Open federal opportunities

53--PACKING ASSEMBLY

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA MARITIME.DLA MARITIME COLUMBUS.DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Mon, 16 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

DLA Weapons Support is procuring packing assembly supplies, falling under Federal Supply Classification 53 (Hardware and Abrasives). This is a combined synopsis/solicitation, meaning the notice serves as both an announcement of the opportunity and the formal solicitation document itself.

Packing assemblies typically include materials and components used for sealing, gasketing, and containment in mechanical systems—often for military weapons platforms, vehicles, or support equipment. These items may include O-rings, gaskets, seals, and related hardware subject to strict military specifications and standards. See the solicitation for the exact line items, quantities, and technical requirements.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is open exclusively to small businesses under a total Small Business Set-Aside. To qualify, your business must:

• Meet the NAICS 339991 size standard (currently 1,000 employees for this code)
• Be registered and self-certified as small in SAM.gov
• Have active registration at the time of submission

DLA Weapons Support contracts typically require ISO 9001:2015 certification or equivalent quality management systems, and suppliers often need to meet MIL-SPEC or ASTM standards for materials and performance. If you have experience with defense supply chains, DFARS compliance, and traceability documentation, emphasize this in your bid.

First-time DLA suppliers should be prepared for rigorous source inspection requirements and potential first article testing. See the solicitation for specific qualification requirements.

How to put together a competitive bid

Understand DLA's pricing expectations. DLA Weapons Support uses historical pricing and market research to evaluate fairness. Review past awards for similar NSNs (National Stock Numbers) on SAM.gov or DLA's Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). The agency favors competitive pricing but penalizes unrealistically low bids that signal risk.

Verify your technical capability. Packing assemblies for weapons systems often require specific compounds (fluorocarbon, nitrile, silicone), dimensional tolerances, and shelf-life documentation. Confirm you can source materials meeting the cited military specification—commonly MIL-PRF-, MIL-DTL-, or SAE-AMS standards. See the solicitation for the exact specification.

Prepare your submission through DIBBS. DLA awards most packing assembly contracts through its electronic bidding system. Register on DIBBS if you haven't already. Upload your quote, technical proposal, and any required representations before the deadline.

Address small business requirements. Include any applicable small business representations, SAM registration proof, and subcontracting plan exemptions (total set-asides typically don't require subcontracting plans).

Factor in lead time and obsolescence. Military packing components often have long lead times or sole-source material constraints. Price accordingly and disclose any delivery risks.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE7M427Q0113. The combined synopsis/solicitation contains the complete statement of work, deliverables, inspection requirements, and terms.

2. Check DIBBS for amendments or additional documents posted after the initial notice.

3. Note the deadline: November 16, 2026—allow time for technical review and DIBBS submission troubleshooting.

4. Verify place of performance and delivery requirements in the full solicitation, as this data was not in the posted metadata.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →