36C78626R50044 -- S208

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for grounds maintenance services at a cemetery.

• Estimated Workload: The provided quantities in Technical Exhibits 3 and 4 are estimates. Vendors are encouraged to visit the cemetery grounds daily between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST to determine pricing. Specific acreage for mowing, turf application, and various bed types (mulched, mineral mulch, decorative rock) are detailed or referenced in PWS Technical Exhibit 3.
• Planned Expansion: Approximately five acres are planned for turf expansion, in addition to approximately 1.5 acres for columbarium hardscape and mulched beds.
• Rock Addition: No more than ten new acres of decorative rock and five new acres of base rock are planned during the contract period.
• Irrigated Beds: The 2 acres of irrigated beds are separate from the 20 acres of mulched beds.
• Waste Disposal: A Government-furnished dumpster is provided for non-green waste; however, the Contractor is responsible for consumable liners.
• Interseeding: Interseeding is required for thin or bare irrigated turf. Proactive turf care by the Contractor may reduce this need.
• Topdressing: Topdressing may be required more often than just with aeration to ensure microbe digestion and grade restoration, as detailed in the Contractor's Turf Management Plan.
• Marker Setting: Pavers are not required for initial flat marker setting. Only Government-furnished temporary and flat markers are authorized on gravesites. Trenching is permitted only for markers to be set on a given day.
• Contract Value: The current actual contract value is not $791,376. The solicitation guarantees a minimum of $6,000.00 and a maximum aggregate value not to exceed $12,500,000.00 over five one-year ordering periods.
• PWS Updates: Clarifying updates to the PWS include updated numbering, added after-hours/weekend watering, better-defined key personnel qualifications, updated definitions (trimming vs. edging), provision of a fenced area for the Contractor Compound, clarified safety standards, more description for Memorial Day set-up, updated QASP, updated deliverables, added future planned expansions, and included examples for marker alignment and pesticide application reports.
• Site Conditions: Current contract is based on an SOW, while the intended contract uses a PWS with results-based site condition standards.
• Line Items: All line items on the price schedule, including non-landscape related items like event setup and marker setting, are included in this contracting action.

These answers provide crucial details for vendors to accurately price their proposals and understand the full scope of work, including specific quantities, updated requirements, and contract value parameters. Vendors who attended the site visit are listed.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 36C78626R50044 provides answers to vendor questions. The due date for proposals remains April 6, 2026.

• The document clarifies various aspects of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and solicitation, including:

  • Estimated workload and turf areas (mowing, turf application, expansion, decorative rock, irrigated beds).
  • Government-furnished equipment (dumpster for non-green waste).
  • Acreage requirements for mulch, mineral mulch, and decorative rock.
  • Interseeding requirements for thin or bare irrigated turf.
  • Topdressing frequency for turf management.
  • Requirements for initial flat marker setting (no pavers required, specific trenching rules).
  • Clarification on the contract's current Actual Contract Value (ACV), guaranteed minimum, and maximum aggregate value.
  • Confirmation that the scope of work has not changed, but updates were made to the PWS for clarity.
  • Updates to PWS numbering, after-hour/weekend watering, key personnel qualifications, definitions (trimming vs. edging), provision of a fenced contractor compound, safety standards, Memorial Day set-up description, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), and deliverables.
  • Information on future planned expansions and examples for marker alignment and pesticide application reports.
  • Clarification on whether the current contractor uses subcontractors.
  • Confirmation that site conditions are satisfactory and that the contract is based on an SOW, not a PWS.
  • Clarification that all schedule line items are included in this contracting action.

• The proposal due date remains unchanged (April 6, 2026).

• The amendment provides clarifications that may impact how bidders prepare their proposals and pricing.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 36C78626R50044 provides answers to vendor questions. The due date for proposals remains April 6, 2026.

• The document clarifies several aspects of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), including:

  • Estimated workload for mowing and turf application.
  • Planned expansion acreage for turf, columbarium, base rock, and decorative rock.
  • Details on irrigated and mulched beds.
  • Government-furnished dumpster for non-green waste.
  • Acreage requiring mulch, mineral mulch, and decorative rock.
  • Requirements for interseeding thin or bare irrigated turf.
  • Clarification on topdressing frequency.
  • Requirements for initial flat marker setting (no pavers required).
  • Trenching limitations for marker setting.
  • Clarification on the contract's actual contract value (ACV), guaranteed minimum, and maximum aggregate value.
  • Updates to PWS numbering, after-hour/weekend watering, key personnel qualifications, definitions (trimming vs. edging), provision of a fenced area for the contractor compound, safety standards, Memorial Day set-up details, QASP updates, deliverable capture, future planned expansions, and examples for marker alignment and pesticide application reports.
  • Confirmation that the current contract is based on a Statement of Work (SOW) rather than a Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• The document also addresses questions regarding the present contractor's use of subcontractors and whether all line items on the price schedule are required.

• The proposal due date remains unchanged (April 6, 2026).

• Offerors should consider the clarifications provided when developing their proposals and pricing.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an addendum to FAR 52.212-1, providing specific instructions for offerors responding to a competitive solicitation for commercial items. It details proposal preparation, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria.

Offerors must submit a complete package compliant with the solicitation. Key components include:

• Completed and signed Form 1449.

• Completed Price Schedule (913-SJVNC_PriceSched_FY26).

• Acknowledgment of any amendments.

• Requested information for non-price and price evaluation factors.

• Completed and signed VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION.

• Two or more completed Past Performance Questionnaires.

• This is a competitive solicitation with award to be made on a best-value basis.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for sixty (60) calendar days from the solicitation closing date.

• A post-award/pre-performance conference will be scheduled.

• Evaluation Factors:

  1. Technical Capability (Equal importance to Past Performance)
  2. Past Performance (Equal importance to Technical Capability)
  3. Price

• Non-price factors (Technical Capability and Past Performance) combined are more important than Price.

• Technical Capability requires demonstration of understanding the PWS, including specific plans (Grounds Management Summary Plan, Turf Management, Burrowing Pest Management, Phase-in/Phase-Out, Quality Control, Safety, Inclement Weather Operations, Pond Management) and identification of qualified personnel.

• Past Performance will be evaluated using CPARS and provided questionnaires, focusing on relevant work performed in the last five years.

• Price will be assessed for fairness and reasonableness. Proposals exceeding available funding may be rejected.

• Proposal Submission: Via email to Ralph.Crum@va.gov with subject line: 36C78626R50044 _Company Name.

• Submission Deadline: April 06, 2026, 5 PM PST.

• Questions Deadline: March 16, 2026, 5 PM PST via email to Ralph.Crum@va.gov.

• This is a competitive solicitation; no specific set-aside is mentioned.

• Vendor Site Visit: March 11, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. RSVP by March 10, 2026, 5 PM PST.

• Incomplete offers are unacceptable and ineligible for award.

• Offerors must not alter solicitation files without prior written consent.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document specifies the guaranteed minimum and maximum aggregate value for the contract.

• Guaranteed Minimum Amount: $6,000.00 for the life of the contract.
• Maximum Aggregate Value: $12,500,000.00, inclusive of five one-year ordering periods.

This information is crucial for bidders to understand the potential financial scope of the contract. It clarifies that while a minimum amount is guaranteed, the government does not commit to ordering beyond this minimum. Bidders should consider this range when assessing the opportunity's value and their capacity to fulfill potential orders up to the maximum aggregate value.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This PWS outlines the requirements for non-personal services to provide comprehensive grounds maintenance and support for ceremonies at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery (SJVNC). The goal is to ensure the cemetery maintains the high standards of appearance befitting a National Shrine, prioritizing operational safety, accountability, and respect for visitors and gravesites.

The contract covers a wide range of grounds maintenance tasks, including but not limited to:

• General cemetery support operations (ceremony support, crowd control, visitor seating)
• Trash and debris removal
• Grounds and infrastructure maintenance (roads, paved areas, structures, artificial turf, water features, drainage systems)
• Tree, shrub, bed maintenance, and unimproved area vegetation control
• Turf health and maintenance (mowing, trimming, edging, aerification, topdressing, dethatching)
• Marker cleaning, adjustment, alignment, and setting (initial/first interment and replacement)
• Support for ceremonies, including setup, takedown, and traffic control.

Interior janitorial services and irrigation system repairs are excluded. Use of the irrigation system is permitted for specific tasks by trained personnel.

• Compliance with National Cemetery Administration (NCA) National Shrine standards.

• Operational safety and risk avoidance.

• Accountability and respect for visitors and gravesites.

• Timely and quality completion of all specified tasks.

• Adherence to specific standards for turf health, marker alignment, and general appearance.

• Reporting requirements include weekly work plans and completion reports, monthly trend analyses, and immediate notification of safety hazards or damage.

• Period of Performance: One (1) Base Year of 12 months, with four (4) 12-month option years.

• Place of Performance: San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery (SJVNC).

• Contract Type: Hybrid fixed-price IDIQ, with services subject to the Service Contract Act (SCA) and construction efforts subject to the Davis Bacon Act (DBA).

• Key Personnel: Onsite Manager and Alternate Onsite Managers with specific experience and authority are required.

• Staffing: Contractor must provide an adequate and reliable workforce.

• Certifications/Licenses: Certified/licensed professionals are required for specialized work (e.g., pesticide application, arboriculture, land surveying).

• Equipment: Contractor must provide all necessary equipment, including safety restraints and fire extinguishers on vehicles.

• Safety: Strict adherence to safety and labor laws, including OSHA requirements.

• Uniforms: Contractor personnel must be identifiable and adhere to dress and conduct standards.

• Reporting: Various plans (Grounds Management, Turf Management, Pest Management, Quality Control, Safety) must be submitted.

• Holidays: Contractor is generally not expected to work on federal holidays, except for specific support on Memorial Day and Veterans Day weekends.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2015-5617, Revision No. 25) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, for the Service Contract Act. It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in California, County of Merced.

This document is crucial for any bidder on a federal contract in the specified geographic area (California, County of Merced) that is subject to the Service Contract Act. It outlines the legally mandated minimum wages and fringe benefits that must be paid to employees performing work under such a contract. Bidders must consult this document to accurately calculate labor costs and ensure compliance with federal regulations when preparing their proposals. It details specific hourly rates for a wide range of occupations, from administrative support to technical and maintenance roles, as well as information on paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for grounds maintenance services to be performed at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. The contract will be a hybrid fixed-price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, covering services subject to the Service Contract Act (SCA) and construction efforts subject to the Davis Bacon Act (DBA).

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• General Cemetery Support Operations (CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001): Includes ceremony/event set-up and take-down, boulevard flag maintenance, stocking floral vases, and general site cleanliness.

• Trash & Debris Removal (CLINs 0002, 1002, 2002, 3002, 4002): Removal of trash, fallen tree limbs, leaves, needles, fruit, and other debris from cemetery grounds.

• Grounds and Infrastructure Maintenance (CLINs 0003, 1003, 2003, 3003, 4003): Maintenance of roads, paved areas, structures, artificial turf, gravel flower strips, and site furnishings.

• Marker Setting, Initial/First Interment (CLINs 0004, 1004, 2004, 3004, 4004): Setting new markers on first interment inground gravesites.

• Period of Performance: One (1) Base Year of 12 months, with four (4) 12-month option years.

• Contract Type: Hybrid fixed-price IDIQ.

• Estimated Value: The guaranteed minimum amount for the life of the contract is $6,000.00. The maximum aggregate value shall not exceed $12,500,000.00.

• Proposal Submission Deadline: April 06, 2026, 5PM PST.

• Vendor Site Visit: March 11, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST (Voluntary).

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capability and Past Performance are combined and are more important than Price.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Offerors must complete and return a complete package of all items required prior to the time specified in the Solicitation.

• Any changes to the solicitation files without prior written consent may result in elimination from consideration.

• Safety and Privacy Concerns: Participants clothing should be suited for indoor and outdoor conditions. Closed-toe shoes are encouraged.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire (PPQ) intended for clients to evaluate a contractor's performance on a previous project. Bidders are expected to provide this form to their clients to complete and submit as part of their proposal, likely to demonstrate their past performance capabilities.

• Contractor Information: Fields for the firm's name, CAGE code, address, UEI number, contact details, and information about their role (prime, subcontractor, etc.) on the project being evaluated.
• Contract Information: Details about the contract being reviewed, including contract number, type, title, location, award and completion dates, original and final prices, and explanations for any differences.
• Project Description: A section for the contractor to describe the project and explain its relevance to the current opportunity.
• Client Information: Fields for the client's name, title, contact details, and their role in the project.
• Adjective Ratings: A standardized rating scale (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unsatisfactory, Not Applicable) with definitions for evaluating performance across various categories.
• Performance Categories: The client will rate the contractor's performance in areas such as Quality, Schedule/Timeliness, Customer Satisfaction, Management/Personnel/Labor, Cost/Financial Management, and Safety/Security.
• Remarks: A section for the client to provide narrative feedback, specific strengths, weaknesses, deficiencies, or overall comments, including whether they would rehire the contractor.

This form is crucial for bidders who need to gather past performance references. Completing and submitting this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly, with positive client feedback, is essential for demonstrating a strong track record and potentially influencing the evaluation of their proposal.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a compilation of prevailing wage determinations for various construction trades in California, issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. It lists wage rates and fringe benefits for numerous classifications, including laborers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and others, across different counties and areas within California.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with construction projects in California. It provides the legally mandated minimum wages and fringe benefits that must be paid to workers on federal or federally funded construction projects, ensuring fair labor practices and accurate cost estimation for proposals.

Other / Unclassified

This document outlines the "Dignity Clause" which specifies mandatory conduct for contractor personnel working within national cemeteries. It emphasizes the need for extreme care, reverence, and respect when performing any actions on cemetery grounds, acknowledging them as final resting places.

Contractors must adhere to strict guidelines to avoid damaging headstones, markers, or remains. Key requirements include:

• Respectful Conduct: All actions must be performed with special care and dignity.
• Prohibited Actions: Contractor personnel cannot walk, stand, lean, sit, jump on, or drive over headstones or markers.
• Equipment Handling: Tools, equipment, and other items must not be placed on or leaned against headstones or markers.
• Damage Prevention: Care must be taken to avoid scratching or damaging markers.
• Responsibility for Damage: Contractors are responsible for replacing damaged headstones/markers and restoring damaged turf.
• Reporting Incidents: Any exposure or damage to remains, containers, or outer burial containers must be immediately reported to the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or Contracting Officer (CO).
• Seeking Guidance: Any doubts regarding proper procedures must be addressed with the COR, Director/Assistant Director, or CO.
• Employee Compliance: Contractors must discuss these guidelines with employees and subcontractors, obtain signed statements of compliance from each employee, and submit these statements to the COR before work commences.

Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant liabilities and contractual issues. Bidders should carefully consider these stringent requirements when evaluating their ability to perform work in such sensitive environments.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing sheet detailing line items for services related to the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery for Fiscal Year 2026. It outlines the services, quantities, units, and period of performance for both base and option years.

• Services: Includes Ceremony/event set-up and take-down support (boulevard flags), Non-indoor Trash and Debris Removal, Grounds and Infrastructure Maintenance, and Marker Setting (Initial/First Interment).
• Period of Performance: The base period runs from 07/01/2026 to 06/30/2027. Option periods extend annually through 06/30/2031.
• Quantities & Units: Quantities vary by service, with monthly (MO) and each (EA) units specified.
• Pricing: All Unit Price IGCE, Net Total IGCE, Proposed Unit Price, and Proposal Extended Price fields are listed as 0.0 USD, indicating that pricing details are to be proposed by the vendor or will be finalized separately.
• Reference Document: All line items reference Solicitation F369377-26-2000007.

This pricing sheet provides a detailed breakdown of the services required for the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery opportunity. Bidders should use this as a basis for understanding the scope of work and for preparing their price proposals. The structure of this sheet will guide how vendors should present their pricing for each service across the base and option periods.