Award-watch: DLA RFQs for valves, retainers, circuit cards, vehicle parts, and more (late Jan 2026)

Executive takeaway

These DLA postings are mostly straightforward supply RFQs tied to specific NSNs, quantities, and delivery windows (ADO). The common theme: approved-source sourcing and limited technical data in the notice (often no specs/drawings available). The best-fit bidders are manufacturers or distributors that can supply the exact approved part numbers called out and can meet the stated delivery timelines. Several buys are marked SBA set-asides, which can narrow the competitive field.

What the buyer is trying to do

DLA is replenishing specific repair parts and components across multiple supply classes (valves, retainers, circuit card assemblies, vehicle brackets, air brake evaporators, thermal resistors, and a modification kit). Many lines ship to DLA Distribution locations (including San Joaquin and Barstow) and, in one case, to multiple unit distribution addresses with a very short delivery requirement (10 days ADO).

One requirement (the retainer) notes it may result in an Automated IDC with a one-year term or until order totals reach the stated ceiling, with a guaranteed minimum quantity and an estimated number of orders per year—suggesting the buyer wants to simplify repeat ordering for that item.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Confirm you can supply the exact NSN item and any approved-source part numbers listed in the notice.
• Pull the RFQ package from the provided solicitation link (hard copies not available) and submit an electronic quote by the response deadline.
• Plan fulfillment to the stated Deliver To locations and required days ADO delivery windows (ranging from 10 to 165 days ADO across these notices).
• For the retainer buy, be prepared for Automated IDC ordering behavior (multiple orders per year; guaranteed minimum quantity stated in the notice).
• Where noted (vehicular bracket), retrieve any digitized drawings and Military Specifications/Standards electronically.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

Who should bid

• Firms that are already an approved source for the listed part number(s), or authorized distributors able to quote/supply those exact items.
• SBA-eligible small businesses for the set-aside lines (vehicular bracket, modification kit, air brake evaporator).
• Suppliers with strong lead-time control who can credibly meet the stated ADO delivery requirements—especially the 10 days ADO modification kit deliveries.
• Contractors comfortable with DLA RFQ workflows where the notice states specifications, plans, or drawings are not available.

Who should pass

• Anyone needing full drawings/specs to manufacture from scratch when the notice explicitly says they are not available.
• Firms unable to supply the approved-source items (or verify equivalency is acceptable in the RFQ—if not stated, assume it is not).
• Teams without reliable logistics for DLA Distribution shipping and compliance with the delivery window stated.

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

• Completed electronic quote submission per the RFQ instructions (verify in attachments).
• Line-item pricing for the stated quantities and unit of issue (EA) (verify in attachments).
• Confirmation of the NSN and the approved-source part number(s) exactly as cited in the notice (verify in attachments).
• Delivery schedule confirming the required days ADO and ship-to locations (verify in attachments).
• For the vehicular bracket, any required documents tied to digitized drawings and applicable Military Specs/Standards (verify in attachments).
• For the retainer buy, acknowledgment of terms consistent with an Automated IDC and the stated guaranteed minimum quantity (verify in attachments).

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

• Start from the approved source callouts. Price risk is heavily driven by whether you can procure the exact part numbers listed (e.g., B13670-1; FTR-3-0-1-.120-T; EM-259; 94734; 55241B; N-50011-P; 4114857; IPTE-230-1000-200G). Validate availability and lead time before committing to ADO delivery.
• Use delivery windows as a cost signal. Short ADO requirements (notably 10 days ADO for the modification kit lines) may force expedited production/fulfillment and higher logistics costs; build that into your quote logic.
• For the retainer (Automated IDC): plan pricing that can handle multiple orders per year and the guaranteed minimum quantity; confirm in the RFQ how pricing will be applied across orders (verify in attachments).
• Benchmark against your own history. If you’ve previously quoted/supplied the same NSN/part numbers to DLA, use your internal award/ship history as the most reliable baseline (the notice itself does not provide prior pricing).
• Reduce ambiguity in your quote. When technical data is limited, make sure your quote is explicit about the exact approved item being furnished and the delivery terms you are meeting.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Team with an authorized distributor for the specific approved-source part numbers if you are not the source but can manage fulfillment and compliance.
• Use a logistics/packaging partner experienced with DLA Distribution shipments, especially for multi-destination or short-fuse deliveries.
• For the circuit card assembly and thermal resistor items, consider teaming with an electronics supplier that routinely handles the specific approved-source identifiers listed in the notices.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Approved-source constraint: several items explicitly list approved sources; if you can’t supply those exact sources, your quote may be noncompetitive or noncompliant.
• Limited technical data: multiple notices state specifications/plans/drawings are not available; don’t assume you can reverse-engineer or propose alternates without explicit allowance in the RFQ (verify in attachments).
• Very short delivery: the modification kit requires 10 days ADO to two delivery points; confirm you can meet that timeline before bidding.
• IDC mechanics (retainer): the ordering structure, ceiling behavior, and how delivery is evaluated may affect cash flow and capacity planning; confirm the RFQ details.
• OCONUS shipping exposure (retainer): items may ship to various CONUS and OCONUS via consolidation/containerization; ensure your shipping approach aligns to the RFQ’s instructions (verify in attachments).

Related opportunities

• 48--VALVE,REGULATING,FLUID (SPE7MC26T4833)
• 53--RETAINER,ASSEMBLED (SPE7LX26U3430)
• 59--CIRCUIT CARD ASSEMB (SPE7M526T6501)
• 30--CYLINDER ASSEMBLY,A (SPE7L326T5209)
• 25--BRACKET,VEHICULAR C (SPE7L426T2406)
• 81--MODIFICATION KIT,SH (SPE8ED26T0410)
• 25--EVAPORATOR,AIR BRAKE (SPE7L126T043M)
• 59--RESISTOR,THERMAL (SPE7M526T6525)

How to act on this

1. Open each RFQ from the BidPulsar link and review the attachments/instructions (electronic submission required).
2. Validate approved-source eligibility and confirm inventory/lead times align to the stated ADO delivery window.
3. Build a clean, unambiguous line-by-line quote and submit before the listed response deadline.

If you want a second set of eyes on compliance, approved-source language, and bid positioning for these DLA RFQs, contact Federal Bid Partners LLC.