SOLICITATION Cadet Swords USMA West Point
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.AMC.ACC.MISSION INSTALLATION CONTRACTING COMMAND.FDO EUSTIS.W6QM MICC-WEST POINT · Response deadline: Fri, 30 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is soliciting offers for Cadet Swords. This is a procurement of ceremonial military swords used at the Academy, which plays a central role in West Point traditions, drill ceremonies, and formal events such as graduations and parades. Metal-cutting and forming work under NAICS 332215 typically involves precision manufacturing of metal products using machine tools. For ceremonial swords, this generally includes forging or machining blades, crafting hilts and guards, finishing, and assembling components to meet exacting military specifications for appearance, balance, and durability. See the solicitation for specific quantities, technical requirements, and inspection criteria.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Army, Mission Installation Contracting Command – West Point (MICC-West Point) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | W911SD-27-Q-A002 |
| NAICS | 332215 (Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing) |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | October 30, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT |
| Place of performance | West Point, NY |
Who can bid
This opportunity is reserved for small businesses certified as small under the applicable SBA size standards for NAICS 332215. To qualify, your business must be:
- Registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active status and small-business representation
- In compliance with any applicable federal contracting regulations
Businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, women, or disadvantaged individuals may also want to confirm whether additional socioeconomic certifications apply, though this solicitation uses a general small-business set-aside rather than a specific socioeconomic program. Joint ventures and mentor-protégé arrangements may participate if structured to meet SBA affiliation and size requirements.
How to put together a competitive bid
Demonstrate relevant manufacturing capability. Emphasize experience with precision metal fabrication, blade production, or military/drill ceremonial items. Facility capacity, quality certifications (such as ISO 9001), and past performance on similar federal or commercial contracts strengthen your proposal.
Understand the inspection and standards environment. Military ceremonial equipment often requires adherence to detailed specifications for materials, dimensions, weight, finish, and engraving. Be prepared to explain your quality assurance processes, including dimensional inspection, material certification, and any required government inspection points.
Price strategically for small-lot precision work. Swords for ceremonial use involve skilled craftsmanship rather than high-volume production. Ensure your pricing accounts for labor-intensive finishing, potential custom engraving or insignia work, and delivery to West Point. Review whether the solicitation specifies FOB destination or other shipping terms.
Address delivery and schedule carefully. The deadline for submission is tight—four days from posting—suggesting this may be a simplified acquisition or that required market research has occurred. If you need clarification on specifications, submit questions immediately given the compressed timeline.
Past performance matters. If you have delivered to military academies, honor guard units, or similar customers, highlight these references. First-time federal contractors should ensure their SAM registration is complete and consider any required representations and certifications.
Next steps
- Read the full solicitation immediately at SAM.gov using solicitation number W911SD-27-Q-A002 — the response deadline is October 30, 2026 at noon Eastern.
- Verify your SAM registration is active and reflects small-business status.
- Download all attachments, including specifications, drawings, and any applicable clauses.
- Submit your offer through the designated method (see the solicitation for submission instructions and any required forms).
Given the short turnaround from posting to deadline, prioritize reviewing technical requirements and confirming your ability to meet delivery and performance requirements before committing resources to a bid.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →