Contractor A-J1 answer

REQUEST FOR SPECIFICATION CLARIFICATION

SSP 27-D001

SPECIFICATION ITEM NO.: Task 1_ PARA. NO._Prerequisite SubmiƩals TITLE: Welding Process and Prerequisite QualificaƟon Requirements

QUESTION:

The RFI specifies SMAW for welding procedure qualificaƟon and requires commercially qualified allposiƟon SMAW welders with records of SMAW welding performance within the last six months. Based on our experience in the commercial ship repair industry, FCAW and GTAW+FCAW welding procedures are commonly used by ship repair contractors, including our company. We would appreciate clarificaƟon on the following:

1. Welding Process Requirements:

Is the qualificaƟon program strictly limited to SMAW, or may FCAW or GTAW+FCAW also be considered?
This specific qualifica on ini a ve is strictly limited to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) in accordance with AWS-NAVSEA B2.1-1-302:2015 and LWT 042-001. While FCAW and GTAW+FCAW are acknowledged as common commercial prac ces, SMAW represents the baseline technical qualifica on required for this ini al naval combatant repair capability. Offerors are encouraged to note their exis ng FCAW/GTAW capabili es in their RFI submission to inform poten al future requirements.

2. Prerequisite Welder Qualifica ons:

If SMAW is mandatory, must contractors already have all-posiƟon SMAW-qualified welders and records of SMAW welding performance within the last six months at the Ɵme of RFI submission or contract award?
AlternaƟvely, may these qualificaƟons and records be obtained aŌer contract award but before qualificaƟon tesƟng begins?
Contractors do not need to have finalized SMAW welder qualifica on records or 6-month maintenance logs in hand at the me of RFI submission or contract award. In accordance with LWT 042-001 (Sec on 3.4), all prerequisite documenta on—including commercial all-posi on SMAW performance qualifica ons, current eye exams, and evidence of process maintenance within 6 months—must be submi ed and approved a er contract award,

but prior to commencing the test weldment. Contractors may qualify their in-house personnel or update qualifica on records during the ini al prepara on phase of the contract.

3. Eligibility:

Would contractors currently holding qualified WPSs for FCAW or GTAW+FCAW be eligible to parƟcipate in this program to obtain the required SMAW qualificaƟons? Contractors currently holding qualified procedures in FCAW or GTAW+FCAW are fully eligible and strongly encouraged to par cipate, provided they hold an ac ve MSRA or ABR