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This is a Sources Sought to conduct market research to determine the availability of small business vendors capable of providing the requirement for Lawn Maintenance Services. Please see Statement of ... This is a Sources Sought to conduct market research to determine the availability of small business vendors capable of providing the requirement for Lawn Maintenance Services. Please see Statement of work for details. This requirement is for the Augusta VA Medical Center, Uptown Division and Downtown Division. The sources sought does not guarantee the issuance of an RFQ. If you have the availability to provide the requirement, please respond to the sources sought with a capabilities statement. The sources sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The VA is not, at this time, seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to the sources sought; all costs associated with responding to the sources sought will be solely at the interested vendor’s expense. Not responding to the sources sought does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Please note that requirements defined to date may change before a final solicitation is released. Sources Sought requirements are as follows: Please acknowledge if your company is an authorized provider of the of these services. Submit responses and related information via email to chaz.bowling@va.gov by 9:30 AM EST, May 26, 2020. Proprietary/Confidential material shall be clearly marked on every page that contains such. Include the name, phone number, and email address of the lead from your organization. VA reserves the right not to respond to any or all emails or materials submitted. Provide Past Performance (if applicable) STATEMENT OF WORK Project: Lawn Care Service for Charlie Norwood VAMC Uptown and Downtown Facilities SCOPE OF WORK: Contractor shall provide all material, labor, Equipment, and supplies required to provide lawn service to the entire UD and DD Divisions to include Solar Panel Array area and adjacent surrounding area. Contractor must demonstrate and prove they will be doing 51% of the work in according to requirements in the Statement of Work and Performance standards. Must be able to provide a narrative on the overall technical approach methods and procedures to meet the requirements identified in this Statement of Work. The narrative should provide evidence that a full understanding the objectives of the contract needs and the nature of the required work and level of work necessary to accomplish required work. Must provide proof of state business licenses and bonded. Contractor shall provide a Quality Control Plan (QCP) that describes the Contractor’s 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. Contractor must provide three (3) or more references of work, similar in scope, volume, magnitude and complexity for Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance Services as detailed in the Statement of Work. References must include contact information; brief description of the work completed, and contract # (if relevant). References may be verified by the Contracting Officer to ensure offer can perform the required services as outlined in the Statement of Work. The Government also reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from any and all sources. Cut grass weekly March thru September and Bi-weekly October thru February Edge walkways, driveways and bed lines with a steel blade edger Weed eat entire property as needed Blow curb areas Keep weeds out of beds, curb, and parking lot areas with round-up Prune shrubbery as needed to maintain a uniform shape Pick up trash in common areas Leaf removal from property in fall/winter seasons Remove dead diseased and fallen trees and grind stumps Trim all trees in parking lots and adjacent surrounding areas, leaving a buffer along fence lines adjacent to residential properties Weed and trim shrubs, by hand in interior courtyards install weed barrier and mulch in all interior courtyards Remove all shrubbery and live trees that obstruct sidewalk and parking lot from parking lot islands, stumps to be ground down, work required to be done after normal business hours or on the weekends, parking lot can be section off during this time upon request Sweeper truck to be used Bi-weekly in all parking lots at both the Uptown and Downtown Facilities. Work to be accomplished after normal work hours or on weekends. All debris created by maintenance contract will be removed from property in a timely manner Mulch or interior courtyard shall be applied twice a year, Contractor will be responsible for purchase of mulch and quantity Contractor will be allowed a 20 feet trailer for storage of items, all items not able to fit will be stored off premise Turf Maintenance: Mowing and Trimming Lawn Areas Remove all trash and debris from lawns prior to each mowing. Maintain lawns to give a neat, uniform appearance and frequently enough to prevent visible accumulation of grass clippings. Remove any visible accumulation of clippings by sweeping or blowing. Adjust mowing frequency to the growth rate of the turf. Do not remove more than one-quarter to one-third of the total leaf area at any one mowing. Vary the direction of mowing each time lawns are mowed. Mow lawns when grass reaches a height of 2 ½ inches and cut to a minimum height of 1 ½ inches. Mowing height may be increased 2 inches during the summer. Keep mowers sharp and properly adjusted during cutting operations. After each mowing, trim lawn edges to the same height as adjacent turf. Where adjacent to sidewalks, curbs, etc., neatly edge lawns weekly as needed. Do not line trim within 2 inches of tree trunks, plant foliage or other non-durable surfaces; hand trim areas where power trimmers are not to be operated. After completion blow off all sidewalks, roadways and parking lot and patios Weed Control Keep all flower and shrub areas free of weeds through timely use of both cultural and manual labor control procedures. Spring Reconditioning Rake all lawns prior to initiation of active spring growth to remove dead grass, twigs, leaves, and other debris. Roll lawns, if required, to smooth uneven areas. If that exceeds one-half inch depth or soil compaction is evident, aerate lawns after soil thaws and turf enters the active growing period. Aerate using a spoon or core method. If core type operation is employed, use a drag or other approved method to break up cores. TREES, SHRUBS, AND GROUND COVER General Keep all beds and planters in a clean, well-groomed, weed- and pest-free condition. Remove trash and debris from beds and maintenance edges weekly. During fall and winter season, all fallen leaves are to be collected and remove from property on a weekly basis. B. Cultivating 1. Cultivate all bed areas as often as necessary to keep them in a loose, uniform condition and free of weeds. Maintain a symmetrical ring of cultivation around tree trunks. Do not cultivate around surface-rooted broadleaf evergreens which should not be disturbed other than by hand-weeding. C. Edging Keep all hand-cut bed lines and tree rings cleanly edged, with smooth continuous curves or straight lines as shown on the Key Plan. Edges shall be cut at least bi-weekly during the growing season, and any encroachment of Centipede lawn removed from the beds. Weed Control Keep planting beds, stabilized aggregate surfaces, and tree rings within the improved grounds areas free of weeds by cultivation and manual removal. Insect/Disease Control Inspect all plantings on a weekly basis for possible infestations report all findings to COR. Pruning Prune all trees and shrubs as specified herein. Work shall be accomplished by arborists and horticulturists experienced in all aspects of pruning. All pruning shall conform to standards established by the National Arborist Association. In general, do not shear plants; remove individual limbs back to main trunk or leader. Do not leave stubs. Use proper tool for cut being made. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Disinfect tools between cuts when pruning diseased or easily infected plants. Be familiar with and maintain natural habit of plants when pruning. Utilize the following procedures when pruning the plant categories listed below: Shade and Ornamental Trees: Maintain natural habit and proportions. Remove dead, damaged, or dangerous branches, water sprouts, suckers, and crossing branches. Major Storm Damage repair is a part of this contract, quarterly funding of $10,000.00 Upright Conifers: Remove dead or damaged limbs and multiple leaders. Maintain compact, uniform growth by selectively removing portion of young ‘candles’ during extension in the spring. Spreading Conifers: Remove dead or damaged branches. Do not shear; prune groups or masses as a single unit, not individual plants. Deciduous Shrubs: Prune to maintain natural habit and proportions; do not shear. Periodically, thin canes to maintain vigor and new growth. Time pruning to prevent removal of flower buds. Hedges: Shear hedges at least twice annually, once after spring flush, and once in late summer. Maintain size and proportion approved by Owner. Bevel face of hedges to optimize exposure to light. Conduct rejuvenate pruning as directed by the Owner. REPORTING: For services performed during normal working hours, the contractor’s technician is to report to the Grounds Supervisor (Uptown Chuck Jones ext. 6051, Downtown Charles Davis ext. 3358), to report/sign-in and obtain an identification badge, which shall always be worn while the technician is on station. After work is completed, the contractor’s technician(s) are to submit in writing, a complete report of services performed for each item of equipment. The Grounds Supervisor, or his designee, must sign the service report before the technician(s) leave the facility. PERFORMANCE: Contractor shall follow safety precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment (i.e. proper attire, masks, gloves, ear and eye protection). All tools shall be fully supervised by contractor technicians and fully secured when not in use. Period of Performance: Base plus four (4) one (1) year options Place of Performance: Augusta VA Medical Center Uptown Location 1 Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30904 Augusta VA Medical Center Downtown Location 950 15th Street Augusta, GA 30901 Once work is completed, contractor is to clean up and haul off all debris from property and leave the area of work ready for hospital business. HOURS OF WORK: Work is to be performed during normal duty hours, 7:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. Monday thru Friday unless with prior approval from the VA. Saturday and Sunday work will be granted due to large number of trees/shrubs in parking lot, with prior approval and arrangement. Street sweeping to be conducted between 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. or on weekends. SECURITY: The C&A requirements do not apply, and that a Security Accreditation Package is not required.