99--SE District Section E & F Turf Renovation at Florence NC The NRM Project Number: 843-NRM17-0011

The National Cemetery Administration issued a requirement for Turf Renovation for Sections: E and F at Florence National Cemetery, Solicitation Number: VA786-17-R-0648. Project Location: Florence National Cemetery, 803 East National Cemetery Road, Florence, SC 29506-3232. The Contractor shall provide all supervision, professional advise/guidance, labor, parts, materials, equipment, and personnel, to provide these services. Summary of Work: Specific Work at Florence Project: Contractor will renovate designated sections of turf (border areas include the area from roadways/fence to interment area) within the historical wall/fence turf areas. All sod renovation/work shall be performed during the active growing season (time periods) of the turf/grass. (For Zoysia grass that is April first Mid-September) All sod installed after September 15th and before April 1st will not be inspected or accepted by the COR until the following spring green-up/growing season has begun and the sod has rooted and sustained no damage from the winter. At this time the COR will inspect the sod sections and accept or not accept said sections. Phasing and Work Sequencing: Contract work shall be accomplished in a sequenced manner, with work limited to occurring in no more than one burial section (Turf renovation work) at any given time in order to minimize overall disruption to the cemetery. Requests to work on more than one burial section at a time may be submitted to the COR for approval. Approval/disapproval will be based on the impact to the cemetery operations and the progress and workmanship of the contractor, as determined by the COR. Work cannot begin in subsequent sections until such time that work has been completed in prior sections. Submit proposed project work schedule sequence for COR review and approval prior to start of project. Record Keeping and Reporting: The Contractor's Project Manager designee shall provide the COR(s) with weekly written accurate reports detailing the section and range of graves in that specific week. These lists will be provided on not less than a weekly basis, and shall identify all of the above work that took place within the previous seven calendar days. Upon request, the Project Manager will also provide a plan of action for the upcoming week. (a) All temporary markers, floral, commemorative, buried permanent floral vases, or other types of decorations and arrangements causing interference with the turf renovation operation shall be carefully, and in an orderly manner moved from, and per completion of work, moved back to all gravesites by the Contractor. Contractor may be required to probe each grave site before turf removal to locate floral vases. This is to ensure that floral vases are placed back on the correct burial site. Prior to removal, the Contractor shall verify the location of the items and associated decorations by using tags and a permanent ink marker indicating from which grave the item was removed as well as a graph, notating from which grave each floral vase came from. This is to be coordinated with the COR. *Note (No headstone/marker shall be removed from the gravesite. (b) Any upright headstones broken or damaged by the Contractor shall be reported to the Cemetery Administrator or COR by close of business each working day in order that the grave can be properly marked. The Contractor shall be responsible for the cost of the headstone replacement. All headstone replacements must be coordinated with the COR. Any grid or sectional monuments disturbed, displaced or broken shall be replaced by the Contractor at his cost. All grid or sectional monuments disturbed, etc., shall be properly reset by a licensed land surveyor at Contractor's expense. Curbs, roads, walks, turf, trees, utilities, etc. existing above and below the ground that are damaged or disturbed by the Contractor during performance of contract work shall be repaired at the expense of the Contractor. Repairs to the above shall be corrected by the Contractor within fourteen (14) workdays, unless otherwise agreed to with the COR. Floral vase location verification: Prior to removal, the contractor shall verify the numbering/identification sequence of the floral vases with grave plotting maps. Floral vases MUST be identified to assure they are properly reinstalled at their applicable gravesites (provide method to identify floral vases to COR s for approval prior to removal of any floral vases). The probing of each gravesite for vase location may be applicable and must be coordinated with the COR. Irrigation Lines/heads etc.: Any damage by the contractor of the irrigation system or its components (heads, lines, wires, valves etc.), will be the responsibility of the contractor to repair immediately and at the contractor s expense. Turf Renovation (Gravesite Renovation): Vegetation Removal: Existing turf is to be sprayed with a short acting herbicide designed to eliminate turf and weeds (i.e. Round-up or equivalent). All existing turf and weeds must be eradicated before stripping of topsoil and dead vegetation. Application to be applied by a licensed applicator to ensure appropriate rates of application and other State regulated requirements. Stripping Topsoil: Strip two (2) inches of topsoil from within limits of work area and remove from work site each day. New topsoil shall be a fertile, friable, natural topsoil of loamy character and characteristic of locality. Topsoil shall be capable of growing healthy horticultural crops of grasses. Stockpile topsoil and protect as directed by COR or designee. Eliminate foreign materials, such as dead grass, weeds, roots, stones, subsoil, frozen clods, and similar foreign materials larger than 25 mm (1 inch) in any dimension from topsoil that will be used in final grading. Topsoil work, such as stripping, stockpiling, and similar topsoil work shall not, under any circumstances, be carried out when soil is wet so that tilth of soil will be destroyed. Topsoil removed from the work area may be stored in a temporary on-site location designated by the COR(s) until removal from cemetery site at the end of work day. Lines and Grades: Area must be tilled, graded and compacted to a level to provide a flowing transition through existing terrain (no depression or low line areas). A Registered Professional Land Surveyor or Registered Civil Engineer, shall establish lines and grades for approval by COR and designee. Grading shall provide a smooth transition at curbs, trees, planters and uninterrupted drainage flow into existing drains. Contractor shall notify COR or designee of any differences before requesting approval of lines and grades. Subsequent to establishment of lines and grades and COR or designee approval, Contractor will be responsible for any additional cut and/or fill required to ensure that site is graded to ensure that surface water drainage will drain to existing storm drains and that they are no standing water areas throughout the sections (such as depression and sunken graves). Filling and Back filling: Do not fill or backfill until all foreign materials have been removed from excavation. For fill and backfill use excavated materials and top soil as applicable. Do not use unsuitable excavated materials such as topsoil, construction materials and material subject to decomposition, clods of clay and stones larger than 1 inches, organic materials including silts which are unstable, and inorganic materials including silts, too wet to be stable. Compaction: Compact with approved tamping rollers, sheep-foot rollers, pneumatic tired rollers, steel wheeled rollers, or other approved equipment (hand or mechanized) well suited to soil being compacted. Do not operate mechanized vibratory compaction equipment, which may damage existing liners or caskets. Sub-grade must be thoroughly tamped to compaction. Topsoil: Topsoil 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 6.0 nor more than 7.0. Testing for pH will be required by an approved laboratory. Copies of the pH tests shall be furnished to the COR(s) PRIOR to topsoil being placed. Amend topsoil not meeting the pH range specified by the addition of pH Adjusters. Top-dress is to be organic matter, weed free consistent with irrigation requirements to promote healthy grass. If sufficient topsoil is not available on the site to meet the depth as specified herein, the Contractor shall furnish additional topsoil. At least 10 days prior to topsoil delivery, notify the COR or designee of the source(s) from which topsoil is to be furnished. Obtain topsoil from well-drained areas. Installation of Topsoil: After tilling the soil for bonding of topsoil with the subsoil, spread two (2) inches of topsoil evenly over prepared site. Incorporate topsoil into the subsoil to avoid soil layering. Do not spread topsoil when it is excessively wet or dry. Correct irregularities in finished surfaces to eliminate depressions. Protect finished topsoil areas from damage by vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Complete lawn work only after areas are brought to finished grade. The areas within the drip lines of existing trees are not to be tilled at a depth greater than three inches or backfilled not to exceed four inches from existing grades. Contractor must protect all trees, shrubs and plants. Exceptions must be approved by COR. Incorporate fertilizers and lime into the soil to a depth of at least 100 mm (3 inches) as part of the finish grading operation. Immediately restore the soil to an even condition before any turf work. Finish Grading, Sod and Sodding: Complete lawn works only after areas are brought to finished grade (approved by COR) and all vegetation has been eradicated. Sod shall be certified sod as classified in the TPI Guideline Specifications to Turf Grass Sodding. The composition of the grass species in the sod shall be Zoysia grass ( Zeon Cultivar). Two applications of fertilizers are required, one prior to sod placement (use a starter fertilizer 5-5-15 at the rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet) and another application of fertilizer after the first mowing at 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Prior to delivery of sod, the contractor shall have an interim inspection of the work area by the COR(s) and any discrepancies (grading, backfilling, headstone placement, etc.) shall be corrected prior to laying sod in the work area. Sod shall be delivered to the work site no more than one day prior to installation. Contractor shall make all necessary arrangements to protect delivered sod from excessive drying and wind damage. Sod shall we insect, disease and weed free. Sod shall be laid expeditiously without interruption, until the work area is completely sodded. Sod shall be cut and fitted around all flat markers and other obstructions. Sod should only be laid/rolled over bare moist soil with pieces laid in a staggered brick-like pattern and edges fitted tightly together to avoid any open cracks. Rolling and watering thoroughly is required by the contractor to insure good contact with the soil for fast rooting. Completion Time: Upon receiving Notice To Proceed (NTP) under this contract, the Contractor and Site Manager shall contact the COR(s) to visit the site and plan the work schedule. The contractor will have all work/services completed, not to exceed 90 calendar days Contractor shall obtain any necessary permits and cooperate with the utilities company/cemetery staff to avoid any damage or liability, and provide a safe work environment for his/her employees. Contractor is responsible for damages to utilities, above and below ground. Contractor shall be responsible for training and safety precautions prescribed by OSHA regarding safety equipment and devices. SAFETY: Any actions of the Contractor, must meet all safety requirements of Florence National Cemetery's Safety Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, OSHA, and the State. It is incumbent upon the Contractor to be familiar with these requirements. Copies of all referenced safety standards may be reviewed by contacting the Florence National Cemetery Safety Officer. "Safety" shall also include the Contractor having a safety representative who maintains regular and routine contact with the Safety Officer of Florence National Cemetery. The Government will award this solicitation as a Firm Fixed Price Service Contract in accordance with the criteria contained in 52.212-2. This procurement will be set aside using a Cascading Set-Aside Procedure. The Government will award at the highest possible tier. The tiers will be as follows: 1st tier- SDVOSB 2nd tier- VOSB 3rd tier- All Other Small Businesses Further information regarding this procedure is contained within the solicitation. Offeror s are advised that they are responsible for obtaining amendments to the solicitation which is available at FBO: http://www.FedBizOpps.gov . 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. Prospective offeror s must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov. Vendors who are SDVOSB or VOSB 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. All proposals must be submitted through the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Management System (eCMS) Vendor Portal website to be considered. Please go to the VA eCMS Vendor Portal website at https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov to register. Once on the webpage, proceed to the Vendor Portal Login section located on the far left side of the webpage and click on Request a user account to register. Information shall be submitted in the manner requested in INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS. Failure to submit all documentation required as required so may result in your submission being determined technically non-responsive and removed from further consideration. Special Note: If anyone encounters problems preventing them from uploading their proposals into the Vendor Portal. Please E-mail proposal to: contact@example.gov . Send proposal in 3 Volumes: Volume I (Technical Proposal), Volume II (Past Performance) and Volume III (Price). The Government will award this solicitation as a Firm Fixed Price Service Contract in accordance with the criteria contained in 52.212-2. This acquisition is 100% Small Business Set-Aside. The NAICS Code is 561730 Size Standard is $7.5 Million. Electronic solicitations will be available for download from Federal Business Opportunities http://www.FedBizOpps.gov on or around August 3, 2017. Responses to the solicitation are due by 2:00 p.m., August 24, 2017. Offeror s are advised that they are responsible for obtaining amendments to the solicitation which is available at FedBizOpps.gov 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. Prospective offeror s must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov. 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. All proposals must be submitted through the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Management System (eCMS) Vendor Portal website to be considered. Please go to the VA eCMS Vendor Portal website at https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov to register. Once on the webpage, proceed to the Vendor Portal Login section located on the far-left side of the webpage and click on Request a user account to register. Information shall be submitted in the manner requested in INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS. Failure to submit all documentation required as required so may result in your submission being determined technically non-responsive and removed from further consideration. PRE-BID SITE VISIT: There will be Two (2) Pre-Bid Site Inspection scheduled on: Tuesday, 15 August at 10:00 AM & Wednesday, 16 August at 10:00 AM. The Pre-Bid Site Visit will start promptly at 10:00 AM. All Interested Contractors will meet at: 803 East National Cemetery Road, Florence, SC 29506-3232. The Tour Guide for the Site Visit(s) is Mr. John Zigler. In order, for the Government to post all questions and answers on FedBizOpps.gov. All questions generated during and after the site visit must be submitted in writing and emailed to the Contracting Officer: Henry Dukes at contact@example.gov NLT Friday, 18 August 2017 by COB. Any questions received after that date will be considered too late and will not be answered.