USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK Main Starter Valve
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.MSC.MSC HQS.MSCHQ NORFOLK · Response deadline: Thu, 15 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Navy is soliciting bids for a main starter valve for the USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK. This is marine propulsion or engine-system equipment for a U.S. Navy vessel. Main starter valves are critical components in shipboard engineering systems, typically controlling air or fuel flow during engine startup operations for marine diesel engines or gas turbine systems.
USS ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB-7) is an Expeditionary Sea Base vessel operated by the Navy's Military Sealift Command. ESB-class ships support aviation, special operations, and littoral missions, requiring reliable engineering plant components to maintain operational readiness.
The solicitation falls under NAICS 332911, "Valve and Fittings Other Than Plumbing and Heating Valves and Fittings Manufacturing," which covers industrial valves for marine, oil and gas, power generation, and other heavy industrial applications. Products in this class include pressure relief valves, control valves, butterfly valves, and specialty marine engine valves built to military or ABS/DNV standards.
The classification code 4820 further confirms this is categorized under valves, nonpowered, in the federal supply classification system.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy, Military Sealift Command, Norfolk Headquarters |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N3220527Q7004 |
| NAICS | 332911 |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | October 15, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT |
| Place of performance | Not specified in metadata; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no set-aside, meaning any responsible business—large or small—may submit an offer. However, given the specialized marine/defense nature of the requirement, prior experience with Navy shipboard equipment or Military Sealift Command contracts may be practically necessary to meet technical and qualification requirements.
Small businesses in NAICS 332911 with capabilities in valve manufacturing, repair, or distribution should evaluate whether they can meet any applicable QPL (Qualified Products List), MIL-SPEC, or OEM-equivalent requirements. Firms holding ISO 9001, AS9100, or Navy-specific certifications (such as being an approved vendor for similar valve NSNs) will be better positioned.
If you are a small business lacking direct manufacturing capability, consider whether you could bid as a non-manufacturer or partner with an OEM—though the solicitation's specific rules on source restriction, brand name-or-equal specifications, and the non-manufacturer rule will control; see the solicitation for these details.
How to put together a competitive bid
For this type of marine engineering equipment, focus on:
Technical compliance: Identify the exact valve specifications—pressure rating, material (often naval brass, bronze, or stainless steel), flange dimensions, actuation method, and interface with existing ship systems. Request drawings or technical data packages if not included in the posted documents.
Qualification evidence: Gather documentation of prior Navy or MSC valve supply, QPL listings, or OEM authorization letters. Third-party certifications (ABS, USCG, MIL-STD testing) may be required.
Traceability and counterfeit prevention: Defense contracts typically require full material and part traceability, DFARS 252.246-7007 compliance, and counterfeit detection procedures.
Lead time and shipping: Assess your ability to meet any required delivery schedule to Norfolk or another designated Navy facility. Long-lead castings or forgings common in valve manufacturing should be factored into scheduling.
Past performance: Prepare relevant contract references, especially for ships in the ESB class or similar MSC vessels.
Pricing strategy: Without set-aside protection, expect competition from established defense contractors. Ensure your pricing accounts for any special packaging, preservation, and military shipping labels required.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N3220527Q7004. Verify technical requirements, inspection and acceptance criteria, any brand-name justification or source restriction, and the exact place of delivery. Note the firm deadline of October 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT—late submissions will not be considered. Submit questions through SAM.gov before any Q&A deadline specified in the full document.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →