How to bid on Mast Heater Drain units for the C-17A from the Defense Logistics Agency

What the agency is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) plans to award a five-year fixed-price contract for Mast Heater Drain units, NSN 1680-013902533. These units are for the C-17A aircraft. The DLA estimates an annual demand of 40 units.

This is an Indefinite Quantity Contract, meaning orders will be placed as needed. Minimum delivery orders will be 10 units, and maximum delivery orders will be 40 units. Delivery of production units is required within 290 days to U.S. stock locations. This is a Critical Application Item, requiring inspection at the source.

Key dates and deadlines

This is currently a Request for Information (RFI), not a solicitation. The actual solicitation is expected to be issued on or about September 28, 2026. The deadline for responses to the RFI is October 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. Once the solicitation is released, you will need to complete and submit it by the specified deadline to be considered for award.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for manufacturers or suppliers of aircraft equipment, specifically those with experience in critical application items. The procurement is unrestricted, meaning all eligible businesses can compete. However, access to restricted technical data requires Department of Defense (DoD) certification. Firms with CAGE code 85932 (Electrofilm Manufacturing Company, LLC) or those capable of manufacturing part number 112190-5 are relevant.

How to respond

The solicitation, when issued, will be available through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). To access it, you will need to go to the DIBBS homepage, select 'Search RFPs', and then choose the relevant RFP to download. The documents will be in PDF format, requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. A paper copy of the RFP will not be provided.

To be considered for award, you must complete a copy of the solicitation. Note that access to restricted technical data requires a DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, submitted to the Defense Logistics Information Services for DoD certification.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Since this will be a competitively awarded contract using best value selection methods, your response should focus on both price and non-price factors. The evaluation will likely consider a combination of price, past performance, and other factors detailed in the solicitation. Ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates your capability to meet the 290-day delivery requirement and adhere to higher-level quality and export control requirements.

Given that this is a Critical Application Item, emphasize your quality control processes and any relevant certifications. If you do not already have DoD certification for accessing unclassified restricted data, begin the process of submitting DD Form 2345 as soon as possible, as this is a prerequisite for viewing necessary technical information.