Beaufort National Cemetery Grounds Maintenance Services Solicitation

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to solicitation 36C78626Q50117 serves two primary purposes:

• Answers Vendor Questions: It provides responses to questions submitted by prospective vendors. The specific answers are detailed in an attached document.
• Closes Question Period: It formally closes the period for submitting further questions regarding the solicitation.

This amendment modifies the solicitation. Specific sections of the solicitation are not explicitly detailed as being changed, but the content of the amendment addresses vendor inquiries.

Vendors are required to submit this amendment with their proposal. The amendment states that "ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT," implying that the core requirements and deadlines of the original solicitation remain the same unless otherwise specified within this amendment or its attachments.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Ground Maintenance Services RFQ for Beaufort National Cemetery.

• Tree and Stump Removal: Stump removal is not included in the SOW. Trees over 18-inch diameter will be handled by cemetery personnel.
• Irrigation Inspection: The monthly walk and quarterly valve verification are considered part of the same task, with a single report document acceptable. Quarterly verification is priced under CLIN 36.
• Irrigation Repairs: COR pre-approval is required for all irrigation repairs, not just pump station components. COR must be made aware of all repairs. Emergency repairs require shutdown ASAP (+/- 8 hrs) with repair within 5 days or less.
• Planting Beds Weed Control: The requirement for beds to be 95% weed-free is a performance standard. Snapshot applications are applied 4x per year if needed. Cheetah Pro/Finale spot spraying is part of monthly bed maintenance under CLIN 0008.
• Herbicide Restrictions: District Agronomist approval is required only for Glyphosate products. Glufosinate Ammonium products are approved as per their labels.
• Mulching: The contract includes two full mulch removal-and-replacement events per year (pre-Memorial Day and pre-Veterans Day), consistent with CLIN 0009. "As needed" by COR refers to touch-up work between major jobs. Routine maintenance to keep mulch presentable is covered under CLIN 0008.
• Wetting Agent Applications: CLIN 0022 is correct for wetting agent applications. The COR will determine the specific months for application, not necessarily June, July, and August as stated in SOW B.4.5.7.
• Key Personnel Experience: The government will consider past performance of key personnel gained on other contracts, aligning with FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iii), for evaluation purposes.
• Incumbent Information: The current incumbent is Raven Operation, contract #36C78625P50137, with a total value of $276,213.29.
• Acreage: Turf areas to be mowed are 44 acres. Non-turf areas are roughly 2-3 acres. Mulched and rock areas have no average number available.
• Headstones/Markers: Approximately 27,000 upright headstones and roughly 15 flat markers.
• Dumpster: The contractor will have space for an onsite container.
• Renovation Completion: Earliest May 2026, latest August 2026.

These clarifications address specific requirements, pricing, and operational details within the SOW, impacting how bidders should interpret and price their proposals. The document also clarifies evaluation criteria regarding past performance.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document is a price schedule for the Beaufort National Cemetery Complete Ground Maintenance Services, covering a base period and four option years. It details the CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers), associated SOW (Statement of Work) references, descriptions of services, units of issue, estimated quantities, and costs.

• Services: Includes mowing, edging, trimming, trash removal, sweeping, sod repair and installation, mulching, tree and shrub maintenance, fertilization, weed and pest control, storm damage cleanup, ceremony support, holiday décor upkeep, and pressure washing of various surfaces and buildings.
• Construction: Covers underground sprinkler system maintenance, irrigation repairs (labor rates specified, parts provided by government), irrigation pump station services, and headstone/ground repairs and transport.
• Contract Structure: The schedule is broken down by Base Period and four Option Years, with identical CLINs and descriptions repeated for each period.
• Pricing: All estimated quantities are listed as 0.0, and all total costs are listed as 0.0 for all CLINs and contract periods. This indicates that pricing details are either to be provided by the bidder or are not yet finalized in this document.

This price schedule is critical for bidders to understand the scope of services and construction required for the ground maintenance contract. Bidders must use this document to formulate their pricing proposals. The zero values for estimated quantities and total costs suggest that bidders will need to provide their own cost estimations based on the described services and quantities, or that this is a template for a future pricing submission.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services to procure grounds maintenance services for Beaufort National Cemetery. It serves as the only solicitation, and quotes are being requested. The acquisition is set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) under NAICS code 561730, with a business size standard of $9.5 Million.

The scope of work includes General Grounds Maintenance, Headstone and Marker Services, Interment Services, and Irrigation and Repair Services. Specific capabilities highlighted include Organizational Control, Subcontractor Management, and Similar Work performed. Key Personnel are required to be on-site during performance and possess relevant experience. A Work Plan/Staffing Plan, including methodology, man-hours, equipment lists, and permits/insurance information, is required. A Gantt Chart demonstrating work production timelines is also necessary.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: Base Plus 4 Option Years if Exercised

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the Business Size Standard is $9.5 Million.

• Submission Deadline: April 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

• Submission Method: Electronic via email to Janice.brooks@va.gov and cc larry.curtis@va.gov.

• Submission Format: Quotes must be submitted in three (3) separate Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files (Volume A, B, C) and one (1) Excel Spreadsheet (xlsx) file (Volume D). Specific content requirements for each volume are detailed, including Company Information, Relevant Experience, Past Performance, and Pricing.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Technical and Past Performance, when combined, are more important than price. Options will be evaluated by adding their total price to the basic requirement.

• Set-Aside Type: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

• Registration Requirements: Quoters must be registered in SAM.gov and have an active/current registration in the SBA's certification database (https://search.certifications.sba.gov/).

• SDVOSB/VOSB Certification: Firms claiming SDVOSB or VOSB status must provide a signed copy of VAAR 852.219-75, VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance.

• Site Visit: Scheduled for March 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST. Site visits are urged and expected. Contact information for scheduling is provided.

• Questions Deadline: March 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST. Questions must be submitted via email to Janice.brooks@va.gov and cc larry.curtis@va.gov. Answers will be provided via solicitation amendment.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the basic objectives for providing complete grounds maintenance services to Beaufort National Cemetery.

The contractor will furnish all supervision, labor, equipment, materials, and supplies necessary for comprehensive grounds maintenance. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Maintenance of grounds: mowing, weed eating, edge trimming, trash removal, debris removal, and cleaning of walkways and roadways.

• Irrigation system operation, inspection, and maintenance.

• Gravesite maintenance: sunken graves and grounds repair, cleaning and trimming around headstones and markers.

• Plant material maintenance: maintenance of planting and mulch beds, tree and shrub trimming/pruning.

• Lawn/turf maintenance: sod installation, aerification, fertilization, weed control, and pest control.

• Headstone services: raising, realigning, fine-tuning, transport, setting, cleaning, and pressure washing of headstones, markers, niche covers, committal shelters, administration buildings, maintenance buildings, entrance/exit signs, and boundary walls.

• Drainage ditch maintenance.

• The contract period includes a Base Year (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027) and four Option Years (if exercised).

• Place of Performance: Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902.

• Work hours are typically Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM local time, excluding Federal Holidays.

• All work must be performed with special care, reverence, dignity, and respect.

• Contractor must coordinate work to minimize disruption to cemetery operations.

• Contractor must adhere to NCA Operational Standards and Measures.

• All equipment and facilities must comply with OSHA standards.

• Contractor is responsible for all necessary supervision, labor, training, supplies, and OSHA-approved personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Contractor must guarantee work and replace any damaged turf, trees, or shrubs due to contractor error or negligence.

• Any damage to headstones, cemetery fixtures, grounds, or equipment must be reported immediately and repaired at the contractor's expense.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire. Offerors are instructed to use this form to provide information on previous federal, state, local government, and private contracts that are similar in size and scope to the contract being evaluated. The purpose is to gather data on the offeror's past performance to aid in the evaluation of proposals.

• Contractor Information: Name, Address, Telephone Number, E-mail.
• Contract Information: Name of company/agency served, Contract Number, Type of Contract, Contract Dollar Value, Date of Award, Status (Completed/Not Completed), reason if not completed, and projected completion date. It also asks if the offeror was the Prime or Subcontractor.
• Point of Contact Information: Name and position of the contract person at the serviced company/agency, Address, Telephone Number, and E-mail.
• Description of Work: Details on the supply/service(s) provided, location, and relevancy of the work.
• Complexity: Information on the complexity of the product/service, if any.
• Percentage of Work: Breakdown of work completed by the offeror's company versus subcontractors, with an explanation of tasks performed if less than 100%.

Bidders must complete and submit this questionnaire as part of their proposal. It requires them to detail relevant past contracts and provide contact information for the contracting agency/company. This information will be used by the government to assess the bidder's past performance, which is a key factor in contract evaluation. Offerors are advised to list at least three (3) but no more than five (5) contracts performed within the last three years, prioritizing National Cemetery Administration (NCA) contracts.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determination for South Carolina, specifically for the County of Beaufort. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations that may be employed under a federal contract subject to the SCA. Bidders must use this information to ensure their proposed labor costs comply with federal requirements.

• Occupational Codes and Titles: A comprehensive list of job titles with corresponding codes.
• Wage Rates: The minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific health and welfare benefits are detailed on later pages, including rates for SCA-covered contracts and those also covered by Executive Order 13706.
• Executive Orders: Notes the applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage) and their respective requirements and rates.
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines paid vacation and holiday provisions based on years of service and specific holidays.
• Footnotes: Provides specific details and exclusions for certain occupations, particularly computer employees and air traffic controllers/weather observers.
• Hazardous Pay: Details differential pay for hazardous work involving ordnance and explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Specifies requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms.
• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for establishing wage rates for occupations not listed in the determination.

This wage determination is critical for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with the specified minimum wages and fringe benefits can lead to non-compliance and potential disqualification. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages meet or exceed these rates and that all required benefits are included in their cost proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "General Decision Number" wage determination for building construction projects in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It specifies the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits required for various construction trades under federal contracts subject to the Davis-Bacon Act.

• General Decision Number: SC20260008
• Publication Date: 01/02/2026
• Construction Type: Building (excluding single-family homes and apartments up to 4 stories).
• Geographic Area: Beaufort County, South Carolina.
• Specific Trades and Rates: Lists hourly wage rates and fringe benefits for trades such as Elevator Mechanic, Carpenter, Electrician, Laborer (Common/General and Pipelayer), Operator (Backhoe/Excavator/Trackhoe), Painter, Pipefitter, Plumber, Sheet Metal Worker (HVAC Duct Installation Only), and Truck Driver.
• Paid Holidays: Details specific holidays for which employees are entitled to paid time off.
• Vacation Pay Credit: Outlines employer contributions to vacation pay based on years of service.
• Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Notes that this EO applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017, requiring contractors to provide paid sick leave.
• Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage): States that this EO generally applies to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, and sets a minimum hourly wage rate (or the applicable wage determination rate, if higher) for covered workers.
• Identifiers: Explains the meaning of various identifiers (e.g., "SU", "UAVG", "SA") used in wage determinations.
• Appeals Process: Provides information on how to request review, reconsideration, or appeal wage determination decisions.

Bidders must use this wage determination to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with these prevailing wage requirements can lead to contract non-compliance. The document is crucial for understanding the minimum labor costs associated with performing construction work in the specified area under federal contracts.