NSTR-99 pertaining to N3904023R0004

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard received the following question that it would like to publicly answer to benefit all parties interest in participating in solicitation N3904023R0004.

Q: Is there any correlation between ASTM certs and MIL-STD-2132 certs?

A: No, there is no reciprocity between ASTM certs and MIL-STD-2132 certs. The way we understand the process is: a vendor should submit an “Application for Nondestructive Test Examiner Examination (Appendix J)” for their method specific examiner by fax or mail to BPMI. BPMI should provide them a test date and a location where this would take place. Once the individual passes that exam, then they must devise their MIL-STD-2132 program for their company to meet the requirements of both NSTR-99 and MIL-STD-2132.

MIL-STD-2132 provides the method specific requirements used to perform the inspections, create/qualify their procedures, and requirements for examination of the organization’s examiner and inspectors (enclosure 10). NSTR-99 provides specific requirements for the organization’s NDT program, such as examiner duties in respect to qualifying inspectors within the organization and maintenance of the program. 

BPMI typically requires notification at least 6 weeks from the beginning of the month for which the organization hopes to test, but that does not include re-examinations, nor the amount of time it takes for that individual to create a written practice for the program, create test props if necessary, examination questions, etc. to meet the requirements of MIL-STD-2132 and NSTR-99, and then to test inspectors so they are certified to inspect the material.