Chemung County DSS is seeking proposals for burial and cremation services for indigent individuals. Proposals are due July 17, 2026. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for June 25, 2026. Services include transportation, preparation, permits, and final disposition. The contract term is August 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, with potential for two one-year extensions. Vendors must be licensed, experienced, and financially stable. Award will be based on best overall value, considering cost, qualifications, service approach, references, and compliance.
Proposals must be submitted by 2:00 p. m. on July 17, 2026. Any proposal received after 2:00 p. m. on the due date will not be considered.
Maximum reimbursement rates are established: $4,700 for direct burial and $3,000 for direct cremation. Additional allowable expenses require prior approval. Prices for burial and cremation services may be adjusted annually on the anniversary of the contract execution date. Any price increase shall not exceed 3% of the rates in effect for the prior year.
Proposals will be evaluated based on cost pricing structure (30%), qualifications experience (30%), service approach responsiveness (25%), references past performance (10%), and compliance (5%). Award, if any, will be made to the proposer determined to provide the best overall value to the county, based on evaluation criteria.
Vendors must be licensed funeral homes, mortuaries, or crematories with at least three years of experience. They must demonstrate financial stability, have appropriate staffing and facilities, and provide references. Must be a licensed funeral home, mortuary, or crematory service in accordance with New York State law.
A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for June 25, 2026, at 10:00 am. Attendance is optional but strongly encouraged. A preproposal conference may be held to provide prospective vendors with an opportunity to review the rfp requirements, ask questions, and clarify the scope of services.
The deadline for questions is July 2, 2026. Deadline for questions July 2, 2026
Proposals may be rejected if incomplete, conditional, obscure, or contain irregularities. Failure to provide requested financial documentation may result in disqualification. Any proposal which is incomplete, conditional, obscure, or which contains additions not called for, or irregularities of any kind, may be cause for rejection of the proposal.
