Expedited Marker Inscription Pilot Program

The Centralized Contracting Division of the National Cemetery Administration is soliciting industry comments regarding a proposed pilot project involving contracts for inscription of various types of upright and flat granite headstones (W1, L1 & J1). Purpose of program is to expedite the delivery of inscribed markers as required by, initially, Florida National Cemetery, Gerald B.H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Willamette National Cemetery, Fort Custer National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Massachusetts National Cemetery and Riverside National Cemetery. Multiple contracts, based on monument type, are contemplated. Interested parties are invited to provide comments and suggestions to the points of contact listed in this special announcement (Mark Sanderson, 703-441-4006, email [email protected]). Comments must be provided no later than 22 July 2002. 1) Government will supply blank granite monuments to the contractors. The involved cemeteries will keep on hand a sufficient inventory of granite monuments to ensure their continuous availability for this contract. The national cemetery will work with the contractor to determine the appropriate level of inventory and develop an ongoing ordering process for granite monuments. Of particular note is the requirement for the contractor to maintain an inventory of government supplied markers. It is expected that contractor-held inventory will beneficially reduce time necessary to procure inscribed markers. 2) Within ten days after award of a contract one full size upright headstones will be submitted to the COTR as samples for approval. The blank headstone will be provided by the government for the purpose of this submittal. The samples will be sent to the COTR for the national cemetery named in the contract. At the beginning of this contract, the contractor will pick up the sufficient blank granite monuments to fulfill initial cemetery requirements. At time of each delivery, the contractor the contractor shall pick up sufficient inventory of blank monuments from the national cemetery. The pick up shall be of sufficient quantity to complete next order. The contractor shall provide suitable and secure storage for working inventory and completed monuments. Government Property shall be segregated and not commingled with contractor’s Commercial property.