Defense News and research for the successful contractor

DLA Land and Maritime is soliciting 860 NIMH batteries.  These 12 / 24 volt batteries, NSN 6140-01-490-4317 have a rating of 4.9 amp-hours at 2 amp discharge. A technical data package is available so that companies can compete for this business.  Batteries are to comply with MIL-PRF-32052.

They were last sold to the military by Bren-Tronics for $210.55 in quantity of 2,773.  A first article test item was submitted prior to producing the remaining quantity which was priced at $10,474. Based on past procurement history pricing, we estimate the value of this contract at $181,073.

This contract is set-aside for small businesses.  All offers are due by October 7, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE7L7-21-T-6641 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

See NSN details on BidLink

DLA Aviation has issued a solicitation for airframe components used on the F-16.  Items include structural supports, aircraft skin, fairings, access doors, and ventral stabilizers. These were recently supplied by Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, and Ferox Logistics. The required items and quantities are listed below:

It’s worth noting that Aerospace & Commercial Technologies is a large business (>1,500 employees).  FAR regulations dictate that if two or more small businesses can qualify to produce these items, the contracting officer may designate the contract for small business only.  This could potentially eliminate the incumbent contractor from competing on this business.

All offers are due by October 25, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A7-21-R-0900 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

See NSN details on BidLink

DLA Land and Maritime is soliciting 715 hydraulic pumps used in the HumVee multipurpose vehicle.  The agency estimates annual demand of approximately 2,283 pumps, NSN 2530-01-460-2439 .  Technical documentation is available on this item so new companies can compete.

These pumps were last sold to DLA by AM General for $192.37 in quantity of 1,050. Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $137,280.

Vendors have 200 days to deliver the goods after winning an award.  All offers are due by October 10, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE7L7-21-Q-0356 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

How do I Get a NSN assigned to my product?

This is a question we’ve heard 1000’s of times in our 20 years in business. Companies interested in selling their products learn about NSNs and how DoD buys millions of them in classes they take.   With this new knowledge the question we hear most often is “How do I get a National Stock Number assigned to my products” so that the Military would buy them.

So how do you do this?

Get the Military to buy your product a few times – Create a need.

Assigning the NSN comes after the need, DoD does not randomly assign NSNs.  In order for DoD to assign an NSN a requirement for that item needs to exist. Requirements come from the customer/end user Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard etc.

The NSN is an item relating to a product which is purchased on a regular basis.  An NSN can relate to a system/end item like an aircraft or a simple item such as a black waterproof plastic, NSN 6760-01-491-2816.  Request for NSN generation can also come from NATO countries or Contractors who manage Weapon Systems.

How do I find needs for my products?

Search for Open Solicitations – See who’s buying similar items.

One simple way is to start monitoring open solicitations on a regular basis for similar items, search by commodity class otherwise known as Federal Supply Class (FSC) that relates to your product.  Your results will show you who currently is buying these items.  This is your chance to submit what is called an “Alternate offer” in response to a specific solicitation.

When a solicitation is open, this is the time when the government buyers are listening, potentially looking for new manufacturers of items they need.  A government solicitation open for bid will have a statement such as “Offerers supplying other than exact Product(s) must submit TDP for Evaluation”.  This is “your time” to provide the buyer specifications of your product to evaluate. Your product could be accepted as an alternate product, and possibly the reviewer (item manager) assigns a new NSN to your item to reflect the differences.

The item managers research FLIS data to see if a National Stock Number already exists.  If a determination is made that the item does not have a NSN one will be assigned.  If one does exist then the NSN-MCRD (Master Cross Reference Database) or Part Number Cross Reference may be appended to include your company and unique part number.

The DLA Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) is the division is who manages all NSNs.  NSN part data is updated on a regular basis.

Look at the past – Review Past Sales of similar items

Looking at the past can lead you to a successful future.  If your goal or reason for trying to get an NSN assigned to your product is to sell it, you should spend time researching competitors, What are they selling, Who are they selling it to?

This kind of research can be done by CAGE codes, Contract numbers and Part numbers.  It can return results such as Who’s buying the item, How many are they buying, and How much are they spending.  If you’re thinking I can use NAICS codes, Think again as they relate to specific industries and not things. Part Numbers, CAGE codes and Contract numbers will return more accurate results.

The BidLink Research Tool has been providing quick and easy access to DoD Contract, Solicitation, Sales and NSN- Part information for over 20 years.

DLA Troop Support is has issued a solicitation for 1,048 Viewsonic or LG flat screen monitors.  These 27″ LCD screens, NSN 7025-01-492-2768 have a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

They were last sold to the military by Symbolic Tech for $199.85 each in quantity of 1,048 Other suppliers include Team One Repair and AITA Consulting. Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $208.552.

Vendors have 117 days to deliver after award. All offers are due by September 30, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE8EN-21-T-4048 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

DLA Aviation is conducting market research in an attempt to find additional suppliers for a list of parts used on the F-18 aircraft.  These components include structural supports, access covers, fuel feed assemblies, bushings, and aircraft skin. DLA provided an F-18 parts list in an attempt to attract small businesses who can provide the same manufacturing capability as Northrop Grumman, the current exclusive supplier.

They government explicitly requested responses from HUBZone Small Business concerns; Certified 8(a) Small Business concerns, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns, and Woman-Owned Small Business concerns.  Any airframe companies with the capability to produce these items are encouraged to respond.

All offers are due by September 24, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4AX-22-R-0001 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

DLA Land and Maritime will be issuing a long-term contract for the supply of HumVee Brush Guards.  This brush guard, NSN 2510-01-491-6919 mounts on the front of the vehicle. The contract will last for up to five years with three base years and the option to extend for an additional two.  Periodic delivery orders will be issued for the term of the contract.

They were last sold to the military by Seastrand Engineering for $281.20 each in quantity of 339.  Single units retail for $550.  Other suppliers include OSM Corporation, DC Precision, and SSI Technology. There is no set quantity on this order, but DLA estimates that they will buy 585 brush guards each year.  Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $821,925 if all five years are executed.

All offers are due by October 17, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE7LX-21-R-0150 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

DLA Troop Support has issued a solicitation for women’s and men’s weather resistant gloves.  These gloves, NSN 8415-01-539-8176 will span sizes from small to X-large wide. The contract will be broken into two lots, one set-aside for small businesses and one that is unrestricted. The contract will span up to five years with one base and four option years against which DLA will submit periodic delivery orders. The green gloves are part of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and comply with military specification MIL-DTL-44419A.

There is no set quantity on the contract, but DLA estimates they will purchase 38,920 each year from each lot.  A minimum quantity is set at 9,575 each year and a five year maximum of 239,310 per lot.

They were last sold to the military by Nationwide Glove for $43.63 in quantity of 48 units. Based on past procurement history we estimate each lot is worth $8.4 million for a total contract value of $16.8 million over five years.

All offers are due by October 18, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE1C1-21-R-0021 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.

DLA Aviation is soliciting fluid valves used on the F-16 aircraft.  These regulating valves, NSN 4820-01-073-1798 have a maximum pressure rating of 60PSI.  The contract will have one base year and two option years for a total of three years against which DLA will submit periodic delivery orders.  Vendors have 327 days from date of order to deliver the goods. If you haven’t sold this part to the military before, a source approval request must be included with the bid.  Technical data is available on this item so companies can compete.

The last company to sell this valve to the military was Transaero, Inc. for $2,695 in quantity of 74.  A larger order for 275 units was priced at $2,195 each.  JBL System Solutions , a veteran owned business has also supplied this part.  There is no set quantity for this contract, but DLA estimates they they will purchase 143 of these valves each year.  Based on past procurement history we estimate the value of this contract at $1.1 Million if all three years are executed.

All offers are due by October 18, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE7MX-21-R-0149 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 supply of dial pressure gauges. These 4½” pressure gauges, NSN 6685-01-254-0482 have a range of 0 to 100 PSI.  Technical data is available on this item so new companies can compete.  This multi-year contract will have two base years with the option to extend for an additional two years.  DLA almost always exercises all option years of a contract unless there is an issue with the supplier. Periodic delivery orders will be issued against this contract for the entire term.

They were last supplied to the military by MMC Metrology for $1,150 in quantity of 13.  MMC has been the exclusive supplier of these gauges to the military since 2007.  There is no set quantity in the contract, but DLA estimates that they will purchase 146 units each year.  The guaranteed minim annual quantity is 37.  Based on past procurement history pricing, we estimate the value of this contract at $839,500 if all five years are executed.

This contract is set-aside for small businesses.  All offers are due by September 29, 2021.

To learn more about this opportunity, log into BidLink and put SPE4A6-21-R-XE18 into the “Search for Anything” box.  More solicitations like this can be found using BidLink’s intelligent solicitation search.