Concrete Grave Liners

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2300000266 on October 27, 2022, seeking vendors to establish a master agreement for the procurement of concrete grave liners to support five cemetery locations: Cemetery Central in Radcliff, Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, Cemetery North in Williamstown, Cemetery Northeast in Greenup, and Cemetery Southeast in Hyden. The solicitation requires 600 standard-size concrete grave liners (30" x 86" x 27.75" minimum, 2,200 lbs. each) and 140 oversized concrete grave liners (37" x 95" x 30" minimum, 2,900 lbs. each), for a total of 740 units to be delivered on an as-needed basis through delivery orders. All liners must meet specifications including 5,500 psi concrete strength at 28 days, Forte Fiber Mesh reinforcement, four steel lifting eyes, and two one-inch drain holes, with covers featuring reinforcement bars and minimum two-inch thickness. The initial contract period runs one year beginning April 18, 2023, with four optional one-year renewal periods subject to written approval and potential renegotiation. Vendors' written questions were due by November 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET, with bids due electronically through the eProcurement system by November 14, 2022 at 1:30 PM ET. Award will be determined using a best value approach allocating 90 points to price (with the lowest bidder receiving maximum points and others scored proportionally) and 10 points to delivery performance, with delivery time stated in working days and one percent daily invoice deductions for each day exceeding the contracted delivery date.

All bids must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service portal, with vendors required to pre-register at least 24-48 hours prior to submission; paper bids are not acceptable. Bidders claiming Kentucky resident status or qualified bidder status—including the Department of Corrections Division of Prison Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and nonprofit organizations serving individuals with severe disabilities—are eligible for reciprocal or statutory preferences per KRS 45A.490-494 and 200 KAR 5:410, with supporting affidavits required for such claims. Pricing must be quoted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, exclusive of federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax, with prices remaining valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date; price increases are prohibited during the first twelve months and may be requested thereafter only with written justification of industry-wide price changes, while any price decreases must be passed through to the Commonwealth. Prior to award, vendors must submit Revenue Form 10A100, Certificate of Authority (for foreign entities), required affidavits regarding compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws and tax obligations, and EEO forms if applicable. The solicitation does not identify incumbent vendors or specify an estimated contract value; however, the ongoing delivery arrangement without set quantities indicates that actual costs will depend on cemetery inventory management and ordering patterns throughout the contract term.