PANEL,STRUCTURAL,AI
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT.NAVSUP WSS PHILADELPHIA.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Thu, 05 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Navy is soliciting bids for PANEL,STRUCTURAL,AI through NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Philadelphia. This appears to be a structural panel component with aircraft integration ("AI") relevance, falling within the broader category of aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing.
NAICS 336413 covers "Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing," which includes a wide range of components such as airframe assemblies, control surfaces, and structural elements used in military and civilian aircraft. Structural panels in this context typically serve as load-bearing or aerodynamic surfaces on military aircraft, helicopters, or unmanned aerial systems.
The classification code 1560 in the Federal Supply Classification system corresponds to "Airframe Structural Components," confirming this is a physical aircraft structure item rather than a software or service deliverable. These components must meet stringent military specifications for materials, tolerances, fatigue resistance, and airworthiness certification.
See the solicitation for exact technical specifications, required configurations, quantities, and any reference to existing drawings or military standards.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy — NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0038327QLA01 |
| NAICS | 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | None (unrestricted, full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This solicitation is unrestricted — any qualified business, regardless of size or socioeconomic status, may submit a bid. There is no small business set-aside, meaning large defense contractors and small businesses compete directly.
To be competitive, bidders must typically demonstrate:
- Manufacturing capability for aircraft structural components to military specifications
- AS9100 quality management certification or equivalent aerospace quality standards
- NADCAP accreditation for special processes (heat treating, welding, chemical processing, non-destructive testing) if applicable
- Past performance delivering to military aviation programs, preferably Navy/Marine Corps platforms
- Security clearance or facility clearance if the item supports classified systems
Small businesses without direct aircraft parts experience may still bid if they have relevant structural manufacturing capabilities and can meet qualification requirements, though past performance weighting may disadvantage newcomers.
How to put together a competitive bid
Verify your supply chain and certifications early. NAVSUP WSS typically requires source inspection or First Article Test/Approval for structural components. Confirm your quality system is current and registered in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
Review drawing and specification requirements. Airframe structural components governed by FSC 1560 frequently reference specific Military Standards (MIL-STD-810 for environmental, MIL-STD-881 for work breakdown), material specifications (AMS, MIL-PRF), and process controls. Obtain any referenced technical data packages promptly.
Assess your tooling and capacity. Structural panels may require custom fixtures, CNC machining of composite or metallic substrates, or autoclave curing. Evaluate whether capital investment is justified for this opportunity.
Price strategically. Unrestricted Navy solicitations often attract experienced aerospace suppliers. Analyze historical pricing for similar FSC 1560 items in SAM.gov's Contract Opportunities archive or FPDS if available. Consider teaming with a prime if you lack direct bidding experience.
Complete SAM registration and representations. Ensure your SAM.gov entity registration is active, your NAICS 336413 is listed, and all required representations (including Buy American Act, Trade Agreements Act, and DFARS specialty metals restrictions) are current.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N0038327QLA01. The posted date of October 6, 2026 indicates this is an active, open solicitation with approximately one month remaining until the deadline.
Note the hard deadline: November 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Late submissions to NAVSUP WSS are not accepted. Verify submission method (likely SAM.gov or ASVAC/ Navy Electronic Business) and test system access well before the deadline.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →