36C78626R50055 -- S208

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for comprehensive grounds maintenance and improvement services at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The primary objective is to maintain the cemetery's grounds to ensure an aesthetically pleasing landscape and honor those who have served the nation.

The contractor will be responsible for a wide range of services, including:

• Interment and Disinterment Services
• Headstone Services (setting, raising, realigning, cleaning)
• Gravesite Maintenance (including sunken grave renovation)
• Turf and Grasses Maintenance (mowing, trimming, edging, fertilization, pest control, renovation)
• Tree, Shrub, Planting, and Bed Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, weed control, mulching)
• Irrigation System Services (maintenance, minor repairs, seasonal shut-down/start-up)
• Drainage System Maintenance (cleaning grates, catch basins, culverts)
• Trash & Debris Removal (daily collection, floral arrangements, green waste)
• Pavement Sweeping and Cleaning
• Ice Prevention/Snow & Ice Removal
• Structure Cleaning and Light Maintenance (columbaria, walls, buildings, signage)
• Ceremonies Assistance (setup, takedown, storage for events like Memorial Day)

Services must adhere to National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Standards. The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) details specific performance objectives, standards, and thresholds for each service area. Key metrics include timely completion, quality of work (e.g., turf health, alignment of headstones), and adherence to safety and environmental regulations.

The contract period is twelve (12) months with two (2) twelve-month option years. Performance will occur at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

• Contract Type: Hybrid fixed-price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).
• Personnel: A Site Manager with specific experience and qualifications is required. Contractor personnel must possess required licenses and certifications.
• Quality Control: A Quality Control Plan (QCP) must be submitted and maintained.
• Government Furnished Property (GFP): Certain equipment and facilities will be provided by the government.
• Contractor Furnished Items: The contractor must provide all other necessary equipment, materials, and services.
• Security: Adherence to all cemetery security rules and regulations is mandatory.
• Reporting: Regular reporting, including weekly work plans and completion reports, is required.
• Safety: Strict adherence to OSHA and VA safety policies is mandatory.
• Conduct: Contractor personnel must maintain professional conduct and dress code.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document provides instructions for offerors responding to a competitive solicitation for services at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The government intends to award a single contract to the offeror representing the best value.

Offerors must thoroughly review and understand the specifications and requirements outlined in the solicitation and associated Performance Work Statement (PWS). Key components of the proposal include:

• Grounds Management Plan (GMP): Detailing turf maintenance operations over one year.

• Irrigation Management Plan (IMP): Describing irrigation strategies, water conservation, and personnel qualifications.

• Work Plan: Outlining the process for completing work, including subcontractors, staffing, equipment, and a mandatory Site Manager.

• Site Specific Safety Plan: Including daily safety awareness and an on-site Safety Officer.

• Contractor Quality Control (CQC) Plan: Detailing the CQC System Manager and inspection schedule.

• Past Performance: Submission of at least two relevant past performance questionnaires.

• Pricing: Completion of the Excel Price Schedule.

• Contract Type: Competitive solicitation, best value source selection.

• Period of Acceptance of Offers: Offerors must hold prices firm for sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date.

• Post-Award/Pre-Performance Conference: Will be scheduled prior to work commencement.

• Submission Deadline: May 20, 2026, 5 PM PST, via email to Ralph.Crum@va.gov. Subject line: 36C78626R50055 _Company Name.

• Questions Deadline: May 1, 2026, 5 PM PST, via email to Ralph.Crum@va.gov. All questions will be addressed via amendment.

• 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.

• Not explicitly stated, but VAAR 852.219-75 NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING is incorporated, suggesting potential small business considerations.

• Vendor Site Visit: Voluntary, scheduled for April 29, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST at Santa Fe National Cemetery. RSVP required by April 28, 2026, 5 PM PST.

• Offerors must complete and sign specific forms including the SF 1449 and VAAR 852.219-75.

• Incomplete proposals may be removed from consideration.

• Wildlife (rattlesnakes, coyotes, etc.) are present on cemetery grounds.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for grounds maintenance services to be performed at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The contract will be a hybrid fixed-price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The services include various grounds maintenance and improvement tasks.

The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, and supervision for the following services:

• Interment and Disinterment Services -Headstone Services (Setting, Raise & Realignment, Fine Tuning Alignment, Cleaning, Removal) -Gravesite Maintenance (Sunken Grave Renovation) -Turf & Grasses Maintenance (Renovation, Fertilization, Pest Control, Mowing, Trimming, Edging, Aerification, Topdressing, Dethatching) -Tree, Shrub & Planting Bed Maintenance (Pruning, Cultivation, Fertilization, Weed Control, Mulching) -Irrigation System Services (Maintenance, Minor Repairs, Seasonal Shut-down/Start-up) -Drainage System Maintenance -Pavement Sweeping & Cleaning -Ice Prevention / Snow and Ice Removal -Structure Cleaning & Light Maintenance (Columbaria, Buildings, Rostrums, etc.) -Ceremonies Assistance (Set-up, take-down, storage of Government-provided equipment for Memorial Day and Forgotten Heroes ceremonies, traffic control, floral arrangements, restrooms, etc.)

• Contract Type: Hybrid Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: Base year plus two (2) twelve-month option years.

• Base Year Period of Performance: 06/26/2026 - 06/25/2027

• Guaranteed Minimum Amount: $11,149.00

• Maximum Aggregate Value: $10,000,000.00

• Offer Due Date: May 20, 2026, 5:00 PM PST

• Proposal Submission: Via email to Ralph.Crum@va.gov

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

• Vendor Site Visit: April 29, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST (Voluntary, RSVP required by April 28, 2026).

• The solicitation is set aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) at 100.00%.

• NAICS Code: 561730 (Landscaping Services)

• Size Standard: $9.5 Million

• Offerors must complete and return the entire package, including SF 1449, Excel Price Schedule, and VAAR 852.219-75.

• Questions must be submitted via email by May 1, 2026, 5PM PST.

Wage Determination

This document is a Wage Determination (Revision No. 27, dated 12/03/2025) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in New Mexico County of Santa Fe.

• Occupational Listings: The document provides a comprehensive list of job classifications, including administrative support, automotive service, food preparation, health occupations, information technology, and many others, along with their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: All listed occupations are entitled to specific fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare benefits of $5.55 per hour (or $222.00 per week/$962.00 per month). An additional Health & Welfare rate of $5.09 per hour ($203.60 per week/$882.27 per month) is noted for Executive Order 13706.
• Executive Orders:
  • EO 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017. Contractors must provide 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually, for employee illness, injury, or related needs, including for family members.
  • EO 13658 (Minimum Wage): Generally applies to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022 (and not renewed/extended after January 30, 2022). The minimum wage rate for 2025 is $13.30 per hour, or the applicable wage determination rate if higher.
• Vacation & Holidays:
  • Vacation: 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year, 3 weeks after 10 years, and 4 weeks after 15 years of service.
  • Holidays: A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year are specified.
• Hazardous Pay: An 8% differential applies for high-hazard work (ordnance, explosives), and a 4% differential applies for low-hazard work involving ordnance/explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Contractors must furnish uniforms or reimburse employees for their cost, including maintenance ($3.35 per week), unless "wash and wear" materials are used and no special cleaning is required.
• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for classifying service employees not listed in the wage determination, requiring contractor proposals and Department of Labor review.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with performing services under a contract in the specified area. It establishes the minimum wage and benefit requirements for all service employees working on the contract, impacting proposal pricing and overall cost estimations.

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 will likely need to provide this form to their clients to complete and submit as part of their proposal, demonstrating their past performance.

• Contractor Information: Requires details about the firm, including name, CAGE code, address, UEI number, contact information, and the nature of work performed (prime, subcontractor, etc.).
• Contract Information: Details about the specific contract being referenced, 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: Details about the client who will be completing the questionnaire.
• 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, Safety/Security, and General aspects.
• Remarks: A section for detailed comments, strengths, weaknesses, deficiencies, and an overall rating.

This form is crucial for bidders to gather feedback from past clients. The ratings and comments provided by clients will directly contribute to the government's assessment of the bidder's past performance, which is often a significant evaluation factor in federal procurements. Bidders must ensure they provide this form to appropriate client points of contact well in advance of the proposal due date.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a General Decision Number (NM20260048) dated 01/02/2026, which supersedes NM20250048. It specifies prevailing wage rates for various construction-related job classifications in New Mexico, specifically for Santa Fe County. The construction type covered is "Building Construction Projects" excluding single-family homes or apartments up to four stories.

• Asbestos Worker/Heat & Frost Insulator

• Electrician

• Ironworker, Structural

• Pipefitter

• Plumber

• Sheet Metal Worker (Includes HVAC Duct Installation)

• Carpenter (Drywall Finishing/Taping Only)

• Carpenter (Excludes Drywall Finishing/Taping)

• Cement Mason/Concrete Finisher

• Laborer (Common or General)

• Laborer (Mason Tender - Cement/Concrete)

• Operator (Backhoe/Excavator/Trackhoe)

• Painter (Brush and Roller)

• Painter: Spray

• The document includes notes on Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors) and Executive Order 13658 (Federal Minimum Wage). It clarifies applicability dates and requirements for paid sick leave and minimum wage rates for federal contractors.

• It also outlines the process for appealing wage determinations.

This document is crucial for bidders on federal construction projects in the specified area. It establishes the minimum prevailing wage rates that must be paid to laborers and mechanics employed on the contract, ensuring compliance with labor standards. Bidders must use these rates when preparing their cost proposals and ensure their labor costs reflect these requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

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

• Guaranteed Minimum Amount: $11,149.00
• Maximum Aggregate Value: $10,000,000.00 (inclusive of the one-year ordering period)

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. The maximum aggregate value sets the upper limit for all orders placed under the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the floral standards and pick-up schedule for Santa Fe National Cemetery and Ft. Bayard National Cemetery. It details what types of floral arrangements are permitted, restrictions on placement and materials, and the schedule for removal of items from gravesites.

• Allowed Items: Fresh-cut flowers year-round and artificial flowers during winter, both in plastic vases. Potted plants are permitted 10 days before and after Easter. Wreaths and floral blankets (max 2x3 ft) are allowed from Dec 1st to Jan 20th. Artificial Christmas trees (max 12 inches) are also permitted during this holiday period.
• Prohibited Items/Actions: No other containers besides plastic vases. Nothing to be attached or glued to headstones. Altering or marking headstones is vandalism. Cemetery trees and shrubs cannot be decorated. Limit of two vases per gravesite, no taller than the headstone.
• Flower Pick-Up Schedule: Items are removed monthly, except in February. Dates are posted on "NEXT FLOWER PICK-UP" signs. Items can be recovered by persons prior to pick-up. Pick-up times may begin as early as 6 a.m.
• 2026 Pick-Up Dates:
  • January: 27-29
  • March: 3-5
  • April: 1-2
  • May: 5-7
  • June: 2-4
  • July: 1-2
  • August: 4-6
  • September: 1-3
  • October: 1
  • November: 3-5
  • December: 1-3
  • February: No Pick-up

This document provides specific guidelines for items that may be placed on gravesites. Bidders responding to opportunities involving cemetery maintenance, groundskeeping, or floral services should be aware of these regulations to ensure compliance and proper execution of services. It also informs potential bidders about the schedule for removal of floral items, which may be relevant for planning or execution of related tasks.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a pricing sheet or a detailed breakdown of line items for a contract, likely related to cemetery operations and maintenance. It outlines specific services, quantities, units, and pricing information for both the base period and option periods.

• Services: Includes interments, disinterments, headstone setting and maintenance, gravesite maintenance, turf and grass maintenance, pest control, irrigation, drainage, trash removal, snow/ice removal, structure cleaning, and ceremonies assistance.
• Quantities & Units: Specifies quantities for each service (e.g., EA for each, MO for month).
• Pricing: Lists IGCE (Independent Government Cost Estimate) Unit Price, IGCE Net Total, Proposal Unit Price, and Proposal Net Total Price, all in USD. Note: All provided prices are 0.0.
• Period of Performance (PoP): Details the start and end dates for the base period (2026-05-27 to 2027-05-26) and three subsequent option periods (2027-05-27 to 2028-05-26, 2028-05-27 to 2029-05-26, and 2029-05-27 to 2030-05-26).
• Wage Categories: Differentiates services based on wage requirements (SCA WAGES or DBA Wages).

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it details the specific services required, the estimated quantities, and the contract's period of performance. Bidders must use this information to formulate their pricing proposals accurately. The breakdown by base and option periods, along with wage classifications, will inform bidding strategy and cost estimation.