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DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT Contractor shall provide all labor, materials and transportation necessary to furnish and install Concrete Vaults at the Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 ... DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / WORK STATEMENT Contractor shall provide all labor, materials and transportation necessary to furnish and install Concrete Vaults at the Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, NC 28144, in accordance with the requirements of Commercial Item Description (CID), No. A-A-30194, dated July 26, 1993 (Attachment A). GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Contractor shall deliver and install (on as needed / as requested basis) approximately 94 concrete graveliners annually at a site to be determined by the COR. Contractor shall keep pace with the graveliner requirements of the Salisbury National Cemetery in the placement of graveliners and to remain in close proximity to excavation crews as directed and customarily required by VA National Cemetery policy and remain on station until grave covers are in place. Normally grounds crews shall be used daily for excavation which shall result in several different areas of the cemetery being used. Salisbury National Cemetery use grave sites measuring six (6) feet x ten (10) feet, three (3) feet x ten (10) feet and three (3) feet x eight (8) feet in all new burial sections. This shall require exact preciseness in placement of graveliners. Grave depths shall be generally five (5) or seven (7) feet deep but may exceed seven feet. It will also be Saratoga National Cemetery's policy to install empty graveliners for future burial requirements. Placement of Orders: Orders for concrete graveliners at Salisbury National Cemetery will be placed by the Contracting Officer. Inside Dimensions: Small Graveliner 58 inches by 20 inches by 18 inches - (58" X 20" X 18") Medium Graveliner 86 inches by 30 inches by 24 inches - (86" X 30" X 24") Oversize Liner 90 inches by 32 inches by 26 inches - (90" X 32" X 26") Extra Large Graveliner 92 inches by 36 inches by 28 inches - (92" X 36" X 28") Inscriptions: Date of manufacture shall be inscribed on both box & lid and shall be visible from the end of the box and lid. Metric & Imperial Unit Products: Products manufactured to Metric Unit dimensions (centimeters / kilograms / metric ton) shall be considered on an equal basis with those manufactured to Imperial Unit dimensions (inch / pound) units, providing they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376, and all other requirements of this document shall be met. (Note: If a product shall be manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request shall be made to the VA Contracting Officer, in conjunction with the COR, who will accept or reject the product). Packaging & Marking: Graveliners shall be palleted or otherwise prepared for shipping in accordance with Attachment - A (Commercial Item Description (CID) No. A-A-30194). Graveliners and lids shall be marked in accordance with the CID. Agents / Branches: If the bidder maintains agents and/or branches, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be provided with a list containing any information necessary indicating how and with whom orders shall be placed. DELIVERY & INSTALLATION Cemetery Access: Deliveries will be permitted through entry from Duell Road, "Employees Only" entrance. Delivery dates, times and delivery storage locations will be coordinated with the Cemetery Director or his/her designee. The main cemetery entrance shall not be used for delivery access. The Contractor shall be at the Cemetery and Graveliners shall be installed within the gravesite not less than thirty (30) minutes prior to scheduled interment. The unit shall be secured (lid placement made) not later than 30 minutes after the lowering of the casket in the gravesite. The Contractor shall receive telephone notice of changes in delivery as the cemetery becomes aware of changes. The Cemetery Director or designee, depending upon interment rate as determined necessary will adjust estimated quantities. SCHEDULING The Contractor shall work all burials scheduled during normal hours of operation and Federal Holidays. Normal hours of interment operations for purposes of installation of Graveliners shall be Monday thru Friday - 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM. The following day's schedule is available at the Administration Building at 4:00 PM each day. Any changes to the delivery / installation schedule shall be communicated to the Contractor as soon as the Cemetery has been made aware of such changes. Federal Holidays: The contractor shall work burials scheduled during holidays and/or weekends within the Saratoga National Cemetery. The ten holidays observed by the Federal Government are as follows: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a National Holiday. All work shall be performed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays. Work performed during non-duty hours, weekends and holidays, will be at the discretion of the COR. The contractor shall phase all work in such a manner as not to impact on or interfere with cemetery operations. The contractor shall not operate equipment, machinery, or otherwise perform contract work within 250 feet of any ongoing interment service. The COR, at his discretion, will direct and arrange the contractor's performance in specific areas of the cemetery to ensure smooth cemetery operations. INSTALLATION Salisbury National Cemetery will not provide any equipment, personnel or assistance to the Contractor for the installation of graveliners. All work normally associated with the placement of the Graveliners shall be the contractor's responsibility. Sufficient manpower and equipment shall be provided by the contractor for the safe, acceptable and timely installation of the units. Contractor's equipment and operating procedures shall meet all OSHA AND DOT requirements. Equipment used in performance of this contract is subject to inspection by the Cemetery Director or designee. Salisbury National Cemetery will not provide employees to assist with the installation. The Contractor shall have a minimum of two (2) employees on-site at the cemetery to support burials where graveliners shall be installed. The installation of the Graveliners requires a sufficient crew to lower the Graveliner into the grave as not to cause a cave-in. If a cave-in occurs, the Contractor shall make repairs and correct deficiencies. When lowering the Graveliner, the contractor shall keep the liner level at all times, preventing it from going side to side as well. Casket rests shall allow for easy removal of two (2) or three (3) lowering straps. Whenever feasible, a lowering device shall be used and is the preferred method. Contractor shall assure that Graveliners shall be properly guided into the grave. Graveliners shall be visually spotted and placed in accordance with grave site alignment criteria. The Cemetery reserves the right to determine what constitutes an acceptably placed unit in accordance with placement requirements. Removal, replacement or corrective work resulting from negligence by the Contractor shall be corrected at no additional cost and shall not interfere with the normal performance of the contract. Corrective work shall not result in delays for scheduled interments or result in National Cemetery employees having to work beyond the normal working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Contractor will be notified of requirements for units to be delivered to the National Cemetery the day prior to Graveliners being required at the cemetery. The following day's scheduling shall be available at the Administration Building at 4:00 PM each day. Reopened / Occupied Gravesites - Empty Graveliners Not Installed: For those gravesites where empty graveliners were not installed, the Contractor shall transport graveliners into established burial sections in a manner that shall not damage the access area of the area surrounding the gravesite. In some instances (with approval of the Cemetery Director) the Contractor shall use a specialized truck equipped with modified flotation tires. Equipment used shall not exceed 11,000 lbs. gross weight when operating in established burial sections. Cemetery personnel will be available to provide assistance in determining access points into burial sections. Reopened / Occupied Gravesites - Empty Graveliners Installed: The Contractor shall exercise care and attention to detail in the removal and replacement of lids/tops of empty graveliners that were installed during previous interments. The lids of units shall be propped in an open position for use except when required to be left over weekends. Over weekends the lids shall be secured (closed). Equipment used during this procedure shall be operated in a manner that shall not cause undue damage to the area surrounding the gravesite. Damages Caused By Contractor's Neglect: In the event damages result to the units and/or gravesites (cave-in's) or surrounding areas, including damage to third parties due to neglect by the Contractor, repair and/or restoration shall be accomplished at no cost to the agency. Corrective work because of damages shall not result in delays or changes for scheduled interments, work assignments or delay daily operations. Storage: Up to twenty-four (24) standard units and ten (10) oversize units will be allowed to be stored on the cemetery grounds. Additional units will be stored only with written approval of the Cemetery Director. The exact location of the storage area will be determined by the Cemetery Director or designee. Rejection: All damaged or rejected units shall be removed, without exception, from the cemetery grounds by the end of each work week (five workdays). All rejected units shall be identified & marked as mutually agreed upon by the Contractor and Cemetery Director or designee. CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES Appearance: Contractor personnel appearance and conduct shall be professional and unobtrusive at all times. Questions from cemetery visitors shall be politely referred or directed to cemetery personnel. Conduct: Contractor personnel shall not engage in loud or boisterous behavior, use profane or abusive language or use personal radios. Due to the sensitive mission of the Cemetery, contractor employees shall exercise courtesy and respect while within the cemetery. If inquiries are received from visitors, they shall be referred to Saratoga National Cemetery employees in the field or the administrative office. Dress: Contractor employees shall be fully clothed at all times, to include an upper garment to cover the body from the waist to neck and long pants. At no time shall shorts allowed. Garments that have a message of slogan other than the contractor s business attire shall be prohibited. Other clothing in question shall require the written approval of the Cemetery Director or designee. The contractor shall observe traffic, parking, directional signs and regulations when using the cemetery's roadways. Vehicles shall not be driven off of the paved roadways onto non-paved areas without first securing permission from the COR. The contractor shall leave all work areas free of debris and in the same condition as before the work commenced. The contractor shall to take all necessary precautions to protect vegetation, as appropriate, in the immediate work area(s). Work Ethics: The Government will not tolerate a contractor influencing a family, concerned person, or funeral service persons to use or not use a Government-provided Graveliner. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT Representatives of the Contracting Officer: The VA Contracting Officer will designate one (or more) representatives to serve as the Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) to act for him/her in furnishing technical guidance and advice or generally directing the work to be performed under the contract. Such designation will be in writing and will define the scope and limitations of the COR s authority. A copy of the designation(s) will be furnished to the Contractor at time of award. The COR will direct and arrange the Contractor s work schedule in specific areas of the cemetery to coordinate with daily cemetery activities and operations. Duties and responsibilities of the COR include day-to-day monitoring of the contract as follows: Providing contract oversight and technical guidance to the Contractor. Verification / certification of payments to the Contractor for services rendered. Assuring that any changes effecting work involved, price, terms and/or conditions under the contract are not implemented before written authorization will be issued by the Contracting Officer. All administrative contract functions will be the responsibility of the VA Contracting Officer. Any modifications to the contract, including those involving no-cost changes, increases and decreases in cost or level of services provided, termination or extension of the contract (in part or in whole) and decisions concerning claims or disputes, will be authorized in writing by the Government Contracting Officer. Site Manager: The Contractor shall provide a Site Manager who shall be on-site at all times during contract performance. The Site Manager shall be responsible for the following: Directing, overseeing and coordinating the work involved. Staying abreast of all upcoming cemetery functions including special holiday events and interment activities. Ensuring that contract work does not cause any committal service, ceremony, procession or visitation to be delayed, altered, or otherwise impacted in such a way that the dignity, security, or safety of the event or visit is compromised. The Site Manager shall re-direct work throughout the rest of the Cemetery so that productive use of labor and equipment is assured, and downtime shall be avoided. If the Contractor fails to re-direct employees away from an event in a timely fashion, the COR will then do so. Communication & Coordination of Work with COR: Communication with the COR is required. Burial activities at NCA shall take precedence over contract work activities. Work activity and noise cannot disturb burial services. Trucks and workmen are prohibited from passing through the service area during this period. Notwithstanding the Contractor s responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract shall require maximum coordination between the Government and the Contractor. The Government will provide, at the time of contract award, a list of Government personnel authorized to act as COR. The Contractor shall possess and maintain all necessary insurance, licenses and permits required for contract performance. Contractor shall be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by his/her employees fault or negligence, and shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance having coverage for a limit as required by the laws of the State of North Carolina. Reporting "on-the-job" Injuries: The Contractor shall report all "on-the-job" injuries incurred by the Contractor, its agents or employees, resulting from performance of this contract. Contractor shall notify the COR (either orally or via telephone) within twenty-four (24) hours of the injury and provide details and exact location of the incident. This shall be followed up by a written notice to the COR. Any Contractor (including its agents and employees) that knowingly files a false claim will be criminally prosecuted. (End of Statement of Work/Specifications) ATTACHMENT A COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION METRIC A-A-30194 July 26, 1993 LINER, GRAVE, CONCRETE The General Services Administration has authorized the use of this commercial item description as a replacement for VA Specification X1708G for concrete. This commercial item description describes Concrete Graveliners intended for use in national Cemetery to prevent the sinkage of soil in graves. Salient Characteristics. LINER, GRAVE, CONCRETE - Shall be constructed from reinforced concrete utilizing Portland cement. Cement shall be of commercial quality using steel and/or polypropylene reinforcement. In addition the material(s) used in the production of concrete graveliners shall be impervious to any destructive action of the natural elements possibly contained in the cemetery soil which can range from extreme acidic to extreme alkaline conditions. Concrete graveliners shall be properly cured for 28 days before delivery and the concrete shall have a minimum compression strength of 31,027 kilopascal (kPa) or 4,500 pound-force/square inch (PSI). Style 1 - Box with separate lid Style 2 - Dome with a base Style 3 - Dome without a base SIZES INTERNAL DIMENSIONS (Imperial Unit) a. Small Liner 58 in by 20 in by 18 in b. Medium Liner 86 in by 30 in by 24 in c. Oversize Liner 90 in by 32 in by 26 in d. Extra Large Liner 92 in by 36 in by 28 in SIZES INTERNAL DIMENSIONS (Metric Unit) a. Small Liner 147 cm by 51 cm by 46 cm b. Medium Line 218 cm by 76 cm by 61 cm c. Oversize Liner 229 cm by 81 cm by 66 cm d. Extra Large Liner 234 cm by 91 cm by 71 cm Internal dimensions listed above are nominal for the standard sizes and small variances are permitted in the use of standard commercial products providing size permits use of standard caskets. UNIT: EACH Workmanship. Graveliners shall be free from defects which detract from its appearance or impair its serviceability. Production specification. The following shall be included as part of the bid: Type of material or materials Material specifications Methods of construction Testing procedures and findings Performance. Graveliners furnished shall be designed for a maximum burial depth of 2.13 m (84 in) from the bottom of the liner, with minimum soil cover of 46 cm (18 in), be capable of structurally withstanding passage of an axle load of 5.0 metric tons (11,000 lbs.) after burial and provide for ease of installation. Liners shall have a sufficient weight bearing surface area to prevent sinkage. This area shall vary depending upon soil conditions, but in all cases, shall be capable of passing the functional test specified in paragraphs entitled Functional tests in order to perform this function in place after installation. The ongoing static loads in this environment include the weight of the backfill, changes in the water table, and pressures from the freeze-thaw cycle where applicable. In addition, the graveliner shall be designed to withstand the dynamic, differential and impact loads and stresses which are exerted upon a unit during the interment process. Such loads and stresses include compaction of the (backfill) soil, excavation of adjoining gravesite, as well as the pressures and forces exerted by normal cemetery excavation, compaction and maintenance equipment. Graveliner designs shall be such as to prevent any potential sinkage due to chiseling (The sinkage process caused because of insufficient surface area contact with the bottom of the grave.) and fatigue creep (The long run sagging process of the weight bearing surface area). Design and construction. Graveliners shall meet the performance requirements. The combination of the design shape, design thickness, structure and material shall be capable of supporting the required 2.27 metric tons (5,000 lbs.) center load pressure test and the axle load test of 5.0 metric tons (11,000 lbs.), plus the superimposed earth load. Both the exterior dimensions and the weight of the graveliner shall be kept to a minimum in accordance with the normal internal dimension standards specified above in Paragraph labeled Salient characteristics and the required structural strength specified above. Design contours and shapes shall be such as to eliminate any possible back-fill voids, settling, sinking, floating or raising of the graveliner once interred. The graveliners and parts thereof shall have provisions to facilitate both the ease of installation and removal of the unit and its component parts. All lifting apparatus shall be adequately anchored in the unit to sufficiently withstand the stresses of lifting and placing the unit. Graveliners shall have knockout holes to permit drainage. Inscription. The date of manufacture shall be permanently recorded on the graveliner so that the contractor can identify his product according to the date of production. QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE PROVISIONS Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor shall be responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor shall use his own or any facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein unless disapproved by the Government. The Government reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in the specification where such inspections are deemed necessary to assure that supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements. Records. Records of examinations and tests performed by or for the contractor shall be maintained by the contractor and made available to the Government, upon the Government s request, at any time, or from time to time, during the performance of the contract and for a period of three years after delivery of the supplies to which such records relate. Inspection. Inspection, as used herein, shall be defined as both examination (such as visual or auditory investigation without the use of special laboratory appliances or procedures) and testing (determination by technical means of physical and chemical properties) of the item. Preproduction sample. When specified, a preproduction sample shall be required and shall be examined and tested in accordance with this specification. The preproduction sample shall be representative of the production article. However, the requirements for furnishing a preproduction sample will be waived as to a bidder if: a. The bidder states in the bid that the product offered shall be the same as a product previously furnished to the procuring activity under a prior contract, and the bidder identifies the contract. b. The contracting officer determines that such product meets the requirements of the specification. Tests. Tests shall be conducted to determine compliance with these commercial item description requirements. Where feasible, the same sample shall be used for the determination of two or more test characteristics. Testing of components. Upon request, the supplier shall furnish a certification of compliance, issued by an independent testing laboratory or an approved testing program. This would include an analysis for all characteristics of material specified and applicable referenced specifications. The Government reserves the right to verify the correctness of such certificates of compliance and analysis. Approved graveliners are subject to both random compliance and complete re-testing. The graveliners shall conform to the following American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards. ASTM C 33 - Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregate ASTM C 39 - Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens ASTM C 40 - Standard Test Method for Organic Impurities in Fine Aggregates for Cement ASTM C 94 - Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete ASTM C 150 - Standard Specification for Portland ASTM C 173 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Volumetric Method ASTM C 231 - Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method ASTM C 260 - Standard Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete ASTM C 330 - Standard Specification for lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete ASTM C 494 - Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete Sampling for examination. Sampling for examination shall be conducted in accordance with MIL-STD-105, with an AQL of 1.0 (percent defective) and an inspection level of S-1. Examination of furnished product. Graveliners shall be examined for the defects listed below. Whenever a deviation to specified requirements shall be noted, correction shall be made. Failure to make corrections will be cause for rejection: Size/dimensions not as specified. Materials not as specified. Production date not inscribed or otherwise permanently recorded. Drainage holes not provided. Surface contains foreign inclusions, spalling, holes, cracks, large voids, or other evidence of poor manufacture. Provisions to facilitate installation and removal not provided. Functional Test. Upon request, a functional load test shall be made at the contractor s expense under the direction of the contracting officer, or his/her representative, to insure the graveliner, as furnished, shall be capable of supporting load weight stated in paragraph entitled Design and construction . The functional test shall consist of two loading conditions: Unconfined loading. (Center Load Pressure Test) Place base on 10.16 cm (4 in) x 10.16 cm (4 in), spaced approximately 0.305 m (12 in), from each end of the test product. Place cover on base. The producer shall choose to use a temporary gasket material in the sealant (tongue and groove) area of a graveliner in place of the permanent sealant. A test frame shall be assembled around the center of the test unit. Cushion material shall be used to assure that a 0.093 sq. m (1 sq ft); bearing plate shall uniformly load the test unit. Special care shall be taken for units with arch-shaped tops or carapaces. A hydraulic ram shall be pressurized until the ram engages the bearing place, and shall be set at a preload pressure of 226.8 kg (500 lb) for a minimum of one minute. The inspector shall add additional pressure to the test unit in 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) increments. This pressure shall be added gradually, taking at least thirty (30) seconds to add each additional 226.8 kg (500 lb) load. Once the 226.8 kg (500 lb) increment has been added, the test unit shall be allowed a minimum of one minute at rest prior to the next load increase. This procedure shall be repeated until the full 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) load has been properly applied. The concrete graveliner shall withstand the 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) of static load on the 0.93 m (36 in), section at the critical load area for a minimum of five (5) minutes without failure. Confined loading. The liner shall be placed on a flat surface below ground and covered with a granular soil material. The soil shall be compacted thoroughly around and on top of the liner to a thickness of 46 cm (18 in). A wheeled tractor or truck with an axle load of 5.0 metric tons (11,000 lbs.) shall then be passed over the covered liner for a minimum of twenty (20) times in repetition. The liner shall not show any signs of material overstress or cracking. Upon completion of Confined loading test the adjacent gravesite shall then be excavated to a maximum depth of 2.13 m (84 in), exposing the longitudinal side of the tested unit for a period of no less than twenty-four (24) hours. The unit shall not exhibit any signs of potential material fatigue, creep, chiseling, excessive deflection, scratching or infringement of the adjacent gravesite. The contracting officer or his/her designated representative at any time will make unannounced inspections of the contractor s plant. Contractor certification. The contractor shall certify that the product offered meets the salient characteristics of this description and conforms to the producer s own drawings, specification, standards, and quality assurance practices. The Government reserves the right to require proof of such conformance prior to first delivery and thereafter as will be otherwise provided for under the provisions of the contract. Regulatory requirements. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act - If the product covered by this document has been determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be under its jurisdiction, the offeror/contractor shall comply, and be responsible for compliance by its subcontractors/suppliers, with the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and regulations promulgated there under. In addition, the offeror/contractor shall comply, and be responsible for compliance by its contractors/suppliers, with the requirements of all other applicable Federal, State, and local statues, ordinances, and regulations. Recovered materials. The offeror/contractor shall be encouraged to use recovered material in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 23.4 to the maximum extent practical. Packaging and packing. Graveliners shall be palleted or otherwise prepared for shipping in accordance with standard commercial practice to insure carrier acceptance and safe delivery in containers complying with rules and regulations applicable to the mode of transportation. Marking. Shipping containers shall be marked in accordance with the manufacturer s standard commercial practice. The production date shall be inscribed or otherwise permanently marked on each component which makes up a graveliner. Copies of Federal Standard No. 376, Preferred Metric Units for General Use by the Federal Government and Federal Test Standard 191 are available from General Services Administration Business Service Centers in Boston, MA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; Fort Worth, TX; Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; and Seattle, WA. Copies of Specifications and Standards are also available from Department of Defense Single Stock Point. Special Assistance Desk, telephone (215) 697-2667 or 2179 shall provide you adequate information by mail or Tele-Specs mode. Copies of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) regulations shall be obtained from USPC, Inc., 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. Ordering data. Purchasers shall select the preferred options permitted herein, and include the following information in procurement documents: a. Title, number, and date of this commercial item description b. Type, style and size. MILITARY INTERESTS: CIVIL AGENCY COORDINATING ACTIVITIES Military Coordinating Activity: FDA-MPQAS, PHS, DoD-MD PREPARING ACTIVITY: VA-OSS VANAC (904) Agent VA-OSS VACO (92A): AGENT: DLA-DM Custodians: Army - MD Navy - MS Air Force - 03 Project No. 9930-2395 FSC 9930 / A-A-30194