36C78620R0029 0001.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 18

7861-000078

N/A

36C786

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172

36C786

Department of Veterans Affairs

National Cemetery Administration

Contracting Services

18434 Joplin Road

Triangle VA 22172

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C78620R0029

06-03-2020

X

X X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: June 26,2020 @ 1:30 PM EST

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to post questions and answers 1-7 and to update the address for samples and extend the Due date of proposal to June 26, 2020 at 1:30 PM EST

The new sample delivery address is: National Cemetery Administration; Attn: MPS Mailroom; 5109 Russell Road;

Quantico, VA 22134

Please see pages 2 for the questions and answers. The updated SOW and Attachment 2 are on pages 3-18.

Any information in the SOW or attachment 2 that has been updated is lined through and the corrected information is in red.

Joselito Roman

Contract Officer

1) The solicitation seems to restrict offerors to utilizing one quarry as a supplier per year.

Would the VA reconsider this requirement and allow contractors the option of using other approved quarries during the contract year?

ANSWER: NO

2) If the restriction of only submitting one sample, is due to Covid-19 issues, is it possible to submit another sample via Zoom, video or otherwise?

ANSWER: The restriction is not due to COVID-19

3) Why is the Arizona Marble Quarry located in Cochise County, Arizona omitted from the

Solicitation regarding the certified quarry list by MPS and the VA? Was this an oversight?

ANSWER: Yes, the Arizona Quarry can be used. Please see the updated SOW

4) 4.7 Testing: it states that testing results are not required for 5 different materials with one being from Madera County, California. We are only aware of granite coming from Madera

County, CA. is this granite approved for use on this marble contract or is there a marble from there that we are not aware of?

ANSWER: No, this Madera County, California was an oversight and has been removed. Please see the updated SOW.

5) 4.3 Color: states that “the overall color of the marble exclusive of allowable coloration shall be (N8.5 or higher) judged against the Munsell Neutral Value Scale. The on page 36 of 63

Attachment 2: SAMPLE REVIEW FORM, for Stone Coloration shows N9 or higher. Which is correct? Normally the headstones have been N8.5 and the marble niche covers have been N9.

ANSWER: The measurement should be changed to reflect the (N8.75 or higher) in the SOW and the Sample Review. Please see the updated SOW and Sample Review Specifications.

6) 7.2 Palletizing: it states “in all cases shall not have more than (10) ten headstones per pallet.” Since you palletize in layers of 3, is there a minimum number of stones that can be placed on a pallet? Previously, the contracts stated not more than 15 headstones per pallet then it was reduced to 12 and now its dropping again to 10.

ANSWER: The SOW should say 12 headstones. Please see the updated SOW.

7) Can you explain exactly what information you want on each employees resume?

ANSWER: The resume should verify the employees ability to perform the task of the jobs for which he or she has been hired. The resume should state the years of experience, how the employees has obtained the skills and knowledge in completing the task of the position.

UPDATED STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATION

1.0 Background

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) furnishes headstones, markers and niche covers (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 manufacture and distribute nationwide, blanks in support of on-site inscription programs that are resident in National and State cemeteries (Cemetery List):

• (U1) – Upright Headstone, Marble, Blank (13” x 42” x 4”)

3.0 General

This contract shall include all labor and materials necessary to furnish upright marble headstones, as noted in 2.0, to each consignee’s address. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all labor and material needed to manufacture, package, palletize, and deliver FOB

Origin.

• Provide all labor and material needed to package and palletize shipments of blank headstones.

• Shipments shall be F.O.B. Origin, Contractor’s facility, utilizing Government contracted carriers.

• The Contractor shall provide a preprinted copy of a completed Government Bill of Lading for each cemetery to the Memorial Program Office (MPS) Traffic Manager by the first

Monday of each month which lists the following: Destination Name & Address, Consignee’s Name & Address, Origin Name & Address, Shipper’s Name & Address, and

Bill-Charges- To name Address, Quantity of the shipment, Item Description, Weight, Mass, and Estimated Shipment Value.

• Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring the shipments are ready for pick-up at the time of notification

• Provide all labor and equipment to load pallets or singles onto the carrier’s vehicle.

• The Contractor will provide email notification within 24 hours if carriers fail to pick up as arranged.

3.1 Performance period: The Contractor shall have until the second Monday, excluding federal holidays, of each month to manufacture, package and transfer to a government transportation carrier each pre-scheduled shipment for delivery. All shipments must be able to be loaded and shipped by the second week of each month.

3.2 Unit Price: The unit price is all-inclusive and covers the completed monuments delivered

FOB Origin. This all-inclusive price includes product and services to provide monuments meeting technical requirements as shown in drawings listed in Sections 4.0 and 5.1.

4.0 Material Specification

4.1 Description: Upright Headstone, Marble, Blank (13” x 42” x 4”)

4.1.1 Product Code: U1

4.1.2 Drawing No.: A-U1, Rev. 1, dated 09/04/19

4.2 Material: 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.

4.3 Color: The overall color of the marble exclusive of allowable coloration shall be (N8.5 or higher) (N8.75 or higher) judged against the Munsell Neutral Value Scale, Matte 31 – step scale. Various colored veins, no darker than N6 of the Munsell Neutral Value Scale, may blend gradually into the white background. Blotches of color or veining which are in sharp contract 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 in the top 14” of the marker include:

• marble with 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;

• marble 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;

• marble which lack a dominant background color (more than 33% is color of veins);

• marble having 5 or more veins that are greater than 1-1/3 inches thick;

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

• marble with horizontally oriented veining haphazardly missed 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.

4.4 Finishing: The front, top and sides of each headstone shall 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. The edges of the top and sides shall have no more than 1/4” radius ± 1/16”

4.5 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 accordance with these specifications.

NOTE: If the Contractor desires to change from the original approved quarry to another listed quarry (ref. 4.8) during the contract term, a request justifying change and a sample (13” x 24”

¾”) that represents the marble from the new quarry must be submitted to the MPS Program

Support Unit for approval prior to using the new stone to produce blanks. MPS will have 30 days to evaluate the request and the sample. Upon review and evaluation, MPS Program

Support Unit will provide Contracting Services with the findings and recommendation. If a request is denied, a detailed letter of explanation will be forwarded to the Contractor.

Quarry changes will be effective at the beginning of option years based upon pre-approved samples. Changes cannot be made within a year

4.6 Workmanship: Each monument shall be free from defects in workmanship.

• Chips, cracks, open 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.

• Monuments shall be free of ink, oil, crayon marks, dirt, coatings, sealers and stone dust.

• Workmanship and production shall be in accordance with industry standards, practices, and regulatory safety requirements

4.7 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 (MPS), 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.

Blasting Grit

If used, Contractor should know that this material is on the EPA’s list of designated products for post-consumer content and recovered materials content therefore Contractor shall comply with the published recommendations.

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

• Marble Valley, Coosa County, Alabama

• Marble, Gunnison County, Colorado

• Madera County, California

• Danby, Rutland County, Vermont

• Tate, Pickens County, Georgia

• Cochise County, Arizona

5.0 Marble Testing Specifications

5.1.1 Abrasive hardness:

Marble shall have an abrasive hardness value Ha of 10.0 minimum, when tested as specified by ASTM C241.

5.1.2 Absorption:

Marble absorption shall be 0.15 percent maximum, by weight when tested for a 48-hour period as specified in ASTM C97.

5.1.3 Compressive strength:

Marble shall have a minimum compressive strength of 7,500 psi when tested as specified in ASTM C170.

5.1.4 Modulus of rupture:

Marble shall have a minimum modulus of rupture of 1000psi when tested as specified in

ASTM C99.

5.2 Applicable Publications

5.2.1 Munsell Neutral Value Scale, Matte (31 - step scale)

617 Little Britain Road, New Windsor, NY

Refer to X-Rite, Inc or Pantone LLC for Munsell Color Scale

5.2.2 ASTM, Sections C97, C99, C170, C241

American Society for Testing and Materials

100 Barr Harbor Drive

PO Box C700

West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

5.2.3 Dimension Stones of the World

Marble Institute of America (MIA + BSI)

380 E. Lorain Street, Oberlin, OH 44074

6.0 Submittal by Potential Offerors

Potential offerors shall submit at Contractor expense one down sized blank “U1” sample (13” x

24” x 3/4”) representative of the marble to be used in the production of headstones under the contract to the address listed below. The marble sample shall conform to government specifications to include top crown, radiused edges, etc. The sample shall be marked on the back with a permanent marker to show Contractor’s name, telephone number, solicitation number, and email address. Any sample not properly marked, or which arrives damaged shall not be accepted and excluded from further consideration.

All samples are best and final, and the offerors will not be allowed to submit another sample if a sample is deemed unacceptable.

The sample must be manufactured and packaged to prevent any damage during shipment.

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.

Failure to meet any of the requirements shall result in the rejection of the sample. The sample shall establish the acceptable product for material, finish and dimensions to be used in production; and shall be the basis for comparison of those products.

NO samples shall be accepted after the closing date.

Note: All samples should be manufactured using the dimensions noted above. Full size samples will NOT be accepted and will be refused at delivery.

Note: If a potential offeror submits multiple samples from different quarries, upon award of the contract, the Contractor must commit to one quarry for production. If the

Contractor needs to transition to another quarry during the term of the contract, refer to

4.6 for process

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

Department of Veteran Affairs

Memorial Products Service

Program Support Unit, Rm. 600

1575 Eye Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

National Cemetery Administration

Attn: MPS Mailroom

5109 Russell Road

Quantico, VA 22134

Results of the Sample Review shall be sent to offerors by the Contract Officer after the solicitation has closed. Do not contact the MPS CORS for a copy of the report or the result.

*If a sample fails to meet the sample requirements the offeror will be considered nonresponsive and no further consideration will be given to the offeror.

6.1 Drawings: PDF 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) requested. Vendors should refer to the drawings to ensure requirements are understood.

A potential vendor should e-mail the request for drawings to MPS early enough to ensure sufficient time for the drawings to be mailed and received. An extension to the solicitation’s closing date will not be granted for requests which do not allow sufficient lead time for receiving hard copies of the drawings.

7.0 Packaging and Palletizing

7.1 Materials: All monuments shall be packed in accordance with ANSI industry standards and commercial best practices to assure acceptance by the common carrier.

Nonmetal bands shall be secured around the pallet or crate 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 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 are 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:

• Ensure the pallet is in good, usable condition, i.e., no broken or cracked boards, all nail heads shall be below the surface of the wood and the pallet is made for heavy loads up to 2,300 lbs. with (3) stringers and 4-way access.

• The quantity of monuments that can be placed on the pallet shall depend on ANIS

Standards, the pallet’s quality of build, material used and product-to-pallet dimensions.

• Ensure 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 board that is being used to wrap around the product shall be 350 PSI double wall corrugated board.

• Reinforce and protect edges of the monuments with corner fiber boards.

• Ensure shipments of multiple monuments are properly unitized and secured firmly to the pallet.

7.2 Palletizing: Each pallet shall not exceed 2,300 lbs. Headstones are to be shipped together on the same pallet, with sufficient non-steel banding in conjunction with stretch wrap along with individual packaging materials shall be used to prevent damage to the monuments during shipment. Banding shall be in cross-directional pairs, four per pallet ensuring that the banding is routed through the pallet to minimize any movement of the headstones while in transit. Non-staining corner cards are to be provided between the band and the monument 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 standard 42” x 48”, 4-way wood pallets.

The weight of headstones placed on the pallet must not exceed 2,300 2,600lbs but, in all cases, shall not have more than (10) ten (12) twelve headstones per pallet. It is preferred that all headstones be placed on the pallet on their edges and not layered.

Protruding metal fasteners must be replaced to avoid tearing the packaging or scratching the monument surface.

The Contractor shall ensure non-coloring materials are used for packing and that packing materials are not prone to compression which may cause load shifts or damage from the ensuing loose banding.

The monuments 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 monuments and packing material shall be contained within the dimensions of the pallet with no overhang.

The Contractor shall replace monuments at no additional cost to the Government if damage is incurred during transport. The MPS Program Support Unit reserves the right to notify the

Contractor by email within 5 days of any headstones damaged during transportation. Upon notification, the Contractor shall replace the damaged monuments within ten (10) calendar days from the date the e-mail was sent by MPS to the Contractor.

Each side of a pallet shall be labeled with the words, HANDLE WITH CARE, in one-inch high red letters. Use of commercially available labels can be used for this requirement.

In addition, the Contractor shall ensure the commercial bill of lading is notated with the following statements:

• “the palletized headstones must be moved to the rear of the delivery vehicle to ensure the ability of the receiving business to offload the pallet using a forklift”.

• “In case of delivery problems: call (202)-461-4132 or 202 501 2696 for guidance and follow-up notification with email to MPSProgSupport@va.gov.

• Items damaged during transport must be reported by email to MPSProgSupport and the damaged items must be positively destroyed by the transporter or transporter’s agent.

The Contractor shall document such monuments were, “… demolished or pulverized into small pieces and no portion of the inscription remained legible”.

7.3 Labeling: The Contractor shall provide a packing list or a shipping label for all packaged monuments. The label shall be at least five (5) inches wide by four (4) inches long with the

Order Number, and Consignee name and address. Labels shall be completely adhered to the front of the package and shall be over-coated with transparent adhesive tape that completely covers the label to prevent removal, smearing or blurring of the information. Shipping labels mailto:MPSProgSupport@va.gov shall not be covered or obscured in any way by individual packaging or banding materials that would make the labels unreadable.

8.0 Government Quality Assurance (QA)

8.1 Inspections: Quality assurance (QA) inspections of the Contractor’s manufacturing facility and products may be performed by the designated COR of the Memorial Programs Service to assure satisfactory contract performance. The Government reserves the right to inspect the quality of blanks 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.

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

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.

8.2 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 of the MPS Program Support Unit, reports on the Contractor’s processing and delivery of orders to the carrier.

8.3 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:

o Inspection system o Inspection personnel o Manufacturing process o Production control o Planning and scheduling o Craftsmanship o Safety o Knowledge/training of processes and measuring tools

The designated COR of the MPS Program Support Unit or a designated inspector for this contract shall inform the Contractor of the deficiencies. A site inspection report shall be generated by the inspecting COR and the COR shall discuss with the Contractor what corrective action(s) shall be taken and when the corrective action shall be taken. When an issue(s) arise regarding a monument not meeting the specified standards and the issue(s) cannot be resolved between the Contractor and the Government, the Contracting Officer shall make a final determination as to whether the monument shall be replaced at the contractor’s expense or at the Government’s expense.

8.4 Quality Complaints – Receipt Blank Shipments which are rejected

Upon notification by MPS that a shipment of blank headstones has been rejected for not meeting contract specifications that are outlined in section 4.0 Material Specification of this contract, the contractor shall be required within (3) business days to pick up the rejected shipment at contractor’s expense. Replacements shall be delivered to the cemetery within 10 business days of the contractor’s notification. The Contractor is responsible for performing a quality check prior to palletizing and shipping to eliminate bulk shipment rejections.

9.0 Performance Evaluation

a. Normally, the COR will verbally advise or give a written inspection report to the

Contractor of discrepancies the first time they occur and ask the Contractor to correct the problem. A notation will be made on the COR checklist of the date and the time the deficiency was discovered and the date and time the Contractor was notified.

b. If the Government created any of the discrepancies, these will not be counted against the Contractor's performance. When the Government has caused the Contractor to perform in an unsatisfactory manner, the COR will forward a written notice to the responsible organizational element requesting corrective action be taken.

c. When the Contractor is not meeting the acceptable limits of satisfactory performance, a

Contractor Discrepancy Report (CDR) will be issued to the Contractor. The seriousness of the failures should govern whether to issue CDR at the end of the period, or as soon as the limits of satisfactory performance are exceeded.

d. When a CDR is issued for an order or series of orders, the Contracting Officer and/or the

COR may exercise any contractual remedy available for non-performance, in accordance with FAR 52.212-4, “Inspection and Acceptance”. When a CDR is received, the Contractor shall complete the applicable fields. The Contracting Officer will evaluate the Contractor's response and determine the next course of action.

e. The issuance of a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR), found in Attachments, may be cause for the scheduling of a meeting among the Contractor, Contracting Officer, and the COR. A mutual effort will be made to resolve all problems identified. The

Government will prepare written minutes of the meeting. The Contractor, Contracting

Officer, and the COR will sign the minutes of the meeting(s).

f. Should the Contractor not concur with the minutes, they will so state their objections in writing to the Contracting Officer, within ten calendar days, and also explain the reasons for non-concurrence. The Contracting Officer will review and consider the reasons submitted for the Contractor's non-concurrence and make a decision to revise or uphold the comments as written. The Contracting Officer will notify the Contractor of the decision in writing within ten calendar days of submission of any objections.

g. After a CDR is completed and the vendor's plan accepted by the CO/MPS COR the vendor shall have 1 month to carry-out the plan. After 30 calendar days, if there are any examples of missed standards then a remedy shall apply.

h. If the Contractor does not achieve satisfactory performance by the end of the next period or agreed suspense date, further actions may be considered including, but not limited to termination for default. If the Contractor only achieves a partial satisfactory performance by the end of the next period or agreed suspense date, other remedies including penalties may be applied.

10.0 Employee Requirements

a. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure Contractor employees providing work on this contract are fully trained and completely competent to perform the required work. All work performed shall be done in accordance with good commercial practices.

b. Small Business set-aside: All of the awardee’s managerial/supervisory employees including those on site in supervisory roles shall be direct hires of the Prime Contractor.

Labor shall be employed such that 50% of the actual salaries and wages for time attributed on this contract are from actual Prime Contractor employees.

c. Labor Force and Equipment: The Contractor shall be aware of the intensive labor and equipment requirements needed to meet contract specifications. Contractor shall be responsible to provide all labor and equipment as necessary to meet deadlines. The

Contractor will provide all necessary resources to complete the efforts assigned under the scope of this contract.

11.0 Scheduled Quantity and Delivery Log

Upon contract award and the exercised of all option year renewals, the Contractor will receive an e-mail within 10 calendar days with the following information.

1. Instruction stated in section 3.0 and 3.1

2. Contract number

3. Obligation number for the contract period

4. Table with a list of Cemeteries and quantities for each month of the contract period

Upon release of a shipment to a Government carrier the Contractor will send an e-mail to the

MPSPROGSUPPORT@VA.GOV confirming pick up along with a copy of the bill of lading signed by the carrier and Contractor. Any shipment not picked up by the scheduled date, should be reported to the Traffic Manager for non-compliance.

12.0 Government Carrier and Bills of Lading

Please see the attached Government Bill of Lading.

13.0 Procedures (Administrative and Other)

13.1 Government Responsibilities: Notwithstanding the Contractor’s responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract shall require coordination between the Government and the Contractor. Contracting Services shall provide, at the time of the contract’s award, the name of one or more individuals authorized to act as Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) during the contract period.

13.2 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’s name and PRO tracking 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.

13.3 Government Headstone and Marker Drawings: The Contractor shall ensure copies of all relevant Government drawings for production of monuments are maintained on file.

13.4 Completion point for products delivered FOB Origin Contractor Facility: The

Contractor’s responsibilities are deemed complete when a blank shipment is placed on a

Government transportation carrier.

13.5 Invoicing: Invoicing in arrears after acceptance.

13.6 Point of Contact at MPS for the assigned COR and Traffic Manager, e-mail to:

MPSProgSupport@va.gov

END STATEMENT OF WORK

mailto:MPSProgSupport@va.gov

ATTACHMENT 2: SAMPLE REVIEW FORM

DATE: PREPARED BY:

OFFEROR: CEMETERY:

SOLICITATION

DATE RECEIVED:

QUARRY: SHIPPED BY:

TEST RESULTS

INCLUDED:

YES NO

SHIPPING

TRACKING #'S:

CRITERIA SPECIFICATION SAMPLE

ACCEPTED /

UNACCEPTED

COMMENTS

DIMENSIONS

Sample Size 24" x 13" x 3/4"

(±1/16")

□ Accepted

□ Unaccepted

Edges 1/4" (±1/16")

FINISH

Stone Coloration

N9 or higher

(N8.75 or higher)

Finish (Front & Sides)

Smooth satin

Grit used 80

Pad used specify type used

DRAWING #(s) REF: A-U1, Rev. B, dtd 08/14/19

SAMPLE RECOMMENDATION: □ APPROVED □ DISAPPROVED

REVIEWED BY: (e-sig)

CONCURRANCE: (e-sig)

End of Document