Mortuary Services at VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Integrated Service Network 21, through Network Contracting Office 21, is gathering capability statements to inform procurement strategy for mortuary services for unclaimed or indigent veterans at the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, with responses due November 6, 2026 by 10:00 AM PST. The notice uses no set-aside, and the NAICS 812210 size standard is $12.5 million. No solicitation is available, and the notice states that no contract will be awarded from it. Place of performance is VAPAHCS, where the contractor must be located within a 25-mile radius, with deliveries to VA National or VA grant-funded State Veterans Cemeteries in Seaside or Gustine, California. The draft PWS, revised October 28, 2026, lists a base period of December 31, 2026 through December 30, 2027, with four option years through December 30, 2031. Required services include body preparation (pre-embalming, embalming, cremation preparation, casketing with a minimum 20-gauge metal casket sized 82x28 inches or larger, and restorative work) and transport and storage. Contractors must respond to pickups within one business day, complete burial within ten days of notification, hold current state funeral director and embalmer licenses, and run a quality control program with semi-annual reporting and Government surveillance inspections. Security requirements include confidentiality statements, annual VA security and privacy training, signed VA Contractor Rules of Behavior, and immediate notification of the Contracting Officer Representative and Information Security Officer of any PHI or PII breach, with potential liquidated damages of $37.50 per affected individual. Work falls under Service Contract Act Wage Determination 2015-5641, Revision 30, for Santa Clara County. VHA Directive 1601B.04 sets a not-to-exceed amount of $700 for funeral and burial services for unclaimed remains. Pricing is requested as a completed informational price estimate, with $24 per unit listed for each service category across four cost estimates. No incumbent is named. Capability statements must be emailed to john.waldrip@va.gov and include socioeconomic status with SBA registration confirmation if applicable, SAM Unique Entity ID, point of contact, certifications, relevant and similar past experience, subcontracting plans addressing the 50 percent personnel cost threshold under FAR 52.219-14 and 52.219-27, GSA contract numbers if applicable, and current SAM registration.