Europe Korea Casket SOW Long Version r2 (1).docx

Statement of Work

Caskets for U.S. Army Europe and Korea Mortuaries

This statement of work establishes the standards for caskets, air trays, and special shipping instructions for U.S. Army Mortuaries operating in Europe and Korea.

Note to reviewers – several sections of this statement of work are copied directly from the Army Regulation (AR) 638-2.

1. METAL CASKETS. The contractor shall meet or exceed the specific requirements in accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 638-2 Appendix B, Section II, B-14 through 1B-19, and Table B-1 as listed below:

Section II

Caskets

B–14. Scope and classification

a. This specification establishes minimum standards for caskets and shipping cases.

b. Interment caskets covered by this specification must be the following type and sizes:

(1) Standard size 18-gauge metal sealer cut-top casket. The inside dimensions must not be less than 78 inches in length, measured between the inner surfaces of the end panels, and 23 inches in width, measured between the inner surfaces of the side panels.

(2) Oversize 18-gauge metal sealer cut-top casket. The inside dimensions must not be less than 81 inches in length, measured between the inner surfaces of the end panels, and 25 inches in width, measured between the inner surfaces of the side panels.

B–15. Applicable documents

a. Federal specifications and military standards documents. The following documents, of the issue in effect on the date of the invitation for bids or requests for proposals, form a part of the Armed Services specification to the extent specified herein:

(1) Specifications (Federal). See TT–C–490.

(2) Standards (military). See MIL–STD–1916.

b. Copies required by bidder. Copies of specifications and standards required by a bidder in connection with specific procurement functions should be obtained from the procuring agency or as directed by the contracting officer.

B–16. Requirements

a. Sample casket. When specified, a sample completed casket or sample casket without upholstery should be made available to the contracting officer or the contracting officer’s authorized designated representative for quality assurance inspection in accordance with paragraph B–5. The approval of the sample is acceptance of the casket, but does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for compliance with all applicable provisions of this specification. The pre-furnished samples should be manufactured in the same facilities to be used for the manufacture of caskets to be furnished under contract.

b. Materials. Materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to the applicable specifications and requirements specified as follows. Unless otherwise specified here, tolerances for materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to this specification.

c. Steel. Steel sheet must be common or standard to that used within the metal casket industry.

d. Fabric (lining). The construction of this cloth must be, as a minimum, as follows: warp, 92 ends-100 denier dull acetate yarn; filling, 52 picks-150 denier dull acetate yarn. The acetate taffeta fabric’s finish must be flat or embossed. The color must be white (ivory).

e. Nonwoven fabric material tissue. The nonwoven material for backing the fabric of the lining assemblies must be scrim laminate consisting of 3 by 2 1/2 nylon scrim with two plies of tissue adhesively bonded to each side of scrim and white in color.

f. Pillow and body pocket. The pillow and body pocket must be a minimum of 40 percent cotton and 60 percent linters or synthetic equivalent.

g. Welding. All component parts to be welded must be properly aligned into position prior to welding. Resistance, arc, or gas welds must be sound and free from pits, holes, or fissures. Welding must be accomplished without burning through the welded metals. After any flash welding, outside exposed flash must be removed entirely and no trace of the joint must be visible after finishing. All arc or gas welds must have sufficient penetration to form a joint of strength equal to that of the parent metal. Exposed welds must be finished flush to the original surface and must be undetectable after finishing. Repair of welds will be accepted, provided such repaired welds meet the requirements of this specification.

h. Upholstering. See the following paragraphs:

(1) Lining assemblies. The lining assemblies for the interior of the head panel lid, sides and ends of casket, overlay, mattress spread, pillowcase, two-piece top (lid) supports (one-piece top (lid) supports must be finished to compliment the casket), and the sides of the casket body must be as specified in paragraph B–16d, backed with fabric specified in 48 CFR 237.70. The head top must be lined with interior styling. The foot top must be lined with fabric and backing as specified in paragraph B–16d and e, or may be upholstered by applying a rigid one-piece insert, simulating fabric finish. The assemblies for the lid or head panel (as applicable), top of the pillowcase, outside exposed body lining, and top side of overthrow must be “Wave Crushed,” tufted, or shirred either by hand or machine. The interior assemblies for the sides and ends of casket must be tailored or shirred by hand or machine. Before lining the casket, the inside of the shell must be cleaned of all foreign material.

(2) Pillow. The pillow should be made of nonwoven material specified in paragraph B–16e and filled with a minimum of 2 1/4 pounds of the specified filling material. The pillow should then be encased in an outer fabric cover. The pillow should be sized to properly fit the casket.

(3) Mattress. The mattress should be made of fabric specified in paragraph B–16e and f or polyethylene (.004) film and filled with cotton or synthetic filling in one piece, such as polyester or fiberglass, excluding all foam type and excelsior materials. The quantity of mattress fill, if cotton or similar, must be 16 pounds, plus or minus 1 pound. Should the casket be equipped with an adjustable inner spring, the mattress fill must render a minimum uniform thickness of 2 inches. In either case, the mattress must be sized to properly fit the casket.

(4) Side panels. Side panels of the casket body should have padding in the skirting or apron area.

i. Finish. The color of the casket’s painted finish should be within the range of silver-tone to grey. The painted finish may be achieved through one of two methods.

(1) Synthetic enamel, baked. All surfaces of metal components, including the outside of the bottom and the inside of the shell, must be thoroughly cleaned and given a phosphate coating conforming to TT–C–490. A primer must be applied to all exposed surfaces and must be sanded to a smooth finish. A primer must be applied to the outside of the bottom and the inside of the shell. All exterior metal surfaces exposed to view, including surfaces that are exposed when the casket is opened (not applicable to the bottom), must be coated with the appropriate color synthetic gloss enamel, in a quantity not less than 2.0 mil dry film thickness. The exposed heads of screws or bolts used for assembling the casket must be appropriately finished (plated or painted) to correspond or complement the parent metal finish. The finish coat must level out to produce a smooth and uniform flow without orange peel, runs, wrinkles, drops, streaks, or areas of thin film or no film.

(2) Nitrocellulose lacquer (air dry or flash dry). All surfaces of metal components must be thoroughly cleaned and given a phosphate coating conforming to TT–C–490. A primer must be applied to all exposed surfaces and edges. A primer must be applied to the outside of bottom and inside of shell. The primer must be scuff sanded in all exposed view areas. Forced drying may be used, if desired. All exterior metal surfaces exposed to view, including surfaces that are exposed when casket is opened (not applicable to the bottom), must be given an adequate coating of the appropriate color lacquer. All surfaces then must then be coated with a clear lacquer to achieve at least the required 2 mil dry film thickness. The exposed heads of screws used for assembling the casket must be appropriately finished (plated or painted) to correspond or complement the parent metal finish. The finish coat must level out to produce a smooth and uniform flow without orange peel, runs, wrinkles, drops, streaks, or areas of thin film or no film. The casket must be well finished, smooth, clear, and free from defects that may affect the appearance or serviceability.

j. Casket protective cover (paper or plastic). A casket protective cover common to the casket industry must be placed over each casket.

B–17. Construction design

a. Sealer casket. The casket must be of steel, 18-gauge, U.S. standard, with square or round ends with top and bottom molding with and a painted finish. The casket may have appropriate shading effect. The handle assembly must be a continuous fixed bar or swing out type handle. Applied lugs and corners must be plated in finish. The casket must be furnished in the sizes specified. The casket must be constructed to yield an airtight seal when closed, which must prevent the escape of odors and leakage. Air tightness compliance must be determined in accordance with paragraph B–18h(1).

b. Construction details. See the following paragraphs:

(1) Body. The casket must be fabricated from steel, 18-gauge in thickness. The top flange must be of the same material and thickness as the body and must be reinforced to provide sufficient bearing to support the lid assemblies. The full length of all miters must be welded.

(2) Bottom panel. The bottom panel must be constructed from one piece of metal, 18-gauge or better, with reinforcing ridges. The construction details of the bottom follow. The bottom panel must withstand, as a minimum, 350 pounds load with deformation not to exceed one-quarter inch when tested in accordance with paragraph B–18h(2).

(3) Bottom thickness and reinforcing. The one-piece bottom must be constructed of steel, 18-gauge or better thickness, with adequate reinforcing ridges extending lengthwise or crosswise to the bottom. The bottom panel must be appropriately reinforced to meet weight and stress requirements. The entire length and width of the bottom seams must be (continuous) welded as specified in paragraph B–16g.

(4) Lid. The casket must consist of a two-pieced (stamped from one piece of metal) cut-top lid with traditional oval panel and top frame. The lid must be fabricated of steel, 18-gauge in thickness. The bridge between the lids to accommodate the bridge or cross gasket must be a full header.

(5) Shell hardware. Each lid must be hinged with two hinges each for proper support and to effect a positive seal. Lids must be provided with locking supports for retaining the lids in an open position. Each lid must have two sealer locks (opposing each hinge), lever-operated with non-detachable lever operating handle, or be equipped with a crank-type positive locking system with two locking device engagements on each lid opposing the hinges.

(6) Handle assembly. The handle assembly must be 3 feet by 1 foot or 4 feet by 1 foot continuous fixed bar or a swing out handle assembly. The entire handle assembly, bars, lugs, and corners must be fabricated of metal or a combination of metals standard to the metal casket industry. The entire handle assembly must be fastened to the casket body in a manner that will ensure that the handle assembly must not rupture or show deformation when tested in accordance with paragraph B–18h(3). The finish applied to the handle assembly’s lugs and corners must be plated in a manner common to the metal casket industry. The fixed bar or swing out handles must be painted or finished in a manner to compliment the casket.

(7) Perimeter and bridge or cross gasket system. The gaskets must be fabricated from natural rubber, neoprene, ethylene vinyl acetate, or closed cell polyvinyl chloride, or any equivalent of the aforementioned. Gasket corners must be mitered and molded and either vulcanized (if rubber) or heat sealed (if ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl chloride). The gasket systems with the lids in a closed, locked position must yield an airtight seal when tested in accordance with para-graph B–18h(1).

c. Workmanship. The casket must be produced by the best means employed by those skilled in the art of metal fabrication and upholstering. All parts must be accurately formed and properly assembled into the finished article, and each casket must be of the quality and grade of product established by this specification.

B–18. Quality assurance provisions

a. Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or order, the contractor may use his or her own or any other facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein. The U.S. Government reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in the specification where such inspections are called for to assure supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.

b. Quality conformance inspection. When called for, sampling for inspection and acceptance must be performed in accordance with the provisions set forth in MIL–STD–1916, when called for.

c. Inspection of materials and components. In accordance with paragraph B–18a, components and materials must be inspected and tested in accordance with all the requirements of this specification and standards unless otherwise excluded, amended, modified, or qualified in this specification or applicable purchase document.

d. End item inspection. The lot must be all caskets offered for inspection at one time. The sample unit for this inspection must be one complete casket.

e. Visual examination. Examination of the caskets must be in accordance with the classification of defects set forth in table C–1.

f. Dimensional examination. Inspection must be made of the finished caskets for dimensions specified. Any noncompliance with specified requirements must constitute a defect.

g. End item testing. Testing must be performed in accordance with paragraph B–18h(1)and (2).

h. Test methods. See the following paragraphs:

(1) Air tightness. The halogen leak test must be used by the U.S. Government or the supplier. Conduct the test as follows: A generous portion of freon refrigerant gas must be released into the casket, and the casket lids closed and locked for 5 minutes. Then, a Halide Gas Leak Detector Model LP 777 or equivalent must be applied to all joints, bottom, gasket and sealing system, and handle assembly for the purpose of detecting leaks on the casket. The test results will be used to determine compliance with paragraphs B–17a and B–17b(7).

(2) Bottom deformation test. The casket must be loaded with a uniformly distributed weight of 350 pounds, and the lids closed and locked. The casket must then be attached to a rectangular suspension frame by metal straps at six evenly spaced points along each side handle, as close to hardware attachment points as possible, and should be so arranged so as to produce uniform weight distribution by means of adjusting wedges. The width of the strap around the handle must be 3 inches. The suspension frame must be lifted until the bottom of the casket has cleared the floor 4 inches. Bottom deformation must be measured by placing a straight edge under the casket from the front side to the back side at the casket mid-point. The extent of deformation must be the average of two measurement readings taken simultaneously at the edge of the front side and back side of the casket. The readings must be determined by measuring the distance from the bottom of the casket to the top of the straight edge. The casket must remain suspended for a period of 15 minutes and examined for compliance with paragraph B–17b(2).

(3) Handle bend test, static loading. The test must be in accordance with paragraph B–18h(2), except that the casket must be suspended at two points on each side. These points must be located midway between the lugs toward the ends of the casket. The same test must be performed on the end handles; each end must be lifted separately using two points of suspension on the end handle. Handles must then be examined for compliance with paragraph B–17b(6).

B–19. Casket certification The contractor must be required to provide a statement that the casket to be furnished for use under the terms of the contract conforms in all details to the minimum specifications contained therein. Extra copies of the specification may be obtained from the contracting officer.

2. WOOD CASKETS. The contractor shall meet or exceed the specific requirements in accordance with AR 638-2 Appendix C as listed below:

Appendix C

Armed Services Specification for Hardwood Caskets for Continental of the United States Base and Port of Entry Requirements

C–1. Classification Standard size perfection cut half-couch hardwood casket. The inside dimensions must not be less than 77 1/2 inches in length, measured between the inner surfaces of the end panels, and 22 1/2 inches in width, measured between the inner surfaces of the side panels.

C–2. Applicable documents Military standards. MIL–STD–1916 the issue in effect on the date of invitation for bids or requests for proposals, forms a part of this Armed Services specification to the extent specified herein.

C–3. Requirements

a. Sample casket. When specified, a sample completed casket or sample casket without upholstery must be made avail-able to the contracting officer or his or her authorized representatives for quality assurance inspection in accordance with paragraph C–5. The approval of the sample is acceptance of the casket, but does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for compliance with all applicable provisions of this specification. The prefurnished samples should be manufactured in the same facilities to be used for the manufacture of caskets to be furnished under contract.

b. Materials. Materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to the applicable specifications and requirements specified hereinafter. Unless otherwise specified herein, tolerances for materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to this specification.

c. Woods. Select hardwoods must be used throughout the caskets. The hardwood used in fabricating or constructing the caskets must be one of the following: poplar, salix (willow), or cottonwood.

d. Thickness. Thickness of the rough lumber used in hardwood caskets must not be less than 4/4 (1 inch) stock.

e. Fabric (lining). The construction of this cloth should be, as a minimum, be as follows: warp, 92 ends-100 denier dull acetate yarn; filling, 52 picks-150 denier dull acetate yarn. The acetate taffeta fabric’s finish must be flat or embossed. The color should be rosetan.

f. Nonwoven fabric material tissue. The nonwoven material for backing the fabric of the lining assemblies must be scrim laminate consisting of 3 feet by 2 1/2 feet nylon scrim with two plies of tissue adhesively bonded to each side of scrim and white in color.

g. Pillow and body pocket. The pillow and body pocket must be a minimum of 40 percent cotton and 60 percent linters or synthetic equivalent.

h. Upholstering. See the following paragraphs.

i. Lining assemblies. The lining assemblies for the interior of the head panel lid, sides and ends of casket, overlay, mattress spread, pillowcase, two-piece top (lid) supports (one-piece top (lid) supports must be finished to complement the casket), and the sides of the casket body must be as specified in paragraph C–3e, backed with fabric specified in paragraph C–3f. The head top must be lined with interior styling. The foot top must be lined with fabric and backing as specified in paragraphs C–3f and g or may be upholstered by applying a rigid one-piece insert, simulating fabric finish. The assemblies for the lid or head panel (as applicable), top of the pillowcase, outside exposed body lining, and top side of overthrow must be “Wave Crushed,” tufted, tailored, or shirred either by hand or machine. The puffing may be shirred or tailored. The interior assemblies for the sides and ends of casket must be tailored or shirred by hand or machine. Before lining the casket, the inside of the shell must be cleaned of all foreign material.

j. Pillow. The pillow should be made of nonwoven material specified in paragraph C–3g and filled with a minimum of 2 1/4 pounds of the specified filling material. The pillow then must be encased in an outer fabric cover as specified in paragraph C–4e. The pillow must be sized to properly fit the casket.

k. Mattress. The casket must be equipped with an adjustable inner spring. The mattress should be made of fabric specified in paragraph C–3g or polyethylene (.004) film and filled with cotton or synthetic filling in one piece, such as polyester, excluding all foam type, excelsior materials, and fiberglass. The mattress fill must render a minimum uniform thickness of 2 inches. The mattress also must also be sized to properly fit the casket.

l. Side panels. Side panels of the casket body must have padding in the skirting or apron area.

m. Finish. All exposed surfaces of wood components must be thoroughly sanded. A walnut color stain and sealer must be applied to all exposed surfaces and edges. A walnut color stain should be applied to the outside edge of the bottom of the hardwood casket. Exterior wood surfaces, exposed to view, including surfaces that are exposed when the casket is opened (not applicable to the bottom), must be given an adequate coating of the appropriate finish. The casket should have either a satin or high-gloss appearance following final finishing process. The sealer must be scuff sanded in all exposed view areas. Forced drying may be used, if desired. The exposed heads of screws used for assembling the casket must be appropriately finished (plated or painted) to correspond or complement the parent finish. The finish coat must level out to produce a smooth and uniform flow without orange peel, runs, wrinkles, drops, streaks, or areas of thin coating or no coating. The casket must be well finished, smooth, clear, and free from defects that may affect appearance or serviceability.

n. Casket protective cover. A cover common to the casket industry must be placed over each casket.

C–4. Construction design

a. Hardwood casket. The casket must be of hardwood, 4/4 (1 inch) stock. The casket must have a ledge and base molds (also commonly known within the hardwood casket industry as a “Stateside” design), as illustrated in figure C–1. The handle assembly must be a swing out type. Applied lugs and corners must be either plated in finish if metal or finished in the same manner according to paragraph C–3m.

Figure C–1. Sample hardwood casket design

b. Construction details. See the following paragraphs:

(1) Body. The casket must be fabricated or constructed from not less than 4/4 (1 inch) stock hardwood. The ledge should be of the same material as the body and must be reinforced to provide sufficient bearing to support the lid assemblies.

(2) Bottom panel. The bottom panel must be constructed from hardwood lumber not less than 4/4 (1 inch) rough hard-wood stock. The construction details of the bottom follow. The bottom panel must withstand, as a minimum, 350 pounds load with no deformation when tested according to paragraph C–5h(1). The bottom panel must be appropriately reinforced to meet weight and stress requirements.

(3) Lid. The casket must consist of a two-pieced cut-top lid with traditional oval panel, top frame, and header.

(4) Assembly. Accurate, tightly mitered joints must be assembled, using joint locks, nails, and glue common to standard industry practices. Exterior surfaces must be sanded to a uniform condition to accept exterior finishing materials. Bottoms must be installed in accordance with industry practices. Top and base moldings before milling must have been at least 4/4 (1 inch) stock. No trace of screw or nail heads must be visible after finishing.

(5) Shell hardware. Each lid must be hinged with two hinges each for proper support. Lids must be provided with locking support for retaining the lids in an open position. Each lid must have a positive lock.

(6) Handle assembly. The handle assembly must be 3 feet by 1 foot or 4 feet by 1 foot continuous swing out. The entire handle assembly must be fastened to the casket body in a manner that will ensure that the handle assembly must not rupture or show deformation when tested in accordance with paragraph C–5h(2). The finish applied to the handle assembly must be painted or plated in finish (if metal) or finished in the same manner specified in paragraph m (if hardwood) common to the hardwood casket industry.

c. Workmanship. The casket must be produced by the best means employed by those skilled in hardwood casket fabrication and upholstering. All parts must be accurately machined and properly assembled into the finished article, and each casket must be of the quality and grade of the product established by this specification.

C–5. Quality assurance provisions

a. Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or order, the contractor may use his or her own or any other facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein. The U.S. Government reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in the specification where such inspections are called for to assure supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.

b. Quality conformance inspection. When called for, sampling for inspection and acceptance must be performed in accordance with provisions set forth in MIL–STD–1916, when called for.

c. Inspection of materials and components. Per paragraph C–5a, components and materials must be inspected and tested in accordance with all the requirements of this specification and standards unless otherwise excluded, amended, modified, or qualified in this specification or applicable purchase document.

d. End item inspection. The lot should be all caskets offered for inspection at one time. The sample unit for this inspection must be one complete casket.

e. Visual examination. Examination of the caskets must be in accordance with the classification of defects set forth in table C–1.

f. Dimensional examination. Inspection must be made of the finished caskets for dimensions specified. Any noncompliance with specified requirements must constitute a defect.

g. End item testing. Testing must be performed in accordance with paragraph C–5h.

h. Test methods. See the following paragraphs:

(1) Bottom test. The casket must be loaded with a uniformly distributed weight of 350 pounds, and the lids closed and locked. The casket must then be attached to a rectangular suspension frame by metal straps at six evenly spaced points along each side handle, as close to hardware attachment points as possible, and should be so arranged so as to produce uniform weight distribution by means of adjusting wedges. The width of the strap around the handle must be 3 inches. The suspension frame must be lifted until the bottom of the casket has cleared the floor 4 inches. There must be no deformation when loading the casket. Loading of the casket should not produce any separation between the bottom boards and the sides of the casket.

(2) Handle bend test, static loading. The test must be in accordance with paragraph C–5h(1), except that the casket must be suspended at two points on each side. These points should be located midway between the lugs toward the ends of the casket. The same test must be performed on the end handles; each end must be lifted separately using two points of suspension on the end handle. Handles must then be examined for compliance with paragraph C–4b(3).

C–6. Casket certification The contractor must be required to provide a statement that the casket to be furnished for use under the terms of the contract conforms in all details to the minimum specifications contained therein. Extra copies of the specification may be obtained from the contracting officer.

3. Cremation Caskets: A hardwood perfection cut, half couch casket, standard adult size as appropriate, constructed primarily of wood (metal and plastic parts are kept to a minimum) in a satin or high gloss walnut finish. This casket is intended to be used as the container for the remains during the cremation process. The casket will be upholstered in a rose, tan or other neutral color crepe, statin, or similar material. It will also have a bed with a mattress and a pillow covered in a matching or complimentary material. The casket will have a continuous fixed bar or swing arm handles. A sample cremation casket that meets or exceeds the standard is Aurora (http://www.auroracasket.com/browseproducts/cremation/cremation_caskets).

4. OUTER SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR CASKETS (i.e., air trays). The contractor shall meet or exceed the specific requirements in accordance with AR 638-2 Appendix B, Section III, B-20 through B-22 as listed below. Shipping boxes may be required in the following sizes: 12 inches and 24 inches in length based on Government order. Air Trays combos may be required in the following sizes: standard adult (32”Wx87”Lx23”H) and oversize adult (38”Wx92”Lx23”H) based on Government order.

Section III

Outer Shipping Containers for Caskets (Air Tray or Equivalent)

B–20. Authorization Outer shipping containers are authorized for shipment of standard and oversized caskets.

B–21. Specifications Outer shipping containers furnished by contractors will conform to the performance test specifications of the air carriers and subsequent connecting carriers.

B–22. Overseas shipment requirements For overseas shipment, the contractor will provide an outer shipping container for caskets that meets the requirements of the air carriers and countries involved.

5. SOLID BRONZE URNS. The contractor shall meet or exceed the specific requirements in accordance with AR 638-2 Appendix D as listed below:

Appendix D

Armed Services Specification for Solid Bronze Urns

D–1. Classification

a. Standard size. The standard solid bronze urn must be a cube-like design. It must have no single dimension being less than one-half the length, width, or depth. It must have at least one dimension being no less than 5 1/2 inches. The inside capacity must be not less than 200 cubic inches.

b. Oversize. The oversize solid bronze urn must be a cube-like design. It must have no single dimension being less than one-half the length, width, or depth. It must have at least one dimension being no less than 6 inches. Inside capacity must be not less than 300 cubic inches.

D–2. Requirements

a. Sample urn. A sample completed urn with inner container must be made available to the contracting officer or authorized representative for quality assurance inspection in accordance with paragraph D–4. The approval of the sample is acceptance of the urn, but does not relieve the manufacturer of responsibility for compliance with all applicable provisions of this specification. The pre-furnished samples should be manufactured in the same facilities to be used for the manufacture of urns to be furnished under contract.

b. Materials. Materials must, as a minimum, conform to the applicable specifications and requirements specified here-in after. Unless otherwise specified herein, tolerances for materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to this specification.

c. Metal. The metal must be a bronze or commercial bronze alloy with a minimum of 85 percent copper and the balance must be composed of tin, lead, and/or zinc, or any other commercially accepted alloying metals. The metal must be wrought and/or cast. The finished wrought metal must be not less than.090 thousandths of 1 inch. The finished cast metal must be not less than.125 thousandths of 1 inch.

d. Welding. All component parts to be welded must be properly aligned into position prior to welding. Resistance, arc, or gas welds must be sound and free from pits, holes, or fissures. Welding must be accomplished without burning through the welded metals. After any flash welding, outside exposed flash must be removed entirely and no trace of the joint must be visible after finishing. Exposed welds must be finished flush to the original surface and must not be readily detectable after finishing. Repair of welds will be accepted, provided such repaired welds meet the requirements of this specification. Silver and soft solder techniques are permitted as elective methods.

e. Inner container. The inner container that should receive the cremated remains for a standard size urn must be a polyethylene bag, 4 mm in thickness, with gusset, and of sufficient size (dimensions) to accommodate not less than 200 cubic inches of cremated remains and proper closure. The closure device must be a plastic pull-through tie. The same provisions apply for the oversize urn with the exception that the bag must accommodate not less than 300 cubic inches of cremated remains and proper closure.

f. Military emblem. The urn must have affixed a cast bronze military emblem. The emblem’s finish must be satin for the raised portion, while the background must be a contrasting darker color. The emblem must be 3 inches in diameter. The emblem must be affixed to the face side of the urn with two threaded brass studs, washers, and nuts. The portions of the studs extending beyond the nuts inside the urn must be covered to prevent penetration and perforation of the urn’s inner container. The emblem must be centered from left to right on the upper portion of the face side of the urn to allow a balanced space below for engraving. The military emblems to be provided are U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard, as called for by the contracting officer or designated representative (see para E–3i for specific emblems).

g. Finish. For wrought urns, the exterior finish must be satin. The back or bottom panel may be painted if recessed in the body of the urn. For cast urns, the exterior finish must be matte natural bronze. The bottom panel may be painted if recessed in the body of the urn.

h. Nitrocellulose lacquer (air dry or flash dry). All surfaces of metal components must be thoroughly cleaned. All exterior metal surfaces exposed to view must be given an adequate coating of the appropriate color lacquer, or all surfaces must then be coated with a clear lacquer. This process must achieve at least the required more than 1.0 mil dry film thickness. The exposed heads of screws used for assembling the urn bottom must be appropriately finished to correspond or complement the parent metal finish. The finish coat must level out to produce a smooth and uniform flow without orange peel, runs, wrinkles, drops, streaks, or areas of thin film or no film. The urn must be well finished, smooth, clear, and free from defects that may affect the appearance or serviceability.

i. Packaging. The urn must be enveloped by one of the following prior to placement in the corrugated shipping carton: tissue, felt paper, foam material, or any other material that has equal or better protective characteristics.

D–3. Construction design

a. Body. Any and all seams and joints where two or more parts of the body are joined together during fabrication must be joined as one piece by a continuous metallic bead as specified in paragraph D–2d.

b. Bottom or back panel. The bottom or back panel must be separate from the body. A bronze plate must meet flush with all sides of the body of the urn or must fit recessed in an equally snug manner to all sides of the body of the urn.

c. Closure. The bottom or back panel must fasten to the body of the urn with a minimum of four brass screws with one screw placed in each corner of the panel. The brass screws must be not less than No. 6–32 by 3/8 inch flat head machine screws.

d. Fabrication or manufacturing. Urns must be fabricated or manufactured and assembled within the United States of America.

e. Workmanship. The urn must be produced by the best means employed by those skilled in the art of metal fabrication. All parts must be accurately formed and properly assembled into the finished article, and each urn must be of the quality and grade of product established by this specification.

D–4. Quality assurance provisions

a. Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or order, the contractor may use his or her own or any other facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein. The U.S. Government reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in the specifications where such inspections are called for to assure supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.

b. Quality conformance inspection. When called for, sampling for inspection and acceptance must be performed in accordance with the provisions set forth herein when called for.

c. Inspection of materials and components. In accordance with paragraph D–4a, components and materials must be inspected and tested in accordance with all the requirements of this specification and standards unless otherwise excluded, amended, modified, or qualified in this specification or applicable purchase document.

d. End item inspection. The lot should be all urns offered for inspection at one time. The sample unit for this inspection must be one complete standard size and one oversize urn.

e. Visual examination. Visual examination of all urns to be procured must be in accordance with the classification of defects set forth in table D–1.

f. Dimensional examination. Inspection must be made of the finished urns for dimensions specified. Any noncompliance with specified requirements must constitute a defect.

g. End item testing. Testing must be performed for compliance with the provision of this specification.

D–5. Urn certification The manufacturer must provide a letter of certification in each urn to be furnished for deceased Armed Services personnel, certifying the urn conforms to and meets or exceeds the Armed services specification.

6. SOLID HARDWOOD URNS. The contractor shall meet or exceed the specific requirements in accordance with AR 638-2 Appendix E as listed below:

Appendix E

Armed Services Specification for Solid Hardwood Urns

E–1. Scope This specification establishes the standards for hardwood urns.

E–2. Classification

a. Standard size solid American black walnut (Juglans nigra) urn. The design must be cube-like with flared base. It must have no single dimension being less than one-half the length, width or depth. It must have at least one dimension being no less than 6 inches. Inside capacity must be not less than 200 cubic inches.

b. Oversize solid American black walnut (Juglans nigra) urn. The design must be cube-like with flared base. It must have no single dimension being less than one-half the length, width or depth. It must have at least one dimension being no less than 7 1/2 inches. Inside capacity must be not less than 300 cubic inches.

E–3. Requirements

a. Sample urn. A sample completed urn must be made available to the contracting officer or authorized representative for quality assurance inspection in accordance with paragraph E–5. The approval of the sample is acceptance of the urn, but does not relieve the manufacturer of responsibility for compliance with all applicable provisions of this specification. The prefurnished samples should be manufactured in the same facilities to be used for the manufacture of urns to be furnished under contract.

b. Materials. Materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to the applicable specifications and requirements specified hereinafter. Unless otherwise specified herein, tolerances for materials must conform, as a minimum, conform to this specification.

c. Woods. The entire urn must be crafted exclusively from kiln-dried solid American black walnut (Juglans nigra), graded “First and Seconds” using the National Hardwood Lumber Association standards.

d. Thickness. The thickness of all lumber used in the urns must be not less than three-quarters of 1-inch stock.

e. Inner container. The inner container that should receive the cremated remains (cremated remains) for a standard size urn must be a polyethylene bag, 4 mm in thickness, with gusset, and of sufficient size (dimensions) to accommodate not less than 200 cubic inches of cremated remains and proper closure. The closure device must be a plastic pull-through tie. The same provisions apply for the oversize urn with the exception that the bag must accommodate not less than 300 cubic inches of cremated remains and proper closure.

f. Inner surfaces. All inner surfaces of the urns must be thoroughly sanded, removing all mill, machine, and cross-grain sanding marks. A filler stain, walnut in color, must be evenly applied to all interior surfaces followed by an adequate coat of lacquer.

g. Hardware. Any component other than wood specified in paragraph E–3c that is used in assembling the urn must be of solid brass metal.

h. Engraving plate. The urn must be provided with an engraving plate as described below. It must have a 2 1/2 by 5 inch under brass nameplate with a 2 by 4 1/2 inch black brass nameplate (the black brass nameplate engraves brass color). The black brass nameplate must have brass mounting screws in each corner of this plate. The plate must be centered from left to right on the lower portion of the face side of the urn.

i. Military emblem. The urn must have affixed a cast bronze military emblem. The emblem’s finish must be satin for the raised portion while the background must be a contrasting darker color. The emblem must be 3 inches in diameter. The emblem must be affixed to the face side of the urn with two threaded brass studs, nuts, and washers. The portion of the studs extending beyond the nuts inside the urn must be covered to prevent penetration and perforation of the urn’s inner container. The emblem must be centered from left to right on the upper portion of the face side of the urn to allow a balanced space below for the engraving plate. The military emblems to be provided are U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard, as called for by the contracting officer or designated representative. Specific emblems to be provided are illustrated in figure E–1.

j. Finish. The urn’s exterior finish must be satin. A filler stain, walnut in color, must be applied to all exterior surfaces, inner base edge, and bottom panel edges prior to finishing.

k. Nitrocellulose lacquer. Not less than four coats of clear nitrocellulose lacquer, either air dried or flash dried, must be applied to all exterior surfaces, the inner base edge of body, and edge of bottom panel. The finish coat must level out to produce a smooth and uniform flow without orange peel, runs, wrinkles, drops, streaks or areas of thin coating or no coating. The urn must be well finished, smooth, clear, and free from defects that may affect appearance or serviceability.

l. Packaging. The urn must be enveloped by one of the following prior to placement in the corrugated shipping carton: Styrofoam or equivalent or a soft protective cloth.

**SPECIAL SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS**

1. Each casket when packed shall have a scratch resistant cover over it generally made from some type of material other than plastic.

2. Each casket shall have a plastic cover over the top of the material cover that protects the casket from the other packing materials.

3. Each casket shall have Styrofoam packed on the head and foot ends of the casket; to prevent crushing also protects the caskets for storage. (Caskets are stored standing up to facilitate space utilization.)

4. Swingbar handles shall have foam like substance that protects the ends with a packing material that protects the chrome or matte finish of the hardware.

5. Styrofoam material shall be formed to the top of the casket in three to four individual pieces to help protect the caskets when they are stacked for shipment.

6. Caskets shall be packed in a rigid cardboard container or shipping box with minimal amount components to ensure the container does not come apart in shipment, transport or delivery.

7. The outer cardboard container or similar shipping container shall have at minimum three outer bands to hold the container together in shipment, transport and delivery.

8. The outer container shall be clearly labeled with the name of the casket and type of casket.

9. Delivery by Ocean. Caskets shall be upright, two caskets per pallet. Each pallet shall be enclosed with plywood to provide extra protection for the caskets. Caskets are stored upright and packaging shall allow for this upright storage.

Shipping address to Europe Miesau Army Depot U.S. Army Memorial Affairs Activity - Europe Building 1252 Miesau, Germany 66892 Profit, general & administrative (G&A) and overhead on travel expenses will not be allowed.

Shipping address to Korea USFK Casualty & Mortuary Affairs Center USAG-Yongsan Unit 15333 South Post Bldg 5498 Routing # 319 Yongsan, South Korea 140-766 Profit, general & administrative (G&A) and overhead on travel expenses will not be allowed.

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