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59--WAVEGUIDE ASSEMBLY

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA MARITIME.DLA MARITIME COLUMBUS.DLA LAND AND MARITIME · Response deadline: Sun, 11 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

DLA Land and Maritime is procuring a waveguide assembly through its DLA Maritime Columbus office. Waveguide assemblies are components used to direct electromagnetic waves, typically in radar, communications, or electronic systems. NAICS code 334220 falls under "Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing," though waveguide technology also appears in defense electronics and microwave systems more broadly.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation, meaning the posting serves as both the advance notice and the formal solicitation document. Small businesses should verify whether full technical specifications—including frequency ranges, materials, flange types, or military specifications like MIL-DTL-22641—are included in the attached documents on SAM.gov.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is 100% set aside for small businesses under the Small Business Set Aside - Total program. To qualify, your business must:

• Be certified as "small" under NAICS 334220 size standards (typically 1,250 employees for this code, but verify current SBA thresholds)
• Be registered in SAM.gov with active status
• Have the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code in your SAM profile

No specific socioeconomic designations (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB) are indicated in the metadata, so any eligible small business may compete. If you hold a valid DLA Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) relationship, consult them for size determination guidance.

How to put together a competitive bid

Waveguide assemblies for DLA often require strict adherence to military specifications. Focus your proposal preparation on:

Technical compliance: Obtain and review the full technical drawing package from the solicitation. Waveguides frequently require gold plating, specific VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) performance, or hermetic sealing—see the solicitation for exact requirements.

Past performance: DLA evaluates supplier history with defense logistics contracts. Highlight any previous deliveries to DLA, Navy SPAWAR, or Army communications programs. If you're new to DLA, consider subcontracting experience with prime contractors.

Quality systems: Verify whether the solicitation requires MIL-STD-790 certification, ISO 9001, or AS9100 for defense-unique suppliers. DLA Maritime often mandates source inspection or first article testing—see the solicitation for specific quality clauses.

Pricing strategy: Review DLA's historical pricing through the DLA Internet Bid Bond System (DIBBS) for comparable NSN items. Small business set-asides can reduce competition, but DLA still expects fair and reasonable pricing based on market research.

Packaging and marking: Defense supply chain compliance includes MIL-STD-129 labeling and possibly barcoding requirements.

Next steps

1. Access the full solicitation immediately on SAM.gov (sam.gov) using solicitation number SPE7M527Q0051
2. Download all attachments, including technical specifications, drawings, and clauses
3. Note the deadline: October 11, 2026—with a posted date of October 7, 2026, this is an unusually short turnaround; verify whether this is a typo or an urgent requirement
4. Register questions through the SAM.gov Q&A function if clarification is needed
5. Submit through the designated system specified in the solicitation (likely DIBBS for DLA Land and Maritime) before the response deadline

If the short response period is accurate, prioritize obtaining technical documents and confirming your capability to meet delivery and quality requirements within the compressed timeline.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →