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Aluminum Bronze Strip for the Watervliet Arsenal

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.AMC.ACC.ACC-CTRS.ACC-DTA.W6QK ACC WVA · Response deadline: Fri, 13 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

The U.S. Army is soliciting bids for aluminum bronze strip for the Watervliet Arsenal. Aluminum bronze is a copper-aluminum alloy valued for its high strength, corrosion resistance, and wear properties—characteristics that make it suitable for military applications such as ordnance components, bearings, and other heavy-duty equipment parts. The Watervliet Arsenal, located in New York, is the Army's primary manufacturing facility for large-caliber weapons systems and has long relied on specialized metal alloys for its production operations. See the solicitation for specific dimensional requirements, quantities, delivery schedules, and any applicable military or ASTM material specifications.

Key facts

¹ Note: NAICS 331315 covers primary aluminum production and alumina refining. The specific manufacturing processes and product specifications for this aluminum bronze strip may fall under related metalworking classifications; confirm applicability with the solicitation.

Who can bid

This opportunity is restricted to small business concerns under the Small Business Set Aside - Total program. To qualify, your business must:

• Meet the size standard for NAICS 331315, which is based on average annual receipts (see current SBA size standards table)
• Be registered in SAM.gov with active status
• Have any required NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity compliance in place for defense contracts
• Possess the DUNS/UEI and valid CAGE code for federal contracting

The government will not consider bids from large businesses or non-compliant small businesses. Joint ventures and mentor-protégé arrangements may bid if structured to meet small business requirements.

How to put together a competitive bid

Material certification and testing: Aluminum bronze for military applications typically requires detailed chemical composition reporting, mechanical property testing, and conformance to specific alloy designations (such as C63000 or C95400 series). Your bid should demonstrate capability to provide certified test reports and traceability documentation.

Manufacturing capabilities: Be prepared to document your mill's capability to produce strip product to specified thickness, width, and temper requirements. The Watervliet Arsenal's industrial needs may require non-standard dimensions or tight tolerances.

Defense contract fundamentals: Include your Technical Proposal addressing manufacturing processes, quality systems (ISO 9001 or AS9100 if applicable), and any past performance delivering similar alloys to defense or heavy industrial customers. Your Price Proposal must use the government-furnished format, typically SF 1449 or designated sections.

Regulatory compliance: Verify your facility can meet DFARS requirements for specialty metals sourcing restrictions, domestic preference provisions, and any conflict minerals reporting obligations. Defense contracts frequently impose Buy American or specialty metals clauses.

Small business positioning: Highlight any applicable socio-economic certifications (HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB) that may provide evaluation preference, even under a general small business set-aside.

Next steps

1. Read the complete solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number W911PT27QA023—the full document contains critical details on specifications, quantities, delivery requirements, and clause provisions not available in this summary metadata.

2. Confirm your SAM registration is current and your size status is properly represented in your SAM profile.

3. Submit questions through the designated SAM.gov Q&A function if any requirements are unclear; allow adequate time before the deadline for government response.

4. Note the firm deadline of November 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET—late submissions are inadmissible in federal competitive solicitations.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →