SATPC0042028 Tab 04 4 Specifications.pdf

PDF 375 KB Posted Aug 17, 2026

Attached to: Liquid Helium Dewars and Piping for the Helium Liquefier System
Solicitation number: 80NSSC26939746Q
Issued by: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center

About this file

Written by GovTribe AI · Aug 17, 2026

This is a NASA Glenn Research Center Specification for the design, fabrication, and delivery of liquid helium distribution equipment, dated June 22, 2026.

The vendor must supply one stationary liquid helium dewar with a minimum volume of 2,000 liters, two transportable liquid helium dewars with minimum volumes of 400 liters each, liquid helium interconnection piping with stingers, and miscellaneous hardware including relief valves, isolation valves, instrumentation, bolts, and blind flanges. The stationary dewar shall be designed to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII Division 1 or 2, with a maximum allowable working pressure of 50 PSIG for the inner vessel, minimum design temperature of -452°F, and maximum design temperature of 150°F. The stationary dewar requires two relief valves with a changeover valve, vacuum relief protection, differential pressure-based liquid level transducer, pressure transducer mounting location, specific nozzle configurations including 1-inch NPS inlet and outlet ports, helium vent port, neck cooling line, top stinger port, and pumpout port. The transportable dewars shall be designed and certified per 49 CFR §178.57 with a minimum MAWP of 15 PSIG and require pressure gauge instrumentation, vent port with NASA recovery line connection, top stinger liquid inlet/withdrawal port, safety valve connection, and pumpout port. The vacuum jacketed transfer line shall be designed per ASME B31.3 with 150 PSIG inner line design pressure and -15 PSID outer line design pressure, and must include stingers for both stationary and NASA existing dewars, isolation valves, and appropriate relief valves. All equipment requires extensive testing including cold shock testing with liquid nitrogen, pressure testing, helium leak checking (maximum 1 x 10⁻⁶ standard cubic centimeters per second), welding qualification per ASME Section IX or 49 CFR §178.57, non-destructive examination, and for the transfer line, liquid nitrogen flow testing to verify vacuum insulation capability. The vendor must deliver comprehensive documentation including component specifications, as-designed or 3-D drawings, ASME U-1 manufacturer's data reports, ASME code-compliant design calculations, mill test reports, NDE and pressure test reports, helium leak check reports, impact and LN₂ cold shock test reports, welding procedure specifications with qualifications, and structural handling design documentation. The vendor shall submit a fabrication schedule within 14 calendar days of award, ASME Section VIII Division 1 compliant engineering calculations and detailed drawings within 100 calendar days with NASA approval within 10 working days, biweekly progress reports with digital photographs at major fabrication stages, and as-built drawings within 7 calendar days of fabrication completion. All hardware must be delivered to Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio (3597 Scheid Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870) at the contractor's expense, and NASA reserves the option to witness testing and conduct periodic plant visits.

View the file

Other files

File	Type	Posted
SATPC0042028 Tab 10 RFQ Open Market.pdf	PDF	Aug 17, 2026

On GovTribe

Work with this file

Download the original file
Contacts named in this file
Similar government files
Ask GovTribe AI about this file

Try for free Login

Text version

The file's text, extracted by GovTribe without its formatting.

Title: HeLD Helium Dewar Specification (HeLD-SPEC-019)

NASA Glenn Research Center Revision:

Specification Liquid Helium Distribution Dewars

June 22, 2026

1. Background This document defines the design and fabrication requirements for three items: a stationary liquid helium dewar, two transportable liquid helium dewars, and interconnection plumbing between the dewars that allow the transportable dewars to be filled from the stationary liquid helium dewar and a separate existing stationary liquid helium dewar.

1.1. Operational Concept

The dewars and associated hardware will be manufactured by the vendor and shipped to a NASA facility in Sandusky, OH. Upon arrival in Sandusky, the stationary dewar will be lifted onto a platform to elevate it and the two stingers will be inserted into the two stationary dewars. As a NASA provided helium liquefier produces liquid helium and fills the two stationary dewars, occasionally, the transportable dewars will be connected to the interconnect piping and filled.

The transportable dewars will then be taken to a liquid helium user and the helium will be returned as high pressure gas via means outside the scope of this procurement.

1.2. Reference Documents:

The following documents are provided as references to requirements within

1.2.1. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Div 1 or Div 2, 2025 edition

1.2.2. Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Transportation

1.2.3. ASME B31.3, Process Piping, 2024 edition

1.2.4. NASA-STD-8719.17D – NASA Requirements for Ground-Based Pressure Vessels and

Pressurized Systems (PV/S)

1.2.5. CGA S-1.2 - 2024

1.2.6. CGA S-1.3 - 2024

1.2.7. API RP520 - 2023

1.2.8. SPI RP521 - 2022

2. Vendor Deliverables

In accordance with this requirements document, the vendor shall supply the following deliverables and equipment to the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH.

2.1. Hardware:

2.1.1 Stationary Liquid Helium Dewar: The vendor shall supply one (1) liquid helium stationary dewar with a volume of at least 2000 liters per requirements in Section 3.

2.1.2 Transportable Liquid Helium Dewars: The vendor shall supply two (2) liquid helium transportable dewars, each with a volume of at least 400 liters, per requirements in Section 4.

2.1.3 Liquid Helium Interconnection Piping: The vendor shall supply liquid helium connection hoses with stingers per requirements in Section 5.

2.1.4 Miscellaneous Hardware: The vendor shall supply the relief valves, isolation valves, instrumentation, bolts, and blind flanges required for testing and shipping of the dewars and piping.

2.2. Documentation

The vendor shall supply all the following documentation upon delivery of finished vessel, all to be delivered in the specified electronic format (as applicable per the different codes for the different systems):

2.2.1. Component Cut Sheets or Specification.

2.2.2. Models/Drawings: If the work is performed using solely 2-D design tools, the vendor shall supply as-designed drawings with any approved manufacturing deviations. If the work is performed using 3-D design tools, the vendor shall supply Creo native models and drawings or .STEP files with PDF drawings.

2.2.3. Applicable ASME manufacturer’s data report U-1 form (PDF): Registered with the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

2.2.4. Certificate of Conformance (CofC) of the Cooling Channels to ASME B31.3

2.2.5. ASME code compliant design calculations, analysis, specifications, and support analysis. (PDF)

2.2.6. Mill test reports. (PDF)

2.2.7. Inspection and Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) reports. (PDF)

2.2.8. Pressure test reports. (PDF)

2.2.9. Helium leak check test reports. (PDF)

2.2.10. Impact testing reports (as required). (PDF)

2.2.11. LN2 cold shock test reports. (PDF)

2.2.12. Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), Procedure Qualification Record (PQR), and

Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ). (PDF)

2.2.13. Structural Handling Design Documentation. (PDF)

2.3. Hardware Delivery

All hardware shall be delivered to Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, OH, as paid by the Contractor.

3. General Requirements for Stationary Dewar

3.1. Stationary Dewar Design

The stationary dewar shall be designed, fabricated, tested, examined, stamped and registered with the National Board Inspection Committee to the latest edition of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section VIII, Division 1 or Division 2. The vessel nameplate and markings shall be in accordance with ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 or 2.

The stationary dewar vacuum vessel shall be designed to ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1 or 2, but does not require a U-stamp if the differential pressure will not exceed 15 psig during an upset or failure condition.

3.1.1. Stationary Dewar Volume

The stationary dewar inner vessel volume shall be at least 2000 L of liquid helium. Water volume shall account for shrinkage of vessel down to -452 oF.

3.1.2. Relief Devices

The stationary dewar inner vessel shall be protected from over-pressurization with ASME code stamped relief valves set and sized in accordance with ASME BPVC Section VIII, XIII, Compressed Gas Association Standard (CGA) S-1.3, API RP-520 and 521. Pressure vessel relief valves shall be set at or below vessel MAWP in accordance with ASME BPVC Sections VIII and XIII.

3.1.2.1. The stationary dewar shall be protected by two relief valves.

3.1.2.2. The stationary dewar shall be provided with a relief valve changeover valve that does not restrict the relief valve inlets and provides continuous overpressure protection.

3.1.3. Vacuum Relief Valves

The stationary dewar vacuum vessel shall have a relief device that prevents the vessel pressure from exceeding 15 psig. Dewar vacuum jackets shall be protected from over-pressurization sized in accordance with CGA 341.

3.2. Instrumentation

3.2.1. The stationary dewar shall have a differential pressure based liquid level transducer

3.2.2. The stationary dewar shall have a location to mount a pressure transducer that measures inner vessel pressure.

3.3. Stationary Dewar Vessel Nozzles

The stationary dewar shall have the following connection ports:

3.3.1. The stationary dewar inner vessel shall have a 1 inch NPS horizontal helium inlet port into the top dome with bayonet connection or field joint weld and pneumatic isolation valve.

3.3.2. The stationary dewar inner vessel shall have a 1 inch NPS horizontal liquid helium outlet port into the top dome with bayonet connection or field joint weld and pneumatic isolation valve

3.3.2.1. The outlet port shall be capable of draining the vessel to less than 5% fill level.

3.3.2.2. The outlet port shall be within 2 feet horizontally, at the same elevation as, and pointed parallel to the helium inlet port.

3.3.3. The stationary dewar shall have a helium vent port for gaseous helium boil-off recovery.

3.3.4. The stationary dewar shall have a neck cooling line with vent port for a portion of the helium boil-off gas to be used to intercept heat on the neck of the dewar.

3.3.5. The stationary dewar shall have a top stinger liquid withdrawal port separate from the horizontal outlet in 3.3.2.

3.3.6. The stationary dewar inner vessel shall have appropriate lines for the required instrumentation in section 3.2.

3.3.7. The stationary dewar inner vessel shall have relief valve connection.

3.3.8. The stationary dewar outer vessel shall have a pumpout port.

3.4. Design Conditions of the Vessel

3.4.1. Minimum Design Metal Temperature: The stationary dewar shall be designed with a minimum design temperature of -452 oF.

3.4.2. Maximum Design Metal Temperature: The stationary dewar shall be designed with a maximum design temperature of 150 oF.

3.4.3. Inner Vessel Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP): The stationary dewar shall be designed to a maximum allowable working pressure of 50 PSIG for the inner vessel.

3.4.4. Outer Vessel Vacuum Shell: The outer vessel of the stationary dewar shall be designed to hold a full vacuum (-15 psig).

3.4.5. Shipping/transportation: The design of the stationary dewar shall account for shipping and handling load factors for transport by truck as follows:

Fore/aft loads: +/- 2g Lateral loads: +/- 2g Vertical loads: +3g / - 1 g

Vertical (+) acceleration is up, vertical (-) acceleration is down. Vertical (+) acceleration means the force of the carrier (truck bed) is pushing up on the assembly. Factors shall be applied simultaneously in each direction, at the center of gravity of the assembly.

The assembly must be restrained from sliding or tipping during shipping. Restraints (hold down straps, cables, etc.) must be capable of withstanding the resultant loads with these factors applied.

3.4.6. Hoisting: Lifting lugs capacity shall apply a load factor of +1.33g to hoist loads using an overhead crane. This is in addition to safety factors already applied for static loads.

3.5. Required Testing

3.5.1. Cold Shock Test: The stationary dewar shall be cold shock tested with LN2. All welds shall be visually inspected to verify freedom from cracks.

3.5.2. Pressure Test, Vessel: After the cold shock test, the vessel shall be pressure tested according to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Div 1.

3.5.3. Helium Leak Check, Vessel: After the hydrostatic test of the vessel, the vessel shall be helium gas leak tested per ASTM E-498. The maximum allowable helium leak rate for the vessel assembly is 1 x 10-6 standard cubic centimeters per second.

3.5.4. Helium Leak Check, Outer vessel: The outer vessel shall be helium gas leak tested per ASTM E-498 or ASTM E-499. The maximum allowable helium leak rate for the vessel assembly is 1 x 10-6 standard cubic centimeters per second.

3.5.5. Welding: All welding shall be qualified per ASME Section IX.

3.5.6. Non Destructive Examination (NDE) Testing: Welds used to fabricate the vessel shall be examined using the NDE testing required by ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1, or ASME B31.3 for normal fluid service as appropriate.

3.5.7. Weight: The vessel with cooling channels installed shall be weighed using a calibrated scale, with the vessel weight metal stamped on the vessel name plate and included on the drawing.

3.5.8. Charpy Impact Testing in accordance with ASME BPVC Section VIII Division 1.

4. General Requirements for Transportable Dewars

4.1. Transportable Dewar Design

The Transportable dewars shall be designed, manufactured and certified in accordance with 49 CFR §178.57, “Specification 4L welded insulated cylinders”, with exceptions according to 49 CFR §173.320.

4.1.1. Transportable Dewar Volume

The transportable dewar inner vessel volume shall be at least 400 L of liquid helium. Water volume shall account for shrinkage of vessel down to -452 oF.

4.1.2. Relief valves

The transportable dewar inner vessel shall be protected from over-pressurization with ASME code stamped relief valves set and sized in accordance with ASME BPVC Section VIII, XIII, Compressed Gas Association Standard (CGA) S-1.2, API RP-520 and 521. Pressure vessel relief valves shall be set at or below vessel MAWP in accordance with ASME BPVC Sections VIII and XIII.

4.1.3. Vacuum Relief Valves

The transportable dewar vacuum vessel shall have a relief device that prevents the vacuum jacket vessel pressure from exceeding 15 psig. Dewar vacuum jackets shall be protected from over-pressurization sized in accordance with CGA 341.

4.2. Instrumentation

4.2.1. The transportable dewar shall have a pressure gauge that measures inner vessel pressure.

4.3. Transportable Dewar Connections

The transportable dewar shall have the following connection ports:

4.3.1. The transportable dewar shall have a helium vent port for gaseous helium boil-off recovery.

4.3.1.1. The vent port shall be sized to allow for chilldown of the vessel from room temperature while venting solely through the vent port.

4.3.1.2. The vent port shall have a connection to be able to connect to NASA’s helium recovery line.

4.3.2. The transportable dewar shall have a top stinger liquid inlet / withdrawal port.

4.3.3. The transportable dewar shall have safety valve connection.

4.3.4. The transportable dewar outer vessel shall have a pumpout port.

4.4. Design Conditions of the Inner Vessel

4.4.1. Minimum Design Metal Temperature: The transportable dewar shall be designed with a minimum design temperature of -452 oF.

4.4.2. Maximum Design Metal Temperature: The transportable dewar shall be designed with a maximum design temperature of 150 oF.

4.4.3. Inner Vessel Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP): The transportable dewar shall be designed to a maximum allowable working pressure of at least 15 PSIG for the inner vessel.

4.4.4. Outer Vessel Vacuum Shell: The outer vessel of the stationary dewar shall be designed to hold a full vacuum (-15 psig).

4.5. Required Testing

4.5.1. Cold Shock Test: The stationary dewar shall be cold shock tested with LN2. All welds shall be visually inspected to verify freedom from cracks.

4.5.2. Pressure Test, Vessel: After the cold shock test, the vessel shall be pressure tested according to 49 CFR §178.57

4.5.3. Helium Leak Check, Vessel: After the hydrostatic test of the vessel, the vessel shall be helium gas leak tested per ASTM E-498. The maximum allowable helium leak rate for the vessel assembly is 1 x 10-6 standard cubic centimeters per second.

4.5.4. Welding: All welds shall be qualified per 49 CFR §178.57.

4.5.5. Non Destructive Examination (NDE) Testing: Welds used to fabricate the vessel shall be examined using the NDE testing required by 49 CFR §178.57 or ASME B31.3 as is appropriate.

5. Transfer line

5.1. The transfer line shall be a vacuum jacketed piping assembly that connects the Transportable Dewars to the Stationary Dewar and existing NASA Dewar.

5.2. Design Code: The transfer line shall be designed, tested, and certified per ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code for normal fluid service.

5.2.1. Inner line Design Pressure – the inner line design pressure for the transfer line shall be 150 psig.

5.2.2. Outer line design pressure – the outer line design pressure for the transfer line shall be – 15 psid.

5.2.3. Liquid nitrogen flow testing shall be performed on the completed transfer line to verify vacuum insulation capability (i.e. no frost formation) and identify workmanship issues.

5.3. The transfer line shall be able to connect the stationary dewar and existing NASA 2000 L dewar to the transportable dewars at a filling location as shown in the figure below.

5.4. Dewar Connections:

5.4.1. NASA 2000 L dewar – the transfer line shall have a stinger into the 2000 L dewar for liquid removal with a length of 70 inches.

5.4.2. Stationary Dewar – the transfer line shall have a stinger into the Stationary dewar

5.4.3. Transportable Dewar – the transfer line shall have a stinger that can be inserted and removed from a single Transportable Dewar.

5.5. Transfer Line Valves:

5.5.1. NASA 2000 L dewar – the transfer line shall be capable of isolating the NASA 2000 L dewar with a manual valve.

5.5.2. Stationary Dewar – the transfer line shall be capable of isolating the Stationary dewar from the rest of the line with a manual valve.

5.5.3. Transportable Dewar - the transfer line shall be capable of isolating the Transportable dewar from the rest of the line with a manual valve.

5.6. Relief valves:

5.6.1. The transfer line shall have appropriate relief valves as required per ASME B31.3, CGA S-1.2, API RP-520 and 521.

5.7. Transfer line supports:

5.7.1. Required structural support locations and resultant loads at those locations for the transfer line shall be provided to NASA prior to fabrication of the transfer line.

NASA Glenn Research Center Revision:

6. Schedule & Reporting Requirements

6.1. Fabrication Schedule

Within 14 calendar days of award of contract, the vendor shall provide one copy of the vessel design and fabrication schedule.

6.2. Biweekly Progress Reports

The vendor shall provide a copy of progress reports every other week, using normal in-house formats. At major fabrication stages, digital pictures of the vessel shall be provided to the NASA GRC technical representative.

6.3. Engineering Documents and Drawings

Within 100 calendar days of award of contract, the vendor shall provide ASME Section VIII, Div 1 compliant engineering calculations, stress analysis, and detailed drawings, in PDF format for the stationary dewar. The customer will respond with “approved” or “approved as noted” within 10 working days of the calculations and drawings receipt.

6.4. Final Drawings

Within 7 calendar days of fabrication completion, the contractor shall provide the as-built drawings with any NASA approved manufacturing deviations.

6.5. Witness Testing

NASA will have the option to witness the tests and attend periodic plant visits.

7. Shipping Requirements Delivery for dewars, piping, and all required documents shall be to following location:

3597 Scheid Rd Sandusky, OH 44870

1. Background