36C78618Q9682-005.docx

B.3 STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATION

1.0 Background

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

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this contract is to supply Blank Marble Columbarium Niche Covers and Blank Marble Memorial Wall Markers for Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

4.0 Material: Marble (Marble shall be white marble which 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.)

4.1 Color: White (The overall whiteness of the marble exclusive of allowable coloration shall be (N9 or higher) judged against the (Munsell Neutral Value Scale, Matte 31 - step scale). Variations in coloration shall blend gradually with the white background. Blotches of color, or clouding and veining which is in sharp contrast with the background whiteness, which inhibits ease of legibility of the inscription, or which presents an objectionable appearance shall be cause for rejection.)

4.2 Finish: The face of each niche cover shall be uniformly machine honed with an 80 grit finishing stone to produce a smooth satin finish, free of scratches, saw marks, rust spots and skips. The back of the niche covers can be sawn finished or better. All edges, of the front, back and corners shall be uniformly rounded with a smooth 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch aris (or chamfer). Four holes are to be core drilled in each cover as shown on drawing. The holes must be perpendicular to the face of the cover. The holes shall have smooth side walls, with one centerline and no visible change in the side wall from drilling the hole from opposite faces.

1. 5cope of Work

5.1 Source of supply

All stone shall be obtained from quarries within the United States of America, 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.

5.2 Workmanship

Each niche cover shall be free from defects in workmanship. Chips, cracks, open seams, or abraded edges, will not be permitted and the repair or patching of any such defects is prohibited and will be cause for rejection. Spalling around holes on the backside must not extend more than ¼” from the wall of the borings nor be more than 3/32” deep. The covers shall be free of ink, oil, crayon marks, dirt, coatings, sealers and stone dust. Workmanship quality shall be in accordance with industry standards and practices.

6.0 Submittal by Potential Offerors

1. Potential offerors will submit at their expense one (1) blank marble niche cover according to the specifications listed in Section 3.0 above.

1. Sample shall be representative of the stone to be used, the finish to be attained and the placement and diameter of the holes to be drilled.

1. Testing results for the sample will be submitted per Section 6.0. The sample and testing results should be submitted by the closing date of the solicitation.

1. The sample shall be marked clearly on the back with indelible marker, showing contractor name, solicitation number, quarry source of stone and name of stone.

1. Any sample which arrives damaged may not be acceptable.

1. Samples must be accompanied by a statement identifying the brand name and grit rating for the pad or stone used to produce the final finish.

1. All potential offerors who have submitted and received approval notification for a sample of the same type within the last 12 months may submit a copy of that approved sample review and a 6” x 6” finished sample representative of the stone to be used.

Sample shall be received by Memorial Products Service (MPS) prior to closing date. If the sample is disapproved by MPS, you will receive notification by the Contracting Officer and you have until the closing date of solicitation to resubmit samples.

NO samples will be accepted after closing date.

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

Department of Veteran Affairs

6.1 Full size copies of drawings are available upon request at no additional charge to potential vendors. The request should be e-mailed to the NCA Memorial Products Service (MPS) Program Support Unit at MPSProgSupport@va.gov and should include the contractor’s name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and the name and drawing number of the drawing(s) being requested. It is recommended that such a request be forwarded to ensure that the specifications are current and accurate. Once the request is received, the drawings will be mailed directly to the vendors.

A potential vendor should e-mail the request for drawings to MPS within a timely manner to ensure sufficient time for the drawings to be mailed. An extension to the solicitation closing date will not be granted under any circumstances.

7.0 Quality Assurance

7.1 Testing

Stone supplied under this contract shall conform to the following specifications and physical requirements. Stone shall be tested, for the tests 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 niche covers. Testing is required only once and should 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 quarries located in the states listed below:

Alabama

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

7.2.2 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.

7.2.3 Compressive strength:

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

7.2.4 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.

Marble Institute of America, Inc.

28901 Clemens Road, Suite 100, Cleveland, OH 44145

8.0 Government Quality Assurance (QA)

8.1 Site Inspections

Quality assurance inspections of the contractor’s production processes or the contractor’s manufacturing facility may be conducted during the contract period by the designated COTR’s of the Memorial Products Service (MPS) to assure contract performance and adherence. Visits to the contractor will be scheduled at a time so as to ensure inspection of the contractor’s headstone/marker production. The Government reserves the right to perform quality audit inspections without prior scheduling or notification to the contractor.

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

1. Packaging and palleting of product to ensure compliance with all contractual requirements.

1. Contractor’s execution of quality control procedures.

1. Contractor is accurately maintaining all QA records as required, with the records indicating the quality of the markers as shipped.

1. The contractor’s handling of inventory or backlogged orders.

The contractor must assist the designated COTR by providing an adequate, well lighted inspection area. Contractor personnel will provide assistance lifting, handling and moving of product.

8.2 Quality Complaints

The receipt of complaints concerning unsatisfactory quality indicating non-compliance with the contract specifications will be considered reason for an immediate visit and review of the contractor’s quality assurance program. The Government reserves the right to impose 100% Government Quality Inspections for an indefinite period due to quality problems. Indicative, but not all-inclusive, examples are:

1. Nonconforming product shipped to fill Government orders.

1. Product that passed the contractor’s inspection system and are awaiting shipment.

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

2. Craftsmanship

2. Safety

2. Knowledge/training of processes and measuring tools

9.0 Packaging

9.1 Materials

All covers shall be packaged in accordance with normal industry standards and commercial best practices to assure acceptance by the common carrier.

Nonmetal 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 should be such that it causes no damage to the edges of the stone when packaged. Colored materials or materials capable of staining the stone (ex. uncoated cardboard, certain kinds of wood) during outdoor storage is not permitted.

The packaging and crating should protect the covers throughout the handling and storage process and during shipment and comply with the National Motor Freight Classification.

9.2 Palletizing, Markers or Covers

Each crate or pallet must not exceed 3000 lbs.

10.0 Point of Contact at MPS

Email MPSProgSupport@va.gov of the projected delivery following the notice to proceed and of the delivery date/time following actual delivery.

10.1 Destination Point

Contractor will deliver the niche covers within 30 calendar days or per attached delivery schedule upon receipt of notification from the VA for contract award. Deliver niche covers, F.O.B. Destination, within consignee’s premises to:

Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach San Antonio, TX 78209 210-820-3891

Cemetery Foreman 210-805-2580

Consignee must be contacted 24 hours prior to delivery to ensure appropriate personnel and equipment is on-site to off load product.

Created on 01/02/2013 Page 6 of 6