FUEL CELL,AIRCRAFT
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT.NAVSUP WSS PHILADELPHIA.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Mon, 30 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Navy is soliciting bids for a fuel cell for aircraft. This procurement is being run by NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Philadelphia, the organization responsible for providing logistics and materiel support to Navy and Marine Corps aviation platforms.
NAICS code 336413 classifies this as other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing. Fuel cells in aircraft are critical structural-integral components that store fuel rather than generate electrical power—these are specialized, sealed containers designed to fit within airframe compartments. Aircraft fuel cells must meet stringent military specifications for crash resistance, ballistic tolerance, and compatibility with aviation fuels. See the solicitation for specific technical requirements, applicable military specifications, and acceptance criteria.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Philadelphia |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0038327QSA22 |
| NAICS | 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 30, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern Time |
| Place of performance | See the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no small business set-aside, meaning any qualified business of any size may bid, including:
- Small businesses
- Large defense contractors
- Women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and 8(a) firms (may still use their certifications for evaluation advantages if the solicitation includes such provisions)
Bidders must be capable of manufacturing or supplying aircraft fuel cells to military specifications. Essential qualifications typically include:
- Quality certifications: AS9100 (aerospace quality management) is standard expectation for aircraft parts; see the solicitation for explicit requirements
- NADCAP accreditation or equivalent for specialized processes (sealing, welding, composites)
- Existing experience with Department of Defense or military aviation fuel cell production
- Security clearance requirements, if any—see the solicitation
- SAM.gov registration active through contract award period
Firms without prior defense contracting experience face significant barriers; the Navy strongly prefers suppliers with established performance histories on similar items.
How to put together a competitive bid
Given the full-and-open nature and specialized product:
Technical compliance: Obtain the complete technical data package referenced in the solicitation. Fuel cells are not commodity items—dimensions, fittings, material specifications, and test protocols are aircraft-specific. Request any drawings or specifications through the solicitation's indicated process.
Quality system documentation: Prepare your AS9100 certificate, past DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) approval history, and any relevant first-article test reports. If you have supplied fuel cells under prior contracts, highlight those contract numbers and points of contact.
Past performance: The government will evaluate recent, relevant performance. Compile data on on-time delivery, quality acceptance rates, and any corrective action history for similar products.
Pricing strategy: In full-and-open competition, expect competition from established aerospace suppliers. Analyze whether your cost structure competes with firms having economies of scale in military aviation manufacturing.
Small business considerations: Without a set-aside, price competition intensifies. If you qualify as small under 336413 (500-employee threshold), evaluate whether to subcontract to a larger prime or pursue as a direct offeror based on unique capability.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation immediately at SAM.gov using solicitation number N0038327QSA22—abstract title "FUEL CELL,AIRCRAFT"
Evaluate technical requirements against your actual manufacturing capability; do not proceed on title alone
Note the firm deadline: November 30, 2026, 4:30 PM Eastern—plan for proposal preparation, potential questions to the contracting officer, and submission system familiarization
Register or verify SAM.gov status; inactive registration disqualifies your bid
View the official notice on SAM.gov →