F014--Tree Removal Service

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION). It requires offerors to certify their compliance with subcontracting limitations if awarded a contract.

• Services Contracts: Contractors must not pay more than 50% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs).
• General Construction Contracts: Contractors must not pay more than 85% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs.
• Special Trade Construction Contractors: Contractors must not pay more than 75% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs.
• Acknowledgement: Offerors acknowledge that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and that false certifications may lead to penalties.
• Compliance Verification: The offeror agrees to provide documents or records to the VA to verify compliance.
• Certification Section: A section for the offeror to formally certify compliance, including printed name, title, signature, date, company name, and address.

This form is mandatory for all offerors. Failure to complete and return this certification with the bid, quotation, or proposal will render the offer ineligible for evaluation and award. Bidders must understand and agree to the subcontracting limitations applicable to their specific contract type (Services, General Construction, or Special Trade Construction) to ensure compliance if awarded the contract.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Tree Removal Service opportunity, clarifying various aspects of the scope, scheduling, site conditions, debris handling, and contract specifics.

• Scope and Volume: Approximately 25 trees per contract year are anticipated. Tree removals will be issued on a planned schedule, with emergency calls handled on an as-needed basis. Response times for emergencies are defined.
• Period of Performance: Work is permitted year-round, with weather-related delays handled case-by-case. Standard VA working hours apply unless an emergency occurs.
• Debris Handling: Mulch is required to be returned to the VA for all work, and mulch coloring (brown) is required for every job. A designated on-site location is available for mulch delivery and debris staging.
• Documentation: Weight documentation for chipped material and hauled debris (weight of tree removed, weight of mulch produced, weight of debris) is required. Before and after photographs are required per work area.
• Contract and Pricing: Stump grinding, mulch coloring, and haul-off are included as part of the unit pricing (all-inclusive). The VAAR 852.219-75 compliance is confirmed.
• Tree Removal Schedule: Tree removal will primarily take place from April to October, with emergency removals occurring year-round.
• Stump Disposal: Stump grindings will be stored at a designated VA location.

This Q&A document clarifies key operational details and requirements, which bidders should consider when preparing their proposals. It confirms that certain services are included in unit pricing and specifies documentation and debris handling procedures.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial tree removal and mulching services for the Togus VA Medical Center. The solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and is set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• Removal of 25 trees per contract year.

• Chipping of all tree components into mulch, with options for on-site or off-site chipping.

• Stump removal and grinding below ground level.

• Mulch must be treated with black or brown coloring as specified by the VA GEMS manager.

• Emergency removal of fallen trees within specified timeframes (24-72 hours depending on season).

• Reporting of weights for removed tree components and mulch deliverables.

• Site cleanup after all removal and chipping activities.

• Base Year with one Option Year (OY 1).

• Place of Performance: Togus VAMC, 1 VA Center, Augusta ME 04330.

• Submission Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST.

• Quotes must include a Firm Fixed Price, Limitation of Subcontracting form, and technical capabilities proposal.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical, Past Performance, and Price.

• Award will be made to the responsible vendor whose quotation is technically acceptable and offers the lowest evaluated price.

• Questions Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

• Set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• NAICS Code: 561730 (Landscaping Services) with a small business size standard of $9.5 Million.

• The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are effective through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• A Tree Map is available at: https://www.zeemaps.com/view?group=6970434&x=-69.702878&y=44.282885&z=1