36C78620Q0122-002.docx

Section B.3 STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATION

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 granite columbarium niche covers for use as replacements. Replacements must be comparable in color and shading to the existing granite niche covers mounted on columbaria at Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemetery, M. J. Dolly Cooper State VC. Sources from different states are acceptable if the MPS, Program Support Unit’s evaluation of a sample confirms that a suitable match will result for color, visual texture, finish, and testing standards.

Reference the photo below for color and shading of stone required for this contract. For aesthetic purposes, the supplied material must match existing material having characteristics of granite from Vermont.

3.6 Color:

White: The overall whiteness of the granite exclusive of allowable coloration shall be (N6.5 or higher) judged against the (Munsell Neutral Value Scale, Matte 31 - step scale). Variations colored veins, no darker than N6.75 of the Munsell Neutral Value Scale, may 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:

1. covers with multiple, long, straight streaks;

1. colors which appear as draining or dripping down the stone;

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

1. covers with veining of blatantly dissimilar material susceptible to differential weathering;

1. lines likely to be misinterpreted as cracks;

1. 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;

1. covers which lack a dominant background color (say more than 33% is color of veins);

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

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

1. covers with 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.

3.7 Finish: The face and sides of each niche cover shall be uniformly machine honed with an 80 grit finishing stone to produce 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 beveled with a smooth 1/32 inch to 1/16 inch eased-edge chamfer. The minimum 1/32” 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 whole walls and be no more than 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 will submit at their expense one (1) full size blank granite niche cover in a accordance to the specifications listed in Sections 2.0 and 3.0 above. 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. 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. A statement identifying the type of honing pads (or stone) used and its grit rating must be provided with the sample. 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. Any sample which arrives damaged or not clear marked with the information stated above will not be acceptable.

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 Programs Service (MPS) prior to closing date. Upon completion of the sample’s review by MPS, you will receive notification by the Contracting Officer.

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

All samples are best and final. Offerors will not be allowed to submit another sample if a sample is deemed unacceptable. All samples submitted must be approved for further consideration of vendor quote/proposal.

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 Programs 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.

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 Programs 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.

Granite shall have an abrasive hardness value Ha of 25.0 minimum, when tested as specified by ASTM C241.

6.2.2 Absorption:

Granite absorption shall be 0.40 percent maximum, by weight when tested for a 48 hour period as specified in ASTM C97.

6.2.3 Compressive strength:

Granite shall have a minimum compressive strength of 13,000 psi when tested as specified in ASTM C170.

6.2.4 Flexural strength:

Granite shall have a flexural strength of 1,200 psi (8.27 MPa) minimum when tested as specified in ASTM C880.

6.2.5 Density:

Granite shall have a density of 160-lbs/ft3 (2,563-kg/m3) minimum, as specified by ASTM C97.

Granite Institute of America, Inc.

28901 Clemens Road, Suite 100, Cleveland, OH 44145

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 Programs 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 to the contractor.

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

· Packaging and palleting 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’s handling of inventory or backlogged orders.

The contractor must assist the designated COR 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 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 covers 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 2,000 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:

Gerald Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Road Schuylerville, NY 12871-1721 W. Scott Lamb, Director

(518) 581-9128 Deliver 4800 on or about February 26, 2020

M. J. Dolly cooper State Veterans Cemetery 140 Inway Drive Anderson, SC 29621 Jeffrey Fultz, Director 864-332-8022 Deliver 800 on or about February 26, 2020

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

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