DLA Aviation RFQs: engine components and fasteners (some SBA set-aside) — what to bid and how to respond

Executive takeaway

DLA Aviation released several aviation supply RFQs on the same posting date, mixing higher-complexity engine items (PSC 28/29) with more commodity-like fasteners (PSC 53). The fastener buys indicate potential Automated IDC awards capped at an aggregate $350,000 over one year, while the engine items include specific NSNs and, in at least one case, an approved source limitation noted in the notice. If you can quote electronically and you already support DLA-style distribution (including depot shipments and, for some awards, CONUS/OCONUS flows), these are worth a close read—but expect to rely on the solicitation link/attachments because several notices state that specs/drawings are not available in the synopsis.

What the buyer is trying to do

The buyer is replenishing DLA-managed aviation supply inventory by purchasing specific NSN items with defined quantities and delivery expectations measured in days ADO. Delivery is to DLA Distribution or (for some IDCs) to various DLA depots, with quotes required to be submitted electronically and hard copies not provided.

Opportunities included in this pulse:

• DISK, COMPRESSOR, AIR (NSN 2840-01-443-2106) — RFQ; qty 7 EA; delivery to DLA Distribution in 0165 days ADO; approved source referenced in notice.
• BLADE SET, TURBINE, A (NSN 2840-01-187-8730) — RFQ; multi-line quantities (149 SE, plus 1 EA and 1 EA) with different ADO delivery targets; delivery to DLA Distribution.
• PARTS KIT, MOTOR AND (NSN 2915-01-003-5584) — RFQ; qty 181 EA; delivery to DLA Distribution in 0136 days ADO; approved sources referenced in notice.
• INS ERT, SCREW THREAD (NSN 5325-00-732-2844) — SBA set-aside; may result in Automated IDC; one-year term or until $350,000 aggregate; estimated 2 orders/year; guaranteed minimum 139; depot shipments to various CONUS/OCONUS locations.
• RIVET, SOLID (NSN 5320-01-106-7579) — SBA set-aside; may result in Automated IDC; one-year term or until $350,000 aggregate; estimated 2 orders/year; guaranteed minimum 21; depot shipments to various CONUS/OCONUS locations.
• TRANSMITTER, LIQUID — synopsis details not provided in the notice snippet.
• BOLT, INTERNAL WRENC — synopsis details not provided in the notice snippet.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Prepare and submit electronic quotes for RFQs by the stated deadlines (where provided).
• Source/manufacture and deliver NSN items in the specified quantities and unit measures (EA/SE/HD as listed).
• Plan for delivery performance tied to days ADO requirements (multiple delivery targets may exist within the same RFQ line structure).
• Ship to DLA Distribution (for several items) and/or various DLA depots (for Automated IDC fastener buys), including potential CONUS and OCONUS destinations via consolidation/containerization points.
• For IDCs: be prepared to fulfill multiple orders per year up to an aggregate ceiling, with a stated guaranteed minimum quantity.
• Retrieve any available digitized drawings and Military Specifications/Standards electronically where the notice indicates they may be retrieved/ordered.
• For items with approved sources listed: determine whether you can quote as an approved source or otherwise qualify (verify exact acceptability language in the solicitation).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Should bid
  • Small businesses positioned for SBA set-aside hardware/fastener supply with the ability to support potential one-year Automated IDC ordering.
  • Firms already equipped for DLA-style depot distribution and electronic quoting, including handling varied ship-to points.
  • Approved sources (or firms demonstrably able to comply with the RFQ’s source/technical acceptability terms) for the NSN engine items where approved sources are referenced in the notice.
• Should pass
  • Vendors that cannot submit quotes electronically (hard copies are explicitly not available for several notices).
  • Companies without access to required drawings/specs when the synopsis says they are not available (unless the solicitation/attachments provide what you need).
  • Firms unable to support multiple ship-to locations (including potential OCONUS flows) for the IDC-style fastener requirements.

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

• Completed electronic quote submission per the RFQ instructions (verify in attachments).
• Acknowledgment of all RFQ terms and any amendments (verify in attachments).
• Pricing for each line item and unit of issue as listed (EA/SE/HD), including any packaging/handling expectations (verify in attachments).
• Delivery commitment consistent with the stated days ADO per line item.
• For Automated IDC solicitations: confirmation you can meet the guaranteed minimum and support ordering up to the stated aggregate cap over one year.
• Evidence of compliance with drawings/specs/standards where applicable (the notice indicates digitized drawings and Military Specs/Standards may be retrievable for at least one requirement; verify in attachments).
• Any approved-source/traceability documentation required by the solicitation (verify in attachments).

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

These RFQs are structured like typical DLA supply buys: line-item pricing plus delivery is the core, but your competitiveness will hinge on credible lead times and compliance posture (especially where approved sources are referenced or where specs are only available via electronic retrieval).

• Start with like-for-like history: research prior buys by the same NSN (e.g., the compressor disk, turbine blade set, parts kit, insert, rivet) and compare quantities/unit of issue and delivery windows to the current ADO targets.
• Separate commodity vs. constrained-source: fasteners under potential Automated IDC may behave more like recurring replenishment (2 orders/year estimated), while the engine parts may have tighter source constraints.
• Model the IDC economics: for the SBA fastener IDCs, price assuming the buyer may order near the guaranteed minimum or may spread volume across a couple orders—avoid a price that only works if you get the full ceiling.
• Validate shipment complexity: depot shipments to various CONUS/OCONUS locations can change your true cost; confirm packaging, labeling, and ship-to process requirements in the solicitation.
• Use the solicitation link: multiple notices explicitly say specs/plans/drawings are not available in the synopsis—so your pricing assumptions should be driven by what’s in the RFQ package, not the short notice text.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• Pair a small-business prime (for SBA set-asides) with a specialized manufacturer/distributor to ensure steady fulfillment under an Automated IDC ordering pattern.
• For NSN engine items: if you are not an approved source, consider teaming with an approved-source manufacturer (as referenced in the notice) while you provide order management, electronic quoting, and distribution execution—verify the RFQ allows such arrangements.
• Use a logistics partner experienced with DLA depot shipping (including consolidation/containerization flows) if your internal shipping function is not built for multi-location fulfillment.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Approved source limitations: at least two notices cite approved sources; confirm whether non-approved sources are acceptable and what qualification path (if any) exists (verify in attachments).
• Specs/drawings availability: some synopses state specifications/plans/drawings are not available, while another indicates digitized drawings/specs may be retrievable. Don’t bid blind—pull the RFQ package first.
• Multiple delivery targets: the turbine blade set RFQ includes multiple lines with different ADO delivery requirements—ensure your quote aligns per line.
• Automated IDC structure: one-year term or until the aggregate total reaches $350,000; ensure you understand how orders are placed and how pricing applies across the term (verify in attachments).
• Electronic-only submission: several notices explicitly require electronic quotes; ensure your submission method and timing are compliant.
• Incomplete synopsis data: two notices provide no description snippet—treat these as “needs triage” until you open the solicitation link.

Related opportunities

• 28--DISK,COMPRESSOR,AIR (SPE4A526T7474)
• 28--BLADE SET,TURBINE,A (SPE4A126T1292)
• 29--PARTS KIT,MOTOR AND (SPE4A726T8527)
• 53--INS ERT,SCREW THREAD (SPE4A626U1334)
• 53--RIVET,SOLID (SPE4A626U1385)
• 66--TRANSMITTER,LIQUID (SPE4A626T149L)
• 53--BOLT,INTERNAL WRENC (SPE4A626U1331)

How to act on this

1. Open each solicitation link and download the RFQ package; confirm line items, instructions, and any source/technical restrictions (verify in attachments).
2. Decide bid/no-bid based on your ability to comply with approved-source terms (where referenced), meet ADO delivery windows, and support the ship-to network.
3. Build a compliant electronic quote package and submit ahead of the deadline (where provided).

If you want a second set of eyes on bid/no-bid, source risk, and how to position your quote for DLA supply RFQs, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC for capture and proposal support.