TORLON ROUND BAR
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.DLA MARITIME.DLA MARITIME SHIPYARDS.DLA MARITIME - PORTSMOUTH · Response deadline: Wed, 11 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Maritime – Portsmouth is procuring Torlon round bar, a high-performance polyamide-imide (PAI) engineering plastic. Torlon is known for exceptional mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for demanding maritime and defense applications such as bearings, seals, bushings, and structural components in corrosive environments.
This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, meaning the notice serves as both an announcement of the opportunity and the formal solicitation document. See the solicitation for specific technical requirements, dimensions, quantities, and delivery schedules.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Dept of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, DLA Maritime, DLA Maritime Shipyards, DLA Maritime – Portsmouth |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | SPMYM327Q7003 |
| NAICS | 325211 – Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | November 11, 2026, 1:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Kittery, ME |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses certified in NAICS 325211 (Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing). Your business must meet the Small Business Administration's size standard for this NAICS code, currently 1,000 employees. You must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active status and the appropriate NAICS codes in your profile. See the solicitation for any additional eligibility requirements, such as DLA supply chain security certifications or past performance qualifications.
How to put together a competitive bid
Manufacturing and sourcing: Torlon is a trademarked Solvay product; verify your supply chain can source genuine Torlon resin or confirm acceptable equivalent materials if the solicitation permits substitutes. Document material certifications, lot traceability, and compliance with military or ASTM specifications commonly required for maritime applications.
Technical compliance: Custom machining of round bar stock to precise tolerances is typical for PAI materials. Review dimensional specifications, heat treatment requirements, and surface finish criteria. Include quality control plans addressing moisture absorption control (critical for Torlon), dimensional stability testing, and non-destructive evaluation capabilities.
Past performance: Highlight contracts supplying high-performance polymers to DLA, Navy shipyards, or other maritime customers. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery specializes in submarine maintenance and overhaul—demonstrated familiarity with submarine-grade material requirements strengthens your proposal.
Pricing strategy: Factor in specialized machining costs, material waste from machining PAI (which is expensive), and tooling wear. Consider freight to Kittery, ME, and any packaging requirements for moisture-sensitive resin products. See the solicitation for specific delivery terms and inspection requirements.
Small business advantage: As a total small business set-aside, you compete only against other small businesses. Consider subcontracting arrangements carefully—ensure you meet the limitations on subcontracting to maintain small business credit.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number SPMYM327Q7003. Note the strict November 11, 2026, 1:00 PM ET deadline for submissions. Verify your SAM registration is active, confirm your small business size status in Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), and address any technical questions through the contracting officer before the deadline. See the solicitation for complete proposal instructions, evaluation criteria, and contract terms.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →