Open federal opportunities

15--COVER,ACCESS,AIRCRAFT

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA AVIATION.DLA AV RICHMOND.DLA AVIATION · Response deadline: Fri, 23 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation is procuring covers for aircraft access points. This falls under Federal Supply Classification 15, which covers aeronautical and aerospace equipment. Aircraft access covers are protective components that seal openings on aircraft fuselages, wings, or other structural areas—used during maintenance, inspection, or to shield sensitive components when not in use.

DLA Aviation serves as the primary supply chain manager for the Department of Defense's aviation-related spare parts and sustainment materials. These items typically support military aircraft fleets across all service branches, requiring precise specifications for fit, material durability, and airworthiness compliance.

Key facts

NAICS 336413 covers "Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing." This classification applies to establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing aircraft parts (except engines and propulsion units) and auxiliary equipment, for use on civil or military aircraft.

Who can bid

This solicitation is open to all responsible sources—no small business set-aside applies, meaning large and small businesses alike may compete. To participate, your firm must:

• Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active status
• Hold NAICS 336413 in your SAM profile or demonstrate capability in aircraft parts manufacturing
• Meet any applicable DLA qualification requirements for aviation suppliers, which typically include quality certifications (such as AS9100 or ISO 9001 for aerospace work)
• Demonstrate past performance or technical capability in aerospace component fabrication see the solicitation

Small businesses without prior DLA experience should evaluate whether they can meet delivery, quality, and traceability standards common to defense aviation procurement.

How to put together a competitive bid

For an unrestricted aircraft parts solicitation, focus on these elements:

Technical compliance: Aircraft access covers may require specific dimensions, materials (aluminum, composite, or treated fabrics), hardware integration, and environmental sealing properties. Obtain the full specification—see the solicitation—and verify your manufacturing process can meet all requirements.

Quality systems: DLA Aviation suppliers typically need robust inspection and documentation capabilities, including material certifications, test reports, and lot traceability. If you lack existing aerospace quality registrations, assess the timeline and cost to obtain them.

Pricing strategy: With open competition, expect price to carry significant weight. Calculate your true costs including raw materials, specialized tooling, inspection, and any first-article testing. Consider whether DLA's projected quantities support economies of scale.

Past performance: Highlight contracts with DOD, commercial aviation OEMs, or other defense agencies. If new to federal contracting, emphasize ISO/AS certifications and commercial aerospace work.

Small business advantages: While no set-aside applies, you may still receive evaluation credit if DLA applies a small business participation factor; verify in the full solicitation.

Next steps

1. Read the complete solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE4A527T1196
2. Note the deadline: Responses are due October 23, 2026—a tight 8-day window from posting on October 15, 2026
3. Download all attachments immediately to review technical specifications, delivery requirements, and evaluation criteria
4. Confirm SAM registration status and DLA supplier qualification status before preparing your offer

Given the compressed response timeline, prioritize obtaining clarifications quickly if any specification requirements are unclear.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →