DLA Land & Maritime parts RFQs (Feb 2026): mirror assembly, brackets, gears, harness items, and tie rod ends

DLA Land & Maritime posted multiple NSN-based parts buys with tight turnaround response deadlines (mostly Feb 17–19, 2026). Several are marked SBA set-aside and two note the buy may result in an Automated IDC (one-year term or until aggregate orders hit $350,000, with a guaranteed minimum). Expect an electronic-only RFQ process, limited availability of drawings/specs for certain items, and “approved sources” language that could constrain who can compete without an existing source approval path.

What the buyer is trying to do

The buyer is replenishing supply system inventory by purchasing specific National Stock Number (NSN) items for DLA distribution—sometimes shipping to multiple depots (including potential CONUS and OCONUS flows via consolidation/containerization points). The acquisition approach is transactional (RFQ) with some items potentially moving into an Automated IDC ordering structure to support recurring demand over a one-year period.

What work is implied (bullets)

Prepare and submit electronic quotes for NSN line items under DLA Land & Maritime RFQs.
Meet stated quantities and delivery expectations (noted as “days ADO” in the notices).
For items with depot routing language, support shipping to DLA distribution locations (and, where stated, various CONUS/OCONUS destinations via consolidation points).
For solicitations indicating an Automated IDC, be ready for:
- One-year ordering term (or until aggregate orders reach $350,000).
- Multiple orders per year (estimates provided in the notice).
- A guaranteed minimum quantity (provided in the notice).
Where technical data is available, retrieve digitized drawings and Military Specifications/Standards electronically (as stated for certain items).
Where specs/drawings are not available, quote based on the RFQ package and any source/part number constraints stated in the notice.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

Who should bid
- Small businesses (where marked SBA set-aside) that already supply the cited NSNs or can comply with the “approved sources” constraints where listed.
- Manufacturers/distributors with established DLA shipping and electronic quoting workflows.
- Firms comfortable with low-to-moderate line quantities and depot deliveries, including potential multi-site distribution for IDC-style buys.
Who should pass
- Firms that rely on full drawings/specs when the notice explicitly says specifications/plans/drawings are not available.
- Offerors unable to compete when “approved sources” are identified and you do not have an approved-source basis to quote from.
- Companies that cannot support electronic-only submission (hard copies are not available).

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

Completed electronic quote submission (method/details: verify in attachments in the RFQ).
NSN, line item, quantity, and unit of issue alignment with the RFQ (e.g., EA).
Delivery commitment matching the stated “days ADO” requirement in the notice/RFQ.
Any required source/part-number traceability where “approved sources” are listed (verify in attachments).
Confirmation you accessed the RFQ online (hard copies not available).
For items allowing retrieval of digitized drawings/specs: download/acknowledge applicable documents (verify in attachments).
Representations/certifications and any DLA RFQ provisions (verify in attachments).

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

Anchor your price to the ordering structure. For the notices stating a potential Automated IDC, review the RFQ for ordering terms and consider how the guaranteed minimum quantity and estimated annual order count affect setup, packaging, and administrative costs.
Validate competitive constraints. Where “approved sources” are listed, treat that as a key pricing driver: if competition is limited to a small source pool, the pricing landscape may differ from fully open buys.
Use delivery as a differentiator. These buys include specific “days ADO” timelines; if you can confidently meet or beat lead times (within RFQ allowances), that can strengthen your value story even in an RFQ environment.
Check whether technical data exists before finalizing cost. Some items explicitly state specs/drawings are not available, while others allow retrieval of digitized drawings and military standards. Your inspection, risk, and sourcing assumptions should follow what’s actually provided in the RFQ package.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

Team with an established distributor that routinely ships to DLA depots if your strength is manufacturing but you want help with packaging, labeling, and logistics execution.
Partner with a compliant packaging/fulfillment provider for depot-bound shipments, especially if orders may ship to various locations (including stated CONUS/OCONUS flows for the IDC-noted items).
For items with digitized drawings/specs, consider a QA-focused subcontractor to support documentation review and compliance checks aligned to the retrieved standards (as applicable per RFQ attachments).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

Approved-source constraints. Multiple notices list “approved sources”; if you are not aligned to those sources, you may be noncompetitive or nonresponsive depending on RFQ terms (verify in attachments).
Limited technical data. Some notices state specifications/plans/drawings are not available—confirm exactly what the RFQ provides before committing to manufacturing assumptions.
Electronic-only process. Hard copies are not available; ensure your quoting process and file formats match RFQ instructions (verify in attachments).
Short response windows. Several deadlines fall within days of posting; prioritize downloading the RFQ immediately and confirming submission steps.
Order variability under IDC language. For the notices that may result in an Automated IDC, actual ordering patterns can vary from estimates; model margins accordingly.

Related opportunities

How to act on this

Open each RFQ link and download/verify all attachments and submission instructions.
Confirm whether “approved sources” language applies to your proposed supply path (do not assume interchangeability; verify in the RFQ).
Build a delivery-credible quote aligned to the stated “days ADO” and depot ship-to expectations.
Submit electronically ahead of the stated deadline (where provided).

If you want a fast compliance check on the RFQ package (what’s actually required vs. what’s implied) and help deciding which of these NSN buys to pursue, consider support from Federal Bid Partners LLC.