99--Fort Snelling National Cemetery approx. 500 I1, Blank Marble Columbarium Niche Cover, (15 3/4" X 11 1/4"

This amendment replaces the previous pre-solicitation notice. The National Cemetery Administration will be soliciting offers under solicitation number VA786-12-R-0202 for the supply of I1, Blank Marble Niche Covers (approx.500) for: Fort Snelling National Cemetery 7601 34th Avenue, South Minneapolis, MN 55450 Phone: (612) 726-1127 Contact: Mr. Artis Parker, Director The period of performance will be from date of award through 30 days. The purpose of this contract is to supply blank marble columbarium niche covers for use as replacements (ON A ONE TIME BASIS). Replacements shall be comparable in color and shading to the existing marble niche covers mounted on columbaria at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Sources from different states are acceptable if the Memorial Program Service (MPS) Unit's evaluation of the sample confirms that a suitable match will result for color, visual texture, finish, and testing standards. For aesthetic purposes, the supplied material shall match existing material having characteristics of marble from Vermont. Submittal by Offerors: Contractors having previous approval of a full size niche cover sample within the last 12 months shall submit a copy of that approval in lieu of submitting an actual sample. A 6" x 6" x ¾"sample representative of the stone to be used and finished per Sections 2.0 and 3.0 above shall be required for review. Offerors shall submit at their expense one (1) blank marble niche cover according to the specifications listed in Sections 2.0 and 3.0 above. Sample shall be representative of the stone to be used, the finish to be attained and the placement and diameter of the holes to be drilled. Testing results for the sample shall be submitted per Section 6.0. The sample and testing results shall be submitted by the closing date of the solicitation. The sample shall be marked clearly on the back with indelible marker, showing contractor name, solicitation number, quarry source of stone and name of stone. A statement identifying the type of honing pads (or stone) used and its grit rating shall be provided with the sample. This sample shall be the basis for comparison of all blank niche covers produced under this contract. The dimensions of the sample submittal shall match exactly the dimensions outlined in drawing. Sample shall be received by Memorial Programs Service (MPS) prior to closing date. If the sample is disapproved by MPS, an attempt will be made to notify you and you shall have until the closing date of solicitation to resubmit sample. Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Award will be made to the offeror whose price is lowest among all proposals that are deemed to be technically acceptable. Electronic solicitations will be available for download from http://www.fbo.gov on or about August 3, 2012. Responses to the solicitation are due by 2:00 P.M. on August 13, 2012. Any amendments to the solicitation will also be available at www.fbo.gov.