Set-Aside Pulse: Small-business RFQs you can turn quickly (VA shredding + DLA NSN parts)

Executive takeaway

This pulse includes one Veterans Affairs shredding requirement at the White River Junction VAMC and multiple Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) requests for quotes covering NSN hardware/spares (gaskets, motors, valves, tube assemblies, vehicular seats, and a safety switch assembly). All are marked as small-business set-aside in the notice data. The DLA items are classic “quote fast if you already know the part” buys—several cite approved sources or source-controlled drawings, and most require electronic submission only.

What the buyer is trying to do

VA: facility shredding service

The VA notice is for shredding at the White River Junction VAMC, but the notice snippet does not include a description. Expect the specifics (frequency, containers, pickup, compliance, and disposition) to be defined in the solicitation/attachments.

DLA: replenish NSN supply via RFQ (some with IDC potential)

DLA is procuring specific NSNs with stated quantities and delivery timelines (expressed as “days ADO”), shipping to DLA distribution points and, for some lines, to various CONUS/OCONUS depots. Two notices state the award may be an Automated IDC (Indefinite Delivery Contract) with a one-year ordering term (or until an aggregate ceiling is reached), plus an estimated order count and a guaranteed minimum.

What work is implied (bullets)

• VA shredding: review solicitation to confirm service model (on-site vs. off-site), pickup cadence, security/chain-of-custody expectations, and any facility access constraints (verify in attachments).
• DLA NSN quoting: provide compliant items for the cited NSNs and quantities, priced and quoted electronically via the method stated in each RFQ notice.
• Source control / approved sources: for items listing approved sources or “source controlled drawing,” confirm your eligibility to supply (as an approved source or through an approved-source supply chain) and align exactly to cited drawing/spec requirements (verify in the RFQ).
• Drawings/spec retrieval: where drawings/specs are “digitized” and retrievable electronically, pull the package early and confirm revision levels and any required markings/documentation.
• Logistics planning: meet delivery schedules (e.g., 30/45/90/168/510/213 days ADO as stated per line) and plan for shipments to DLA distribution/depots, including “various CONUS and OCONUS” where applicable.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid if you are a small business with recent history quoting/supplying DLA NSN parts under the listed PSC families and can confidently match the NSN to the correct part/drawing.
• Bid if you can meet source controls for items with approved sources listed (or can supply through an approved manufacturer/distributor path that the solicitation accepts).
• Bid the VA shredding if you already service medical facilities and can support on-site pickup and secure handling (details not in snippet—verify in attachments).
• Pass (or no-bid) if you cannot access the required drawings/specs in time, cannot validate approved-source eligibility, or cannot support the quoted delivery timelines.
• Pass if your quoting workflow is not set up for electronic-only submission.

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

• Completed RFQ quote submission (electronic) in the format required by each solicitation (verify in attachments).
• NSN alignment: confirm NSN, quantity, unit of issue, and delivery requirement (“days ADO”) match the line item.
• Manufacturer/part identification and compliance statement for drawing/spec requirements where applicable (verify in attachments).
• Approved-source documentation/traceability for items that cite approved sources or are source-controlled (verify in attachments).
• For VA shredding: service approach, schedule, and compliance deliverables as required by the solicitation (verify in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes

These opportunities split into two pricing lanes: (1) a service (VA shredding) where route density and service model drive cost, and (2) DLA NSN parts where unit cost, lead time risk, and compliance burden dominate.

• For DLA NSNs: build pricing from your verified acquisition cost against the exact NSN/drawing revision, then add packaging/logistics to the stated ship-to pattern (single depot vs. “various CONUS and OCONUS”). Where an Automated IDC is possible, factor the ordering profile provided (estimated orders/year and guaranteed minimum) into your business case.
• For source-controlled / approved-source items: treat qualification/traceability as a cost driver. If you must source through an approved manufacturer/distributor, lock supply and lead times before you quote.
• For VA shredding: research local operating costs and confirm what “shredding” means in the attachments (pickup-only vs. on-site destruction, container requirements, reporting). Don’t price until you verify service frequency and scope.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• VA shredding: team with a local logistics provider for pickups if your secure destruction operation is centralized (ensure the solicitation allows this—verify in attachments).
• DLA NSN parts: consider teaming with an established approved-source distributor/manufacturer for source-controlled items to reduce compliance risk and stabilize lead times.
• Packaging/shipping support: partner with a specialist that routinely supports DLA depot shipping requirements if your internal shipping bench is light (verify any packing/marking requirements in the RFQ).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• VA shredding scope gap: the notice snippet provides no description; treat this as “unknown until you open the solicitation.”
• Approved-source limitations: at least one DLA item explicitly lists an approved source; if you are not eligible, your quote may be noncompetitive or unacceptable depending on the RFQ terms.
• Source-controlled drawing: the vehicular seat is stated as a source-controlled drawing item; ensure you can meet the drawing-cited requirements.
• Specs/drawings not available: several notices state specifications/plans/drawings are not available; be careful about assuming interchangeability without the governing data in the solicitation.
• Electronic-only submission: multiple notices state hard copies are not available and quotes must be submitted electronically—plan for portal access and file compliance.
• Delivery timing: “days ADO” timelines vary widely; confirm you can support the specific delivery requirement before committing.

Related opportunities

• R614—White River Junction, VAMC Shredding
• NSN 1015-01-236-7371: SAFETY SWITCH ASSEM
• NSN 4820-01-174-4102: VALVE, REGULATING, FL
• NSN 6105-01-525-8720: MOTOR, ALTERNATING C
• NSN 2540-21-906-4667: SEAT, VEHICULAR
• NSN 5330-00-107-3925: GASKET
• NSN 4710-01-088-1733: TUBE ASSEMBLY, METAL

How to act on this

1. Open each BidPulsar link and download the RFQ/attachments; confirm whether any clauses restrict quoting to approved sources only (verify in attachments).
2. For each DLA NSN, validate your supply chain against the approved-source/drawing language and confirm you can meet the stated “days ADO.”
3. Build and submit an electronic quote in the required format before the response deadline shown on the notice.

If you want a second set of eyes on eligibility (approved-source/source control) and a clean, submission-ready package, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC to accelerate your response and reduce compliance risk.