S208--STX GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to the solicitation extends the deadline for receipt of offers and provides answers to vendor questions.

• Item 11 (This item only applies to amendments of solicitations): The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers is extended to April 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM CDT.
• Questions & Answers: The document includes responses to 34 vendor questions covering various aspects of the solicitation, including:
  • Incumbent contract details (Yellowstone Enterprises, llc, contract 36C25721P0633, with a total value of $939,000.00 for a 1-year base and four 1-year options).
  • Availability of property surveys (none available).
  • Specifics on parking lot sweeping locations (Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center campus and P-9 parking garage).
  • Clarifications on irrigation zones, sod replacement, tree removal, and mulching/fertilization areas, with the contractor working with the COR to identify specifics.
  • Information on site conditions, including manageable issues in landscape areas and some tree work needed on the main campus.
  • Details on emergency services authorization and compensation (by contracting officer only, funded via modification).
  • Disposal requirements for debris removal (contractor's responsibility, no VA dumpsters).
  • Transition period details (90 days, but does not waive contractual requirements).
  • Irrigated locations (PTRP, Fisher House, Audie L. Murphy).
  • Contractor responsibility for identifying irrigation system damages, with VA providing parts and contractor performing installation.

The proposal submission deadline has been extended to April 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM CDT. Vendors are reminded to acknowledge receipt of this amendment.

Amendment / Modification

• The due date and time for receipt of offers has been extended.

• The new deadline for offers is April 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM CDT.

• A subsequent amendment will be issued to provide answers to vendor questions.

• Section 11 (Item 11) of the solicitation has been updated to reflect the extended deadline.

• The deadline for submitting offers has been extended to 04-27-2026 12PM CDT.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for grounds maintenance services for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (ALMD) and associated facilities. The services include lawn care, landscaping, shrub maintenance, tree maintenance, and irrigation system maintenance.

• Lawn Care/Landscape: Weekly mowing (bi-weekly in fall/winter) to a height of 3 inches or industry standard, scattering of clumps/piles, edging, string trimming, blowing, seasonal color planting, and debris removal. Irrigation system repair and maintenance in compliance with SAWS water codes.

• Shrub/Tree Maintenance: Trimming shrubs to approximately 4 feet, or to not obstruct windows/traffic. Bagging and removal of clippings. Removal and replacement of dead shrubs. Removal of trees identified as safety concerns or damaged by weather.

• Parking Lot Sweeping/Vacuuming: Includes blocking parking lots, sweeping/vacuuming corners, curbs, sidewalks, and islands. Removal of all collected debris.

• Specific Locations: Services are required at ALMD Medical Center grounds, a detached parking lot (P-9), Villa Serena Domiciliary, STVHCS Fisher House (1 & 2), and the Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program (PTRP).

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-priced.

• Period of Performance: Base year (06-09-2026 to 06-08-2027) with four (4) one-year option periods.

• Service Contract Act: Applies to this contract; employees must be paid at least the specified wage and fringe benefits.

• Offer Due Date: April 20, 2026, 10 AM CST.

• Submission Instructions: Submit offers via email to Joseph A. Leyte, Contracting Officer, at Joseph.Leyte@va.gov. Subject line: "Quote 36C25726Q0362". Complete and return SF 1449, blocks 30a, 30b, 30c. Submit Price/Cost Schedule with rounded unit prices. Submit a Capability Statement (max 5 pages), list of subcontractors, and list of three similar past performance references.

• Evaluation Criteria: Competitive Best Value selection using Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procedures. Offers will be evaluated for technical acceptability first, then price.

• Site Visit: Scheduled for April 3, 2026, 9 AM CDT at Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center.

• Technical Questions Deadline: April 8, 2026, 12 PM CDT via email.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 561730 (Landscaping Services)

• Size Standard: $9.5 Million

• The contract includes options to extend services and the term of the contract.

• All contract administration matters will be handled by the Contracting Officer.

• Invoices are to be submitted electronically, monthly, in arrears.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the VAAR 852.219-75 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 Contract: Offeror certifies they will not pay more than 50% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs. Subcontracted work by similarly situated certified SDVOSB/VOSB subcontractors counts towards this limit.
• General Construction Contract: Offeror certifies they will not pay more than 85% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs. Materials costs are excluded.
• Special Trade Construction Contractors: Offeror certifies they will not pay more than 75% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs. Materials costs are excluded.
• Certification Acknowledgement: Offerors acknowledge that false certifications are subject to penalties under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
• Good Faith Determination: Failure to act in good faith may result in referral to VA Suspension and Debarment, fines, or prosecution.
• Compliance Verification: Offerors understand they may be required to provide documentation (invoices, subcontracts) to demonstrate compliance during and upon completion of the contract.
• Cooperation: Offerors agree to cooperate fully and provide requested documents.
• Required Fields: The certification section requires the offeror to fill in their company name, signee's printed name, title, signature, and company address.

This is a mandatory certification that must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror's bid, quotation, or proposal. Offers from entities that do not provide this certification will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award.

Wage Determination

This document is a Wage Determination (WD 2015-5253, Revision 28, dated 12/03/2025) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, setting minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in specific geographic areas. This particular determination applies to Texas Counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson.

• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles, their corresponding occupation codes, and the minimum hourly wage rates required for each. This includes a wide range of categories such as Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology, and Transportation.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific details on Health & Welfare benefits are provided: $5.55 per hour (or $222.00 per week/$962.00 per month) and an additional Health & Welfare rate for EO 13706 ($5.09 per hour, or $203.60 per week/$882.27 per month).
• Executive Orders: Notes the applicability of Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Establishing a Minimum Wage). Specific details and requirements for each are outlined.
• Vacation and Holidays: Details the paid vacation (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, 4 weeks after 15 years) and paid holiday (11 per year) requirements.
• Hazardous Pay: Outlines differential pay rates (8% or 4%) for employees working in positions with specific hazards related to ordnance and explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Specifies requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms, including reimbursement rates if applicable.
• Conformance Process: Explains the process for contractors to request additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed.

This document is crucial for any bidder on a Service Contract Act (SCA) covered contract within the specified geographic area. It establishes the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals, ensuring compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums for all listed occupations.