Notice of Sources Sought
The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) and Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services requested, as well as any large businesses. The results from this source sought notice will be used to determine the appropriate set-aside.
The intended contract is a firm-fixed price service contract.
The SBA Non-Manufacturer Rule is not applicable as the intended contract is for services.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, NCO20 is looking for manufacturer authorized service providers with access to OEM parts of the following requirement:
Cremation and other services for unclaimed remains of veterans for Portland VAMC in accordance with the Statement of Work. Estimated quantity is for 10 decedents per year. Base + 4 Option Years
Removal/transportation (Clark, Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington Counties around Portland, OR metro)
Storage
Cremation services
Discharge handling
State filing
Discharge
Statement of Work:
The VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) provides comprehensive health care services to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. As part of this mission, VA administers decedent affairs, ensuring that the handling of Veteran remains is conducted with dignity, respect, and compassionate support for families, staff, and the community.
The VA requires contracted support to assist with decedent services, including the transportation of remains, preparation for burial or cremation, and coordination of final disposition for unclaimed remains. These services are essential to ensure timely, respectful, and compliant handling of decedents entrusted to the VA. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, vehicles, supplies, and facilities necessary to perform the decedent services described in this Statement of Work.
PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION/TASKS
The purpose of this requirement is to support the (VAPORHCS) in the dignified and timely handling of Veteran decedent affairs. These services ensure that the transport, preparation, and disposition of remains are conducted respectfully and in accordance with applicable VA policies The Contractor shall perform all work in accordance with federal, state, local laws and VA policies, including but not limited to VHA Directive 1601B.04, VHA Notice 2025-03 Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support, 38 U.S.C. §§ 2303 and 2308, 38 C.F.R. §§ 17.170, 3.1708, and 3.1709 and applicable funeral service regulations.
The contractor shall provide all personnel, vehicles, equipment, supplies, and facilities necessary to perform decedent-related services as required by the VA. Tasks under this requirement generally include the pickup and transport of remains within the VA facility, transport to and from external medical facilities, transport to the contractor s facility for preparation, preparation of remains for cremation, provision of required containers, and delivery of remains to the Willamette National Cemetery. The contractor shall provide timely, reliable, and professional support to ensure proper handling and continuity of decedent services for unclaimed remains and others as directed by the VA.
Pick up the deceased patient at the place of death within 2 business days after notification when climate controlled holding facilities are available. Pick up within 4 hours after notification when climate controlled holding facilities are not available .
Emergent or unforeseen circumstances (e.g., morgue malfunction or shutdown) may require expedited pickup. In such cases, the contractor shall pick up the remains within 4 hours of being notified.
Transport the body of the deceased to its place of business to prepare the body for cremation when ordered by the SAMS Specialist (Survivor Assistance and Memorial Support Specialist) AOD (Administrative Officer of the Day), or other VAPORHCS authorized approving official.
Provide refrigerated storage for remains until cremation arrangements are completed.
Cremation shall include making the necessary arrangements with the crematorium and furnishing a suitable urn for the cremated remains.
Providing a suitable Urn shall be durable and sealed, not leaking. Material, such as plastic, metal, wood, ceramic/stone, or other durable materials are acceptable.
Urn must be clearly labeled to allow for identification of remains without opening of containers.
Remains designated for cremation shall be cremated without embalming unless otherwise instructed.
The Contractor shall have the necessary vehicles and licensed operators to transport the body/remains from the (VAPORHCS) to the funeral home and then from funeral home to the National Cemetery for interment.
Coordinate final disposition, including delivery of remains to authorized location for cremation and the National Cemetery for interment.
Maintain chain-of-custody documentation for all transfers of remains.
Assist with required documentation related to disposition, including coordination and filing of death certificates as directed by VHAPORHCS.
The Contractor shall possess the current transit permit at the time of award of Contract. Permits covering removal of the body, if required, are to be secured and paid for by the Contractor.
The Contractor s employees shall have the appropriate and current license(s) prior to commencing work under this contract. Copies of registrations and licenses shall be furnished upon SAMS request.
Offerors must be an approved member of the Funeral Services Licensing facility under the Oregon and Washington Department of Health Services.
3.0 Government Responsibilities
VA will:
Notify Contractor of unclaimed remains.
Conduct inspections of remains, facilities, and merchandise.
Assign a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or designees for oversight.
4.0 Performance Objectives, Standards, & Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs)
Performance Objective
Performance Standard
AQL / Measurement
Removal of remains
Pickup within 2 business days
100% compliance required
Interment at NCA completion
Full process completed within 14 calendar days of notification
100% compliance required
Transportation
Professional vehicle, correct routing, timely delivery
No deviations
Storage
Refrigeration adequate for preservation
No incidents of spoilage
Cremation & Urn Prep
Durable, sealed, non leaking urn; complete cremation documentation
100% accuracy
Facility compliance
Licenses current; safety standards met
Verified during inspections
All deficiencies will be documented through the VA Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).
5.0 Quality Assurance Surveillance
The Government will monitor contractor performance through:
Random, scheduled, and unscheduled inspections
Observation of mortuary preparation results
Review of Contractor s Quality Control Program (QCP)
Semi annual contractor QC reports
6.0 Contractor Quality Control Program (QCP)
The Contractor shall maintain and submit a QCP that includes:
Staffing and response commitments
Processes for identifying and correcting deficiencies
Logs demonstrating compliance with contract requirements
Semi annual reports submitted to COR
7.0 Security & Sensitive Information Requirements
Contractor shall:
Protect all VA sensitive information (PII/PHI).
Follow VA Handbook 6500.6 privacy/security requirements.
Report any suspected breaches immediately.
Sign and follow confidentiality statements as required (see also Section 2.2.6).
8.0 Hours of Operation
Work must be supported during VA normal business hours: Monday Friday, 8:00 AM 4:30 PM, excluding federal holidays.
Contractor or representative must be able to be reached 24 hours per day every day of the year for death notifications requiring immediate removal.
9.0 Permits & Licenses
Contractor shall:
Maintain all required transit, cremation and facility permits.
Provide proof of funeral establishment and cremator operator licenses.
Maintain required insurance.
10.0 Place of Interment
VA will specify interment at:
Willamette National Cemetery
Any other VA National Cemetery or VA Grant-Funded Cemeteries (State, Territory and Tribal Veterans Cemeteries) as required.
VA provides niche, marker, opening/closing, and placement.
11.0 Deliverables
Deliverable
Due
Quality Control Program
15 days after contract start
Semi annual QC Reports
Every 6 months
Licenses/Permits
Prior to performance; updates as required
12.0 Duration of Contract
Base Year: January 01, 2027, plus four option years.
Required Information in Your Response to Sources Sought:
In order to be considered a valid source that can impact the set-aside determination of a possible future solicitation, potential contractors shall provide, at a minimum, the following information to peter.park2@va.gov by below response deadline:
1) Company name, address, and point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, and UEI.
2) Please identify your company s size in comparison to the anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 812210 Funeral Homes and Funeral Services. To be considered a small business your company must have less than 12.5 million dollars in average annual receipts. This notice is to determine the marketplace for this specific requirement. Please check one of the following:
[ ] yes [ ] no Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
[ ] yes [ ] no Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)
[ ] yes [ ] no Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)
[ ] yes [ ] no HUBZone
[ ] yes [ ] no Small Business Manufacturers
[ ] yes [ ] no All other Small Business (SB)
[ ] yes [ ] no Other than Small Business
3) Any socioeconomic business must have a SBA certification at https://search.certifications.sba.gov/.
4) Please provide a courtesy quote in response to this request to evaluate price reasonableness for any set-aside determination. (Base + 4 Option Years)
5) Capabilities Statement addressing the requirements in the Statement of Work to include:
References for similar services currently being provided or previously provided at the required service levels as outlined in the Statement of Work.
The Government is not obligated to nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources sought notice. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued.
Notice to Potential Offerors: All Offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System Award Management (SAM located on the web at www.sam.gov). It is desirable that any Offeror to have completed their business Online Representations and Certifications Application in the System for Award Management (SAM).
Service Address:
Portland VA Medical Center
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd
Portland, OR 97239
Point of Contact:
Peter Park
Contracting Officer
peter.park2@va.gov
Response Deadline:
10/06/2026 by 3:00pm Pacific Time
