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Houston National Cemetery SOD Delivery and Installation IDIQ Base plus 4

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMIN (36C786) · Response deadline: Thu, 29 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through its National Cemetery Administration, is seeking a contractor for sod delivery and installation services at the Houston National Cemetery. This is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a base period plus four option periods.

IDIQ contracts for grounds maintenance at national cemeteries typically involve on-demand orders for specific quantities of sod and installation services as needed. National cemeteries require high standards of appearance and immediate attention to disturbed grounds after burials, weather events, or scheduled renovations. The work likely includes preparing soil, laying fresh sod, and ensuring proper establishment consistent with the solemn character of a veterans' cemetery. Exact specifications for sod species, delivery schedules, and installation methods see the solicitation.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is restricted to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns that meet the requirements of FAR 19.14. To qualify, your business must:

• Be at least 51% unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans
• Have one or more service-disabled veterans manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions
• Meet the small business size standard for NAICS 561730 ($8.0 million average annual receipts over three years)

Veterans whose disability is not service-connected do not qualify this set-aside. The VA participates in the U.S. Small Business Administration's SDVOSB certification program; active certification in SAM.gov and VetBiz (or successor system) is required.

How to put together a competitive bid

Demonstrate cemetery-specific experience. National cemetery sod work demands rapid response, minimal disruption to funeral schedules, and sensitivity to sacred grounds. Highlight any federal, state veterans', or municipal cemetery contracts. Document your ability to work within restricted hours and secure areas.

Address the IDIQ structure. Propose realistic unit prices for sod (likely per square foot or pallet) and labor (per square foot or per job). Government buyers evaluate IDIQ bids primarily on price at the task-order level, but reasonable base prices and demonstrated capacity to surge matter. Show inventory relationships with sod farms capable of delivering fresh product on short notice in the Houston climate.

Prove local capability. Houston's subtropical climate demands warm-season grasses (likely Bermuda, St. Augustine, or zoysia varieties) with specific seasonal installation windows. Identify your sod sources within reasonable trucking distance and your crew's availability for same-week mobilization.

Present SDVOSB credentials clearly. Attach required VA SDVOSB verification documentation. Ensure your SAM.gov entity registration reflects current certification and that ownership/control structures are transparent.

Validate bonding and insurance. Landscaping contracts at federal facilities typically require general liability and workers' compensation coverage; larger task orders may require performance bonds. See the solicitation for thresholds and bonding requirements.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 36C78626Q50257 to obtain the complete performance work statement, delivery order procedures, evaluation factors, and required forms.

2. Note the deadline: Proposals are due October 29, 2026, by 5:00 PM EDT—allow time for SAM.gov technical submission and any required VA-specific registration.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →