How to bid on Cotton/Nylon Black Dress Socks for the DEPT of Defense

What the agency is buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is seeking bids for black cotton/nylon dress socks for the U.S. Navy. This is a 100% small-business set-aside opportunity, meaning only small businesses can submit offers.

The contract will be a firm-fixed-price agreement for a 60-month ordering period, divided into five 12-month price tiers. The estimated annual quantity is 336,000 pairs, with a minimum of 84,000 pairs and a maximum of 2.1 million pairs over the five years. All materials must be Berry Amendment compliant and include RFID labeling. Deliveries will be FOB Destination to Peckham Inc. in Lansing, Michigan.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on September 10, 2026. All offers must be submitted by October 09, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. It is important to submit your proposal before this deadline, as late submissions are typically not accepted.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is ideal for small businesses that manufacture clothing and textile items, specifically socks, and can meet the Berry Amendment requirements for domestic sourcing. Firms with experience in supplying military or government agencies, particularly with items requiring specific technical data and RFID labeling, will find this a good fit. The contract involves significant quantities, so vendors should have the capacity to produce and deliver large volumes consistently over a five-year period.

How to respond

To access the solicitation, click the “View original source” link. If you land on the portal’s homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required.

The solicitation, including specifications and technical data, will be available as an attachment to the document in SAM.gov and DIBBS. Detailed system requirements and registration instructions for DLA DIBBS can be found on their homepage. You must be registered in SAM.gov to register for DLA DIBBS. To request technical data for DLA Troop Support Clothing and Textiles solicitations, use the DLA C&T Technical Data Repository area online.

Tips for a competitive response

Since Best Value / Trade Off / Source Selection Procedures will be used, and Technical and Past Performance are more important than cost, focus on demonstrating your firm's capabilities in these areas. A Product Demonstration Model (PDM) is required in accordance with the specified CID, A-A-50015D. Ensure your PDM strictly adheres to all technical specifications.

Provide strong evidence of your past performance, especially for similar contracts involving manufacturing and delivery of textile goods to government entities. Clearly outline your experience with Berry Amendment compliance and RFID labeling. Emphasize your capacity to meet the minimum and estimated annual quantities, as well as the 90-day delivery schedule for initial and subsequent orders.