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RFI: 36C78621Q0238 Page 2 of 2 SOURCES SOUGHT / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE DISCLAIMER This Sources Sought/RFI Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not ... RFI: 36C78621Q0238 Page 2 of 2 SOURCES SOUGHT / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE DISCLAIMER This Sources Sought/RFI Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this Sources Sought/RFI Notice that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice are not offers or quotes and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought/RFI Notice. The submission of pricing, capabilities for planning purposes, and other market information is highly encouraged and allowed under this Sources Sought/RFI In Accordance With (IAW) FAR Part 15.201(e). SOURCES SOUGHT / RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought/RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought/RFI is to seek capable parties that are able to meet the requirement described in draft Statement of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statement (PWS), or other information describing the requirement, below. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought/RFI, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI Notice are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement. Please note that these requirements are not finalized and is subject to change based on the responses to this Source Sought/RFI. The information identified in the attachments are intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, and to indicate the quality of the services that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that they can provide the services that fulfill the requirement described within this Sources Sought/RFI. If you are interested, and, are capable of meeting this requirement, please provide the requested information indicated below. Company Name: Address: Point of Contact: DUNS Number: FSS Contract No. (if applicable): Socioeconomic Status (ie. SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, etc): If a Small Business, are you able to meet the subcontracting checklist described below?: Please submit your capabilities that show clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that you can meet the requirement described in the attached SOW. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Philip Gabe Caganap at Philip.Caganap2@va.gov prior to the closing date posted within this Sources Sought/RFI. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than the due date posted on BETA.SAM. Phone or email questions will not be addressed at this time. If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this Sources Sought/RFI. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. SUBCONTRACTING CHECKLIST In order to be awarded a set-aside contract a small business concern must agree that it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Similarly situated entity means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award, and that is considered small for the NAICS code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will perform. Work performed by similarly situated entities is counted as if it were performed by the prime contractor in determining compliance with the limitations on subcontracting. An example of a similarly situated entity is a first-tier subcontractor that is a service-disabled veteran owned small business concern for a service-disabled veteran owned small business set-aside or sole source award under the Veteran s First Program. Another example is: SDVOSB Set-aside more than 50% of work must be performed by prime or similarly situated subcontractor to qualify for set-aside SDVOSB Prime 51% performed non-SDVOSB sub (not similarly situated) 49% performed Qualified for set-aside SDVOSB Prime 49% performed non-SDVOSB sub (not similarly situated) 51% performed Unqualified for set-aside SDVOSB Prime 10% performed SDVOSB sub (similarly situated) 90% performed Qualified for set-aside To be completed by interested party: Name of subcontractor(s) Percentage of work performed Is subcontractor registered in SAM Is subcontractor similarly situated (same small business program status as prime) STATEMENT OF WORK (DRAFT) GENERAL INFORMATION NCA Contracting is seeking sources that can provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary for flat marker services described below for the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, hereby known as the Cemetery . PLACE OF PERFORMANCE Cemetery Address Acreage National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific 2177 Puowaina Dr. Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 121 acres PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The estimated contract dates: October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2026 CONTRACT OBJECTIVES To use an innovative and creative technical approach to manage the grounds maintenance task of edging and cleaning flat granite markers at the Cemetery to maintain the high standards of appearance as a National Shrine, in accordance with the National Cemetery Administration National Shrine Commitment Operational Standards and Measures (Version 5.1 July 2014) and standard commercial practices. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE AREAS The physical area of the Cemetery includes the cemetery property sections A thru X, total of 24 sections encompassing 40, 000 flat granite grave markers. Number of flat granite markers increases daily due to cemetery interment schedule. A portion of the cemetery may be under renovation by another Offeror at any time. SITE SUMMARY SITE SUMMARY Approximate Area/Quantity* Total Site Area 121 Acres Total Developed Cemetery 75 Acres Burial Section Area 68 Acres Curbs & walkways (Edging) 4.26 Miles Headstones 40,000base number. Number of flat granite markers increases daily depending on cemetery internment schedule GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Flat Marker Edging: Trim turf around flat markers at 90 degrees (perpendicular to the face of the marker) to remove all grass/vegetation that is growing around or over the entire outside perimeter of the flat grave markers. The depth of the vertical cut at the edge of the flat markers shall be 1 inch minimum and the width of the cut shall not exceed 1/2 inch. There shall be a clean and neat vertical edge left around each flat. COR will designate daily, sections to be edged and trimmed. A minimum of 8 sections a day for 3 consecutive days and 2 consecutive days of trimming with a weed whacker or edger around cemetery trees, road signs, walkways, landscape borders and irrigation boxes. In the event of inclement weather i.e. lightning or thunderstorms, COR or Cemetery Foreman by direction of Cemetery Director, will determine grounds edging and trimming operation of the day. Edging and Trimming: Edge turf at streets, curbs, walkways, and planting beds inside cemetery grounds. Edging shall provide a clear zone 1/2-inch wide by 1 to 2 inches deep with all vegetation removed from joints and cracks. Avoid damaging pavement. Trim turf around cemetery trees, landscape borders and road signs using a weed whacker trim to cemetery mowing height of 2.5 inches. Avoid scalping of turf and damage to base of tree with weed whacker. Remove debris from edging and trimming from the site on the same day as the edging and trimming event by using industry standard backpack blower or handheld blower. Use stick edger s with metal blades or other comparable equipment, as approved and authorized by the COR. The COR shall conduct random inspections of edging weekly. Edging events will be completed as ordered by the COR. Event is defined as a 5-day work week 730am-4pm for a total of 48 weeks per fiscal year excluding federal holidays. Flat Granite Marker Cleaning: Entire surface of flat granite grave marker, marker measurements 1 x 2 or 2 SQFT area shall be cleaned using a handheld grinder with a 100-150 grit pad and WATER ONLY to remove all organic debris from flat granite marker. Upon completion of flat granite marker cleaning. Marker will present as light gray in color, all inscription lettering, section letter and number of markers shall be organic debris free and legible. After organic material has been removed from flat granite marker. Biological sealant known on the market as D2 sealer. When applying D2 biologic sealant a 1 W x 2 L x 1 H barrier shall be placed around flat granite marker to avoid turf discoloration and damage. COR will conduct random weekly inspection of markers to ensure quality control of maker cleaning. A total of 160 markers shall be cleaned and sealed to cemetery standards daily, 3,200 markers monthly and 39, 600 markers base year of contract. Once base year cleaning of flat granite markers has been established, markers will be cleaned on a bi-annual basis of 20, 000 markers per fiscal year. COR or Cemetery Foreman by direction of Cemetery Director will determine which markers require cleaning on a biannually. The Contractor shall not operate trucks, tractor, and other heavy wheeled equipment in burial section. All utility vehicles must be authorized in writing by the COR, Cemetery Foreman or Cemetery Director. Contractor shall be responsible and incur cost of turf repair of turf damaged caused by contractor vehicle. STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE CONDUCT Contractor and contractor personnel shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress and conduct while performing work in the National Cemetery. These standards and regulations are enforceable under Title 38, Chapter I, Part 1, Section 1.218 Security and Law Enforcement at VA Facilities, (pursuant to U.S.C. 901). Contractor's employees shall be required to wear uniforms displaying the name of the company and the employee's name. Contractor s employees shall be fully clothed at all times, to include long slacks or pants and shirt, buttoned up from neck to waist. Clothing shall be clean each day. Any soiled clothing should be cemetery work-related that day. T-shirts and/or tank tops as outer garments are prohibited. Garments displaying a message or slogan other than the Contractor s business attire are prohibited. Other clothing in question shall require the Director s written approval. Contractor employees will maintain personal hygiene. Shoes/boots will have no holes or loose soles. Steel-toed shoes will be required in accordance with OSHA. All required uniforms and personal protective equipment will be provided by the Contractor to contractor personnel. Contractor personnel shall show proper reverence during committal service. Contractor employees shall exercise courtesy and respect while within the cemetery. If inquiries are received from visitors, they are to direct visitors or families to cemetery main office or to cemetery filed staff. Due to the sensitive mission of the Cemetery, the work could occasionally involve contact with and/or exposure to grieving individuals. Contractor personnel shall exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, composure and stability at all times and refer such individuals to Cemetery Staff. Contractor personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, use profane or abusive language nor use personal radios. Breaks and lunch periods shall be taken at areas designated by the COR, not in the field. Contractor personnel shall neither eat nor drink beverages, except water or non-alcoholic drinks, while in work area, nor in site of committal shelter during a service. Use of intoxicating beverages, any tobacco products, and drugs is strictly prohibited. Smoking: Smoking is prohibited except in designated smoking rest areas authorized by the COR. MAINTENANCE DURING CEMETERY FUNCTIONS Contractor personnel shall not operate motorized equipment or conduct other commercial activities within the designated area during interment services. The COR will set the designated area. The COR or his/her representative shall furnish the Contractor with a schedule of all interments and/or ceremonies no later than the close of business of the day prior to the scheduled interment, and a minimum of three (3) days before any ceremonial events. HANDLING OF MARKERS Every action by contractor personnel at a national cemetery must be performed with the special care, reverence, dignity, and respect that acknowledge the cemetery as the final resting place that commemorates the service and sacrifice that service members, Veterans and their families made for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness required of the Contractor employees of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed. The utmost care must be given to these remains and flat granite grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals. Contractor personnel cannot walk, stand, lean, sit or jump on headstones or markers, nor shall the wheels/tracks of any Contractor vehicle ever drive over them. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on markers. Contractor personnel should use tools authorized by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), such as stick edger s, weed whackers, backpack blowers, backpack or handheld chemical sprayer, handheld grinder. Any doubts as to proper procedures shall be brought to the attention of the COR, Cemetery Director, or CO for guidance or resolution SAFETY AND TRAINING OSHA standards shall be observed by the Contractor in all work performed. The Contractor shall also be responsible for training and safety precautions prescribed by OSHA standards. The Contractor shall also be responsible for training and safety precautions for Contractor employees performing work under these specifications. Appropriate safety equipment shall be furnished by the Contractor to Contractor personnel and shall be used as prescribed by OSHA standards, including hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, gloves and hearing protection devices. The following OSHA standards are to be adhered to: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910 Safety and Health Regulations for Personal Protection, Safety Color Codes, Portable Power Tools, Electrical Safety and Portable Electric Equipment. The Contractor shall fully comply with all applicable Federal, State, City, and County, laws and regulations. The Contractor shall provide, as part of their offer, a list of tools and equipment to be used during the course of the contract. The Contractor shall verify in writing that this equipment is in safe operating condition. The Contractor shall comply with all Federal, State, City, and County regulations regarding the use of Personal Protective Equipment for all contract personnel. All Personal Protective Equipment is provided by the Contractor. Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining a hazardous chemical list for all chemicals entering the Cemetery. The Contractor must keep all employee training records on site and available for review by the COR. SDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are required on-site for all chemicals, cleaning solutions. End of Document