Confined Space Rescue Training

Amendment 0004

The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to the following industry questions:

Question 1: Regarding CLIN 0003 (Confined Space Search & Rescue ProBoard Certification): based on the responses provided in Amendment 0001, we intend to satisfy this requirement by delivering the required training, practical skills evaluations, and completion documentation, and by arranging the ProBoard written and practical testing and national registry entry through a separate ProBoard-accredited agency. Please confirm this approach is acceptable.  

Answer 1: Requirement for Accredited Course Completion:
Participants must attend and successfully complete an instructor-led Confined Space Rescue course that is Pro Board® accredited. Examples include:

• 0IAFF Confined Space Rescue (5-day, 40-hour program) IAFF
• TEEX RES102 Confined Space Rescue Awareness, Operations & Technician (40 hours) TEEX.ORG
• Fowler Fire Confined Space Rescue Technician 1 & 2 (NFPA 1006 Technician Level) fowlerfire.com

These courses must be delivered by an accredited agency and follow NFPA 1006, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, and NFPA 1670 standards IAFF+1.

Question 2: Neither the Statement of Work or previously posted Questions and Answers clearly define the level of Rope and Confined Space training requested per NFPA 1006 and 2500.  Those levels must be specified to identify services and support for Pro Board certifications.  What level of NFPA 1006 and 2500 (including 1670) does the government require – Awareness, Operations and or Technician for Rope and Confined Space?  

Answer 2: Technician for Rope and Confined Space

Question 3: From Question 2, it appears there is no Pro Board requirement for the 32 hours of Rope Training – is that accurate?  

Answer 3: Yes

Question 4: In the general RFQ attachment, point 2, reference is made to an exhaustive number of agency qualifications and certifications for Rope and Confined Space instructors to provide.  Other than the obvious qualifications and certifications associated with instructing Rope and Confined Space Rescue training, can the government clearly define additional required certifications (Law Enforcement, Hazmat?) 

Answer 4: No other requirements

Question 5: The RFQ attachment identifies required hours for training as 32 for Rope and 48 for Confined Space.  Pro Board certification for Confined Space is also requested. Depending on the Pro Board Certifying agency, that process could encompass 8-16 hours.  Are those hours expected to be included in the 32 for Rope and 48 for Confined Space or as an additional period set aside for Pro Board Certification? 

Answer 5: No

Question 6: Does the Naval Station Newport training facility maintain adequate Rope and Confined Space training props for all requested training?

Answer 6: Per Statement 4.0 “The contractor shall provide the instructors, all digital training material (i.e. thumb-drives with workbooks and supplemental hand-outs), and equipment to train up to sixteen (16) students for the following training,” see response to question 12 for additional information.

Question 7: Can the Government give expected dates of beginning of the programs of training?

Answer 7: No. Per Statement 4.0 “The contractor shall provide the instructors, all digital training material (i.e. thumb-drives with workbooks and supplemental hand-outs), and equipment to train up to sixteen (16) students for the following training,” see response to question 12 for additional information.

Question 8: Is there any incumbent/recompete or is this a brand-new project?

Answer 8: No incumbent. This is a new requirement.

Question 9: Will Naval Station Newport provide access to high-angle and confined-space training props/facilities for the practical portions of the Rope Rescue and Confined Space Rescue training, or is the contractor expected to furnish all required training props and practical training structures?

Answer 9: See answers to questions 6 and 12. 

Question 10: Section 8.1 of the SOW references an attached DD254; however, the available solicitation package contains only the RFQ and SOW. Can the Government provide the applicable DD254 and confirm whether a facility clearance or personnel security clearances are required?

Answer 10: Security clearance does not apply to this requirement.  The SOW is revised to remove reference to the DD254.

Question 11: The SOW requires compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012, 252.204-7019 and 252.204-7020. Can the Government confirm whether contractor performance will involve Controlled Unclassified Information and whether a current NIST SP 800-171 assessment in SPRS is required before award?

Answer 11: This requirement does not include CUI.

Question 12: The SOW states that the contractor must provide all training equipment. Will Naval Station Newport provide the classroom, confined-space training structure, approved anchor points or other training facilities? Please identify any Government equipment or facilities that will be available for practical exercises.

Answer 12: The Government will provide a classroom and space for the practical exercises.

Question 13: The instructor-qualification section identifies experience across fire and EMS, HazMat/WMD, SPRAT rope access, rope and confined-space rescue, law enforcement, bomb-technician functions and federal on-scene coordination. Must each proposed instructor meet every listed category, or may the proposed instructor team satisfy these qualifications collectively?  

Answer 13: Must have the listed experience for the areas that the instructor intends to teach.

Question 14: Can the Government identify the precise Pro Board certification discipline and applicable NFPA standard and edition? Please also confirm any prerequisite certifications students must possess before completing the written and practical examinations.  

Answer 14: Confined Space Rescue Pro Board Certification Requirements.  To earn Pro Board® accredited certification in Confined Space Rescue (NFPA 1006 Chapter 7), participant must complete a recognized accredited course and meet specific prerequisites and testing requirements. 

Question 15: If a participant does not pass the initial written or practical Pro Board examination, is the contractor required to provide retesting within the firm-fixed price?

Answer 15: No

Question 16: The RFQ and SOW reference NFPA 1006 and NFPA 2500, including Chapters 5 and 7. Can the Government confirm the exact standard and edition applicable to each CLIN? 

Answer 16: Both NFPA 1006 and 2500 current additions. 

Question 17: May the 32-hour Rope Rescue course and 48-hour Confined Space Search and Rescue course be conducted consecutively as one consolidated training period, or must they be scheduled separately?

Answer 17: Consecutively

Question 18: Will the resulting purchase order permit invoicing through WAWF after completion and acceptance of each individual CLIN, or only after all three CLINs have been completed?

Answer 18: Invoices can be submitted upon completion of work.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

RFQ is extended to 22 July 2026 per industry request Amendment 0004 is forthcoming to address industry questions.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment 0003

The purpose of this amendment is to extend the RFQ closing date to 15 July 2026.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment 0002

The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to the following industry questions:

Question 1: Is this a brand-new project?

Answer: Yes

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Amendment 0001

The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to the following industry questions:

Question 1: Does Confined Space Search & Rescue ProBoard Certification require the training provider itself to be a Pro Board-Accredited Agency?

Answer: No

Question 2: If the training provider is not required to be Pro Board-Accredited, can Confined Space Search & Rescue ProBoard Certification be satisfied by providing the required training, practical skills evaluations, certificates of completion, and documentation of competencies achieved?

Answer: Yes

Question 3: If the training provider is not required to be Pro Board-Accredited, is the provider expected to arrange the written and practical testing through a separate third-party Pro Board-Accredited Agency? 

Answer: Yes

Question 4: Or will the Government/NAVSTA FD be acting as the Pro Board Accredited Agency, with the contractor providing the training, practical evaluations, and supporting documentation needed for the students to complete the Pro Board certification process? 

Answer: No

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Please see the attached RFQ and Statement of Work (SOW), the period of performance shall be from date of award to 09/30/2026.