36C78626R50141 001 Amendment Grounds maintenance Marion Nat Cem -- S208

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for comprehensive grounds maintenance services at the Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana. The primary goal is to maintain the cemetery as a national shrine, honoring veterans with a high standard of appearance, reverence, dignity, and respect.

The contractor will be responsible for a wide range of grounds maintenance tasks, including but not limited to:

• Turf Management: Mowing approximately 53 acres, trimming around headstones and other features, blade edging, core aeration, overseeding, and applying pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides.
• Vegetation Control: Applying fertilizers, controlling yellow nutsedge, grub insecticide application, leaf removal, Japanese beetle spray, and tree/shrub pruning.
• Tree and Stump Removal: Removal of trees and stumps of various sizes.
• Irrigation System: Operation, maintenance, winterization, start-up, and backflow testing.
• Floral and Debris Management: Collection and removal of dead or unsightly flowers, trash, and debris.
• Headstone and Marker Maintenance: Cleaning, raising, and realigning headstones and flat markers.
• Structural Cleaning: Power washing columbarium walls and committal shelters.
• Winter Services: Snow and ice removal from roads, parking areas, and walkways, along with salting/de-icing.
• Pest Control: Managing bothersome insects and other pests in designated areas.

Services must adhere to the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Operational Standards and Measures Guidebook and the NCA Turf & Landscape Handbook 3420. Performance will be evaluated based on results, with strict adherence to specifications required. Damage to cemetery property, headstones, or remains is unacceptable and will result in contractor responsibility for repairs or replacement.

• Place: Marion National Cemetery, Bldg 73, 1700 East 38th Street, Marion, IN 46953.

• Period: Work is generally performed during normal cemetery hours, with potential requirements for interments or ceremonies on Federal Holidays or weekends. Specific tasks have seasonal requirements (e.g., irrigation, fertilization, snow removal).

• Dignity and Reverence: All personnel must exhibit utmost care, reverence, dignity, and respect.

• Personnel: Employees must appear professional and neat, wear distinctive identification, and adhere to conduct standards.

• Safety: Compliance with OSHA standards is mandatory. Safety warning devices and barricades are required.

• Certified Arborist: Required as a site manager for tree removal operations.

• Quality Control: A comprehensive Quality Control Plan (QCP) is required.

• Reporting: Daily progress reports and documentation of quality control inspections are necessary.

• Utilities: Contractor is responsible for their own utilities, except for water, which may be provided.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment addresses solicitation questions and revises Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) 0025 and 0026.

Key changes and clarifications include:

• Phased Expansion: The Government will notify the contractor when to assume responsibility for expansion project areas. The General Maintenance Services (GMS) contractor will not be involved in the maintenance of the expansion project itself. The expansion area is estimated at 16 acres.
• Operations and Storage: Contractors may store dumpsters on-site in the spoils area. Mulch, leaves, and grass clippings may be stored in the spoils area. Full-size trees from tree removal must be hauled off-site.
• Mowing: Mowing is typically weekly. Additional mowing or double cuts require COR discretion.
• Leaf Removal: A full cycle means clearing all cemetery sections. Cycles are initiated at the COR's discretion.
• Irrigation System: The irrigation system will be in working order upon contract award. Major components are being replaced as part of the cemetery expansion, with irrigation work projected to start next year.
• Floral Pickup: The cemetery has bins for flower storage in the maintenance yard. Scheduled floral pickups throughout the year are intended, including post-holiday wreath removal.
• Tree Removal Pricing: CLINs have been updated to reflect more accurate tree diameter ranges: 12 inches and down, 12-25 inches, and 25-60 inches.
• Headstone Cleaning: Weatherzyme is an acceptable cleaning agent. Water access is available via quick connect/spickets or for trailers.
• Snow Removal: Snow removal requires COR initiation, though prior approval can be given for projected heavy snowfall. Designated areas, including the spoils area, will be provided for snow placement. Each snow removal event is billed per day, with provisions for compensation in extreme situations. Ice melts and salting (CLINs 34 and 36) are used after snow removal and for other safety measures at the COR's discretion.
• Sunken Grave Repair: The contractor provides all materials for sunken grave repairs.
• General Cemetery Condition: Not all aspects of the cemetery may meet SOW specifications at the start of the new contract period. Additional work will be coordinated with the COR.

• CLINs 0025 & 0026 revised.
• Various sections of the SOW are clarified through the Q&A.

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission instructions were noted, beyond advising offerors to follow existing instructions in the solicitation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing the price schedule for the opportunity. It details the services, estimated quantities, units, and provides columns for unit price and extended price for each line item across the base year and four option years. Bidders are expected to use this schedule to input their pricing for each service.

• Services: A comprehensive list of grounds maintenance and repair services, including mowing, trimming, aeration, fertilization, herbicide/insecticide application, leaf removal, irrigation maintenance, tree services (pruning, removal, stump removal), hardscape cleaning, headstone maintenance (cleaning, raising, realignment), snow/ice removal, and pest control.
• Quantities & Units: Estimated quantities and units (e.g., acres, headstones, linear feet, jobs, months, each, square feet) are provided for each service.
• Pricing Columns: Designated columns for "Unit Price" and "Extended Price" are present for bidders to complete.
• Base Year & Option Years: The schedule is structured to capture pricing for the base year and four subsequent option years (OY1, OY2, OY3, OY4).

This pricing sheet is critical for bidders to understand the scope of services required and to formulate their cost proposals. Bidders must accurately fill in the unit prices and extended prices for all applicable line items, ensuring their pricing reflects the estimated quantities and the required services for both the base period and any exercised option periods. The completed pricing schedule will be a key component of the proposal submission and will be used for evaluation.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To honor Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation, by maintaining the Marion National Cemetery to high standards of maintenance, appearance, and operational procedures.

This document outlines the requirements for grounds maintenance services at Marion National Cemetery. Key tasks include:

• Turf Maintenance: Mowing, trimming (headstones, other areas), blade edging (flat markers, curbing, sidewalks), core aeration, overseeding, fertilization, and herbicide/pesticide applications for weed and grub control.
• Vegetation Management: Leaf removal and pickup, floral pickup, planting bed and tree ring maintenance (mulching, edging, weed control), tree pruning, and tree removal.
• Irrigation System: Start-up, backflow testing, operation, maintenance, and winterization.
• Winter Services: Snow removal from roads, parking areas, and walkways; ice melt application on walkways and columbarium.
• Headstone and Marker Services: Headstone cleaning, raise and realignment, fine tune alignment, and sunken grave repair.
• Facility Cleaning: Power washing columbarium walls, committal shelters, and concrete surfaces.

Services are to be performed at Marion National Cemetery, Bldg. 73, 1700 East 38th Street, Marion, IN 46953.

• Work is generally performed during normal cemetery hours (7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday), with exceptions for Federal Holidays and specific events.
• Contractor personnel must perform all actions with special care, reverence, dignity, and respect.
• Strict adherence to NCA Operational Standards and Measures is required.
• The guaranteed minimum amount for this contract is $10,000, with a maximum aggregate value of $8,200,000.
• A "Certified Arborist" must serve as the "site manager" for tree removal and pruning tasks.
• All work must comply with applicable Federal, State (Indiana), and local regulations, including those for pesticide and herbicide application.
• A Quality Control Plan (QCP) is required prior to award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a General Decision Number (GDN) for Indiana, specifically for Building Construction. It provides prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for various construction trades in numerous counties across Indiana. This information is crucial for contractors to understand labor costs when bidding on government construction projects.

• General Decision Number: IN20260002
• State: Indiana
• Construction Type: Building (excluding single-family homes and apartments up to 4 stories).
• Counties Covered: A comprehensive list of counties in Indiana.
• Trades Covered: Includes rates for Asbestos Workers/Heat & Frost Insulators, Hazardous Material Handlers, Boilermakers, Bricklayers, Stone Masons, Terrazzo Finishers/Workers, Tile & Marble Finishers/Setters, Carpenters, Millwrights, Electricians, Elevator Mechanics, Power Equipment Operators, Ironworkers, Laborers, Painters, Glaziers, Cement Masons/Concrete Finishers, Plasterers, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Roofers, Sprinkler Fitters, Sheet Metal Workers (HVAC Duct Work), and Truck Drivers.
• Rates and Fringes: For each trade and county, specific hourly rates and fringe benefit amounts are listed.
• Effective Dates: Dates for the prevailing wage determinations are provided.

This document is essential for any bidder on a construction project in Indiana that is subject to prevailing wage laws. It dictates the minimum wage and fringe benefits that must be paid to laborers and mechanics employed on the project, directly impacting labor cost calculations and overall bid competitiveness. Failure to comply with these rates can result in penalties.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (No. 2015-4813, Revision No. 31) for Indiana Counties of Blackford, Grant, and Jay. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing work on a federal contract subject to the SCA.

• Lists occupational codes and titles.
• Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing.
• Includes notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage), detailing applicable rates and requirements.
• Outlines general benefits applicable to all listed occupations, including Health & Welfare and Vacation.
• Details paid holiday requirements.
• Provides specific information regarding classifications for Computer Employees, Air Traffic Controllers, and hazardous pay differentials.
• Explains the conformance process for unlisted classifications.

This wage determination is critical for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. It establishes the minimum compensation and benefits that must be provided to employees performing work under the contract, ensuring compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.

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 factors.

Offerors must submit a complete package compliant with the solicitation. Key items to review and complete include:

• SF 1449 form
• Attachment A Price Schedule
• Acknowledgement of amendments
• Information for non-price and price evaluation factors
• VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
• Three or more completed Past Performance Questionnaires (PPQ)

Incomplete offers will be deemed unacceptable and ineligible for award.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government using a tradeoff process.
• Offerors must hold prices firm for sixty (60) calendar days from the solicitation closing date.
• A post-award/pre-performance conference will be scheduled.

Proposal Submission:

• Via email to olalekan.ismail@va.gov
• Subject line: 36C78626R50141 _Company Name
• Deadline: May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EST

Evaluation Factors:

1. Technical Capability and Key Personnel: Assessed based on Grounds Maintenance Plan, staffing approach, key personnel qualifications, and required licenses/certifications (e.g., Illinois commercial pesticide/herbicide applicator license). Maximum 50 pages for submission.
2. Past Performance (Prime Contractor Only): Evaluated based on relevance, quality, and recency of at least three comparable projects within the last five years, using the provided PPQ.
3. Price: Assessed for fairness and reasonableness. Proposals exceeding available funding may be rejected.

Non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price.

• Location: Marion National Cemetery, Building 73, 1700 East 38th Street, Marion IN 46953

• Date & Time: April 29, 2026, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

• Attendance: Voluntary. RSVP by April 26, 2026, 5 PM EST to olalekan.ismail@va.gov and steven.bailey21@va.gov.

• Safety: Closed-toe shoes recommended; be aware of wildlife.

• Deadline for Questions: May 1, 2026, 5 PM EST via email to olalekan.ismail@va.gov.

• Answers: To be provided via amendment around May 6, 2026.

• Do not alter solicitation files. Incomplete or partial submissions may be nonresponsive.

• Offerors are responsible for ensuring timely and readable submissions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment A Price Schedule," provides the detailed pricing structure for the Grounds Maintenance at Marion National Cemetery opportunity. Bidders are expected to use this schedule to input their proposed pricing for each line item across the base year and option years.

• Project Title and Location: Grounds Maintenance at Marion National Cemetery.
• Description of Requirement: Comprehensive grounds maintenance including turf management, irrigation, headstone care, pest control, and snow/ice removal.
• Services Line Items: A detailed list of 37 specific services required, such as mowing, headstone trimming, herbicide applications, fertilization, irrigation maintenance, floral pickup, tree services, stump removal, power washing, headstone cleaning, alignment, repair, turf renovation, and snow/ice management.
• Estimated Quantities and Units: Quantities and units (e.g., acres, headstones, linear feet, jobs, months, each, square feet) are provided for each service.
• Unit Price and Extended Price: Fields are included for bidders to enter their proposed unit prices and calculate extended prices for each line item and for the total contract period (Base Year through Option Year 4).

This pricing schedule is critical for bidders to understand the cost structure of the requirement and to formulate their competitive bids. It outlines all anticipated services and their estimated quantities, allowing vendors to calculate their total proposed cost for the contract. All unit prices and extended prices are currently listed as 0.0, indicating that bidders must fill in their proposed pricing.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for grounds maintenance services at the Marion National Cemetery. The services include a variety of landscaping and groundskeeping tasks.

The solicitation details numerous specific grounds maintenance tasks, including but not limited to:

• Mowing all turf areas (53 acres)
• Headstone trimming (13,909 headstones)
• String trimming of other areas
• Blade edging (flat markers and curbing/sidewalks)
• Core aerating (53 acres)
• Overseeding (53 acres)
• Herbicide applications (pre-emergence and post-emergence)
• Fertilizing
• Insecticide applications (grub and yellow nutsedge)
• Leaf removal and pickup
• Irrigation start-up, backflow testing, system operation & maintenance, and winterization
• Floral pickup and mulch planting
• Tree pruning and removal
• Stump removal
• Col wall/committal shelter cleaning and power washing
• Headstone cleaning
• Raise and realign, fine tune alignment
• Sunken grave repair
• Turf renovation
• Snow removal (roads/parking areas and walkways)
• Salt application on roads/parking areas and walkways
• Ice melt application on walkways/columbarium
• Pest control

Services are broken down into base requirements and several option periods, with periods of performance generally running from September 1st to August 31st of subsequent years, spanning multiple years.

• Solicitation Number: 36C78626R50141

• Offer Due Date: May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM ET

• NAICS Code: 561730 (Landscaping Services)

• Size Standard: $9.6 Million

• Set Aside: Small Business

• Period of Performance: Base period starts September 1, 2026, with multiple option periods extending through August 31, 2031.

• Proposals must be submitted via email by May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EST.

• Offerors must complete and return a complete package of all items required by the solicitation.

• Evaluation will be based on a trade-off process, considering Technical Capability and Key Personnel, Past Performance, and Price.

• Non-price factors are significantly more important than price.

• This solicitation is a total small business set-aside.

• A vendor site visit is scheduled for April 29, 2026.

• Questions must be submitted by May 1, 2026.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire. It is used to collect information about a contractor's previous performance on comparable federal, state, local government, or private contracts. This information is likely used as part of the evaluation process for the associated opportunity.

• Instructions: Contractors must list at least three (3) comparable contracts completed or current within the last five (5) years. National Cemetery Administration (NCA) contracts should be listed first, followed by non-NCA contracts.
• Contract Reference Fields:
  • Contract Number
  • Contractor Name, Address, Zip Code
  • Telephone Number
  • Email Address
  • Type of Contract
  • Contract Dollar Value
  • Date of Award (or status if not completed)
  • Type/Extent of Subcontracting
  • Percentage of Work completed by the Contractor
  • Description of Supply/Services provided, location & relevancy of work
  • Address, Telephone Number & Email of the Contact Person and Position

Bidders will need to complete this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly for each relevant past contract. The information provided will be used to assess the bidder's past performance, which is a key factor in the evaluation of proposals for this opportunity. The form may be duplicated for multiple contract references.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Sub-Contractor Participation Document, which requires the prime contractor to provide information regarding their own size and socioeconomic categories, as well as details on their planned participation of small businesses in the contract.

• Prime Contractor Size: Selection of applicable size and socioeconomic categories (e.g., Small Business, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB).
• Participation of Small Businesses: A table to detail the total contract value, minimum quantitative requirement (MQR), and breakdown of dollar value and percentage of total contract value for:
  • Total Contract Value – Prime Contractor
  • Total Small Business
  • Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
  • Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
  • HUBZone Small Business
  • Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
  • Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Sub-Contractor Participants: A detailed table to list each subcontractor, including:
  • Company Name, Address, Employee Name
  • Contact Information
  • Business Category(ies)
  • Product(s)/Service(s) to be Provided
  • NAICS Code
  • % of work to be performed based on total contract value

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the government's requirements for subcontracting with small businesses. Prime contractors must complete this form accurately to demonstrate their commitment to small business participation and to outline their strategy for meeting any set-aside goals or minimum quantitative requirements. It helps bidders assess the feasibility of the subcontracting plan and the potential for small business involvement.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for the Ground Maintenance Services contract at Marion National Cemetery. It outlines the government's methods for monitoring contractor performance to ensure required service standards are met. Bidders should review this to understand how their performance will be evaluated.

• Purpose: To describe systematic methods for monitoring performance and ensuring required service levels are achieved.
• Roles & Responsibilities: Defines roles of the Contracting Officer (CO/KO) and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Performance Standards: Details specific performance standards and acceptable quality levels (AQLs) for various grounds maintenance tasks (e.g., mowing, trimming, fertilization, irrigation, snow removal).
• Surveillance Methods: Outlines how the government will monitor performance, including random monitoring, 100% inspection, periodic inspection, and customer feedback.
• Documentation: Specifies the use of monitoring forms for recording assessments.
• Analysis: Describes how performance will be determined, reported, and how issues will be resolved.
• Attachments: Includes a Performance Requirements Summary (Attachment 1) detailing specific tasks, standards, AQLs, surveillance methods, and impact on payments, and sample monitoring forms (Attachment 2).

This QASP is crucial for bidders to understand the government's expectations regarding the quality and performance of grounds maintenance services. It details the metrics by which the contractor's work will be measured, the acceptable quality levels, and the consequences of not meeting these standards (e.g., impact on payments, CPARS assessment). Understanding these requirements is essential for developing a compliant and competitive proposal and for successful contract execution.