S208--Lawn and Grounds Maintenance Service Contract

This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION for commercial services/items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation, and award as prescribed under FAR 13.1, and 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 36C24724Q0352 is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ) COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION. The acquisition procedures at FAR Part 13 are being utilized. The provisions and clauses incorporated into this solicitation document are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-02, January 22, 2024. Provisions and clauses incorporated by reference have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The full text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations supplement (VAAR) can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/ (FAR) and http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/ (VAAR). This combined/synopsis solicitation is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) in accordance with VAAR 852.219-73. The acquisition will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR 13 to use simplified procedures for commercial items. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561730, Landscaping Services. The small business size standard is $9.5 million. For more information on size standards, please visit http://www.sba.gov/size. Only Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) Vendor Information Pages (VIP) VetBiz verified SDVOSB firms are eligible to submit an offer or receive an award of a VA contract that is set-aside for SDVOSB in accordance with VAAR Part 819. A non-verified vendor that submits a bid or proposal will be considered non-responsive and ineligible for award as listing in VIP is not self-correctable as a minor informality as, for example, a listing in SAM. The VIP database will be checked both upon receipt of an offer and prior to award. Subcontracting Commitments - This solicitation includes VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors, and VAAR 852.215-71, Evaluation Factor Commitments. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include these clauses. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) to assist in assessing contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments incorporated into the contract. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to the contractor's business records or other proprietary data to review such business records regarding contract compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor compliance with the subcontracting commitments. Limitations on Subcontracting - This solicitation includes FAR 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to contractor's offices where the contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement. The Atlanta Veteran Affairs Fort McPherson Campus, 1701 Hardee Ave SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30310 is seeking to procure Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance Services. This requirement is for a base year and four (4) one-year option periods. Offerors are therefore asked to complete the attached Price/Cost Schedule-Item Information for each period of performance in their response, and to include a Grand Total for Base year and 4 one-year Option Periods. The estimated Period of Performance is as follows: BASE YEAR: 3/01/2024 2/28/2025 OPTION YEAR 1: 3/01/2025 2/28/2026 OPTION YEAR 2: 3/01/2026 2/28/2027 OPTION YEAR 3: 3/01/2027 2/28/2028 OPTION YEAR 4: 3/01/2028 2/28/2029 The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (SEP 2023), applies to this solicitation in addition to the following addendums to the provision. Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Show FAR provisions followed by VAAR provisions in numeric order. List of all provisions incorporated by reference in numeric order under 52.252-1 (see below), starting first with FAR and followed by VAAR: 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998); 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020); 52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror (AUG 2020); 852.215-70-Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors (OCT 2019). 52.212-2 Evaluation Commercial Items (NOV 2021) BASIS OF AWARD The Government will evaluate quotations using the comparative evaluation process outlined in FAR 13.106-2 (b) (3), where quotations will be compared to one another to determine which provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a quotation other than the lowest price that provides additional benefit(s). Quotations may exceed minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to select a quotation that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation, but is not required to do so. Each response must meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government is not requesting or accepting alternate quotations. The evaluation will consider the following: Technical Capabilities: Offerors will describe and provide information on their company s ability to provide the required services per the Performance Work Statement / Statement of Work and meet all required performance standards as it relates to Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance Services. The offeror shall provide a narrative on the overall technical approach methods and procedures used to meet the requirements identified in the Statement of Work. This narrative should provide evidence that the offeror understands the objectives that the contract intends to meet, the nature of the required work and the level of effort necessary to accomplish all the work. Quality Control Plan: Offeror shall provide a proposed Quality Control Plan (QCP) that describes their company ability to provide continuous quality support during transition period and throughout the life of the contract. The QCP shall address staff training plans, ability to meet the workload, methodologies for identifying and correcting changes to staff level and training, ability to provide adequate supervision, and ability to have appropriate and qualified staff. Past Performance: The past performance evaluation will assess the relative risks associated with a quoter s likelihood of success in fulfilling the solicitation s requirements as indicated by the quoter s record of past performance. The past performance evaluation may be based on the contracting officer s knowledge of and previous experience with the supply or service being acquired; Customer surveys, and past performance questionnaire replies; Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) at http://www.cpars.gov/; or any other reasonable basis. Price: The government will determine the lowest price by comparing the total amount offered by each offeror. (End of Evaluation Criteria) 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Products and Commercial Services Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://orca.bpn.gov in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required. The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (NOV 2023). The following clauses are incorporated into 52.212-4 as an addendum to this contract: 52.204-9, 52.204-18, 52.217-8, 52.217-9, VAAR 852.203-70, VAAR 852.219-73, VAAR 852.232-72 and VAAR 852.237-70. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (DEC 2023). The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: 52.203-6, 52.204 10, 52.209-6, 52.219-6, 52.219-8, 52.219-9, 52.219-27, 52.219-28, 52.219-3, 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222.21, 52.222-26, 52.222.35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.222-39, 52.222-50, 52.222-41, 52.222-42, 52.222-43, 52.222-55, 52.222-62,52.223-18, 52.225-1, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, and 52.232-34. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not applicable to this acquisition. The Department of Labor Wage Determination applicable to this requirement is: WD 15-4471 (Rev -27) dated 12/26/2023. Descriptions for the occupations for this requirement and determining the appropriate wage determinations are the responsibility of the contractor, and the offeror is encouraged to coordinate with the Department of Labor in order to determine the appropriate job classifications for this requirement. The Agency assumes no responsibility or liability for a contractor s determination of the appropriate classification. SITE VISIT: A site visit has been scheduled for Friday, February 23, 2024 @ 9:00 am at the Atlanta VA Health Care System, Fort McPherson, 1701 Hardee Avenue, SW. Atlanta, GA 30310. QUESTIONS: All questions regarding this solicitation need to be electronically submitted (email) no later than February 23, at 3:30 pm EST to Michael Barton, Contracting Specialist at contact@example.gov. No questions received after this date will be answered. Telephone or faxed questions will not be answered. ONLY ELECTRONIC MAIL (EMAIL) QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED. The solicitation number must be identified on all submitted questions. Statements expressing opinions, sentiments, or conjectures are not considered valid inquiries and will not receive a response. SUBMISSION OF OFFERS: Submitted offers shall not exceed 25 single-sided pages and any pages beyond this amount will be removed and not evaluated. Files should be sent in PDF format and no larger than 10MB or they may be automatically rejected by the server. The Government is not responsible for rejected e-mails that exceed the e-mail capacity. All quotes/offers submitted must include the Solicitation Number and Title in the subject line of the email. ONLY ELECTRONIC MAIL (EMAIL) OFFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Hand deliveries or facsimile will not be accepted. Telephone responses shall NOT be accepted. Offers must be submitted via email to the Contracting Specialist, Michael Barton at contact@example.gov no later than 11:00am (EST) on February 27, 2024. Offers received after this date and time will be considered late offers. CONTACT INFORMATION Contracting Office Address: Atlanta VA Medical Center 2008 Weems RD Tucker, GA 30084 Primary Point of Contact: Michael Barton Contracting Specialist, NCO 7 contact@example.gov