Author: tomg

DLA Aviation has issued a solicitation which will result in a five year contract for branched wiring harnesses used in the M88 recovery vehicle.  The solicitation covers two National Stock Numbers:

The incumbent contractor is American Devices, Inc.  A technical data package is available for both these items so new companies can compete.  Based on past procurement history pricing we estimate the value of this contract at $108,140.

All offers are due by November 14, 2023.

Tired of DIBBS / SAM and bid services that don’t understand defense contracting?  Try BidLink for free at www.bidlink.net.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-24-R-X180 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

Part of an ongoing series of tips and information to help new contractors learn the business of Defense Contracting. Today we’re going to discuss a little known FAR regulation that I used to snipe a contract from a competitor.

This company controls more than 90% of the market for the sale of our type of data to the U.S. Military.  One of the ways they have accomplished this is by getting buyers to use their overly restrictive Procurement Item Description (PID) in solicitations.  This includes obsolete databases that are no longer available and not used by the government. When the government lists specific requirements in the PID anyone bidding has to be able to provide ALL of the requirements. You’re missing one, you’re out.

Sometimes the government will request a specific brand name when they believe that brand is the only one that can satisfy the government’s needs.  FAR 8.405-6 Limiting Sources limits the ability to use brand names:

(b) (1) Brand name specifications shall not be used unless the particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government’s requirements, and market research indicates other companies’ similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency’s needs.

This procedure requires a Justification and Approval showing that the brand is the only one that satisfies the requirement.

Because of this limitation the government will often used “Brand Name or Equal” to provide the opportunity for competition. If a company can compete with a brand name requirement, they can ask the buyer to change the solicitation to Brand name or Equal. When using this provision the contracting officer must include a list of salient characteristics describing the item.  This is described in FAR 11.104:

(b) Brand name or equal purchase descriptions must include, in addition to the brand name, a general description of those salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the brand name item that an “equal” item must meet to be acceptable for award. Use brand name or equal descriptions when the salient characteristics are firm requirements.

Here’s where exact wording is so important in government contracting.  If the law specifically requires something, buyers are required to adhere to the letter of the law as it is written.

Sniping the contract

In our case, the buyer used our competitor’s brand name in the solicitation but failed to include the salient characteristics describing which features are required.  When this happens, since the government didn’t specifically describe the requirements needed to be “equal” to the brand name, it is assumed that all bidders satisfy the equality requirement and it’s awarded to the lowest bidder. After the close of the solicitation, we reminded the buyer of this and won the contract.

The point is, know the FAR regulations and always be looking for mistakes that buyers make.

Tired of DIBBS / SAM and bid services that don’t understand defense contracting?  Try BidLink for free at www.bidlink.net.

DLA Aviation has announced that they are looking for additional suppliers to provide this externally threaded shank adapter ,NSN 4710-01-507-7949, used on the Eagle F-15, F-16, and A-10 aircraft.  It is managed out of Robins AFB, GA.

Although the item doesn’t specifically say where its used, it’s probably part of some Control Unit such as an adapter for a solenoid shaft like a push/pull operation. It’s a simple item with a hole in the larger diameter of the shaft with a thread at the opposite end.  The largest diameter is around a ½ inch with overall length  about 1-1/2 inches.

There is only one supplier of this item, Hamilton Sunstrand, which last sold these for $415 ea in quantity of 26.  DLA estimates that they will purchase 748 of these each year.

There are no drawings available but DLA is so interested in finding competition that they are making samples for companies to reverse engineer. This is a simple turned part that any machine shop can produce, and could provide a great opportunity for companies looking to get into defense contracting ahead of a possible recession.

Based an analysis of past procurement history pricing we estimate that the government will spend $310,420 each year on this item.  DLA’s internal estimate is higher at $465,951.

To learn more about this item, log into BidLink and put 4710-01-507-7949 into the “Search for Anything” box.  BidLink can assist your company in acquiring samples from DLA.

Tired of DIBBS / SAM and bid services that don’t understand defense contracting?  Try BidLink for free at www.bidlink.net.

DLA Aviation has issued a solicitation for R134a refrigerant reclaimers, NSN 4250-01-555-7587. The resulting contract will have one base year and four option years for a total of five. This is a commercial off-the-shelf item. More than one contract may be issued to multiple suppliers if a single supplier is not able to keep up with the demand.

These reclaimers are used in a variety of military vehicles.  The dimensions are 24″ x 34″ x 46″ with a description as follows:

FULLY COMPLIANT WITH SAE J-2788 STANDARD, 95 PERCENT RECOVERY EFFICIENCY, START TO FINISH AUTO-SEQUENCE PROGRAMMABILITY, 4 X 20 CHARACTER BACKLIT LCD DISPLAY, BEEPER ALARM TO NOTIFY USER WHEN A/C SERVICE IS COMPLETE, RUST FREE-DENT FREE MOLDED PLASTIC HOUSING

The last company to sell them to the military was Bosch Automotive (Part # 34788NI).  It has also been supplied by Service Solutions, Integrated Supply, and SPX Corporation.  An alternate part number EEAC325AB is from IDSC Holdings.  They were last sold for $3,198 each in quantity of 24.  The military expects to buy 775 units over the contract term.

Based on an analysis of past procurement history pricing we estimate the value of this contract at $2.4 Million.

All offers are due by Nov 3, 2023.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-23-R-0466 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

Common AMC / AMSC codes include:

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:

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.

DLA Aviation will be issuing a five year contract for supply of humidity indicator plugs used in various military aircraft.  This aluminum alloy plug has a manufacturer’s part number of BL/D9398 and is a commercial off-the-shelf item.

The last company to sell these to the military is AGM Container which sold them for $89.17 each in quantity of 560. DLA estimates that they will purchase 1,839 humidity indicators each year over the contract term.  Based on past procurement history pricing we estimate the value of this contract at $818,355.

All offers are due by August 25, 2023.  This opportunity is set-aside for small business only.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-23-R-XE23 into the “Search for Anything” box. More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

DLA Aviation has determined that it wants to see more competition for supply of navigational lamps used on the F-16 aircraft.  There has been only one supplier of this item over the last nine years.

The tail lamp assembly, NSN 6220-01-443-2990 is 6.3″ x 1.6″ and operates on 115 volts AC.  It is an NVIS compatible navigational tail light with one incandescent bulb.  It is a Single Contact Bayonet Candelabra.

The lamp assembly was last sold to the military by Control Products Corporation for $8,383 in quantity of 11.  DLA estimates that they will purchase 28 units each year and expects to spend $363,186 annually including contracting costs.  The manufacturer’s part number is 4000056-001.

The government is so interested in finding more suppliers for this item that they are making samples available for companies to reverse engineer.  A technical data package and drawings are also 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 6220-01-443-2990 into the “Search for Anything” box.  BidLink can assist your company in acquiring samples from DLA.