STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)
REMOVAL / INSTALL OF EXISTING CONCRETE GRAVE LINERS & LIDS
BLACK HILLS NATIONAL CEMETERY, 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, Sturgis, SD 57785
NCA MISSION
NCA honors Veterans and their eligible family members with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation.
SOW STANDARDS
National Cemeteries are National Shrines. The standards of maintenance, appearance and operational procedures performed by the Contractor at this cemetery shall reflect this nation’s concern for those interned there. For this reason, the Contractor’s strict adherence to the specifications shall be required and shall be essential.
PRODUCT
Concrete grave liners fabricated in strict accordance with the following GSA Federal Specifications and Commercial Item Description (CID):
FSC 3990
METRIC A-A-30194 July 26, 1993
COMMERCIAL ITEM DESCRIPTION GSA Commercial Item Description A-A-30194: Type-I, Style-I, Liner, Grave, Concrete.
The General Services Administration has provided 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 cemeteries to prevent the sinkage of soil in graves.
Salient characteristics. LINER, GRAVE, CONCRETE - Shall be constructed from reinforced concrete utilizing Portland Cement. Cement will 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 must be properly cured for 28 days before delivery and the concrete must have a minimum compression strength of 31, 027 kilopascal (kPa) or 4,500 poundforce/square inch (PSI).
Style 1 - Box with separate lid
Style 2 - Dome with a base
Style 3 - Dome without a base
SIZES
- Small Liner 147 cm (58 in) by 51 cm (20 in) by 46 cm (18 in)
- Medium Liner 218 cm (86 in) by 76 cm (30 in) by 61 cm (24 in)
- Oversize Liner 229 cm (90 in) by 81 cm (32 in) by 66 cm (26 in)
- Extra Large Liner 234 cm (92 in) by 91 cm (36 in) by 71 cm (28 in)
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 must be included as part of the bid:
- Type of material or materials
- Material specifications
- Methods of construction
- Testing procedures and findings
Performance. Graveliners furnished will 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 Ibs.) after burial and provide for ease of installation. Liners will have a sufficient weight bearing surface area to prevent sinkage. This area may vary depending upon soil conditions, but in all cases, will 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 will 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 Ibs.) center load pressure test and the axle load test of 5.0 metric tons (11,000 Ibs.), 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 will 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 will have provisions to facilitate both the ease of installation and removal of the unit and its component parts. All lifting apparatus must be adequately anchored in the unit to sufficiently withstand the stresses of lifting and placing the unit. Graveliners will have knockout holes to permit drainage.
Inscription. The date of manufacture will be permanently recorded on the graveliner so that the contractor can identify his product according to the date of production.
PRICING
Pricing is all-inclusive, to include fabrication, inspection, replacement, and all corrective work.
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 may use its own facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements specified herein, with prior approval of the Cemetery Director.
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 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, is 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 will be required and will be examined and tested in accordance with this specification. The preproduction sample will be representative of the production article. However, the requirements for furnishing a preproduction sample may be waived as to a bidder if:
a. The bidder states in the bid that the product offered is 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 will 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 will 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-1 05, with an AQL of 1.0 (percent defective) and an inspection level of S-1.
Examination of Furnished Product. Graveliners will be examined for the defects listed below. Whenever a deviation to specified requirements is noted, correction will 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 will be made at the contractor's expense under the observation of the contracting officer, or his/her representative, to insure the graveliner, as furnished, will be capable of supporting load weight stated in paragraph entitled "Design and construction". The functional test will consist of two loading conditions:
(a) 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 may choose to use a temporary gasket material in the sealant (tongue and groove) area of a graveliner in place of the permanent sealant.
- Cushion material should be used to assure that a 0.093 sq. m (1 sq ft); bearing plate will uniformly load the test unit. Special care should be taken for units with arch-shaped tops or carapaces.
- A hydraulic ram will be pressurized until the ram engages the bearing place and will be set at a preload pressure of 226.8 kg (500 lb.) for a minimum of one minute.
- The inspector will add additional pressure to the test unit in 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.) increments. This pressure will 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 should be allowed a minimum of one minute at rest prior to the next load increase. This procedure should be repeated until the full 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.) load has been properly applied. The concrete graveliner must 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.
(b) Confined loading.
- The liner shall be placed on a flat surface below ground and covered with a granular soil material. The soil will 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 Ibs.) will then be passed over the covered liner for a minimum of twenty (20) times in repetition. The liner must not show any signs of material overstress or cracking.
- Upon completion of Confined loading test the adjacent "gravesite" will 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 must 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 may 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 may 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 is encouraged to use recovered material in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 23.4 to the maximum extent practical.
Packaging and Packing. Graveliners will be palleted or otherwise prepared for shipping in accordance with standard commercial practice to ensure carrier acceptance and safe delivery in containers complying with rules and regulations applicable to the mode of transportation.
Marking. Shipping containers will be marked in accordance with the manufacturer's standard commercial practice. The production date will 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 will provide you adequate information by mail or Tele-Specs mode.
Copies of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) regulations may be obtained from: USPC, Inc., 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
Ordering data. Purchasers should select the preferred options permitted herein, and include the following information in procurement documents:
- Title, number, and date of this commercial item description
- Type, style and size.
The unit price is all-inclusive and covers the production, inspection of grave liners by the contractor being completed at the approval of the Cemetery Director only.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to keep pace with the burial and grave liner requirements of BLACK HILLS NATIONAL CEMETERY, 20901 Pleasant Valley Drive, Sturgis, SD 57785, by furnishing, inspecting prefabricated concrete grave liners and lids at said location in presenting grave; to remain in close proximity to excavation crews as customarily required by National Cemetery policy,
DAMAGES CAUSED BY CONTRACTOR'S NEGLECT
In the event damages result to the units and/or gravesites (cave-in's), surrounding areas, headstones, or to third parties due to neglect by the contractor, restitution will be required at no cost to the agency. Changes in schedules, work assignments or delays of daily operation must not occur under any circumstances. The contractor will repair any turf damaged; by back-filling with clean dirt, compacting, seed and straw matting. Contractor will be allowed to use cemetery material for this task.
TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, AND HANDLING
Units shall be transported, and handled to prevent damage to surfaces, edges, and corners and to prevent the development of stresses and cracks. The Contractor shall provide temporary bracing protection devices and measures as necessary to prevent damage to the units during handling and transportation. Contractor is responsible for transportation and handling of units such that any negligence on the Contractor’s part, shall be corrected at the Contractor’s expense. Use the designed crypt lifting cable to transport grave liners. On the job site, forklift handling of grave liners may be approved by the VA upon demonstration that no crypt damages will be incurred.
STORAGE – REJECTION
Grave liners may be stored on the cemetery grounds, upon APPROVAL from Cemetery Director ONLY. All damaged or rejected units shall be removed, without exception, from the cemetery grounds daily. All rejected units will be indicated (marked in such a manner), as mutually agreed upon by the Contractor and the Cemetery Director.
DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS
All work shall be performed during normal cemetery hours of operation, 8:00AM through 4:30PM local time Monday through Friday, and certain weekend and holidays, as required (See FEDERAL HOLIDAYS). Work performed during non-duty hours, weekends, and holidays, will be at the approval of the COR. The contractor will normally be notified of unit requirements to be delivered the day prior to need, with the exclusion of Mondays due to the possibility that interments were scheduled over the weekend. In those cases, the contractor will not be notified until approximately 8:30AM, on Monday morning, the day of interment. On occasion, an interment may be canceled at the last minute, which prevents the Government from providing the contractor with advance notice. When this occurs, installation of the grave liner by the contractor would be completed at the APPROVAL from Cemetery Director ONLY. In instances when approval from the Cemetery Director tasks the contractor with grave liner removal, the contractor shall be required to remove the grave liner from the gravesite at no additional cost to the Government.
The contractor agrees to 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 may coordinate with contractor's performance in specific areas of the cemetery to ensure smooth cemetery operations.
FEDERAL HOLIDAYS (Holidays observed by the Federal Government)
New Year's Day 1st day of January
Martin Luther King's Birthday President's Day Third Monday in January
Presidents’ Day Third Monday in February
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Juneteenth Day 19th day of June
Independence Day 4th day in July
Labor Day First Monday in September
Columbus Day Second Monday in October
Veterans Day 11th day in November
Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day 25th day of December
If a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as the legal holiday. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a legal holiday by U.S. Government agencies. Also included would be any day specifically declared by the President of the United States of America as a National holiday.
PLACEMENT OF ORDERS
Contractor will be provided with a copy of the next working day’s schedule available at the Foreman’s office prior to COB. The next day schedule will also be emailed to the contractor daily by COB. The schedule will be used to define the work and materials needed for the next burial day. Upon request from the contractor, the cemetery will provide a projected excavations list for the next day’s burials.
PERFORMANCE OF WORK ON CEMETERY GROUNDS
Conduct:
BLACK HILLS NATIONAL CEMETERY is a National Shrine. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) are national shrines that honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our Nation. The standards of work, appearance, and procedures performed by Contractors at National Cemeteries shall reflect this nation’s concern for those interred there. Due to the sensitive mission of the cemetery, Contractor’s personnel must exercise and exhibit absolute decorum, composure, and stability at all times.
As the work being performed is at a National Cemetery all Contractor’s employee must always look professional and neat in appearance; and be fully clothed to include upper garment to cover the body from the waist to neck and long pants or slacks. The Contractor shall require its employees, including subcontractors, to wear distinctive visible identification at all times for easy identification while on NCA premises. Contractor and Contractor’s personnel (including subcontractor and their employees) shall be required to adhere to the standards of dress and conduct while performing work on the National Cemetery. These standards and regulations are enforceable under Title 38, U.S.C. Section 218.
Contractor’s personnel shall:
- be fully clothed at all times, to include long slacks or pants and shirt, buttoned up from neck to waist. Clothing will be clean each day. Any soiled clothing should be Cemetery work-related that day. Tank tops as outer garments are prohibited. Tee-shirts will have the company logo visibly displayed. Shoes/boots will have no holes or loose soles. Steel-toed shoes shall be required in accordance with OSHA. Contractor employees shall maintain personal hygiene.
- not engage in loud or boisterous behavior or use profane or abusive language. Shall show proper reverence during committal service.
- not eat or drink beverages except water or non-alcoholic drinks while in work area or in sight of committal service area during a service. Use of intoxicating beverages and/or drugs is strictly prohibited.
- not lean, sit or stand on or against headstones, markers, or monuments. No tools, equipment or other items will be placed or leaned on headstones or monuments at any time. Contractor personnel shall not drive over headstones, markers, or monuments.
- only smoke in smoking areas, as designated by the COR. All other areas are designated as NO SMOKING.
Contractor must discuss the guidance in this paragraph with its employees and all subcontractors. Any doubts as to proper procedures shall be brought to the attention of the COR and Contracting Officer for guidance or resolution. Contractor and subcontractor employee shall sign a Statement of Compliance (if applicable); and shall deliver the signed statements to the COR before work may begin or before any new employee is allowed to work on Cemetery grounds.
Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining satisfactory standards of personnel conduct and work performance and shall administer disciplinary action as required. Contractor is expected to remove any employees from the Cemetery for cause, to include, but not limited to, safety violations, other misconduct in performance of duty under these specifications and/or conduct contrary to the best interests of the Government. If the Contractor fails to act in this regard, or the reason for a removal is immediately required to protect the interests of the Government, the COR may communicate the removal of an employee from the premises. Contractor’s objections to any such action will be referred to the Contacting Officer for final resolution; however, the Contractor will first immediately comply with the COR’s communication pending the Contacting Officer final resolution at a later time or date. The Contractor will not be due any type of compensation for their costs incurred as a result of an employee being removed for cause; unless the removal is communicated by the COR and is later found invalid and/or unreasonable by the Contracting Officer.
Metric Products
Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be conducted on an equal basis with those manufactured 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 are met.
If a product is manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch-pound units, a request should be made to the contracting officer, in conjunction with the COR, who will accept or reject the product.
Packaging and Marking
Grave liners will be prepared for shipping in accordance with the Commercial Item Description (CID) No. A-A-30194. Grave liners and lids shall be marked in accordance with the CID.
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 providing general guidance 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) shall be furnished to the Contractor at time of award.
- The COR may communicate 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:
(i) Providing contract oversight and technical guidance to the Contractor.
(ii) Placing orders for services.
(iii) Verification / certification of payments to the Contractor for services rendered.
(iv) Assuring that any changes effecting work involved, price, terms and/or conditions under the contract are not implemented before written authorization is issued by the Contracting Officer.
All administrative contract functions are 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, must be provided in writing by the Government Contracting Officer.
(c) Site Manager: The Contractor shall provide a “Site Manager” who will be always on-site during contract performance. The Site Manager shall be responsible for the following:
(i) Communicating, overseeing and coordinating the work involved.
(ii) Staying abreast of all upcoming cemetery functions including special holiday events and interment activities.
(iii) 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.
(d) The Site Manager shall reassign work throughout the rest of the Cemetery – so that productive use of labor and equipment is assured, and downtime is avoided. If the Contractor fails to reassign employees away from an event in a timely fashion, the COR may then do so.
- Communication & Coordination of Work with COR: Communication with the COR (or designee) is strongly encouraged. Burial activities at NCA shall take precedence over contract work activities. Work activity and noise shall not disturb burial services. Trucks and workmen shall be prohibited from passing through the service area during this period.
- Notwithstanding the Contractors responsibility for total management during the performance of this contract, the administration of the contract will require maximum coordination between the Government and the Contractor. The Government will provide, at the time of contract award, a list of Government personnel to act as COR.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
Performance Period: The term of this contract shall be for a period from Date of contract award through 364 calendar days. Contractor shall submit an invoice at the end of each month. Delivery of all items under this contract is FOB Destination and is subject to inspection and acceptance by the NCA Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
BASE PERIOD: Date of Award thru 364 calendar days
END OF SOW
