Small-business pulse: DLA & Navy spare parts, Army grounds maintenance sources sought, and commercial bottled water

Executive takeaway

This pulse mixes true bid-ready small business RFQs (e.g., DLA Troop Support’s compressed air cartridge and NAVSUP WSS’s hose assembly) with at least one requirement that is effectively constrained by engineering/source approval and data rights (DLA Aviation shipping/storage NSN; NAVSUP WSS install disk notice of intent). There’s also a near-term sources sought for grounds maintenance in Webster, NY and a commercial bottled water requirement described as standard industry supply + delivery.

What the buyer is trying to do

Across these notices, buyers are aiming to keep supply chains moving for specific NSNs and recurring base/support needs:

• Procure aviation- and weapon-system-related spares where technical data and/or design control approval governs who can manufacture/repair and supply.
• Buy standard commercial commodities with delivery services (bottled water) at an Army location.
• Assess the small-business market for non-personal grounds maintenance services at a USARC facility in Webster, NY (sources sought market research).

What work is implied (bullets)

• DLA Aviation “81--SHIPPING AND STORAG” (NSN 8145…): supply 50 each, FOB origin; if not already approved, prepare and submit a source approval package per NAVSUP WSS source approval brochures; expect engineering/source approval gating prior to award.
• NAVSUP WSS “70--HMS INSTALL DISC” (NSN 7030…): this is a notice of intent to negotiate with one source under FAR 6.302-1; interested firms can submit capability/interest statements for market consideration (not a request for competitive proposals).
• VA “Front End Loader”: limited detail in the notice snippet; likely equipment supply—scope/details need verification in the posting/attachments.
• Army “Bottled Water” (Aberdeen Proving Ground): provide natural spring water in 5-gallon, 1-gallon, and 0.5-liter containers plus recurring and emergency delivery; maintain inventory and handle scheduled + emergency service needs.
• DLA Troop Support “42--CARTRIDGE,COMPRESSE” (NSN 4220…): quote on 6,000 (UI BX) with delivery to DLA Distribution San Joaquin; approved sources listed; electronic quoting permitted; no drawings/specs in hard copy.
• NAVSUP WSS “HOSE ASSY,NONMETALL”: manufacture hose assembly; government source inspection required per FAR 52.246-2; drawings accessible via SAM.gov by solicitation number; delivery stated as 90 days; includes WAWF payment instructions and small business set-aside language in the snippet.
• Army “Grounds Maintenance Services Webster NY” (sources sought): non-personal services providing mowing, edging, trimming, lot clearing; contractor provides all personnel, equipment, fuel, transportation, supplies, supervision, etc.; response is informational for market research (not an offer).

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid (good fit) if you are:
  • An approved manufacturer/source for the specific NSNs (especially where approved sources are named) and can meet delivery timelines.
  • A hose assembly manufacturer comfortable with government source inspection and pulling drawings from SAM.gov for compliance.
  • A regional/national bottled water distributor that already supports scheduled routes and can handle emergency deliveries.
  • A grounds maintenance firm serving the Webster, NY area that can self-perform mowing/edging/trimming/lot clearing and provide all equipment and supervision (for the sources sought response).
• Pass (or pivot to qualification-only) if you are:
  • Not an approved source and you cannot realistically submit the required source approval technical data package with your offer (DLA Aviation shipping/storage NSN) or cannot wait through the typical approval cycle.
  • Hoping for a competitive bid on a notice explicitly framed as a sole-source intent under FAR 6.302-1 (HMS install disk); the best play is a capability statement, not a price quote.

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

• For RFQs/solicitations:
  • Completed quotation/proposal per the electronic solicitation (verify in attachments).
  • Delivery commitment matching the stated delivery terms (e.g., 90 days for the hose assembly; 90 days ADO for the cartridge line item as shown).
  • Quality/inspection plan aligned to Government Source Inspection where required (hose assembly).
  • Evidence of being an approved source when the notice lists approved sources or restricts competition (cartridge; aviation shipping/storage).
  • Access and download of drawings/technical package where instructed (hose assembly drawings via SAM.gov by solicitation number).
  • Invoicing approach consistent with WAWF instructions where referenced (hose assembly snippet indicates WAWF payment instructions).
• For source approval-gated items:
  • Source approval information as detailed in the NAVSUP WSS Source Approval Information Brochures (spares/repair links provided in the notice).
  • If a source approval request is already under evaluation, include the cover letter that forwarded the request (as stated in the DLA Aviation notice snippet).
• For the Army sources sought (grounds maintenance):
  • Capabilities narrative for mowing, edging, trimming, and lot clearing at the Webster, NY location.
  • Business identifiers and socio-economic status under NAICS 561730 (verify exact submission instructions in the notice text/attachments).

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

• NSN spare parts (DLA/NAVSUP WSS): treat these as compliance-first quotes. Start with delivery feasibility, inspection requirements, and whether you’re an approved source. If approved sources are listed, research historical buys and prior award behavior via public award data and internal sales history, then sanity-check against current material/lead-time realities.
• Hose assembly with drawings on SAM.gov: pull the drawings first, then build a cost model around materials, fabrication steps, inspection burden (government source inspection), packaging, and schedule risk. Price conservatively if first-time building to that TDP version.
• Bottled water: benchmark against your existing route economics (drop frequency, emergency service premium assumptions, bottle handling/sanitation processes). Since the notice describes commercial standard products, differentiate on service reliability and surge response rather than custom manufacturing.
• Grounds maintenance (sources sought): you’re not pricing yet—use the response to shape the eventual acquisition strategy by clarifying what you can self-perform, what equipment you own, and realistic visit frequencies and seasonal considerations (without inventing site details).

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• For hose assembly manufacturing, consider teaming with a specialty inspection/QA support firm if government source inspection logistics are new to you (while keeping production control in-house).
• For bottled water service, partner with a regional distributor for backup inventory and emergency delivery coverage if your depot footprint is thin near the installation.
• For grounds maintenance in Webster, NY, a prime can team with a local small landscaping operator for surge capacity (e.g., lot clearing) while the prime handles supervision, scheduling, and compliance reporting.
• For source approval-gated spares, partner with (or become a qualified supplier to) an existing approved source if you cannot complete qualification in time.

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Source approval gating: the DLA Aviation shipping/storage NSN explicitly requires engineering source approval; awards typically can’t wait for new-source qualification timelines.
• Data rights limitations: the NAVSUP WSS install disk notice states the Government does not own the rights needed to buy/repair from additional sources and calls reverse engineering uneconomical—expect steep barriers to entry.
• “Approved sources” constraints: the DLA cartridge notice lists approved sources; verify your eligibility and any required approvals before spending heavily on quoting.
• Drawings access: the hose assembly requires you to retrieve drawings via SAM.gov; ensure your team can access and control the correct TDP version.
• Inspection burden: government source inspection can affect lead times and scheduling; build that into your delivery plan.
• Missing details: the VA front end loader notice snippet lacks a description—do not assume specs, accessories, or delivery requirements; verify in attachments.
• Timing: some deadlines are soon (including a bottled water response deadline on the same posted date in the snippet); confirm current status and any amendments in the official posting before committing.

Related opportunities

• 81--SHIPPING AND STORAG (DLA Aviation)
• 70--HMS INSTALL DISC (NAVSUP WSS)
• 3805--Front End Loader (VA)
• Bottled Water (Army / Aberdeen Proving Ground)
• 42--CARTRIDGE,COMPRESSE (DLA Troop Support)
• HOSE ASSY,NONMETALL (NAVSUP WSS)
• Grounds Maintenance Services Webster NY (Army / Sources Sought)

How to act on this

1. Sort the list into bid now (RFQs/solicitations) vs. influence now (sources sought / sole-source intent).
2. For parts with approvals/data-rights constraints, decide immediately whether you’re an approved source; if not, pursue qualification/teaming rather than forcing a noncompliant bid.
3. For the hose assembly, pull the SAM.gov electronic solicitation and drawings, then build your quote around inspection and delivery.
4. For grounds maintenance, submit a clean sources sought capability response that demonstrates local execution capacity under NAICS 561730.

If you want a hands-on review of eligibility (approved source vs. new qualification), quote readiness, and a fast compliance check before you burn bid hours, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC.