Open federal opportunities

15--COVER,ACCESS,AIRCRAFT

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA AVIATION.DLA AV RICHMOND.DLA AVIATION · Response deadline: Tue, 20 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

DLA Aviation is procuring covers for aircraft access points under classification code 15 (Aerospace Craft Components and Accessories). The specific item is described as "COVER,ACCESS,AIRCRAFT"—these are protective covers used to seal or shield aircraft access panels, hatches, or openings when not in use. Such covers are critical for protecting sensitive aircraft systems from environmental damage, debris, and contamination during ground operations, maintenance, and storage.

This procurement falls under NAICS 336413, Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing. Companies in this industry manufacture parts and subassemblies for aircraft, including auxiliary equipment sold separately from complete aircraft. The work involves producing or supplying specialized aerospace components that must meet stringent military specifications for durability, fit, and performance in demanding operational environments.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is restricted to small businesses certified in NAICS 336413. To qualify, your business must meet the Small Business Administration's size standard for this code, which is typically 1,000 employees (confirm current thresholds at SBA.gov).

Given the military nature of this procurement, you will likely need to be registered in the SAM.gov system with active entity registration, and your facility may need to demonstrate compliance with aerospace quality standards such as AS9100 or equivalent. If your firm has not previously supplied DLA Aviation, you should verify your eligibility for defense contracting, including any required certifications for handling technical data or classified information if applicable.

Firms with experience manufacturing aircraft access covers, protective enclosures, or similar aerospace components will be best positioned to compete. Past performance supplying military customers or meeting MIL-SPEC requirements will strengthen your proposal.

How to put together a competitive bid

Understand the technical requirements: See the solicitation for exact specifications, including materials (likely specialized fabrics, composites, or metals), dimensions, temperature ratings, and attachment mechanisms. DLA Aviation typically requires products to meet detailed military standards—request drawings and performance data through the solicitation's Q&A process if not provided in the initial posting.

Pricing strategy: Research DLA's historical pricing for similar items through FPDS or GSA tools if available. Price competitively but ensure you account for specialized material costs, low-volume production runs, and required testing or inspection protocols common in aerospace manufacturing.

Small business advantages: As a total small business set-aside, you compete only against other qualified small businesses. Emphasize your small business status, any socioeconomic certifications (Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, HUBZone, 8(a)) that may provide additional evaluation preference, and your supply chain resilience.

Quality and delivery: Demonstrate your quality management system, inspection capabilities, and track record meeting aerospace delivery schedules. DLA evaluates past performance rigorously—provide relevant contract references with similar scope, value, and customer type.

Next steps

Access the full solicitation document on SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE4A727T0603. The solicitation will contain the complete statement of work, technical specifications, delivery schedule, evaluation criteria, and instructions for submission.

Critical deadline: Responses are due October 20, 2026—seven days from the posting date of October 13, 2026. This short turnaround requires immediate action to review requirements, confirm your capability, and prepare your offer. Time zone restrictions for submission may apply; verify the exact time of day and submit early to avoid system delays.

If the place of performance is unspecified in metadata, the solicitation will state whether delivery is to DLA distribution centers, specific military installations, or other government facilities. Factor shipping and logistics costs into your pricing accordingly.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →