S--Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance

1. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services/items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 in conjunction with FAR Part 13, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. a. Project Title: Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance b. Description: VA Long Beach Healthcare System is seeking a contractor to perform landscaping and lawn maintenance throughout the medical center. c. Project Location: VA Long Beach Healthcare System, 5901 East 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822 d. Solicitation Type - Number: Request for Quotes (RFQ) - 36C26219Q0856. e. Set Aside: This solicitation is 100% set aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses IAW Public Law 109-461, 38 USC Section 8127 f. Applicable NAICS code: 561730, Landscaping Services g. Small Business Size Standard: $7.5 Million h. Type of Contract: Firm Fixed Price i. Period of Performance: 6 month after notice to proceed 2. Statement of Work 2.1. Contract Title. Landscape and Lawncare Maintenance Services, Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822 2.2. Background. VA Long Beach requires a contract to ensure the grounds are maintained to ensure healthy grass, shrubs, plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance. 2.3. Scope. Contractor shall provide all labor, parts, materials, equipment and Supervision required to perform all work required to provide complete Landscape and Lawncare Services. 2.3.1. Contractor and Employees shall report to the COR, Keith Didrickson, for the issuing of Temporary ID Badges from the VA Police Department, that are to be worn at all times while on VA Property. 2.3.2. Contractor shall follow all policies (Parking, Safety, Smoking, Security, etc). 2.3.3. Contractor and all employees shall provide latest TB Test Results, per VHA Directive 2011-036. 2.3.4. Supervisor/Safety Officer shall have 30 Hour OSHA Construction Safety Training, per VHA Directive 2011-036. 2.3.5. Personnel. shall have 10 Hour OSHA Construction Safety Training, per VHA Directive 2011-036. 2.3.6. Contractor and Employees to attend a mandatory 30-minute VA Safety briefing provided by the VA Safety Department. 2.3.7. All work will be performed during normal business hours, 6.00 AM 6.00 PM, Monday through Friday. 2.4. Specific Tasks. 2.4.1. Mow Improved Grounds. 2.4.1.a. Grass shall be cut on approximately 375,237 SQ/FT of improved grounds as indicated in Count Sheet. Grass clippings shall be removed or mulched when visible after mowing. 2.4.1.b. Contractor shall maintain growth of grass height on improved grounds between 2.5 3.5 inches depending on the type of grass. The height is a guideline for a neat and professional appearance. All improved grounds shall look well manicured at all times. 2.4.2. Edging. 2.4.2.a. Sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and other concrete or asphalt edges located in the improved grounds areas shall be edged at least every other mowing. Areas that require edging are shown in Appendix B. 2.4.2.b. Edging shall include removal of vegetation from cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and curbs within .5 inch of the edged surface and to a depth of 2.0 inches. This work involves approximately 20,275 linear feet of sidewalks, driveways, and curbs in areas indicated in Count Sheet. 2.4.3. Trimming. 2.4.3.a. Grass and weeds shall be trimmed around trees, shrubs, buildings, fences, poles, posts, fire hydrants, parking lot bumper blocks, boulders, and other fixed obstacles. Trimming height shall match surrounding area grass heights. 2.4.3.b. This task involves all improved grounds as shown in Maintenance Standards and Campus Map. 4.3.c. All areas shall be trimmed concurrent with mowing. Damage to trees and shrubs from trimming shall be repaired by the contractor. 2.4.3.d. If a plant should die or become unhealthy due to damage, the contractor will be responsible for replacing the damaged plant with a plant of same size and type. Plant replacement shall occur within 15 days of noticed damage. 2.4.4. Irrigation. 2.4.4.a. Contractor shall annotate all deficiencies with the irrigation system and provide a report to the COR after each service. Negative reports required. 2.4.5. Remove Debris/Police Grounds 2.4.5.a. Map. Responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the removal and disposal of all natural debris, (tree limbs, dry brush, rodent habitats, dead animals, etc.), and man-made debris. 2.4.5.b. Contractor shall police areas 3 days per week. During the fall months, fallen leaves shall be removed weekly from those areas indicated in Appendix B. At other times leaves shall be removed as necessary. 2.4.5.c. Dispose of all debris at an off-base location in accordance with existing local, state, and federal regulations. 2.4.6. Repair Damaged Areas. 2.4.6.a. Areas damaged by contractor vehicles, erosion, drought or insect/diseases shall be seeded, sprigged, or sodded to meet the standards of surrounding areas. Areas other than lawn areas will be repaired to match the surrounding area. 2.4.7. Apply Fertilizer and/or Lime. 2.4.7.a. The contractor shall perform an effective commercial fertilizer/lime application program for all improved grounds. Approved fertilizers/lime shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. 2.4.7.b. The type and amount or fertilizer or lime applied shall be based on results of a soil test. Soil tests shall be conducted by the state land management university or equivalent commercial soil laboratory. All such tests are the responsibility of the contractor. 2.4.8. Pest Identification and Control. 2.4.8.a. During performance of grounds maintenance services, contractor shall identify pests and perform pest control. 2.4.8.b. The contractor shall develop an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) for approval. The IPM plan will require the contracting officer s approval. The contractor s IPM plan shall establish the strategy and methods for conducting a safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management program. 2.4.8.c. Treatment of pests that may damage any portion of grounds shall be in accordance with federal, state regulations. Any pesticides shall be applied by California certified personnel. 2.4.9. Aerate Soil. 2.4.9.a. Aerate soil on 375,237 SQ/FT of improved grounds to maintain grounds in a healthy soil. 2.4.10. Maintain Semi-Improved Grounds. 2.4.10.a. Grass cutting shall be accomplished on 56,191 SQ/FT of semi-improved grounds and retention areas as indicated Count Sheet and Campus Map. 2.4.10.b. Contractor shall maintain grass on semi-improved grounds as set forth in Maintenance Standards from 4 to 12 inches in height. 2.4.10.c. Grass in retention areas shall be cut as per the schedule approved by the COR. 2.4.10.d. The contractor must submit the schedule for approval within 10 days of the start of the contract. 2.4.11. Perform Vegetation Control. 2.4.11.a. The contractor shall maintain selected semi-improved grounds to prevent fire hazards or for security reasons. Vegetation in these areas, shown in Appendix B, shall be mowed to remain between 4 and 12 inches. 2.4.12. Maintain Shrubs/Hedges 2.4.12.a. Trimming/Pruning. Contractor shall prune shrubs and hedges in improved and semi-improved areas. 2.4.12.b. Pruning shall be accomplished in accordance with industry (ANSI Z133.1 - 1994) standards. 2.4.12.c. Class IV pruning shall be used only for lifting, removal, and/or cutback of branches that conflict with normal traffic or safety in the vicinity of the shrubs or hedges. 2.4.12.d. Contractor shall notify the COR when trimming/pruning around utility poles/power lines is needed. 2.4.12.e. Shrubs, hedges and other plants shall be maintained according to the American Society of Landscape Architect's standards. They shall be pruned as required to maintain their natural growth characteristics. 2.4.12.f. Shrubs and hedges shall be trimmed and pruned to enhance the beauty and health of the plant. Hedges shall be maintained to their natural mature height and shape. Broadleaf evergreens and flowers beds shall be pruned annually or as required maintaining clearances of minimum of 3 inches from buildings, sidewalks, or other obstructions. 2.4.13. Maintain Bedding and Planted Areas. 2.4.13.a. Contractor shall fertilize, water, edge, eliminate weeds, maintain mulch, and repair or replace damaged plants in shrub and plant beds as identified in Appendix B. 2.4.13.b. All weeds shall be removed or eradicated manually or mechanically, but not chemically. 2.5. Performance Monitoring. Routine inspections by Facilities Personnel 2.6. Security Requirements. Vendor will not have access to patient records, data or VA computer systems 2.7. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE)/Government-Furnished Information (GFI). No Government equipment will be used by the Vendor 2.8. Place of Performance. VAMCLB. 5901 East 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90822 2.9. Period of Performance. The period of performance will be for six (6) months from the NTP. 3. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2019-02, dated 5/6/2019. The following provisions and clauses apply to this solicitation and can be found in enclosure 1. a. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items b. FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items c. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items d. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders Commercial Items e. Supplemental Insurance Requirements f. VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside g. VAAR 852.219-74, Limitations on Subcontracting Monitoring and Compliance h. FAR 52.233-2, Service of Protest i. VAAR 852.233-70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution j. VAAR 852.233-71, Alternative Protest Procedure 4. Key solicitation milestones are: 4.1. A site survey will be conducted at 10am on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Participants will meet near the gas pumps outside of bldg. 5 at the Medical Center. Please email contact@example.gov to indicate that you are participating in the site survey. 4.2. Submit any questions regarding this procurement via email to contact@example.gov no later than 10am Friday, Aug 2, 2019. No questions will be answered after this date/time unless determined to be in the best interest of the Government as determined by the Contracting Officer. Telephonic questions will not be accepted or returned. RFI responses will be responded to as necessary in amendment format which will be posted on www.fbo.gov. 4.3. Submit written offers in accordance with the following instructions, as well as Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors. Oral offers will not be accepted. Complete and submit enclosure 2 via email no later than 10am Thursday August 8, 2019 to contact@example.gov. Ensure the following are completed and/or included in the quote packet: a. Vendor Information b. Acknowledgement of amendments c. Concurrence/non-concurrence with solicitation terms, conditions, and provisions d. Schedule of services e. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items f. Evidence of general liability insurance without any exclusionary clauses for asbestos that would void the general liability coverage.