Open federal opportunities

53--RETAINER,PACKING

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA LAND.DLA LAND COLUMBUS.DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Mon, 26 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is procuring retainers and packing components under classification code 53 (Hardware and Abrasives). These items fall under NAICS code 339991, which covers gasket, packing, and sealing device manufacturing. Retainers and packing are mechanical components used to prevent leakage, maintain pressure, and secure assemblies in fluid systems—commonly found in valves, pumps, engines, and hydraulic equipment across military vehicles, weapons systems, and support infrastructure.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation, meaning the notice serves as both the announcement of the opportunity and the formal request for proposals. DLA Land at Columbus, specifically DLA Weapons Support, is handling this procurement.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is reserved for small businesses only under the Total Small Business Set-Aside program. To qualify, your business must meet SBA size standards for NAICS 339991. The SBA generally sets the size standard for this code at 1,000 employees, though you should verify current thresholds at SAM.gov and confirm your firm's small business status is active in your SAM profile.

Your business must be registered in SAM.gov with active status, have the appropriate NAICS code in your profile, and possess any required manufacturing certifications or quality registrations needed for defense contracts. DLA typically requires suppliers to meet quality standards such as ISO 9001 or comply with MIL-SPEC requirements for mechanical components sold to the military. Specific technical qualifications, past performance requirements, or security clearances—if any—will be detailed in the full solicitation.

How to put together a competitive bid

For packaging and sealing device contracts, competitive bidders should focus on technical compliance and cost precision:

• Obtain the specifications: DLA retainers and packing are typically governed by military or federal specifications (such as those in the A-A- series or MIL-DTL standards). Request or download the technical drawings, material requirements, and test criteria referenced in the solicitation. Non-compliance with a single specification can render your bid non-responsive.

• Verify your manufacturing capability: Confirm you can produce to the exact dimensions, tolerances, and material compositions required. Retainers may involve metal forming, machining, or stamping; packing often requires expertise in elastomers, PTFE, graphite, or other seal materials.

• Review DLA's Quality Assurance Provisions: The solicitation likely includes inspection and acceptance criteria, packaging requirements (perhaps MIL-STD-2073), and marking specifications. Prepare your quality plan in advance.

• Calculate realistic lead times and pricing: DLA awards based on best value, but price competitiveness matters significantly for set-aside competitions. Factor in raw material costs, tooling, throughput capacity, and any testing or certification expenses.

• Examine delivery requirements: Multiple delivery orders or specific shipment schedules may apply; see the solicitation for quantities, destinations, and frequency.

• Highlight relevant past performance: Document shipments of similar components to DLA, other defense customers, or commercial industrial buyers. DLA evaluates demonstrated reliability.

Next steps

Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE7L327T0943. The combined synopsis/solicitation will contain detailed specifications, quantities, delivery requirements, evaluation criteria, and required clauses. Note the response deadline of October 26, 2026—allow adequate time for proposal preparation, especially if technical samples or first-article testing is required.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →