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31--BUSHING,SLEEVE

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA AVIATION.DLA AV RICHMOND.DLA AVIATION · Response deadline: Fri, 16 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

DLA Aviation plans to buy bushing and sleeve components for military aircraft and aviation systems. These are cylindrical mechanical parts that reduce friction between moving components, align parts, or serve as spacers in assemblies. In defense aviation applications, bushings and sleeves typically must meet strict military specifications for material composition, dimensional tolerance, and durability under extreme conditions.

This procurement comes through the Defense Logistics Agency's aviation supply chain, which manages spare parts and consumables for military aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and related ground support equipment. DLA Aviation Richmond handles procurement for a wide range of aviation components, maintaining inventory and fulfilling requisitions from military services and defense agencies.

Key facts

Who can bid

Only firms certified as Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) through the SBA's certification program may bid on this set-aside contract. To qualify, a business must:

• Be at least 51% unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens
• Have women manage day-to-day operations and make long-term decisions
• Meet SBA size standards for NAICS 332991 (generally 500 employees for manufacturing)
• Hold active WOSB certification in the SBA's beta.certify.sba.gov system at time of award

Joint ventures may bid if the WOSB partner meets these requirements and the joint venture is properly structured per SBA regulations. Regular WOSB self-certification is insufficient for DOD acquisitions; SBA certification is mandatory.

How to put together a competitive bid

Verify your certification status immediately. DOD WOSB set-asides require active SBA certification, not self-certification. Log into certify.sba.gov to confirm your status and resolve any issues well before the October 16 deadline.

Understand military specification requirements. Aviation bushings and sleeves typically require compliance with military standards such as MIL-DTL-8790, MIL-DTL-85052, or component-specific drawings. Request the full technical data package through the solicitation to identify exact material grades, surface treatments, inspection requirements, and traceability documentation needed.

Assess your manufacturing capabilities. NAICS 332991 encompasses precision machining operations. Evaluate whether you can meet tolerances, volume requirements, and quality systems (typically AS9100 or at minimum ISO 9001) expected by DLA Aviation. See the solicitation for specific quantity and delivery requirements.

Review past procurement history. Search SAM.gov and DLA's electronic systems for historical awards under similar NSNs or solicitation patterns to understand pricing benchmarks and incumbent performance.

Prepare required representations. DLA solicitations typically require FAR provisions including small business representations, WOSB eligibility representations, and various DOD-specific clauses. Ensure your SAM.gov registration and representations are current.

Next steps

Read the full solicitation SPE4A627T1357 on SAM.gov immediately. The October 16, 2026 response deadline leaves limited time to obtain technical drawings, verify specifications, and prepare a complete offer. The full solicitation will contain quantity, packaging requirements, inspection criteria, and instructions for electronic submission through DLA's procurement systems. Note that the place of performance was not provided in this notice metadata; the solicitation will specify delivery requirements and approved manufacturing sources if applicable.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →