Blasting Cabinets

Questions and Answers: Question 1: It is stated that the equipment must be ISO-9001:2015 certified. Since ISO-9001 is only one quality management system, this requirement severely limits the contracting team's ability to receive competitive proposals because it rules out any organizations that operate under other quality management systems. Will the contracting team consider removing this requirement from the solicitation? Answer 1: 3.1.1.15.1 The Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) certification shall be met for all blast systems provided in lieu of the ISO9001:2015 certification, see para 3.4.4. Question 2: As a follow up question. If removing that requirement will not be considered, will the contracting team consider allowing for an NRTL certification on all provided machines in lieu of the ISO9001:2015 documentation? The 3rd party NRTL certification requirement would hold manufacturers to a higher standard than the ISO-9001:2015 requirements and would enable organizations with other quality management systems to bid on the project. This would greatly increase the contracting team's ability to receive competitive proposals. Answer 2: 3.4.4 The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that 38 different types of products, devices, assemblies, or systems used in the workplace be "approved" (i.e., tested and certified) by third-party organizations identified as Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs). The NRTLs certification shall be met for all blast systems provided in lieu of the ISO9001:2015 certification. It is our understanding that the 3rd party NRTL certification requirement would hold manufacturers to a higher standard than the ISO-9001:2015 requirements while also allowing organizations with other quality management systems to bid on this solicitation.