing a brief description of the tree pruning that was accomplished. UTILITY LINES COMPLIANCE: Where pruning/stump grinding/tree removal conflicts with existing utility/service lines (above ground/below ground), the corresponding utility company shall be notified by the contractor. The Contractor shall obtain any necessary permits/ blue prints and cooperate with the utilities company/cemetery staff to avoid any damage or liability, and provide a safe work environment for his/her employees. Prospective Offeror's must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at: https://www.sam.gov. Offers received from concerns that are not Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns shall not be considered. SDVOSBs must be verified for ownership and control and listed in the Vendor Information Pages at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov prior to the due date for proposals. (See Clause 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside). No telephone requests will be accepted. Any questions should be sent via email and addressed to: Henry Dukes, Contracting Officer in writing at:
contact@example.gov Evaluation criteria for this award will be in the following order: 1) Price 2) Past Performance 3) Technical Capability. Electronic solicitations will be available for download from http://www.fbo.gov on or about September 13, 2013. No paper copies will be issued. Offeror's are responsible for obtaining any and all amendments or additional information at http://www.fbo.gov. Proposals are due at 2:00 P.M. ET on September 27, 2013.
