The Minneapolis VAMC requires Indigent Mortuary services in accordance with the Statement of Work (SOW), see below. This is a sources sought/proof of capability solicitation looking for Small Business vendors to perform the services per the SOW for market research purposes. No awards of a contract will be made from this announcement. If you are a vendor that can complete the work described in the SOW with competitive pricing, please send your information with a description of proof of capability to:
[email protected] on or before 5:00 PM Central Time, June 7th, 2022. *FAR Provision 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Small-Business, if applicable.* Statement of Work Mortuary Services for Indigent Veterans 1.0 General Information The Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) requires mortuary services for deceased indigent Veterans. The Contractor shall provide the facilities, professional funeral services, resources and transportation necessary to support the handling of remains of indigent deceased veterans from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center (VAMC) and to deliver the deceased to the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The offeror shall comply with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requirements and specifications and federal, state, and local health laws, statutes and regulations in the performing the following tasks as identified in this Statement of Work (SOW). The Contractor shall not discriminate in the handling of remains due to race, creed, sex, or national origin of the deceased. 2.0 Description of the Work to be performed 2.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for providing professional services of the highest quality to assure viewing of the remains under optimal conditions. 2.2 The Contractor shall practice hygienic measures that will assure complete and satisfactory disinfection and sanitation of the funeral establishment. 2.3 The Contractor shall have a sufficient number of licensed embalmers to process (embalm) or reprocess any remains on a timely basis. Interns or apprentices may be used to assist the licensed embalmer in accordance with (IAW) with applicable state regulations. 2.4 Transport Vehicles, supplies, equipment and technical procedures shall conform to standards and professional techniques acceptable to the Minnesota Funeral Service Industry and the National Cemetery at Fort Snelling, Minneapolis. 2.5 The Contractor or Sub-Contractor shall be within a 25-mile radius from the VA Medical Center. 2.6 Contractor s Facility shall meet Federal, State, Local and National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) Fire and Life Safety Codes. The Contractor s facility shall comply with current VA standards for handicapped accessibility. Any change of the Contractor s facility location during the contract term shall be approved in advance by the Contracting Officer (CO). 3.0 VAMC Responsibilities 3.1 In accordance with the Veteran s expressed funeral arrangement preferences, VAMC will advise the Contractor of the Veteran s preference for cremation or burial. If no preferences have been identified by the veteran, the facility will request direct burial services from the Contractor. 3.2 The VAMC Designated Representative (DR) is responsible for inspecting the indigent remains prior to release in accordance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive 1601B.04. 3.3 The CO will designate a representative to be responsible for the inspection of the mortuary services and the merchandise furnished for indigent remains under separate contractual agreements. 3.4 Notification to pick-up indigent remains. The VAMC COR or designated representative will notify the Contractor of indigent remains. The Contractor shall respond for removal of indigent veteran s remains within 8 hours during weekdays and within 24 hours weekends and holidays. The Contractor shall complete the burial process within 10 days of notification by VAMC. 3.5 Inspection of the body. Whether the body is cremated or to be buried, the casket and remains shall be inspected by the COR or designated representative prior to transporting to final destination. 4.0 Scope of Work General Tasks by the Contractor 4.1 Cremation (Inurnment) Services. When ordered by the COR or designated representative, this service shall include making the necessary arrangements with the crematorium and furnishing a suitable vessel for the cremated remains. 4.1.1 Suitable vessels shall be composed or made of standard plastic or wood. 4.2 Preparation of Remains (Body) Services for Interment. The COR or DR will advise the Contractor of the veteran s preference for cremation or body burial. If no prior preference is given by the veteran, the preference shall be burial. 4.2.1 Remains shall be prepared, dressed, and cosmetically beautified as prescribed in the specifications. 4.2.2 Each remain, viewable or non-viewable, shall be embalmed that provides the optimum result. 4.3 Dressing Remains. The funeral home shall provide the appropriate clothing to be used in the burial. 4.4 Remains shall be prepared, dressed and cosmetically enhanced (hair/make-up) comparable to any other burial at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 4.5 Each remain, viewable or non-viewable, shall be embalmed in such a way that provides the optimum results. 4.6 Provide a basic wooden or metal casket. 4.7 Remains shall be placed in the casket in a manner that will create an appearance of rest and composure and ensure maintenance of position during transit. 4.8 United States (US) Flag. The US flag will be furnished by the VA to be draped over the casket at the time of funeral service. 5.0 Transport and Storage of the Deceased Veteran. 5.1 Transport Vehicles. The Contractor shall have the necessary vehicles to transport the body from the VAMC to the funeral home and then from funeral home to the National Cemetery for interment or inurnment. 5.1.1 Loading the Casketed or the Cremated Remains. The remains shall be carefully and professionally placed in the type of vehicle normally used in for funeral services. 5.2 Transportation of Remains. The Contractor shall coordinate and transport the body or indigent remains in a funeral coach, ambulance, and hearse or service car to the Contractor s facility; and when ready for burial, the Contractor shall transport it to the National Cemetery for burial. 5.3 Storage of Deceased Veteran. The Contractor shall have adequate storage space to hold and store (refrigeration) the remains until burial arrangements are confirmed. 5.4 Place of Burial. Mortuary services ordered by the VA will specify the interment to be Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The burial plot, the marker and services for opening and closing the grave, and placing the marker, will be furnished by the VA. 6.0 Permits/Licenses to operate. 6.1 The Contractor shall possess the current transit permit at the time of award of Contract. Permits covering burial, cremation or removal of the body, if required, are to be secured and paid for by the Contractor. 6.2 In accordance with the Minnesota Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, the Contractor shall provide proof of license for the establishment and funeral home director(s), prior to commencing any work under this contract. 6.3 The Contractor s employees shall have the appropriate and current license(s) prior to commencing work under this contract. Copies of registrations and licenses shall be furnished upon COR s request. The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining Workers Compensation and Professional Liability Insurance, as well as remaining current on Federal, State and Medicare payments.