This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on July 23, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Custom Metal Fabrication Services for Specialty Tactical Shelters and Ancillary Equipment
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center is conducting market research to identify qualified sources for custom metal fabrication services in support of specialty tactical shelters and ancillary equipment, with a primary focus on the ECU Frame Assembly (Drawing 17-3-4850). This sources-sought announcement is not a solicitation and does not obligate the government to award a contract; it aims to gather industry capability data to inform a potential future Blanket Purchase Agreement. Respondents must submit a whitepaper not exceeding ten pages, detailing company information including CAGE code, socioeconomic status, and NAICS code 332311, along with a cost estimate for fabricating the referenced assembly. The work involves precision CNC machining, structural welding to AWS D1.1 and D1.2 standards, surface finishing including CARC paint and anodizing, and compliance with MIL-STD-130 for part marking using 25-high Gothic characters and black epoxy ink or a commercial equivalent. Materials must meet ASTM B221 specifications for aluminum 6061-T6 and 6063-T5, with deviations requiring written requests and engineer approval. Welding procedures and first article inspections are not required unless specified on a purchase order, and no additional non-destructive examination is mandated beyond visual and dimensional checks under ISO 9001:2015. Packaging and preservation follow MIL-STD-2073-1 only if required in a future purchase order; otherwise, commercial standards apply. Technical drawings are distributed with unlimited rights, and specialty metals under DFARS 252.225-7009 are not subject to domestic melt requirements if below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. All submissions must be electronic and received by July 31, 2026, and any questions must be submitted by July 24, 2026. Delivery is expected to Natick, Massachusetts, though final destinations will be confirmed via purchase order. The acquisition set-aside status and contract structure remain undetermined, and no funding is currently available.
General Info
Place of Performance
Natick, MA, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Amendment 3
Q: Sheet 1 carries a marked note that the U-Channel is not shown correctly in Detail A or the Top and Bottom views. Can the Government confirm/issue a corrected Detail A and Top/Bottom view for the U-Channel (Find No. 3, Dwg. 17-3-4854) before award, or advise which view governs in the interim?
A: Drawing 17-3-4854 was revised and an updated drawing package was uploaded to the announcement. Side view in 17-3-4850, Detail B, shows the correct positioning of U Channel, 17-3-4854.
Q: The U-Channel detail sheet specifies cross-section (2.00″ × 1.00″, .125″ wall) but does not dimension overall cut length. Please confirm the required finished length for the four U-Channel pieces called out on the weldment parts list (17-3-4851).
A: Drawing 17-3-4854 was revised and an updated drawing package was uploaded to the announcement.
Q: Drawing calls out Aluminum 6061-T6 and 6063-T5 per ASTM B221 throughout. Please confirm whether DFARS 252.225-7009 (specialty metals domestic melt/production) applies to this item, and whether mill test reports/certificates of conformance must accompany each delivery lot.
A: Unless otherwise stated, DFARS 252.225-7009 would not apply for purchases under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT). Mill test reports/certificates of conformance are only required if stated on a purchase order.
Q: Removable panel spacer is specified as Nylon 6 (polyamide), off-white. Please confirm whether a specific commercial grade/durometer or flame-retardancy rating is required, or whether generic Nylon 6 stock is acceptable.
A: For this product, generic Nylon 6 stock is acceptable.
Q: Please confirm acceptable substitute/equivalent aluminum tempers or alloys (e.g., alternate 6000-series) in the event of raw-material supply disruption, and the process for requesting a material deviation.
A: Material deviations should be requested in writing (email), with supporting documents (material data, mark-up of drawings) and will require acceptance by the product engineers (final customer).
Q: Drawing calls for welding IAW ANSI D1.2. Please confirm whether a specific filler alloy (e.g., 4043 vs. 5356) is required or left to the fabricator's WPS, and whether WPS/PQR must be submitted for Government approval prior to production.
A: For this product, the government does not require approval of WPS and PQR. Other products may have additional welding requirements stated on the drawings or purchase order.
Q: Please confirm the required weld inspection method and acceptance criteria — visual only per AWS/ANSI D1.2, or is additional NDE (e.g., dye penetrant) required on any joint?
A: For this product, the government does not require additional NDE. Other products may have additional inspection requirements stated on the drawings or purchase order.
Q: Rivets (MS24243/5A304, MS24243/5A406) and rivet-mount nut (MS21075-4N) are called out by standard number only. Please confirm no additional finish/plating beyond the standard MS material finish is required.
A: No additional finish/plating beyond the standard MS part finishes unless stated on drawing.
Q: Please confirm whether any non-destructive inspection (NDI) beyond standard ISO 9001:2015 dimensional/visual inspection is required (e.g., ultrasonic, radiographic, or dye-penetrant), and identify the applicable acceptance standard.
A: NDI beyond dimensional/visual inspection is not required unless called out on a drawing or required on a purchase order.
Q: Is a First Article Inspection (FAI) required prior to release of production quantities? If so, please identify the required FAI report format and submission timeline.
A: First article submission is not required unless requested as part of a purchase order.
Q: Please confirm the exact ink product or acceptable equivalents for the MIL-STD-130 marking requirement (25-high Gothic characters, black epoxy ink) or confirm any commercial equivalent meeting MIL-STD-130 is acceptable.
A: Unless the drawing states specific requirements for ink, commercial equivalent meeting MIL-STD-130 is acceptable.
Q: Please confirm required packaging/preservation level for shipment (e.g., MIL-STD-2073-1) and destination(s)/CLIN structure.
A: Unless requirement for MIL-STD-2073 packaging is stated in a purchase order, then commercial packaging is acceptable.
Destination will be specified in the purchase order. (Most likely it will be Natick).
Q: Please confirm total estimated quantity, delivery schedule, and whether the acquisition includes option quantities or is a base-plus-option/IDIQ structure.
A: Sources sought posting is for market research only. Delivery schedule and contract structure not determined.
Q: Please confirm the small-business set-aside status of this acquisition (e.g., WOSB set-aside vs. full-and-open with WOSB consideration) and applicable NAICS size standard.
A: Small-business set-aside status – not determined. Sources sought posting is for market research only.
Q: Please confirm the data rights/distribution status of Dwg. 17-3-4850 and subordinate details for purposes of subcontracting any detail-part fabrication.
A: Dwg. 17-3-4850 is Distro A – Unlimited release
Amendment 2
Update to ECU frame drawing package updated with a change of 17-3-4854. This part was redesigned recently during fabrication due to a few issues and inconsistencies.
Amendment 1
Removed the requirement to specifically cost out fabrication of the ECU Frame Assembly per the attached drawing / technical data package (17-3-4850) as it is representative of current needs as well as any discounts provided for purchase quantities in excess of a single unit.
SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) to identify potential sources to provide Custom Metal Fabrication Servies in support of the Soldier Sustainment Directorate Prototyping Branch.
Background: The Government (DEVCOM Soldier Center / Soldier Sustainment Directorate / Prototyping Branch) supports a variety of government managed specialty tactical shelter programs with unique metal fabrication requirements for a variety of DoW customers. One major program is The U.S. Air Force’s Deployable Debriefing Facility (DDF) which provides secure, transportable, and mission-ready environments that allow pilots and aircrews to securely review flight data, decompress, and process information immediately after training exercises or real-world combat operations. Other major programs include speciality shelters for the provision of medical care and collective protection from chemical and biological threats. In addition to specialty tactical shelter components, different variants of passageways are also fabricated to complex or connect configurations of specialty shelters in various configurations.
Description: DEVCOM SC is in need of custom metal fabrication services based on government provided drawing packages, and is looking to establish a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).
The contractor shall provide all management, labor, facilities, equipment, tools, and materials necessary to fabricate, machine, assemble, test, and deliver custom metal components, structural weldments, and sub-assemblies in accordance with government-furnished Technical Data Packages (TDPs), 2D drawings, and 3D CAD models.
Example Government TDP: ECU Frame Assembly, 17-3-4850 (Attached).
Precision Machining: CNC milling, turning, drilling, and grinding of complex geometries with tolerances up to +/- 0.001 inches on various materials (aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and specialty alloys).
Metal Fabrication & Welding: Cutting (laser, waterjet, plasma), bending, forming, and structural welding. Welders must be certified to recognized standards (e.g., AWS D1.1, AWS D1.2, or military equivalents).
Surface Finishing: Capability to apply or coordinate post-fabrication finishes such as powder coating, anodizing, plating (e.g., CARC paint, zinc plating), and non-destructive testing (NDI) or inspection. Examples: MIL-DTL-5541 (Chemical Conversion Coating), MIL-T-704 (CARC), T002-WH08 (Powder Coat), TT-C-490 (Zinc Phosphate), ASTM A967 (Stainless Steel Passivation).
Quality Assurance: Maintain a robust quality management system compliant with ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, or equivalent military standards. Provide First Article Inspections (FAI) as required. Parts Identified per MIL-STD-130.
Government Furnished Property: (Equipment/Materials/Information/ComputerUtilization): The government may provide materials and hardware when commercial sources are not available.
Deliverables:
Please provide a whitepaper that provides and overview of your company’s capabilities as well as a cost estimate to fabricate the ECU Frame Assembly per the attached drawing / technical data package 17-3-4850
All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF or MS PowerPoint formats.
1. Respondents: The White Paper should be written in respondent format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt. Paper should not exceed 10 pages, including cover.
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- This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address).
- The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who. Example focus areas:
- Please discuss any/all relevant current products, services and capabilities that currently meet or will be able to meet the requirements described above
- As applicable, please provide past examples of work completed for the government.
- For Foreign companies: Discuss how the proposer will be able to work with the US Government in the future (i.e., US subsidiary or partner) if required.
- Additional documentation accepted (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint overview presentations, workforce training documentation, web links for supporting information, etc.
2. Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation: Respondents are requested to provide any supporting documentation or certifications related to technical capabilities, safety, and quality assurance management.
3. Cost.
Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY
This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.
RESPONSES:
The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM-SC via e-mail ONLY to contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov no later than July 31st 2026 at 5:00pm. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.
Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.
QUESTIONS:
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov no later than July 24th 2026 at 5:00pm. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.
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