Bid guide

How to bid on Nut, Self-Locking Hexagon for Hercules C-130 Aircraft from DEPT of Defense

Defense Logistics AgencyCloses October 8, 2026

What the agency is buying

The Department of Defense is seeking a long-term supplier for self-locking hexagon nuts, specifically NSN 5310-99-702-3861. These nuts are critical safety items for Hercules C-130 aircraft. The agency anticipates needing approximately 1,600 units per year over a five-year period.

This is an opportunity for vendors to secure a stable, multi-year contract with the Department of Defense for a recurring supply item. The contract terms specify FOB Origin with inspection and acceptance at origin.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation is expected to be issued around September 8, 2026. The deadline for submitting responses is October 08, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. All proposals must be submitted by this time.

It is important to note the issue date to ensure you access the solicitation promptly and have sufficient time to prepare your response before the deadline.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for manufacturers or distributors who can supply NSN 5310-99-702-3861, Nut, Self-Locking Hexagon, from approved sources: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC (CAGE 93366, P/N P900101) or GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED (CAGE U7387, P/N P900101).

The contract is unrestricted but will use other than full and open competition, indicating a focus on specific capabilities or approved sources. Firms with experience in supplying critical safety items for aircraft will find this particularly relevant.

How to respond

The solicitation will be available through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). To access it, you will need to navigate to the DIBBS website. Once there, select the 'DLA Request for Proposals (RFP) / Invitation for Bid (IFB)' option under Solicitations.

Enter the solicitation number into the search field and click submit to find the specific opportunity. While a free account may be needed for some documents, many can be viewed without one. A paper copy may be provided on a case-by-case basis if DIBBS access is unavailable.

Tips for a competitive response

Given that this is a critical safety item, emphasize your quality control processes and adherence to specifications. Clearly demonstrate your ability to meet the required annual quantity of 1,600 units consistently over the five-year contract period.

Since the final award decision may consider price, past performance, and other factors, ensure your proposal highlights your competitive pricing and provides strong references for past performance on similar contracts. Pay close attention to all instructions in the solicitation regarding proposal format and content.

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 BiddingSimple

This guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Defense Logistics Agency; the original posting controls.