Lawn Care Maintenance Services

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

To maintain the grounds of the USDA, ARS, SEA, R.W. Harned and Poultry Research Unit in Mississippi in a neat and clean condition.

This SOW outlines requirements for comprehensive lawn care and grounds maintenance services. Key tasks include:

• Turf Management: Weekly mowing during the growing season, bi-weekly during off-peak months, string trimming for inaccessible areas, and maintaining proper turf height. Includes sweeping/blowing clippings from walkways and paved areas, and changing mowing direction to prevent rutting.
• Litter and Weed Control: Maintaining planting beds and hard surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, parking lots) in a weed-free condition. Includes hand weeding and/or chemical control, with licensed applicators for herbicide/fertilization. Litter and organic materials must be collected and disposed of off-site.
• Fence Line Maintenance: Maintaining a twelve-inch clearance on both sides of maintained fencing by string trimming or chemical spraying.
• Irrigation Management: Activation and deactivation of irrigation systems as needed, periodic clock adjustments, and visual monitoring for leaks or issues. Repairs beyond scope require prior approval.
• Seasonal Cleanups: Spring cleanup includes branch/stick collection, litter removal, mulch cultivation, leaf cleanup, and cutting back ornamental grasses/perennials. Fall cleanup involves ongoing litter and leaf removal.
• Natural Areas: Maintaining natural areas using brush hogging or string trimming to prevent encroachment and code violations. Approved herbicides are required near drainage ways.
• Flower Planting: Purchasing and planting flowers in designated areas twice a year.

The contract will run from 05/01/26 to 04/30/31, encompassing one base year and four option years. Services are to be performed at the R.W. Harned and Poultry Research Unit locations in Mississippi State, MS.

• Contractor Registration: Must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting a bid.
• Personnel Conduct: No alcohol, drugs, or weapons on USDA property. Personnel must be appropriately dressed and adhere to ethical conduct standards.
• Safety: A Site Safety Specific Plan/Accident Prevention Plan must be submitted within 7 days of award. Service trucks entering the poultry farm must be disinfected.
• Materials: Contractor supplies all necessary materials. MSDS for chemicals must be provided. Debris must be disposed of off-site.
• Site Visits: Offerors are encouraged to visit the site with a government representative.
• Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding Government holidays.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 3, a Price Schedule for Solicitation Number 1232SA26Q0359. It is used by offerors to provide pricing for Lawn Care Maintenance Services.

• Requirement: Lawn Care Maintenance Services
• Period of Performance: May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2031 (Base Year + Four Option Years)
• Contracting Office: USDA, ARS, Contracting Operations Branch/Acquisition and Property Division
• Quotation Due Date: No later than 03:00 pm CDT on April 20, 2026
• CLINs: Includes pricing for a Base Year (0001) and four Option Years (1001, 2001, 3001, 4001), each for a 12-month period.
• Offeror Information: Fields for Offeror Name, Address, Unique Entity ID, CAGE Code, Business Size, Point of Contact, Phone, and Email.
• Amendments: A section to acknowledge receipt of amendments.
• Agreement: Offerors must agree to hold prices firm for 60 calendar days.
• Authorization: Fields for Person Authorized to Sign, Signature, and Date.

Bidders must complete and submit this price schedule with their quotation. It requires detailed pricing for each contract line item (CLIN) covering the base year and all option years for the specified lawn care services. Offerors must also provide their company information and acknowledge terms, including price firming for 60 days. This document is critical for proposal submission and evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, "Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act." It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contract work subject to the Service Contract Act in specific geographic areas.

• Wage Determination Number: 2015-5157, Revision No. 28
• Area: Mississippi Counties of Alcorn, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Lowndes, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tishomingo, Union, Webster.
• Occupational Listings: Includes a comprehensive list of job titles, corresponding occupation codes, and the minimum hourly wage rate for each.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing, with specific rates provided for Health & Welfare and Health & Welfare EO 13706.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage).
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines requirements for paid vacation and holidays.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under a contract in the specified Mississippi counties. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums to comply with the Service Contract Act. Failure to adhere to these wage determinations can lead to contract violations and penalties.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Lawn Care Maintenance Services at the USDA, ARS, SEA, R.W. Harned and Poultry Research Unit in Mississippi State, MS. The government intends to award a single firm-fixed-price contract.

• Lawn care maintenance services as detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW).

• Offerors must provide pricing for all Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINS) for the base period and all option periods.

• Technical acceptability will be evaluated based on the offeror's ability to perform the required services, meet schedule requirements, and address any potential issues with the SOW.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, not to exceed five (5) years (60 months).

• Evaluation Criteria: Best Value to the Government, based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

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

• Submission Deadline: Monday, April 20, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

• Submission Method: Electronic response via email to monte.jordan@usda.gov.

• Questions Deadline: April 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time via email.

• Offer Acceptance Period: 60 calendar days from the receipt of offers.

• No specific qualification requirements are listed for offerors or products/services.

• Various small business provisions and certifications are incorporated by reference.

• A site visit is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026, at 09:00 a.m. Central Time.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions, including those related to commercial products/services, contractor responsibilities, small business concerns, and DEI compliance.

• Award will be made without discussions, so exceptions in quotations may lead to technical unacceptability.