Lake and Wetland Mgmt Svc at Sarasota National Cemetery

Please note that this is NOT a request for quotes or proposals, the Government is seeking information for market research purposes only. The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is conducting a market survey for interested vendors capable of providing “Lake and Wetland Management Services,” at the Sarasota National Cemetery located at 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241. For Lake Services, contractor shall provide lake management to include the following:

Lake (open water) and shoreline services not less than 12 times per year (monthly); algae and exotic shoreline weed control as necessary and consistent with current industry standards; evaluation of water quality regarding fish and plant health and consultation as necessary on any lake management issues.

The primary goal of monthly maintenance is the suppression and elimination of exotic and invasive plant species so that beneficial, native species will flourish. invasive native species will be controlled to maintain an esthetically pleasing and natural look around the lakes. Please note that some vegetation like Water Primrose, Cattails and Brazilian Pepper require many months to decompose.

Unless otherwise noted, it is vendors responsibility to remove this dead plant material. ln addition, please be aware that some plant species are much more difficult to control, sometimes taking several months of treatment. For wetland services, contractor shall preserve management involves suppression and elimination of exotic and invasive plant species so that beneficial, native species will flourish. Vegetation is left in place unless otherwise noted.

Some vegetation, like Water Primrose, Cattails, Melaleuca and Brazilian Pepper require many months or years to decompose. Each preserve will be monitored at least quarterly. All exotic plants will be treated with EPA approved herbicides. 3. For fish kills, contractor shall remove, free of additional charges, fish that are killed due to periodic treatments. Fish that are killed due to natural causes (e.g., algae bloom) or other causes (e.g., pesticide or lawn service poisoning) to be removed.

In response to this announcement, please complete the information attached and return to Charnell.Cunningham@va.gov by February 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Interested parties shall provide a capability statement, examples of same or similar work performed at other facilities. Interested parties who do not submit the above information and complete the form below may not be considered for this requirement.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification (HUBZone, 8(a), small, small disadvantage, veteran owned small business (VOSB), service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB), or large business) relative to:

NAICS 561730, Landscaping Services, with size standards of $9.5 Million. Note that if VA’s pending market research establishes that two or more SDVOSB or VOSB, who are certified on SBA’s VetCert, Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov), can perform the project at a fair and reasonable price, VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. §8127. Responses to this synopsis will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions.

After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis, a solicitation announcement may be published on SAM.gov and/or GSA eBuy. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis are not considered adequate responses to the solicitation announcement. This notice is neither a request for competitive proposal nor solicitation of offerors. This notice is to assist the NCA in determining sources only and a solicitation is not currently available.

If a solicitation is issued it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from this response. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. Information received as a result of this notice will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

This notice does not represent a commitment by the Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of information or any other costs incurred as a response to this announcement. Inquiries will only be accepted in writing via email to Charnell.Cunningham@va.gov by February 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. EST.