16--OIL COOLER,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 an oil cooler for aircraft, a component critical to maintaining proper engine and transmission temperatures in military aviation systems. Oil coolers are heat exchangers that prevent thermal breakdown of lubricating oil, which in turn protects engines, gearboxes, and auxiliary power units from excessive wear or catastrophic failure. This requirement falls under Federal Supply Classification 16 (Aircraft Components and Accessories), specifically encompassing engine system cooling equipment rather than complete propulsion units.
This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, meaning DLA has streamlined the process: the notice simultaneously announces the requirement and invites bids, with award intended to follow directly from responses rather than through a separate, later solicitation.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation – Richmond |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | SPE4A727T0827 |
| NAICS | 336413 |
| Set-aside | None (unrestricted competition) |
| Response deadline | October 20, 2026 |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
Any qualified business may compete—this is an unrestricted procurement with no small-business set-aside. Companies registered under NAICS 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) are the natural fit, though DLA may accept alternative NAICS codes if the offeror demonstrates capability.
Registration requirements:
- SAM.gov active registration (mandatory for all federal contractors)
- Valid CAGE code
- Appropriate FFRAX routing if intending to supply military aviation parts
Because this involves aircraft components, expect quality system requirements such as AS9100 or ISO 9001 certification, and potentially source approval or First Article Testing before full production. DLA Aviation frequently requires suppliers to meet ** Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS)** program standards or provide obsolescence management plans for legacy military aircraft systems.
How to put together a competitive bid
Verify technical exactitude. Aircraft oil coolers are highly specification-driven—thread sizes, cooling capacity dimensions, materials (often aluminum or stainless steel), pressure ratings, and interface configurations must match precisely. Even "functionally equivalent" alternatives typically require pre-approval through DLA's Qualification Process or Identification Data submission. Review the solicitation for the controlling technical specification (likely a military or SAE standard).
Assess your supply chain for traceability. DLA Aviation mandates full material and processing traceability for flight-critical items. Document your ability to provide certificates of conformance, material certifications, and test reports.
Pricing strategy: DLA uses automated strategic sourcing and historical price data. Research past awards for comparable NSNs in DLA's Internet Bid Bond System (DIBBS) to benchmark. Consider whether your manufacturing setup supports the likely order quantity and delivery schedule—see the solicitation for these details.
Examine packaging and marking requirements. Military shipments demand specific labeling per MIL-STD-129, with RFID compliance where applicable.
Next steps
- Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE4A727T0827 to obtain the complete specification, quantity, delivery schedule, and any applicable clauses or provisions.
- Note the deadline: responses are due October 20, 2026—verify whether this is a DIBBS electronic bid deadline or a physical receipt deadline.
- Confirm whether first article testing, source inspection, or other pre-award requirements apply by reviewing Section J or special provisions in the full document.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →