G001--Mortuary Services VA Palo Alto Healthcare System

This announcement seeks market research for a non-personal services contract to provide comprehensive mortuary services for unclaimed or indigent Veterans at the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, with a proposed performance period from December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2031, structured as a base year and four option years. The contractor will be responsible for the full range of mortuary functions including the prompt removal of remains within one business day of notification, embalming, bathing, cosmetic preparation, and dressing in accordance with VA standards, as well as providing secure refrigerated storage until burial arrangements are finalized. Services must include transportation and burial at a VA National or VA grant-funded State Veterans Cemetery, with cremation services available upon request using only durable, sealed, non-leaking urns constructed of acceptable materials such as plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, or stone. Caskets must be of standard size (82 x 28 inches or larger), made of 20-gauge or thicker metal with fixed or swing arm handles, and must not incorporate cardboard or pressed paper. All work must be performed by a contractor located within a 25-mile radius of the VA Palo Alto facility, and must comply with EPA and OSHA regulations, as well as federal, state, and local health laws, including licensing by the California Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. The contractor must demonstrate the ability to meet strict staffing and response time requirements and adhere to religious preferences as directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative. The contractor will be required to handle protected health information and personnel identifiable information in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 5723 and 5725 and VA Handbook 6500.6, with all data usage strictly limited to contract purposes and no unauthorized disclosure permitted. Employees must complete annual VA-approved security and privacy training, sign annual acknowledgments of the VA Contractor Rules of Behavior, and immediately report any suspected data breaches to the Contracting Officer’s Representative, Information Security Officer, and Privacy Officer. Liability for liquidated damages applies per affected individual in the event of a breach. The contractor must maintain workers’ compensation and professional liability insurance, remain current on all federal, state, and Medicare obligations, and submit a comprehensive Quality Control Program that includes staffing and response time plans, procedures for identifying and correcting deficiencies, activity logs, and semi-annual quality reports to the COR. Vendors responding to this sources sought announcement must provide a company name, point of