Tag: Signal Generators

The Department of Defense in the support of its many legacy systems requires a constant supply of spare parts. Items can be as simple as basic hardware such as nuts and bolts, electric generators or more complicated systems such as automated test equipment used in maintenance of an aircraft. Successful companies doing business with the Department of Defense (DoD) do more than simply search for bids relating to items they currently produce. They are constantly researching to see where they can expand their business. One simple way of doing this is to analyze an open solicitation of interest.

Below are some common questions and thought processes that result when reviewing a solicitation.

First we look at what is the solicitation asking for?

Government solicitation number SPRWA1-18-R-0029 is requesting a quantity of 10 (ten) Signal Generators NSN 6625-01-584-5846 manufactured by Anritsu CAGE code 1CPM8. These signal generators are used with the Radar/Electronic Warfare test stations in supporting the B1-B bomber aircraft at a depot repair location. It also notes that the item is sole source.

A few questions that come to mind

• Sole source – some people look at this as opportunity, can I provide a better product, less cost.
• The equipment is part of a test station, what other divisions use this kind of test station.
• Who is the manufacture of this test station, can I sell to them.

Who’s buying the item and what are their buying habits?

The specific contracting location is the DLA Aviation, DLR Procurement operations – Aviation wing.  This division of DLA is located at Robins Air Force base Georgia. They purchase Depot Level Repairables (DLRs) which are items repair depots use in maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.

• 1000’s of contracting offices exist within the U.S. Federal government what other offices perform the same function as this one, can I sell to them?
• The better your knowledge of contracting locations buying habits the more successful you’ll be in government contracting; more about this in upcoming articles.

The solicitation says “Sole Source” what do I do now?

In many cases a solicitation will say “the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source”, however they may also say “interested persons may identify to the contracting officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government’s requirement with a commercial item” – This may be your opportunity to offer an equivalent item and possibly win a bid. The Government in most cases does not want only one source. If that one source goes out of business problems can arise.

Analyze past sales based on National Stock Numbers (NSNs) and part numbers.

This Solicitation listed an RFQ for 10 NSNs 6625-01-584-5846. In this case this NSN represents several part numbers that make up this NSN. An NSN is simply a 13 digit number that represents an item of supply. The NSN can represent something as simple as a ½ inch nickel-copper plated bolt or a complete system or specific configuration containing multiple items as it is with this NSN.

This NSN 6625-01-584-5846 shows a part number of MG3692-IATE. This part number actually represents a configuration of other items: MG3692C – Synthesizer, MG3690C/1A – Rack Mount, MG3690C/2A – Attenuator… according to the solicitation.

Further research on the first part number MG3692C shows a catalog price of $19,467.68 each, with the description of Signal Generator; 2-20 GHZ.

So the next time you look at a solicitation look beyond “Can I supply this item” and try doing a little research to find some new business opportunities.

In the process of helping out our clients over the past 18 years generate new government sales we’ve demonstrated various ways to search for government bids.

BidLink is an industry leader in providing government procurement data which has been used by DoD and Commercial industries.

Comments? Contact Jim at jimnews@bidlink.net

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