S--Landscape Maintenance & Snow Removal Services

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT. THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY SERVICES, NOR DOES THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. PROJECT INFORMATION: This requirement is for landscape maintenance and snow removal services for the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV. The NCTC is located on 532 acres fronting the Potomac River. The facility consists of 18 buildings with approximately 450,000 square feet. The campus is divided into an instructional area, a recreation area, a maintenance and utility support area, in addition to four guest lodges, accessed by 3.16 miles of paved public roadways, .66 miles of maintenance gravel roads, 30,284 SQYD of paved parking lots and loading dock areas, 2.94 miles of paved foot paths, 4.37 miles of non-paved walking trails, and a 300 foot wooden plank surface pedestrian bridge. NCTC is a vigilant environmental conservation center, ensuring the sustainability of the site and protecting the surrounding flora and fauna. All contractor equipment used and land management practices should reflect positive results under the LEED: Existing Buildings Operation and Maintenance thresholds, such as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce heat island effects, eliminate light pollution, reduce noise pollution, and manage storm water runoff. The NCTC land management plan strives for a native appearance rather than one that is impeccably groomed and overly prescripted, thus enhancing the natural functions of the site and its surrounding ecology. Sustainability management involves using low-impact landscape management, removal of snow and ice, cleaning sidewalks, managing pests, and maintaining the grounds. Sustainable landscape maintenance involves using or restoring native and adapted plants, which require less maintenance, less irrigation, limited plant watering, and fewer or no applications of chemical fertilizer or pesticides. The landscape maintenance services consists of mowing operations, edging, trimming, weeding and mulching, planting bed maintenance, removal of debris, repair of damaged turf, trees and shrubs, tree removal, pruning and maintenance, sign cleaning, roadway and trail maintenance, and land management maintenance. Snow and ice removal services consists of anti-slip treatment of the NCTC campus roadways, parking lots , loading docks, paved and concrete sidewalks, patios, building entrances, stairways, and foot bridges. Special care must be utilized in clearing the Commons and Quad areas where there is Decorative Pavement (stamped asphalt). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort is 561730, Landscaping Services. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Interested firms are invited to express their interest by completing the attached capability statement. It is requested that the information identified be provided electronically to Mr. Jerry W. Perry at contact@example.gov. Please provided the requested information no later than 05 November, 2014. The submission of this information is for market research purposes only. The notice does not constitute a request for proposal nor does the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for information. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this request for information. All data received in response to this request for information marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from release outside the U.S. Government. No hard-copy or facsimile submissions will be accepted. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered. Interested offerors shall address the requirements of this notice in written format by electronic mail to Mr. Jerry W. Perry at contact@example.gov no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, 05 November, 2014. Phone calls and fax transmittals will not be accepted. Personal visits for discussion of this announcement will not be scheduled.