Landscaping Project

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to Solicitation 1232SA2600714, effective 06/04/2026, modifies the solicitation as follows:

• Submission Document #3 (Page 13): Edited to include a requirement for Offerors to address compliance with FAR provision 52.237-1 Site Visit within their "Technical Approach."
• Evaluation Criteria (b): Edited to add a requirement related to the evaluation of the "Technical Approach," specifically asking Offerors to fully address their intended compliance with FAR provision 52.237-1 Site Visit.

• Submission Document #3 (Page 13)
• Evaluation Criteria (b)

Offerors must now address compliance with FAR provision 52.237-1 Site Visit in their "Technical Approach" and ensure this is fully addressed in the evaluation criteria. The solicitation is not extended, and offers are still due by the original hour and date specified.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure professional landscaping services to refurbish a designated area behind the main building of the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, WI. The goal is to create a functional, beautiful, and welcoming garden space themed "Feeding People and Pollinators," incorporating design specifications, aesthetics, water management, and accessibility.

The contractor will provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision for the following tasks:

• Site Preparation: Clearing debris (weeds, vegetation, rocks), legal disposal of waste, tilling, soil amendment, and grading for proper drainage. Repairing existing lawn post-installation.

• Crushed Limestone Garden Pad Installation: Preparing, excavating, installing a 6-inch gravel base course, compacting, installing a 3-inch limestone chip top course, and final compaction for accessibility.

• Mulch Installation: Applying 3 inches of double-shredded hardwood mulch in designated plant beds.

• Boulder Installation: Placing decorative boulders as per the project plan.

• Edging Installation: Installing professional-grade 6-inch steel landscape edging, ensuring it does not impede wheelchair access or create trip hazards.

• Native Plant Installation: Procuring, transporting, and installing healthy, disease-free native plants and nursery stock according to Attachment A, including proper planting techniques and initial watering.

• Dry Stack Wall Installation: Constructing a structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing dry stack retaining wall.

• Drainage Swale Installation: Grading and finishing a swale to direct surface water flow and prevent pooling/erosion.

• Plant Warranty: Providing a one (1) year warranty for all newly installed plants, including replacement of any that die.

• Period: 45 calendar days after contract award.

• Place: USDA-ARS U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, 1925 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706.

• Provide site access during business hours.

• Designate a Point of Contact (POC).

• Provide access to water sources.

• Review and approve work plans.

• Facilitate background checks.

• Deliverable: A fully completed and functional garden landscape.

• Warranty: One (1) year on installed plant materials.

• Acceptance: Final acceptance by the COR after site inspection.

• Periodic government inspections.

• Work must meet industry-accepted standards.

• Deficiencies must be corrected by the contractor.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a firm-fixed-price contract to refurbish the existing landscape into a functional, beautiful, and welcoming garden space at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center. The project aims to embody the Center's focus on "Feeding People and Pollinators."

• Landscaping Project: Refurbishment of the existing landscape.

• Scope of Work: Detailed in Attachment 1 (SOW).

• Site Plan: Provided in Attachment 2.

• Plant Warranty: One (1) year warranty on all installed plant materials, covering replacement of any plants that fail to survive.

• Award Type: Anticipated firm-fixed-price.

• Contracting Office: USDA ARS Acquisition and Property D, Beltsville, MD.

• Delivery: 30 Days After Award.

• Submission Deadline: June 22, 2026, 10:00 AM CT.

• Submission Method: Email to kelly.wright@usda.gov with subject line "RFQ 1232SA26Q0714".

• Evaluation Method: Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Evaluation Criteria: Offers will be evaluated for timeliness, compliance, technical acceptability, and price. Award will be made to the responsible offeror with the lowest-priced proposal that is technically acceptable.

• Offer Acceptance Period: 90 calendar days from the offer due date.

• NAICS Code: 561730 (Landscaping Services).

• Set-Aside: Unrestricted.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items for their offer to be considered responsive.

• Failure to submit all required documents or acknowledge amendments will result in a non-responsive offer.

• Technical Approach should not be created using artificial intelligence.

• Offerors must provide at least two (2) but no more than three (3) documented experience references from the past five (5) years.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a site plan and plant list for "The People's Garden: Feeding People and Pollinators" project at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center. It provides detailed layout information, including elevations, material specifications for garden pads and drainage, and specific plant selections.

• Site Plan: Depicts the layout of garden beds, pathways, drainage features (dry creek bed), seating (boulders, benches), and existing infrastructure (sidewalks, stairs, mechanical areas).
• Plant List: Identifies specific plant species, quantities, and their placement within the garden design. Includes common and scientific names for various grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants.
• Material Specifications: Details the types and depths of materials to be used for garden pads (limestone gravel, limestone chips), drainage swales (pond cobble), and mulching.
• Elevations: Provides existing and proposed elevations at various points on the site.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the physical scope, design intent, and material requirements for the landscaping project. It directly informs the labor, materials, and expertise needed to execute the garden installation as specified.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Service Contract Act, specifically for the "Wisconsin Counties of Columbia, Dane, Green and Iowa" area. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations employed on federal service contracts within this geographic region.

• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles categorized by occupation groups (e.g., Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology).
• Wage Rates: Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each listed occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific health and welfare rates are detailed at the end of the document.
• Executive Orders: Includes notes regarding Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage), outlining their applicability and requirements for federal contractors.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed in the determination.

This document is crucial for bidders responding to federal service contracts in the specified Wisconsin counties. It establishes the minimum labor costs (wages and fringe benefits) that must be factored into their proposals. Failure to comply with these wage determinations can lead to contract violations. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor rates meet or exceed these minimums for all covered employees.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 4, a Schedule of Pricing, provided in an Excel format. It is intended for bidders to input their pricing for the CLINs associated with the opportunity. Bidders are instructed to round the offer price for each CLIN to the nearest dollar amount, excluding cents.

• CLIN 0001: Landscaping Project for the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center.
• CLIN 0002: Plant Warranty (one-year duration).
• Unit of Issue: Dollars
• Unit Price: To be filled by bidder.
• Amount: To be calculated by bidder (Unit Price x Quantity, if applicable).
• Contract Total: To be calculated by bidder.

This attachment is critical for bidders to provide their proposed pricing. Adherence to the rounding instructions is required. The total price submitted in this schedule will be a key component of the proposal and likely impact the evaluation and award of the contract.

Other / Unclassified

This document provides information regarding site visits and the process for submitting questions related to a solicitation.

• Site Visits: Attendance is optional. Interested parties can arrange and schedule site visits directly with Danielle Graham via email (danielle.graham@usda.gov) or phone (608-890-1576). There will be no formal organized site visit.
• Questions: All questions must be submitted via email to kelly.wright@usda.gov. The deadline for submitting questions is June 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time. The solicitation name and number should be included in the subject line of the email.