Deadlines soon: sole-source challenges, RFQ submissions, and fast-turn sources sought (Feb 11–12)

Executive takeaway

This batch is heavily time-compressed and split between (1) true quotation-required buys (notably a DLA Maritime RFQ with strict “no alternates” language), (2) sole-source notices where the only viable play is a well-supported capability statement/challenge, and (3) sources-sought market research where a concise capabilities response can influence whether competition or a set-aside is pursued. If you’re not already positioned (OEM/authorized channel, relevant past performance, and ability to respond today), prioritize only the notices where you can submit a compliant package before the stated cutoff.

What the buyer is trying to do

Across these notices, buyers are trying to either procure specific commercial items/services quickly or validate whether a requirement that is currently framed as sole source (or OEM-limited) truly has equivalent alternatives in the market.

• NAVSUP FLC Norfolk is signaling intent to award sole source for Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) 360 Report and Administration, and will only consider written challenges that demonstrate an equivalent product can meet the Government’s stated needs.
• Army (ACC-APG) is conducting market research for a metal cubic environmental and vacuum chamber (salient characteristics referenced in attachments).
• Army (ACC-APG) also describes a recurring commercial requirement for bottled water with scheduled and emergency delivery needs.
• DLA Aviation is using a sources sought to test whether items described as Lockheed Martin sole source can be manufactured or legitimately obtained by other responsible sources (items listed in an attachment).
• NAVSUP FLC Norfolk needs UPS maintenance services for the Theater Undersea Surveillance Command, Atlantic.
• UNICOR is seeking sources for office furniture system parts and components (details in the attached RFI).
• VA NCO 21 intends to sole source a Mako Robotic Surgical Arm to the named OEM but will consider capability statements/proposals/quotations before deciding whether to proceed sole source.
• DLA Maritime (Pearl Harbor) has an RFQ for an INSERT FACE, HYBRID with firm-fixed-price, delivery, and traceability expectations; alternates are explicitly not acceptable.
• NAVSUP WSS Mechanicsburg is buying a SPRING with drawings hosted in SAM and government source inspection required, with a stated 90-day delivery target.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Sole-source challenge / capability submission: prepare an evidence-based statement that an equivalent product exists (for the LPI 360 report/admin) or that you can meet the requirement for the VA robotic-arm system.
• RFQ quoting: complete and submit the solicitation as instructed (including use of SF 1449 or an explicit statement agreeing to all terms), with a firm-fixed total price and delivery compliance.
• Sources-sought response: produce a brief capabilities package aligned to salient characteristics (environmental/vacuum chamber) or to the attachment-listed items (DLA Aviation), including business size/status where requested.
• Manufacturing / supply chain assurance: be ready to support authenticity and authorized supply chain (explicitly flagged as a possible request under the DLA Maritime RFQ).
• Quality/inspection readiness: for the spring requirement, plan for government source inspection and retrieve drawings from SAM for exact technical compliance.
• Recurring logistics: for bottled water, ensure you can support scheduled deliveries, inventory maintenance, and emergency delivery responsiveness.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if…
  • You can meet strict OEM/no-alternate requirements and can provide traceability documentation if requested (DLA Maritime insert face RFQ).
  • You are a qualified manufacturer or can legitimately obtain the attachment-listed items for the DLA Aviation sources sought and can substantiate your source/rights to supply.
  • You can support government source inspection and manufacture to drawings/specs (NAVSUP WSS spring requirement).
  • You have demonstrated capability for UPS maintenance services aligned to the stated customer organization (NAVSUP FLC Norfolk UPS maintenance).
  • You are a regional/national bottled water supplier with recurring and emergency delivery capability and can meet container/seal/material expectations described.
  • You have a credible equivalency argument for LPI 360 report/admin or can support the VA’s robotic-arm need with a strong capability statement before the cutoff.
• Pass if…
  • You cannot supply the exact OEM-identified item and documentation (where alternates are disallowed).
  • You cannot respond within the very short submission window or cannot access/validate required attachments/drawings in time.
  • Your only approach to a sole-source notice is a generic marketing statement without technical equivalency detail (these are typically disregarded).

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

• DLA Maritime RFQ (INSERT FACE, HYBRID)
  • Completed and submitted solicitation package per instructions (SF 1449 or include a statement agreeing to all terms, conditions, and provisions).
  • Firm-fixed price for the entire requirement (no post-award price increases).
  • Delivery commitment and confirmation price includes all costs (manufacturing/materials/delivery).
  • Acknowledgment that alternates are not acceptable.
  • Be prepared to provide traceability documentation (if requested) to verify authenticity/authorized supply chain.
• NAVSUP WSS SPRING
  • Pull and review drawings via SAM (as referenced in the notice) and ensure manufacturing plan matches them.
  • Plan for Government Source Inspection (explicitly required).
  • Confirm delivery timeline expectations (90 days stated).
  • Verify all clauses/representations and certifications requirements in the full solicitation (verify in attachments/SAM).
• Army Sources Sought (Boom Box / chamber)
  • Capabilities statement aligned to the attached salient characteristics (verify in attachments).
  • Any requested business-size/status representation as applicable (the notice encourages small business categories to participate).
  • Submit within the stated window (“five business days after posting”).
• DLA Aviation sources sought (LM Owego items)
  • Capability to manufacture or legitimately obtain the items listed in Attachment 1 (verify in attachments).
  • Company identifiers requested (e.g., CAGE, address) as referenced in the notice (verify full instructions in the posting).
• UNICOR office furniture parts RFI
  • RFI response elements (verify in attachments).
• Sole-source challenges/capability statements (LPI 360; VA robotic arm)
  • Written submission that specifically addresses how you meet the Government’s needs as stated (avoid generic brochures).
  • For equivalency: include sufficient information for the Government to determine an equivalent product exists.
  • For VA notice: submit capability statement/proposal/quote as allowed before the stated deadline.

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

• For RFQs with “no alternates”: price research should focus on recent awards and catalog/contract pricing for the exact OEM-identified item. If you’re a reseller, confirm your authorized channel and lead times before you lock a firm-fixed price.
• For manufactured-to-drawing items: build price from material + machining/forming + inspection + packaging/shipping, then validate against prior similar parts you’ve delivered under fixed-price terms. Government source inspection can add scheduling cost—factor it into your delivery plan.
• For recurring bottled water delivery: separate the commodity (container sizes) from the service component (scheduled deliveries, emergency deliveries, inventory). Use local delivery route economics and surge capacity to stress-test your price and performance assumptions.
• For maintenance services (UPS): validate whether the buyer expects preventative maintenance, emergency response, and any parts coverage; if unclear, confirm in the solicitation/attachments before quoting.
• For sole-source challenges: pricing is secondary—your goal is to prove capability/equivalency. Provide enough technical and functional comparability for the buyer to justify competition.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Pair an OEM-authorized distributor with a local logistics/expedite partner for tight delivery windows where authenticity/traceability may be scrutinized.
• For the environmental/vacuum chamber sources sought, consider teaming with a manufacturer for the chamber and a specialist for installation/commissioning support (if later requested—verify in attachments when the solicitation is released).
• For bottled water, partner with a regional distributor for emergency coverage and redundancy to meet surge delivery needs.
• For UPS maintenance, consider teaming a facilities service provider with a UPS OEM-certified technician network (if certifications are later required—verify in the solicitation).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Ultra-short deadlines: several close the same day they were posted; only pursue if your response is already mostly ready.
• No-alternate language: the DLA Maritime RFQ states alternates are not acceptable; offering “equal” without authorization is likely nonresponsive.
• Traceability/authenticity: expect scrutiny for supply chain documentation where OEM-identification is central.
• Attachments drive requirements: multiple notices reference attachments (salient characteristics, item lists, RFI details). If you cannot access them immediately, you risk an incomplete response.
• Sole-source challenge burden: for FAR 6.302-1 notices, the bar is showing an equivalent product exists and meets needs “as stated herein.” Thin assertions usually fail.
• Inspection constraints: government source inspection can impact schedule and must be planned early (spring requirement).

Related opportunities

• NAVSUP FLC Norfolk sole source intent (LPI 360 report/admin)
• Army sources sought: metal cubic environmental and vacuum chamber
• Army: bottled water supply services (scheduled & emergency delivery)
• DLA Aviation sources sought: LM Owego price pending add
• NAVSUP FLC Norfolk: UPS maintenance
• UNICOR RFI: office furniture system parts/components
• VA NCO 21: intent to sole source robotic-arm system
• DLA Maritime RFQ: INSERT FACE, HYBRID
• NAVSUP WSS: SPRING (drawings on SAM; source inspection)

How to act on this

1. Pick your lane: RFQ quote vs. sources-sought capabilities vs. sole-source challenge—don’t mix formats.
2. Open the attachments/drawings immediately (where referenced) and confirm you can comply without exceptions.
3. Assemble a compliant submission: firm-fixed price and explicit acceptance language where required; capabilities/equivalency evidence for sole-source challenges.
4. Submit early to avoid last-minute email/portal failures, especially for same-day cutoffs.

If you want a second set of eyes on compliance and positioning before you hit submit, contact Federal Bid Partners LLC for targeted bid/no-bid and response support.