Okaloosa County Sealed Solicitation
Title: Body Removal and Storage of Remains, Unclaimed Remains and Indigency Cremation
Deadline: 3/28/2023 3:00 PM (UTC-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
Status: Deadline Expired
Solicitation Number: ITQ BCC 35-23
Description: Okaloosa County is seeking an experienced, qualified and licensed funeral home, pursuant to Florida Statutes 497.380, which is able to transport remains upon request from an authorized individual from the initial location of the remains to vendors facility for storage until claimed by another funeral home, if not claimed, provide cremation services on unclaimed and indigent decedents in Okaloosa County, Florida, referred to as the Okaloosa County Unclaimed/Indigent Cremation and Disposition Program (UICDP). The selected vendor shall satisfy all requirements of the State of Florida to perform the services outlined within this bid and Chapter 406 (Part II), Florida Statues. Eligibility for disposition services at public expense is determined by the Okaloosa County guidelines regarding disposition of deceased unclaimed and indigent persons and Florida Statutes chapter 406. The County may issue Policies and Procedures from time to time, which will be provided to the selected vendor and which must be followed by the vendor. Okaloosa County Administration pursuant to the requirements of its guidelines will be required to provide approval before unclaimed and/or indigent remains are disposed. As such, all disposition services at public expense must be performed in accordance with the applicable policies and procedures (see Attachment A), established by Okaloosa County.
The primary objective of this bid is to identify a sole provider to dispatch, transport and store remains upon request from an authorized individual as defined herein and provide cremation services for Okaloosa County’s unclaimed and indigent remains under the guidelines set forth in Attachment A. The County will allow bidders to respond to partial aspects of the project and will also allow a respondent to partner with other service providers, provided such relationships are disclosed within the quote submission package. Bidders must follow the instructions listed on the Quote Sheet. The county will no longer operate the Morgue located at 206 Staff Drive in Ft. Walton Beach, therefore each primary respondent must have sufficient refrigerated storage within 60 miles of Okaloosa County.
Documents:
| Documents as of 3/7/2023 |
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Addition 1
Posted: 3/23/2023
Type of Addition: Addendum
Overview: Addendum 1
Deadline: 3/28/2023 3:00 PM
Solicitation #: ITQ BCC 35-23
Documents:
Question 1
Posted: 3/15/2023
Question: On page 5, statement ii: In the event a transported case is later transferred by next of kin for alternate arrangements, the Vendor will seek direct reimbursement costs from the receiving funeral home with burial arrangements and/or next of kin. Under Florida law, the receiving funeral home and/or next of kin are not obligated to pay for the transport fees. So in essence statement iv is stating that the vendor would have to (a) attempt to collect the debt, (b) submit written attestations of such attempts and justification for review and approval of qualifying charges that are not to exceed more than 15% of the total monthly cases. That seems to be repeating statement ii which again, under Florida law, the receiving funeral home and/or next of kin are not obligated to pay. On page 6, statement iii- Unclaimed remains- Vendor will coordinate with the Okaloosa County Administration Office for referral to the Okaloosa County Lazarus Field project for burial on November 2 of each year, following the at least the 12 month anniversary of the cremation. Florida Law states that if cremated remains are not claimed within 120 days from the date of cremation, the crematory or funeral home may dispose of the cremated remains in a dignified manner to be determined by the crematory or funeral home. On page 45, Attachment A, Disposition of Deceased Unclaimed Indigent Policy Procedure, our policy has been that if the family has not claimed the remains after the state mandated 120 days, the remains will be scattered at sea and a certificate will be placed in the decedent's file with coordinates, time and date of scattering in the event anyone comes forward later to claim. Is the matter of unclaimed remains negotiable? Page 7, Transport records, section i number 7- BRT permit number assigned to transport. Please explain what is actually being requested at time of transport. Page 52, Attachment D is the Draft Contract. Because this is a draft and not an offer, we would prefer to complete upon approval. Would that be an issue?
Response: See addendum posted.
Posted: 3/23/2023
Type of Addition: Addendum
Overview: Addendum 1
Deadline: 3/28/2023 3:00 PM
Solicitation #: ITQ BCC 35-23
Documents:
Posted: 3/15/2023
Question: On page 5, statement ii: In the event a transported case is later transferred by next of kin for alternate arrangements, the Vendor will seek direct reimbursement costs from the receiving funeral home with burial arrangements and/or next of kin. Under Florida law, the receiving funeral home and/or next of kin are not obligated to pay for the transport fees. So in essence statement iv is stating that the vendor would have to (a) attempt to collect the debt, (b) submit written attestations of such attempts and justification for review and approval of qualifying charges that are not to exceed more than 15% of the total monthly cases. That seems to be repeating statement ii which again, under Florida law, the receiving funeral home and/or next of kin are not obligated to pay. On page 6, statement iii- Unclaimed remains- Vendor will coordinate with the Okaloosa County Administration Office for referral to the Okaloosa County Lazarus Field project for burial on November 2 of each year, following the at least the 12 month anniversary of the cremation. Florida Law states that if cremated remains are not claimed within 120 days from the date of cremation, the crematory or funeral home may dispose of the cremated remains in a dignified manner to be determined by the crematory or funeral home. On page 45, Attachment A, Disposition of Deceased Unclaimed Indigent Policy Procedure, our policy has been that if the family has not claimed the remains after the state mandated 120 days, the remains will be scattered at sea and a certificate will be placed in the decedent's file with coordinates, time and date of scattering in the event anyone comes forward later to claim. Is the matter of unclaimed remains negotiable? Page 7, Transport records, section i number 7- BRT permit number assigned to transport. Please explain what is actually being requested at time of transport. Page 52, Attachment D is the Draft Contract. Because this is a draft and not an offer, we would prefer to complete upon approval. Would that be an issue?
Response: See addendum posted.