84--SHIRT, USMC, WOMAN'S,
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.TROOP SUPPORT CLOTHING & TEXTILE.DLA TROOP SUPPORT · Response deadline: Thu, 15 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support is procuring women's shirts for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). This is a clothing and textile supply contract for a standard military uniform item. DLA Troop Support manages the procurement and distribution of clothing and individual equipment across the military services, so this contract aligns with their core mission of outfitting service members.
The NAICS code 315120 corresponds to "Women's, Girls', and Infants' Apparel Manufacturing," which covers the production of women's outerwear including military-style shirts. This classification indicates the government expects the contractor to manufacture or supply finished apparel meeting military specifications.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support — Clothing & Textile |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | SPE1C126Q0495 |
| NAICS | 315120 (Women's, Girls', and Infants' Apparel Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside — Total |
| Response deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Place of performance | Not specified in notice; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses certified as small under NAICS 315120. The total small business set-aside means no large businesses or other socioeconomic categories (such as 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB) receive preference—only size status under this NAICS code matters.
To qualify, your business must:
- Be registered in SAM.gov with active registration
- Have a current small business size standard determination for NAICS 315120 (generally based on average annual receipts; check current SBA size thresholds)
- Be able to supply women's USMC shirts meeting DLA's technical requirements
No additional socioeconomic certification is required beyond small business status, but if you hold multiple certifications, you still compete on equal footing with all other small businesses.
How to put together a competitive bid
Apparel manufacturing bids to DLA require attention to several specific areas:
Technical compliance is critical. Military clothing contracts reference detailed specifications—often MIL-SPECs or DLA's own purchase descriptions. These cover fabric content, construction methods, dye colors, labeling, and finishing. Request the full specification package immediately upon reviewing the solicitation. Non-compliant samples or past performance issues can disqualify bids.
Understand the Berry Amendment. As a DoD clothing procurement, this item likely requires that all components (fabric, thread, labels, etc.) be grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. Verify your entire supply chain meets this requirement; DLA enforces Berry Amendment compliance strictly and may require certificates of compliance.
Capacity and past performance matter. DLA clothing contracts can involve substantial quantities over multi-year periods with quick turnaround requirements. Be prepared to demonstrate your production capacity, quality control systems, and any relevant past performance supplying military or comparable commercial apparel. If you lack direct military experience, commercial work with stringent quality requirements (workwear, public safety uniforms) may still strengthen your bid.
Pricing strategy. Small business set-aside competitions in this space often come down to price after technical acceptability. Analyze your material costs carefully—cotton and synthetic fiber prices fluctuate. Consider whether you can achieve economies through vertical integration or established vendor relationships.
Register in DLA's procurement systems. Beyond SAM.gov, ensure you can receive and respond to solicitations through DLA's electronic systems. Attend any pre-bid conferences offered; DLA Troop Support sometimes holds industry days for clothing procurements.
Next steps
Access the full solicitation SPE1C126Q0495 on SAM.gov immediately. The notice was posted October 5, 2026, with responses due October 15, 2026—a compressed 10-day window typical for simplified acquisition procedures or competitive task orders. Download all attachments including specifications, pricing instructions, and any draft contract terms. Note that place of performance and delivery requirements are not shown in this summary; see the solicitation for those details. Given the tight deadline, act quickly to assess your capability and supply chain readiness if you intend to bid.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →