S208--Grounds Maintenance - NWI

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items to procure grounds maintenance services for the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Omaha, NE, and the Grand Island VA Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. The government is requesting quotes for these services.

• Services and labor necessary for Ground Maintenance.

• Specific contract line items, quantities, and units of measure are detailed within the attached solicitation documentation.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Base year from 05/01/2026 to 04/30/2027.

• Option Periods: Four one-year option periods are available at the government's discretion.

• Submission Method: Quotes must be emailed to John.Milroy@VA.GOV in .pdf or .docx format.

• Due Date/Time: Quotes are due no later than 12:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, April 9, 2026.

• Technical Questions Deadline: Written questions accepted no later than 12:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, April 2, 2026.

• Evaluation: Quotes will only be accepted from responsible contractors. Specific evaluation criteria are detailed within the attached solicitation document.

• Set-Aside: Total set-aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 561730 with a size standard of $9.5 million.

• Registration: Prospective offerors must be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov prior to submission.

• This solicitation uses FAR provisions 52.212-1 and 52.212-2, and FAR clause 52.212-4, all detailed within the attached solicitation document.

• Site visit information for Omaha VA Medical Center is noted, with previous visits completed for a prior solicitation.

• Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) does not apply.

• Referenced attachments include: Solicitation 36C26326Q0514, Questions and Answers, Wage Determination 2015-5005, and Wage Determination 2015-5771.

Wage Determination

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5771, Revision No. 28) for the Service Contract Act, applicable to contracts in Nebraska Counties of Hall, Howard, and Merrick. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations.

• Applicability: This wage determination applies to contracts covered by the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic area.
• Occupational Listings: The document provides a comprehensive list of occupations, each with a corresponding minimum hourly wage rate. These range from administrative and clerical roles to skilled trades, health occupations, and technical positions.
• Fringe Benefits: In addition to the listed wage rates, contractors must provide required fringe benefits. The document specifies Health & Welfare benefits at $5.55 per hour (or $222.00 per week / $962.00 per month).
• Executive Orders:
  • EO 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Contractors must provide 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually. This is separate from SCA obligations.
  • EO 13658 (Minimum Wage): For contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022 (and not renewed/extended after January 30, 2022), the minimum wage is $13.30 per hour for 2025 (adjusted annually). This rate applies if it is higher than the listed wage determination rate.
• Hazardous Pay: An 8% differential applies for high-hazard work (ordnance, explosives), and a 4% differential for low-hazard work involving similar materials.
• Uniform Allowance: Contractors must provide uniforms at no cost to employees or reimburse for the actual cost, including maintenance ($3.35 per week if required).
• Conformance Process: If a contract requires an occupation not listed, contractors must follow a specific process to establish a conformed classification, wage rate, and fringe benefits, requiring submission to the Wage and Hour Division for approval.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5005, Revision No. 27) for various occupations in Iowa (Counties of Harrison, Mills, Pottawattamie) and Nebraska (Counties of Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, Washington). It lists occupational codes, titles, and corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits required for service contracts in these areas.

This wage determination is crucial for any bidder on a federal contract that falls under the Service Contract Act and is to be performed in the specified counties of Iowa and Nebraska. Bidders must use these rates to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. The document details minimum wage rates for a wide range of occupations, from administrative support and clerical roles to health, technical, and transportation occupations. It also outlines requirements for paid sick leave (Executive Order 13706) and minimum wage adjustments (Executive Order 13658), as well as general benefits like vacation and holidays. Bidders should consult this document to ensure their proposed labor costs comply with federal regulations for the specified geographic locations.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to technical questions regarding the Ground Maintenance for VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System opportunity.

• Mowing Services: Mowing is not included in the ground maintenance contract as it is being performed by Department of Veterans Affairs Employees.
• Mulch Area Square Footage:
  • Omaha: Approximately 12,000 sqft of mulch coverage area. Attached pictures clarify the areas to be mulched.
  • Grand Island: Previously reported as needing 350 sqft.

This Q&A document clarifies specific aspects of the ground maintenance requirements, particularly regarding mowing and the extent of mulch areas. Bidders should review the provided images for a clearer understanding of the mulch areas in Omaha.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for grounds maintenance services for the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. The services include fertilization, weed control, mulch application, tree care, and regrading/drainage correction at both the Omaha and Grand Island facilities.

• Annual grounds maintenance services (fertilization, weed control, insect control, mulch maintenance).

• Specific regrading and drainage correction work at the Omaha campus (between buildings 25 and 15, and near the east stairwell of building 6).

• Application of commercial fertilizer and pesticide programs for improved grounds, trees, and shrubs.

• Maintenance of mulch depth at a minimum of three inches.

• Compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding pesticide and fertilizer use.

• Personnel must possess a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License issued by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

• Contract Type: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be a fixed-price contract based on the pricing schedule.

• Period of Performance: Base Year (05/01/2026 - 04/30/2027) with four (4) Option Years.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated.

• Offer Due Date: April 9, 2026, 12:00 PM CST.

• Submission Method: Offers to be submitted via SF 1449 or letterhead stationery to John Milroy, Contracting Officer.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest price, provided the price does not exceed available funding and is deemed reasonable. Price alone is the sole evaluation factor.

• Special Standards of Responsibility: Offerors must provide proof of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License.

• Past Performance: Offerors must provide up to five relevant past performance references from the last three years.

• This procurement is a total set-aside for Small Business.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Site visits were completed during a previous solicitation.

• Technical questions are due by April 2, 2026, 12:00 PM CT.

• Offerors must submit pricing in accordance with Section B.2, Price/Cost Schedule.