CAVE SEASONAL MOWING

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for Grounds Maintenance & Mowing Services at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The contractor will be responsible for providing all labor, supervision, equipment, fuel, materials, tools, transportation, and incidentals necessary to perform these services.

• Seasonal Mowing and Grounds Maintenance for Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

• Specific tasks include mowing, landscaping, and groundskeeping.

• Detailed requirements are outlined in the attached Statement of Work (SOW) and other supporting documentation.

• This will be a firm-fixed-price commercial contract/award.

• Anticipated Award Date: On or before 05/25/2026.

• Effective Date: 06/01/2026.

• Period of Performance: 06/01/2026 to 05/31/2027.

• Quotes are due by 20 May 2026 at 11:00 AM MDT.

• Offers must be submitted via email to Billie_thomas@ios.doi.gov.

• Evaluation will be based on the following factors: price, technical capability, and prior experience.

• Award will be made to the offeror providing the best value to the government.

• A capabilities statement or project narrative demonstrating how the company meets the SOW needs is required.

• Two prior experiences of similar projects within the past five years are required.

• This acquisition is a 100% total small business set-aside.

• The associated NAICS code is 561730.

• The small business size standard is $9.5 Million or less.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• This solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses by reference. Full text can be accessed at www.acquisition.gov.

• Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price schedule for mowing services at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It outlines specific tasks, locations, and frequency for mowing, and serves as a template for bidders to submit their pricing. Alternatively, a company pricing sheet may be submitted.

• CLIN 00010 covers three distinct service locations:
  • Picnic Area – Developed Landscape (84,291 SF): Up to six mowings annually, April 15 - September 15, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Includes mowing turf, ditches, around trees, and site furnishings, with requirements for clipping removal and avoiding damage.
  • Main Entrance Road, Walnut Canyon Road – Roadside Shoulders (7 miles x 2 sides): Two mowings per year, one in June/July and one in October/November. Includes mowing shoulders, maintaining a 4-ft cut width, and preventing encroachment. Specific traffic control measures are required, including safety vehicles, signage, MUTCD compliance, and high-visibility PPE.
  • Historic Pond, Orchard, and House Landscape (237,800 SF): Up to six mowings annually, as needed, excluding June 15 - July 1, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Requires mowing turf while protecting historic features, avoiding disturbance to ponds and buffers, protecting trees and structures, preventing rutting, using low-impact equipment, and maintaining vegetation height.
• A field for "CLIN 00010 Total Price" is provided.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the scope and specific requirements for mowing services at different locations within the park. It details the expected work, frequency, timing restrictions, and special considerations (like traffic control and protection of historic features). Bidders must use this information to accurately price their proposals and ensure compliance with all stated requirements.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide grounds maintenance, specifically mowing services, for Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

• Picnic Area (Developed Landscape): Mow approximately 84,291 SF up to six times annually between April 15 and September 15. Work includes mowing turf, around trees, and trimming site furnishings. Avoid scalping or damaging trees.

• Main Entrance Road, Walnut Canyon Road (Roadside Shoulders): Mow 7 miles of road shoulders (2 sides) twice annually (June/July and October/November). Maintain a 4-foot cut width, prevent encroachment, and remove clippings from pavement. Requires dedicated safety vehicle, proper signage, and compliance with MUTCD standards. Work may be restricted to reduce visitor disruption.

• Historic Pond, Orchard, and House Landscape: Mow approximately 237,800 SF up to six times annually, as needed, between June 15 and July 1. Work includes mowing turf while protecting historic features, pond banks, orchard trees, and structures. Use lightweight equipment where necessary. Avoid rutting or soil compaction.

• Turf height: 2.5–4 inches after mowing.

• No scalping, rutting, or turf damage.

• No debris left on surfaces.

• Equipment must be well-maintained and leak-free.

• Contractor is responsible for repairing any park property damaged due to negligence.

• Annually during the growing season, from 6/1/2026 to 5/31/2027.

• Services are at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

• All work must adhere to National Park Service (NPS) standards for landscape preservation, safety, and environmental protection.

• Heavy equipment must be washed to remove foreign materials before entering the park.

• Contractors must account for the remote location in their pricing (travel, fuel, mobilization).

• Environmental protection measures include preventing spills, avoiding mowing during saturated soil conditions, and protecting sensitive ecological areas and wildlife.

• Submittals required prior to work commencement include a work schedule, equipment list, traffic control plan, proof of insurance, and safety plan.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 2015-5455, Revision No. 30) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act for specific geographic areas.

• Geographic Area: New Mexico Counties of Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of occupations with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and footnotes.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage).
• Benefits: Details Health & Welfare benefits, Vacation time, and paid Holidays.
• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for requesting additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed.

This document is crucial for any bidder on a federal contract in the specified New Mexico counties that falls under the Service Contract Act. It dictates the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals, ensuring compliance with federal wage and benefit requirements for covered employees.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "NPS Reference Manual 50B Occupational Safety and Health Program, Chapter 21 – Contractor Operations," outlines the safety and health requirements for contractors working with the National Park Service (NPS). It details the responsibilities of various parties, including NPS employees, Contracting Officers, Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), and contractors, to ensure a safe working environment.

• Introduction and Scope: Emphasizes that contractors are accountable for safety and health hazards created by their operations and must comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Responsibilities: Clearly defines the roles and duties of NPS personnel (Initiating NPS Employee, Contracting Officer, COR, Superintendent, Safety Manager/Engineer, NPS Safety Representative) and contractors.
• General Requirements: Outlines the process for ensuring contractor safety compliance, including pre-planning consultations, pre-award meetings, contractor Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) review, preconstruction meetings, and periodic inspections.
• Site Safety: Details requirements for maintaining good housekeeping, posting relevant information (OSHA posters, emergency contacts, SSSP), and ensuring a clean worksite upon completion.
• Accident Prevention: Mandates that contractors ensure identified hazards and controls are in place and communicated, with immediate action required for imminent dangers.
• Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP): Specifies the minimum components of an SSSP, including a signature sheet, background information, responsibilities and authority, subcontractor coordination, training requirements, risk assessment (JHA/PHA), plans/programs/procedures, housekeeping, inspections, emergency contacts, accident reporting, fire protection, hazard communication, public risk management, and severe weather contingency plans.
• Technical Appendices: Provides a link to an example SSSP review checklist.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it establishes the mandatory safety and health standards and procedures that must be adhered to when performing work for the NPS. Bidders must understand these requirements to accurately estimate costs, develop compliant proposals, and ensure successful project execution. The detailed breakdown of responsibilities and the SSSP requirements will directly impact how contractors plan and manage their operations on NPS sites.