Inactive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)

1. In the technical specification there is a section on pests as follows: 4.4.4 Prairie Dogs, Gophers and Moles and any other Pest: Prairie dogs, gophers and moles and any other pest shall be controll... 1. In the technical specification there is a section on pests as follows: 4.4.4 Prairie Dogs, Gophers and Moles and any other Pest: Prairie dogs, gophers and moles and any other pest shall be controlled by accepted industry practices and standards appropriate for the pests present or by elimination of their food source through the use of pesticides. All measures to eliminate or control pests shall be performed and supervised by a state licensed applicator/pest control specialist. The Contractor shall ensure that soil shall be tamped into holes and turf replaced or reseeded to ensure acceptable appearance at all times. Is the contractor required to control pests, such as prairie dogs and gophers? NO 2. Under the section 4.2 Scope below, is a reference to Ft. Sheridan instead of Wood Cemetery. Would we assume you are talking about Wood Cemetery? Yes NCA STANDARD: All turfgrass at Ft. Sheridan National Cemetery shall be healthy and generally free of weeds and bare areas. (Wood Cemetery) 3. In Section 5, it mentions sodding (or seeding) of the graves where turf has died. Is there going to be a different solicitation for this or is it covered under overseeding for the 50.1 acres in April. (CLIN 0008-4008) Otherwise, I do not see a line item for sodding of graves. Yes please Different Solicitation; its for our seconded interments to reestablish turf on the grave site SECTION 5 LAWN MAINTENANCE: SODDING/SEEDING 5.1 GENERAL All work performed under this section is subject to the General Requirements and Contract Documents to Bidders, which form a part of these specifications, and the Contractor shall be responsible for and governed by all the requirements thereunder. 5.2 SCOPE NCA STANDARD: Turf used shall be compatible with the geographic region and adheres to the Cemetery Master Plan, where applicable. Guidance from COR, Agronomist in Midwest District, or Landscape Architects in NCA Central Office is adhered to regarding turf selection and installation. Work consists of sod bed preparation and sodding/seeding of areas of the Cemetery where the turf has been disturbed or has died. In particular, all newly dug or refilled graves shall need re-sodding/seeding when the existing turf is not reusable and to standard. The Contractor shall add quality topsoil as needed and perform the sodding/seeding to include the bare areas to insure a quality turf. Delivery tickets, indicating date, weight, analysis, purity, and vendor s name, etc. are to be submitted to the COR. 5.3 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 5.3.1. Kind of Sod/Seed (mix) Blue or gold tagged seed or sod shall be used, consisting of improved Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (20% or more), but may contain up to 80% perennial ryegrass and/or 20% fine fescues. Cultivars of all species shall be appropriate for use in northern Illinois. 5.4 PROCEDURE 5.4.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for mowing and watering all sodded/seeded areas and maintaining them in a healthy and vigorous condition. 5.4.2 The Contractor shall, at his own expense, replace any sod which has died or been damaged during the establishment period. 5.4.3 Healthy turf shall be re-established within 30 days on all grave re-openers during the growing season. 4. I see there is a quantity of 36 for mowing and trimming. This number is higher than in previous contracts. Are you expecting to mow more often during the season since the last solicitation authorized 30? Seems like a solicitation for a more southern climate. Last year we need to Mow until early December and pending our spring weather we have started as early as 1st week in April . 5. There, also, is a quantity of 36 trimming and edging of the sidewalks and curbs. In previous years, this number was 8. are you expecting that to be done with each mow and trim? With staffing being a priority in these contracts, can we expect it to be done with the mow/trim for planning purposes? Last year we need to Mow until early December and pending our spring weather we have started as early as 1st week in April . 6. In 6.2 Scope, the standard height to be maintained on the site is between 3 to 3.5 inches, with the contractor responsible for "grass burns" and scalping at that height. Since some of the grade in the cemetery is "wavy" or uneven, that height may cause "grass burns" or scalping. Is the 3" to 3.5" a strict number or can it be adjusted due to the conditions of the lawn area? Current gourds Maintenance plan has 3.5 inches for mower deck. I would not recommend not going longer than 5 inches. With the growth rate in the spring we need to be at 3.5 inches and during the summer when there is a drought we can let the grass grow longer to help insulate the root system from burning. 6.2 SCOPE NCA STANDARD: Turf shall be maintained at a height within one-inch range of that which is professionally recommended for the recommended grass type for that geographic region. For Wood National Cemetery, mowing height shall be 3 to 3.5 inches, as specified by the COR. Mowing shall be often enough that excessive clippings are not a problem (no windrows or clumps of clippings) and that not more than one third of the grass height is removed when mowed. Turf surrounding a headstone shall be trimmed to so the trimmed grass is the same height as the mowed grass, 3-3.5 inches. There shall be no signs of grass burns caused by mowers. There shall be no scalping of turf by mowers or trimmers. Grass clippings are the issues we ve had in the past when the grass has excited 5 inches. Grass burn is a less of an issues. With no irrigation we get a slight browning throughout the cemetery. 7. The previous year was one of the wettest or perhaps the wettest year on record and caused excessive growing and limited ability to meet the standards of care expected at National cemeteries across the region. Due to "Acts of God" such as this and our new development with the coronavirus, what is expected of the contractor to meet these standards from issues beyond a reasonable control. - Will allowances be made for staffing if there is an outbreak of the virus in the area without a negative rating? Need to be more specific. - Will height adjustments in mowing be allowed due to excessive rain and inability to access a site? Height adjustments must maintain an even appearance. All grass must be cut with in that cutting cycle. - The site is priced based on specific industry standard equipment, but site conditions warrant lighter equipment or more hand/push mowing due to excessive rain, thereby increasing equipment cost (due to buying different equipment), or increasing the labor hours needed to complete the work in a timely manner. Will the NCA release or grant extra monies due to these unforeseen circumstances? No 8. Are Cemetery employees allowed to direct the Contractor's employees and method of operations within the limits of the contract? Or should the Cemetery employee/foreman inform the Contractor supervisor of the problem and expect the Contractor supervisor to correct the issue before the end of the day, if the issue does not interfere with Cemetery operations? The COR is the ONLY person (excluding imminent danger situations) that should be communicating with contractor personnel, and then only to the point of ensuring the contract is properly being performed according to the SOW and without changing the intended scope of the contract. The COR IS NOT the supervisor of contractor personnel. 9. Date and time for receiving quotes is hereby extended to April 15, 2020 11:59 pm Eastern. 10. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.