THRUST SHOE W/INSTR
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT.NAVSUP WSS MECHANICSBURG.NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT MECH · Response deadline: Thu, 19 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Department of the Navy, through NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (Mechanicsburg), is seeking sources for a thrust shoe with instrumentation—designated item "THRUST SHOE W/INSTR." This is a direct parts procurement for naval weapons systems support.
NAICS code 332991 covers "Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing," which includes manufacturing plain bearings, bushings, and similar precision-machined components. A thrust shoe is a type of bearing component designed to handle axial (thrust) loads in rotating machinery—commonly found in turbines, gearboxes, pumps, and propulsion systems. The "W/INSTR" designation indicates these parts include instrumentation, likely for monitoring load, temperature, vibration, or wear conditions in operational use.
Naval propulsion and weapons systems rely heavily on instrumented bearing components for condition-based maintenance and operational safety. See the solicitation for specific technical requirements, performance specifications, and intended end-use systems.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N0010427QTA17 |
| NAICS | 332991 |
| Set-aside | None (Full and Open) |
| Response deadline | November 19, 2026, 4:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata |
Who can bid
This solicitation is full and open competition—no small-business set-aside applies. Any responsible offeror, including small businesses, large businesses, and non-traditional defense contractors, may submit a bid.
Manufacturers with NAICS 332991 capabilities who can produce precision-machined bearing components to military specifications are the likely prime bidders. Small businesses in this NAICS should weigh their technical capacity against likely competition from established defense suppliers with existing NAVSUP relationships.
If you are a small business without direct manufacturing capability, consider whether you could participate as a subcontractor to a prime, particularly for specialized instrumentation integration or testing services.
How to put together a competitive bid
Technical compliance first. Thrust shoes for naval use typically require adherence to military or defense specifications for material properties, surface finishes, dimensional tolerances, and instrumentation integration. See the solicitation for exact specifications, quality standards, and any required First Article Testing or source inspection.
Address the instrumentation explicitly. The "W/INSTR" requirement suggests embedded sensors, wiring harnesses, or telemetry interfaces. Clarify whether you will supply the instrumented assembly complete, or whether instrumentation must interface with specific Navy data acquisition systems.
Demonstrate relevant performance history. NAVSUP WSS values proven delivery performance for critical spare parts. Highlight comparable contracts for bearing components, especially for DoD or maritime applications. Include your experience with:
- AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality systems
- Navy or MIL-STD inspection protocols
- Diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS) mitigation
Pricing strategy for full and open competition. Research historical pricing for similar NSN items through DLA's Tire and Wheel or NAVSUP WSS public data. Consider whether your lot sizing, tooling amortization, and material sourcing allow competitive unit pricing against larger manufacturers.
Past performance references. Prepare at least three relevant past-performance citations with commercial or government customers for similar precision components.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number N0010427QTA17—this is the authoritative source for technical requirements, delivery schedule, packaging, and award criteria.
Confirm your SAM registration is active and entity information is current.
Note the deadline: Responses are due November 19, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time—no extensions are guaranteed.
Contact the contracting officer listed in the full solicitation with any questions about technical requirements, inspection procedures, or delivery expectations well before the deadline.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →