Planning guide · Published by Atlantis NDT
Construction weld NDT: make the RFQ measurable before requesting a price
Define the weld population, examination extent, access and reporting boundaries for a comparable construction inspection quotation.
Start with the decision you need to make
A useful construction RFQ connects each requested examination to an identifiable weld population and a governing requirement. A total weld quantity without joint details, access or examination extent can leave bidders pricing different jobs. Separate planned work from re-examination and changes introduced by drawing revisions. State who supplies access and preparation, who authorizes scope changes and what report register the project needs. A clear package improves the comparability of quotations without prescribing a method that has not been technically reviewed.
What to check and why it matters
| Decision area | Evidence to prepare | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Weld population | Provide joint identifiers, drawings, revisions, materials and dimensions needed for review. State which quantities are confirmed and which remain provisional. | Can the bidder match the requested examination to the same weld list used by the project? |
| Extent and access | Identify specified methods and examination extent, with access, preparation and scheduling assumptions. Resolve ambiguous percentages against the contract. | What happens if the actual access or weld population differs from the RFQ? |
| Reporting and changes | Agree report references, weld status categories and the approval route for extra work or re-examination. Preserve the original scope baseline. | How will the buyer distinguish planned examinations from approved variations? |
Illustrative example · Not a customer case study
Apply the questions to a real-world situation
Hypothetical RFQ: a contractor lists a total weld length but omits the joint map. Before obtaining comparable prices, the buyer supplies the map and flags provisional joints. The inspection provider can then identify access assumptions and reporting needs. A later drawing revision is logged as a scope change instead of silently increasing the original quantity, helping both the field team and commercial reviewer understand what was authorized.
Prepare your working brief
Capture what is known and name the unresolved questions. You can use the worksheet without registering or sending information to Atlantis.
- Weld list
- Identify drawings, joint IDs, revisions and provisional quantities.
- Specified examination
- State methods and extent for technical confirmation.
- Access responsibility
- Assign preparation, access equipment and work-window coordination.
- Report requirements
- Describe joint-level status and required deliverable formats.
- Variation approval
- Name the role that authorizes added work and re-examination.
When you need project-specific support
Send the clarified scope for weld inspection services. Confirm the current deliverables and fit for your requirement with the Atlantis team.
Resolve technical instruction gaps through NDT procedure development. Confirm the current deliverables and fit for your requirement with the Atlantis team.
For a US enquiry, include the project state and time zone, the responsible employer or owner, and the documents governing the work. For other countries, include the relevant recognition or customer requirements. Delivery and availability are confirmed for the engagement.
Request an inspection scope reviewScope and further reading
The RFQ worksheet does not choose acceptance criteria or authorize site work. Technical requirements and safety arrangements require the designated project authorities.
Continue with the detailed companion guide, Resolving Weld-Map Drawing Revision Conflicts Before Report Issue, for a related evidence-handling workflow and its source references. The planning suggestions here are original discussion aids, not approved procedures or reproductions of standards.
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