Open federal opportunities

59--SHIELDING GASKET,EL

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA MARITIME.DLA MARITIME COLUMBUS.DLA WEAPONS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Mon, 09 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), through its DLA Maritime Weapons Support office in Columbus, is soliciting bids for shielding gaskets. These are specialized sealing components used to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) from penetrating equipment enclosures. Shielding gaskets are commonly found in military electronics, communications equipment, radar systems, and other applications where maintaining signal integrity and protecting sensitive components is critical.

This procurement falls under Federal Supply Classification (FSC) 59, which covers electrical and electronic equipment components. The specific item description indicates this is a component-level purchase rather than a complete system, suggesting the government likely needs replacement parts or stock for maintenance and repair operations.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is set aside for small businesses only. The NAICS code 339991 corresponds to "Gasket, Packing, and Sealing Device Manufacturing," with a size standard typically based on employee count or average annual receipts. To qualify, your business must be certified as small under SBA size standards for this NAICS code and registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Given DLA's role managing the military supply chain, bidders should also be prepared to meet defense-unique requirements such as DFARS clauses, quality standards, and potentially packaging and marking specifications (like MIL-STD-129 or MIL-STD-2073). Prior experience supplying to DLA or understanding of its Automated Best Value System (ABVS) scoring methodology would be advantageous.

How to put together a competitive bid

For DLA component solicitations, pricing competitiveness is paramount, but not the sole factor. Consider these specifics:

Product technical compliance: Shielding gaskets vary widely in material (conductive elastomers, oriented wire mesh, metalized fabric), shielding effectiveness, environmental sealing rating, and temperature range. See the solicitation for exact specifications and ensure your product matches without exception or document any deviations clearly.

Past performance and quality history: DLA evaluates contractor performance through its Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). If you have prior DLA contracts, maintain strong quality acceptance rates and on-time delivery. New suppliers should emphasize manufacturing certifications (ISO 9001, AS9100) and any relevant military approvals.

ABVS positioning: DLA uses Automated Best Value System scoring, combining price with past performance and small business credit. A higher price may still win if your quality and delivery history substantially exceed competitors. Review your SPRS scores and address any deficiencies before bidding.

Packaging, marking, and shipping: DLA often has strict requirements for unit of issue, shelf life, and shipment to specific distribution depots. These can affect your total evaluated price.

Proposal responsiveness: Combined synopsis/solicitation notices typically require submission of a complete quote accepting all terms; missing representations or certifications often result in rejection.

Next steps

Access the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number SPE7M527T1578. Review all technical specifications, clauses, and delivery requirements carefully. The response deadline is November 9, 2026—allow adequate time for SAM.gov navigation, quote preparation, and any required certifications. If technical details such as quantity, exact performance specifications, or place of delivery are critical to your bid decision, these are contained in the full solicitation documents.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →