Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Tree Pruning Cascading Evaluation

Please review the attached document Please make sure you provide all information ask for by the evaluation factors.

Vendor Questions: All vendor questions regarding this solicitation shall be submitted by email to the david.hester@va.gov no later than 9/4/2026. Questions received after this deadline may not be addressed, and answers will be provided via amendment 9/9/2026 on SAM.gov.

Site Visit: A site visit is scheduled is 9/3/2026 @10:30 am, the meeting place is the Maintenance Building at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Vendors are strongly encouraged to attend the site visit to ensure a full understanding of the requirements. No additional or repeat site visits will be scheduled.

Late Quotes: Late quotes will not be accepted. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that their complete quote is submitted prior to the solicitation closing date and time.

Cascading Evaluation Set-Aside Approach: This acquisition will utilize a Cascading Set-Aside Approach under FAR Subpart 5.2. Group 1 – SDVOSB The Government will first evaluate quotations from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) in accordance with VAAR 819.7006. Group 2 – VOSB The Government will first evaluate quotations from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) in accordance with VAAR 819.7007. Group 3 – Small Business If adequate SDVOSB or VOSB competition is not received, the Government reserves the right to evaluate quotations from other Small Businesses.

SAM Registration: Only quotes submitted by vendors that are actively registered in SAM.gov at the time of quote submission and award will be considered. Quotes from vendors that are not actively registered in SAM.gov will be rejected as non-responsive. SDVOSB Please note you must have the NAICS code of the solicitation on your SAM.gov profile to qualify as an SDVOSB to bid and must be a registered certified SDVOSB with the SBA by the time all bids are due.

Amendments: Vendors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for all solicitation amendments up to the closing date. Failure to acknowledge or comply with amendments may result in the quote being deemed non-responsive.

Review of the Solicitation: Vendors shall read the entire solicitation, including all sections, attachments, specifications, and amendments, prior to submitting a quote. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that all requirements are addressed in their submission.

Completeness of Quote: The Government will evaluate only the information submitted. The Government will not make assumptions about vendor capabilities, technical approaches, or past performance not clearly documented in the quote. Vendors must provide complete, accurate, and detailed responses to all solicitation requirements.

Evaluation Factors: Please make sure you provide all information ask for by the evaluation factors. Here are the most commonly missed factors. - Prime Contractor’s past performance descriptions of a minimum of 3 recent (within the last 5 years) tree projects of similar size and scope. - Resume for Certified Arborist demonstrating a minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a direct supervisor of a commercial tree maintenance operation that included removal, trimming, and stump removal in commercial, industrial, or public sites. - Arborist with Certification from International Society of Arboriculture