Award Watch: DLA RFQs for antennas, cable assemblies, hose assemblies, and more (Feb 2026)

Executive takeaway

DLA posted a cluster of small, discrete supply buys (NSN-based) across DLA Land & Maritime and DLA Aviation. Several lines explicitly list approved sources and/or call out source controlled drawing requirements, while multiple notices flag a possible Automated IDC structure (one-year term or until an aggregate ceiling is reached). If you’re not already an approved source (or can supply exactly to the cited drawing/part), the fastest win here is usually deciding early whether you can meet the item identification and documentation expectations—because several notices also state that specifications/drawings are not available in the notice itself.

What the buyer is trying to do

Across these RFQs, DLA is replenishing specific NSN items for distribution through DLA depots (including shipments to various CONUS and OCONUS locations for the IDC-flagged actions). Quantities are small-to-moderate per line item (examples include 5, 6, 8, 11, 19, and 60 units), with delivery timing expressed in days ADO and delivery points including DLA Distribution locations and, for the marine fender, delivery to Commander Fleet Activity Yokosuka.

Several buys are brand/source constrained in practice (approved source listings and source control drawings). Others are set aside (including SDVOSBC and SBA) and appear designed to broaden competition among qualified suppliers who can meet the NSN and any cited drawings/specs.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Source/part validation against the NSN and any approved-source part numbers listed in the notice.
• RFQ retrieval and quote preparation (each notice indicates the solicitation is an RFQ available at the link; hard copies not available).
• Electronic submission of quotes (explicitly required across the notices provided).
• Delivery planning to DLA Distribution locations (and for certain actions, to various CONUS/OCONUS depots; for the marine fender, to Yokosuka).
• IDC readiness where stated: potential one-year ordering window and multiple orders per year, with a guaranteed minimum quantity (verify the exact contract/order terms in the solicitation attachments).
• Drawing/spec compliance where applicable (one notice states it is a source controlled drawing item and that the item must meet the drawing cited in the solicitation; some notices state drawings/specs are not available).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if…
  • You are an approved source already for the cited item/part number (e.g., notices that explicitly list approved sources).
  • You routinely quote NSN supply items to DLA with electronic quote submission and can support depot delivery timelines expressed in days ADO.
  • You can comply with source controlled drawing requirements where stated and can retrieve digitized drawings/specs if referenced in the solicitation.
  • You qualify for the relevant set-aside where applicable (e.g., SDVOSBC or SBA) and the RFQ confirms the set-aside terms you can meet.
• Pass if…
  • You cannot trace your offered item to the exact approved source/part number where the notice identifies approved sources and no alternate qualification path is evident in the RFQ (verify in attachments).
  • Your team cannot support multi-destination shipping (CONUS/OCONUS) for the Automated IDC-flagged items.
  • You need drawings/specs to quote but the notice indicates specifications/plans/drawings are not available (and the RFQ doesn’t provide a way to obtain them).

Response package checklist (bullets; if unknown say 'verify in attachments')

• Completed electronic quote per the RFQ instructions (verify in attachments).
• Offered part number and confirmation it matches the NSN requirement; where applicable, tie to the approved source listing in the notice.
• Delivery schedule aligned to the stated days ADO and delivery destinations (verify exact dates/terms in the solicitation).
• For source/drawing-controlled items: evidence your item meets the drawing cited in the solicitation (verify in attachments).
• Any required certifications or reps typical to DLA RFQs (verify in attachments).
• For Automated IDC language: acknowledgment of term/ceiling/guaranteed minimum mechanics as stated in the solicitation (verify in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

These are NSN-driven buys with explicit quantities and delivery expectations, so the practical pricing work is less about narrative and more about tight, supportable unit pricing tied to lead time and compliance risk.

• Start with item identity: confirm whether you can legitimately offer the approved source/part number listed (where provided) or whether the RFQ offers any alternate approach (verify in attachments). Pricing a non-qualifying item wastes time.
• Account for shipping complexity: Automated IDC language includes shipments to various CONUS and OCONUS DLA depots; treat this as a cost driver and confirm how shipping is handled in the RFQ (verify in attachments).
• Price the schedule you can actually meet: the notices specify days ADO; align supplier lead times and packaging/handling to that cadence.
• For drawing-controlled items: price in the internal effort to ensure drawing compliance and documentation readiness, especially where digitized drawings/specs may need to be retrieved.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Team with a distributor or manufacturer that is already an approved source for the NSN/part number listed in the notice (where applicable).
• For Automated IDC candidates, partner with a logistics provider experienced in CONUS/OCONUS depot shipping and consolidation workflows (verify routing/requirements in the RFQ).
• If you are prime-eligible under an SDVOSBC set-aside but light on technical sourcing, line up a compliant supply partner early so you can validate the offered item before quoting.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Approved source limitations: multiple notices list specific approved sources; if you cannot supply those exact items, confirm whether the RFQ allows alternate sources (verify in attachments).
• No specs/drawings available (in some notices): several explicitly state specifications, plans, or drawings are not available; ensure you still have enough information to quote compliantly.
• Source controlled drawing requirement: one notice states the item must meet the drawing cited in the solicitation—treat this as a compliance gate, not a suggestion.
• IDC mechanics: where Automated IDC is mentioned, watch the one-year term/aggregate ceiling/guaranteed minimum language and how it impacts your pricing and minimum economic order quantity.
• Electronic submission only: each notice indicates quotes must be submitted electronically—do not plan for paper submissions.

Related opportunities

• 59--ANTENNA (NSN 5985014764910)
• 53--DOOR,ACCESS,UTILITY (NSN 5340016635150)
• 47--HOSE ASSEMBLY,NONME (NSN 4720014780918)
• 61--CABLE ASSEMBLY (NSN 6150012474780)
• 62--LIGHT ASSEMBLY,INDI (NSN 6220014363703)
• 59--RECTIFIER ASSY (NSN 5998015675972)
• 59--CABLE ASSEMBLY,SPEC (NSN 5995015026790)
• 20--FENDER,MARINE (NSN 2040017246157)

How to act on this

1. Open the RFQ from the notice link and confirm whether the item is approved-source only or allows alternates (verify in attachments).
2. Validate your supply path to the exact NSN/part number (and drawing compliance where stated).
3. Build a quote around the stated quantities and days ADO, confirming shipping destinations and any IDC ordering terms.
4. Submit electronically per the RFQ instructions and keep evidence of timely submission.

If you want a second set of eyes on approved-source constraints, drawing-controlled risk, or an IDC quoting approach, route this to Federal Bid Partners LLC for bid/no-bid and compliance support.