RFI on FRP Portable Tank Material Articles.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY

Procuring Level Test Articles from Portable Tanks Made with Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Materials

BACKGROUND:

The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) is currently conducting research into planning a testing study to understand the performance of portable tanks made with fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials in accordance with the United Nations Model Regulations (UNMR). Presently, the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) do not address the specific performance requirements for FRP (composite) Portable Tanks, though PHMSA has issued a special permit with renewable terms for commercial companies to manufacture, sell and use non-specification T7 and T10 FRP Portable tanks. In the Notice for Proposed Rulemaking HM-215 Q, concerns with adopting the use of FRP Portable Tanks in the US were raised. PHMSA commented that further research is necessary in areas covering material fatigue, suitability of the pool fire test and impact testing as packaging qualification methods and the identification of an appropriate nondestructive test methodology to qualify FRP Portable Tanks. As such, PHMSA has determined that additional research is needed to evaluate the performance and safety of UNMR FRP Portable Tanks before a decision can be made on whether to harmonize the HMR specifications with the UNMR. The goal of the PHMSA testing study is to provide FRP Portable Tank performance data to inform potential rulemaking as well to identify a non-destructive testing (NDT) method suitable for future testing and in-service inspection.

As the materials and design can vary, PHMSA is looking to identify one or more NDT methods that can be performed without knowing tank specific manufacturer information and be able to detect/evaluate both the inner and outer FRP layers without core interference. Manufacturers utilize different designs and materials to construct FRP Portable Tanks in accordance with international requirements. Tanks may be constructed using a glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), tanks may incorporate a single wall design or a sandwich design consisting of inner and outer FRP layers separated by a core material. The thickness of the FPR layers will vary based on the fiber type and layup sequence, and the core material and corrosive barrier can also vary based on the insulation needs and commodity to be transported.

Several performance tests will need to be conducted to fully address the concerns that were raised in the NPRM. Benchtop testing will be necessary to validate test methods and understand the materials used to construct the FRP Portable Tank.

SCOPE:

PHMSA is seeking information from FRP Portable Tank manufacturers, domestic and international to inform the testing study. PHMSA will also evaluate the manufacturer’s willingness and ability to provide articles for testing. PHMSA is looking to obtain from each manufacturer up to two FRP Portable Tanks manufactured in accordance with the UNMR, as well as material samples that are representative of the full-scale Portable Tanks being tested. At this point, we are seeking industry input only regarding the feasibility and willingness to provide PHMSA with test articles preferably donated, or at some price.

All interested FRP Portable Tank manufacturers are invited to respond to this RFI. The response should address the following items that PHMSA finds critical to conduct the FRP Portable Tank testing study:

· Willingness and capacity to provide test articles (FRP Portable Tanks and material samples) conforming to the technical requirements set forth in the UNMR for FRP Portable Tanks;

· Willingness to donate or sell test articles (FRP Portable Tanks and material samples) to PHMSA or a PHMSA representative for third-party testing (specific testing to be specified at a later date)

· Ability to prepare or cutout material samples in predefined geometries and sizes (to be determined, but expected to be on the order of 12” x 12”) that are representative of the manufacturer’s full-scale Portable Tanks (inclusive of all layers of material from the outer coating, through the FRP layers, corrosive liner, any core material, etc.),include any limitations in the quantities and preparation of material samples that you can provide;

· Required lead time to prepare and deliver UNMR FRP Portable Tanks;

· Required lead time to prepare or cutout and deliver material samples;

· Descriptions of estimated prices of test articles if unable to donate (because the exact sizes and quantities of the material samples have not been defined, the estimates may be given for individual unit prices, bulk quantities, volume discounts, etc.);

· Ability and willingness to share manufacturer's materials design specifications of the FRP test articles, which will be protected by PHMSA as proprietary information.

· Willingness to share FRP Portable Tank drawings, which will be protected by PHMSA as proprietary information, with sufficient structural details to develop full-scale FE models useful for evaluating the performance of the FRP Portable

Tanks:

· Discussion of proprietary information safeguards such as confidentiality/nondisclosure agreements that you will require to enter into agreement with PHMSA for any of the materials/information provided in Items 1-7;

· Information on the most commonly used liners (inner corrosion barrier), core materials, and insulation requirements for UNMR manufactured FRP Portable Tanks.

· Recommendations on types of performance testing and methods or standards to be considered (e.g. pool fire, vibration, physical tests, etc.) for testing full-scale FRP Portable Tanks material and component level test requirements, types of material and component level tests to be conducted, number of repeated tests to establish repeatability, specimen geometry, specimen size, etc.

· Recommendations on NDT technologies and methods applicable for FRP Portable Tanks, as well as test material requirements (e.g. geometry, size, quantity, etc.)

· Willingness to share manufacturer's performance test reports (e.g. pool fire, vibration, physical tests, NDT, etc.) and experience to inform, PHMSA’s testing study, which will be protected by PHMSA as proprietary information; and

· Any other comments that can help PHMSA better define the research scope and direction and ultimately yield technical data beneficial to both the government and the industry are welcome.

RESPONSES:

Interested parties must submit responses to the point(s) of contact identified below:

Stephen Jones at Stephen.Jones@dot.gov with a cc to Tremayne Terry at Tremayne.Terry@dot.gov no later than 5:00 PM EST July 18, 2025. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Any questions related to this RFI are to be directed to the PHMSA Acquisitions Services Division Points of Contact listed above. Any questions on this RFI’s content, issues, or procedures must be submitted via email no later than 5:00 PM EST, July 01, 2025. The RFI number (693JK325RFI03) must be included in the subject line. It is anticipated that all responses to questions submitted on time will be posted publicly on SAM.gov as an amendment to the RFI with the questions and responses document within two (2) business days after the questions deadline, 5:00 PM EST, Friday July 03, 2025. The information will be used by the Government to develop requirements for a potential upcoming research and test project.

Responses to this RFI should be direct, concise, and should be between 7-10 pages single sides. The responses should be typed, double-spaced, using 12-point font and printed on 8.5” by 11” paper with 1” margins on all sides. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED.

At a minimum, responses should include:

· Company Information: (Name, Phone Number, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Cage Code, POC information, website, etc.)

· Description of your company’s capabilities as they relate to the services described in this notice.

· A description of your company’s previous experience in providing the services described in this notice within the past 5-7 years for no lower than 3 companies and not to exceed 5 companies.

· A description of any teaming/subcontracting your company anticipates utilizing in support of this requirement.

· Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in finalizing its market research and acquisition strategy.

The information will be used by the Government to develop requirements for a potential upcoming research and test project.

Interested small business companies are strongly encouraged fully use this opportunity to describe their capabilities.

DISCLAIMER

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e) responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract/agreement. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought. Any information provided in response to this Sources Sought will not be returned.

Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. NO FORMAL SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME.