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59--ELECTRON TUBE

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA MARITIME.DLA MARITIME COLUMBUS.DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Fri, 23 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

DLA Maritime is procuring electron tubes under classification code 59. Electron tubes—also known as vacuum tubes—are electronic components that control electric current flow in a vacuum or gas-filled environment. These devices remain critical in specialized defense applications, including high-power radio frequency (RF) systems, radar transmitters, communications equipment, and certain legacy weapon systems where their durability and performance under extreme conditions exceed solid-state alternatives.

Given DLA Maritime's role within Defense Logistics Agency, this acquisition likely supports naval vessel operations, shipboard electronic systems, or depot-level maintenance of maritime defense platforms. Electron tubes for military use typically must meet stringent reliability standards and may require specialized manufacturing processes or rare materials, factors that historically have limited the supplier base for these components.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is reserved for total small business set-aside, meaning only U.S. small businesses meeting the size standard for NAICS 334419 may submit offers. The SBA size standard for this NAICS is typically 750 employees—see the solicitation for any specific deviation or additional requirements.

Prospective bidders must:

• Be registered in SAM.gov with active registration through contract performance period
• Have or obtain the appropriate NAICS 334419 in their SAM profile
• Meet any applicable DFARS compliance requirements for defense procurements
• Obtain a CAGE code if not already assigned

Given the specialized nature of electron tube manufacturing, firms should assess whether they possess or can acquire necessary technical capabilities, quality certifications, and any required ITAR registration for defense-related articles.

How to put together a competitive bid

Technical compliance above all. Electron tubes for DLA typically require adherence to military specifications (MIL-SPEC) or defense drawings. Review the solicitation for exact standards, acceptable substitutes, and testing protocols. If you lack certain specifications, determine whether you can source compliant components or partner under appropriate arrangements.

Supply chain verification. Electron tubes often depend on specialized materials (certain cathode coatings, high-purity metals, precision glass-to-metal seals). Document your sourcing strategy and any single-source dependencies—the government will evaluate supply risk.

Price realism. DLA weapons support contracts often involve multi-year requirements. Structure pricing to account for potential diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) challenges—older technologies face obsolescence risk that can spike costs unexpectedly.

Small business teaming. If you have limited government contracting experience but possess electron tube expertise, consider subcontracting arrangements or mentor-protégé relationships with established defense contractors, provided the small business remains the prime and performs the primary contract requirements.

Past performance documentation. Prepare evidence of comparable manufacturing, especially any prior DLA, Navy, or other DoD electron component contracts.

Next steps

Access the full solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE7M127T0567. Review complete specifications, delivery schedules, evaluation criteria, and any solicitation amendments. Note the October 23, 2026 response deadline—Combined Synopsis/Solicitation notices typically move quickly, so verify whether this represents a proposal due date or quote deadline. Confirm your SAM registration status immediately and address any gaps in certifications or representations required for defense subcontracting.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →