V129--Autopsy Transportation for VA Pittsburgh

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the 244-NETWORK Contract Office 4, is seeking qualified small business vendors to provide autopsy transportation services under a five-year, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with an ordering period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. The contract, identified by solicitation number 36C24426Q0687 and NAICS code 485991, supports the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System by transporting deceased patients from either the University Drive or H.J. Heinz Campus locations to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or the Allegheny County Coroner’s Office. The service requires compliance with Pennsylvania state regulations, including use of approved stretchers or containers, placement of remains horizontal and face up, and inclusion of thirty minutes of no-cost wait time per transport, with additional charges for every fifteen minutes beyond that. Four distinct line items specify transport routes with estimated annual quantities, though unit prices are not disclosed in the solicitation. The contract includes mandatory adherence to VA and FAR clauses covering key personnel requirements, data breach liability, whistleblower protections, system for award management registration and maintenance, subcontractor debarment protections, and electronic payments through SAM. Contractors must execute a Business Associate Agreement, comply with VA Appendix D Rules of Behavior, and follow VA Handbook 6500.6 protocols. Proposals must be submitted electronically by June 29, 2026, to the designated Contract Specialist at Cynthia.Laemmerhirt@va.gov with a specific subject line format and consist of two separately bound parts: a price quotation containing completed SF1449 blocks and pricing schedules, and a past performance volume limited to four pages per referenced contract. Pricing must remain firm for sixty days after proposal receipt. Offerors must be registered in SAM, possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE code, and complete all required certifications including small business program representations, security prohibitions, and compliance with DEI discrimination prohibitions and trafficking prevention standards. Evaluations will be conducted as a comparative analysis under FAR 12.203, with price reasonableness acting as a mandatory pass/fail gate; award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quotation is most advantageous to the government, considering both price and past performance. Contractors are liable for liquidated damages in the event of data breaches under VAAR 852.