Decedent Services

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing.

The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below.

Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following:

(a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) Unique Entity ID (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business and (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below.

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) located at 3601 S. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85723 is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide decedent services. The Contractor shall provide facilities, equipment, supplies and services to take possession of unclaimed remains at the place where the death occurs or where remains are located.

In some instances, the contractor shall then transport remains to the contractor s facility, prepare remains for burial, and transport prepared remains to the National Cemetery located in Marana, AZ. The Contractor shall furnish caskets, urns, shipping containers and other supplies. Licensure by the State of Arizona to perform burial preparation services is required for the life of the contract.

The following may be required: Services include the pickup of remains from the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and delivery within the SAVAHCS facility, delivery to the University Medical Center (UMC/Banner) in Tucson, AZ, occasional pick up from UMC/Banner and return to SAVAHCS, preparation and furnishing of the death certificate, and delivery to the contractor s facilities as well as the National Cemetery in Marana, AZ. Remains transported to the contractor s facility will be prepared for burial.

A casket will be provided by the contractor for transport of the body to and burial within the National Cemetery in Marana, AZ. The contractor shall make remains available at the contractor s facility for inspection by the Government prior to final delivery to the National Cemetery. The Government will inspect the casket at the time the remains are inspected. A casket with more than one minor defect will be rejected. The Government may require the contractor to remove the remains from the casket and perform one or more of the following:

re-dress the remains place remains in a new casket. The Government may also require that remains be removed from the casket to reapply/touch-up cosmetics, wash and/or trim hair, or any other procedures deemed necessary to ensure a natural appearance of the remains. The contractor shall provide transport services seven days per week, 24 hours per day. Pickup and transport of remains for burial preparation and delivery to the National Cemetery are only required on business days.

Important information: The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued.

The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 812210 ($12.5 Million Dollars).

Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. Additionally, all Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise VetBiz Registry located at http://vip.vetbiz.gov.

All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail to stephanie.naron@va.gov. All information submissions to be marked Attn: Stephanie Naron, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 4:30 pm EST on March 15, 2024.