This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) DUNS number (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business and (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below. Prune NAVAHCS Campus Trees NAVAHCS requires a one-time pruning service to get its trees on station to a safe and manageable level. Based on visual inspection there are various tree sizes and a variety of safety issues associated with dead branches and limbs. Services are required to improve the structure of the tree and for the safety of persons and property. A lay down yard will be provided on site. Road closures will need to be manned and limited to one way traffic requiring flagmen (traffic controllers) and signage and cones. Below are the requirements that the vendor must complete: Requiring services on 144 trees. Action Items are: Trees approximately 40ft. tall, Ex-current and De-current Trees will be pruned by 30% Techniques will reflect: *Crown Thinning *Crown Raising *Crown Reduction *V shape unions: All V shape unions shall be removed due to likely hood of branch breaking. *Topping: Not to occur Removal of tree and grinding of stump will be below grade. Trees up to 30ft. to 40ft. tall, Ex-current and De-current a. Trees will be pruned b. Techniques will reflect: *Crown Thinning *Crown Raising *Crown Reduction *V shape unions: All V shape unions shall be removed due to likely hood of branch breaking. *Topping: Not to occur. c. removal of tree and grinding of stump will be below grade Trees up to 20ft. to 30ft. tall, Ex-current and De-current a. Trees will be pruned b. Techniques will reflect: *Crown Thinning*Crown Raising *Crown Reduction *V shape unions: All V shape unions shall be removed due to likely hood of branch breaking. *Topping: Not to occur. Removal of tree and grinding of stump will be below grade. Note: All waste and debris shall be the property of the contractor and disposed of by ways of all current, local, state and federal codes and regulations. Any injuries will be reported to the acting COR and to safety. Performance and safety of the contractor shall be in strict accordance with all current, local, state and federal codes and OSHA regulations. Removal of mistletoe to be evaluated and an action plan to be set in place. *DEFINITIONS: Topping: Not to occur, removing a terminal shoot back to a point where there is no appropriate lateral branch to take over the terminal role. Crown Reduction: last resort, Crown Raising: is the removal of branches on the bottom of the tree. Crown Thinning: is the selective removal of stems and branches. V shape unions: Has no bark between the two branches causing a narrow V-shape angle causing weakness in the branches. U shape unions: Has bark between the two branches, creating a U-shape causing strength in both branches. Ex-current: Most cone bearing evergreens. De-current: Trees that have a more rounded outline. Important information: The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 561730 ($7.5 Million). Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov and complete Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Additionally, all Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise VetBiz Registry located at http://vip.vetbiz.gov. All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail, mail or ground carrier to: Southern AZ VA HealthCare System, 3601 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85723 or by e-mail to
[email protected]. All information submissions to be marked Attn: Anthony Yanez, Contracting Specialist (9-90C) and should be received no later than 3:30 pm Mountain Time on July 14, 2017.