This is a PRESCOLICITATION NOTICE only. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this notice. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS OR PRICING AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The solicitation will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website on approximately March 11, 2015. Applicable NAICS code is 561730, 100% Small Business set aside. Contracting Office Address: VA Black Hills Health Care System, 113 Comanche Road, Ft. Meade, SD, 57741. Point of Contact: Pamela Phillips, Contract Specialist;
contact@example.gov The Department of Veterans Affairs Black Hills Healthcare System has a requirement for qualified firms capable of providing Grounds maintenance services per the following statement of work: Introduction: This contract covers weed control, grass fertilization, tree insect control, tree fertilization, and soil sterilization for the Fort Meade VA and Hot Springs VA Campus General Provisions: " Contractor will not use 2-4 D products for any applications. " Contractor will provide MSDS sheets and product information for all chemical products applied prior to application. " Contactor will apply all chemicals at manufactures recommended application rates. " Contractor will store all chemicals and equipment off-site unless in-use. " Contractor and applicators will be licensed by the State of South Dakota for all required application categories and will provide copies of certifications prior to contract award. " Contractor is responsible for adhering to all local, state, and federal regulation in the performance of this contract. " Contractor will provide an annual summary of chemical applications to include chemical or chemicals used for each application, ratio of chemicals and dilution percentage, and total gallons of product used. " Contractor will provide a monthly billing statement detailing work accomplished to include date of work accomplished and also, description and units of work accomplished as work is completed. " Contractor will provide certificates of liability insurance. Application & Notification: Contractor will coordinate work with assigned facility representative and will provide a 48 hour notice prior to spraying and or any other application to the VA representative. Applications must be done during the timeframe for maximum benefit of fertilization, weed and insect control. Contractor will choose specific application days / times for applications to gain maximum benefits. Contractor Awareness: Special Care must be taken at air intakes around any VA site buildings. Damage: Damage to station flowers, trees, shrubs, and physical plant will not be allowed. Damage caused by the contractors will be corrected at the contractor's expense. 1. Weed Control: Fort Meade Campus: Contractor will provide weed control on approximately 200 acres of grass, lawns, and commercial turf to include the adjacent SD highway right-of-way Hot Springs Campus: Contractor will provide weed control for 22 acres of lawn area on campus. Primary applications are two times per year, spring April - May and fall, September. Herbicides used for general weed and noxious weed control (i.e. 5 gal/25 gal December to M C P A mix) will be safe to use around trees and ornamental vegetation on the property. Contractor will provide monthly follow up spot spraying in June, July & August to maintain weeds as needed. 2. Grass Lawn Fertilization: Fort Meade Campus: Contractor will provide lawn fertilization for irrigated areas around the main hospital complex. This includes approximately six acres of lawn and incorporates the interior courtyards, the islands and areas adjacent to the main hospital buildings, including the kitchen and the canteen. Hot Springs Campus: Contractor will provide lawn fertilization on approximately 22 acres of irrigated areas around the campus. Applications will be in the spring, summer and fall (April/May, July, and Sept.). 3. Tree insect control: a. Conifers- FM Campus - Contractor will provide insect control for all evergreen trees (pine, spruce, cedar and juniper trees) which totals 400 trees. Insecticide applied to control pine beetles, IPPS beetles and spider mites. This is a one-time spring application (April/May b. Honey Locust - FM Campus - Contractor will apply insecticide for all honey locust trees to control honey locust bugs which includes 125 trees honey locust trees. This is a onetime spring application (April/May). Treated trees will be alternated as needed each year. c. Hot Springs Campus - 30 trees will be treated per year chosen by VA representative per recommendations by contractor. 4. Tree fertilization: Contractor will provide deep root feeding (pressurized liquid injection method) to 300 trees at Fort Meade and 30 trees at Hot Springs, to fertilize smaller and stressed trees. Application will be two times (once in the spring (April/May) and once in the fall (Aug./Sept.). Contractor will apply deep root fertilization methods to fertilize into the root zone. Soil fertility in some areas is poor and the combination of poor soil and drought has caused some trees to be stressed and in some cases stunted. Hot Springs trees to be chosen by VA representative per recommendations by contractor. 5. Soil Sterilization Fort Meade and Hot Springs: Contractor will treat cracks in roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and foundation transitions around the Fort Meade and Hot Springs Campus for week control and prevention for approximately 3.5 miles of cracks and/or joints. Vendor will treat approximately 4.5 acres of equipment storage areas; rock landscaped areas, and other assorted areas to keep these areas free of weeds and grass. This is a one-time application mid-summer (June/July).
