SLAT,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 Navy is soliciting bids for a SLAT, AIRCRAFT—a structural component for military aircraft. SLAT stands for "leading edge slat," a high-lift device installed on the forward edge of an aircraft wing. Slats extend during takeoff and landing to increase wing area and camber, improving lift at low speeds. NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Philadelphia is handling this procurement for the Department of the Navy.
This falls under the broader category of aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing. The classification code 1560 (Airframe Structural Components) confirms this is a physical, structural aircraft part rather than a service or system-level contract.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Philadelphia |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0038326QSB80 |
| NAICS | 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | November 30, 2026, 4:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in notice metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This solicitation is full and open competition with no small business set-aside. Any qualified manufacturer—large or small—may submit a bid. That said, the standard challenges for this sector apply:
- NAICS 336413 typically requires significant manufacturing capability, quality systems (AS9100/ISO 9001), and experience with aerospace materials and processes
- Defense aircraft parts contracts generally require Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) compliance, including traceability standards, counterfeit parts prevention, and ITAR/EAR export control awareness depending on the platform
- Existing relationships with NAVSUP WSS or experience furnishing parts to military aircraft programs are advantageous but not required
Small businesses with manufacturing capability in this NAICS should weigh whether they can compete on price, technical merit, and delivery schedule against larger, established suppliers. If past performance with similar aircraft slats or leading-edge devices exists, highlight it prominently.
How to put together a competitive bid
Focus on these elements typical for aircraft structural component competitions:
Technical data package adherence. NAVSUP WSS procurements for parts like slats usually come with drawings, material specifications, and performance requirements. Request and rigorously review these. Deviations require explicit approval—assumed compliance is safer unless you have strong justification.
Quality assurance. Document your Statistical Process Control, source inspection protocols, and any existing Navy/NAVICP approvals. Military Aircraft Parts typically require first article inspection and ongoing source inspection.
Material and process certifications. Aluminum alloys, titanium, or composite materials common to slats may need specific mill certifications, NADCAP accreditation for special processes (heat treat, welding, chemical processing), and Chemistry/Materials verification.
Delivery and packaging. NAVSUP WSS emphasizes packaging for military supply chains. Propose compliant preservation, packaging, packing, and marking that meets MIL-STD-2073 or specified requirements.
Pricing strategy. With no set-aside, expect competition from Tier-1/2 aerospace suppliers. Sharpen your cost proposal—emphasize efficiency, existing tooling, or material buying advantages if applicable.
Past performance. Reference similar aircraft structural components delivered to DoD or commercial aerospace OEMs under comparable quality regimes.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N0038326QSB80. The notice was posted October 30, 2026, with responses due November 30, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time.
Critical details to confirm in the solicitation: aircraft platform (which aircraft uses this slat), quantity and any option years, specific material and finish requirements, inspection requirements (source inspection vs. certificate of conformance), approved sources for raw materials or special processes, and exact place of performance or shipping destination. Request any referenced drawings or specifications through the solicitation's procedures before preparing your technical response.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →