International Institute of Tropical Forestry, Grounds Maintenance Services

This document provides Questions and Answers (Q&A) for the federal solicitation 12445026Q0028, which seeks grounds maintenance services for the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF). Key clarifications include updates to the pressure washing scope of work, which now excludes a sidewalk slated for demolition near the laboratory but adds the library parking area, the new generator area, and specific drainages and ditch areas as detailed in an updated solicitation map. Pressure washing may be conducted on weekends subject to prior Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) approval. Additionally, the government confirmed there are no bonding requirements for this contract. To submit a valid quote, contractors must provide a statement acknowledging any amendments on SAM.gov, a completed Schedule of Items, and a completed Experience Questionnaire. This procurement is strictly set aside for certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB).

This federal Statement of Work (SOW) outlines requirements for grounds maintenance services at the USDA Forest Service’s International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, and materials to maintain healthy vegetation and ensure a clean, safe, and functional aesthetic across the facility's outdoor areas. Key responsibilities include monthly mowing of the green permeable parking lot, routine grass cutting, mechanical edging, and plant and tree pruning. The contractor is also responsible for clearing fallen leaves, collecting and disposing of trash (diverting at least 50% of non-hazardous waste from landfills), cleaning drainage ditches, and managing invasive weeds using USDA-certified biobased products. Specialized tasks include monthly inspections and quarterly trimming of the facility's green roofs—conducted in compliance with OSHA fall protection standards—and quarterly pressure washing of exterior hardscapes, sidewalks, and the main entrance's polycarbonate roof. The contractor must provide emergency response services within 24 hours of notification for hazardous conditions like fallen trees or flood debris. Work must occur during regular hours (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday) unless otherwise approved. The government will not provide facilities, equipment, or materials, but will supply electricity and water. Additionally, the contractor must prevent the spread of noxious weeds by ensuring all equipment is cleaned and inspected before arrival.

This solicitation (12445026Q0028) issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks a contractor to provide grounds maintenance services for the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The scope of work includes maintaining healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants, as well as performing green roof maintenance, pressure washing, and emergency services for hazardous conditions. The Government intends to award a single, firm-fixed-price contract consisting of a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, not to exceed a total duration of five years. Evaluation and award will be based on a best-value determination considering price and past performance. Past performance will be assessed for recency (within the last three years), relevancy, and quality. Key submission details and deadlines include: - **Site Visit:** Scheduled for July 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Local Time at the IITF facility in San Juan. - **Questions:** Must be submitted via email to Jocelyn Hayes and Keith Friot by July 9, 2026. - **Proposal Deadline:** Completed packages must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 16, 2026. Offerors must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and submit a completed schedule of items, an experience questionnaire, and an amendment acknowledgment. The solicitation incorporates standard FAR and AGAR clauses, including specific USDA certifications regarding anti-discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) compliance.

This solicitation (12445026Q0028) issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks a contractor to provide grounds maintenance services for the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The scope of work includes maintaining healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and plants, as well as performing green roof maintenance, pressure washing, and emergency services for hazardous conditions resulting from natural disasters or unforeseen incidents. The Government intends to award a single, firm-fixed-price contract consisting of a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, not to exceed a total duration of five years. Evaluation and basis for award will be conducted using best-value procurement based on two main factors: past performance (evaluating recency, relevancy, and quality of projects within the last three years) and price. Key administrative details and deadlines include: - **Site Visit:** Scheduled for July 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Local Time at the IITF Jardin Botanico Sur in San Juan. - **Questions:** Due via email to Jocelyn Hayes (jocelyn.hayes@usda.gov) with a copy to Keith Friot (keith.d.friot@usda.gov) by July 9, 2026. - **Proposal Submission:** Completed packages must be submitted electronically to the same contacts by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Offerors must possess an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and comply with strict federal, AGAR, and USDA anti-discrimination and diversity regulations to be eligible for award and payment.

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for grounds maintenance services at the USDA Forest Service’s International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The contractor must provide all necessary personnel, equipment, materials, and supervision to maintain the facility's grounds, green roofs, and exterior hardscapes in a safe, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing condition. Key responsibilities include monthly grass cutting (utilizing only weed eaters on the green, permeable parking lot), mechanical edging, plant and shrub pruning, ditch cleaning, monthly leaf collection, and bi-weekly trash removal. Additionally, the contractor is responsible for monthly inspections and quarterly trimming of the green roofs, adhering strictly to OSHA fall protection standards. The scope also mandates quarterly pressure washing of concrete surfaces, drainage systems, and the main entrance's polycarbonate roof. Emergency response services, including stabilizing hazardous vegetation and removing storm debris, must be provided within 24 hours of notification. All work must be conducted between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, unless otherwise approved. The Government will not provide facilities, equipment, or materials, but will supply water and electricity. The contractor must prioritize mechanical weed control, utilizing USDA Certified Biobased products and EPA-registered herbicides only with prior approval. In compliance with environmental mandates, the contractor must divert at least 50% of non-hazardous waste from landfills. Key deliverables include a kickoff meeting and schedule submission within five business days of contract award, followed by recurring monthly and quarterly maintenance.

This document is a federal Schedule of Items pricing sheet for a grounds maintenance contract at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF). It outlines the required services and pricing structure for a base year and four subsequent option years, spanning from August 13, 2026, through August 12, 2031. The scope of work across all periods consists of four primary recurring service items: * **Grounds Maintenance and Monthly Green Roof Inspections:** Monthly service (12 units/year). * **IITF HQ Green Roof Maintenance (Trimming):** Occurring four times per year. * **Pressure Washing:** Occurring four times per year. * **Emergency Calls:** Provision for a two-person crew for up to four hours (1 unit/year). The schedule requires vendors to provide their name, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), individual unit prices, annual totals for the base year and each option year, and a final cumulative total for the base year plus all option years.

This document is a federal Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (No. 2015-5707, Revision No. 29, dated May 13, 2026) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor for Puerto Rico. It establishes the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits for various labor classifications supporting federal service contracts across numerous municipalities, including San Juan, Caguas, and Carolina. Key provisions outlined in the document include: - **Hourly Wages:** Specific minimum pay rates are designated for administrative, automotive, health, instructional, technical, and maintenance occupations. - **Fringe Benefits:** A standard health and welfare benefit of $5.55 per hour (or $5.09 per hour under Executive Order 13706 for paid sick leave). - **Paid Time Off:** A minimum of three weeks of paid vacation after one year of service (increasing to four weeks after 15 years) and twelve paid federal holidays annually. - **Pay Differentials:** Rules for night and Sunday pay differentials for select roles, alongside hazardous duty pay premiums of 4% or 8% for work involving ordnance or explosives. - **Uniform Allowances:** Guidelines requiring contractors to provide uniforms or reimburse employees for maintenance costs at $3.35 per week. - **Conformance Process:** A structured methodology (utilizing Standard Form 1444) to establish wage rates for unlisted job classifications to ensure equitable compensation. This document serves as a critical compliance standard for contractors bidding on or executing federal service contracts in the specified regions of Puerto Rico.

This document is an Experience Questionnaire (Attachment 04) for solicitation number 12445026Q0028, which is for IITF Grounds Maintenance services for the U.S. Forest Service. The purpose of this form is to evaluate a bidding contractor's capability, history, and resources to successfully perform the contract. The questionnaire requires vendors to provide basic business information, including their structure and years of experience as a prime or subcontractor. It requests a list of up to three relevant projects completed within the past three years, detailing contract numbers, award amounts, client contact information, completion dates, and descriptions of work performed. Contractors must also disclose current contract commitments and state whether they have ever failed to complete awarded work. Additionally, the form gathers organizational data such as minimum and maximum staffing levels, payroll status, and available equipment. It asks for the experience of principal individuals within the business and concludes with a certification section where an authorized representative must sign and date the document to verify the accuracy of the provided information.