Bid guide
How to bid on C-130 Hercules Aircraft Tow Arm for DEPT of Defense
What the agency is buying
The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking an indefinite-quantity contract for tow arms used in the nose landing gear of C-130 Hercules aircraft. The specific item is NSN 1620-006540641, ARM,TOW,NOSE LANDIN/ 06F. This contract will have a five-year base period with no options.
The estimated annual demand is 80 units, with individual delivery orders expected to range from 20 to 80 units. This is a critical application item and requires adherence to higher-level quality and export control requirements. Vendors will need to be certified by the DoD to access unclassified data.
Key dates and deadlines
This is currently a Request for Information (RFI), not a formal solicitation. The solicitation is expected to be issued on or about September 8, 2026. The deadline for responses to the eventual solicitation is October 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. All offers must be submitted by this time to be considered.
First article samples will be due 180 days after award, followed by 195 days for testing and evaluation, and 151 days for production quantities. The total required delivery time is 526 days.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is reserved as a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. It is suitable for small businesses with experience in manufacturing or supplying aircraft equipment, specifically components for C-130 Hercules aircraft. Firms must be able to meet the demand for 80 units annually and handle delivery orders between 20 and 80 units.
Vendors must be able to comply with Government First Article Testing (FAT) requirements and possess or obtain certification from the DoD to access unclassified technical data, which involves submitting DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement.
How to respond
The solicitation, when issued, will be available on the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). You will need to access DIBBS, select 'Search RFPs', and then choose the relevant RFP to download. The documents will be in PDF format, requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader.
A reverse auction may be conducted as part of this procurement. To participate in the reverse auction, you must register your company at dla.procurexinc.com. Suppliers who do not self-register will be loaded into Procurex by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation. You must complete a copy of the solicitation to be considered for award.
Tips for a competitive response
Given the requirement for First Article Testing and DoD data-access certification, begin preparing these aspects early. Ensure your company has the necessary quality control processes in place to meet higher-level quality standards for this critical application item.
Thoroughly review the solicitation once it is released, paying close attention to all evaluation factors. The final award decision may be based on a combination of price, past performance, and other factors. Prepare a comprehensive proposal that highlights your firm's capabilities, relevant experience, and ability to meet all delivery and quality requirements. Familiarize yourself with the reverse auction process on Procurex if you intend to participate.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Defense Logistics Agency; the original posting controls.