Open federal opportunities

42--FIREMAN'S HELMET

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.TROOP SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT.DLA TROOP SUPPORT · Response deadline: Thu, 22 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support is seeking to procure fireman's helmets. DLA Troop Support is the primary provider of food, clothing, fuel, medical supplies, and construction and equipment items to military services and other federal agencies. Fireman's helmets are standard personal protective equipment used by firefighters, featuring heat-resistant materials, impact protection, and often integrated communication or face shield systems.

This acquisition falls under the broader category of firefighting and rescue equipment, which DLA procures to support both military fire departments and contingency operations worldwide. The specific helmet requirements—such as NFPA compliance standards, sizing, colors, or accessory configurations—see the solicitation.

Key facts

NAICS 339113 covers "Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing," which includes personal safety equipment such as protective headgear. The total small business set-aside means only qualifying small businesses under this NAICS code's size standard may compete.

Who can bid

This opportunity is restricted to small business concerns registered in SAM.gov. To qualify, your business must meet the NAICS 339113 size standard, which is typically 1,000 employees (verify current thresholds on SBA.gov). You must be active in SAM.gov with your small business status verified, and your entity should be coded for this NAICS in your profile.

Given DLA's supply chain requirements, prior experience with government contracting—particularly with DLA's Tailored Logistics Support programs or Federal Supply Schedule—is advantageous but not necessarily required. Manufacturers, distributors, and potentially resellers with established supply relationships for certified firefighting equipment may be competitive. Your helmets must presumably meet applicable NFPA standards and any military-specific technical requirements; see the solicitation for exact specifications.

How to put together a competitive bid

For fire safety equipment, DLA emphasizes certified products with reliable supply chains. Focus your proposal on:

Certification and compliance: Document NFPA 1971 or equivalent certification for your helmets. Include third-party testing documentation and quality assurance records. If helmets meet military specifications (MIL-SPEC), highlight this prominently.

Past performance: Reference comparable government or municipal contracts for firefighting equipment. DLA evaluates past performance seriously—include delivery metrics, quality acceptance rates, and any DLA-specific contract history.

Pricing strategy: Research DLA's historical pricing for fireman's helmets through FPDS or GSA Advantage. Small business set-asides can offer pricing advantages due to reduced competition, but DLA still expects fair and reasonable market rates. Consider your supply chain costs, including any specialty materials or domestic sourcing requirements.

Delivery and inventory: Demonstrate ability to meet surge requirements or ongoing demand. DLA often values vendors who can support its Distribution and Worldwide operations with consistent lead times.

SAM.gov completeness: Ensure your SAM entity record reflects NAICS 339113, your small business representation is current, and any socioeconomic certifications (if applicable) are active.

Next steps

Access the full solicitation SPE8E627Q0012 on SAM.gov immediately. The response deadline is October 22, 2026—only seven days from posting—so expedite your review of technical requirements, packaging specifications, and required clauses. Download all attachments, confirm your SAM registration is active, and submit questions through the SAM.gov notice portal if any requirements are unclear. Given the tight timeline, prepare your quote and required representations without delay.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →