36C78618Q0380-001.docx

36C78618Q0380

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

7868-000388 36C78618Q0380 05-18-2018

SHERYL PALACIO-DAVIS

540-658-7227 05-25-2018

2:00 PM

43C1 Department of Veterans Affairs NCA Contracting Service 75 Barrett Heights Rd. Suite 309 Stafford VA 22556 X X 327991 500 Employees X N/A X Beaufort National Cemetery 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902 Florence National Cemetery 803 E. Nalt Cem Road, Florence, SC 29501 IL 61229 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 Beaufort National Cemetery & Florence National Cemetery Contractor shall provide labor, tools, supplies, equipment, material and professional service for manufacturing, and inscribing U1 replacement in-kind of headstones at both Beaufort National Cemetery, and Florence National Cemetery.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION & SAMPLES

AS REQUIRED, MAY RESULT IN YOUR PROPOSAL BEING DETERMINED

TECHNICALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND REMOVED FROM FURTHER

CONSIDERATION.

DUNS# ____________________

TAX ID#____________________

E-MAIL:____________________

PHONE# ___________________

SUBMIT QUOTE VIA VA eCMS VENDOR PORTAL WEBSITE AT https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov

THIS IS A 100% SET ASIDE FOR SDVOSB.

See CONTINUATION Page X X X Sheryl Palacio-Davis Contracting Officer Table of Contents

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:

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

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

1. Invoices shall be submitted electronically.

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 questions and 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)

· An approved “Sample” sent to the MPS team in accordance with the Statement of Work prior to the closing date of this solicitation.

Prospective Offerors shall be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) website and complete representations and certifications at https://www.sam.gov and registered with Vendor Information Pages (VIP) as a VIP Verified Business – Certified SDVOSB at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/.

No telephone or E-mail questions will be accepted. Any and ALL questions shall be submitted through Vendor Portal.

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, AND IN SECTION E OF THIS SOLICITATION. PROPOSAL SHALL BE SUBMITTED 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 & Samples may result in your proposal being determined Technically Un-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

U1, BLANK AND INSCRIPTION, FOB DESTINATION TO BEAUFORT NATIONAL CEMETERY

U1, BLANK AND INSCRIPTION, FOB DESTINATION TO FLORENCE NATIONAL CEMETERY

SUMMARY TOTALS

SUMMARY TOTALS

TOTAL

B.3 DELIVERY SCHEDULE

STATEMENT OF WORK

B.4 STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATION

1.0 Background

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) furnishes headstones, markers, niche covers and medallions (monuments) for deceased veterans worldwide. Memorial monuments are also furnished to memorialize veterans whose remains are non-recoverable.

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to support the replacement of iron stained upright marble headstones in Beaufort National Cemetery and Florence National Cemetery. Monuments will be manufactured and inscribed as replacements in-kind and will be ordered by each cemetery.

3.0 General

This contract shall include all labor, materials, and delivery necessary to furnish 250 inscribed marble headstones per week for each cemetery. The contractor shall be responsible for the following:

· Labeling of each headstone and marker with the appropriate section/grave number. This will be accomplished by utilizing a permanent black marker on the bottom of each headstone.

· Manufacturing, inscribing, and palletizing by gravesite section according to the first in-first out method.

· Ensuring each pallet or crate shall hold a maximum of (10) headstones in one course and banded to ship with the long 4” side of the headstones sitting against the pallet’s deck.

· Ensuring all pallets are heavy duty type (48”x42” minimum), in good condition with all boards present and no protruding metal fasteners.

· Ensuring flat, corrugated cardboard (350 psi, double wall) is laid on top of the pallet covering all boards before the headstones are loaded onto the pallet.

· Ensuring all headstones are separated by corrugated cardboard (350 psi, double wall) --- not allowing headstones or markers to be able to rub against each other, alleviating any chipping or breakage at corners.

· Ensuring all shipments are delivered FOB Destination, to the appropriate cemetery’s address, using the contractor’s choice of carrier(s).

· Ensuring orders from each cemetery are not comingled.

· Ensuring order are delivered via each cemetery’s service entrance during the weekdays. The main entrance to the cemetery must not be used for deliveries.

· Offloading pallets delivered by the transportation carrier at the destination.

· Ensuring orders under this contract are not intermingled with other orders which the cemeteries will be placing under other contracts.

4.0 Performance Period

Each cemetery will place orders, with required formatting, not later than 10 workdays preceding the week of intended delivery. If either cemetery’s capability to accept more headstones becomes overwhelmed due to delays in setting caused by inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions, the contractor shall delay deliveries for up 30 days at no additional charge. The contractor shall honor requests for one or more delays in delivery only if received by written instruction through either the Contracting Officer (CO) or the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Beaufort National Cemetery (approximately 2,270 replacements) Starting not later than 10 workdays after the contract’s award and receipt of the format for the headstone orders, provide a minimum of 250 headstones per week (25 pallets - manufactured and delivered - completion would be approximately 9 weeks).

Florence National Cemetery (approximately 5,450 replacements) Starting not later than workdays after the contract’s award and receipt of the format for headstone orders, provide a minimum 250 headstones per week (25 pallets - manufactured and delivered - for approximately 22 weeks). Note that after the orders are completed for Beaufort National Cemetery, the equivalent production, that is no longer needed for Beaufort, may be directed to supplying more headstones to Florence on a weekly basis if approved by the Contracting Officer.

5.0 Unit Price

The unit price is all-inclusive and covers the complete inscription regardless of the total number of lines or characters on both the front and back of the upright headstone. The unit price shall be the total price paid for each monument manufactured, inscribed and packaged, and delivered FOB Destination to cemetery.

6.0 Material Specifications

a. Description: Upright, Marble Headstone Product Code: U1 Drawing No.: A-U1-1, A-U1-2, Rev. 1, dated 1/29/2014

b. Other Drawings

i. Drawing No.: A-LFN&OC, 1-3, Letters, Fonts, Numbers & Other Characters for Government Headstones, Markers and Niche Covers, dated 6/13/2016

ii. Drawing No.: A-EM, 1-5, Emblems, dated 12/23/2017

c. Material: Marble Marble shall be sound and compact, free from cracks, spalls, chips, holes; calcite lines more than two inches in length, open seams, pits or other defects that would impair its strength, durability or appearance.

d. Color The overall whiteness shall be N8.5 or higher as judged against the Munsell Neutral Value Scale, Matte Edition, 31 – step scale. Background colors with noticeable contrast in chroma or hue (example: mixing silver or gray background tones with cream or yellow background tones) are unacceptable. Various colored veins, no darker than N6 of the Munsell Neutral Value Scale, shall blend gradually into the white background. Blotches of color or veining which are in sharp contrast with the background whiteness, which would inhibit legibility of the inscription, or which present an objectionable appearance, shall be cause for rejection. Traits causing unacceptable appearance include:

· multiple, long, straight streaks;

· colors which appear as draining or dripping down the stone;

· coloring which would be mistaken for black microbial growth or, markings which would be mistaken for dirt;

· veining of blatantly dissimilar material susceptible to differential weathering;

· lines likely to be misinterpreted as cracks;

· broad dark markings or splotches that interfere with legibility or that create a strong visual distraction (e.g. resembling paint splatter)---regardless of whether the distraction is located on the face or edges;

· lacking a dominant background color (say more than 33% is color of veins);

· having 3 or more veins that are greater than 1-1/3 inches thick;

· having wide (other than pencil-mark thin) veins which do not gradually blend with the background color;

· horizontally oriented veining haphazardly mixed with other orientations. Veining should occur across the stone primarily following the long vertical dimension or slanted by as much as =/-45 degrees from the vertical.

e. Finishing The front, back, top and sides of each monument must be uniformly machine honed with an 80 grit pad, or stone, to a smooth satin finish, free of scratches, saw marks, rust spots and skips. The bottom shall be a smooth sawn finish.

f. Source of Supply All stone shall be obtained from quarries within the United States having adequate capacity and facilities to meet the specified requirements. Cutting and finishing shall be done by a manufacturer equipped to process the material promptly and in strict accordance with these specifications. If the contractor changes from the original approved quarry to another quarry during the contract term, an additional sample shall be submitted to the MPS Program Support Unit for approval prior to using the new stone to produce blanks.

7.0 Workmanship

Each monument shall be free from defects in workmanship. Chips, cracks, micro fissures, seams, or abraded edges, shall not be permitted and the repair or patching of any such defects is prohibited and shall be cause for rejection. The blanks shall be free of ink, oil, crayon marks, dirt, coatings, sealers, and stone dust. Inscribed monuments shall be free from defects due to broken or blown out lettering. Workmanship and production shall be in accordance with industry standards, practices and regulatory safety requirements.

8.0 Testing

Stone supplied under this contract shall conform to the following specifications and physical requirements. Stone shall be tested, as listed below, by an approved testing laboratory and test results shall be submitted to the Memorial Products Service, Program Support Unit for approval prior to the production of the sample. Testing is required only once and shall be from a representative sample of the quarry. Testing results are required for new sources of stone.

Note: Testing results are not required for the sources in the following areas:

· Marble Valley, Coosa County, Alabama

· Arizona Marble, south of Bowie Arizona

· Marble, Gunnison County, Colorado

· Danby, Rutland County, Vermont

· Tate, Pickens County, Georgia

a. Marble Testing Specifications

i. Abrasive hardness: Marble shall have an abrasive hardness value (Ha) of not less than 10 when tested as specified in ASTM C241.

ii. Absorption: Marble shall absorb not more than 0.15 percent of moisture by weight when tested for a 48 hour period as specified in ASTM C97.

iii. Compressive Strength: Marble shall have a minimum compressive strength of 7500 psi or 5.27 kg/mm2) when tested as specified in ASTM C170.

iv. Modulus of rupture: Marble shall have a minimum modulus of rupture of 1000 psi (or 0.70kg/mm2) when tested as specified in ASTM C99.

b. Applicable Publications

i. Munsell Neutral Value Scale, Matte (31 – step scale) 617 Little Britain Road New Windsor, NY 12553-6148 Phone: (800) 622-2384

ii. ASTM, Sections C97, C99, C170, C241 American Society for Testing and Materials 1220 L Street, NW, Suites 100-167 Washington, DC 20005

iii. Dimension Stones of the World Marble Institute of America, Inc.

28901 Clemens Road Suite 100 Cleveland, OH 44145

9.0 Inscription Specification

a. Product The contractor shall inscribe all information as presented on each order. The end of limit of each line shall be indicated on a line-by-line basis as shown on each order. If any deviation from this is encountered, contact the contract Contracting Officers Representative (COR) at MPS Program Support Unit, MPSProgSupport@va.gov.

Inscriptions shall be made using an air blast abrasion method. The inscription shall be a depth consistent with the technical drawings and shall conform to the dimensions of letters, numbers and emblems shown in scenarios within the contract drawings.

b. Lithichrome Application

i. Beaufort NC - Lithichrome shall be applied to inscriptions provided to this cemetery unless “NO LITHICHROME” is noted in the remarks section.

ii. Florence NC – Lithichrome shall NOT be applied to inscriptions provided to this cemetery.

10.0 Submittal by Potential Offerors

Potential offerors shall submit, at contractor expense, down-sized inscribed samples as listed below. The samples shall be representative of the marble to be used in the production of the headstones under this contract. The samples shall conform to government specifications and shall be submitted for approval. Mark each sample on the back with permanent marker to show: contractor’s name, telephone number, solicitation number, and email address. Any sample which arrives damaged shall not be accepted.

The sample must be manufactured, inscribed and packaged to present any damage during shipment. Samples must be accompanies by a statement identifying the brand name and grit rating for the pad or stone used to produce the final finish. The following inscriptions shall be used for sample submissions. Refer to drawings for lines, spacing and dimensions.

a. Sample #1 – U1, Upright, Marble Request two marble inscription samples on (13” x 24” x ¾”) white marble to be inscribed and packaged to prevent damage during shipping. One sample will have lithichrome applied and the second will not have lithichrome. The following inscription will be used for this sample:

b. The samples above shall establish the acceptable product for all inscriptions under this contract and shall be the basis for comparison of all inscription services provided under this contract.

Samples must be received by Memorial Products Service (MPS) prior to closing date. If one or more of the samples are disapproved by MPS, you shall receive notification by MPS (Program Support Unit) and have until the closing date of the solicitation to resubmit another sample.

NO samples shall be accepted after the closing date of the solicitation.

Once submitted, samples become the property of the Department of Veteran Affairs and shall not be returned. Submit samples and test results to the following address:

Department of Veteran Affairs Memorial Products Service Program Support Unit, Room 654 1575 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20005

c. Full size copies of drawings are available upon request at no additional charge to potential vendors. The request should be emailed to the NCA Memorial Products Service (MPS) Program Support Unit at MPSProgSupport@va.gov and shall include the contractor’s name, mailing address, phone number, email address and the name/drawing number of the drawings being requested. If hard copies of the drawings are desired, email the request to MPS with sufficient time for the drawings to be mailed. MPS recommends vendors use full size drawings for determining work requirements. An extension to the solicitation’s closing date shall not be granted for failure to request the technical drawings with sufficient lead time.

11.0 Packaging Specification

a. Materials All monuments shall be packed in accordance with normal industry standards and commercial best practices to assure acceptance by the common carrier. Non-metal bands shall be secured around the pallet or crating for its entire height (from top to bottom) and two additional bands shall secure the pallet or crating around the width. Banding pressure shall be such that it does not damage edges of the stone when packaged. Colored material or material capable of staining the stone (ex. uncoated cardboard, certain kinds of wood) during outdoor storage is not permitted.

The packaging and crating shall protect the monuments throughout the handling process and during shipment and comply with the National Motor Freight Classification. Requirements:

· Ensure that the pallet is in good condition with all nails hammered down so they do not protrude through the cardboard. The quantity of headstones/markers that can be placed on the pallet will depend upon the pallet’s build quality and product to pallet dimensions.

· Ensure that there is no product overhang. The pallet shall be taking the initial side impacts. Ensure that the pallet extends 1-2” away from the edges of the product.

· Corrugated cardboard that is being used to wrap around the product shall be 350 psi, double wall corrugated board.

· Reinforce and protect the edges of the headstone/marker with corner fiber boards.

· Ensure that the headstones/markers are properly unitized and secured onto the pallet.

b. Packaging for headstone/markers shall consist of a two-part carton constructed of a double wall corrugated fiberboard. The front of the carton shall fit completely over the front of the headstone-markers with the top, bottom and two side flaps folding over each respective surface of the headstone/marker to protect at least half of that surface. The back of the carton shall fit completely over the back of the headstone-marker with the top, bottom and two side flaps folding each respective surface of the headstone/marker to protect at least half of that surface. That flaps of the carton halves shall be secured with ½” plastic banding or 2” filament tape. Two bands shall be secured around the carton its entire height (from top to bottom) and two additional bands shall secure the carton around the width of the headstone/marker. Banding pressure shall be such that it causes no damage to the edges of the stone when packaged.

c. Palletizing Each crate or pallet shall not exceed 2,700 lbs. When multiple orders are being shipped to the same consignee or cemetery, headstone/markers are shipped together on pallets with sufficient non-steel banding in conjunction with stretch wrap, along with individual packaging material, to prevent damage to the headstone/markers during shipment. Banding shall be in cross-directional pairs, four per pallet with non-staining corner cards provided between the band and the headstone/markers at each corner of the banding (uncoated cardboard against the stone is unsatisfactory due to the tendency for discoloration). The following specifications shall be used in conjunction with heavy duty 42” x 48” 4-way wood pallets.

Headstones shall be placed on the pallet in a single course, not totaling more than 10 headstones per pallet.

Any protruding metal fasteners (nails screws, staples) should be hammered back into the wood or replaced to avoid either tearing the packaging or scratching the monument.

Ensure the headstones are placed the pallet with the crown (top) of the headstone within the pallet’s edge.

A sheet of double wall corrugated material shall be inserted between the finished surface of one headstone/marker and adjoining headstones/markers to protect against damage during shipping. The contractor shall ensure that non-coloring materials are used for packing and that packing materials are not prone to compression which shall cause load shifts or damage from the ensuring loose banding.

The headstone/markers shall be packed in such a manner that any adhesive, glue or coloring from the packaging does not transfer and adhere to the stone during shipment or during interim storage prior to use. All headstone/markers and packing material shall be contained within the dimensions of the pallet with no overhang. The contractor shall palletize headstone/markers on pallets in good repair with three stringers having lift access capability from all four directions.

The contractor shall replace headstone/markers at no additional cost to the Government if the damage is due to unacceptable packing, unacceptable palletizing arrangements or faulty pallets. The MPS Program Support Unit reserves the right to notify the contractor by email within 5 days of any product damaged during transportation. Upon notification, the contractor shall replace the damaged headstone/marker within ten (10) business days from the date the email was sent by MPS to the contractor.

d. Labeling Product (Pre-packaging): IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT.

Each individual headstone and unknown marker shall have, written in permanent black ink on the front bottom and the bottom of the headstone/marker: the section-gravesite number.

Product (Packaged): IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT.

Each packaged individual headstone and unknown marker shall have written, in permanent black ink on the bottom of the packaging (not the crown or curved top): the section-grave number. As an alternative, a heavy duty adhesive label stating the same can be placed on the bottom of the package.

Palletized Packaged Product: IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT. As stated, no more than 10 headstones/markers can be placed on one pallet. Arrange the product to show the section/grave number from one side of the pallet. Once product is arranged on the pallet following the material requirements above, and the section/grave number showing specifically from one side, the pallet can be pallet wrapped, and banded with corner protectors. After the pallet is loaded and secured, a packing list, or a label listing the section/grave numbers that are secured to the pallet, will be attached to the outside of the pallet wrapping. Packing list or labels will be secured to the loaded pallet on all four sides in a way to ensure it is not torn off during transit.

12.0 Government Quality Assurance (QA)

a. Inspections Quality assurance (QA) inspections of the contractor’s manufacturing facility and products may be performed by the designated COR of the Memorial Products Service to assure satisfactory contract performance. The Government reserves the right to inspect any items delivered at any time during the contract or option periods for quality control purposes of the blanks and inscription process without prior scheduling or notifications to the contractor.

During each QA visit at production sites, a complete assessment of the contractor’s operation shall be made to include the following areas:

· Packaging and palletizing of product that promotes damage-free shipments and compliant with all contractual requirements.

· Execution of quality control procedures.

· Maintaining QA records as required, with the records indicating the quality of the headstones as shipped.

When at the contractor’s production facility, the contractor shall assist the designated COR by providing an adequate, well lighted inspection area. Contractor personnel must provide assistance lifting, handling and moving of product.

b. Quality System The contractor must develop and maintain a written inspection system that documents the quality and timeliness of finished products. The contractor shall provide, to the designated COR, reports on the contractor’s processing and delivery of orders to the cemetery. Weekly reports must be emailed to MPS at MPSProgrogSupport@va.gov, attention to the designated COR by the close of business, Tuesday of the next week. Should this day fall on a holiday, the report must be submitted the day before the holiday. Each report must include the following information on a daily basis:

· Date order was received

· Obligation number

· Shipment number(s)

· Date shipped

· Quantity of orders shipped

· Quantity of orders pending

· Estimated ship dates for pending orders

· Number of orders cancelled

· Provide the number of rejected/damaged monuments and the reason for the rejection

· If any order is completed late or projected to be completed beyond the contractually required due date, the contractor must identify the reason(s) for the delinquency, what actions are underway to resolve the tardiness, and the projected future date for completion (projected completion dates which are past the reporting date are unacceptable).

If an order is delinquent at the time that the status report is emailed to the MPS Program Support Unit, the contractor must provide in the same email with the report, the detailed reasons for the delinquency, what measures the contractor shall take to handle the specific delinquency and possible future delinquencies, and the date the contractor expects to become current with orders.

c. Quality Complaints The receipt of complaints concerning unsatisfactory quality or non-compliance with the contract specifications shall be considered reason for an immediate visit and review of the contractor’s quality assurance program. The Government reserves the right to inspect 100% of the production for an indefinite period due to quality problems. Indicative, but not all-inclusive, examples of issues meriting inspection are:

· Nonconforming product shipped to fill Government orders.

· The COR rejecting product that passed the contractor’s inspection system but product is still awaiting shipment.

Deficiencies that adversely affect performance of the contract in areas such as:

· Inspection system

· Inspection personnel

· Manufacturing process

· Production control

· Planning and scheduling

· Employee training

· Craftsmanship

· Safety

· Knowledge/training of processes and measuring tools

· Multiple reorders of same order due to loss or damage from inadequate labeling or palletizing The designated COR or a designated inspector for this contract shall inform the contractor of the deficiencies during the inspection. A site inspection report shall be generated by the inspecting COR which shall be discussed with the contractor what correction action(s) shall be taken and when the corrective action shall be taken. When an issue(s) arises regarding a headstone not meeting the specification standards and the issue(s) cannot be solved between the contractor and the Government, the Contracting Officer shall make a final determination if the headstone shall be replaced at contractor’s or Government expense.

13.0 Processing of Orders and Time of Delivery

Orders for this contract are supplied through formatted orders processed by each cemetery. Contractor shall manufacture, inscribe, palletize by following first in-first out method. All packaging and labeling instructions are to be followed as outlined above.

a. Normal Delivery All product shall be manufactured, packaged, labeled and shipped on a weekly basis by contractor’s transportation carrier.

b. Replacement In-Kind This contract is 100% replacements in-kind due to the iron stained monuments at both cemeteries.

14.0 Procedures (Administrative and Other)

a. Government Responsibilities Notwithstanding, the contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract shall require maximum coordination between the Government and the Contractor. The Contracting Services Division shall provide, at the time of the contract award, a list of MPS personnel authorized to act as Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR).

b. Contractor Records and Files The contractor shall maintain records and files of all documents relating to each order filled under each Government Headstone and Marker contract. These records shall include, at minimum, copies of all orders, quality assurance records, inspection results, shipping documents (bearing carrier name and PRO numbers) and invoices. These records shall be made available upon request to the designated MPS Program Support Unit COR during on-site Quality Assurance inspections.

c. Government Headstone and Marker Drawings The contractor shall ensure that copies of all relevant Government provided drawings for production of headstones/markers under each contract are maintained on file and are available to the designated COR, upon request, during on-site Quality Assurance inspections.

d. Bill of Lading (BOL) The contractor shall be required to generate BOL’s utilizing the transportation carrier’s website or through electronic data interface (EDI) for all shipments under this contract. Proof of pick-up or proof of deliveries (POD) shall be generated and transmitted through EDI and no hardcopies of BOL’s or POD’s shall be accepted by MPS.

e. Invoicing The contractor’s responsibilities are deemed complete when the quantity of satisfactorily prepared product has been delivered and accepted by the consignee.

15.0 Points of Contact:

Memorial Product Services: MPSPROGSUPPORT@va.gov

Beaufort National Cemetery 1601 Boundary Street Beaufort, SC 29902

(843) 524-3925 Chris Hickey – Assistant Director

Florence National Cemetery 803 E. National Cemetery Road Florence, SC 29501

(843) 669-8783 Carolyn A. Howard - Director

16.0 Attachment(s)

a. Beaufort NC map showing delivery entrance

b. Florence NC map showing delivery entrance

[END STATEMENT OF WORK]

B.4 DIGNITY CLAUSE

1. Every action by contractor personnel at a National Cemetery must be performed with the special care, reverence, dignity, and respect that acknowledge the cemetery as the final resting place that commemorates the service and sacrifice those service members, Veterans, and their families made for our Nation. Critically important is the awareness, required of the contractor employees, of the remains buried in the grounds where the work is performed. The utmost care must be given to these remains and the headstones and flat grave markers that mark those gravesites and memorialize the service of individuals.

a. Contractors cannot walk, stand, lean, sit or jump on headstones or markers. Nor can they drive over them. Contractor personnel should use tools approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), such as shovels, pry bars or pinch bars to lift flat markers out of the ground; pick axes are not an acceptable tool.

b. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or markers. Once headstones/markers are removed from the socket, do not place on dirt piles or mud; they should be carefully placed on each associated gravesite and protected in such a way as to prevent any soiling and be out of the way of any other work.

c. Headstones shall be removed from their sockets using wooden and/or metal clamps. If metal clamps are used, the area that contacts the headstone must be protected with a rigid fabric that will prevent damage to and marking of the headstone. Clamps may be attached to a skid steer loader (i.e., Bobcat®) or similar machine to extract the headstone from the socket. When headstones are removed from their sockets, they shall be carefully stored on each associated gravesite; do not lean headstones against each other. Use care not to scratch or damage headstones in any manner. The headstones shall be laid with front inscription side up while the headstone is lying horizontally on the ground. The headstone shall be protected from direct ground contact while lying horizontally. The protection method shall be as approved by the COR and shall be free of deterioration in weather. An approved method is to support each headstone with two wood 4X4’s. Alternate methods can be approved. Cardboard shall not be used. Wood or other suitable appropriate and attractive material shall be used to keep the headstones from contact with the soil while lying horizontally during the construction period. This also shows respect towards the families visiting the gravesites and the remains that are buried.

d. Contractor shall be responsible for replacing damaged headstones and markers and for restoring turf damaged during performance of this work.

e. Additionally, should any activity result in the exposure and/or damage to any remains, container for remains (i.e., casket or urn), or outer burial container, the Contractor must contact the COR, Director/Assistant Director, and Contracting Officer (CO) for guidance.

2. Any doubts as to proper procedures shall be brought to the attention of the COR, Director/Assistant Director, and CO for guidance or resolution.

36C78618Q0380

3. The Contractor is required to discuss the guidance with their employees and have each employee sign a statement of compliance and deliver the signed statement to the COR before work may begin.

Page 1 of Page 1 of B.5 SBA ACT 8(d)(13)(B)

(B) NOTICE.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—A Prime Contractor for a covered contract shall notify in writing the Contracting Officer for the covered contract if the Prime Contractor pays a reduced price to a Subcontractor for goods and services upon completion of the responsibilities of the Subcontractor or the payment to a Subcontractor is more than 90 days past due for goods or services provided for the covered contract for which the Federal agency has paid the Prime Contractor.

(ii) CONTENTS.—A Prime Contractor shall include the reason for the reduction in a payment to or failure to pay a Subcontractor in any notice made under clause (i).

B.6 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011)

This solicitation includes VAAR Clause 852.219-10 VA NOTICE OF TOTAL SERVICE-DISABLED VERTERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE (DEC 2009). Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The Contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO) may use the services of a Support Contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the Support Contractor(s) may require access to Contractor's offices where the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the Contractor's compliance with this requirement. All Support Contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an “Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement” to ensure the Contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services that the Support Contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the Support Contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as that may be required to enable the CO to assess the Contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement.

Page 1 of Page 1 of

SECTION C - CONTRACT CLAUSES

C.1 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (JUN 2016)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

(1) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (NOV 2015).

(2) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(3) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

[X] (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Sept 2006), with Alternate I (Oct 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402).

[] (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (OCT 2015) (41 U.S.C. 3509).

[] (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (JUN 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

[X] (4) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (OCT 2015) (Pub. L. 109-282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[] (5) [Reserved] [] (6) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (JAN 2014) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (7) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (JAN 2014) (Pub. L.