9930--Off-Site Manufacture of U1 Blank Marble Markers for Nationwide Distribution

Amendment / Modification

This amendment provides answers to submitted questions regarding Solicitation 36C78626R0015. The deadline for submissions remains unchanged at 10:00 a.m. CST on February 23, 2026.

• Funding: The first task order will cover at least the guaranteed minimum amount.
• SOW Section 7.2 (Replacements): The 10-calendar-day replacement requirement for damaged monuments begins upon email notification from MPS to the Contractor.
• Section E.12 (Sample Marking): Offerors must mark the U1 marble marker sample on the back with a permanent marker, including the Offeror’s name, telephone number, email address, solicitation number, and quarry name.

Proposal submission deadlines and other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment provides answers to submitted questions and offers clarifying information regarding Solicitation 36C78626R0015 for the Off-Site Manufacture of U1 Blank Marble Markers.

Key clarifications include:

• Pricing Schedule: Amounts in Section B.3 (guaranteed minimum and maximum procurement amount) apply to the life of the contract, not per year.

• Quarry Source: Only one approved domestic quarry source is permitted per contract. Changes require a formal request, sample submission, and approval from the MPS Program Support Unit, effective only at the beginning of option years. Overseas suppliers are not permitted per SOW Section 4.5.

• Ordering Cadence: A funded task order with an estimated quantity will be issued. MPS will provide a yearly spreadsheet detailing monthly quantities for each cemetery, with schedule changes made within 10 business days of the next month's deliveries.

• Delivery Lead Time: This is an F.O.B. Origin requirement. The contractor manufactures, packages, and transfers to a government transportation carrier by the second Monday of each month for shipment during the second week. Direct delivery to cemeteries is only for replacements.

• Sample Review: Sample submission is part of the proposal and evaluation process. Production may not begin until written approval is received.

• Inspection and Acceptance: Initial acceptance occurs when the government's shipping carrier picks up the U1s. The MPS Program Support Unit may notify the contractor of damaged headstones within 5 days of transport, requiring replacement within 10 calendar days.

• Freight and Unloading: The government picks up U1s from the contractor's facility. The contractor is not responsible for delivery to cemeteries unless for replacements.

• Subcontractor Past Performance: Relevant past performance from a subcontractor can be evaluated, but the Prime Contractor must demonstrate its own experience and qualifications. At least 50% of salaries/wages must be from direct Prime Contractor employees.

• Section B.3, Price-Cost Schedule

• Section 4.0, 4.5, and 4.8 (SOW) regarding quarry sources and changes.

• Section E.12, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, regarding sample submissions and quarry commitment.

• SOW Section 7.2 regarding damaged headstones.

• SOW Section 8.4 regarding replacements.

• SOW Section 10.0 regarding subcontractor past performance.

The deadline for submissions remains unchanged: February 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment F: Contractor Discrepancy Report," is a form used to formally document and track discrepancies identified within a contract or agreement. It outlines the process for reporting, responding to, and resolving issues that arise during contract performance.

• Contract/Agreement Number: Identifies the specific contract involved.
• Report Number: A unique identifier for the discrepancy report.
• Dates: Tracks when the discrepancy was identified, when the report was delivered, and when corrective action is required.
• Discrepancy Description: A detailed explanation of the issue, with references to relevant sections of the Performance Work Statement (PWS), Performance Requirements Summary (PRS), or Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).
• Signatures: Includes fields for the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Contracting Officer (CO), and Contractor Representative to acknowledge and certify actions.
• Contractor Response: Requires the contractor to explain the cause of the discrepancy and propose corrective actions.
• Government Actions & Evaluation: Documents the government's assessment of the corrective actions and their effectiveness.
• Close Out: Acknowledges the successful resolution of the discrepancy.

This form is crucial for understanding the contract's quality assurance and issue resolution processes. Bidders should familiarize themselves with this report to understand how performance issues are managed and documented. It highlights the importance of adhering to contract requirements and the procedures for addressing any deviations. The instructions provide guidance on how to complete the form, which may be relevant if a bidder is expected to use or respond to such a report in the future.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a sample review form for U1 upright headstones, used to evaluate the specifications and acceptance of materials and finishes. It is intended for use by offerors and the government to ensure compliance with requirements.

• Headstone Types: U1 (Upright, Marble, Blank), V1 and W1 (Upright, Granite, Blank).
• Dimensions: Includes fields for Sample Size, Segmental Arch Radius, and Front & Back Edge Radius, with checkboxes for 'Acceptable' or 'Unacceptable'.
• Finish: Details Stone Coloration (Marble N6-N6.75, Granite N8.75 & ABOVE), Finish (Smooth satin), Grit used, and Pad used, with 'Acceptable'/'Unacceptable' checkboxes for each.
• Drawing References: Lists specific drawing numbers and revision dates for U1, V1, and W1 types.
• Sample Recommendation: Checkboxes for 'Approved' or 'Disapproved'.
• Reviewer/Concurrence: Fields for electronic signatures.

Bidders should use this form to understand the precise specifications and acceptance criteria for headstone materials, dimensions, and finishes. It guides the preparation of samples and ensures that submitted materials will meet the government's requirements, impacting proposal accuracy and evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a drawing (Attachment 2 - Drawing - A-U1-1 Rev B) that provides specifications and details for upright marble headstones and markers. It serves as a technical reference for contractors involved in producing or installing these headstones.

• Headstone Types: Details for "Standard Headstone" and "Memorial Headstone" are provided, including dimensions and inscription placement.
• Dimensions: Specifies overall dimensions for upright marble headstones as 13" x 42" x 4".
• Inscription Details: Illustrates inscription line placement, font sizes (referenced by ITEM L1, L3, L4), and centering for various line counts (6 to 11 lines).
• Emblems: Mentions "Emblems of Belief" and references another drawing (A-EM) for their details.
• Material & Finish: Notes that all marble dimensional tolerances are +/- 1/2 inch unless otherwise specified, and specifies a 1/4" edge radius for top and side edges.
• Rear Face Details: Shows the correct location for section and grave number inscription on the rear face of the stone.
• Revision History: Indicates revision B dated August 14, 2019, superseding previous versions.

This drawing is critical for bidders to understand the exact specifications, dimensions, inscription requirements, and acceptable tolerances for headstones and markers. It directly impacts the design, fabrication, and pricing of the items being procured. Bidders must ensure their proposals and products conform to these detailed technical drawings.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire intended for evaluators to provide feedback on an offeror's past performance. Offerors are instructed to distribute this questionnaire to their references, who will then complete and return it directly to the government.

• Offeror Information: Fields for the name and address of the offeror being evaluated.
• Contract Details: Space to record information about the contract being referenced.
• Evaluator Information: Fields for the evaluator's name, position, company, and email address.
• Past Performance Survey: A structured survey with rating scales (Outstanding, Above Average, Satisfactory, Marginal, Unacceptable) for various aspects of performance, including compliance with requirements, timeliness, labor/safety standards, management effectiveness, personnel management, quality control, flexibility, reliability, responsiveness, and notification of issues.
• Specific Questions: Questions regarding cure notices, willingness to re-award, customer satisfaction, invoice accuracy, professionalism, promptness of response, and meeting expectations.
• Remarks Section: Space for evaluators to provide detailed comments, especially for Marginal or Unacceptable ratings, or specific feedback on supplies/products.

Offerors must ensure this questionnaire is sent to their references and returned to the government by the specified deadline (February 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m. CST). Offerors must also include a copy of the completed Past Performance Information or the same information on a separate document with their proposal submission. This document is critical for the government's evaluation of the offeror's past performance, which is a key factor in contract award decisions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for a Bill of Lading (BOL) to be used for U.S. Government shipments, specifically for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

• Carrier Information: Fields for Carrier's Name / TSP's Name, SCA, Order Date, VA CBL Reference Number.
• Origin & Destination: Sections for Origin Name & Address and Destination Name & Address.
• Consignee & Shipper: Fields for Consignee’s Name & Address and Shipper’s Name & Address (Department of Veterans Affairs/NCA, Washington, DC).
• Billing & Payment: Details on Appropriation Chargeable, Bill-Charges-To Name & Address (Syncada from VISA), PO/REQN NUMBER, TSP’s PRO NUMBER.
• Marks / Comments: Instructions for delivery problems (contact DVA Memorial Product Services) and damaged freight (email disposition request).
• Shipment Details: Sections for DOCK, PALLETS, STACKABLE PALLETS, LIFT GATE, BLANKET WRAP, INSIDE DELIVERY, EXTRA LABOR.
• Item Description: Table for QUANTITY, ITEM DESCRIPTION, WEIGHT (lbs), MASS (kg), CUBIC VOLUME (ft3).
• Shipment Value: Field for Estimated Shipment Value.
• Rate Authority / Tender Reference: Section for RATE AUTHORITY / TENDER REFERENCE.
• Freight Estimate: Mentions that the shipment is subject to 41 CFR 102-117 & 41 CFR 102-118 and the VA General Freight Standard Tender of Service.
• VA CBL Issuing Office: Details for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Quantico, VA.
• Purchase Order & FOB: Fields for PURCHASE ORDER and FOB.
• Obligation Number: Field for Obligation Number.
• Certification of Delivery: Important note regarding presenting billing with an original SF1113 & original signature.

This template outlines the required format and information for creating a Bill of Lading for shipments related to this opportunity. Bidders involved in transportation or logistics will need to use this template or a similar format that captures all the specified details for proper shipment documentation and billing. It also references relevant federal regulations and VA tender of service terms that govern freight.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the manufacture and distribution of "U1" Marble Blanks (Upright Headstone, Marble, Blank, 13" x 42" x 4") nationwide for on-site inscription programs in National and State cemeteries. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) requires these headstones for deceased veterans.

• Manufacture and package upright marble headstones (U1 blanks).

• Deliverments are FOB Origin, utilizing Government contracted carriers.

• Shipments must be ready for carrier pick-up by the second Monday of each month.

• Marble must meet specific material, color, and finishing specifications (detailed in Section 4.0).

• Packaging and palletizing must adhere to ANSI industry standards and commercial best practices to prevent damage during transit.

• Contractor must provide a preprinted Government Bill of Lading for each shipment.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price, Indefinite Quantity.

• Performance Period: Base period (04/01/2026 - 03/31/2027) with four (4) option years.

• Minimum Order Quantity: 5,000 EA.

• Maximum Order Quantity: 225,000 EA.

• Proposals are due by 10:00 AM CST on February 23, 2026.

• Submission is via email to Weston.Worsham@va.gov.

• Evaluation will be based on Price, Technical, and Past Performance. Technical and Past Performance combined are less important than Price.

• A tiered evaluation process will be used: SDVOSB, VOSB, Small Business (with HUBZone and 8(a) priority), and Large Business.

• A marble sample (13" x 24" x ¾") must be submitted by the solicitation closing date and time. Samples failing inspection will result in proposal rejection.

• This acquisition is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) with a tiered evaluation including VOSB, Small Business, and Large Business.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov and certified as an SDVOSB/VOSB in the SBA DSBS system at the time of submission.

• Attachments include Bill of Lading Example, Drawing A-U1-1 Rev B, Sample Review Form, Contract Discrepancy Report, and Past Performance Questionnaire.

• Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted via email by 10:00 AM CST on February 2, 2026.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for a commercial acquisition of U1 marble blank markers for nationwide distribution by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA). The purpose is to manufacture and distribute these markers to cemeteries nationwide (CONUS) for on-site inscription programs. The agency intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) around January 23, 2026.

• Manufacture and distribute U1 marble blank markers.

• Delivery to approximately 16 locations nationwide (subject to change).

• Anticipated contract type: Single award Indefinite-Quantity Indefinite-Delivery (IDIQ) with Firm Fixed Price (FFP) task orders.

• NAICS Code: 327991 – Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing.

• This notice is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP). Vendors should NOT submit proposals until an RFP is posted.

• The procurement will use tiered evaluations, prioritizing SDVOSB concerns, then VOSB concerns, then small businesses (including HUBZone and 8(a)), and finally large businesses.

• If an award cannot be made under the set-aside tiers, the solicitation may be cancelled and re-solicited.

• Pricing is NOT requested at this time.

• The procurement is set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSBC).

• Tiered evaluation includes SDVOSB, VOSB, small business (HUBZone, 8(a)), and large business concerns.

• Interested parties must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• Future amendments and documents will be available electronically on SAM.gov. No paper copies will be provided.

• Vendors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for updates.

• Any costs incurred by interested parties are not reimbursable.

• The primary point of contact is Weston Worsham (Weston.Worsham@va.gov). Telephone requests will not be accepted.