17--TOWBAR,AIRCRAFT
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation at Philadelphia, PA has issued a solicitation for a new spares requirement for Aircraft Towbars (P/N 6532D789-2). This item is designated as a Critical Safety Item (CSI) and Flight Critical, requiring stringent quality controls and USG Source Approval prior to award. Proposals are due April 23, 2026.
Scope of Work
This opportunity involves the manufacturing, testing, and delivery of Aircraft Towbars. Key requirements include:
- Manufacturing: Adherence to NAWC LAKEHURST drawing number 6532D789-2, Revision R, and all referenced specifications.
- Quality Assurance: Compliance with ISO 9001 or equivalent, NAWCADLKE inspection surveillance, interim inspections, and 100% inspection for critical/major characteristics, plating, hardness, and non-destructive testing (NDT). A traceability system for individual piece parts is required.
- Critical Safety Item (CSI): Special control procedures are invoked due to the item's critical use in shipboard aircraft launch/recovery systems, where failure could result in serious injury, loss of life, or loss of vital systems/aircraft.
- First Article Testing (FAT): Mandatory testing of one uncoated unit. Contractors must notify the PCO 14 days prior to testing, and submit a report within 15 days. Waivers for FAT may be granted if an offeror has previously furnished identical production articles within three years from the same production location, with appropriate certification.
- Inspections: Mandatory 100% PCO inspection at source by the cognizant DCMAO Quality Assurance Representative (QAR). Special inspections include Magnetic Particle Inspection and Surface Inspection. Final inspection requires 14-day notification to NAWC Lakehurst representatives.
- Packaging: MIL-STD 2073 packaging applies.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Solicitation (New Spares Requirement)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Delivery: 3 EA and 2 EA within 250 days ARO; 1 LO as required; 1 LO within 90 days ARO.
- Published: April 21, 2026
- Proposal Due: April 23, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated based on price, delivery timeframe, and past performance. All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price. The Government may conduct a reverse auction.
Additional Notes
USG Source Approval is mandatory. Companies not previously approved must submit a comprehensive Source Approval Request (SAR) with their proposal by the closing date. This includes detailed documentation such as configuration drawings, process/operation sheets, purchase orders, comparative analysis, and inspection method sheets. Failure to provide all required data for source approval will result in non-consideration for award. All records pertaining to ALRE CSI/CAI manufacture and inspection/test must be provided to the ALRE Cognizant Technical Authority and maintained for seven years.