SAM #36C78627Q0002

Sources sought for 1,185 bags of granular 20-5-20 fertilizer

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking market information for granular fertilizer for Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. - Government buyer: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration, Contracting Services; Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. - Requirement: 1,185 bags of granular 20-5-20 fertilizer, with each bag weighing no more than 50 pounds. - At least 50% of total nitrogen must be slow- or controlled-release. - All potassium must come from sulfate of potash (SOP). - OEMs and vendors: No manufacturer, OEM, or vendor is named. A brand-name product or equivalent may be proposed. - Notable requirements: Manufacturer documentation must identify the nitrogen-release technology and its percentage. Product labeling and applicable Missouri fertilizer-law requirements must be met. - Delivery: A single delivery is anticipated; timing and delivery week are to be coordinated with the contracting officer’s representative, with advance written notice required. - Opportunity status: This is a sources-sought market-research notice for capability information and pricing, not a request for quotes or a contract award.

Description

THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e).

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources sought must be in writing. 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 and Veteran Owned Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation on technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition.

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is NAICS Code 325311, Manufacturing Nitrogenous Fertilizer (1,050 employees).

Responses to this notice shall include Sources Sought number 36C78627Q0002 Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery (JBNC) Fertilizer in the subject line of the email no later than 11/11/2026 @ 4:00 pm EST, sent to April.Graves@va.gov.

The following shall be provided in the capabilities statement or in the body of the email: Company name Address Point of contact Phone, fax, and email UIE number Type of large or small business, e.g., Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business A capability statement addressing the organization’s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below Any relevant FSS, NAC, or GSA contract vehicles the company holds, if applicable If you are an FSS GSA/NAC, NASA SEWP, or other federal contract holder, indicate whether the items/solutions for which you are providing information are available on your schedule/contract Review the salient characteristics and provide feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply “N/A.” List any available options to meet needs as outlined in the statement of work below Include any resources to support suggested products Include any questions about the statement of work below Provide sample pricing for market research purposes for each deliverable, if available

GRANULAR FERTILIZER PROCUREMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION This Statement of Work describes the basic objectives and materials needed for Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

INTRODUCTION The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), honors Veterans with a final resting place and lasting memorials that commemorate their service to our nation. There are approximately 156 National Cemeteries in 43 states and Puerto Rico that receive visitors, hold ceremonies, and conduct committal services on an ongoing basis. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery is one (1) of three (3) Missouri-based national cemeteries. It is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The address is 2900 Sheridan Rd., St Louis, MO 63125.

BACKGROUND National cemeteries are National Shrines under 38 U.S.C. § 2403(c). The Contractor is responsible for planning and performing the activities described in this Statement of Work in a manner consistent with that standard and shall exercise special care not to interrupt or disrupt cemetery operations. Strict adherence to the specifications described herein, based on NCA's National Shrine Commitment, Operational Standards and Measures, is mandatory.

APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS References to Missouri law in this document identify the applicable statute or regulatory scheme by title only (e.g., “Missouri Fertilizer Law”), without citing specific section or chapter numbers. Contractor shall remain responsible for independently confirming current compliance with the cited law or regulatory scheme. Where a requirement is imposed by VA rather than by Missouri law, it is labeled “VA-imposed” and is included only to the extent necessary to satisfy VA's actual need.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE CemeteryAddressAcreage Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery2900 Sheridan Rd., St Louis, MO 63125Approx. +/- 372 acres of turfgrass

A. PRODUCT REQUIREMENT CLIN Table CLIN NumberProduct - Brand Name or EquivalentEstimated QuantitiesDelivery Month CLIN 0001Granular Fertilizer, 20-5-20, minimum 50% slow-release nitrogen, potassium source shall be sulfate of potash (SOP), in bags not to exceed 50 lbs.1,185 count — 50-lb bagsMarch

Granular Fertilizer (CLIN 0001) Analysis: 20-5-20. Nitrogen (N) source: Minimum 50% slow-release nitrogen, calculated as a percentage of total nitrogen by weight that is water-insoluble or otherwise slow/controlled-release. Acceptable technologies meeting this standard include Sulfur-Coated Urea (SCU), polymer-coated urea, methylene urea, or an equivalent controlled-release nitrogen source demonstrating comparable release performance. The Contractor shall submit manufacturer analysis documentation identifying which technology is used and its percentage of slow-release nitrogen by the stated calculation basis. Phosphorus: 5% is the required phosphorus. Potassium (K) source: Sulfate of potash (SOP). All potassium in the analysis must derive from SOP. Packaging: Maximum 50-lb bags. Cemetery is only equipped to handle 50-lb bags or smaller. Labeling: Brand name, common name, primary plant nutrient guarantee(s), and all other information required under the Missouri Fertilizer Law. Licensing: Product is subject to confirmation of the manufacturer's Missouri fertilizer-production license, as required under the Missouri Fertilizer Law for manufacturing, distributing, and selling fertilizer in Missouri. Quantities: Where this document states both a bag count and a tonnage figure for the same product, the bag count is the controlling quantity for pricing, delivery, and acceptance purposes.

B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Damages caused by Contractor's neglect “Neglect” means the Contractor's failure to exercise reasonable care. The Contractor is responsible for damage to JBNC property or materials, or to third parties, proximately caused by that failure to exercise reasonable care during delivery.

C. GENERAL FERTILIZER COMPLIANCE This product remains subject to review for compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, and DOT requirements, and Missouri Fertilizer Laws and regulations, as identified in Section A above.

D. DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS Notice period Delivery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. CST, excluding federal holidays, unless an alternate time is coordinated with the COR. The Contracting Officer or authorized COR shall provide the Contractor with written notice of the required delivery no fewer than thirty (30) calendar days before the first business day of a specified delivery week. The Contracting Officer or authorized COR shall provide the Contractor with written notice of the required delivery no fewer than thirty (30) calendar days before the first business day of a specified delivery week. The anticipated month of February is a planning target only. It does not shorten the 30-calendar-day notice period. If a delivery notice is issued fewer than 30 calendar days before the end of the anticipated delivery month, the resulting delivery week may fall in the following month without that delay constituting a default, corrective action, or adverse past-performance event for either party.

Excusable delay / weather If a documented Government closure, National Weather Service warning, state or local road closure, unusually severe weather, unsafe unloading condition, or common-carrier delay beyond the Contractor's reasonable control prevents delivery during the specified window, the parties shall promptly establish a replacement delivery window. The Government will determine, in consultation with the Contractor, whether an unloading condition is unsafe, and will make that determination as promptly as circumstances allow.

Coordination The actual delivery day, delivery appointment, driver call-ahead, and any required advance-shipment notice shall be coordinated between the Contractor and the COR. Contractor must coordinate with COR regarding any potential delivery concerns (i.e., moving cemetery property to accommodate delivery).

E. PERFORMANCE OF WORK ON CEMETERY GROUNDS Conduct Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery is a National Shrine. Personal appearance and conduct shall be professional and unobtrusive. Loud talking, boisterous behavior, or inappropriate language is prohibited. Smoking is not permitted while performing duties at the cemetery. Questions from cemetery visitors shall be politely referred to cemetery office personnel. The Contractor shall observe traffic, parking, directional signs, and roadway regulations. Vehicles shall not be driven off paved roadways without permission from the Cemetery Director or COR. The Contractor shall leave all delivery areas free of debris and take necessary precautions to protect cemetery grounds, facilities, and property during delivery.

Use of Cemetery Facilities The Government shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of Contractor equipment, supplies, items, or personal property. Government buildings, service shelters, and customer public bathrooms are off limits except for necessary work.

Performance Ethics The Contractor shall be truthful regarding its services and qualifications and shall not make false promises or false claims in advertising. The Contractor shall be fair, honest, impartial, and act in good faith in dealing with the public, the Government, or any other entity as required by law.

Dress Code for Contractor Employees All employees shall wear the Contractor's company uniform, including long- or short-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shoes. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and sandals are not acceptable. Caps, if worn, must bear the Contractor's logo or be free of any other message or design.

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