USDA-GSWRL - Grounds Maintenance

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by industry regarding a contract opportunity, clarifying scope and requirements.

• Incumbent/Previous Contract Value: There is currently no incumbent, and this is a new scope.
• Post-Award Submittals: No post-award submittals are required.
• Service Area Size: The total area for grounds maintenance is approximately 6.4 acres, with the mowable turf/grass area also being approximately 6.4 acres.
• Purple Hatched Area: The purple hatched area is explicitly excluded from the scope of work for mowing/maintenance.
• Exclusion Areas: The purple hatched area is also noted as an exclusion area.
• Shrubs/Bushes: Shrubbery is limited to a bed by the main entrance (approximately 100 linear feet). Routine trimming, hedging, weeding, and mulch bed upkeep are not explicitly required for this area, but downed limbs near trees may need removal. Weed eating and blowing grass/leaves from lane/parking areas are included. There is also a ~0.22 acre gravel area near the main entrance that requires weeding.

This Q&A clarifies the service area, exclusions, and specific maintenance tasks, which may impact how bidders prepare their proposals and understand the scope of work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 4, a Price Schedule for Solicitation RFQ 1232SA26Q0095, "Grounds Maintenance for USDA-GSWRL". It provides the structure for bidders to submit their pricing.

• CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers): Includes CLINs for the Base Year and four Option Years, plus an Option Extension.
• Description: Specifies "Ground Maintenance" for each period.
• Quantity & Unit of Measure: Quantities are listed in Months, with a total of 12 months for the base and option years, and 6 months for the extension.
• Unit Price & Total Amount: These fields are to be completed by the bidder. All pre-filled amounts are 0.0.
• Instruction: Bidders are explicitly instructed to "PLEASE FILL IN THE UNIT PRICE FOR ALL LINE-ITEMS (YELLOW HIGHLIGHTED CELLS)".

This is a critical document for bidders to complete and submit as part of their proposal. Bidders must accurately fill in the unit prices for all CLINs, including the base year and all option periods. The total amounts will be calculated based on the unit prices provided. Failure to complete these fields as instructed may impact the bid's completeness and evaluation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Grounds Maintenance services at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Grassland, Soil & Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) Facility in Temple, TX. The government is procuring labor and equipment to perform these services.

• Grounds maintenance services as detailed in Attachment 2 – Performance Work Statement.

• Adherence to the Ground Maintenance Layout specified in Attachment 3.

• Pricing to be provided for all Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) as per Attachment 4 – Price Schedule.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, totaling a maximum of five (5) years.

• Base Year: March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027.

• Option Years: Through February 28, 2031.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest price technically acceptable.

• Technical Acceptability: Will be rated "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the offeror's ability to meet requirements and demonstrate understanding.

• Past Performance: Will be evaluated using an "acceptable" or "neutral" rating, based on demonstrated ability to deliver products meeting requirements, timely delivery, business relations, and adherence to award terms. Three relevant and recent references are required.

• Price: Will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness, including the base period, all option periods, and potential extension under FAR 52.217-8 (up to six months).

• Submission: Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist in Adobe PDF format.

• Questions Deadline: February 12, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Offer Acceptance Period: Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• No specific qualification requirements are stated for offerors or the product/service.

• The solicitation incorporates various FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions by reference. Offerors are cautioned to review these carefully.

• Active registration in SAM.gov is required at the time of quote submission.

• The document includes information on the USDA Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests.

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 in specific geographic areas. This specific determination covers Texas counties of Bell and Coryell.

• Lists numerous occupational codes and titles.
• Specifies the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Indicates that "Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing."
• Includes notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage), detailing their applicability and requirements.
• Outlines general benefits such as vacation and holidays.
• Provides a "Conformance Process" for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with the opportunity. It establishes the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees performing work under the contract, directly impacting the cost proposal and overall bid competitiveness. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an aerial layout map providing a visual representation of the "Texas AgriLife BREC" area, likely related to grounds maintenance or land use within the USDA-ARS-GSWRL facility.

• The map displays the "USDA-ARS-GSWRL" facility and its boundaries.
• A specific area labeled "Texas AgriLife BREC" is highlighted with purple hatching, indicating a zone of interest.
• A legend identifies "Blackland" as a feature and "US Agricultur" (likely referring to US Agriculture) as another element.
• Roadways, buildings, and other site features are depicted.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the physical location and specific areas relevant to the opportunity, particularly if the opportunity involves grounds maintenance, landscaping, or any work within or around the "Texas AgriLife BREC" designated zone.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for grounds maintenance services at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory (GSWRL) facility in Temple, TX.

The contract covers labor and equipment for the following grounds maintenance tasks:

• Mowing: Specified areas to be mowed according to schedule, with trash and debris removal prior to mowing. Contractor is responsible for disposal of clippings.
• Edging/Weed Eating: Vertical edging of sidewalks and curbs, and weed eating around trees, objects, curbs, sidewalks, and perimeter chain link fence. Mechanical weed eaters are required; no chemical edging is permitted.
• Blow Off: Removal of leaves and debris from porches, docks, sidewalks, and curbs.
• Lawn Fertilization: Application of a fertilizer/weed killer combination twice per year, suitable for Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses.
• Trim Shrubs & Hedges: Trimming of shrubs and hedges four times per year or as needed for a neat appearance. Contractor is responsible for disposal of debris.

Services are to be completed Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (no weekends). A regular mowing service should be completed in a single day, barring weather interruptions.

Performance will be measured by the results of the requirements. The government requires the grounds to be clean, attractive, and manicured according to the specified schedule.

• Contractor must have sufficient staff and equipment to complete a single mowing service in one day.
• Contractor employees must exercise due care around vehicles.
• Services are to be completed Monday-Friday, and in a single day (barring weather delays).

This contract does not include tree trimming, insect/disease control, or maintenance of the sprinkler system. These services will be solicited separately.

• Ground Maintenance Ariel Layout