G001--CREMATION & REMOVAL SERVICE

SOURCES SOUGHT This is a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) ONLY. The U.S. Government is conducting market research only to determine the availability of qualified sources capable of providing Cremation and Removal services. Potential Contractors are invited to provide a response via e-mail to Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov by October 12, 2021 9:00 am (PT). Responses will be used to determine the appropriate strategy for a potential acquisition. Please clearly identify any information your company considers sensitive or proprietary. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited quotes in response to this sources sought synopsis. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued. BACKGROUND: The Department of Veteran Affairs has a responsibility to take care of Veterans that either have no next of kin or next of kin that does not have the financial ability to lay Veterans to rest. The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPHCS), Portland, OR has a requirement to provide funeral and burial services for deceased unclaimed remains. NAICS: 812210 Funeral Homes and Funeral Services Interested potential Contractors please provide the following. 1) Company Name, address, point of contact, phone number, email address, and DUNS Please indicate business size: Small Disadvantage Business (SDB)____ 8(a)____ Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)____ Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)____ Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)_____ Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)_____ Women-Owned Small Business concerns (WOSB)_____ Small Business_____ Large Business_____ Please state if you possess a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)______. Please state if your FSS 2) Please submit a brief capability statement (maximum one page) with enough information to demonstrate to the Veterans Affairs that you have the capability to provide the Cremation and Removal service as required in the Draft Statement of Work. **Draft Statement of Work Background The Department of Veteran Affairs has a responsibility to take care of Veterans that either have no next of kin or next of kin that does not have the financial ability to lay Veterans to rest. The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPHCS), Portland, OR has a requirement to provide funeral and burial services for deceased unclaimed remains. Scope The Contractor shall provide preparation of Veteran remains and transportation to final resting place, and shall include the following: 1. Portland Veterans Hospital, Decedent Affairs department will contact the contractor to retrieve the unclaimed Veteran. 2. Contractor shall arrive within 24 hours of being contacted to receive a Veteran. 3. Contractor employees will comply with the Standards of Conduct on VA property outlined in Title 38 CFR Section 1.218, which can be found posted at the entrance to the Medical Center. 4. Contractor shall attempt to identify any heirs identified through a nationwide search through Department of State Lands for all unclaimed Veterans in Oregon and SW Washington. 5. Contractor shall provide cremation, an urn approved by Willamette National Cemetery for columbarium placement, transportation to Willamette National Cemetery, and escort to Willamette National Cemetery. 6. Contractor shall provide date, time, and location of Internment of Veteran at Willamette National Cemetery to Decedent Affairs at the Portland Veterans Hospital. 7. Written deliverables and copies of all correspondence requiring a signature shall be sent to the Decedent Affairs department. Invoicing shall be submitted within 5 calendar days of providing services. 8. The Contractor shall have adequate storage space to hold and store (refrigeration) the remains until cremation arrangements are confirmed. 9. The Contractor shall possess the current transit permit at the time of award of Contract. Permits covering cremation, internment or removal of the body, if required, are to be secured and paid for by the Contractor. 10. 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 request.