36C78619Q0416-002.docx

1.0 Background

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) furnishes headstones, markers and niche covers 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 niche covers and memorial wall markers for Louisiana National Cemetery.

3.5 Material: Marble must conform to the definition of marble as defined by ASTM- C119. Marble provided under this contract shall be high grade, fine grained material as classified by the National Building Marble Quarries Association. It shall be free of cracks, seams, or starts which may impair its integrity or readability of the inscription.

The following if offered to better define or emphasize circumstances where covers are likely to be rejected for objectionable appearance instead of due to poor craftsmanship or material flaws.

Unacceptable appearance includes:

· covers with multiple, long, straight streaks.

· colors 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.

· markers with 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 where the distraction is located.

· Covers which lack a dominant background color (say more than 33% is color of veins).

· Covers having three or more veins that are greater than 1/13 inches thick.

· Covers having veins which do not gradually blend with the background color.

3.6 Color:

The overall whiteness of the marble exclusive of allowable coloration shall be no less than standard number N8.75 or higher of 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 would inhibit ease of legibility of the inscription, or which presents an objectionable appearance shall be cause for rejection.

3.7 Finish: The face and sides of each niche cover shall be uniformly machine honed to a finish utilizing an 80 grit displaying a smooth satin surface, free of scratches, saw marks, rust spots and skips. The back of the niche covers must have a smooth sawn finish or better. All edges along the front, back and corners shall be uniformly rounded with a smooth 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch eased-edge aris (or chamfer). The minimum 1/16” rounding along backside edges is preferred. 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.

4.0 Scope of Work

4.1 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.

4.2 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. Any spalling that occurs around holes on the backside must not extend more than ¼” beyond the holes’ walls and be ≤3/32” deep. The covers shall be free of ink, oil, crayon marks, dirt, coatings, sealers and dust. Workmanship shall be in accordance with industry standards and practices.

5.0 Submittal by Potential Offerors

Potential offerors shall submit at contractor expense one (1) marble sample (full size) representative of the marble to be used in the production of markers under the contract. The marble sample shall conform to government specifications and shall be submitted for approval. Mark each sample on the back with a permanent marker to show: contractor’s name, telephone number, solicitation number, and email address.

A statement identifying the type of honing pads (or stone) used and its grit rating must be provided with the sample

This sample shall be the basis for comparison of all blank niche covers produced under this contract. The dimensions of the sample submittal shall match exactly the dimensions outlined in drawing.

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

5.1 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. The Memorial Products Service recommends vendors obtain the drawings to ensure they understand the requirement that must be met. Once the request is received, the drawings will be emailed directly to the vendor.

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’s closing date will not be granted for this purpose.

6.0 Quality Assurance

6.1 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 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 state(s) listed below:

Danby

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

6.2.2 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.

6.2.3 Compressive strength:

Marble shall have a minimum compressive strength of 7,500 psi or (5.27kg/mm2) when tested as specified in ASTM C170.

6.2.4 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.

National Building Marble Quarries Association P.O. Box 482, Barre, VT 05641

7.0 Government Quality Assurance (QA)

7.1 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 COR’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 marker production. The Government reserves the right to perform quality audit inspections without prior scheduling or notification.

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

· Packaging and palletizing of product to ensure compliance with all contractual requirements.

· Contractor’s execution of quality control procedures.

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

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.

7.2 Quality Complaints

The receipt of complaints concerning unsatisfactory quality or 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:

· Nonconforming product shipped to fill Government orders.

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

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

· Craftsmanship

· Safety

· Knowledge/training of processes and measuring tools

8.0 Packaging

8.1 Materials

All items shall be packed on edge in a single course within each crate. Do not stack items on top of each other within the crate(s). All items 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 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.

8.2 Palletizing, Markers or Covers

Each crate or pallet must not exceed 1,500 lbs.

9.0 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.

10.0 Destination Point

Deliver niche covers, F.O.B. Destination, within consignee’s premises to:

Louisiana National Cemetery 303 W. Mount Pleasant Road Zachary, LA 70791 Ohone: (225) 654-1988

IMPORTANT: The contractor must note on the Bills of Lading that palletized monuments must be placed at the rear or side of delivery vehicles so that direct access is permitted for off loading with a forklift.

10.1 Point of Contact for Delivery

Consignee must be contacted 24 hours prior to delivery to ensure appropriate personnel and equipment is on-site to off load product. Delivery should occur between 8:30am to 3:30pm unless other arrangements are made during the pre notice of impending delivery.

END STATEMENT OF WORK