Y1PZ--Fayetteville National Cemetery, Columbaria and In-ground Cremains Burial Expansion (VA-25-00092710)

Geotechnical Report

This document presents the findings of a geotechnical investigation for the Fayetteville National Cemetery Columbarium and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion Project. It details subsurface soil conditions, groundwater observations, and provides recommendations for site preparation, grading, earth retaining structures, foundations, and pavement improvements based on six project borings and laboratory analyses.

This report is critical for potential bidders to understand the site's geological characteristics and associated construction requirements and challenges:

• Subsurface Conditions: The site consists of topsoil (3-6 inches), flexible asphalt pavement (2.5-4.5 inches) over aggregate base, moisture-sensitive fine-grained soils (Sandy Lean Clay, Gravelly Lean Clay with Sand), and highly weathered to hard shale materials at depths ranging from 5 to 13.5 feet.
• Groundwater: No true groundwater was encountered during borings, but perched water may accumulate during precipitation due to low soil permeability. Dewatering measures may be required during wet construction periods.
• Excavation: Hard shale materials were encountered, indicating potential excavation difficulties at deeper depths. Bidders must adhere to OSHA guidelines for temporary slopes, and a Professional Engineer (PE)-stamped shoring plan is required for excavations deeper than 20 feet.
• Foundation Recommendations: Shallow foundations (spread and continuous footings) are recommended for Columbarium Niche Walls. Footings should bear at least 2 feet below planned finish surface elevations for frost heave protection. A minimum of 2 feet of properly compacted and moisture-conditioned select fill material is required beneath all foundation elements. Allowable bearing capacities are 2,200 psf for continuous footings and 2,500 psf for spread footings. Direct bearing on moisture-sensitive fine-grained soils (Stratum II CL) is not recommended; anticipate removal of up to 3 feet of these materials in the B-01 footprint.
• Pavement Recommendations: Most existing asphalt access roads will undergo mill-and-overlay. Some areas may require additional work for acceptable overlay thickness. Full-depth removal of existing pavements is planned near boring B-06. Minimum pavement sections for asphalt and concrete are provided in Tables 6 and 7 of the report. Select fill material (chert gravel/clayey sand) is recommended for subgrade, with specific plasticity and sieve requirements. Compaction parameters for select fill and Class 7 base course are detailed in Table 8.
• Site Grading: Final grades are expected to be near existing, with potential raising of grades by approximately 4 feet in the southern Columbarium alignment. Pedestrian walkways should be constructed on at least 1 foot of approved select fill.
• Construction Materials Testing: The report recommends providing construction materials testing and special inspection services to ensure compliance with recommendations and specifications. Field verification of earthwork operations is required.

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

This Scope of Work (SOW) outlines the goals and objectives for the construction project at Fayetteville National Cemetery in Arkansas, specifically for the Columbaria and In-ground Cremains Burial Expansion.

• The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, tools, equipment, and services necessary for construction as per the provided construction documents and specifications.

• The project includes several CLINs (Contract Line Items):

  • CLIN 01: Base Bid for Columbaria and In-ground Cremains Burial Expansion and Sitework.
  • CLIN 02: Administration/PIC/Restroom Bldg/Material Storage Shelter/Equipment Storage Structure/Committal Shelter/Entrance Gate/Hazmat Storage Enclosure/AST/Service Building.
  • CLIN 03: Roof Replacement.

• The contractor is responsible for the quality and completeness of the project, including coordination between trades and quality control of subcontractors.

• The project is subject to Historic Compliance, requiring work to be compatible with contributing elements within the Cemetery and meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Resources.

• Environmental Compliance is addressed, with the project being "categorically excluded" from environmental documentation requirements.

• The construction performance period is 18 months from the notice to proceed.

• The location is Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas.

• Work must occur during normal operating hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm), with exceptions requiring 72-hour written approval.

• Work must cease during ceremonies and internments, with special care taken to accommodate visitors and avoid safety hazards.

• Parking for construction staff is limited and must be coordinated; offsite parking may be required and will not be reimbursed by VA NCA.

• No smoking is permitted on cemetery grounds.

• Proper attire and professional conduct are required.

• The VA NCA requires a detailed price breakdown/cost schedule in the proposal, matching project performance schedule line items.

• Government-provided construction documents (Drawings and Specifications) are attached.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains detailed architectural drawings and specifications for the Fayetteville National Cemetery project, specifically focusing on the Columbarium and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion. It includes plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and notes related to various aspects of the construction, such as foundations, walls, fire alarm systems, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, technology, and general conditions.

• Drawings: Includes plans for foundations, retaining walls, fire alarm systems, electrical, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), technology, and general conditions across multiple buildings (Service Building, Admin Building, Committal Shelter, Material Storage, Equipment Storage, Carillon Structure).
• Details & Sections: Provides specific construction details for walls, roofs, doors, and various mechanical/electrical components.
• Schedules: Lists details for doors, equipment, panels, and other building components.
• Notes & Specifications: Outlines general requirements, applicable codes, and specific instructions for demolition, new work, and material usage.

This comprehensive set of drawings is critical for bidders to understand the full scope of work, including the design intent, specific requirements, demolition scope, and construction details for all aspects of the project. It is essential for accurate bidding, proposal preparation, and execution of the construction work as specified.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains detailed architectural and engineering drawings for the Fayetteville National Cemetery Columbaria and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion project. It provides specific construction details, elevations, sections, and plans for various components of the columbaria, piers, walls, foundations, and landscape elements.

• Columbarium Elevations and Sections: Detailed views of columbarium units, including niche dimensions, shelf elevations, and overall structural configurations.
• Pier and Wall Details: Construction details for columbarium piers and retaining walls, specifying materials, reinforcement, and connections.
• Foundation and Footing Details: Information on foundation design, bearing pressures, structural fill requirements, and waterproofing.
• Cap and Medallion Details: Specifications for cap stones, row/column identification medallions, and their attachment methods.
• Landscape Plans: Site plans indicating areas for Astro Bermuda grass, City of Fayetteville grass seed mix, and stone mulch, along with existing features to remain.
• Irrigation Plans: Demolition and layout plans for the existing and new automated irrigation systems, including details for valves and sprinklers.
• General and Structural Notes: Comprehensive notes covering concrete, masonry, foundations, design codes, and abbreviations relevant to the construction.

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the precise design, materials, dimensions, and construction methods required for the columbaria expansion. They inform bidding by detailing the scope of work, material quantities, and complexity of installation, directly impacting cost and schedule estimations. Bidders must carefully review these drawings to ensure accurate proposals and successful project execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains detailed drawings and specifications for exterior signs, site furnishings, and columbarium construction for the Fayetteville National Cemetery expansion project. It serves as a reference for the types of signs, their placement, materials, and construction methods, as well as details for site amenities like benches, watering stations, and trash receptacles, and the construction of columbarium walls.

• Exterior Sign Details: Includes schedules and details for traffic regulatory signs, directional signs, visitor information signs, and temporary construction signs. Specifies materials, dimensions, colors, and placement criteria.
• Site Furnishings Details: Provides specifications for flower watering stations, trash receptacles, benches, and floral regulations signage. Details materials, construction, and installation.
• Columbarium Elevations and Details: Shows detailed elevations and construction methods for columbarium walls, including niche units, brick veneer, limestone caps, foundations, and numbering systems.
• Pedestrian Gate Repair Details: Outlines the refurbishment of existing pedestrian gates, including hinge replacement and material specifications.
• Fencing Details: Specifies materials and installation methods for chain-link and decorative metal fences, including termination posts and connections to existing structures.
• Signage Schedules: Comprehensive lists of all signs, their designations, copy, locations, and keyed notes.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the specific aesthetic, material, and construction requirements for various site elements and structures. It directly impacts the scope of work, material sourcing, and installation procedures for any contractor involved in the physical construction or furnishing of the cemetery expansion. Bidders must carefully review these details to accurately estimate costs and ensure compliance with the specified standards and designs.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains detailed site plans, grading and drainage plans, storm sewer details, and signage plans for the Fayetteville National Cemetery Columbaria and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion project. It provides specific technical information required for construction.

• Site Details (CS512): Illustrates railing post settings, ramp cross-sections, and post flange details.
• Grading and Drainage Plans (CG101, CG102, CG103): Outlines proposed and existing contours, spot elevations, grading notes, and drainage strategies for various areas of the cemetery expansion.
• Storm Sewer Details (CG501): Provides specific details on pipe types, trenching, cleanouts, connections to existing structures, and underdrain systems.
• Exterior Signage Plans (CI110, CI111, CI112, CI113): Details existing signage inventory, demolition plans, and proposed exterior signage and site furnishing locations and types.
• Signage Schedules: Lists specific signs, their copy, locations, and categories (e.g., traffic regulation, informational).

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the physical scope of work, site preparation requirements, drainage infrastructure, and the placement and type of all new signage. They directly inform construction methods, material quantities, and site layout, impacting bid pricing and project execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains detailed construction drawings and plans for the Fayetteville National Cemetery Columbaria and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion project. It outlines site preparation, demolition, site layout, construction sequencing, erosion and sediment control, and various construction details.

• Site Development Plan (GC102): Overall site plan showing areas of work, existing structures, and general layout.
• Construction Sequencing & Fencing Plan (GC103): Details construction access, traffic management, and fencing requirements.
• Erosion & Sediment Control Plan (GC110): Outlines measures for controlling soil erosion and sediment runoff.
• Demolition Plans (CD101, CD102, CD103): Specify areas and items to be demolished.
• Site Layout Plans (CS101, CS102, CS103): Show proposed site layouts, including pavement, walkways, and columbaria placement.
• Site Details (CS510, CS511): Provide specific construction details for various elements like pavement, curbs, and joints.
• Columbarium Site Layout Enlargement Plans (CS401): Detailed plans for columbarium areas.
• Burial Section Numbering Plan (CS410): Identifies numbering for burial sections.

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the scope of work, existing conditions, proposed construction methods, site logistics, and specific requirements for the Fayetteville National Cemetery expansion project. They provide the visual and technical basis for estimating costs and developing a construction plan.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains various drawings and plans related to the Fayetteville National Cemetery Columbaria and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion project. It includes boundary and topographic surveys, boring logs, and a site development plan.

• Boundary/Limited Topography Survey: Provides topographical data and boundary information for the project site.
• Boring Logs: Details the results of soil borings, indicating subsurface conditions.
• Site Development Plan: Outlines the overall construction limits, including areas for columbarium niches and in-ground cremation sites. It also specifies the base bid scope of work and a gravesite yield summary.
• Legends and Notes: Provide explanations for symbols used in the drawings and important general notes for contractors, including information on site conditions, utility locations, and performance periods.

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the physical site conditions, the scope of work for the base bid, the layout of proposed columbaria and burial sites, and any specific site requirements. The boring logs are essential for assessing subsurface conditions, which will impact construction methods and costs. The site development plan clarifies the extent of work and the expected yield of burial spaces.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document contains the construction drawings (CD Submission) for the Fayetteville National Cemetery Columbarium and In-Ground Cremains Burial Expansion project. It provides detailed plans, elevations, sections, and details necessary for the construction of new columbarium structures and in-ground burial areas, as well as renovations to existing buildings.

• Drawing Index: A comprehensive list of all drawings included in the submission, categorized by discipline (General Information, Site Development, Demolition, Site Layout, Grading, Drainage, Signage, Landscape, Irrigation, Structural, Fire Alarm, Architectural, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Technology).
• Site Plans: Depicting existing conditions, site development, erosion control, and layout for various areas including columbarium niches and in-ground burial plots.
• Building Plans: Architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing details for renovations and new construction of administration, service, and storage buildings.
• Details and Schedules: Specific construction details for columbarium units, site furnishings, signage, and schedules for various building components.
• Survey Information: Boundary and topographic survey data, including flood zone information and utility locations.

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the full scope of work, including the physical layout, design specifications, materials, and construction requirements for the project. They are essential for accurate bidding, proposal development, and construction planning.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel worksheet titled "IFB Contractor Cost Estimate Worksheet." It serves as a template for bidders to provide a detailed cost breakdown for the project, organized by construction divisions.

• The worksheet requires lump sum estimates for each applicable construction Division (01 through 33, and specific divisions like Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, etc.).
• Bidders must indicate "N/A" for Divisions not being used.
• Fields are provided for "Base Bid," "CLIN1," "CLIN 2," "CLIN3," and a "Total" for each Division.
• Sections for "Bonds," "Overhead," and "Profit" are included.
• A "GRAND TOTALS" section aggregates all costs.
• Instructions specify that the worksheet is copied from the NCA MASTER CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS and that additional appropriate items can be added.

This worksheet is crucial for bidders to structure and submit their cost proposals. It guides the detailed breakdown of anticipated project expenses according to standard construction divisions and specific contract line item numbers (CLINs), ensuring a standardized format for cost evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (WD) for heavy construction projects, including water and sewer lines, specifically for Washington County, Arkansas. It establishes the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to various laborers and mechanics employed on federal contracts within this geographic area and for this type of construction.

• General Decision Number: AR20260058
• Publication Date: 01/02/2026
• Applicable Trades and Rates: Lists specific wage rates and fringe benefits for:
  • CARPENTER
  • CEMENT MASON/CONCRETE FINISHER
  • ELECTRICIAN
  • LABORER (Common or General)
  • LABORER (Pipelayer)
  • OPERATOR (Backhoe/Excavator/Trackhoe)
  • OPERATOR (Bulldozer)
  • OPERATOR (Crane)
  • OPERATOR (Loader)
  • PAINTER (Brush and Roller)
  • TRUCK DRIVER (Dump Truck)
• WELDERS: Receive rates prescribed for the craft to which welding is incidental.
• Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017. Contractors must provide 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per year, for specified health-related reasons.
• Executive Order 13658: Generally applies to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022 (unless renewed/extended after Jan 30, 2022). Requires a minimum wage of $13.30 per hour (or the applicable WD rate if higher) for work performed on the contract in 2025.
• Union Rate Identifiers: Explains how to interpret union wage rates based on identifiers like "SU", "UAVG", "SA", etc.
• Wage Determination Appeals Process: Outlines the procedures for appealing wage determinations.

This document is critical for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages meet or exceed the prevailing rates and fringe benefits listed for each trade. Failure to comply with these wage requirements can lead to contract non-compliance. The inclusion of EO 13706 and EO 13658 also mandates specific paid sick leave and minimum wage requirements that must be factored into cost proposals and contract performance.

Solicitation

This solicitation is for the expansion of burial grounds at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) intends to award a Firm, Fixed-Priced contract using FAR Part 14, Sealed Bidding procedures. The project requires the contractor to provide all labor, supervision, material, and equipment for general construction in accordance with the provided Statement of Work (SOW), Drawings, and Specifications.

• General construction for Burial Expansion at Fayetteville National Cemetery.

• Specific line items include: Columbaria and In-Ground Cremains Expansion, Administration/PIC/Restroom Bldg/Material Storage Shelter/Equipment Storage Structure/Committal Shelter/Entrance Gate/HAZMAT Storage Enclosure/AST/Service Building, and Roof Replacement. Detailed pricing is required in Schedule B and the "IFB Contractor Cost Estimate Worksheet" (S02_Attachment 5).

• Adherence to "Dignity Standards" is critical, requiring special care and reverence for the cemetery grounds and remains.

• Contract Type: Firm, Fixed-Priced.

• Performance Period: 545 calendar days from Notice to Proceed.

• Project Magnitude: Between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000.

• Offers are due by 10:00 a.m. EST on March 6, 2026.

• Bids must be submitted electronically via the VA eCMS Vendor Portal.

• A virtual bid opening will be held; RSVP required.

• Key submission documents include SF 1442 (Blocks 14-20), Schedule B pricing, Contractor Cost Estimate Worksheet, SF 30 Amendments, and a bid bond.

• Questions must be submitted via email to Trevor.DiSimone@va.gov and homayoun.kazemipour@va.gov by 10:00 a.m. EDT on February 21, 2025.

• This acquisition is 100% set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• Offerors must be registered in VetCert, VETS-4212, and SAM.

• A site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 9:00 am local time.

• The NAICS code is 237990 (Small Business Size Standard $45.0 Million).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for the Columbaria and In-ground Cremains Burial Expansion project at Fayetteville National Cemetery. This is an update to a previously posted pre-solicitation notice (IFB 36C78625B0047) to reflect the current fiscal year.

• Construction services for columbaria expansion and in-ground cremains burial.

• Place of Performance: Fayetteville National Cemetery, 1000 S Lt Col Leroy Pond Ave, Fayetteville AR 72701.

• Response Date/Time/Zone: 03-06-2026 10:00 EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA.

• Set-Aside: SDVOSBC (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business).

• Solicitation Number: 36C78626B0001

• NAICS Code: 237990

• Product Service Code: Y1PZ

• Contracting Office ZIP Code: 22172

• Contact: Trevor DiSimone, Contract Specialist, trevor.disimone@va.gov, 407-631-8782.