C5613146-D, Cremation Services

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Contracts Management Branch is requesting bids for cremation services across 34 geographic groups covering 59 CDCR facilities statewide, with bids due June 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and public bid opening on June 15 at 2:00 p.m. The contract is subject to a 25% small-business participation requirement under Government Code 14838, with certified small businesses, micro-businesses, disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBEs), and nonprofit veteran service agencies eligible for preference incentives up to 5% on bid amounts not exceeding $50,000; DVBE incentives are scaled from 1% to 5% based on participation levels.

Scope includes removal of deceased incarcerated individuals' bodies, cold storage, cremation, containerization, ash disposal, death certificate completion, and related permits across all participating locations. Bidders may bid on one or more geographic groups but must bid on all locations within any selected group and all line items at each location. Estimated annual cremation volumes range from 3 to 150 per facility, with statewide totals of approximately 739 cremations. Each location's basis of award includes a 25% line-item allowance for as-needed services.

Compensation is unit-rate based per cremation plus estimated cold-storage and autopsy-related fees of $1,500 per location, as specified in Exhibit B-1. Bidders may offer discounts on invoices paid within 30 days (minimum 1% or $50). The contract term runs July 1, 2026 through April 30, 2029. All rates must include labor, transportation, materials, supplies, equipment, permits, licenses, taxes, and fees. Contractors must obtain and maintain valid California funeral establishment licenses, funeral directors licenses, crematory licenses, and motor carrier permits as applicable and comply with the California Funeral Directors and Embalmers Law. Letters of inquiry are due June 5, 2026. Monthly invoices in arrears require signed Service Reports; payment follows Government Code Chapter 4.5 timelines. No service guarantee exists.