DLA Aviation has announced that they are looking for more companies to compete to supply this position transducer used in the B-52 aircraft. The price per unit has risen from $1,716 each in 2009 to $38,499 in 2020, which likely inspired DLA to seek other vendors.
These transducers were last supplied by Transaero, Inc. Other suppliers include Freedom Airparts, and Moog, Inc. DLA estimates annual demand at 34 units, which has increased from 24 in mid 2020. The government estimates that it will spend $1.9 Million on this item next year if no additional competition is found.
DLA is so interested in finding competition that they are making samples available for companies to reverse engineer. This part is perfect for aircraft part manufacturers and machine shops to generate consistent income.
To learn more about this item, log into BidLink and put 1650-00-442-8087 into the “Search for Anything” box. BidLink can assist your company in acquiring samples from DLA.
DLA Aviation will be issuing a five year contract for the supply of various components used on the F-16 aircraft. This Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) covers ten items, although contractors are not required to quote all ten to receive an award. DLA has technical data available for download so new companies can compete.
These components were last sold to the military by Aerospace & Commercial Technologies. Other suppliers include Lockheed Martin and Cast Parts, Inc.
The list of items and recent procurement history pricing is below:
NSN
Nomenclature
Annual Qty
Price
5 year sales
1560-01-279-3524
Aircraft Fairing
12
399
$23,940
1560-01-279-3522
Aircraft Fairing
24
302
$36,240
1560-01-204-1523
Structural Fitting
16
747
$59,760
1560-01-444-3646
Aircraft Fairing
12
832
$49,920
1560-01-081-9109
Aircraft Fairing
8
2153
$86,120
1560-01-514-8683
Structural Fitting
12
2495
$149,700
1560-01-627-0690
Longeron
12
7450
$447,000
1560-01-049-2899
Aircraft Access Door
8
8265
$330,600
1560-01-263-6645
Aircraft Fairing
8
6469
$258,760
1560-01-045-6834
Aircraft Speed Brake
8
24720
$988,800
Total
$1,012,740
A source approval request (SAR) is required for vendors who are not already approved to supply these items. All offers are due by December 27, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A7-22-R-0106 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
As a continuation of our Government Contracting Bootcamp, I wanted to cover military solicitations. Anything that’s not purchased through DOD Fedmall or Credit Card is likely procured through solicitations for competitive acquisition. These lengthy documents include detail about the products being procured, the procuring agency, limitations on company size, and contract clauses from the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
If it’s your first time reading a defense contract, it is a good idea to read (or at least skim) the whole document. The first few pages contain pertinent information about the procurement, while the remainder often contains boiler-plate legal language. Much of the boiler-plate stuff doesn’t change from contract to contract, so after an initial review one can focus on the top of the document.
There are several types of solicitations that you will regularly see:
Request for Quotation (RFQ) – The bulk of military buying activity through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is done through RFQs.
Request for Proposal (RFP) – Larger more complex contracts that often span multiple years where DOD submits delivery orders.
Sources Sought Solicitation – Used when the military is conducting market research to determine how many potential competitors will participate.
They are assigned a solicitation number like SPE4A0-22-T-0316, which is broken down into sections:
SPE4A0 – DLA Aviation / Hill Airforce Base
22 – Fiscal year 2022
T – Automated Solicitation
0316 – The 316th automated solicitation from SPE4A0
Automated solicitations refer to the DLA Master Solicitation which standardizes some of the contractual clauses so they don’t need to be included in every government contract. This includes the rules and regulations for how quotes are submitted and evaluated.
The core information on page 1 is the buying agency, closing date, buyer contact information, and whether the solicitation is set-aside for small businesses. Each year a growing percentage of solicitations must be exclusively for small businesses. Page 1 also includes a link to the latest master solicitation and sources for technical data / drawings.
Solicitation example page 2
These are contract clauses that pertain to this particular solicitation. It’s an automated award, but requires a first article test item where you submit a sample for evaluation before the government buys the rest. It mentions FAR 52.219-6, a reference to the regulation requiring contracts to be set-aside for small business. The NAICS code is the commodity class that determines small business size, and inspection occurs at the vendors facility. This solicitation has a minimum inspection standard, so if your facility is not ISO-9001 or equivalent you do not qualify.
Pages 3+4 are self explanatory, so we’ll skip to page 5 where we find the item description. These page numbers will vary from contract to contract.
The PR number is the purchase requisition. Solicitations begin as a requisition from the person that needs the item. That requisition is sent to a buying office where it is turned into a solicitation. The National Stock Number (NSN) in this case is 1560-01-073-0489 (dashes added for readability). Almost everything the military buys is assigned an NSN, which can be used to find valuable information like who last sold it at what price. This one is a backup ring assembly used on the F-15 aircraft.
Using BidLink for research, I can see that it was last sold in 2019 by Federal Industries for $13,575 each. Technical characteristics for each NSN include specific detail about the item. In this case, this kit includes a ring, pin spring MS9048-222 (military standard), a cap NAS1474A4 20, and a rivet MS20426AD3-8.
Sample Solicitation Page 7
Scrolling a few pages down we get to the first line item. This is CLIN 0001 with an order quantity of 1. This page also includes drawing numbers and technical documents that can be downloaded from the DIBBS cfolders. The vendor has 275 days to deliver the merchandise after the first article test item is approved. The next page has CLIN 0002, which is the first-article test item.
Solicitation example Page 8
The remainder of the contract are included clauses from the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Breeze through them and read anything that might pertain to your company or this item.
Learning the basic structure of defense contracts makes them easier to read and understand. Once you have been through a few of them you can scan quickly to the relevant information and determine if a particular opportunity is a good match for your company.
BidLink is the original bid notification service dating back to the 1980s when we shipped floppy disks to government contractors. After going online in 1999, BidLink has served thousands of companies and government agencies. Our superior bid search can efficiently drill-down to contracting opportunities that make money for our clients.
DLA Aviation is looking for more companies to compete for supply of this exhaust pipe used on the UH-60A Helicopter. It has been determined that this item has a limited supplier base and that DLA could see better pricing if more companies were to compete. A technical data package and drawings are available. DLA is so interested in finding new vendors that they are making samples available for reverse engineering. It is part of an infrared suppressor system.
Aside from two orders in 1995 going to Sikorsky Aircraft, the item has been sold exclusively by General Electric. The most recent price was $40,681. DLA estimates that they will purchase 131 of these each year. They estimate that including contracting cost, they will spend $7.8 Million on these exhaust pipes annually.
There is no current solicitation for this item, but DLA has announced that they would like to see more suppliers become approved sources.
To learn more about this item, log into BidLink and put 1560-01-233-8332 into the “Search for Anything” box. BidLink can assist your company in acquiring samples from DLA.
DLA Clothing and Textile has issued a solicitation for green polyester / woool garbardine cloth. This green fabric NSN 8305-01-247-6550 will be used for the U.S. Marine Corps. This material is 10.6 ounces per linear yard delivered in 60″ wide rolls. It is to comply with military specification MIL-DTL-10176L.
The only company to supply this material over the last 10 years is Burlington Industries, a large corporation. They sold 138,000 yards for $20.35 / yd. There is no set quantity on this solicitation, but DLA estimates they will purchase 276,00 yards over the year. The solicitation has a minimum of 132,500 and a maximum of 414,000 yards. The first delivery is expected within 360 days of the initial delivery order.
All offers are duy be January 10, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE1C1-22-R-0017 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
DLA Aviation is soliciting supply of guided missile launcher fairings (NSN 1440-01-570-9028) used on the F/A-18 aircraft. Its primary use is to reduce drag. The solicitation is for 78 units.
Only two companies have supplied this item over the last 8 years. The most recent company to supply them was Handy Tool & Mfg for $6,000 in quantity of 24. Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $468,000.
All offers are due by December 6, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-22-R-0047 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
DLA Troop Support will be issuing a five-year contract for the supply of Marine Corps sweatpants and sweatshirts. The total estimated quantity over the term of the contract is 780,000 each / pair in any combination of shirts and pants. Periodic delivery orders for sizes from Small to XXXL will be submitted for quantities of up to 22,000 per month.
These sweatsuits will be made of circular jersey knit fleece 55%, cotton with the remainder polyester, 7.5% ounces per square yard. Sweatpants will have a 4 needle, 1-1/4 inch covered elastic waistband with a concealed draw-cord.
The last company to supply these items was Campellsville Apparel Company. The sweatpants sold for $8.32 each for the pants and $8.78 each for the shirts.
This opportunity is set-aside 100% for small business. All offers are due by December 8, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE1C1-22-R-0024 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
DLA Aviation is planning to issue a five year contract for the supply of the leading edge (NSN 1560-01-135-8956) used on the F-16 aircraft. This is the front-edge of the wing forward of the spar. DLA will issue periodic delivery orders against this contract over the term.
Currently there are only three suppliers: Nordam group, Lockheed Martin, Aerospace & Commercial Tech. However, technical documentation is available for new companies to compete.
This item was last sold to the military by Aerospace & Commercial Tech for $14,862 in quantity of 41. DLA estimates they will purchase 60 of these each year for a total quantity of 300. Based on past procurement history pricing we estimate the value of this contract at $4.5 Million.
All offers are due by December 3, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A7-22-R-0066 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
DLA Aviation will be issuing a long-term contract for the supply of branched cable assemblies used on the B1-B aircraft. The contract will have two base years and three optional years for a maximum duration of five. The government will issue periodic delivery orders against this contract over the term.
They were last supplied by DHX-Chol Enterprises for $83,000 each in quantity of 3. DLA estimates a single unit delivered cost of $122,757. There is no set quantity in the solicitation but DLA estimates that they will purchase three of these cables each year. Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $1.2 Million.
Technical documentation is available on this item so new companies can compete. All offers are due by December 6, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-22-R-0013 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
DLA Troop Support will be issuing a three year (IDIQ) contract for the supply of knee and elbow pads. These protective pads are the Pads, Knee, Elbow System (KEPS), designed to protect soldiers from rocks, sticks, and broken glass when crawling. DLA will issue periodic delivery orders against this contract.
The most recent supplier was Alamo Strategic Manufacturing which sold the knee pads for $16.30 in quantity of 139,525. The elbow pads sold for $12.70 in the same quantity. Pricing is for one pair. There is no set quantity on this current solicitation, but DLA provides an estimate of how many they will order each year:
NSN
Pad
Color
Annual Demand
8465-01-663-7518
Knee
OCP
169,392
8465-01-664-1318
Knee
Coyote
161,784
8465-01-663-7517
Elbow
OCP
11,700
8465-01-664-1312
Elbow
Coyote
20,532
Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $17.4 million.
The contract is set-aside for small businesses. All offers are due by December 1, 2021.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE1C1-21-R-0099 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
