The Defense Logistics Agency is looking for more competition on a sole source fueling manifold (NSN 4730-01-523-2046) made by CFM International. Currently this company is the only supplier for this item. DLA has determined that they might see better pricing if there were more competition. The manifold provides fuel for the F108 engine used in the KC-135 aircraft.
The fueling manifold is described as follows:
A device having a single inlet and more than one outlet designed to accommodate more than one connection for the distribution of fuel from a central source. It may include additional equipment, such as valves, fittings, protective caps and/or plugs, and the like.
DLA estimates that they will purchase 63 fueling manifolds each year. They last time they purchased this manifold it cost $34,650 in quantity of 7. Based on past procurement history pricing we estimate that the government will spend $2.18 Million each year on this part.
The government is so interested in finding more suppliers for this item that they are making samples available for companies to reverse engineer. No technical data nor drawings are available.
There is no current solicitation for this item, but DLA has indicated that it would like to communicate with companies that could produce it in the future.
To learn more about this item, log into BidLink and put 4730-01-523-2046 into the “Search for Anything” box. BidLink can assist your company in acquiring samples from DLA.
I see demand for basic information for people just getting started in contracting. Some of the concepts that are second nature to those in the business might be baffling for someone new. So many codes and other details to sort through. This summary attempts to pull out the key information you should know about the government’s cataloging system, The FLIS.
FEDERAL LOGISTICS INFORMATION SYSTEM (FLIS)
Almost everything the government buys has a National Stock Number. These sixteen digit numbers are used to uniquely identify items. The FLIS is the government’s database of information relating to stock numbers. The first four digits of a stock number are the Federal Supply Class (FSC). These broad categories include hardware, gears, bearings, safety equipment, fuel, and more.
National Stock Number structure
The National Item Identification Number (NIIN) represents a specific item within the Federal Supply Class. This is represented by the last nine digits of the NSN.
The government manages lots of data relating to these stock numbers. This information helps the government describe the items, determine if they are repaired or replaced, if drawings are available, and a myriad of other details that are described below:
PART NUMBER CROSS REFERENCE
This data, known as the Master Cross Reference Database (MCRD) lists the part numbers and CAGE (company) codes that are registered to sell the item to the military.
Master Cross Reference Database (MCRD)
The government loves codes and acronyms, but once you learn to read this information it’s invaluable. The list of part numbers includes currently active ones as well as obsolete parts for historical purposes. Once you have looked at enough part numbers you will start to see a pattern that helps you identify the manufacturer even though the company is a distributor.
RNCC and RNVC identify the status of the item. The combination of the two values used together are called the “Item of Supply Concept”. There are only a handful of combinations that are commonly used.
RNCC
RNVC
Description
3
2
Primary Reference (active)
5
2
Secondary Reference
5
9
Obsolete reference
4
1
Military Specification
RNAAC tells you where the item is managed, although it almost always has a ZZ. RNFC indicates if the government has altered the manufacturer’s reference number (4 means no change).
DAC codes can indicate where drawings or technical data might be available. Some common DAC codes below:
DAC
Description
1
RNAAC will furnish the drawing upon request
3
Drawing available to RNAAC, but they cannot furnish it
4
Technical docs other than drawing, RNAAC cannot furnish it
5
Drawing was not available to RNAAC at time of registration
6
Tech docs other than drawing, not available to RNAAC
B
Engineering drawing, limited use as per rights-in-data clause
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Every item the military catalogs includes technical characteristics which describe the item. Each characteristic has an MRC code, Requirement, and Reply. The reply column provides specific descriptive detail about each requirement.
Technical Characteristics
NSN STATUS
This area provides detail on when the NSN was originally cataloged, whether or not has been subject to item standardization, its current status, and if it should be destroyed when removed from service. If the NSN has been replaced by another NSN it will be referenced here.
NSN Status
MLC (Management List Consolidated)
Key data points include the Major Organization Entity code (MOE), Source of Supply (SOS), DOD estimate of acquisition cost, and the effective date. The MOE is the organization that uses the item. In the chart below, DS is DLA and DF is Air Force.
MLC
PACKAGING AND FREIGHT
The military has very specific packaging and shipping requirements which must be followed. This section has a lengthy list of codes that describe if it should be waterproof, box dimensions, approximate weight, and much more. BidLink has a translation table for these codes so I won’t list them here.
Packaging and Freight
MOE RULE
The most valuable information in this area are the AMC and AMSC codes, which indicate the availability of technical data, restrictions on sources of supply,
Moe Rule
Common AMC / AMSC codes include:
1C
Competitive – Source approval required
1G
Competitive – Complete data package available
1R
Competitive – Data rights obtainment uneconomical
1Z
Competitive – Commercial off-the-shelf-item
2C
Competitive first time – Source approval required
2G
Competitive first time – Complete data package available
3C
Manufacturer – Source approval
3D
Manufacturer – Data NOT available
3P
Manufacturer – Data rights NOT owned
3R
Manufacturer – Data rights obtainment uneconomical
3Z
Manufacturer – Commercial off-the-shelf-item
5D
Prime contractor – Data NOT available
A complete translation of AMC codes is available on BidLink.
SERVICE CODES
The government also purchases services. These services do not have national stock numbers and are grouped into broad categories similar to Federal Supply Classes. The first two digits of a service code is the service group, which is an even more broad category for the service. Both are exemplified below:
Group / Code
Description
H3
Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection Services
H328
INSPECTION – ENGINES, TURBINES, AND COMPONENTS
CONCLUSION
The FLIS is part of the core data system used in defense contracting. Understanding this data gives the contractor an edge against less experienced competitors because it helps identify which items are worth pursuing.
BidLink is the original platform for finding government business which started in 1985 when we mailed floppy disks to defense contractors. Government data becomes obsolete over time, even if that information is still useful it may no longer be maintained by DOD.
Our superior search engine and vast database we’ve been building for decades has been the choice for major defense contractors including Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky Aircraft, General Dynamics, and many others. https://www.bidlink.net.
DLA Aviation has issued a solicitation for wiring harnesses used on the F-16 aircraft. This cable, NSN 6150-01-267-6477 is 2.667 feet long with a copper core and stranded conductors. It is also used on the A-10 aircraft. This solicitation will result in a long-term, five year contract against which DLA will submit periodic delivery orders.
The last company to supply these to the military was Connectronics, Inc. which sold them for $1,099 each in quantity of 25. DLA estimates that they will purchase 150 of these cables over the contract term. Based on past procurement history pricing we estimate the value of this contract at $165,000.
The incumbent contractor is a large business with over 1,500 employees. This solicitation is not set-aside for small business, FAR regulations state that if two or more small businesses intend to compete for this business it can be re-designated as small business only.
A technical data package is available so new companies can compete. All offers are due by September 22, 2023.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-23-R-XK38 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.
The Defense Logistics Agency has just issued a Sources Sought Solicitation looking for companies that can produce this sole-source air conditioning duct used on the C-130 aircraft. The duct, NSN 1660-01-581-4165 has a manufacturer’s part number of 698270-1.
Currently Lockheed Martin is the only supplier. DLA would like to see more competition for this item. Last year the military purchased 81 ducts at $5,659 each for a total contract value of $444,436. The MLC price per unit is $9,388.
There are no drawings available for this item but DLA has often made samples available for contractors that wish to reverse engineer sole source items.
This pre-solicitation is market research required by law, which is published before issuing a sole-source justification to the incumbent supplier. This provides vendors additional time to reach out to buyers and let them know their desire to compete for this business.
All offers are due by September 20, 2023.
To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A5-23-R-0181 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search. BidLink can help you acquire a sample of this item to reverse engineer.
