TEAD - Helium Inspection Services

What they want

• Helium leak inspection of 100 newly built one-metric-ton containers (QTY 100); a retesting contract line item number? (CLIN: one priced line of the order) covers 10 in case of failure, unit of issue not stated for the retest line.
• Install a custom 3-inch NPT test plug in each container and pressurize it to 15.0 PSIG (pounds per square inch gauge) plus or minus 0.2 psi with an air-helium mixture that is at least 50 percent helium.
• Run pressure hold tests (readings at start, 5 minutes and 30 minutes later; pressure must not drop by 0.1 psi or more) and scan all welds and seals with a calibrated leak detector. Bubble tests are prohibited.
• A container passes only with a helium leak rate below 1.0E-5 std cm3/sec after correction for gas concentration.
• Deliver a Leak Test Inspection Procedure before work starts, then a final report listing every container serial number and pass/fail status, with the leak detector's calibration certificate.
• Provide all personnel, helium gas, a calibrated helium leak detector, test plug, calibrated pressure gage, hoses, regulators, fittings and vehicles. The Government supplies the containers and a forklift with operator to move them.
• Work at the depot (Building 519) Monday through Thursday, 0630 to 1700, and keep a written quality control plan (QCP) and work plan.
• Report contractor labor hours in SAM.gov each year through the service contract report (SCR).

What they'll judge offers on

• Price: unit prices times the quantities for every item on the Pricing Matrix (Attachment 0001), added up for one total evaluated price; price is checked but not given a rating

What to include when you submit

• Complete the Excel Pricing Matrix (Attachment 0001): fill every blue cell, do not change the locked sheet, show unit prices in US dollars to two decimal places, and quote every item.
• Include working formulas in the Excel file; quotes without working formulas or algorithms may be eliminated.
• Include your proposed Work Plan (Deliverable A.001) and your Quality Control Plan (Deliverable A.002) with the quote. The quality control plan must include an organization chart, how you will monitor work and keep staff qualifications current, how you will correct problems, and how you will keep records for the life of the contract plus 5 years.
• If travel applies, include the projected travel locations, frequency and number of people in the quote.
• Name each file like 'TEAD – FY27 Helium Leak Inspection Services - RFQ – Price Matrix – Company Name' and use the email subject 'TEAD – FY27 Helium Leak Inspection Services – RFQ – Company Name'.
• Use English and Microsoft Office files (Word and/or Excel), and virus-check every file.
• Acknowledge Amendment 0001 in the quote; failure to acknowledge an amendment may eliminate you.
• Keep the quote valid for 60 days after the RFQ closes.
• Send questions in writing by email to both points of contact; no phone calls.

Current contractor

No incumbent is named; the RFQ calls this a new firm-fixed-price commercial order.

Not in the notice text

• The Pricing Matrix (Attachment 0001, Excel) is attached but not read, and the middle parts of the PWS (including the start of Part 2, Specific Tasks) and of the clauses attachment were left out. Check them on SAM.gov.
• The personnel and facility clearance level; the DD Form 254 was not in the text read.
• Whether you must hold the DoD CHESS ITES-3H BPA to bid.
• The unit of issue for the 10-container retest line and how the Pricing Matrix lists it.
• Which date is the quote due date: October 28, 2026 (SAM.gov and the notice to quoters) or October 19, 2026 (RFQ header).
• The small business size standard for NAICS 541380 is not stated in the documents.