Sources Sought Crown Hill National Cemetery Trash Services

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF · VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF · NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (36C786) is soliciting S205--Sources Sought Crown Hill National Cemetery Trash Services. Solicitation number 36C78627Q0004. Classified under NAICS 562111 — Solid Waste Collection. Product/service code S205 — TRASH/GARBAGE COLLECTION. Responses are due by 18 November 2026 21:00 UTC. Posted on SAM.gov, the US federal contract opportunities system; registration is required to bid.

Q: ***** a small business, intends to submit a quote for the Crown Hill National Cemetery solid waste removal requirement (RFQ 36C78627Q0004). ******* would serve as prime contractor for contract administration, while the on-site collection services would be performed by a licensed local waste hauler as our subcontractor. Could you please confirm whether the quoter may satisfy the Volume B technical qualifications (DOT registration verifiable in FMCSA SAFER, and the Indiana waste services license) and the Volume C past performance and three-year experience requirements through that subcontractor, which would perform 100% of the on-site services? A: Quoters are strongly encouraged to demonstrate their own relevant experience and capabilities. Reliance on subcontractor experience/ certifications/ licensing to meet these requirements is discouraged and may not be considered sufficient in the evaluation of proposals. Preference will be given to proposals wherein the prime contractor clearly illustrates its direct experience and ability to successfully perform the required work without significant dependence on subcontractor s past performance. Q: ******. is interested in establishing a business relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs and providing dependable, professional service in support of the National Cemetery Administration. We would appreciate clarification on the following: The complete scope of trash collection and disposal services required. The anticipated frequency of service. Equipment, staffing, and insurance requirements. Whether a site visit or pre-bid meeting is available. Any additional amendments or instructions applicable to submitting a quotation. We would welcome the opportunity to compete for this contract and demonstrate our commitment to reliable service and professional performance. A: Interested vendors are strongly encouraged to read the solicitation documents prior to submitting questions. Quoters are responsible for evaluating the staffing needs based on the requirements of the facility and scope of work outlined in the contract. It is up to the quoter to determine whether one cleaner per shift is sufficient or if two cleaners per shift are necessary to meet the cleaning standards and workload. Q: ********* is a prospective quoter priming Solicitation 36C78627Q0004 for Trash Services at Crown Hill National Cemetery. The collection work will be performed by our Indianapolis-area waste subcontractor. Volume C requires Past Performance Questionnaires covering at least three verifiable comparable contracts within the last five years, and the PWS requires proof of at least three years' experience in trash collection of similar size, scope, and complexity. Please confirm: do the performing subcontractor's experience and comparable contracts satisfy these requirements for the prime's quote, or must the prime contractor itself hold the three years' experience and the three comparable contracts? A: Quoters are strongly encouraged to demonstrate their own relevant experience and capabilities. Reliance on subcontractor experience/ certifications/ licensing to meet these requirements is discouraged and may not be considered sufficient in the evaluation of proposals. Preference will be given to proposals wherein the prime contractor clearly illustrates its direct experience and ability to successfully perform the required work without significant dependence on subcontractor s past performance. My name ***, and I am a Project Analyst at ****. With regard to the subject solicitation, I would like to request clarification on the following points:  We are performing independent research on the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (36C78627Q0004). We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number and what the total contract value was? SF1449 Block 8 lists the due time as 11/18/2026 at 16:00 EDT, but Eastern Standard Time is in effect on that date (SAM/HigherGov shows 4:00 PM EST). Can you confirm quotes are due 11/18/2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time? A: This is a new requirement. The closing date/Time is 11/18/2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time Q: **********is reviewing solicitation 36C78627Q0004 for trash collection at Crown Hill National Cemetery. I d appreciate clarification on the following before we prepare a quote. 1. Subcontracting - May ********** serve as the prime contractor and use a named local hauler to supply and maintain the dumpster and perform all onsite collection, transportation, and disposal, while ********** manages contract administration, quality oversight, reporting, and invoicing? Do any subcontracting limits or prior approval requirements apply to that arrangement? 2. Experience and references - May ********** use the proposed hauler s experience to satisfy the three-year comparable experience requirement and submit the hauler s contracts as the three past-performance references? Would comparable weekly commercial or institutional trash collection qualify, or must the references involve cemetery work? 3. Licenses and vehicles - May ********** submit the proposed hauler s applicable licenses, permits, and Department of Transportation vehicle registrations? Which credentials, if any, must be held in ********** s name? 4. Insurance - What coverage, limits, and endorsements must ********** carry as prime, and when is proof due? Are there separate requirements for the hauling subcontractor s coverage or documentation? A: Quoters are strongly encouraged to demonstrate their own relevant experience and capabilities. Reliance on subcontractor experience/ certifications/ licensing to meet these requirements is discouraged and may not be considered sufficient in the evaluation of proposals. Preference will be given to proposals wherein the prime contractor clearly illustrates its direct experience and ability to successfully perform the required work without significant dependence on subcontractor s past performance. 5. Eligibility - Is this solicitation open to firms without veteran-owned small-business certification, or does a set-aside apply? A: The solicitation is Unrestricted. All business sizes are eligible to participate. 6. Deadline and amendments. SAM.gov lists November 10 as the inactive date and November 18 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern as the quote deadline. Could you confirm the quote deadline and where amendments or responses to questions will be posted? A: The closing date/Time is 11/18/2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time Q: I noticed that the set-aside field for this opportunity is blank. Could you please confirm whether small business concerns are eligible to participate? A: The solicitation is Unrestricted. All business sizes are eligible to participate. Q: 1. Volume B asks for DOT registration (verifiable on SAFER) and a waste services license per the IDEM page. Will the Government accept the USDOT registration and permits of our hauling subcontractor, whose trucks and drivers will perform the work? 2. The PWS requires three years of experience in waste management services, and Volume C asks for proof of three years of trash collection experience and past performance references. Will the experience and past performance of our hauling subcontractor be considered in the evaluation? A: Quoters are strongly encouraged to demonstrate their own relevant experience and capabilities. Reliance on subcontractor experience/ certifications/ licensing to meet these requirements is discouraged and may not be considered sufficient in the evaluation of proposals. Preference will be given to proposals wherein the prime contractor clearly illustrates its direct experience and ability to successfully perform the required work without significant dependence on subcontractor s past performance. Q: SAM.gov shows different dates on the related notices. Could you point us to the controlling solicitation or amendment, confirm the current quote deadline, and identify where the container, pickup frequency, insurance, bonding and subcontracting requirements are listed? If there s a designated channel for questions, please let me know. A: The closing date/Time is 11/18/2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Interested vendors are strongly encouraged to read the solicitation documents prior to submitting questions.