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25--SHAFT,AXLE,AUTOMOTIVE

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA LAND.DLA LAND COLUMBUS.DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Fri, 23 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land Weapons Support — a component of DLA Land Columbus under the Defense Logistics Agency — is seeking to procure automotive shafts and axles. This falls under Federal Supply Classification 25 (FSC 25), which covers Vehicular Equipment Components. The specific items are described as "SHAFT,AXLE,AUTOMOTIVE" in the notice title.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation, meaning the notice serves as both an announcement of the requirement and the formal solicitation document. These contracts typically support military vehicle maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations across DLA's global supply chain. DLA Land Weapons Support manages spare parts and supply chain operations for ground weapons systems and associated equipment.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses certified under NAICS 333613 (Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing), which has a corresponding small business size standard. To qualify, your business must meet the SBA size standard for this NAICS code — typically measured by average annual receipts or number of employees, depending on the specific standard in effect.

You must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active registration and validated Unique Entity ID. For manufacturing solicitations, DLA typically requires compliance with its ** qualification processes for suppliers** of critical military items. This may include source approval, first article testing, or material certification requirements if your firm is not already an approved supplier for these part numbers.

How to put together a competitive bid

For DLA mechanical power transmission equipment contracts, focus on these competitive elements:

Pricing strategy: DLA awards on lowest technically acceptable price for many spare parts contracts. Research historical pricing through DLA's FedMall or past award data. Calculate your cost basis carefully — raw material (steel alloy, heat-treated components), machining, grinding, and finishing operations for axle shafts all drive unit economics.

Technical compliance: Automotive axle shafts for military applications typically require conformance to military, federal, or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications. See the solicitation for exact specifications, material requirements, hardness ratings, and dimensional tolerances. First article inspection may be required — factor this cost and timeline into your bid.

Past performance: Document any prior DLA or military component manufacturing experience. If you're new to DLA, highlight comparable commercial automotive or heavy equipment shaft/axle production.

Delivery: DLA evaluates delivery commitments against its required delivery date. Assess your production capacity realistically; late deliveries on DLA contracts carry severe performance penalties.

Small business reporting: As a small business set-aside, you must perform the primary work with your own resources. Any subcontracting plans must comply with limitations on subcontracting regulations.

Next steps

Access the full solicitation SPE7L427T0360 on SAM.gov immediately. The response deadline is October 23, 2026 — approximately ten days from the posted date of October 13, 2026. Given the compressed timeline, verify your SAM.gov registration is active, download the complete technical specifications and clauses, and confirm whether source qualification or first article testing applies to this requirement. The solicitation will specify exact quantities, delivery schedules, inspection requirements, and any industry day or Q&A opportunities.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →