36C78621Q0037 RFQ.docx

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

36C78621Q0037 11-05-2020 Brian Trahan 510-637-6287 11-24-2020 36C786 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 1301 Clay Street, 1230 North Oakland CA 94612

561730 $7.5M

Net 30 Days

N/A X

Snake River Canyon National Cemetery 1583 E. Elm Street

Buhl ID 83316 36C786 Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 1301 Clay Street, 1230 North Oakland CA 83316 http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer -campaigns/veterans-affairs/

1-877-752-0900

National Cemetery Administration Snake River National Cemetery Maintenance Services in accordance with Statement of Work

The Government intends to award a single Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract in accordance with FAR 16.504.

For quotation preparation instructions see Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instruction to Offerors -

Commercial Items

Brian Trahan Contracting Officer

Table of Contents

SECTION B - CONTINUATION OF SF 1449 BLOCKS

B.1 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

1. Contract Administration: All contract administration matters will be handled by the following individuals:

a. CONTRACTOR:

b. GOVERNMENT: Contracting Officer 36C786 Brian Trahan Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Contracting Services 1301 Clay Street, 1230 North Oakland CA 94612

2. CONTRACTOR REMITTANCE ADDRESS: All payments by the Government to the contractor will be made in accordance with:

3. INVOICES: Invoices shall be submitted in arrears:

4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: All Invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

http://www.tungsten-network.com/customer -campaigns/veterans-affairs/

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

B.2 DESCRIPTION/SCHEDULE/ORDERING/PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES

The National Cemetery Administration honors veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our Nation. National cemeteries are national shrines. The standards of maintenance, appearance and operational procedures performed by the Contractor at this cemetery shall reflect this nation’s concern for those interned there. For this reason, the Contractor’s strict adherence to the specifications shall be required and shall be essential. The Contractor shall demonstrate a clear understanding of, and the sensitivity to, environmental issues during the performance of the contract.

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 that 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.

Description of Services This solicitation/contract will establish an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) for Cemetery Maintenance Services at Snake River Canyon National Cemetery in accordance with Statement of Work.

Ordering/Performance Period This IDIQ is for a 2-year ordering period of December 01, 2020 to November 30, 2022.

Contract Value The guaranteed minimum award amount for this contract is $1,000. The maximum aggregate value of orders that can be placed under this contract(s) is $500,000.00. The Government does not guarantee that it will place any orders under this contract more than the guaranteed minimum award amount.

B.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

Price Schedule

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 1 – DECEMBER 1, 2020 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2021

QTY.

(Includes Committal Service ceremony set-up and protocol, for all types of interments as needed year-round.)

(Includes completion of interments of casketed remains as first interment or subsequent interment for pre-set concrete crypts as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.)

(Includes ceremony set up and protocol, and completion of all interments of casketed remains as first interment or subsequent interment for traditional burials as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.)

(Includes ceremony set up and protocol, and completion of all interments of cremated remains as first interment or subsequent interment for cremains burials as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.)

(Includes ceremony set up and protocol, and completion of all interments of cremated remains as first inurnment or subsequent inurnment, installation of temporary and final niche covers in Columbarium as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.) Estimated 35 Niche Covers; and 1 Memorial Marker.

(Includes inspection, proper alignment, setting and cleaning of all new and replacement stones year-round, along with the proper disposal of shipping refuse and old headstones.) Estimated 62 Upright Headstones

(Fine tuning and alignment of individual headstones without removal from ground as directed by the COR.)

(Complete the cleaning of all headstones as needed with minor cleanings as indicated.)

(Complete raise, lower and realignment of individual headstones each year as directed by the COR.)

(Complete restoration of individual sunken gravesites each season as directed by the COR.)

(Daily, weekly, monthly Grounds Maintenance Schedule showing frequency of all activities for the contract year, including monthly updates.)

(Includes pest control, winter damage prevention, floral pick-up, tree, shrub & plant care, pond maintenance, drainage management and debris/waste management.)

(Includes sweeping, power washing concrete and asphalt; gravel paving repair.)

(Includes cleaning columbarium, memorial wall, committal shelter, walls, gates, fences, signage, plaques, flag poles, pump house, lighting, site furnishings, and other site amenities.)

(Includes plowing, snow and ice removal per occurrence.)

(Includes public relations, review of burial permit, casket inspection, record keeping, and after action report.)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 1

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 2 – DECEMBER 1, 2021 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2022

QTY.

(Includes Committal Service ceremony set-up and protocol, for all types of interments as needed year-round.)

(Includes completion of interments of casketed remains as first interment or subsequent interment for pre-set concrete crypts as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.)

(Includes ceremony set up and protocol, and completion of all interments of casketed remains as first interment or subsequent interment for traditional burials as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.)

(Includes ceremony set up and protocol, and completion of all interments of cremated remains as first interment or subsequent interment for cremains burials as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.)

(Includes ceremony set up and protocol, and completion of all interments of cremated remains as first inurnment or subsequent inurnment, installation of temporary and final niche covers in Columbarium as needed year-round, and after-action reporting.) Estimated 35 Niche Covers; and 1 Memorial Marker.

(Includes inspection, proper alignment, setting and cleaning of all new and replacement stones year-round, along with the proper disposal of shipping refuse and old headstones.) Estimated 62 Upright Headstones

(Fine tuning and alignment of individual headstones without removal from ground as directed by the COR.)

(Complete the cleaning of all headstones as needed with minor cleanings as indicated.)

(Complete raise, lower and realignment of individual headstones each year as directed by the COR.)

(Complete restoration of individual sunken gravesites each season as directed by the COR.)

(Daily, weekly, monthly Grounds Maintenance Schedule showing frequency of all activities for the contract year, including monthly updates.)

(Includes pest control, winter damage prevention, floral pick-up, tree, shrub & plant care, pond maintenance, drainage management and debris/waste management.)

(Includes sweeping, power washing concrete and asphalt; gravel paving repair.)

(Includes cleaning columbarium, memorial wall, committal shelter, walls, gates, fences, signage, plaques, flag poles, pump house, lighting, site furnishings, and other site amenities.)

(Includes plowing, snow and ice removal per occurrence.)

(Includes public relations, review of burial permit, casket inspection, record keeping, and after action report.)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE 2

B.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

Statement of Work 11/12/2020

DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT

A.1 REMOVED

1. BACKGROUND

The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 136 National Cemeteries in 40 states that receive visitors, hold ceremonies and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. Because of the special significance and attention our National Cemeteries receive from the public, strict adherence to the specifications is essential.

The Snake River Canyon National Cemetery is located across from West End Cemetery in Buhl, Idaho. The cemetery is comprised of 8.0 total acres of which approximately 5.5 acres are considered improved grounds under Phase 1 development. Snake River Canyon National Cemetery is a new “Rural Initiative” Cemetery which receives the remains of veterans, spouses and dependent children.

1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to provide Interment and Grounds Maintenance Services at Snake River Canyon National Cemetery, hereby known as “the Cemetery”. The cemetery location, acreages, and services required are as follows:

Snake River Canyon National Cemetery 1583 E. Elm Street Buhl, Idaho 83316

8.0 Total Acres

5.5 Improved Acres

Interments and Full Grounds Maintenance Services

1. MAINTENANCE AREAS

The physical area of the contract includes the cemetery proper, structures, paving, and landscaped grounds, maintenance areas, roadways, perimeter landscaped areas, undeveloped lands, and all of its landscape elements. A portion of the cemetery may be under renovation by another contractor at any time; and specific grounds maintenance activities may be under separate contract with another vendor.

1. CONTRACT OBJECTIVES

National Cemeteries are National Shrines. The standards of maintenance and appearance at these cemeteries must reflect this nation's concern for those interred there. For this reason, strict adherence to these specifications as well as the National Cemetery Administration National Shrine Commitment Operational Standards and Measures (Version 5.1 July 2014, or latest version) is essential. The contractor is encouraged to use an innovative and creative technical approach, in addition to standard commercial practices to manage the grounds maintenance operation at the Cemetery in order to maintain the high standards of appearance as a National Shrine.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

SERVICES PROVIDED: The Contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, materials and supplies necessary to perform the following Interments and Full Grounds Maintenance Services at the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE MANPOWER & RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PERFORM AND COMPLETE MULTIPLE JOBS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Services to be provided include the following:

B.5.1 Interments B.5.2 Committal Service B.5.3 Headstone Setting B.5.4 Headstone “Bump & Run” B.5.5 Headstone Cleaning B.5.6 Headstone “Raise & Realign” B.5.7 Gravesite Renovation B.5.8 Cemetery Grounds Management Plan B.5.9 Grounds Maintenance B.5.8.1 Turf Renovation B.5.8.2 Turf Maintenance – Fertilization B.5.8.3 Turf Maintenance – Pest Control B.5.8.4 Turf Maintenance – Mowing, Trimming & Edging B.5.8.5 Turf Maintenance – Aerification B.5.8.6 Turf Maintenance – Dethatching B.5.8.7 Tree, Shrub & Planting Bed Maintenance B.5.8.8 Tree, Shrub & Groundcover Planting B.5.8.9 Irrigation System Management and Maintenance B.5.8.10 Irrigation Pond Maintenance B.5.8.11 Stormwater Pond Maintenance B.5.8.12 Drainage System Maintenance B.5.8.13 Trash & Debris Removal (Waste Management) B.5.10 Walkways and Roads Maintenance B.5.11 Structure Maintenance B.5.12 Snow & Ice Removal and Ice Prevention B.5.13 Public Ceremony Set-Up/Protocol B.5.14 Contractor Responsibilities B.5.15 Contractor Supervision, Work Hours, and Training B.5.16 Government Contacts

B.5.1 INTERMENTS

A. NCA STANDARDS

1. Each gravesite is excavated to assure uniformity with other gravesites in that burial section.

2. Integrity of existing graves, grave markers and other objects around the worksite shall be preserved and protected.

3. Open graves are identified and protected by guards and markers appropriate to cemetery operations.

4. Outer burial receptacles awaiting installation are placed in an orderly manner.

5. Committal services are conducted in clean and orderly shelters that provide for the safety, privacy, and special needs of the family.

6. All remains shall be handled in a manner that assures accurate placement and validation, and causes no damage to the casket or urn.

7. Each day's burials are covered, initially groomed, marked and presentable for visitors before close of business each day.

8. Graves and niches are marked with an accurate, complete and properly aligned temporary marker on the day on interment/inurnment. COR provides Paper Temporary Marker for Contractor to place.

B. SCOPE

1. Work consists of excavation in preparation for interments, backfilling, compacting, placement of topsoil with amendments, and establishing turf for interments specified by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). There may be approximately 29 casketed, 8 in-ground cremain interments, and 16 niche cremain inurnments per year. The COR or representative shall notify the Contractor of gravesite(s) to be opened by close of business on the prior work day. The Contractor will acknowledge that the COR’s message has been received. Normally interments shall be accomplished Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, there may be instances where the Contractor shall be required to perform interments on weekends and/or holidays and outside the regular hours.

2. The COR or designated individual will bring the appropriate interment paperwork on the day of the service. COR also emails schedule and interments documents to contractor the day prior to the interment for review.

C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Gravesite Preparation:

a. Prior to any interment, the Contractor shall consult with the COR to determine the exact location, the dimensions of each grave and specific placement of the casket/cremains.

b. When entering gravesite sections during winter months or wet weather conditions, ‘Mobi-mat’ or plywood boards will be used to bring equipment on the grounds for the interment and all damages to the existing and surrounding turf, graves or grounds will be repaired by the contractor at no additional cost to the Government. Submit a plan for repair to the COR by the COB of the day of the interment. Repairs will be completed within 5 days of interment.

c. No grave shall be pre-dug the day before a scheduled interment. Any exceptions must be authorized by both the COR and Cemetery Director. The Contractor shall properly open and close the required gravesite before the close of business each day. The Contractor shall have gravesites ready for all interments every day the cemetery is open.

d. The grave site shall be secured to prevent unauthorized and accidental entry, and the excavation covered with heavy-duty sheets of plywood to the satisfaction of the COR or their designee. A barrier chain or other COR approved device shall be set up surrounding the gravesite to the satisfaction of the COR or their designee.

e. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that any underground utilities near gravesite excavation are identified prior to opening the gravesite.

f. Once the area to be excavated is defined, sod shall be cut, removed, and either salvaged for reuse, or removed from the gravesite prior to excavation and disposed of off-site.

g. If the grave has an existing headstone, it shall be removed and carefully placed in an area near the gravesite and covered with proper protection. Headstones removed for a second interment shall be destroyed and disposed of as directed by the COR.

h. Headstones, tools or equipment are never to be stored or left on another gravesite if gravesite is left unattended.

i. A temporary marker with the names of all interments for that gravesite shall be placed on the gravesite after proper closing of the gravesite. Temporary markers as with permanent markers shall always be placed in proper height and alignment with surrounding markers.

j. Safety boards or mud tracks will be placed along the edges of the excavation to provide personnel working around the gravesite excavation a safe base to work from and reduce the chance of falling into the excavation should the edge fail. Personnel should avoid working or standing near the edge of the excavation whenever possible.

k. When a grave is to be opened, the Contractor shall remove adjacent headstones as needed to ensure access for the vault and the remains and subsequently replaced. Once removed, these headstones shall be placed in protective collars. Adjacent headstones not removed shall be protected by means of a Plexiglas sheath, or other COR-approved material. Any headstones handled during this process shall be reinstalled, realigned and cleaned before the close of business. These headstones will not be included in the overall count of headstone work performed by contract.

l. Sod shall be removed from the gravesite prior to excavation and may be reused on the gravesite. If sod shall be reused, it shall be cut 1 to 2 inches deep to keep roots healthy. If the sod is not reusable, gravesite shall be either resodded or reseeded as directed by the COR. Gravesite shall have turf re-established within 30 days during the growing season or within 60 days after the beginning of the growing season. Dispose of sod that is not reused on gravesites off-site in a lawful manner.

2. Excavation of Graves:

a. Gravesites excavations for caskets shall be completed and the approved casket grave liner placed and the casket lowering device (CLD) set-up and readied a minimum of one hour prior to the scheduled time of gravesite service/interment. (Time of interment can be different than time of services.)

b. Cremation excavations do not require a casket lowering device but must be made ready a minimum of one hour prior to the scheduled time of gravesite service/interment.

c. Soil excavated from the gravesite shall not be placed on any occupied gravesite. Soil to be reused as backfill may be placed on plywood sheets on unoccupied gravesites, or in the case where there are no unoccupied gravesites, a COR-approved open area. Soil left near the gravesite shall be covered with green carpet or tarp. Any excess backfill shall be removed from the site and disposed of at an appropriate landfill, other off-site facility.

d. Pre-cast concrete crypts measure 3' x 8' and are pre-placed. All crypt grave sites are stacked double-depth providing space for two full caskets. The lower crypt is covered with a poly shelf, and the upper crypt is covered with a concrete lid.

e. Traditional graves shall measure 5' x 10' unless otherwise advised by the COR and shall be excavated to five (5) feet or seven (7) feet in depth, depending on the number of interments.

f. Graves for cremated remains shall be large enough to accommodate the urn/container and a minimum approximately 18 inches square and three (3) feet deep. Dimensions of urn will be provided by COR when provided by family or Funeral Home.

g. The COR shall advise the Contractor of the required depth, and position within the gravesite, prior to any excavation operation. Contractor should probe all full interments prior to excavation to assure adequate depth for a second interment. The COR shall be notified immediately of insufficient depth to accomplish interment.

h. Excavating the grave to a greater depth to accommodate the second interment is the responsibility of the Contractor and is considered as a part of the regular grave excavation price. The COR or his/her representative shall be present and shall be responsible for insuring the gravesite is deepened to accommodate both interments.

i. If the excavation is five feet deep or deeper, a worker is prohibited from entering into the grave until the sides of the grave are shored in a safe manner in accordance with OSHA standards.

j. The Contractor shall cover the excavation, place four (4) COR-approved stanchions, chain/rope to cordon off all casket gravesites 5 feet from the all sides of open gravesite while unattended. A designated member of the Contractor’s staff shall be posted to keep visitors away from open gravesite and man the gate fifteen (15) minutes prior to interment service and provide other duties as assigned by the COR.

k. When a grave is opened to receive a second interment and is found to be of insufficient depth to permit interment due to a vault/container not being deep enough, the COR shall be immediately notified. The Cemetery Director will notify COR/Contractor when authorized to continue the interment process. The remains of the first interment shall be removed and the grave excavated to a depth to accommodate both interments. Excavating the grave to a greater depth to accommodate the second interment is the responsibility of the contractor; and is considered as a part of the regular grave excavation price. COR or his representative will be present and will be responsible for insuring the gravesite is deepened to accommodate both interments. The gravesite shall be screened from the public view during the removal and reinterment of any remains.

l. For traditional burials, a Government-provided Polyguard® grave liner/vault will be installed by the Contractor. The gravesite excavation shall be completed and the grave liner/vault pre-set at the gravesite one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the service. Each grave liner shall be installed according to procedures as demonstrated by the Government.

m. If damage to a grave liner occurs, both the casket and grave liner shall be removed from the grave and replaced with a new grave liner. Contractor shall reimburse the Government for the cost of damaged grave liner based on the actual price paid by the Government.

3. Pre-placed Concrete Crypts:

a. Crypts will be excavated in the manner for traditional burials to expose the concrete crypt lids. The soil must be dug out by shovel to expose the lift attachments and allow for the lifting device to be installed.

b. Prior to use of the lid lifting devices the interment crew shall inspect them to ensure they are safe to use. The Contractor-provided cables/chains shall be sound, all hooks shall be free of noticeable wear or bending, check for signs of metal fatigue, elongating, etc. and they shall be in overall good repair.

c. When the excavation is completed to the equipment operator's satisfaction and all soil removed from above the crypt lid, the crypt lid(s) will be removed and set to one side using the lifting device. When performing interments in the pre-placed concrete crypts, extreme care shall be used while lifting the approximately 1000 pound concrete lid with the lifting device. (Initial lifting device is Government-provided and shall be maintained in clean, good working order by contractor).

d. For first interments, the shelf will be lifted from the crypt and placed on the lid. The shelf, lid and inside wall of the crypt will be repainted with the crypt number using black paint and stencils to match existing.

e. During winter months, some heating of the lid(s) must be performed using Contractor-provided / COR-approved frost-thawing device to allow the vault to be opened.

f. After interment, the shelf and lid shall be reinstalled in a similar manner by which they were removed, and the gravesite backfilled.

4. Casket Repositioning

a. When a grave is opened to receive a second interment and is found to be of insufficient depth to permit interment due to a vault/container not being deep enough, the COR shall be immediately notified. The Cemetery Director will notify COR/Contractor when authorized to continue the interment process. The remains of the first interment shall be removed and the grave excavated to a depth to accommodate both interments. Excavating the grave to a greater depth to accommodate the second interment is the responsibility of the contractor. The COR or his representative will be present and will be responsible for insuring the gravesite is deepened to accommodate both interments. The gravesite shall be screened from the public view during the removal and reinterment of any remains.

b. For traditional burials, the gravesite excavation shall be completed one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the service.

c. Setup the CLD directly over the grave liner one hour before the burial service/ceremony.

5. Government-Provided Grave Liner

a. For traditional burials, a Government-provided Polyguard® polypropylene (thermoplastic) grave liner will be provided by the Government, and installed by the Contractor. The gravesite excavation shall be completed and the vault pre-set in the grave one hour and fifteen minutes prior to the service. Each grave liner shall be installed according to procedures as demonstrated by the Government.

b. If the Contractor damages the grave liner, both the casket and grave liner shall be removed from the grave and replaced with a new grave liner. The Contractor shall reimburse the Government for the cost of damaged grave liner based on the actual price paid by the Government.

6. Burial Service:

a. General: The Contractor is responsible for the transport and lowering of remains. All equipment/vehicles required for transport and lowering of remains are to be Contractor-provided. COR will need to be able to tag the casket/urn along with taking a picture prior to transport.

b. The Contractor shall transfer the remains in a dignified manner from the committal shelter to the proper gravesite following all NCA policies. The means of transportation shall be approved by the COR.

c. The Contractor shall provide a new or like new, Toro ‘Workman’ with casket carrier, or equivalent COR-approved vehicle for the transport of the casketed remains. The vehicle shall be modified to securely transport the casket. The interior of the casket carrier shall be modified as follows: The floor shall be equipped with stainless steel casket rollers on which to receive the casket fully into the cargo bay of the carrier without scratching the casket; a rubber bumper at the front of the bay; and adjustable, rubber-protected, stop plate to securely lock down the casket during transport. The vehicle will be kept clean inside and out.

d. The Contractor shall provide a minimum of two (2) employees to remove the casket from the hearse and transport to the bier, or directly to the CLD at the gravesite. If the Contractor’s vehicle is not capable of delivering the casket over turf to the gravesite, then a Contractor-provided cart shall be used to transport the casket from the casket carrier directly to the gravesite.

e. The Contractor shall provide a Government-approved, commercially-available, mechanical casket lowering device (CLD) and set it up at the grave site. The CLD shall be equipped with two sets of straps: primary lowering straps and secondary safety straps. The CLD will be inspected for damage and defective/worn straps, prior to being set up over the crypt. The CLD shall be mechanically and aesthetically maintained by the Contractor at all times. The CLD stand shall be equipped with a commercially-available green skirt/drape to screen the CLD mechanism and the open grave from public view.

f. The Contractor is responsible for transporting the floral arrangements from the committal shelter to the burial area. The driver of the vehicle must hold a valid state driver's license. These employees shall be equipped with Contractor-provided mobile telephone with which to communicate with the COR or other designated cemetery representatives. These employees will be provided with a daily schedule to prevent any delays and the designated employees should report to the committal shelter as discreetly as possible no more than 10 minutes after the committal service departs from the shelter. The employees must be in a clean presentable uniform.

g. The Contractor shall lower casketed remains into gravesite using the casket lowering device in a safe and efficient manner, with dignity, and without damage to casket. Contractor shall use lowering device wheel rails and safety bars for increased safety during the transferring of remains and the lowering of the casket.

h. All cremated remains will be transported to the cremains burial site by the Contractor, and lowered by the Contractor in a dignified manner.

i. COR will need to take a picture of the lowered casket, for GPS requirements, prior to crypt lid/vault placement.

j. The Contractor is responsible for transporting the floral arrangements from the committal service to the burial area.

7. Backfill of Graves:

a. Gravesites shall be backfilled, topdressed with topsoil, and ready for visitation by the close of business.

b. Prior to backfilling grave sites, CLD shall be removed, and vault shelves and lids shall be securely replaced.

c. Backfill material surrounding the grave liner/vault shall be sufficiently flowable to allow voids to be filled for solid compaction and to reduce subsequent ground settlement. Initial backfill material for interments and inurnments shall consist of 5/8-inch minus crushed aggregate.

d. Full caskets burials shall be backfilled with the crushed aggregate to 1/2-inch above the grave liner or vault. The remaining backfill material shall be clean fill excavated from the grave site.

e. Cremain urns shall be set on a 3-inch minimum bed of compacted crushed aggregate and backfilled to 12 inches above the urn with sand. The remaining backfill material shall be clean fill excavated from the grave site.

f. Soil backfill shall be brought up to 2-3 inches of established grade in 12-inch lifts. Each lift shall be thoroughly compacted by means of a COR-approved/Contractor-provided mechanical or hand tamper. Backfill should not be mounded, but should conform to existing grades. The Contractor shall remove all unusable dirt, rocks, roots and other types of objects from the cemetery grounds.

g. After backfilling is complete and compacted, the remaining 2-3 inches shall be filled with clean, screened topsoil and the sod shall be replaced and tamped to ground level. The sod shall be thoroughly hand-watered as needed to re-establish sod.

h. All grounds, headstones, floral arrangements, etc. of a burial area which may have been disturbed to facilitate cemetery operations shall be returned to their original location and prior condition or better before close of business.

i. See Attachment B for “Diagram of Graves” and handling of multiple interments.

8. Marking Gravesite:

a. Where there is no existing headstone, a temporary marker shall be placed at the grave by the Contractor or his/her representative.

b. The temporary marker for a second interment shall also list the first interment. All headstones of 1st interments will be removed from the gravesite prior to excavation and disposed of as per Government policy provided by COR. (See “Headstone Setting”.)

9. Turf Repair: After backfilling is complete and compacted, and the final two inches of screened topsoil has been placed and tamped, the gravesite shall be either seeded and mulched, or sodded by the COB of the day of the burial per “Turf Renovation”.

a. Sod: The grade will be brought up to depth relative to the adjacent gravesites to accommodate for sod thickness to replant the gravesite, whether reusing existing turf or planting new sod.

b. Seed: The grade will be brought up to 3/8 inch relative to the adjacent gravesites to accommodate for seeding and compost covering to replant the gravesite.

10. Floral Arrangements: All floral bouquets and arrangements left at the gravesite by the funeral party shall be neatly arranged upon the grave, and removed when they become unsightly or when necessary to accomplish grounds maintenance activities but not less than four work days. All stands from floral wreaths shall be removed before placing the wreath flat on the grave.

D. EXCEPTIONS

1. See attached Attachment B for “Diagram of Graves” and handling of multiple interments.

2. Diagram “D” - Attachment B. The conditions shown in "D" shall occur only rarely, and usually when the minor dependents predecease their parents or in extremely rare cases when an accident takes the lives of a family group.

3. Diagram "E" Attachment B. When the remains are in a small casket, they shall be placed in the lower corner of the gravesite, at a depth of five (5) feet, permitting room for an additional like burial at the head of the first at a depth of seven (7) feet and the second at five (5) feet.

4. When it is necessary to make side-by-side burials in a single gravesite, extreme care shall be exercised to accurately locate the sideline of the site. Where a burial vault is used in such cases, it may be necessary to encroach several inches on adjacent site(s). This is permissible provided the site encroached upon has been or shall be utilized as shown in Diagram "A" or "B" in Attachment B.

5. Unusual conditions may require occasional deviations from the methods indicated. For cases not covered herein, the Contractor shall consult with the COR for advice on determination of action to be taken.

E. COLUMBARIUM INURNMENTS

1. Interment (Columbarium Cremains Inurnment)

a. On the day of the inurnment, the Contractor shall verify with the cemetery daily burial schedule the decedent name(s) and niche location(s). Prepare the columbarium niche(s) by removing the niche covers for the day’s inurnments. Remove the niche cover by removing the four mounting screws and decorative rosettes and placing the cover(s) inside their respective niche. An exception to this rule is with subsequent inurnments where the niche cover will remain in place until time of inurnment.

b. After the interment service, transport the remains to the columbarium and place the remains with dignity into the back of the niche to allow room for placement of a second urn. After the remains are placed in the niche, attach the temporary marker to the niche cover and reset the cover onto its proper niche. Use a template placed directly under the niche cover for support and alignment to ensure the niche cover is level. Do not overtighten the hardware to avoid cracking the niche cover.

c. Once the cover is replaced, verify one more time the decedent name and niche location against the cemetery daily burial schedule and then sign off that the inurnment is complete.

d. The tool kit should contain: a hand screwdriver and rechargeable variable-speed electric screwdriver with two-prong security bits for niche cover removal and replacement, alignment templates, a rubber mallet, extra bits, and extra Government-provided mounting hardware (security screws and rosettes). A small step ladder will be required for working on top row niches.

e. When the inscribed niche cover with decedent(s) name is delivered to the cemetery, replace the blank niche cover with inscribed niche cover as described above. Dispose the blank niche cover as directed by the COR.

f. When a Columbarium Inurnment includes placing multiple urns (e.g., both spouses and/or dependent children) in a single niche at the same time, the Contractor shall bill for only one inurnment. The work of placing additional urns in the same niche at the same time shall considered part of the work of a single inurnment and not billed individually.

F. DISINTERMENTS & DISINURMENTS

1. Work consists of removal of remains from a burial plot.

2. Disinterments/disinurnments shall be billed at the same rate as for interments/inurnments.

3. On occasion, next-of-kin may elect to disinter/disinurn the remains of a loved one. All administrative procedures shall be completed by cemetery administrative staff. If disinterment is approved, Contractor shall be notified of date, time and performing entity (contracted personnel, funeral director, family member, etc.).

4. Special care shall be shown to adjacent graves and headstones to avoid or minimize damage. Contractor personnel shall reopen the grave to one foot above the top of the casket or casket container. Family-contracted personnel (e.g., Funeral Home), shall complete disinterment, including removal of liner/vault, removal of casket and/or human remains. Cemetery contracted staff are prohibited from any activities other than the aforementioned opening of the grave.

5. Cremated remains that are inurned may be fully uncovered. Contractor personnel shall not remove urn/liner or otherwise participate in any other aspect of the disinterment operation. Only family contracted personnel, funeral directors and/or family members are authorized to actually remove the container.

6. Damaged urns/containers should be reported immediately to COR and/or cemetery director.

7. Headstones and/or markers of disinterment/disinurnment sites shall be removed and destroyed in accordance with established policy.

B.5.2 COMMITTAL SERVICE

A. NCA STANDARDS

1. Committal services are conducted in clean and orderly shelters that provide for the safety, privacy, and special needs of the family.

B. SCOPE

1. Work consists of in preparation of physical environment for committal service with or without an interment on that day. The COR will notify the contractor via e-mail of any scheduled committal service(s) no less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance. The information provided in the notification will include a schedule and dig slip. The Contractor will acknowledge in writing that the COR’s message has been received. Normally committal services shall be accomplished Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, there may be instances where the Contractor shall be required to perform committal services on weekends and/or holidays and outside the regular hours.

2. Should there be more than one committal service on any given day, the Contractor shall bill for only one Committal Service. The work of preparation for subsequent committal services to clean and tidy-up the immediate area of committal shelter for the next service shall considered part of the work and not billed separately.

C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Interment Service Set-Up:

a. The Contractor shall prepare the committal shelter and furnish and set up a funeral casket or urn bier with attached skirt for each interment service, at least one (1) hour prior to the interment service, and returned to the storage room within one (1) hour after conclusion of the interment service.

b. Presentation bier shall be readied for remains unless COR directs contractor to have a church cart available.

c. The area around the committal shelter and the four (4) benches shall be cleaned, free of webs, bird droppings, and any other dirt or debris prior to each interment service. Committal shelter area shall be cleaned up by close of business.

d. Flag shall be lowered to half-staff prior to the first service of the day. Flag shall be brought to full staff not less than 30 minutes after last service of the day.

2. Memorial Service Set-Up: Same as an interment service set-up. The only difference is that there are no remains to inter or inurn.

B.5.3 HEADSTONE SETTING

A. NCA STANDARDS

1. Headstones are properly installed.

2. Headstones are aligned in accordance with the section plan or historic pattern.

3. Proper height and alignment of each headstone is maintained.

4. Headstones are clean, free of debris and objectionable accumulations.

5. Inscriptions are visible and legible as appropriate for the age of the headstone.

6. Headstones are disposed of in a manner that prevents reuse.

7. Headstones include: upright headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers.

B. SCOPE

1. Work consists of setting new or replacement headstones on gravesites. It also includes receiving, uncrating, inspecting, and reporting physical defects to the Contracting Officer or his/her authorized representative. Contractor shall set, align and level an estimated 37 upright headstones per year, 16 niche covers, and 1 memorial marker.

C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. The type of headstone to be used shall be determined by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) through direction of the National Cemetery Administration, Central Office (in accordance with…