Funeral Service

The Ohio Department of Veteran Services (DVS) is seeking a contractor to provide funeral and cremation services for deceased residents of the Ohio Veterans Home (OVH) in Sandusky who do not have pre-arranged funeral services. The scope of work requires a vendor to respond within two hours of notification to remove remains, provide refrigerated storage, oversee funeral preparations through a licensed funeral director, and offer either burial or cremation services. Specific deliverables include embalming, burial preparation with a 20-gauge steel casket and sealed vault or cremation with a plastic urn, obituary writing, funeral ceremony assistance, and guest book provision. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for January 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM at 3416 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, with contacts Roger Butler or Ina Baker. The contract period will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with potential for a one-year extension. All questions and solicitations must be submitted through OhioBuys, and the proposal is due by January 21, 2025.

The procurement appears to have several potential preference designations that could benefit certain businesses, including Ohio-based vendors, veteran-owned businesses, and firms qualifying under the E.D.G.E. (Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity) program. Contractors must complete several mandatory forms, including the Contractor Information Form, Certification Statements, and Affirmation and Disclosure Form, which require detailed information about business demographics, manufacturing locations, and workforce composition. While no specific budget range is listed, the contract requires the contractor to provide services at a preset price, with the understanding that neither the OVH nor the State of Ohio will be financially responsible for funeral expenses. Bidders must also comply with strict requirements regarding data protection, including a Business Associate Agreement that mandates HIPAA compliance and specific protocols for handling Protected Health Information. Offshore service restrictions are also in place, with potential contract termination if services are performed outside the United States without proper waivers.