S--SERVICE: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE - FISHER HOUSE/WALK OF COURAGE

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only Solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written Solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number VA248-17-Q-1404 is issued as a (Request for Quote (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-95/01-13-2017. Only emailed requests received directly from the requester are acceptable. Responses should be sent to contact@example.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted. To receive a government award, the offeror must be currently registered in System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. Offerors are encouraged to go to the SAM database www.sam.gov and start the registration process as soon as possible to avoid possible delays should the contractor be selected as a prospective awardee. NAICS and Set-aside: The NAICS is 561730 and the small business size standard is $7.5 Million. This procurement is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). Any firm that is not considered a small business under this NAICS code should not submit a response to this notice. To receive consideration as SDVOSB, the firm must be registered and verified in the VIP database at www.vip.vetbiz.gov. Department of Labor Wage Determination #: 2015-4537, Revision No. 3, 07-25-2017 is applicable. Contract Type: The government anticipates awarding a Firm-Fixed Price award. Award will be made to lowest price quote which conforms to the requirements within this solicitation and represents the best value to the government. This solicitation is for Grounds Maintenance Services for Fisher House/Walk of Courage grounds at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32608. Please see below Performance Work Statement for full description. Period of Performance: Base Year: 10-01-2017 09-30-2018 Price: ____________ Option year 1: 10-01-2018 09-30-2019 Price: ____________ Option year 2: 10-01-2019 09-30-2020 Price: ____________ Option year 3: 10-01-2020 09-30-2021 Price: ____________ Option year 4: 10-01-2021 09-30-2022 Price: ____________ Performance Work Statement DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, supervision, and other items as necessary to ensure that grounds maintenance is performed at the Fisher House and at the Walk of Courage in a manner that will maintain healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants and present a clean, neat, and professional appearance. 1.1. MAINTAIN IMPROVED GROUNDS. 1.1.1. Mow Improved Grounds. Grass shall be cut on approximately 33,000 sq. ft. of improved grounds. Grass clippings shall be removed or mulched when visible after mowing. Contractor shall maintain the growth of grass height on improved grounds between 3 to 4 inches. The height is a guideline for a neat and professional appearance. All improved grounds shall look well manicured at all times. Grass Type at Fisher House and Walk of Courage: St. Augustine - 3 to 4 in. 1.1.2. Edging. Sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and other concrete or asphalt edges located in the improved grounds areas shall be edged at least every other mowing. 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. 1.1.3. Trimming. 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. All areas shall be trimmed concurrent with mowing. Damage to trees and shrubs from trimming shall be repaired by the contractor. If a plant should die or become unhealthy the contractor s activities, 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. 1.1.4. Irrigation. All improved areas shall receive sufficient amounts of water, as necessary to present a uniform green color without browning or barren areas resulting from lack of water. The contractor shall provide watering hoses and portable watering devices for irrigating areas that are not being irrigated by sprinkler systems 1.1.5. Remove Debris/Police Grounds. The contractor concurrent with each visit shall perform general litter patrol on the Fisher House grounds and the Walk of Courage grounds. 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. During the spring and fall months, fallen leaves shall be removed weekly. At other times leaves shall be removed as necessary. Dispose of all debris at an off-site location in accordance with existing local, state, and federal regulations. 1.1.6. Repair Damaged Areas. Areas damaged by contractor vehicles, erosion, drought or insect/diseases shall be seeded, sprigged, or sodded as needed to match the lawn type of surrounding areas. Other damaged areas will be replaced to match the surrounding areas plant type. 1.1.7. Apply Fertilizer. The contractor shall perform an effective commercial fertilizer/lime application program for all improved grounds. Approved fertilizers shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. A complete fertilizer shall be applied to the grass, trees and shrubs 3 times per year. A potassium fertilizer shall be applied in the wintertime to the grass for good root growth as per Industry standards. 1.1.8. Perform Pest Identification and Control. During performance of grounds maintenance services, identify pests and perform pest control. The contractor shall develop an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) for approval by the COR. The IPM plan will require the COR S approval. The contractor s IPM plan shall establish the strategy and methods for conducting a safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management program. Treatment of pests that may damage any portion of grounds shall be in accordance with federal, state regulations. Contractor shall have all the proper licensing for all pesticides applied. 1.1.9. Aerate Soil. At least annually, aerate soil on improved grounds to maintain grounds in a healthy state. 1.2. EMERGENCY AND SPECIAL EVENT SERVICES. Upon notification by the contracting officer through the issuance of a delivery order, the contractor shall perform emergency or special event grounds maintenance required in areas covered under this contract. Upon notification of an emergency, the contract manager shall respond as soon as possible to meet with the Contracting Officer and COR and initiate emergency services. Upon receiving direction by the Contracting Officer, contractor personnel shall begin emergency work within two hours. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor as soon as a special event requirement is known, but no less than 24 hours prior to the event. 1.3 MAINTAIN TREES/SHRUBS/HEDGES. 1.3.1. Trimming/Pruning. Contractor shall prune trees as needed in accordance with OSHA safety standards. Tree branches that conflict with normal traffic or safety in the vicinity of the trees shall be cut back to clear the obstructed pathway. Minimum safety clearance is 14 feet over streets, 12 feet over driveways, 8 feet over walk areas, and 4 feet from buildings. Other trees shall be pruned on an as needed basis to provide safety, clearances and/or to prevent structural damage. Topping and de-horning shall not be permitted. Trimming/pruning of trees around utility poles/power lines is the responsibility of the contractor. Notify the COR when trimming/pruning around utility poles/power lines is needed. Shrubs, small trees, 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. Shrubs and small trees 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. 1.3.2. Maintain Bedding and Planted Areas. Fertilize, water, edge, eliminate weeds, maintain mulch, and repair or replace damaged plants in shrub and plant beds. All weeds shall be removed or eradicated manually or mechanically. Herbicide applications shall be made as necessary in conjunction with manual or mechanical control to maintain a weed free landscape. 1.4. MAINTAIN IRRIGATION SYSTEM: The contractor shall be responsible for the complete management, operation and maintenance of all water control devices and irrigation systems. The contractor shall ensure that the systems are in good working order and in operating condition at all times. 2. SERVICE DELIVERY SUMMARY. The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success. Performance Objective SOW Para Performance Standard AQL Maintain Improved Grounds 1.1 and 1.3 Grass is maintained within proper height for its area. Sod does not need to be replaced. Sod is healthy and looks well maintained Customer complaints shall not exceed 1 per month Maintain Trees, Shrubs, Broadleaf Evergreens, Hedges, and Perennial Flowers 1.4 Trees, plants, hedges, flowers, flourish and do not need to be replaced. They have adequate drainage and mulch. They do not show any sign of disease or pests and appear healthy. They are pruned properly and in a timely manner. They are trimmed properly. Bedding is mulched and free of weeds, grass, and debris. Fertilizer and soil amendments are applied. Soil is aerated; Customer complaints shall not exceed 1 per month. Maintain Irrigation System and Replace Parts 1.4 Irrigation system functions properly. System Functions 95% of time. Police Grounds of Trash and Litter 1.1.5 Grounds are free of trash and litter. Customer complaints shall not exceed 3 per month. Pest Control . 1.1.8 Pest control plan is reviewed and pests are controlled. Pesticide usage is reported to the COR. Customer complaints shall not exceed 2 per quarter. 4. GENERAL INFORMATION. 4.1. QUALITY CONTROL. The contractor shall develop, submit for contracting officer approval, and maintain a quality program to ensure grounds maintenance services are performed in accordance with established good industry standards of Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS), National Arborist Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, and the local county extension office. 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 of concern. 4.2. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government will periodically evaluate the contractor s performance at regular intervals to ensure that the contract is complied with. 4.4. HOURS OF OPERATION. Facilities Maintenance Services hours are from 0800-1630 Monday- Friday. Contractor may work weekends to maintain the Fisher House Grounds and the Walk of Courage. 4.5. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS. All contractor personnel must obtain a contractor ID badge from Police Services located in T-7. Qualifications/Certifications: The contractor shall be qualified and have the required levels of professional and technical experience to perform the work required by this statement of work. Safety Regulations: All OSHA safety regulations shall be observed during the performance of this contract. The VA Safety Officer shall have full authority over this contract regarding safety issues. Provide the necessary PPE, barricades/signage where required. Scheduling and Hours of Work All work in areas involved shall be scheduled with the Grounds Supervisor. This work will commence immediately following contract approval and notice to proceed. The 10 holidays observed by the Federal Government, are New Year s Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas or any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. Evaluation/Selection Factor: Award will be made to the Lowest-Priced Technically Acceptable offer. Solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.204-7- Central Contractor Registration; 52.212-1-Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items including subparagraphs: 52.219-27 -- Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans; 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons; 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other Than Central Contractor Registration. Submitting Quote: Contractor shall submit their quote on company letterhead and shall include price and quantity of each labor category proposed, price of all anticipate indirect costs, and total price; any offered discounts; name, address, and telephone number of the offeror; terms of any express warranty; completed copy of 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items, and ORCA document. Interested contractors must submit a copy of any relevant certifications and licenses along with their quote. Quotes must be received August 24, 2017 by 16:00 EST. All quotes must be submitted by electronic submission in reference to VA248-17-Q-1404 to contact@example.gov. Offers received after the exact time specified in the solicitation are considered late and may be considered if the action would not unduly delay the acquisition. All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted to the Contracting Specialist in writing (email is preferred). Any prospective bidder desiring an explanation or interpretation of the solicitation must request it via e-mail to the Contract Specialist: Brian Werner (contact@example.gov) No Later Than: close of business (16:00 ET) on August 21, 2017. DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES: The government is in no way obligated to do business with or award a contract to any firm or its affiliates, or otherwise pay for the information provided in this synopsis. This Request for Proposal is not considered to be a commitment by the Government to award a contract nor will the Government pay for any information provided; no basis for claim against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Request for Proposal or use of any information provided. Failure to submit information in sufficient detail may result in considering a company as non-responsive and may influence competition and set-aside decisions. Regardless of the information obtained, the Government reserves the right to consider any arrangement as deemed appropriated for this requirement. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.