DLA Aviation
DLA Aviation in Richmond, Virginia manages aviation spare parts and consumables for the military services, and much of what it buys goes out as small automated solicitations.
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What they buy
DLA Aviation is the Defense Logistics Agency supply chain for aviation. It manages spare parts for military aircraft and engines that are common across the services: airframe structural parts, engine components, bearings, seals, hoses, fittings, fasteners, and cable assemblies. It also buys consumables such as sealants, adhesives, paints, and lubricants.
Everything is managed by National Stock Number, so a machined bracket or a wire harness shows up as its own NSN with its own buy history. Many aviation items are flight safety critical and carry tighter source controls than ordinary hardware.
How they buy
Most small-dollar buys post to DIBBS, the DLA Internet Bid Board System, as automated requests for quotation, and many are awarded by the system itself. Larger buys and long-term contracts post on SAM.gov.
DLA Aviation tends to use long-term contracts for items with steady demand and one-time purchase orders for the rest. A typical notice names the NSN, the quantity, the delivery days, and any approved manufacturers. Small business set-asides are common on parts where the government owns the technical data.
How a small shop gets in
Register in SAM.gov and get your CAGE code, then register on DIBBS. Search by NSN or federal supply class for parts you can make. Before you quote, check whether the drawing is available in the DIBBS technical data area or is restricted.
If the item lists approved sources and you are not one of them, you will need a source approval request through DLA and the owning service. That takes time, so start with open technical data. Deliver small quantities on time, because your delivery record feeds the automated evaluations. The DLA Aviation small business office can point you to a supplier specialist.
Check the approved source list first
Many aviation NSNs name approved manufacturers. If your CAGE is not on the list, an alternate offer needs a full technical package and can be rejected. Read the item description before you quote.
Related guides
- DLA DIBBSHow to find and quote DIBBS solicitations.
- SAM registrationGet registered before anything else.
- Set-asides and small business programsWhich set-asides you qualify for.
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