Cemetery Monuments

The Delaware Division of Social Services (DSS) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on April 29, 2013, targeting vendors capable of providing cemetery monument services for three Potter's Field cemeteries across Delaware's counties. The RFI specifically sought vendor capabilities for engraving and installing monuments at cemeteries in New Castle County (665 burials, averaging 26 per year), Kent County (1,182 burials, averaging 18 per year), and Sussex County (148 burials, averaging 14 per year). Key deliverables included monuments that could be engraved with names and marker numbers of all indigent persons buried at each location, with future engraving capabilities for ongoing burials. Vendors were required to provide detailed information about monument materials, sizing specifications, base requirements, engraving options, and optimal placement locations. The RFI established a strict timeline with vendor questions due by May 8, 2013, and answers published by May 15, 2013, with the final response deadline set for May 30, 2013, at 4:30 PM. Submission requirements included a comprehensive response package containing a cover letter, contact information, table of contents, and detailed answers to all RFI requirements.

This RFI was explicitly structured as an information-gathering exercise, with no contract award anticipated. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types were mentioned in the documentation. The procurement was open to all vendors capable of meeting the technical and informational requirements for cemetery monument services. No incumbent vendors were identified, and no specific budget range or award value was disclosed in the documents. The RFI indicated that the information collected would potentially be used to develop future Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation or to establish standards and policies for cemetery monument services. Vendors were advised that they would bear all costs associated with preparing and submitting responses. A non-award notification document was subsequently issued, confirming that no contract was awarded as a result of this RFI process.