36C78626R50055

The contract solicitation for grounds maintenance services at Santa Fe National Cemetery is issued under solicitation number 36C78626R50055 as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set Aside, with a NAICS code of 561730, and is managed by the National Cemetery Administration under the Department of Veterans Affairs. The work is performance-based and governed by a revised Performance Work Statement that outlines comprehensive responsibilities including turf and irrigation system maintenance, tree and shrub care, gravesite preparation and headstone setting or reparation, debris removal, ceremonial support, and strict compliance with environmental and safety standards. The contract is structured as a hybrid fixed-price indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) with a twelve-month base period beginning June 26, 2026, and two optional twelve-month extension periods, each exercisable at the government’s discretion. The place of performance is strictly limited to the cemetery site in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and all work must adhere to NCA Handbook 3410, ASTM, OSHA, EPA, and GHS standards, with particular emphasis on proper headstone alignment within a 1/8 inch tolerance, soil amendment certification, pesticide use compliance, and adherence to an approved Integrated Pest Management plan. All deliverables including the Quality Control Plan, Grounds Maintenance Plan, weekly inspection reports, and lab test results must be submitted electronically to the Contracting Officer’s Representative. Proposals are due by June 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, with evaluations based heavily on past performance of both prime contractors and major subcontractors, suggesting a trade-off approach rather than a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable process. Technical approach, management structure, and key personnel qualifications are implied to be critical, though explicit weights are not provided. The contractor must provide an on-site manager with at least two years of commercial landscaping experience, certified by the Landscape Contractors Association or equivalent, and must maintain a qualified alternate available outside normal business hours. All personnel must be pre-screened and registered with cemetery security, carry government-issued photo IDs, and comply with strict rules regarding cell phone use, equipment handling, and conduct during ceremonies. Government-furnished equipment usage requires daily sign-in, training certification, and return in serviceable condition. The contractor is also responsible for providing on-site restrooms, a fenced storage yard, and a roll-off dumpster, and must comply with hazardous material storage regulations, submit safety data sheets, and