FEASIBLE TECHNOLOGIES FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION (NDE) OF LAYERED PRESSURE VESSELS

NASA is seeking potential sources for feasible technologies for Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of existing in-service metallic layered pressure vessels (LPVs) having concentrically wrapped shell section(s) and monolithic heads. NDE techniques, which may include a combination of different techniques, are desired to perform volumetric examination of vessel welds, weld heat affected zones (HAZ) and parent material as required to assess the overall structural integrity of the vessel. This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal. It is planned that this information will be used in the generation of one or more solicitations for either procurement of systems or services ranging from modification of existing NDE systems to inspection of existing LPV's. NASA currently has approximately 300 LPVs constructed of low alloy carbon steel in service at various NASA Centers across the US which require periodic inspection. NASA intends to use the responses to this RFI to write a Request for Quote (RFQ) which may be used to select one or more vendors from which to procure NDE systems, NDE services or a combination of both for in-situ (on location) examination of LPVs. The Government is under no obligation to issue any such solicitation in the future as a result of this RFI. The Government will not pay for any costs associated with responding to this RFI. Interested vendors having the specialized capabilities to meet the above requirement should submit an abstract indicating the ability to perform any or all aspects of the LPV examination effort or proposing solutions for LPV examination. NASA is not planning to undertake a full-scale research and development effort to develop new NDE technologies. However, it is acknowledged that existing NDE technologies may require some level of improvement, development, adjustment and/or validation to fully demonstrate or advance application of the NDE technique to LPV examination (for which there may be limited funds available should a Government procurement be initiated). Although NDE technologies are the primary focus of this RFI, the Government will entertain responses which, in part or whole, address structural health monitoring systems (HMS) for LPVs. Responses which include health monitoring systems should clearly articulate the physics upon which the technology is based and show merit for application to LPVs. Attachment 1 provides a more detailed background and technical discussion related to LPV NDE along with figures identifying critical welds. Responses to this RFI may be submitted for examination of one or more LPV weld or parent material locations. Favorable NASA evaluation of the responses to this RFI will include the following general criteria: - Solutions offering the most cost effective and timely approach for the government with regard to effort required to improve, develop, adjust, validate or implement NDE technologies for LPV examination - Provision by vendor of specific detailed information related to success employing NDE technologies, techniques or capabilities for post-construction LPV or structurally equivalent weld examination - Provision by vendor of specific information demonstrating an understanding of application (including challenges or limitations) of NDE technologies to specific LPV weld locations (head welds, shell section welds, longitudinal layer welds, nozzle welds) - Demonstration by vendor of in-house capabilities to provide engineering solutions to overcome existing challenges and limitations (if any) of NDE technologies for examination of LPVs and a proposed level of effort required to fully define or overcome the limitations - Proposal by vendor of reasonable solutions and approaches to overcome challenges and limitations of NDE technologies or to qualify and validate NDE technologies for examination of LPVs Responses should be specific and detailed with regard to the NDE technology proposed and the LPV location(s) to which the technology is potentially applicable. Responders shall not submit proprietary information, export controlled information (including EAR and ITAR restricted information), nor confidential information in response to this RFI. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the NASA evaluation. Respondents deemed qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. All responses to this RFI must be in the form of a PDF document, not exceeding 5 pages (not including cover page), submitted in electronic form via email to Edward F. Johnson at edward.f.johnson@nasa.gov with cc: to Melinda Swenson at melinda.e.swenson@nasa.gov, no later than 2:00 p.m. (central), October 27, 2017. The body of the email message should identify and provide the name, institutional or organizational affiliation, address, telephone number and email address of the primary point-of-contact for the response. Other key institutions, companies and individuals collaborating on the RFI response should also be identified.