Questions and Answers JBSA Pressure Vessels VE Inspection Service.pdf

JBSA Pressure Vessels VE Inspection Service Q&A

Q: SOW Section 3.2, Page 6 states that personnel performing the inspections must be certified by NBIC and that copies of the certifications must be submitted with the proposal.

Can you please confirm which specific National Board/NBIC inspector certification or commission is acceptable for this requirement?

A: for a Type VE inspection, the applicable credential is generally the National Board Inservice Inspector Commission (IS). The IS commission covers periodic in-service inspections of pressure vessels already in operation/ Valid National Board Inservice Inspector (IS) Commission, with qualifications and employment through an authorized/accepted inspection organization as required by NBIC and the installation’s contract or local procedures.

Q: Under 3.0 Technical Requirements: 3.2 Task 2 - The contractor personnel performing inspections shall be certified by NBIC. The contractor shall provide a copy of certificate(s) with proposal.

Clarification Needed: NBIC (National Board Inspection Code) actually be NBBI (National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors)?

A: In accordance with AFMAN 32-1068, Section 6.6.1, installations in the United States must inspect boilers and unfired pressure vessels according to the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC). Inspections must be performed by an NBIC-certified inspector, and valid NBIC inspection certification is required.

Q: SOW paragraph 3.3 requires each Type VE inspection to consist of "internal and external inspections and ultrasonic thickness test of the pressure shell." The reference photographs furnished with the solicitation depict shop air receivers in the 60 to 250 gallon range (Manchester Tank, Ingersoll Rand T30, and Champion units) that have no manway or other opening permitting internal entry or direct internal visual examination. For vessels of this construction, will the Government accept ultrasonic thickness testing of the shell and heads, together with external examination, in lieu of internal visual inspection, consistent with NBIC Part 2 provisions governing vessels that cannot be internally inspected? If the Government requires a different alternative, such as internal examination by borescope through an existing threaded connection or a pressure test, please specify which method is required and for which vessels.

A: We will accept ultrasonic thickness testing.

Q: For any vessel in the inventory that does have an accessible manway or handhole, who is responsible for removing and reinstalling the cover, furnishing replacement gaskets, and cleaning the vessel interior sufficiently to permit examination? SOW paragraph 4.1(c) states that Base Support will provide "HVAC shop personnel (as needed) to prepare pressure vessels for inspection." Please confirm that this includes opening, closing, and re-gasketing, and that each vessel will be depressurized, drained, isolated, and locked out by Government personnel before the inspector arrives.

A: Ultrasonic thickness testing only

Q: Will the Government furnish the complete vessel inventory data for all 38 units, including vessel type, manufacturer, capacity, MAWP, year built, and the specific location within each building? Several nameplates in the reference photographs are painted over or corroded to the point of partial illegibility. Please also confirm how the Government wishes nameplate data to be recorded on AF Form 1222 where it cannot be fully recovered in the field.

A: Government POC will provide escort to each location. Complete vessel inventory data for all 38 units, including vessel type will need to be documented at each site.

Q: The SOW inventory lists one Randolph vessel, in Building 700, with National Board number "N/A," and several Fort Sam Houston entries carrying non-standard identifiers (5Z69, QTS-3, 466-12, 3741A, and 10564110). Please confirm whether these units are National Board registered, and how the Government wishes vessels that are unregistered or whose identification cannot be verified to be documented.

A: The Vessels with missing or hard to read numbers can be documented by location

Q: Several building numbers appear twice in the SOW inventory (Lackland Buildings 814 and 5015, Fort Sam Houston Buildings 3260 and 1046, and Randolph Building 700). Please confirm that each duplicate entry represents a separate vessel located within the same building, and that the total quantity to be inspected is 38.

A: Represents a separate vessel located within the same building

Q: SOW paragraph 1.3 states that the contractor "shall provide a detailed report on each fire pump." No fire pumps appear anywhere else in the SOW, in the CLIN structure, or in the reference photographs. Please confirm that this is a typographical error and that the required deliverable is an AF Form 1222 for each unfired pressure vessel.

A: No fire Pump Typo

Q: Will the Government furnish the most recent prior AF Form 1222 reports and any prior ultrasonic thickness readings for these 38 vessels? Prior thickness data is necessary to establish corrosion rate and remaining life, and its availability affects the scope of the current effort.

A: Ultrasonic testing will be compared to manufacture Spec. We can provide some past inspection not all have current records.

Q: What is the expected processing time for base access credentials and the criminal history check required by SOW paragraph 1.4.1.2(d)? Please also confirm whether a single access request may cover all three installations, or whether separate requests are required for Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph.

A: Passes can be set up for each base at one time

Q: Is this requirement a recompete of an existing or prior contract for these services? If so, please identify the incumbent contractor, the contract number, and the contract value. If these inspections have not previously been performed under contract, please confirm that as well.

A: This solicitation is not a recompete for this requirement.

Q: The three CLINs are separately priced by installation. May the contractor invoice upon Government acceptance of each CLIN as work at that installation is completed, or does the Government require a single invoice upon acceptance of all three CLINs?

A: The contractor will bill for a single invoice upon the acceptance of all three CLINs.

Q: The Notice to Offerors states that funds are not presently available for this effort, while the Section B delivery schedule establishes a period of performance of 30 September 2026 through 29 November 2026. If award occurs after 30 September 2026, will the period of performance be adjusted to 60 calendar days from the date of award?

A: 60 days from award.

Q: SOW paragraph 3.1 requires the contractor to submit a timeline and preliminary work plan to 502 CES/CEOER a minimum of three weeks prior to commencing inspections. SOW paragraph 5.1 requires AF Form 1222 delivery within 10 working days after completion of inspections, and allows the Government a minimum of one week to review each delivery.

Please confirm whether the three week plan submission period and the post inspection reporting and review periods are intended to fall inside the 60 calendar day period of performance, or whether the 60 days applies to field inspection only.

A: Inspection reporting and review periods are intended to fall inside the 60 calendar day period of performance

Q: What is the expected processing time for base access credentials and the criminal history check required by SOW paragraph 1.4.1.2(d)? Please also confirm whether a single access request may cover all three installations, or whether separate requests are required for Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph.

A: Passes can be set up for each base at one time

Q: Is this requirement a recompete of an existing or prior contract for these services? If so, please identify the incumbent contractor, the contract number, and the contract value. If these inspections have not previously been performed under contract, please confirm that as well.

A: This requirement is not a recompete and has not been previously performed under contract.

The three CLINs are separately priced by installation. May the contractor invoice upon Government acceptance of each CLIN as work at that installation is completed, or does the Government require a single invoice upon acceptance of all three CLINs?

A: The contractor shall invoice upon acceptance of all three CLINS, individual invoices will not be accepted.

Q: Does an NBIC "R" Certificate of Authorization (company-level accreditation with an approved QC program) satisfy the Section 3.2 requirement, or must the individual inspector performing the work hold a personal National Board Commission?

A: In accordance with AFMAN 32-1068, Section 6.6.1, installations in the United States must inspect boilers and unfired pressure vessels according to the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC). Inspections must be performed by an NBIC-certified inspector, and valid NBIC inspection certification is required.

Q: Under solicitation FA301626Q0146 and AFI 32-1068, will the Government accept an API 510 Authorized Pressure Vessel Inspector to perform and sign off on the 38 Type VE unfired pressure vessel inspections, or is an active National Board In-Service (IS) Commission strictly required?

A: AFI 32-1068 is superseded, AFMAN 32-1068 governs under NBIC standards and does not reference or adopt API 510.

Q: Task 2 requires personnel to be “certified by NBIC.” Please identify the specific National Board credential required and confirm whether the company must also hold National Board AIA accreditation. Would API 510 certification be accepted as an alternative, or only as a supplemental qualification?

A: AFI 32-1068 is superseded, AFMAN 32-1068 governs under NBIC standards and does not reference or adopt API 510.

Q: Does the Government require specified UT measurement locations, a testing grid, a minimum number of readings per vessel, or particular acceptance criteria, or may the contractor establish an NBIC-compliant testing plan?

A: Refer to AFMAN32-1068, section 6.6 - Inspections and Testing.

Q: Please confirm whether the contractor must include all surface preparation, removal and replacement of insulation or coatings, and any ladders, lifts, scaffolding, or other access equipment. Will the vessels remain operational during testing, or will shut down or lockout/tagout be required?

A: Yes, contractor must include all surface preparation, removal and replacement of insulation or coatings, and any ladders, lifts, scaffolding, or other access equipment. If vessels require to be shut done for testing we can support .

Q: Section 3.3 references manufacturer specifications. Please provide any applicable manufacturer specifications, data reports, previous inspection reports, and minimum allowable thickness or corrosion allowance information available for the vessels.

A: Contractor will provide manufacturer specifications and minimum allowable thickness or corrosion allowance On report.

Q: confirm whether AF Form 1222 is the only required report for each vessel or whether additional National Board forms, filings, or data reports are required.

A: Per AFMAN32-1068, section 6.6.6.1 – “Inspectors shall document all boiler and pressure vessel inspection using AF Form 1222, Boiler or Pressure Vessel Inspection Report.”

Q: FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, does not appear in the clause listing for this acquisition. Please confirm whether the limitation on subcontracting applies to this requirement and, if so, how the Government intends to evaluate compliance.

A: Per RFO 19.104-(c), we do not need 52.219-14 since this is below SAT.

Q: FAR 52.219-1(b)(1) and (b)(2) are left blank in the RFQ. Please confirm the NAICS code and the corresponding small business size standard applicable to this acquisition. FAR 52.219-28, Alternate I, references NAICS 238220.

A: The NIACS is contained in 52.219-28, Alternate I as well as in the Sam.gov posting, under the NAICS Code section.

Q: Statement of Work paragraph 1.3 states that the contractor "shall perform 38 Type VE inspections and shall provide a detailed report on each fire pump." The requirement elsewhere identifies AF Form 1222 for each unfired pressure vessel as the deliverable, and no fire pumps are identified in the scope. Please confirm that the required deliverable is one AF Form 1222 per pressure vessel for 38 vessels, and that no fire pump work is included.

A: Correct – no fire pump include.

Q: The Statement of Work provided with the RFQ is dated 15 June 2026. The List of Attachments identifies the Statement of Work as "JBSA VE SOW 20 August 2026," dated 21 August 2026. Please confirm which version governs and, if a later version exists, please provide it.

A: The SAM.gov RFQ posting was updated to reflect the new SOW, please see SAM.gov for all the most current documents.

Q: Statement of Work paragraph 4.1 states that base support will provide HVAC shop personnel as needed to prepare pressure vessels for inspection. Please confirm that the Government will open and prepare each vessel for internal inspection, and describe how that support will be scheduled and coordinated with the contractor.

A: Each Base will provide escorts to each site and identify Vessel for inspection. Contractor should provide schedule.

Q: The RFQ states that funds are not presently available and that no award will be made until funds are available. The period of performance for each line item is shown as 30 September 2026 through 29 November 2026. If award occurs after 30 September 2026, please confirm whether the period of performance will be adjusted, given that the Statement of Work also requires a work plan to be submitted three weeks prior to the start of inspections.

A: The period of performance and all associated timelines—including the work plan submission requirement—will be adjusted as necessary at the time of award. All dates currently shown in the solicitation reflect the planned performance window and will be updated to align with the actual award date once funds become available.

Q: Please confirm whether photography is permitted on the installation for the purpose of documenting vessel condition in support of the required inspection reports, and identify any approval process the contractor should follow.

A: Photographs are permitted at the site visit, and photos have also been provided on Sam.gov