36C26226Q0790.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Network Contracting 4135 S. Power Road Mesa AZ 85212

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Jessica Brooks jessica.brooks3@va.gov 480-466-7940

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Phoenix VA Healthcare System

650 E. Indian School Road

Phoenix AZ

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

Unclaimed Remains 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.

The San Diego VA Health Care System located at 650 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012 is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide Unclaimed Remains BPA.

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 812210 ($12.5 Million Dollars).

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 Dynamic Small Business Search located at https://dsbs.sba.gov/.

All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail: by e-mail to jessica.brooks3@va.gov.

All information submissions to be marked Attn: Jessica Brooks, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 16:00 MST on May 15, 2026.

SOW

1. CONTRACT TITLE Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHS) Deceased Unclaimed Remains.

2. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Department of Veteran Affairs Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PVAHS) Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012-1892

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE Base Year plus Four Option Years

4. CONTRACT TYPE Firm-Fixed-Price

5. BACKGROUND

The Phoenix VA Healthcare System, Phoenix, AZ has a requirement for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provide funeral and burial services for deceased unclaimed remains. The BPA will be for Base Year plus Option Years.

6. PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION/TASKS

The Contractor shall provide preparation of the veterans remains and transportation to final resting place at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ and shall include the following:

1. Pick up the deceased patient at the place of death within 24 hours of the death, after being notified by the Phoenix VA Healthcare System staff.

2. Transport the body of the deceased to its place of business to prepare the body for burial or cremation (Inurnment services) when ordered by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or designated representative (DR).

3. Cremation shall include making the necessary arrangements with the crematorium and furnishing a suitable urn for the cremated remains.

a. Providing a suitable Urn shall be durable and sealed, not leaking. Material, such as, plastic, metal, wood, ceramic/stone, or other durable materials re acceptable.

4. Dressing Remains. The funeral home will provide the appropriate clothing to be used in the burial.

5. Remains shall be prepared, dressed and cosmetically enhanced (hair/make-up) comparable to any other burial.

6. Each remain, viewable or non-viewable, shall be embalmed or cremated that provides the optimum result.

7. Provide a basic wooden or metal casket.

8. Remains shall be placed in the casket/urn in a manner that will create an appearance of rest and composure and ensure maintenance of position during transit.

9. The US flag will be furnished by the VA to be draped over the casket at the time of funeral service.

10. The Contractor shall have the necessary vehicles to transport the body from the VAMC to the funeral home and then from funeral home to the National Cemetery for interment.

11. The remains shall be carefully and professionally placed in the type of vehicle normally used for funeral services.

12. The Contractor shall coordinate and transport the remains in a hearse or funeral coach to the Contractor’s facility; and when ready for burial, the Contractor shall transport the remains to the National Cemetery for burial.

13. If interment is to be other than at the Cemetery, additional expenses may be allowed for transportation with prior authorization from the COR.

14. The Contractor shall have adequate storage space to hold and store (refrigeration) the remains until burial or cremation arrangements are confirmed.

15. The Contractor shall possess the current transit permit at the time of award of Contract. Permits covering burial or removal of the body, if required, are to be secured and paid for by the Contractor.

16. The Contractor’s employees shall have the appropriate and current license(s) prior to commencing work under this contract. Copies of registrations and licenses shall be furnished upon COR’s request.

17. Offerors must be an approved member of the Funeral Services Licensing facility under the Arizona Department of Health Services.

7. CONTRACT SECURITY

See the provided VHA Handbook 6500.6,

8. BADGES AND PARKING

All Vendor personnel are required to wear I.D. badges during the entire time he/she is on Government property. I.D. badges must have an identification picture and shall state the name of the individual and the company he/she represents. It is the responsibility of the Vendor’s personnel to park in the appropriately designated parking areas. Parking information is available from PVAHS Police Service. PVAHS will not validate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the Vendor’s personnel under any circumstance.

9. WORKING HOURS

During Normal Working Hours; For any service that will be performed during the normal working hours of 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday- Friday the Vendor shall check in with the Police Service and with the COR before proceeding to the job site. The vendor shall also check-out with the COR and Police Service before leaving the job site. Other than Normal Working Hours). On-site services may be performed during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Monday through Friday upon coordination with the COR.

10. AUTHORIZED SERVICES

Only those services specified herein are authorized under this contract. Before performing any service of a non-contract nature, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer (CO) must be advised of the reasons for this additional work. If appropriate, the Contracting Officer (CO) or his/her designee or designated representative may authorize the additional services or repairs under separate purchase authorization. The Vendor is cautioned that only the Contracting Officer (CO) may authorize additional services or repairs and that reimbursement will not be made unless this prior authorization is obtained.

11. WEEKLY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1. A weekly written report will be provided to the Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS) Specialist.

2. Report will include:

a. Veteran information (ID number vs name)

b. Date of pick up from facility

c. Date of arrival to vendor business

d. Specific details ie, burial, casket, urn etc

e. Date or anticipated of burial/placement of cremated remains at National Cemetery

Sources Sought Notice