S--Grounds Maintenance Services at Houston National Cemetery

This is an amendment to a previous presolicitation notice that was issued on July 6, 2016. On behalf of the Houston National Cemetery, the National Cemetery Administration, Stafford, Virginia intends to award a contract for Grounds Maintenance Services in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 12 - Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 .5 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. This notice does not constitute a request for proposal, request for quote, or invitation for bid. The Request for Proposal, VA786-16-R-0239 will be issued on or about August 5, 2016 for Grounds Maintenance Services at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX. CLIN No. Supplies/Services Est. Qty 0001 Mow all improved turf areas. Remove grass clippings, debris, trash and clean sidewalks, patios, roadways, curbs, and parking areas. (Est. 170.5 acres, mowed 48 times = Est. 8,184 acres mowed.) 8,184 0002 String trim grass in improved turf areas inaccessible to mowing equipment to include all sidewalks, curbs, driveways, trees, planting beds, monuments, buildings, walls, fences, signs, other vertical surfaces. Remove grass clippings, debris, trash and clean sidewalks, patios, roadways, curbs, and parking areas. (Est. 170.5 acres, trimmed 48 times = Est. 8,184 acres trimmed.) 8,184 0003 Mow and string trim all unimproved native turf areas (Est. 15.62, mowed 6 times = Est. 93.72 acres mowed and trimmed) 93.72 0004 Trim headstones and edge markers in conjunction with every mowing. Remove and replace graveside flowers and associated items. Remove grass clippings, debris, and trash from headstones and flat markers. (Est. 64,486 headstones and markers, trimmed/edged 48 times = Est. 3,095,328 headstones and markers) 3,095,328 0005 Blade Edge all curbing, sidewalks, and roads. Remove grass clippings, debris, trash and clean sidewalks, patios, roadways, curbs, and parking areas. (Est. 70,440 linear feet, edged 30 times = Est. 2,113,200 linear feet edged.) 2,113,200 0006 Pre-Emergent Herbicide Applications (Est. 186.12 acres, applied 2 times = 372.24 acres treated.) 372.24 0007 Post-Emergent Herbicide Applications (Est. 186.12 acres, applied 3 times = 558.36 acres treated.) 558.36 0008 Remove floral arrangements, floral holders, and grave decorations placed at all gravesites in accordance with cemetery floral policy. 12 SITE VISIT A Site Visit will be held at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX. a. The site visit will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 10:30 AM, Central time. b. Offerors are encouraged to notify the Cemetery and/or Contracting Officer of their plans to attend. Notification should include: Company Name, Address, Names of Attendees, and Phone No. Attendance notification should be received by Monday, August 9, 2016, via email no later than 8:00 AM CST. The email and phone numbers are provided below: Houston National Cemetery Contacts Scott Weber, COR, contact@example.gov, +1 (555) 000-0000 Mat Williams, Cemetery Director, contact@example.gov, +1 (555) 000-0000 Contracting Office Antionette Collins-Somerville, Contract Specialist contact@example.gov +1 (555) 000-0000. c. The date set for this site visit is the only date. Contractor's unable to attend the site visit on the set date, may submit questions regarding the solicitation in accordance with the Request for Proposal. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT-All referenced attachments shall be included with the solicitation 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1. This is a performance-based contract for cemetery grounds maintenance services at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas and hereafter referred to as Houston or "Cemetery." The overall responsibility of the Contractor is to plan, coordinate, organize, manage, and perform the activities of mowing and trimming; trimming around headstones, edging around flat markers; curb/sidewalk edging; weed control; providing chemicals; and associated services described herein required to maintain a healthy and aesthetic appearance of the Cemetery grounds. The Cemetery is located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. 1.2. This Performance Work Statement describes the basic objectives of the Houston National Cemetery Grounds Maintenance Program. The Performance Based Service Contract provides potential Offerors the flexibility to develop cost effective solutions and the opportunity to propose innovative alternatives to meet the stated objectives. It also presents the Government with an opportunity to assess the Offeror's understanding of all aspects of the effort to be performed by eliminating the "how to" instructions to accomplish the required effort normally contained on the Statement of Work that the Government traditionally provides to prospective Offerors. Minimum acceptable levels of performance to meet the minimum requirements are outlined in the "Services Delivery Summary" contained in Attachment 1. 1.3. The National Cemetery Administration Mission. 1.3.1. The National Cemetery Administration honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorial that commemorate their service to our Nation. National Cemeteries are National Shrines. Therefore, the standards for management, maintenance, appearance and operational procedures performed by the Contractor have been established by the National Cemetery Administration to reflect this Nations' concern and respect for those interred there. For this reason, the Contractor's strict adherence to the Performance Work Statement, Performance Work Requirements Summary and Guidance Specifications shall be required and shall be essential. 1.4. Background. 1.4.1. In 1999 Congress passed legislation requiring VA to ensure that National Cemeteries serve as a dignified and respectful setting. Each Cemetery is to be an expression of appreciation and respect of a grateful Nation for the service and sacrifice of her veterans. 1.4.2. Further, each National Cemetery is to be maintained as a National Shrine. A National Shrine is defined as a place of honor and memory that declares to the visitor/family who views it as a majestic setting, offering a sense of serenity, historic sacrifice and nobility of purpose. The National Cemetery is a beautiful and awe-inspiring tribute to those who gave much to preserve our Nation's freedom and way of life. 1.4.3. The Houston National Cemetery contains the remains of approximately 85,000 veterans, spouses and dependent children. National Cemeteries are National Shrines. The standards of maintenance and appearance at the cemeteries must reflect this nation's concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to the specifications is required as well as the National Cemetery Administration standards. 2. DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT OBJECTIVES 2.1. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, professional expertise, vehicles, tools, equipment, materials, and services necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance is performed in a manner that shall meet or exceed the requirements to maintain healthy turf grass and that presents a clean, neat, professional and aesthetic grounds appearance throughout the Cemetery. The Contractor's performance will be based on the Contracting Officer's (CO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) evaluation and of the results required by the Service Delivery Summary (SDS) and not the method of performance. It is at the Contractor's discretion to determine the methods to attain the level of service at the best value. The evaluation of results will be based on COR performance assessment, tenant satisfaction, and customer complaints. Final results of the evaluations will be the determining factor for the success or failure of this contract. The Contractor shall comply with applicable federal, regional, state, local laws, and commercial standards. 2.2. Services include, but are not limited to, mowing, trimming (features and headstones), edging (features and flat markers), weed control, removal of trash (generated by the Contractor), as well as sweeping or blowing off grass from sidewalks, roads and headstones. Scheduling of services shall be coordinated with the COR to avoid disruption of ongoing Cemetery operations. All work shall be done during normal Federal workdays during Cemetery workday hours. The exception is Memorial Day, which may be a workday for Federal employees, but not for the Contractor. No work shall be allowed during special weekend activities. 2.3. The Contractor shall be responsible for full management of the facility's grounds maintenance services described herein. The Government's objectives are described in the NCA's "Operational Standards and Measures" (given upon request of the Contracting Officer), the Performance Work Statement (PWS), and other requirements identified herein, as they are applicable to the services required in the Pricing Schedule. The Contractor shall develop a "Performance Work Plan" that contains solutions to accomplish the Government's objectives. The Contractor may use whatever method it chooses to meet the objectives, as long as the end result satisfies the minimum acceptable levels of performance as defined in Services Delivery Summary (SDS) 2.4. Contract Objectives. 2.4.1. To use an innovative and creative technical approach to manage the Cemetery grounds maintenance operation at the Houston National Cemetery in order to maintain the high standards of appearance as a National Shrine, in accordance with best commercial practices and the requirements identified in this solicitation. 2.4.2. To have the Contractor perform to its Technical Performance Approach focused on criteria designed to maintain healthy grass and a clean, neat and professional grounds appearance overall. 2.4.3. The minimum life of the contract is planned for one base period with up to four (4) one- year options individually exercised at the VA's discretion and dependent on the availability of funds. 3. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES: 3.1. Improved Grounds Mowing. The Contractor shall mow all Improved Grounds to look well-manicured, with a neat and professional appearance at all times. Improved Grounds are visually prominent and medium visual impact areas requiring more frequent maintenance, such as burial areas, high visibility specialty areas, and non-burial areas (see Attachment 6, Definitions). All Improved Grounds shall be maintained in the same manner as a high quality residential lawn under contract from a professional lawn maintenance service. This generally requires a complete mow/trim cycle every week during the growing season (February through November). Mowed areas shall be uniform in appearance, free of skips, gaps, scalping, rutting, bruising, and uneven and rough cutting. 3.1.1. The Contractor shall maintain grass height within one (1) inch (+/-) of that which is professionally recommended for the predominant grass type at the Cemetery (Bermuda) or as directed by the COR. Optimally, the height should be no more than one-half an inch (½") above the recommended range for the type of turf at the Cemetery as directed by the COR. The typical acceptable height ranges between 2 and 4 inches (optimal height of 2.5 inches); however, the COR, with input from the District Agronomist, may direct the Contractor on the particular height to mow at any given time depending on weather conditions. 3.1.2. The Contractor shall be required to pick up, collect and dispose of debris and trash (see Attachment 6, Definitions), natural and manmade, prior to and after mowing/trimming any area. 3.1.3. The Contractor shall identify, move and replace all floral or commemorative items, etc. to their original locations as necessary while performing mowing/trimming services. 3.1.4. The Contractor shall keep all headstones, flat markers, monuments, roadways, walkways (inside and out), flagpole bases, public visitor areas including at the Committal Shelter, or other non-turf areas free of clipping or edging deposits. Clippings shall be mechanically blown or swept onto nearby turf areas when possible, or collected and disposed of on the same day as the mowing, trimming, or edging event that produced them. At no time is freshly mowed grass to be blown onto headstones 3.1.5. The Contractor shall immediately remove and dispose of, or mulch clearly visible clumps of grass clippings on top of the turf to prevent the appearance of windrows. 3.1.6. The Contractor shall use commercial grade rear-discharge mowers or commercial grade mowers with mulching decks only. The Contractor shall use properly maintained and adjusted cutting equipment to prevent streaks or irregularities, uneven cutting, plowing, or gouging of the soil. Cutting blades on mowing and trimming equipment must be kept sharp so that grass tips are cleanly cut and not torn or damaged. Riding mowers may be used if they are not operated within two (2) inches of markers, monuments, tree trunks or other vertical surfaces. 3.1.7. All mowing equipment shall be cleaned before unloading or mowing at the Cemetery to reduce the risk of introducing contaminant weed seeds into the Cemetery turf. No equipment shall be cleaned on Cemetery property. 3.1.8. The Contractor shall hand mow new seed/sod areas (present at all newly buried gravesites, second interment gravesites, and repaired gravesite locations) until they are fully established to the point where they will not be damaged by riding mowers. 3.1.9. The Contractor shall be familiar with and utilize different mowing patterns and shall change direction, change patterns, and vary mower wheel width patterns after each mowing thereby reducing turf wear, prevent wheel rutting, and provide a neater appearance. All mowing around trees will be accomplished in a manner that prevents a "ringing pattern" around the tree and associated damage to turf. 3.1.10. There may be periods of excessive rainfall when the Contractor cannot access areas for mowing due to excessive wetness. The COR has the authority to stop work if weather conditions are such that work that day will do more damage than good to the Cemetery grounds. During these periods, the Contractor shall be expected to ensure the grass is cut in less than seven calendar days once grass is suitable for mowing. 3.2. Trimming. The Contractor shall trim grass and vegetation around vertical surfaces or any other structure or area that cannot be maintained by traditional mowing equipment to match surrounding area grass height within Improved Grounds. Streaks or irregularities, uneven cutting, plowing, or gouging of the soil is unacceptable. The vertical surfaces to be trimmed include headstones, flat markers, section markers, monuments, trees, planting beds, shrubs, buildings, curbs/curbing, fences, walls, poles, signs, fire hydrants, parking lot bumper blocks, boulders, utility/valve boxes and covers. 3.2.1. The Contractor shall trim turfgrass surrounding headstones and flat markers to its recommended height for the type of turf at the Houston National Cemetery after each mowing cycle. 3.2.2. The Contractor shall trim all areas concurrent with mowing. Trimming operations of all non-mowed turf areas shall be considered a part of mowing. The Contractor shall mow first, followed by trimming. 3.2.3. The Contractor shall remove or mulch grass clippings when visible after trimming, before leaving work area. 3.2.4. The Contractor shall exercise caution to avoid contact with headstones, markers, monuments, building walls, trees, shrubs, flowers, any other desirable plant materials, etc. or any other structure than can be damaged by contact with the trimming device's cutting instrument. 3.2.5. The Contractor shall use commercial grade power trimmers and power edgers to trim grass from around headstones, flat markers, monuments, section markers, etc. The Contractor shall use trimmers with a plastic blade attachment to cleanly trim edges around all headstones and flat markers, monuments, section markers, etc. or as otherwise approved by the COR. 3.3. Feature Edging. The Contractor shall blade edge all streets, curbs, walkways, tree wells, permanent building/structure lines, and planting beds. Edging shall provide a clear zone ½" to 1" wide by 2" to 3" deep with all vegetation removed from joints and cracks. Damage to asphalt/concrete shall be avoided. Edging events shall be completed as ordered by the COR. The first edging cycle shall be completed approximately at the start of the mowing season, the second cycle one week prior to Memorial Day, the third during the month of July, and a fourth edging during the month of September. Additional edging events may be scheduled by the COR. The exact dates will be provided by the COR. 3.4. Flat Marker Blade Edging. The Contractor shall edge turf perpendicular to the outside perimeter (edge) of flat grave markers to remove all grass/vegetation that is growing around or over the entire outside perimeter of the flat grave markers during each mow/trim cycle. The depth of the vertical cut at the edge of the flat markers shall be 1" to 2" deep and the width of the cut shall not exceed ½". There shall be a clean and neat vertical edge left around each flat marker. No metal blades shall be used to edge around flat markers. The Contractor shall exercise caution not to chip flat markers with blades. Flat markers are grouped together in the same burial sections. 3.5. Weed Control. The Contractor shall control broadleaf and grassy weeds through execution of a weed control program appropriate for the area, in accordance with NCA Handbook 3410, Integrated Pest Management Procedures for VA National Cemeteries, and current federal, state, and local regulations. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable parts of 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910, Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Standards; 29 CFR 1925, Labor, Safety and Health Standards for Federal Service Contracts; 40 CFR 150-189, Protection of Environment, Pesticide Program; and 49 CFR 171, Transportation, General Information, Regulations, and Definitions. 3.5.1. The Contractor shall control weeds through broad and selective applications of herbicide. The herbicide program, in general, shall consist of two (2) pre-emergent herbicide applications and three (3) post-emergent herbicide applications per contract year. The table below serves as a guideline for when the herbicide applications shall be made: Table 3.5. General Schedule for Herbicide Applications Pre-Emergent Application #1 Late Winter/Early Spring - exact timing of application based on soil temperature and weather conditions. Prior approval from COR required before application. Pre-Emergent Application #2 Late Summer/Early Fall - exact timing based on soil temperature and weather conditions. Prior approval from COR required before application. Post-Emergent Application #1 Early Spring/Mid-Spring - exact timing based on weed development. Prior approval from COR required before application. Post-Emergent Application #2 Early Summer/Mid-Summer - exact timing based on weed development and residual period of Post-Emergent Application #1. Prior approval from COR required before application. Post-Emergent Application #3 Late Summer/Fall - exact timing based on weed development and residual period of Post - Emergent Application #2. Prior approval from COR required before application. 3.5.2. The Contractor shall be responsible for repeat, follow-up, and/or spot spray herbicide applications between scheduled sprays, which are deemed necessary by the COR due to an ineffective application, in order to control and maintain a generally weed-free Cemetery. These repeat, follow-up, and spot spray treatments shall be provided at no additional charge to the Government. 3.5.3. The herbicides used by the Contractor shall be specifically labeled for control of weeds in the turf at the Cemetery. The Cemetery turf is pre-dominantly Bermuda 419. The herbicide shall be selected and applied in a manner that does not harm, damage, or kill the turf in any way. 3.5.4. The choice(s) of herbicide and surfactants are up to the Contractor, however their uses are subject to prior approval by the COR and District Agronomist. 3.5.5. The herbicide applications shall be applied directly by or under the supervision of a current commercially licensed State Certified Pesticide Applicator. All applications shall be performed as per the Rules and Regulations of the Texas State Department of Agriculture. 3.5.6. Either the COR will notify the Contractor prior to each application as needed or the Contractor shall contact the COR (in person, in writing, or by telephone) for permission to spray at least three (3) days in advance of each and any application. The COR will coordinate each spray application with the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for the proper timing of each application so that the highest resulting weed control for that application will be attained. 3.5.7. The Contractor shall be responsible for specifically following all label directions on the bag/container of herbicide at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, all safety, mixing, weather conditions, and application directions and information. 3.5.8. The Contractor shall always mix and apply herbicide so as to provide optimum control of target weeds, according to label directions. 3.5.9. The Contractor shall provide to the COR, in writing, a list of all herbicides, mixes, and related surfactants or other chemicals, along with the amount of product per acre, percentage of solution, and/or application rate per 1,000 square feet (and/or per acre), prior to any and all applications being performed. The Contractor shall also provide the COR with a copy of the label and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for any and all herbicides and other chemicals or surfactants, prior to any and all applications being performed. The Contractor shall NOT begin any application without providing this information to the COR, and obtaining the approval of the COR to proceed. 3.5.10. A written record of the application shall be delivered to the COR immediately following the application, whether completed or not, before leaving the Cemetery on the day of any application. The written record shall show the following information: 3.5.10.1. The name of the company and the names and titles of the company's staff that performed the application. 3.5.10.2. All areas treated on that particular day of application. 3.5.10.3. The chemicals used on that particular day of application. 3.5.10.4. The temperature during the time of application, and the average wind speed during the time of application. 3.5.11. All Contractor personnel shall be properly clothed and wearing proper safety equipment during any and all applications. 3.5.12. All mixing of chemicals and filling of tanks shall be performed off-site or only in appropriate area(s) of the Cemetery as determined by the COR. 3.5.13. Performance of work shall not impede nor disturb any burial or memorial service, or burial operation at any time. Work shall not take place within 1,000 feet of a committal shelter during a service, or during a ceremony in the Cemetery. 3.5.14. The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR any watering requirements to activate chemicals, as needed. The Cemetery will schedule and perform this watering requirement. 3.6. Chemicals and Delivery. The Contractor shall provide pre-emergent and post-emergent chemicals. The chemicals shall be delivered to Houston Maintenance Yard. Delivery shall occur within ten (10) business days of the order, unless an alternate timeframe is agreed to in writing by the COR. 3.6.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for unloading and neatly stacking the bags. The Contractor shall be responsible for immediate clean-up of any spills with their own emergency spill kit and shall notify the COR or Cemetery Director immediately following. 3.6.2. The Contractor shall provide to the COR, in writing, a list of all chemicals with their Safety Data Sheet(s) (SDS). The Contractor shall also provide the COR with a copy of the label for any and all chemicals and the recommended application rate per 1,000 square feet (and/or per acre) upon delivery. 3.7. Floral Removal: Contractor will remove once a month (First Thursday of the month or as designated by cemetery staff) all floral arrangements, floral holders, and grave decorations placed at gravesites and in columbaria areas in accordance with cemetery floral regulations. During the removal, the following guidance is as follows: 3.7.1 The Contractor will discard all floral arrangements in trash bags/liners and place in Cemetery-owned flower holders in their designated containers. 3.7.2 All American flags will be neatly rolled and given to the grounds or maintenance foreman for proper disposal. Flags will not be disposed of in dumpsters or trash receptacles of any kind. 3.7.3 The Contractor will be responsible for transporting and disposing items picked up away from cemetery grounds. 3.7.4 Contractor will provide the necessary labor, tools, equipment, and suitable conveyance for each work day for pickup of floral items from the cemetery grounds. 3.7.5 Removal of the floral items and disposal away from the cemetery grounds shall be included in the monthly price and is the responsibility of the Contractor 4. SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY (SDS). The contract service requirements are summarized in performance objectives that relate directly to requirements. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimally acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. The SDS and the Contractor's Quality Control Plan provide information on contract requirements, the expected level of Contractor performance and the expected method of government validation and confirmation of services provided. These thresholds are critical to mission success. During the initial 30 days of the contract, two additional errors on each performance objective shall be allowed in an effort to identify normal "phase-in" problems. 4.1. Quality Control. The Contractor shall develop, submit for Contracting Officer and COR acceptance, and maintain a Quality Control program to ensure grounds maintenance services are performed in accordance with the requirements of this contract. 4.1.1. The Contractor shall submit a Quality Control Plan (QCP) for Contracting Officer and COR acceptance within fourteen (14) calendar days after contract award. Any changes thereafter must also be provided to Contracting Officer and COR for acceptance. 4.1.2. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. As a minimum the Contractor shall develop Quality Control procedures addressing the areas identified in Paragraph 3, Description of Services. The Contractor shall provide at least one (1) full time person dedicated to Quality Control. 4.1.3. The Contractor's QCP shall include the following or have incorporated into during performance of contract, at a minimum: 4.1.3.1. An inspection plan covering all services required by this contract. The inspection plan must specify the areas to be inspected on either a scheduled or unscheduled basis; how often inspections will be accomplished and documented; and the title of the individual(s) who will perform the inspections. 4.1.3.2. On-site records of all inspections conducted by the Contractor noting necessary corrective action taken. The Government reserves the right to request copies of any and/or each inspection. 4.1.3.3. Incorporation of either active or established internal policy and procedures for updating equipment and procedures that may affect performance of contract. 4.1.3.4. The methods for identifying and preventing deficiencies in the quality of service performed, before the level of performance becomes unacceptable and organizational functions noting intermediate supervisory responsibilities and overall management responsibilities for ensuring total acceptable performance. 4.1.3.5. On-site records identifying the character, physical capabilities, certifications and ongoing training of each employee performing services under this contract. 4.1.3.6. A log to account for all requests for immediate service. The log shall indicate the date and time of services, and description of results and completion of these services. 4.1.3.7. On-site records of any complaints or problems, with procedures taken to allow for corrections and/or elimination before effects caused interruption of performance of contract. 4.2. Quality Assurance. The COR will evaluate the Contractor's performance through on-site inspections, evaluation of the Contractor's quality control program and receipt of complaints from Cemetery personnel in accordance with the attached Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), Attachment 7. 4.2.1. The COR may inspect each task as completed or increase the number of Quality Assurance inspections if called for by repeated failures discovered during inspections or repeated customer complaints. Likewise, the COR may decrease the number of Quality Assurance inspections if performance dictates. 4.2.2. The COR will also receive and investigate complaints from various customers visiting the Cemetery. The Contractor shall be responsible for initialing validated visitor complaints. The COR will make final determination of the validity of visitor complaint(s). 4.3. Supervision. 4.3.1. Contractor Superintendent: The Contractor shall provide a competent and experienced supervisor who speaks and writes fluent English on site for at least four (4) hours a day whenever work is being performed, other than trash and debris pick-up. 4.3.2. The Contractor Superintendent must have not less than five (5) years' experience as a direct supervisor of grounds maintenance operations that included mowing, trimming, edging, and cleanup in industrial, commercial or public sites. 4.3.3. The Contractor Superintendent shall ensure all specifications are being met, ensure contract work does not conflict with ceremonies and funerals, and ensure employees are adequately supervised and proper conduct is maintained. 4.3.4. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining satisfactory standards of personnel conduct and work performance and shall administer disciplinary action as required. The Contractor is expected to remove any employees from the Cemetery for cause, to include, but not limited to, safety violations, other misconduct in performance of duty under these specifications and/or conduct contrary to the best interests of the Government. If the Contractor fails to act in this regard, or the reason for a removal is immediately required to protect the interests of the Government, the COR may direct the removal of an employee from the premises. Contractor objections to any such action shall be referred to the Contacting Officer (CO) for final resolution; however, the Contractor will first immediately comply with COR direction pending any CO final resolution at a later time or date. The Contractor shall not be due any type of compensation for their costs incurred as a result of an employee being removed for cause; unless the removal is directed by the COR, and is later found invalid and/or unreasonable by the CO. 4.3.5. In the absence of the Superintendent, the Contractor shall appoint an English-speaking crew foreman or an employee who shall be responsible to insure that the work is being accomplished in an expeditious manner, is performed in accordance with the contract specifications and that the work will progress without undue delay. 4.4. Inspection and Cleaning of Cemetery Facilities. 4.4.1. The Contractor shall perform a weekly inspection. During this inspection the appearance of the Cemetery shall be observed, and any deficiencies noted within the scope of the contract shall be corrected as soo...