36C78618Q0146-001.docx

36C78618Q0146

PAGE 1 OF

1. REQUISITION NO.

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE

4. ORDER NO.

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER

6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NO. (No Collect Calls)

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL

TIME

9. ISSUED BY

CODE

10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

UNRESTRICTED OR

SET ASIDE:

% FOR:

SMALL BUSINESS

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS

(WOSB) ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

8(A)

NAICS:

SIZE STANDARD:

11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

12. DISCOUNT TERMS

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13b. RATING

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ

IFB

RFP

15. DELIVER TO

CODE

16. ADMINISTERED BY

CODE

17a. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

CODE

FACILITY CODE

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

CODE

TELEPHONE NO.

DUNS:

DUNS+4:

PHONE:

FAX:

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER 18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a UNLESS BLOCK BELOW IS CHECKED

SEE ADDENDUM

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

ITEM NO.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

UNIT PRICE

AMOUNT

(Use Reverse and/or Attach Additional Sheets as Necessary)

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Govt. Use Only) 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3 AND 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED.

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA

ARE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN _______________

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF. ___________________________________ OFFER

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

DATED ________________________________. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED

SET FORTH HEREIN IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER) 30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (TYPE OR PRINT) 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (TYPE OR PRINT) 31c. DATE SIGNED

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

(REV. 2/2012)

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

STANDARD FORM 1449

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, & 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

8948-000016 36C78618Q0146 01-29-2018

SHERYL PALACIO-DAVIS

sheryl.palacio-davis@va.g 02-19-2018

2:00 PM

43C1 Department of Veterans Affairs NCA Contracting Service 75 Barrett Heights Rd. Suite 309 Stafford VA 22556 X X 327390 500 Employees

NA

N/A X Fort Snelling National Cemetery 7601 34th Avenue, South Minneapolis MN 55450 43C1 Department of Veterans Affairs NCA Contracting Service 75 Barrett Heights Rd. Suite 309 Stafford VA 22556

43C1 http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer -campaigns/veterans-affairs/

1-877-752-0900 See CONTINUATION Page Fort Snelling National Cemetery, MN The Contractor Shall Deliver & Install Concrete Graveliners for Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

In accordance with the Solicitation, Specifications, and Statement of Work (SOW).

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED

MAY RESULT IN YOUR SUBMISSION BEING DETERMINED

TECHNICALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND REMOVED FROM FURTHER

CONSIDERATION.

ARO; 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF ORDERS

DUNS: _____________________

TAX ID: ____________________

E-MAIL: ____________________

PHONE NO: ____________________

PLEASE SUBMIT QOUTE VIA VA eCMS VENDOR PROTAL **THIS IS A 100% Small Business Set-Aside** See CONTINUATION Page X X X

SHERYL PALACIO-DAVIS

CONTRACTING OFFICER

Table of Contents

B.4 STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

(Continuation from Standard Form 1449, block 18A.)

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR: (Contractor’s Information Required)

b. GOVERNMENT:

Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Service (43C1), Sheryl Palacio-Davis 75 Barrett Heights Road, Suite 309 Stafford, VA 22556

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

[X] 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer – Other Than System for Award Management (JUL 2013) (31 U.S.C. § 3332

1. 3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted electronically.

1. Invoices shall be submitted in arrears for cumulative work performed no more frequently than weekly within thirty (30) calendar days after the Contractor has completed the work and the Government has accepted the items.

1. Contractors shall not invoice for single orders of a shipment. Shipments will be invoiced for the complete shipment when completed and accepted by the Government.

1. Required Contents of Invoice: If any information below is missing from an invoice, the invoice shall be subject to rejection and returned for revision.

1. Contractor Information (Name, Complete Address, Telephone Number)

1. Date of Invoice

1. Unique Invoice Number

1. Each invoice may be submitted only once. If the need exists to submit a corrected invoice, the original invoice number should be noted with “COR” added at the end of the invoice number on the revised invoice. Where possible CORRECTED INVOICE shall be clearly noted

1. Purchase Order Number (Only one purchase order may be included on each invoice submitted)

1. Shipment Number (If there is not enough space on an invoice, an attachment to the invoice shall list the Shipment Number(s) and the Decedent’s Last Name and shall match the invoice quantity)

1. Decedent’s Last Name (See above)

1. Cemetery Name

1. Unit Cost

1. Total Dollar Amount Invoiced

1. Certificate of Conformance:

· This certifies that (Contractor’s Name) furnished the above listed supplies or services called for by the above listed purchase order number in accordance with all applicable requirements. We further certify that the supplies or services are the quality specified and conform in all respects with the contract requirements.

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All invoices from the Contractor shall be sent electronically by following instruction as stated at website: http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp. See VAAR clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2012).

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS:

The Offeror acknowledges receipt of Amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

6. MISSING PAGES: It is the responsibility of the Offeror to examine this Solicitation to verify that he, or she, has received all pages. In addition, in compiling this package, some pages may have been duplicated. If the Offeror feels that pages are missing or duplicated, the Offeror is encouraged to contact the Contracting Officer at the telephone number shown in Block 7B, Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items.

7. METHOD OF ISSUING DELIVERY ORDERS

1. All orders to be furnished under this contract shall be ordered using electronic commerce methods by the Centralized Contracting Division. Orders shall be transmitted electronically via email to the Contractors internet E-mail address.

1. Contractor shall be required to maintain an active commercial E-mail account capable of accepting the electronic files(s) and providing the account address to the ordering office. Notification of changes in E-mail addresses shall be made to the ordering office within twenty-four hours of the change. In the event E-mail account becomes inactive; provide facsimile number in order to receive files.

1. Orders transmitted electronically will be considered “issued” when the Government transmits the electronic file to the E-mail address of record provided by the Contractor.

8. ORDER PROCESSING SEQUENCE: The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Contracting Service (43C1), is the only activity authorized to issue orders under this contract.

9. NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR(S): Prospective awardees SHALL be registered with SAM at http://www.sam.gov and registered with Vendor Information Pages (VIP) as a VIP Verified Business – Certified SDVOSB at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/, Prior to Award and through final payment, and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://www.sam.gov prior to award and through final payment. Contract will not be awarded until SAM registration has been completed.

NOTICE:

A. All proposals shall be submitted through the Department of Veterans Affairs - Electronic Management System (eCMS) Vendor Portal website in order to be considered for award. https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov. VENDOR GUIDE IS ATTACHED TO THIS RFP FOR YOUR INSTRUCTION.

B. Please go to the VA eCMS Vendor Portal website at https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov to register. Once on the webpage, proceed to the Vendor Portal Login section located on the far left side of the webpage and click on ‘Request a user account’ to register. In the event an Offeror is unable to submit a proposal through the Vendor Portal domain, prior to the solicitation closing date, contact the VAAS helpdesk at 1-877-634-3739, or via email at VA.Acquisition.Systems@va.gov. Submission of proposals through E-mail will not be accepted. Proposal transmission/uploads shall be completed by the date/time specified. Late or incomplete proposals will not be considered.

C. If Offerors are still unable to submit a proposal through VA eCMS Vendor Portal, the Offerors may submit an E-mail version of their proposal as long as they obtain permission from Sheryl Palacio-Davis and VA eCMS Vendor Portal registration requirements have been fulfilled and Offerors have contacted the VAAS helpdesk for assistance in their submission of a proposal. A copy of the E-mail correspondence with the VAAS helpdesk will be forwarded to the Contract Specialist, Sheryl Palacio-Davis at sheryl.palacio-davis@va.gov, proof of E-mail correspondence. If a phone conversation with the VAAS helpdesk proves unsuccessful in an Offeror’s ability to submit a proposal prior to the closing date via Vendor Portal, the Offeror shall submit to the Contract Specialist correspondence that contains the date, time, and name of helpdesk representative the Offeror contacted to include the reasons why the Offeror could not submit a proposal via the Portal. This document will be submitted together with the E-mail version of the proposal. In the event an Offeror has not requested proposal submission assistance to the VAAS help desk prior to the closing date, nor has submitted correspondence that identifies reasons why the Offeror could not submit a proposal via Vendor Portal, the Offeror will be considered non responsive and the E-mail version of the proposal will not be accepted.

Proposal Package in, Vendor Portal, shall include the following:

· 1 completed, signed/dated original SF1449 and completed, signed/dated ALL Amendments

· 1 completed Section B (Contract Admin. & Price Schedule)

· 1 completed Business Management Questionnaire/Past Performance (Section D)

Prospective Offerors shall be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov

OFFERORS MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN ALL INFORMATION DESIGNATED IN FAR PROVISION 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS, PARAGRAPH (b) AND IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK, SECTION 5.0, SUBMITTAL BY POTENTIAL OFFERORS, PRIOR TO THE TIME SPECIFIED IN BLOCK 8 of SF 1449 IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARD AND THE INFORMATION SHALL BE FORWARDED TO THE ADDRESS IN BLOCK 9.

Failure to submit all required documentation may result in your proposal being determined not Technically Acceptable and removed from further consideration.

See attached document: “VENDOR GUIDE” for the Vendor Portal.

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

BASE YEAR: OCTOBER 1, 2017 OR FROM DATE OF AWARD THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

Extra Large Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 96"L x 36"W x 28"D

Small Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 58"L x 20"W x 19"D

Oversized Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 92"L x 36"W x 26"D

Medium Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 86"L x 30"W x 24"D

Delivery and installation on holidays

Labor fee for instalation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Family

Labor fee for instalation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Medium

Labor fee for instalation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: oversized

Labor - transportation andplacement of remains in double depth preplaced crypts. Removing shelf liner in cryptfor 1st internment and the lid for 2nd internment.

Labor fee for instalation of concrete liners at site. Charges are for all sizes: small single

Base Period: Total Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR 1: OCTOBER 1, 2018 THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Extra Large Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 96"L x 36"W x 28"D

Small Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 58"L x 20"W x 19"D

Oversized Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 92"L x 36"W x 26"D

Medium Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 86"L x 30"W x 24"D

Delivery and installation on holidays

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Family

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Medium

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: oversized

Labor - transportation and placement of remains in double depth preplaced crypts. Removing shelf liner in crypt for 1st internment and the lid for 2nd internment.

Labor fee for installation of concrete liners at site. Charges are for all sizes: small single

Option Year 1: Total Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR II: OCTOBER 1, 2019 THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Extra Large Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 96"L x 36"W x 28"D

Small Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 58"L x 20"W x 19"D

Oversized Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 92"L x 36"W x 26"D

Medium Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 86"L x 30"W x 24"D

Delivery and installation on holidays

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Family

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Medium

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: oversized

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: extra large

Labor - transportation and placement of remains in double depth preplaced crypts. Removing shelf liner in crypt for 1st internment and the lid for 2nd internment.

Labor fee for installation of concrete liners at site. Charges are for all sizes: small single

Option Year 2: Total Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR III: OCTOBER 1, 2020 THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Extra Large Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 96"L x 36"W x 28"D

Small Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 58"L x 20"W x 19"D

Oversized Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 92"L x 36"W x 26"D

Medium Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 86"L x 30"W x 24"D

Delivery and installation on holidays

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Family

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Medium

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: oversized

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: extra large

Labor - transportation and placement of remains in double depth preplaced crypts. Removing shelf liner in crypt for 1st internment and the lid for 2nd internment.

Labor fee for installation of concrete liners at site. Charges are for all sizes: small single

Option Year 3: Total Estimated Cost

OPTION YEAR IV: OCTOBER 1, 2021 THRU SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

Extra Large Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 96"L x 36"W x 28"D

Small Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 58"L x 20"W x 19"D

Oversized Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 92"L x 36"W x 26"D

Medium Concrete Graveliner with Separate Lid: 86"L x 30"W x 24"D

Delivery and installation on holidays

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Family

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes Medium

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: oversized

Labor fee for installation of concrete graveliners at site charges are for all sizes: extra large

Labor - transportation and placement of remains in double depth preplaced crypts. Removing shelf liner in crypt for 1st internment and the lid for 2nd internment.

Labor fee for installation of concrete liners at site. Charges are for all sizes: small single

Option Year 4: Total Estimated Cost

SUMMARY TOTALS

TOTALS

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Page 1 of

B.4 DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

A. DECRIPTION: Contractor shall furnish Type I Concrete, Style 1 Grave liners with separate lid to Fort Snelling National Cemetery (FSNC), 7601 34th Avenue, South, (Hwy. 494 and 34th Avenue South), Minneapolis, MN 55450, in accordance with all specifications, terms and conditions of this contract. Grave liners shall be delivered and installed when directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or his/her designee. Pricing shall include, Delivery, Transportation of Caskets from Committal shelters to gravesite prior to interment, Installation, and removing the lid on a pre-placed crypt and/or grave liner and placing cover on pre-placed crypt and/or grave liners upon completion of interment. Miscellaneous Transportation Cost, for Transporting Caskets from Committal Shelter to Gravesite, for Interment, WILL NOT BE DOUBLED CHARGED by ADDING for the Delivery and Installation Prices for CLIN 1 Through CLIN 5 (Delivery & Installation). Miscellaneous Transportation Cost, for Transporting Caskets (s) to the Gravesite, for Interment will be charged Per Interment Schedule, regardless of the number of transport on the Interment Scheduled Day; A One Time Flat Fee will be invoiced. All Grave liners shall be fabricated in accordance with Federal Specifications and Commercial Item Description (CID) No. A-A-30194, dated July 26, 1993 (Attachment A).

B. INTENT OF PROJECT

1) Contractor shall provide grave liners for all casket burials whenever a preplaced crypt is not being used or the next of kin does not furnish an outside container. Preplaced crypts, grave liners and vaults shall be used for all casketed interments.

2) Grave liners shall be delivered FOB destination within consignee premises and installed two (2) hours prior to scheduled interment time.

C. INSIDE DIMENSIONS

Metric Products: Products manufactured to Metric Unit dimensions (centimeters / kilograms / metric ton) will be conducted on an equal basis with those manufactured to Imperial Unit dimensions (inch / pound) units, providing they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376, and all other requirements of this document are met. (Note: If a product is manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request will be made to the Contracting Officer, in conjunction with the COR, who will accept or reject the product).

D. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: It shall be the Contractor's responsibility to:

1) Keep pace with the grave liner requirements of the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in presenting grave liners

2) Remain near excavation crews as directed and required by National Cemetery policy;

3) Remain on station until grave covers are in place.

E. DELIVERY, STORAGE AND REJECTION

1) Delivery: The Contractor shall be required to deliver and unload a varying number of units per day at a site to be determined by the COR, Cemetery Director, or his/her designee; the theoretical daily maximum is Twenty-nine (29) units while a historic daily estimate is 7-10 units. Orders may be communicated until 12 p.m. (noon) for next-day delivery and installation, although all attempts will be made to provide the Contractor a 48-hour notice of new orders or changes to pending orders. The next day’s interment schedule will be available to the Contractor at the Maintenance Building at 4:15 p.m. each day. The normal hours of interment operations, for purposes of installation of grave liners is 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Note: When a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, then Saturday, Sunday or holiday deliveries and installations may be required (approximately 4 times per year).

2) Packaging & Marking: The Contractor shall palletize grave liners or otherwise prepare for shipping in accordance with the Commercial Item Description (CID) No. A-A-30194 (See Attachment A). Grave liners and lids shall be marked in accordance with the CID. (See Inscriptions). Date of manufacture shall be inscribed on the side or the end of the box and lid.

3) Storage: The Contractor shall store a maximum of twenty (20) units, one (1) XXL unit, one (1) XL unit, five (5) large units, ten (10) medium units, and three (3) small units on the Cemetery grounds at a site determined by the COR, Cemetery Director or his/her designee.

4) Rejection: The Contractor shall remove all damaged or rejected units, without exception, from the Cemetery grounds by the end of each week. All rejected units shall be indicated (marked in such a manner), as mutually agreed upon by the Contractor and the COR or Cemetery Director.

F. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE FEDERAL HOLIDAYS:

G. INSTALLATION:

1) All installations normally associated with the placement of the grave liners shall be the Contractor's responsibility.

a. The Contractor shall provide sufficient manpower and equipment for the safe, acceptable, transportation of caskets and associated burial items i.e. floral arrangements from committal shelters to gravesite prior to interment, and installation, of the units.

b. The contractor shall pre-place the grave liner at the gravesite or place the casket in the grave liner at the committal shelter for transport to the gravesite after the committal service is completed and the family has departed the area.

c. Caskets being taken from the committal shelter to a preplaced crypt must be transported from the committal shelter to the gravesite in either an enclosed vehicle or be placed in an enclosed container for transporting to the gravesite. (CLN#9). Contractor will make sure the inside of the grave liner is clean and free of dirt and debris prior to lower the casket into the preplaced crypt.

d. Responding time for contractor to pick up casket/container at the committal shelter shall be within 5 (five) minutes but no longer than 10 (ten) minutes after notification.

e. Presently there are six (6) committal shelters in various locations throughout the grounds. Contractor's equipment and operating procedures shall meet all OSHA AND DOT requirements.

f. Contractor shall use NCA approved lowering devices (e.g. Imperial casket lower device 3-IMP5502SK). Casket rests must allow for easy removal of two (2) lowering straps and one (1) safety strap. The Contractor shall inspect lowering devices daily and provide a copy of the inspection report to the cemetery monthly. The Contractor shall supply and maintain the lowering devices; straps, rollers, skirts, tarps and safety straps for field and shelter. The Contractor shall maintain two (2) lowering devices on station at all times and the lowering devices will be removed from burial sections daily.

g. Contractor shall remove the skirts at the committal shelters at the end of each day. Contractor shall replace the skirts at the beginning of each work day ensuring that they are serviceable and present a dignified appearance.

SAFETY: All required personal protective equipment will be worn in accordance with the OSHA Standard. Lowering device must be inspected daily for any defect. Lowering devices will be utilized. Lowering device straps must be selected in accordance with their intended use, based upon the size and type of load and the environmental conditions of the workplace. All straps must be visually inspected before use to ensure that there is no obvious damage.

h. The installation of the grave liners requires a sufficient crew to lower the grave liner into the grave as not to cause a cave-in. If a cave-in results, the contractor shall be responsible for making repairs and correcting deficiencies.

i. When lowering the grave liner, the contractor shall keep the liner level and prevent it from moving side to side. The contractor shall assure that grave liners are properly guided into the grave.

2) The Contractor shall visually spot grave liners and shall place grave liners in accordance with grave site alignment in gravesite layout map. The Cemetery reserves the right to determine what constitutes an acceptably placed unit in accordance with placement requirements. The COR or the Cemetery Director will notify the contractor of any required corrective work.

3) Removal, replacement or corrective work resulting from negligence by the Contractor, shall be corrected at no additional cost and shall not interfere with the normal performance of the contract. Corrective work shall not result in delays for the scheduled interments or result in employees of Fort Snelling National Cemetery having to work beyond the normal working hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 P.M.

4) The Contractor shall deliver grave liners to assigned committal shelters no less than thirty (30) minutes prior to scheduled interment. The Contractor shall secure the unit (lid placement made) after the lowering of the casket in the gravesite.

5) The Government reserves the right to delete, and or discontinue, at any time the Transportation of Caskets from Committal Shelters to Gravesites, providing the contractor Notice within a 30 days window, via an SF30 (52.243-1 Changes Clause).

H. REOPENING/OCCUPIED GRAVE SITES: In cases where it will be necessary to transport grave liners into established burial sections, the Contractor shall use a portable vault carrier. The Contractor shall transport grave liners into established burial sections in a manner that will not damage the access area or the area surrounding the gravesite. Contractor equipment shall not exceed 11,000 pounds’ gross axle weight when operating in established burial sections (see "DAMAGES CAUSED BY CONTRACTOR'S NEGLECT). The Cemetery’s Engineering Equipment Operator will be available to provide assistance to the Contractor in determining access points into burial sections. The Contractor shall prop open the lids in a position for use, except when required to be left over weekends; otherwise, if the unit will be left over the weekend, the Contractor shall secure the lids closed. Contractor will make sure the inside of the grave liner is clean and free of dirt and debris.

I. DAMAGES CAUSED BY CONTRACTOR'S NEGLECT: In the event damages result to the units and/or gravesites (cave-in's), surrounding areas, or to third parties, due to neglect by the Contractor, restitution shall be required from the Contractor at no cost to the National Cemetery Administration. Changes in schedules, work assignments or delays of daily operation shall not occur under any circumstances. Excessive delays or problems may result in actions for termination of the contract.

J. STANDARDS OF EMPLOYEE CONDUCT: Contractor personnel shall be required to adhere to the following standards of dress and conduct while performing work in the National Cemetery. These standards and regulations are enforceable under Title 38, U.S.C., Part I, Chapter 9, Section 5901.

1) Clothing shall be presentable and suitable to the work while maintaining proper appearance and decorum indicative for a National Shrine. Uniform shirts and hats are preferred. Clothing shall be clean and cleanliness and personal hygiene are imperative. T-shirts and/or tank tops as outer garments are prohibited. Protective/safety clothing and shoes shall meet or exceed OSHA and state requirements.

2) Behavior and language must be appropriate, reverent, and respectful at all times.

3) Eating and drinking (except water) is prohibited in the work areas and within sight of a committal shelter during a service.

4) Use of intoxicating beverages, any tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and illegal drugs on the Cemetery premises is strictly prohibited.

5) Contractor personnel shall not lean, sit, or stand on or against headstones or monuments. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or monuments.

6) Contractor is required to clean/pick up after themselves and maintain work equipment and work/storage (vault) area maintaining a clean work environment.

K. PARKING AND VA REGULATIONS:

1) Contractor employees may park privately owned vehicles in the area designated for parking by the COR. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure his employees park in the appropriate designated parking areas. The cemetery will not validate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the contractor’s employees under any conditions.

2) Smoking including e-cigarette is prohibited within the cemetery grounds.

3) Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search.

4) Violations of VA regulations may result in citation/summons answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, or another appropriate jurisdiction/agency.

L. USE OF CEMETERY FACILITIES:

1) The Government shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of Contractor items. Contractor shall be responsible for acceptable standards of housekeeping and custodial maintenance of cemetery facilities used by Contractor's employees.

2) The Government will not furnish a storage building at the Cemetery site for use by the Contractor to store supplies and equipment.

M. BILLING/INVOICE FOR PAYMENT: Invoices will be submitted in arrears to the Director, Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Payments will be processed through the Department of Veteran Affairs Financial Services Center in Austin Texas.

[STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)]

Attachment A: Grave liner Specifications (Commercial Item Description-A-A30194 Liner, Grave, Concrete)

ATTACHMENT A

GRAVE LINER SPECIFICATIONS

COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION

(IMPERIAL)

(A-A-30194) (July 26, 1993)

LINER, GRAVE, CONCRETE

The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this commercial item description as a replacement for VA Specification X1708G for concrete. This commercial item description describes Concrete Grave liners intended for use in National Cemeteries to prevent the sinkage of soil in graves.

Salient Characteristics. LINER, GRAVE, CONCRETE - Shall be constructed from reinforced concrete utilizing Portland cement. Cement will be of commercial quality using steel and/or polypropylene reinforcement. In addition, the material(s) used in the production of concrete grave liners shall be impervious to any destructive action of the natural elements possibly contained in the cemetery soil which can range from extreme acidic to extreme alkaline conditions.

Concrete grave liners must be properly cured for 28 days before delivery and the concrete must have a minimum compression strength of 4,500 pound-force/square-inch (psi).

SIZES INTERNAL DIMENSIONS (Imperial Unit)

Internal dimensions listed above are nominal for the standard sizes and small variances are permitted in the use of standard commercial products providing size permits use of standard caskets.

UNIT: EACH

A. Workmanship. Grave liners shall be free from defects which detract from its appearance or impair its serviceability. Grave liner’s lid should always close or seat flat on the grave box

B. Production specification. The following must be included as part of the Quote:

1) Type of material or materials

2) Material specifications

3) Methods of construction

4) Testing procedures and findings 5) C. Performance. Grave liners furnished will be designed for a maximum burial depth of 84 in from the bottom of the liner, with minimum soil cover of 18 in, be capable of structurally withstanding passage of an axle load of 11,000 lbs. after burial and provide for ease of installation. Liners will have a sufficient weight bearing surface area to prevent sinkage. This area may vary depending upon soil conditions, but in all cases, will can pass the functional test specified in paragraphs entitled “Functional tests” to perform this function in place after installation. The ongoing static loads in this environment include the weight of the backfill, changes in the water table, and pressures from the freeze-thaw cycle where applicable. In addition, the grave liner shall be designed to withstand the dynamic, differential and impact loads and stresses which are exerted upon a unit during the interment process. Such loads and stresses include compaction of the (backfill) soil, excavation of adjoining gravesite, as well as the pressures and forces exerted by normal cemetery excavation, compaction and maintenance equipment. Grave liner designs shall be such as to prevent any potential sinkage due to chiseling (The sinkage process caused because of insufficient surface area contact with the bottom of the grave.) and fatigue creep (The long run sagging process of the weight bearing surface area).

D. Design and construction. Grave liners will meet the performance requirements. The combination of the design shape, design thickness, structure and material shall support the required 5,000 lbs. center load pressure test and the axle load test of 11,000 lbs., plus the superimposed earth load. Both the exterior dimensions and the weight of the grave liner shall be kept to a minimum in accordance with the normal internal dimension standards specified above in Paragraph labeled “Salient characteristics” and the required structural strength specified above. Design contours and shapes will be such as to eliminate any possible back-fill voids, settling, sinking, floating or raising of the grave liner once interred. The grave liners and parts thereof, will have provisions to facilitate both the ease of installation and removal of the unit and its component parts. All lifting apparatus must be adequately anchored in the unit to sufficiently withstand the stresses of lifting and placing the unit. Grave liners will have knockout holes to permit drainage.

E. Inscription. The date of manufacture will be permanently recorded on the grave liner so that the Contractor can identify his product per the date of production.

QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

A. Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the Contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the Contractor may use his own or any facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein unless disapproved by the Government. The Government reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in the specification where such inspections are deemed necessary to assure that supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.

B. Records. Records of examinations and tests performed by or for the Contractor shall be maintained by the Contractor and made available to the Government, upon the Government’s request, at any time, or from time to time, during the performance of the contract and for a period of three years after delivery of the supplies to which such records relate.

C. Inspection. Inspection, as used herein, is defined as both examination (such as visual or auditory investigation without the use of special laboratory appliances or procedures) and testing (determination by technical means of physical and chemical properties) of the item.

D. Preproduction sample. When specified, a preproduction sample will be required and will be examined and tested in accordance with this specification. The preproduction sample will be representative of the production article. However, the requirements for furnishing a preproduction sample may be waived as to a Quoter if:

1) The Quoter states in the Quote bid that the product offered is the same as a product previously furnished to the procuring activity under a prior contract, and the Quoter identifies the contract.

2) The contracting officer determines that such product meets the requirements of the specification.

E. Tests. Tests shall be conducted to determine compliance with these commercial item description requirements. Where feasible, the same sample shall be used for the determination of two or more test characteristics.

F. Testing of components. Upon request, the supplier will furnish a certification of compliance, issued by an independent testing laboratory or an approved testing program. This would include an analysis for all characteristics of material specified and applicable referenced specifications. The Government reserves the right to verify the correctness of such certificates of compliance and analysis. Approved grave liners are subject to both random compliance and complete re-testing.

The grave liners shall conform to the following American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards.

· ASTM C 33 - Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregate

· ASTM C 39 - Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens

· ASTM C 40 - Standard Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Cement

· ASTM C 94 - Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete

· ASTM C 150 - Standard Specification for Portland

· ASTM C 173 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method

· ASTM C 231 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method

· ASTM C 260 - Standard Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete

· ASTM C 330 - Standard Specification for lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete

· ASTM C 494 - Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete G. Sampling for examination. Sampling for examination shall be conducted in accordance with MIL-STD-105, with an AQL of 1.0 (percent defective) and an inspection level of S-1.

H. Examination of furnished product. Grave liners will be examined for the defects listed below. Whenever a deviation to specified requirements is noted, correction will be made. Failure to make corrections will be cause for rejection:

1) Size/dimensions not as specified.

2) Materials not as specified.

3) Production date not inscribed or otherwise permanently recorded.

4) Drainage holes not provided.

5) Surface contains foreign inclusions, spalling, holes, cracks, large voids, or other evidence of poor manufacture.

6) Provisions to facilitate installation and removal not provided.

I. Functional Test. Upon request, a functional load test will be made at the Contractor’s expense under the direction of the contracting officer, or his/her representative, to insure the grave liner, as furnished, will be capable of supporting load weight stated in paragraph entitled “Design and construction”. The functional test will consist of two loading conditions:

1) Unconfined loading. (Center Load Pressure Test)

a. Place base on 4 in x 4 in, spaced approximately 12 in from each end of the test product.

b. Place cover on base. The producer may choose to use a temporary gasket material in the sealant (tongue and groove) area of a grave liner in place of the permanent sealant.

c. A test frame will be assembled around the center of the test unit.

2) Cushion material should be used to assure that a 1 Sq. ft. bearing plate will uniformly load the test unit. Special care should be taken for units with arch-shaped tops or carapaces.

a. A hydraulic ram will be pressurized until the ram engages the bearing place, and will be set at a preload pressure of 500 lbs. for a minimum of one minute.

3) The inspector will add additional pressure to the test unit in 500-lb. increments. This pressure will be added gradually, taking at least thirty (30) seconds to add each additional 500 lbs. load. Once the 500-lb. increment has been added, the test unit should be allowed a minimum of one minute at rest prior to the next load increase. This procedure should be repeated until the full 5,000-lb. load has been properly applied.

4) The concrete grave liner must withstand the 5,000 lbs. of static load on the 36 in, section at the critical load area for a minimum of five (5) minutes without failure.

5) Confined loading.

a. The liner shall be placed on a flat surface below ground and covered with a granular soil material. The soil will be compacted thoroughly around and on top of the liner to a thickness of 18 in. A wheeled tractor or truck with an axle load of 11,000 lbs. will then be passed over the covered liner for a minimum of twenty (20) times in repetition. The liner must not show any signs of material overstress or cracking.

b. Upon completion of Confined loading test the adjacent “gravesite” will then be excavated to a maximum depth of 84 in, exposing the longitudinal side of the tested unit for a period of no less than twenty-four (24) hours. The unit must not exhibit any signs of potential material fatigue, creep, chiseling, excessive deflection, scratching or infringement of the adjacent gravesite.

6) The contracting officer or his/her designated representative at any time may make unannounced inspections of the Contractor’s plant.

J. Contractor certification. The Contractor shall certify that the product offered meets the salient characteristics of…