Award Watch: DLA RFQs for seals, gaskets, brackets, hydraulic components, and avionics sensors (late Jan 2026)

Executive takeaway

DLA posted several small-item RFQs on 2026-01-28 spanning seals/gaskets (PSC 53), a bracket (PSC 53), a cylinder assembly (PSC 30), and avionics/electronics items (salinity sensor; radio transmitter). Multiple lines indicate the award may roll into an Automated IDC with a one-year term (or until an aggregate total reaches 350,000.00), recurring orders per year, and guaranteed minimum quantities. If you are already an approved source (or can legitimately quote per the solicitation), these are built for fast-turn quoting—provided you can meet the cited drawings/specs where applicable and ship to various DLA depots.

What the buyer is trying to do

Across these notices, DLA is replenishing specific NSNs with defined quantities and delivery windows (noted as “days ADO”) and, in several cases, setting up ordering efficiency through an Automated IDC structure. Several items are approved-source or source controlled drawing parts—signals that the buyer is managing configuration risk and wants traceable supply that matches the cited technical baseline.

The opportunities in this watch list include:

• NSN 5330-01-317-7418 SEAL, NONMETALLIC SP (SPE7LX26U3477) — Qty 614 EA, 97 days ADO; Automated IDC language; ships to various CONUS/OCONUS DLA depots.
• NSN 5330-01-442-6924 SEAL, PLAIN ENCASED (SPE7L426U0386) — Qty 251 EA, 97 days ADO; approved sources listed; Automated IDC language.
• NSN 5330-01-522-7670 GASKET (SPE7L426U0387) — Qty 299 EA, 97 days ADO; approved source listed; Automated IDC language.
• NSN 3040-01-263-3995 CYLINDER ASSEMBLY, A (SPE7L426U0388) — Qty 69 AY, 126 days ADO; approved source listed; Automated IDC language.
• NSN 5330-00-205-6047 SLIPPER SEAL (SPE7M126U1517) — Qty 565 EA, 97 days ADO; source controlled drawing item with approved sources; drawing requirements referenced; Automated IDC language.
• NSN 5340-01-478-3339 BRACKET, MOUNTING (SPE7L126U0169) — Qty 58 EA, 115 days ADO; approved source listed; Automated IDC language.
• NSN 6320-01-605-7059 SALINITY SENSOR (SPE4A626T602Y) — Qty 9 EA, 171 days ADO; approved source noted; specs/drawings not available.
• NSN 5820-01-597-5964 TRANSMITTER, RADIO (SPE4A726T8556) — Qty 31 EA, 171 days ADO; approved source noted; specs/drawings not available.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Review the RFQ package via the notice link (these solicitations are electronic; hard copies not available).
• Confirm your ability to furnish the exact NSN item, quantity, and unit of issue (EA/AY as shown).
• Validate delivery requirements expressed as days ADO for the line item.
• For Automated IDC-language notices, plan for repeat ordering across the term (estimated orders per year are stated in several notices).
• For parts tied to drawings/specs (e.g., slipper seal source-controlled drawing), ensure manufacturing/sourcing aligns to the cited drawing requirements and any retrievable military specs/standards.
• Prepare an electronic quote submission (explicitly required across these notices).
• Plan logistics for shipment to various CONUS and OCONUS DLA depots (often via consolidation/containerization points).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

Who should bid

• Firms that are approved sources for the cited part numbers/CAGE-linked sources listed in the notices (especially where sources are explicitly identified).
• Manufacturers/distributors experienced with DLA depot shipping and recurring order fulfillment (Automated IDC pattern).
• Small businesses aligned to the notices showing an SBA set-aside indicator (where shown).
• Suppliers comfortable quoting without additional specs/drawings when the notice states they are not available (typical for approved-source buys).

Who should pass

• Firms that cannot meet source-controlled drawing requirements (SLIPPER SEAL) or cannot document compliance with the drawing cited in the solicitation.
• Suppliers without a clear path to provide the item as an approved source where the notice identifies approved sources and indicates specs/drawings are not available.
• Teams that cannot reliably ship to CONUS and OCONUS depot destinations within the stated ADO windows.

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

• Completed electronic quote per the RFQ instructions (verify in attachments).
• Line-item pricing and acknowledgment of quantity/unit of issue (EA/AY) (verify in attachments).
• Delivery commitment aligned to the stated days ADO (verify in attachments).
• Evidence you meet any approved source or drawing requirements where applicable (verify in attachments).
• Any required product identification/traceability documentation for NSN supply (verify in attachments).
• Shipping/packaging plan suitable for DLA depot shipments, including CONUS/OCONUS routing via consolidation points when stated (verify in attachments).

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

These buys look like classic DLA replenishment: defined quantities today with a strong hint of repeat ordering (Automated IDC language plus estimated orders per year and guaranteed minimums in several notices). Strategy should focus on being both technically eligible and operationally predictable.

• Research comparable awards/prices by NSN and by the “approved source” part numbers cited in the notices (where provided). Use your internal sales history and any government pricing intelligence tools you already license.
• Model the IDC behavior: where the notice includes estimated orders/year and guaranteed minimum quantity, map your cost structure for small frequent releases versus one bulk shipment.
• Account for depot distribution complexity: shipping to various CONUS/OCONUS depots (and consolidation/containerization points) can shift freight and handling assumptions—price with those realities in mind.
• Be cautious on items with “specs/drawings not available”: this typically means the buyer expects delivery of the approved-source item. If you’re not that source, confirm what the solicitation allows before you build an alternate approach.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Team with an established approved-source manufacturer where the notice explicitly lists approved sources and your role is distribution/fulfillment.
• Use a logistics partner experienced with DLA depot shipments, including OCONUS flows via consolidation points mentioned in multiple notices.
• For the source-controlled drawing item (SLIPPER SEAL), consider teaming with a shop already tooled and experienced in building strictly to the cited drawing requirements.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Source control / approved source limitations: several notices explicitly name approved sources; others state specs/drawings are not available—eligibility and compliance risk is high if you cannot supply the exact approved configuration.
• Drawing compliance: for SLIPPER SEAL, the notice states the items must meet the requirements of the drawing cited in the solicitation.
• IDC mechanics: one-year term or until aggregate orders reach 350,000.00 (as stated). Ensure you understand ordering cadence, guaranteed minimum, and fulfillment obligations.
• Delivery windows: ADO lead times vary (e.g., 97/115/126/171 days ADO across these notices). Don’t assume interchangeability across items.
• Electronic-only submission: quotes must be submitted electronically; hard copy solicitations are not available.

Related opportunities

• 53--SEAL,NONMETALLIC SP (SPE7LX26U3477)
• 53--SEAL,PLAIN ENCASED (SPE7L426U0386)
• 53--GASKET (SPE7L426U0387)
• 53--SLIPPER SEAL (SPE7M126U1517)
• 53--BRACKET,MOUNTING (SPE7L126U0169)
• 30--CYLINDER ASSEMBLY,A (SPE7L426U0388)
• 63--SALINITY SENSOR (SPE4A626T602Y)
• 58--TRANSMITTER,RADIO (SPE4A726T8556)

How to act on this

1. Open the RFQ from the notice link and download/confirm all attachments (electronic-only).
2. Validate approved-source/drawing constraints for your specific NSN before you price.
3. Build a quote that matches the line item quantity, unit of issue, and ADO delivery, and submit electronically before the deadline shown on the notice.
4. If you want an extra set of eyes on compliance and quote readiness, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC for bid support.