Landscaping Services

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) The Solicitation Number AG-81J8-S-13-0001 is issued for a Request for Quote (RFQ).) (iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-69. (iv) This is a 100% small business set-aside. The NAICS Code is 561730 and small business standard is $7.0 million average annual receipts (v) The USDA, ARS, Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center requires landscaping services, as follows: Performance based contract, Contractor's expertise will decide how it is best to perform the required work so the grounds are kept in a manner that protects the health of the vegetation and keep the grounds visually and professionally appealing. The work is primarily weed control and tree trimming services. Maintenance and repair of the drip system, as necessary, and minimal groundskeeping services east of the rear perimeter road (pre-emergent application twice per year) are also required. The following communicate the minimum level of expectation of performance on this contract: Clean up all trimmings, leaves, branches, etc. from the sidewalks and parking areas. Place all debris in Trash receptacles the same day the work is performed Keep trash storage area neat and clean Inspect health of vegetation and report any decline to the COR Dig out or spray weeds and remove leaves, blossoms, and other debris from around and under cactus, ground cover and trees, including granite areas Prune and trim all trees and ground cover to restrict their heights and size and to keep them properly shaped. Place all trimmings and trash in waste receptacles on the same day the work is performed Maintain and repair sprinkling and drip systems as necessary Maintain granite around landscaping and buildings. The site visit is Thursday, August 22, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. and is strongly recommended. Contact Mario Aguilera for directions at +1 (555) 000-0000 or Harry Gardner at +1 (555) 000-0000. The recommended site visit will familiarize prospective offerors of the existing conditions, conditions under which the work will be done, regulations of the Department regarding work on the site, use of services, utilities, etc. and other relevant matters. Failure to visit the site does not relieve the contractor from the responsibility for estimating properly the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work. (iv) Period and Place of Performance: October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014, with four additional option years, at the USDA-ARS; 21881 N. Cardon Lane; Maricopa, AZ. All work shall be performed during normal working hours of 6:30 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Friday excluding federal holidays. Provide your pricing for the base year and each option year. (v) A completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, shall be provided with your offer. Complete the following provision and provide with your quote: 452.209-70 REPRESENTATION BY CORPORATIONS REGARDING AN UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY CONVICTION (DEVIATION 2012-01) (FEB 2012) (a) Awards made under this solicitation are subject to the provisions contained in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. No. 112-55), Division A, Sections 738 and 739 regarding corporate felony convictions and corporate federal tax delinquencies. To comply with these provisions, all offerors must complete paragraph (1) of this representation, and all corporate offerors also must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of this representation. (b) The Offeror represents that - (1) The Offeror is [ ], is not [ ] (check one) an entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the various territories of the United States including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands. (Note that this includes both for-profit and non-profit organizations.) If the Offeror checked "is" above, the Offeror must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of the representation. If Offeror checked "is not" above, Offeror may leave the remainder of the representation blank. (2) (i) The Offeror has [ ], has not [ ] (check one) been convicted of a felony criminal violation under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of offer. (ii) The Offeror has [ ], has not [ ] (check one) had any officer or agent of Offeror convicted of a felony criminal violation for actions taken on behalf of Offeror under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of offer. (3) The Offeror does [ ], does not [ ] (check one) have any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability. (vi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (vii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items applies to this acquisition, with these additional FAR clauses cited in the clause applicable to the acquisition: 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jul 2013); 52.209-6, Protecting the Government's Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (Aug 2013); 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (May 2012); 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999); 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Mar 2007); 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965 (Nov 2007); 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Sep 2010); 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (Oct 2010); 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Sep 2010); 52.223-18, Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (Aug 2011); 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Jun 2008); 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Jul 2013). The full text of all clauses and provisions are available at www.acqnet.gov and http://www.dm.usda.gov/procurement/policy/agar_x/agarbase/subchaph.html#22871 (viii) Additional applicable clauses are: 52.217-8 Option to Extend Service (Nov 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days of contract expiration. 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 2000) (a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days of contract expiration; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 year and 6 months. 52.232-18, Availability of Funds, (Apr 1984). (ix) The offers are due Wednesday, September 4, 2013, noon, to contact@example.gov Evaluation factors, in addition to price, are: 1. Attendance at the site visit. 2. References from previous work of a similar nature, including point of contact, current telephone numbers, email addresses, and description of project. 52.228-5, Insurance--Work on a Government Installation (Jan 1997); 52.232-18, Availability of Funds, (Apr 1984) ; AGAR 452.228-71 Insurance Coverage (NOV 1996) and AGAR 452.209-71, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction Or Tax Delinquent Status For Corporate Applicants (x) Contact Sheri Eiri +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov for information regarding this solicitation.