S--Spring overseeding of 225 acres

This sources sought is to determine the appropriate set aside. The NAICS Code is 424910- FARM SUPPLIES MERCHANT WHOLESALERS Size Standards: 200 Employees. Please note: that this is not a request for quotes or proposals; the Government is seeking information for market research purposes only. Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. A solicitation is currently not available. The Government anticipates issuing a solicitation set-aside to qualified companies interested in submitting a proposal when appropriate. The National Cemetery Administration as requested by the VA Riverside National Cemetery is planning on soliciting for seeds. BACKGROUND: The VA National Cemeteries are a resting place for our nation's heroes and as such, the standards for management, maintenance and appearance of these cemeteries have been established by the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to reflect this nation's concern and respect for those interred there. NCA mission is to honor veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. National Cemeteries are National Shrines. The standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries shall reflect this nation's concern for those interred. This sources sought is to determine the appropriate set aside. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION Oakland, California All materials shall be furnished in accordance the Specifications/Statement of Work, contained in this contract. Pricing is to include delivery to Riverside National Cemetery, exclusive of all taxes. DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK Project Title: Riverside National Cemetery - Turfgrass Seed Procurement Project Location: Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK: The Contractor shall furnish turfgrass seed described herein at Riverside National Cemetery (RNC), located in Riverside, California. Materials shall be furnished to the cemetery in accordance with the VA procurement requirements, Federal, California and Local Codes. The work consists of sourcing, providing testing certificates, purchasing, delivering and off-loading of turfgrass seed. Deliveries shall be coordinated with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Deliveries will be conducted in such a manner to minimize the impact on the Cemetery operations. The materials shall be delivered and off-loaded at a schedule established by the COR. The location, or locations, for off-loading on the Cemetery property may vary as determined by the COR. Deliveries will be made between the hours of 8:00 and 4:30, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. All work will be coordinated with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and with the Assistant Cemetery Director. Only the Contracting Officer (CO) has the authority to make changes to the contract that affects price and/or time. Assistant Cemetery Director: Greta Hamilton Department of Veterans Affairs-National Cemetery Administration 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518 Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 Fax: +1 (555) 000-0000 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR): Oliver Villalobos, Jr. Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 ext. 808 Fax: +1 (555) 000-0000 I. GENERAL REQUIREMENT A. General Notes 1. Verify at project site the proposed locations for delivery of materials. Verify ingress and egress locations for delivery vehicles. Any site conditions which may cause significant deviation from proposed delivery locations shall be brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer (CO) or his/her Representative (COR) for clarification prior performing the work. 2. Contractor shall coordinate with the COR for the exact location(s) of material off-loading areas, and delivery routes. Public access to the National Cemetery shall not be impaired. 3. The Contractor shall assume sole responsibility for safety of all Contractor personnel on or about the site, in accordance with applicable laws and codes. Guard against all hazards in accordance with the safety provisions of the latest manual of accident prevention published by the Associated General Contractors of America and CalOSHA. 4. The Contractor shall guarantee that all products provided under this contract will be true to composition and meet or exceed the specifications herein. The Contractor hereby agrees to replace all non-conforming or defective materials provided under this contract to the satisfaction of the Government at no additional cost to the Government. 5. Matters related to safety, and any actions of the Contractor, shall meet all safety requirements of Riverside National Cemetery Safety Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, OSHA, and the State. It is incumbent upon the Contractor to be familiar with these requirements. Contractor shall provide training of the contractor's and subcontractor's workers to meet these requirements. 6. Repair and replace any existing structure to existing condition when altered or damaged by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government. 7. Completion Time: Thirty (30) calendar days from date of issuance of Notice to Proceed (NTP). B. Abbreviations 1. USDA. United States Department of Agriculture. 2. AOSA. Association of Official Seed Analysts. 3. NTEP. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program. C. Related Documents 1. "Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), Rules for Testing Seed" for purity and germination tolerances. 2. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Handbook No. 60 Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline and Alkali Soils; Federal Seed Act Regulations. D. Delivery, Storage And Handling 1. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will provide the Contractor with a delivery schedule for bulk materials. Bulk materials will be delivered on a one-time basis, based on a full truckload of materials or as close to full truckloads as practicable, but not exceeding 26.5 tons of material. 2. Notify the (COR) 48 hours minimum in advance of the scheduled delivery. 3. Deliver packaged materials in original, unopened containers showing weight, certified analysis, name and address of manufacturer, and indication of conformance with state and federal laws, as applicable. 4. Bulk Materials: Offload materials in a location a directed by the COR. Do not dump materials. Do not store materials near structures, drainage ways, utilities, walkways and pavements, or on existing turf areas or plants. Keep seed materials in dry storage away from contaminants. 5. Accompany each delivery of bulk seed with appropriate certificates. 6. Provide a signed copy of delivery receipts to COR showing quantities and names of products delivered. E. Quality Assurance 1. Turfgrass Seed: Provide Material Data Sheets showing compliance with these specifications. a. Seed Materials notarized certificate of product analysis. b. Dealer-guaranteed statements of analysis for California Certified Seed. F. Materials 1. Grass Seed: Fresh, clean, dry, new-crop seed complying with "Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), Rules for Testing Seed" for purity and germination tolerances. Seed shall be labeled in conformance with U. S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations under the Federal Seed Act and applicable state seed laws. Wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged seed will not be acceptable. 2. Seed Species: Festuca arundinacea (Turf Type Tall Fescue); not less than 90 percent germination, not less than 98 percent pure live seed, and not more than 0.15 percent weed seed. 3. See Characteristics: The selected seed must exhibit an early expression of strong, aggressively spreading rhizomes under mown turf conditions. The seed must exhibit high wear tolerance under sports and high use pressure as turf. It must also produce active growth in cool weather conditions when soil and air temperatures cool off in late fall, winter and early spring. The turf must feature high brown patch and crown rust resistance, high turf density, with fine leaf texture and a dark green color, strong seedling vigor for quick establishment, high drought tolerance with good persistence, good cool weather active growth with early spring green-up, reduced fungicide requirements, a fast establishment, high endophyte levels for insect control and stress tolerance, increased wear tolerance and persistence, improved summer turf quality. 4. Approved Turfgrass Seed, 'Grande 3' Turf Type Tall Fescue (CCR1) (Festuca arundinacea); or approved equal. a. Seed shall have minimum NTEP trial ratings as described in Table 1. TABLE 1 Seed Description Characteristic Rating (1-9) 9=Highest Rating Mean Turf Quality 6.2 Leaf Texture Mean 6.0 Spring Density Mean 6.3 Relative Growth Rate 2.7 Seedling Vigor Mean 6.5 b. Seed shall have minimum Rutgers University trial ratings as described in Table 2. TABLE 2 Seed Description Characteristic Rating (1-9) 9=Highest Rating Speed of Establishment 7.0 Disease Rating 7.0 Turfgrass Quality Rating 6.9 (End of Work Statement)