DLA Aviation cable & wiring buys (NAICS 334419): what to pursue, what to avoid, and how to quote smart

Executive takeaway

DLA Aviation is soliciting multiple RFQs for cable assemblies and a wiring harness under NAICS 334419 (mostly from DLA AV Richmond). Several notices include language that the award may result in an Automated IDC with a one-year term or until aggregate orders reach $350,000, plus a stated estimated number of orders and a guaranteed minimum. These can be attractive for manufacturers or distributors who can quickly validate drawings/specs (when available) and manage depot shipping (including potential OCONUS flows). The main “go/no-go” is whether the item is approved source / source-controlled drawing—and whether drawings/specifications are available in the solicitation package.

What the buyer is trying to do

The buyer is replenishing specific NSN-coded aviation-related cable/harness items, typically in small quantities, with delivery tied to a stated number of days ADO (after date of order). Some requirements explicitly anticipate repeat ordering via an Automated IDC (with a $350,000 aggregate cap), shipping to various DLA depots (including CONUS and OCONUS via consolidation/containerization points).

Opportunities in this set include:

• Cable assembly buys (multiple NSNs), including some with SBA set-aside or SDVOSBC set-aside.
• A wiring harness requirement with recurring order potential (estimated 12 orders/year stated in the notice snippet).

What work is implied (bullets)

• Review the RFQ package online (hard copies not available) and prepare an electronic quote.
• Confirm the exact NSN item requirements and any referenced drawings, Military Specifications and Standards, or source-controlled drawing details (when cited).
• For notices with Automated IDC language: plan for repeat ordering over a one-year period, with a guaranteed minimum quantity stated in the notice snippet (varies by item).
• Plan production/procurement and inspection to meet the stated delivery timelines (e.g., 20 days ADO for certain Navy ship-to activities; longer ADO windows for depot shipments on other lines).
• Prepare for shipping to various CONUS and OCONUS DLA depots (via consolidation/containerization points) where stated.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if:
  • You build or supply cable assemblies/wiring harnesses aligned to NAICS 334419 and can quote small quantities quickly.
  • You can meet approved source constraints when listed (or can legitimately supply under those constraints as allowed by the RFQ).
  • You can comply with source-controlled drawing requirements when the notice states the item is source controlled and must meet the cited drawing.
  • You can support depot shipping, including CONUS/OCONUS flows where indicated.
• Pass if:
  • You cannot access or comply with the required drawings/specs (especially when the notice says specifications, plans, or drawings are not available).
  • The item is approved source only and you are not an approved source (or cannot meet whatever alternate qualification path is (or is not) provided in the RFQ attachments).
  • Your lead times cannot meet the stated days ADO delivery requirement.

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

• Completed electronic quote submission (method and portal details: verify in attachments).
• Pricing by line item and quantity as listed in the RFQ (verify in attachments).
• Delivery commitment matching the stated days ADO requirement.
• Technical compliance evidence for drawings/specs (e.g., build-to-print confirmation) where drawings/specs are retrievable (verify in attachments).
• If the item is source controlled: explicit confirmation that the furnished items meet the cited drawing requirements (verify in attachments).
• If approved source is referenced: documentation showing you meet approved-source conditions (verify in attachments).
• Shipping/packaging assumptions suitable for depot delivery to potential CONUS/OCONUS destinations (verify in attachments).

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

These are small-quantity RFQs where responsiveness and compliance often decide outcomes as much as unit price. A few grounded tactics:

• Use the NSN as your anchor: build a costed bill of materials and labor routing from the drawing/spec (when available) and quote against the exact configuration.
• For Automated IDC language: model pricing with the stated estimated number of orders per year and guaranteed minimum in mind. If you have fixed setup costs (tooling, test fixtures, first-article-like effort), consider how to recover them without overloading a small initial order.
• Account for depot logistics: shipments may go to various DLA depots, including OCONUS via consolidation/containerization points (where stated). Build realistic packaging and transportation handling into your quote assumptions.
• Validate whether drawings/specs are available: if the notice says specifications/plans/drawings are not available, treat pricing as higher risk unless you already control a proven build package.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Pair a small business prime (for SBA/SDVOSBC set-asides) with a specialized cable harness manufacturer for build-to-print production capacity.
• Team with a partner experienced in DLA depot shipping (including consolidation/containerization workflows) if OCONUS routing is new to you.
• If drawings/specs are retrievable electronically, consider teaming with a shop that already has test/inspection capability for cable assemblies to reduce schedule risk.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Approved source / source-controlled constraints: at least one notice calls out an approved source and another calls out a source-controlled drawing item; noncompliance can make a quote noncompetitive or unacceptable.
• “Specifications, plans, or drawings are not available” appears in some notices—this can create quoting ambiguity unless you have prior build knowledge.
• Automated IDC structure: one-year term or $350,000 aggregate cap is stated in multiple notices; ensure your internal forecasting and stocking approach fits that ordering pattern.
• Delivery timelines vary widely: some lines indicate very short windows (e.g., 20 days ADO in certain notices) while others are much longer; misreading ADO can sink performance.
• All-electronic process: hard copies are not available and quotes must be submitted electronically—plan for portal access and file formatting (verify in attachments).

Related opportunities

• 61--CABLE ASSEMBLY (NSN 6150012474780) – SDVOSBC
• 61--CABLE ASSEMBLY,POWE (NSN 6150015771645) – SBA
• 59--WIRING HARNESS,BRANCHE (NSN 5995004463639)
• 59--CABLE ASSEMBLY,RADI (NSN 5995011569066) – approved source noted
• 59--CABLE ASSEMBLY,POWE (NSN 5995009507100) – SBA; source-controlled drawing item noted
• 49--CABLE ASSEMBLY,INTE (NSN 4920016677698) – SBA
• 61--CABLE ASSEMBLY,SPEC (NSN 6150011675655) – SBA; approved sources noted

How to act on this

1. Open the RFQ link for the specific NSN(s) you can support and pull the solicitation package (and any digitized drawings/specs, if available).
2. Make a fast go/no-go call on approved source / source-controlled constraints and your ability to meet the stated days ADO.
3. Build a quote package and submit electronically before the deadline shown on BidPulsar for that notice.
4. If you want help deciding which of these to chase (or how to position a compliant quote), talk to Federal Bid Partners LLC.