RETAINER,SEAT,VALVE
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT.NAVSUP WSS MECHANICSBURG.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT MECH · Response deadline: Thu, 31 Dec 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Navy is soliciting bids for a valve seat retainer—an item falling under Federal Supply Classification 4820, which covers valves and related hardware. The NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Mechanicsburg office, part of the Naval Supply Systems Command, is managing this procurement. NAVSUP WSS serves as the Navy's primary inventory control point for weapons system support, providing spare parts and maintenance materials to keep naval vessels and aircraft operational.
Valve seat retainers are mechanical components used to secure valve seats in place within valve assemblies. In military applications, these parts may be used in propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery, or other critical equipment where reliable sealing and flow control are essential. The specific end-use platform or system is not stated in the available metadata.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0010426QFF38 |
| NAICS | 332919 — Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | December 31, 2026 at 4:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in notice; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This solicitation is open to all responsible sources—no small business set-aside applies. Large and small businesses may compete directly. That said, NAICS 332919 (Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing) carries a Small Business Administration size standard of 750 employees. Firms at or below this threshold qualify as small businesses and may use their status for subcontracting plans or past performance references, though they gain no competitive preference in this procurement.
Eligible bidders typically include:
- Manufacturers of metal valves, pipe fittings, and related components
- Machine shops capable of precision fabrication to military specifications
- Distributors with established supply chains for defense-grade hardware
- Contractors who can source and certify parts to Navy technical requirements
Firms must be registered in SAM.gov, have an active Unique Entity ID, and maintain any required defense logistics certifications.
How to put together a competitive bid
Technical compliance first. NAVSUP WSS procurements for hardware items typically require strict adherence to military specifications (MIL-SPEC) or defense drawings. Obtain the complete technical data package referenced in the full solicitation—material certifications, dimensional tolerances, heat treatment, surface finish, and testing requirements will likely be specified.
Demonstrate manufacturing capability. For a valve seat retainer, the Source Selection Evaluation Board will scrutinize your production equipment, quality management system (AS9100 or ISO 9001 certification strengthens your position), and relevant past performance. Document similar defense contracts, especially those with NAVSUP WSS or other Navy inventory control points.
Pricing strategy. With no set-aside, expect price to carry significant weight. Analyze historical prices for comparable NSN items if available. Factor in tooling costs, material lot traceability, and any special packaging or preservation requirements for long-term Navy storage.
Documentation completeness. Missing representations, certifications, or incomplete FAR clauses are common rejection causes. Pay close attention to any Buy American Act, Berry Amendment, or DFARS specialty metal requirements that may apply to this item.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation N0010426QFF38 on SAM.gov to obtain the complete specification, delivery requirements, and evaluation criteria. The response deadline is December 31, 2026 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time—note this falls on a Thursday and near a holiday period; confirm SAM.gov functionality and plan submission timing accordingly. Given the long lead time between posting and deadline, monitor SAM.gov for amendments or Q&A releases that may clarify technical requirements.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →