Mortuary Affairs Services

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the original solicitation (FA301026Q0002) dated 05 May 2026.

Key changes include:

• Extended Site Visit Dates: Additional site visit dates have been added for coordination, including 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 27, and 28 May 2026. Attachment 6 - Site Visit Information has been updated to reflect these dates.

• Question Submission Deadline: All questions must now be submitted in writing no later than 20 May 2026 at 10:00 A.M. CST.

• Quote Submission Deadline: The deadline for quote submission has been extended to 29 May 2026 at 10:00 A.M. CST.

• Solicitation Dates: Response Due Date changed from 15 May 2026 to 29 May 2026.

• Attachments: Attachment 6 - Site Visit Information has been updated.

• Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters: An addendum to FAR 52.212-1 has been added, providing specific instructions for submission requirements, including Offeror Name, Physical Address, Point of Contact, SAM Registration/DUNS/Cage Number, Small Business Identification, Completed Attachment 2 - Price List, Completed Attachment 3 - Technical Information, and recent inspection documentation.

• The deadline for submitting questions has been extended to 20 May 2026.

• The deadline for submitting quotes has been extended to 29 May 2026.

• Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment. Failure to do so may result in rejection of the offer.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Keesler Air Force Base Mortuary Affairs Services (FA301026Q0002) opportunity.

• Incumbency: The government confirmed that there is no incumbent contractor for this requirement, and it is a new project.

This clarification indicates that bidders will not be competing against an incumbent and that this is a new requirement, which may influence proposal strategy.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) establishes the DoD mortuary specifications for the operation of DoD facilities and funeral homes under contract for mortuary services. It applies to all Service components and outlines requirements for the embalming, restoration, other preparation, care, and disposition of remains of authorized personnel.

• The contractor shall provide licensed facilities, equipment, licensed funeral service practitioners, motor vehicles, professional services, supplies, death certificates, caskets, urns, outer shipping containers, and transportation.

• Services include disinfection, preservation, and restoration of remains, adhering to applicable federal, state, territory, and local licensing requirements and regulatory standards.

• Preparation of remains includes insect treatment, disinfecting orifices, washing, grooming, setting features, and body positioning.

• Embalming requirements are detailed for both viewable and non-viewable remains, including specific chemical concentrations and injection techniques.

• Restorative art is defined, with provisions for minor and major restorations, requiring consent for major procedures.

• Classification of remains includes viewable, viewable for identification only, and non-viewable categories, with specific preparation guidelines for each.

• Detailed procedures for dressing, wrapping, casketing, and transportation of remains are provided.

• Cremation services are limited to subsequent portions or retained organs, not whole bodies.

• Services must be performed promptly, generally within 24 hours of notification, excluding inspection time.

• Quality Assurance: Goods and services must meet or exceed the standards within this PWS. The Government reserves the right to perform inspections.

• Performance will be evaluated based on adherence to PWS standards, with potential deductions for unsatisfactory performance.

• A Quality Control Plan (QCP) is required from the contractor.

• Area of performance is a four-hour radius from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

• Licensed embalmers and licensed/registered interns/apprentices are authorized for preparation.

• Compliance with federal, state, and local laws regarding hygiene and preparation is mandatory.

• Specific requirements for funeral home facilities, vehicles, and personnel are outlined, including licensing and business practice analysis.

• Crematoriums must meet specific licensing, operational, and accountability standards.

• Government Furnished Items include DD Form 2063, necessary clothing, and materials for wrapping non-viewable remains.

• Contractor Furnished Items include caskets, urns, shipping containers, and secondary funeral home payments.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (FA301026Q0002) is for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to provide mortuary affairs services. The acquisition is set aside 100% for small business.

• The core requirement is to provide mortuary affairs services in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) found in Attachment 1.

• Offerors must complete Attachment 2 (Price List) and Attachment 3 (Technical Information).

• A statement confirming no exceptions to the PWS is required.

• Past performance, including recent inspection documentation (within 12 months), is crucial. If not provided, a pre-award site inspection of funeral home and crematorium facilities will be required.

• This is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with an ordering period from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2031 (five years).

• Minimum order amount: $500.00

• Maximum order amount: $24,999.99

• Maximum BPA ceiling: $349,999.99

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price.

• NAICS Code: 812210 (Funeral Homes and Funeral Services and Crematories)

• Size Standard: USD 12,000,000.00

• Offerors must submit quotes electronically in three volumes: Price, Technical, and Site Inspection.

• Offer due date: May 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST.

• Evaluation will be based on Price, Technical, and Site Inspection. Technical and Site Inspection are weighted equally and are approximately equal to cost or price.

• An "Acceptable" rating is required in all evaluation parts for award.

• Key contacts for questions: Stacey Zawalski (stacey.zawalski.1@us.af.mil) and Priscilla Brown (priscilla.brown.5@us.af.mil).

• This acquisition is 100% set aside for small business.

• Several FAR and DFARS clauses are incorporated by reference and full text, including those related to small business representations, payment, and contract administration.

• An organized site visit is coordinated for May 6, 7, or 11, 2026.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price list detailing various services and items related to funeral arrangements. It is intended to provide potential bidders with the cost structure for these offerings.

• Services: Includes basic funeral director services, pallbearers, musicians, clergy, transportation, embalming, viewing, and graveside services.
• Items: Lists caskets (standard, oversized, cremation, infant/child/youth, hardwood, metal), urns (solid hardwood, bronze), grave markers, headstones, vaults, and cremation containers.
• Ancillary Items: Includes items such as memorial books, floral arrangements, death certificates, and newspaper announcements.
• Units of Measure: Services are primarily listed by 'Each' or 'Hour', with transportation also by 'Mile'.

This price list is crucial for bidders to understand the cost components of funeral services. It will likely be used to prepare proposals or quotes by itemizing the pricing for each service and product. Bidders should review this list to ensure they can meet the pricing expectations or to formulate their own competitive pricing strategy.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 6 - Site Visit Information," is a form for potential bidders to provide information related to a site visit. It is used to gather details necessary for scheduling and conducting the visit.

• Name of Funeral Establishment: Field to enter the name of the bidder's funeral establishment.
• Location of Site Visit: Field to specify the location where the site visit will take place.
• Requested Date for Site Visit: Options to select one of three dates: May 6, 2026; May 7, 2026; or May 11, 2026.
• Requested Time for Site Visit: Field to specify the desired time for the site visit, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Bidders must complete and submit this form to indicate their preferred dates and times for a site visit. This information is crucial for the government to coordinate and schedule the site visit, which may be a mandatory or recommended step in the procurement process.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (WD) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work under the Service Contract Act in specific geographic areas.

• Geographic Area: Mississippi Counties of Hancock, Harrison, Jackson.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of occupations with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and footnotes.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits like Health & Welfare are detailed, including rates for regular hours and under Executive Order 13706.
• Executive Orders: Mentions Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining their applicability and requirements for federal contractors.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for contractors to request authorization for additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under the Service Contract Act in the specified counties. It directly impacts proposal pricing and ensures compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these minimums for all listed occupations and any conformed classifications.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 3 - Technical Information," is a questionnaire designed to gather specific technical and compliance information from potential bidders. It helps the government assess a vendor's suitability and capabilities for the opportunity.

• Item #1: Inquires about the bidder's history of suspensions, probations, or fines from any regulatory or governing entity within the last five years.
• Item #2: Asks if the bidder's caskets, urns, and shipping containers comply with commercial item descriptions found in Appendix D of the Performance Work Statement.
• Item #3: Seeks confirmation of registration with the Transportation Security Administration for the shipment of human remains.
• Item #4: Inquires about the existence of an effective remains accountability process, such as using numbered identity metal disks or ceramic tiles.
• Item #5: Asks about the bidder's capability to provide additional services beyond typical operating capacities during extreme emergencies.

Bidders must carefully review each question and provide accurate "Yes" or "No" responses. This attachment is critical for demonstrating compliance with specific requirements and assessing the bidder's capacity to meet the technical demands of the opportunity, particularly concerning the handling and transportation of human remains and emergency response capabilities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Funeral Home Inspection Checklist" (Attachment 4) used to evaluate the suitability of a funeral home for providing contractual mortuary services. It serves as a standardized tool for inspectors to assess various aspects of the funeral home's facilities and operations.

The checklist covers the following areas:

• Preparation Room: Assesses size, equipment, instruments, supplies, ventilation, and overall appearance.
• Storage: Verifies adequate space for holding remains.
• Private Carrier: Checks for the availability of a suitable funeral coach.
• Other Areas: Evaluates the condition of the chapel, stateroom, and office.
• Standard Criteria: Includes compliance with specifications, laws, and statutes; current licensing of the funeral home and manager; and availability of competent staff.
• Establishment - External Appearance: Assesses the building's exterior, grounds, parking areas, and the surrounding location.

Each item on the checklist includes a "YES" and "NO" option for the inspector to mark, along with fields for the Installation Name and Date. It concludes with a certification statement regarding the funeral home's acceptability for contractual services.

Bidders seeking to provide mortuary services under this contract should review this checklist to understand the specific facility and operational standards that will be inspected. This will help them ensure their facilities meet the government's requirements and prepare for any necessary inspections.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an inspection checklist for crematoriums, intended to verify compliance with operational, safety, and processing standards. It serves as a tool to assess the suitability of a crematorium for providing contractual mortuary services.

• Installation Details: Fields for Installation Name/Crematorium and Date.
• Inspection Categories:
  • Receiving/Sheltering Area (Size, Equipment, Instruments, Sheltering Area, Ventilation, Appearance)
  • Retort (Operation, Safety)
  • Processing of Cremated Remains (Sweeping, Foreign Object Disposal, Cremulator Availability, Particle Size)
  • Standard Criteria (Compliance with Laws/Statutes, License for Human Remains, Competent Staff)
• Certification Statement: A statement for the undersigned to certify whether the crematorium is acceptable.
• Signatures: Fields for Contracting Officer and Mortuary Officer/Other Officer.

Bidders seeking to provide mortuary services involving cremations may need to ensure their facilities or those they contract with meet the standards outlined in this checklist. It provides insight into the specific requirements and conditions the government may assess when evaluating a vendor's capability to perform cremation services.