42--LIFE PRESERVER,VEST
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 seeks vendors to provide life preservers and vests under classification code 42. This is standard personal flotation and survival equipment procurement for military personnel.
Items in this category typically include inflatable and foam-filled life vests, anti-exposure suits, and related maritime survival gear used across Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and other DoD components. The specific quantities, technical specifications, and approved product lines see the solicitation — these details are not included in the notice metadata.
NAICS code 333310 covers "Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing," which in this context relates to specialized safety and survival equipment production. DLA Troop Support manages category-based procurement for clothing and textiles, construction and equipment, subsistence, and medical materiel. This award falls within their Construction & Equipment portfolio.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support, Dept of Defense |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | SPE8E627Q0022 |
| NAICS | 333310 |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside - Total |
| Response deadline | October 22, 2026 |
| Place of performance | Not specified in notice |
Who can bid
This opportunity is reserved exclusively for small businesses under the total small business set-aside program. Your firm must qualify as small under the NAICS 333310 size standard to participate.
Eligibility requirements you must verify:
- Register in SAM.gov with active registration through contract performance period
- Obtain any required can't find in metadata, so see the solicitation for specific certifications
- Meet DLA's vendor qualification requirements for life support/survival equipment, which may include MIL-STD compliance and product testing history
Manufacturers and distributors both commonly bid in this space, but DLA often requires brand name or equal justification. If you're proposing an alternate product, prepare detailed spec sheets showing equivalency.
Past performance with military technical specifications, ISO 9001 quality systems, and experience with DLA's electronic catalog system (FED LOG) strengthen competitiveness.
How to put together a competitive bid
For life preserver/vest contracts specifically:
- Review MIL-PRF and MIL-SPEC requirements meticulously — military flotation devices have strict buoyancy, visibility, and survival performance standards
- Confirm TAA compliance — DLA generally requires Trade Agreements Act-compliant country of origin for textiles and protective equipment
- Prepare First Article Test (FAT) requirements if specified — safety equipment categories frequently mandate pre-production testing
- Price strategically on see the solicitation for any stated estimated quantities or requirements; DLA often evaluates on delivery performance as well as unit price
- Register in DLA's WebFLIS and understand how your National Stock Numbers (NSNs) would apply
- Consider teaming if your firm lacks full manufacturing capability — small business set-asides allow subcontracting arrangements that meet limitations on subcontracting rules
Pricing note: Since this is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, the notice itself may constitute the full solicitation document. Review carefully whether the purchase request includes specific line items with quantities or is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.
Next steps
- Access the full solicitation immediately at SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE8E627Q0022
- Download all attachments — technical specifications, drawings, and clauses for life preserver requirements are typically extensive
- Confirm your SAM registration is active and all representations are current
- Calendar the deadline: October 22, 2026 — this is a short turnaround from posting (October 16), suggesting either an urgent requirement or a simplified acquisition
- Submit questions through SAM.gov if any specifications are unclear — the compressed timeline makes early engagement critical
Given the six-day window between posting and response deadline, treat this as time-sensitive. See the solicitation for exact submission method, whether electronic报价 through DLA's Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) or alternative portal.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →