Deadlines Soon: COMET (Draft DIA/MSIC), MTCCS III (Army), DLA Source Approvals, VA Medical Carts, and Time-Sensitive Repair/Parts RFQs

Executive takeaway

This batch is split between (1) early-stage market research/read-ahead efforts with potentially complex scope (COMET draft solicitation and MTCCS III sources sought) and (2) short-fuse supply/repair buys where responsiveness and compliance matter more than narrative (Navy repair/modification items; DLA valve assembly; DLA ice storage chest; USACE switchgear replacement; VA brand-name-or-equal medical carts).

If you can’t credibly execute quickly (or you don’t already understand the technical baseline/approved-source posture), focus on the longer-horizon market research efforts and use them to position for the eventual RFP/solicitation.

What the buyer is trying to do

COMET (Draft) — DIA / Missile and Space Intelligence Center

The buyer is providing a draft solicitation as a read-ahead due to scope/complexity. The requirement is for contract support tied to Missile and Space Intelligence Center needs: research, development, and sustainment of hardware/systems/software capabilities, plus foundational military intelligence enabling all-source analysis and production for DoD and national-level intelligence efforts.

Important: this posting is not an RFP; it is a draft with dates and information subject to change.

MTCCS III — Army ACC-Orlando (Sources Sought)

The buyer is conducting market research for Mission Training Complex Capabilities Support III. The work described supports individual through collective Mission Command training and constructive simulation events at multiple Mission Training Complex locations (CONUS and OCONUS), including the ability to combine events into a simultaneous synthetic environment using simulations and Mission Command Information Systems fielded to MTC.

The notice explicitly suggests possible set-aside approaches (full or partial) depending on responses, and notes multiple awards may be made.

DLA / Navy / VA / USACE short-fuse actions

• DLA Aviation wants to identify additional capable manufacturers or legitimate sources for a specific salinity sensor NSN currently made by an incumbent manufacturer/part number (sources sought / qualification pathway).
• NAVSUP WSS Mechanicsburg postings are repair/modification actions with standard government contract clauses and delivery timelines (data items may be waivable if already on file).
• VA Pittsburgh wants brand-name-or-equal medical carts with auto re-lock locking system and detailed configuration requirements, delivered within 60 days after award.
• USACE has a project titled “Fort Gibson Station Service 480V Switchgear Replacement.”
• DLA Troop Support has a buy titled “CHEST, ICE STORAGE.”
• DLA Land and Maritime has an RFQ for an approved-source oxygen valve assembly NSN with specified quantities and delivery to DLA Distribution Jacksonville.

What work is implied (bullets)

• COMET draft: support across R&D and sustainment for hardware, systems, and software capabilities; and support to foundational military intelligence enabling all-source analysis/production (verify details in draft attachments and matrix).
• MTCCS III:
  • Plan, prepare, set up, execute, and recover training events (individual through collective MC training; MDMP; WFF training).
  • Provide first-person simulations (gaming) and constructive simulation-supported training.
  • Operate across multiple hub-and-spoke MTC locations (CONUS and OCONUS), with concurrent/separate events.
  • Integrate/merge events into a simultaneous synthetic environment using simulations and fielded MCiS.
  • Provide facilities management, event scheduling, security and administrative support, and access control.
  • Support Title 10 training, deployment training events, and Mission Rehearsal Exercises; potentially Joint/Combined/NATO constructive simulation training support.
• DLA Aviation salinity sensor (sources sought): demonstrate capability to manufacture or legitimately obtain the NSN item and pursue “approved source” qualification pathway as applicable.
• VA medical carts: supply brand-name-or-equal carts meeting detailed salient characteristics (auto relock locking system, colorways, drawer configurations/dividers, accessories/upgrades) and deliver within 60 days after award to VA Pittsburgh locations (verify receiving window details in the notice/attachments).
• NAVSUP WSS repair/mod actions: repair/modification services for specified items with stated quantities and delivery (180 days shown), plus required contract data items unless waived if already on file.
• DLA valve assembly (oxyg): quote for specified NSN quantities with stated approved source code/part reference and delivery schedule (noting “specifications… not available” in the notice text).
• USACE switchgear replacement: execute station service 480V switchgear replacement (details not included in snippet—verify in solicitation).
• DLA ice storage chest: supply action (details not provided in snippet—verify in solicitation).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid (strong fit):
  • Defense R&D/sustainment contractors who can support hardware/systems/software and intelligence-enabling capabilities, and who want early positioning for the COMET RFP.
  • Training and simulation integrators with experience operating distributed training events and integrating constructive simulations with Mission Command Information Systems for MTCC support.
  • Medical equipment distributors/OEM-authorized resellers who can meet the VA cart salient characteristics and deliver within 60 days after award.
  • Repair-capable electronics/mechatronics shops familiar with NAVSUP WSS repair purchase order workflows and required documentation (where applicable).
  • Manufacturers/qualified suppliers able to pursue DLA “approved source” status for the salinity sensor NSN (or who already have credible traceability for legitimate supply).
• Pass (or treat as monitor-only):
  • Firms without a pathway to “approved source” status for restricted/approved-source supply items (unless you can credibly qualify).
  • Companies that cannot hit short delivery requirements (e.g., VA’s 60 days after award) or cannot provide the exact salient characteristics/configuration.
  • Teams without the infrastructure to support multi-site (CONUS/OCONUS) training event delivery and simultaneous synthetic environment integration for MTCCS III.
  • Anyone trying to propose to the COMET draft posting as if it were an RFP (it is explicitly not a request for proposals).

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

• COMET draft: use the provided draft solicitation and the attached question matrix; confirm timelines and any submission instructions in attachments (draft dates are subject to change).
• MTCCS III sources sought: follow the attached sources sought notice for required format/content and any capability statement elements (verify in attachments).
• DLA Aviation salinity sensor sources sought:
  • Capability/qualification information supporting manufacturing or legitimate sourcing for NSN 6320-016057059.
  • Any data required to be reviewed/qualified as an “approved source” (process details referenced in the notice; verify steps/required package in instructions).
• VA medical carts:
  • Quote/offer demonstrating compliance with salient characteristics (auto re-lock system, drawer sizes/dividers, colors, accessories/upgrades listed).
  • Delivery commitment: no more than 60 days after award.
  • Any brand-name-or-equal equivalency documentation (verify in attachments/solicitation record).
• NAVSUP WSS repair/modification RFQs:
  • Quote for the specified quantity/CLIN(s) and required delivery schedule (180 days shown).
  • Contract data items A001/A002 (Inspection and Test Plan) if required, noting the notice states these may be waived if already on file.
  • Review Section C and Section E references for higher-level contract quality requirements (verify in the full solicitation package).
• DLA valve assembly (oxyg) RFQ:
  • Quote for quantities and delivery to DLA Distribution Jacksonville per the notice.
  • Confirm your ability to quote within the approved-source posture stated (approved source code/part reference is listed).
• USACE switchgear replacement / DLA ice storage chest: confirm all required forms, site visit requirements (if any), and technical submittals in the solicitation (not provided in snippet).

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

• For MTCCS III and COMET (positioning now, pricing later): treat this phase as shaping—map labor categories, facilities/security/admin burden, and multi-site travel/logistics. Build a basis-of-estimate framework you can quickly adapt once the final RFP drops.
• For VA medical carts: price the bill of materials implied by the exact configurations (drawers/dividers, locking system, casters/tracking upgrade, handle orientation, mats, shelves, and any listed upgrades). Make delivery within 60 days a hard constraint in your supplier quotes.
• For NAVSUP WSS repairs: build pricing around repair scope (as defined in the specifications/Sections C/E), test/inspection steps, warranty obligations, and any data package requirements. If you already have A001/A002 on file, verify whether that reduces your cost/schedule risk.
• For DLA supply items: research historical procurement for the NSN (when available to you) and validate traceability/approved source constraints early—those constraints often drive cost more than unit economics.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• COMET: consider teaming between (a) hardware/systems engineering and sustainment providers and (b) software capability teams that can support analysis-enabling tools/services described in the draft scope (verify in attachments).
• MTCCS III: pair a prime with distributed operations capacity (multi-location training delivery) with subs specializing in constructive simulation toolchains, MCiS integration, and event logistics/security/admin support.
• VA carts: distributors can team with OEM-authorized suppliers or logistics partners to ensure configuration accuracy and 60-day delivery performance.
• Repair/mod buys: small repair shops may team with test labs or specialized component suppliers to meet inspection/testing and delivery expectations.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• COMET draft is not an RFP: no proposal is requested; use it to prepare questions and internal capture plans only.
• Q&A timing: the COMET notice states the Q&A period is closed (per update) and that additional questions may be possible during the RFP period per RFP timelines.
• Approved source constraints: DLA and certain NSN buys can be effectively restricted by approved-source requirements; don’t assume alternates will be accepted without a qualification path.
• Attachment-dependent requirements: MTCCS III explicitly says “see attached sources sought notice for full detail”—key submission instructions may be missed if you rely only on the synopsis text.
• Very near deadlines: several items have same-day deadlines (or have already lapsed based on the listed response deadline). Confirm the current status in the notice record before spending bid and proposal time.
• VA “brand name or equal” nuance: “or equal” still requires tight compliance to salient characteristics; mismatches in locking system, drawer configuration, or accessory list can be disqualifying.

Related opportunities

• UPDATE — Draft Solicitation for COMET (DIA/MSIC)
• MTCCS III (Sources Sought)
• NSN 6320-016057059 — Salinity Sensor (Sources Sought)
• VA Pittsburgh — Medical Storage/Transport Carts with Locks (Brand Name or Equal)
• Fort Gibson Station Service 480V Switchgear Replacement
• DLA Troop Support — CHEST, ICE STORAGE
• NAVSUP WSS — CCA, RS-485/RS-422 (Repair/Modification)
• NAVSUP WSS — Transducer, Linear (Repair/Modification)
• DLA — Valve Assembly, Oxyg (RFQ)

How to act on this

1. Confirm which notices are still actionable by checking the live record and response deadline for each link above.
2. For COMET and MTCCS III, pull and read the attachments first; draft/SSN language is rarely complete in the synopsis.
3. For short-fuse RFQs/repairs, decide in one pass whether you can meet the delivery/documentation constraints; if yes, quote cleanly and on time.
4. If you need a rapid go/no-go review, compliance matrix help, or teaming introductions, contact Federal Bid Partners LLC for capture and response support.