SHIM
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT.NAVSUP WSS PHILADELPHIA.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT · Response deadline: Tue, 06 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapons Systems Support activity in Philadelphia is soliciting offers for shims. Shims are thin pieces of material used to fill gaps, adjust fit, or provide support in mechanical assemblies. In defense applications, shims are common in weapons systems maintenance and repair, helping ensure precise alignment of components subject to wear, thermal expansion, or manufacturing tolerances.
This procurement falls under NAICS code 332119—Metal Crown, Closure, and Other Metal Stamping Manufacturing. Companies in this NAICS typically produce precision metal parts through stamping, cutting, or forming processes. Shims may be produced from various metals including stainless steel, brass, or aluminum depending on the specific application requirements.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0038325QT562 |
| NAICS | 332119 (Metal Crown, Closure, and Other Metal Stamping Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | None—full and open competition |
| Response deadline | October 6, 2026 at 4:30 PM EDT |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This solicitation is full and open competition with no set-aside designation, meaning any responsible offeror—large or small business—may submit a bid. Small businesses registered in SAM.gov with NAICS 332119 in their profile remain eligible to compete.
To bid, you must:
- Be registered in SAM.gov with active registration valid through the award period
- Have NAICS 332119 in your SAM entity registration
- Meet any defense contractor requirements specified in the solicitation, which may include ITAR registration or DFARS compliance for defense-unique items
No explicit small-business preference applies here, so small businesses compete on equal technical and price grounds with large firms.
How to put together a competitive bid
For stamped metal parts like shims, government buyers evaluate on price, technical compliance, and delivery. Practical steps:
Verify your manufacturing capability. Confirm your equipment can produce to the dimensional tolerances and material specifications the Navy requires—shims often demand tight thickness control and flatness. See the solicitation for exact material, dimensions, and quantity.
Understand quality requirements. Defense shims typically require compliance with military or federal specifications (potentially MIL-S, ASTM, or AMS standards). Review whether the solicitation mandates source inspection, certificate of conformance, or material test reports.
Price strategically. With no set-aside, you'll likely face large-scale stamped parts manufacturers. Calculate your break-even point considering raw material costs, tooling amortization, and lot sizes. Ask whether economic order quantity or multi-year pricing applies.
Check packaging and marking. NAVSUP WSS often requires specific military packaging per MIL-STD-2073 or commercial equivalents for depot-level distribution.
Confirm past performance relevance. If you have prior NAVSUP or DoD shim/dPrecision metal parts deliveries, highlight this. See the solicitation for past performance documentation requirements.
Next steps
- Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N0038325QT562 to material specifications, quantities, delivery schedule, and evaluation criteria
- Note the deadline: October 6, 2026 at 4:30 PM EDT—late submissions are ineligible
- Download all attachments including drawings, specifications, and clauses before preparing your offer
View the official notice on SAM.gov →