Danville National Cemetery – National Shrine Project 809-NSP25-006

Sources Sought Notice

This document is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) / Request for Information (RFI) for the Fort Snelling National Cemetery – National Shrine Project. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) / National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is seeking information to determine the capability and interest of qualified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) to perform full section renovation at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government is seeking to identify SDVOSB firms capable of performing the requirements detailed below to help refine its acquisition strategy.

The anticipated scope of work includes:

• Professional Surveying & Plans: Licensed land surveyor to conduct headstone/topographic surveys, prepare grading plans, and headstone realignment plans. Stake temporary/permanent control markers.

• Headstone/Marker Activities: Raise, reset, and realign headstones and markers, ensuring alignment with string lines/markers. Daily verification against the Burial Register. Headstones/markers are NOT to be removed from gravesites during the project.

• Flat Marker Support System: Install HDPE geogrid tray system for nursery west "MarkerGrid" or equivalent, with compacted 3/4" minus aggregate base and 1/4" minus leveling sand.

• Earthwork & Grading: Vegetation removal, excavation/backfill, subgrade prep and amendment (gypsum, organic matter), import and compact topsoil, achieve positive drainage, and smooth transitions.

• Turf Renovation: Kill/remove existing vegetation, install certified sod (TPI guidelines, NTEP ≥ 3.5 for cultivars), 30-day establishment, mowing and fertilization per SOW, and one-year warranty.

• Headstone Cleaning: Use NCA-approved biological cleaners.

• Quality Control & Reporting: Contractor QCP, daily logs, weekly progress schedules/reports, Government QA inspections, corrective actions, and warranty.

• Sections in Base Bid: 30 (Crypt), 31 (Crypt), 33 (Cremains), and 2 (Casket) – with approximate headstone counts and turf areas.

• Period of Performance: 365 calendar days from Notice of Award. Seasonal turf windows: Spring April 15-June 30 and Fall August 15-October 15. Turf must be established prior to winter; bare ground is not acceptable.

• Requested Information: Interested SDVOSB firms should submit a concise capability statement (PDF, ≤10 pages) including:

  • Company Profile (Name, address, UEI, CAGE, primary POC & email/phone, confirmation of SDVOSB VetCert).
  • Relevant Experience (5 projects in last 5 years performing NCA cemetery Raise & Realign, geogrid-based flat marker support, headstone cleaning, earthwork/grading, and large-scale sod/turf renovation).
  • Key Personnel & Licensing (Licensed land surveyor, Minnesota state license, safety officer, agronomist/turf specialist).
  • Equipment & Methods (Track-type equipment, sampling/compaction equipment, ASTM standards, geogrid, irrigation protection/restoration, dust/spill/fire controls).
  • Testing & Quality (Identify testing laboratory, NVI/AP/ASTM requirements, outline QCP, density testing plan, reporting cadence, corrective action approach).
  • Schedule & Phasing (Narrative confirming ability to complete within 365 days, funeral/ceremony avoidance, minimal disruption).
  • NAICS/PSC & Size (Indicate applicable NAICS/PSC and how firm's limitations under chosen NAICS, and proposed subcontractors).
  • Bonding & Capacity (Indicate bonding capacity and available workforce/equipment).
  • Comments on Draft Scope (Identify risks, innovations, suggestions).

• Response Due: March 16, 2026, 10:00 AM CT.

• Submission: Submit via email to Shane.Hills@va.gov.

• Set-Aside: 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

• Eligibility: Respondents must indicate whether they hold current SBA Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) under 13 CFR Part 128 and can comply with VA/NCA SDVOSB participation requirements.

• This is a Sources Sought Notice only; it is not a request for proposals.

• Do not submit bids or proposals.

• The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice.

• The Government reserves the right to use information provided in developing a future solicitation strategy.