How to bid on Aircraft Structural Plates for the Galaxy C-5, DEPT of Defense

What the agency is buying

The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking an indefinite-quantity supply of aircraft structural plates, part number 4J12065-344A, for the Galaxy C-5 aircraft. This is a five-year contract with an estimated annual quantity of 40 units. Delivery for production units will be 1,038 days after each order. This opportunity is a 100% small-business set-aside.

Key dates and deadlines

This is a Request for Information (RFI) published on September 03, 2026. The deadline for responses is September 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. The actual solicitation is expected to be issued on or about September 18, 2026.

First article testing is required. Delivery of first article units will be 429 days after order, with government testing and evaluation taking 180 days. Delivery of production units will be 429 days after first article approval.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for small businesses that can manufacture aircraft structural plates. Bidders must be certified by the DoD to access restricted unclassified technical data, which requires submitting DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, to the Defense Logistics Information Services. Firms with experience in first article testing and long-lead-time manufacturing will be well-suited.

How to respond

The solicitation will be available through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). From the DIBBS homepage, select 'Requests for Proposal (RFP) / Invitation for Bid (IFB)' under the 'Solicitations' tab. Then search for and download the RFP. You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF documents. A paper copy of the solicitation will not be provided.

This solicitation includes Procurement Note L09, Reverse Auction. Offerors are encouraged to access the Procurex system to self-register and review training tools to learn about participating in an auction. Offerors who do not self-register will be loaded at the time of auction by DLA.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Ensure your company is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and that your registration is active and up-to-date. Verify your small business status aligns with the solicitation's set-aside requirements.

Given the requirement for DoD certification to access technical data, start the process of submitting DD Form 2345 immediately if you are not already certified. This is a critical prerequisite for accessing necessary information to prepare your bid.

Carefully review the first article testing requirements and delivery schedules. Develop a detailed plan that accounts for the 429 days for first article unit delivery, 180 days for government evaluation, and another 429 days for production unit delivery after approval. Clearly demonstrate your capability to meet these timelines.

Familiarize yourself with the reverse auction process on the Procurex system. Understanding how to participate in the auction can be crucial for submitting a competitive price.