Set-Aside Pulse: 8 Federal Buys to Sort Fast (Aviation Spares, Telecom, Forensics IT, BOP Bread, VA Sole Source, Lab Equipment)

Executive takeaway

This pulse spans very different buying motions: a DLA Aviation spare part with data-rights constraints and FAA certification, a DISA telecom RFQ that is restricted-access with pricing broken out into recurring/non-recurring charges, a Department of State sources sought routed through NASA SEWP, and two Bureau of Prisons bread buys with tight turnaround. There’s also a VA notice signaling a sole source path for a specific robotic knee system, plus a DOE contractor RFQ amendment extending the close date for a vacuum assembly.

What the buyer is trying to do

DLA Aviation: “Gearbox, Accessory, D” (NSN 2840-01-653-1366)

The buyer is seeking spares for a gearbox accessory used on the KC-46, with delivery required on or before 01 OCT 2026. The synopsis explicitly warns the Government does not own the data/rights needed to manufacture the item and identifies a qualified source.

Department of State: CODIS Phase III (Specialized Forensics IT Equipment)

This is a Sources Sought Notice for market research to identify vendors capable of supplying IT equipment and services listed in Appendix A of an attached draft SOW. Responses inform future procurement strategy; it is not an RFQ/IFB/RFP at this time.

Bureau of Prisons: Bread items (Texarkana) + “February 2026 Bread” (Beaumont)

These are food supply buys for institutional delivery. Texarkana states it intends to issue a solicitation for 3rd Quarter FY2026 bread items with Firm-Fixed Price and evaluation on Price and Past Performance (with price weighted higher). Beaumont’s notice directs vendors to review attached documents for details.

DISA/DITCO Europe: Start a 100 MB between Europe and Southwest Asia (Amendment 0001)

DISA is running a commercial-item RFQ for a telecom service (100 MB link) and issued an amendment updating solicitation info and the due date. The requirement is restricted access, with attachments available only to verified entities registered under the appropriate NAICS code(s).

VA: VELYS Robotic Ortho Knee Replacement System

This notice indicates the Government determined the VELYS Robotic-Automated Knee Replacement System is exclusively produced by a single manufacturer and is only compatible with the existing knee system currently on hand. The buyer states it will proceed as a sole source action under the cited FAR authorities.

DOE contractor (Brookhaven National Laboratory): RFQ 473771-CAB Vacuum Assembly

This is an addendum extending the close date for a Combined Synopsis/RFQ for a vacuum assembly. The extension is the material change; other terms remain unchanged.

What work is implied (bullets)

• DLA Aviation gearbox spare: supply 5 each (range noted 1–8) and meet delivery by 01 OCT 2026; manage IUID requirements; ensure compliance with FAA certification procedures per 14 CFR Part 21; coordinate with OEM/qualified source due to stated data-rights limitations.
• CODIS Phase III sources sought: read the draft SOW and Appendix A technical specs; produce a market-research response (not a proposal) capped at 15 pages, 14-point font, searchable, submitted via the NASA SEWP Quote Request Tool (QRT).
• BOP bread buys: quote/bid for recurring delivery of bread items (Texarkana explicitly notes non-conformance risk for late delivery); support past performance documentation as needed; align with commercial item reps/certs requirements in SAM.gov.
• DISA telecom RFQ: obtain restricted attachments (requires UEI/CAGE for verification); structure pricing as monthly recurring charges (MRC), non-recurring charges (NRC), and any tier pricing for additional service months; follow FAR Part 12 commercial item instructions and the referenced basic agreements/Section M in attachments.
• VA VELYS robotic system: for most vendors, this is monitoring/competitive intel only; for the identified OEM channel, prepare for a sole-source commercial action consistent with the compatibility rationale stated.
• BNL vacuum assembly RFQ: revalidate schedule and submit quote by the extended due date; confirm no other changes were introduced by the addendum.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid (good fit):
  • Aviation parts suppliers who can legally source the KC-46 accessory gearbox (NSN 2840-01-653-1366 / PN N012000000-3) and satisfy FAA certification processes and IUID.
  • Telecom providers already positioned to access DISA restricted attachments and price services using MRC/NRC constructs under commercial terms.
  • Regional commercial bakeries/distributors with reliable institutional delivery capacity for BOP requirements and the ability to compete primarily on price.
  • Forensics/IT equipment integrators (especially those already selling through NASA SEWP processes) willing to invest in a sources-sought response tied to Appendix A specs.
  • Manufacturers/suppliers aligned with the BNL vacuum assembly requirement who can quote within the amended timeline.
• Pass (likely misfit):
  • Any firm attempting to manufacture the DLA gearbox without access to the necessary data/rights (the synopsis states the Government does not own them).
  • Vendors who cannot obtain restricted-access DISA attachments (or cannot provide UEI/CAGE to request access).
  • Food vendors without proven on-time delivery performance—Texarkana flags late delivery as non-conformance with termination risk.
  • Companies hoping to compete the VA VELYS system from an alternate manufacturer, given the notice’s exclusivity and compatibility rationale.

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

• DLA Aviation gearbox: verify in attachments (full RFP) for representations, packaging/marking, inspection/acceptance, and any source approval/qualification documentation requirements; plan for IUID compliance; ensure FAA certification pathway documentation is addressed.
• CODIS Phase III sources sought:
  • Response limited to 15 pages using 14 point font.
  • Submit in Word/PDF (or both); document must be searchable.
  • Submit via NASA SEWP QRT.
  • Include company identifiers requested (verify exact fields in the notice/attachments) and a brief company overview.
  • Respond to Appendix A technical specifications (verify in attachments).
• BOP Texarkana bread:
  • Quote by the stated due time/date; submission method is email per the notice (details redacted in the snippet).
  • Confirm completion of FAR 52.212-3 reps/certs via SAM.gov.
  • Provide pricing for all items; award intended to one responsible offeror for all items.
  • Past performance information (as applicable) aligned to evaluation factors.
  • Verify product list, delivery schedule, and any packaging requirements in solicitation/attachments.
• BOP Beaumont bread: verify in attachments (the notice provides no details beyond “review the attached documents”).
• DISA telecom RFQ:
  • Request restricted attachments with UEI/CAGE included.
  • Pricing breakout: MRC, NRC, plus any tier pricing for additional months.
  • Follow FAR 52.212-1/3 Alt I/4/5 and any additional provisions in the basic agreements and Section M (verify in attachments).
• BNL vacuum assembly RFQ: verify in attachments for technical specs, quote format, and submission instructions; confirm the only change is the closing date extension.

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

• DLA Aviation gearbox: with “no DLA procurement history” stated, benchmark using internal sales history for the same NSN/PN (if you have it), and validate lead times/cost drivers with the qualified source or OEM channel because data-rights constraints can force a reseller/OEM supply path. Build schedule risk into your approach since delivery is fixed (01 OCT 2026).
• DISA telecom (100 MB link): price the solution in the structure requested (MRC/NRC). Use your standard carrier cost model for cross-region connectivity and ensure you can clearly map each priced element to the attachment-defined acceptance criteria and requested service date (verify in attachments).
• BOP bread: Texarkana indicates price is weighted higher than past performance and intends to award all items to one offeror. Strategy leans toward operational efficiency: route planning, consistent unit costs, and minimizing delivery failures (which are explicitly tied to non-conformance/termination).
• CODIS Phase III sources sought: don’t overbuild a price volume unless requested—this is market research. Instead, focus on demonstrating capability to supply what’s in Appendix A and your ability to transact through NASA SEWP QRT for a future buy.
• BNL vacuum assembly: re-check the extended due date and confirm whether any quote validity period or delivery requirements exist in attachments before finalizing pricing assumptions.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• For the DLA gearbox, consider teaming with an authorized distributor/repair-capable partner that already has the OEM channel access implied by the data-rights limitation and the listed qualified source.
• For DISA telecom, pair a prime carrier with regional last-mile providers as subs where needed—while keeping pricing cleanly separated into MRC/NRC as requested.
• For CODIS Phase III, form an integrator + OEM bundle where the integrator handles SEWP QRT submission and compliance and OEMs backstop Appendix A equipment availability.
• For BOP bread, consider a distributor prime subcontracting to local bakeries to ensure redundancy and on-time delivery performance.
• For BNL vacuum assembly, align with a manufacturer or specialized fabricator if your firm is primarily a reseller and the technical spec is tight (verify in attachments).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• DLA gearbox:
  • Government states it does not own data/rights needed to manufacture—risk of being unable to perform unless you have an authorized supply path.
  • FAA certification procedures per 14 CFR Part 21 apply—ensure you can document compliance.
  • IUID requirements apply—confirm marking/data submission obligations in the RFP.
  • No surplus authorized.
  • Foreign participation cautions are included; if applicable, verify any restrictions before committing.
• DISA telecom:
  • Restricted access attachments—failure to obtain them early can make you nonresponsive.
  • Pricing must be structured as requested (MRC/NRC/tiering); mis-structuring can sink an otherwise good quote.
• BOP Texarkana bread:
  • Late delivery is explicitly tied to non-conformance and potential termination.
  • Make sure SAM.gov reps/certs are current (FAR 52.212-3).
• CODIS Phase III sources sought:
  • This is not a solicitation; don’t waste effort producing a full proposal package.
  • Page limits, font size, and searchable-file requirement are easy compliance traps.
• VA VELYS system: notice signals a sole source—most competitors should treat as watch-only unless you are the designated channel.
• BNL vacuum assembly: only change stated is the closing date extension—still confirm you’re working from the latest full RFQ attachments.

Related opportunities

• Gearbox, Accessory, D (DLA Aviation)
• CODIS Phase III (Specialized Forensics IT Equipment) (Department of State)
• FCI Texarkana - 3rd Qtr FY2026 - Bread items (BOP)
• February 2026 Bread (FCC Beaumont) (BOP)
• Amend 0001 RFQ: Start a 100 MB between Europe and Southwest Asia (DISA/DITCO Europe)
• VELYS Robotic Ortho Knee Replacement System (VA)
• RFQ# 473771-CAB Vacuum Assembly (Brookhaven National Laboratory)

How to act on this

1. Pick one lane (aviation spares, telecom, food supply, forensics IT, or lab equipment) and download/obtain the attachments immediately (restricted where applicable).
2. Build a compliance matrix from the notice text and attachments (page limits, pricing structure, delivery requirements, certifications).
3. Decide bid/no-bid based on supply path (especially for the DLA gearbox) and delivery feasibility (especially for BOP bread).
4. Submit on time using the stated channel (SEWP QRT for the sources sought; verify other submission instructions in attachments).

If you want a fast compliance check and a capture plan tailored to your shop, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC to help you qualify, shape, and submit with fewer avoidable errors.