ANTENNA
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA AVIATION.DLA AVIATION PHILADELPHIA.DLA AVIATION AT PHILADELPHIA, PA · Response deadline: Fri, 06 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
DLA Aviation Philadelphia is soliciting offers for antenna equipment. The Federal Supply Classification code 5985 covers antenna assemblies, subassemblies, and related components used in military and defense communications systems. This type of procurement typically involves radio frequency equipment that supports aircraft, ground vehicle, or fixed-site communication capabilities within Defense Logistics Agency supply chains.
Antennas under this FSC can vary widely—from simple passive radiating elements to complex multi-band arrays with integrated amplifiers, filters, and mounting hardware. DLA Aviation manages spare parts and sustainment for military aviation platforms, so this requirement likely supports operational readiness for aircraft communication, navigation, or electronic warfare systems. See the solicitation for specific technical characteristics, quantities, and delivery requirements.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation, Philadelphia |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | SPRPA127QZA03 |
| NAICS | 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 6, 2026, 4:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is a full and open solicitation with no set-aside, meaning any responsible offeror—including small businesses, large businesses, foreign entities (where permitted), and government contractors of all sizes—may submit an offer. The NAICS code 334220 applies to manufacturers of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment, with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees.
You do not need to be a small business to compete. However, if you are a small business in NAICS 334220, you should verify your size status in SAM.gov is current. If you hold Small Business Administration certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB), they provide no competitive preference here but may still signal organizational capability to the contracting officer.
Manufacturers with relevant military specifications (MIL-SPEC) experience, AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality certifications, and prior DLA supply relationships hold natural advantages. Non-manufacturers may bid if they can source compliant antennas and assume production responsibility.
How to put together a competitive bid
Verify technical compliance. FSC 5985 items often carry military performance specifications (MIL-DTL, MIL-PRF), DLA Aviation engineering drawings, or Qualified Products List (QPL) requirements. Download all attachments from SAM.gov and cross-reference your product data sheets against every cited specification. Non-QPL items typically require first-article testing or Source Approval Request submission—factor this timing into your price and delivery schedule.
Understand DLA's pricing structure. DLA Aviation contracts frequently use national stock numbers (NSNs) with established unit of issue and packaging requirements. Examine historical pricing in the Federal Procurement Data System if available. Offerors should account for Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement clauses, including material inspection and receiving reports, Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) invoicing, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging where applicable.
Demonstrate supply chain reliability. Antenna lead times for specialized military-grade components can extend 26-52 weeks. Provide manufacturer authorization letters if sourcing externally, and disclose any sole-source dependencies. DLA prioritizes assured delivery over lowest price for sustainment items.
Address past performance. Submit relevant CPARS or contractor performance records for similar antenna, RF component, or DLA Aviation contracts. First-time DLA vendors should emphasize comparable commercial or defense platform experience.
Submit electronically through SAM.gov or designated DLA portal by the deadline; late submissions are not accepted.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation SPRPA127QZA03 on SAM.gov immediately. Review all technical specifications, drawings, clauses, and delivery requirements. Note that proposals are due November 6, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time—allow buffer time for system upload and confirmation. If the place of performance or inspection point affects your cost structure, confirm those details in the solicitation documents before finalizing your offer.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →