Connecting Suppliers with DLA

THELINK

Issue 7

January 2018

Upcoming Events:

Mark Your Calendars!

2018 Suppliers Conference:

June 18 - 21, 2018

Columbus, OH

www.dla.mil

www.facebook.com/dla.mil

www.twitter.com/dlamil

www.youtube.com/user/

dodlogisticsagency

Updated Master Solicitation 

Beginning on October 5, 2017, on all automated solicitations and awards, the 

mandatory FAR and DFARS provisions and clauses cited in the DLA Master 

Solicitation for Automated Simplified Acquisitions started appearing on automated 

solicitation and award documents. The master solicitation will still be used for mandatory DLAD clauses, conditional FAR/DFARS/DLAD provisions and clauses, and procurement notes. In the event of a conflict between mandatory provisions and clauses explicitly cited in the automated solicitations and awards and those located in the 

master solicitation, part II, subpart A, the mandatory provisions and clauses cited in 

the automated solicitation or award will take precedence.

When manually issued solicitations and/or awards reference the DLA Master 

Solicitation for Automated Simplified Acquisitions for mandatory and conditional 

provisions and clauses, and the procurement notes, those provisions, clauses and 

procurement notes are incorporated by reference and have the same force and 

effect as full text.

2018 TKO’s—Mark Your Calendars!

Training, Knowledge & Opportunities Seminars are FREE!

Learn how to do business with the Government

March 20—21

May 15—16

September 11 –12

November 6—7

Registration coming soon to: https://tko.dla.mil/

All seminars are in Columbus, OH
Page 2

Small Business Questions & Answers

Q: What does the federal government buy?

A: The federal government uses a system of federal stock classes or FSCs. These are the category of products that

the federal government manages to purchase supplies. Where can you see a list of FSCs? Just look on the DIBBS

website home page! You can find a list of FSCs at: https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/Refs/fsc.aspx.

Q: I’ve heard that the DLA internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) can be used to see what DLA is buying?

A: The DIBBS board can be used to: 

 View solicitations and submit quotes 

 View RFPs and upload proposals

 View long term contract opportunities 

 View provisions, clauses and packaging specs 

 View award history 

 Access drawings and technical data (cFolders) 

 Access forecast information (SRVA) 

The DIBBS homepage also provides links to other helpful information to assist vendors in doing business with DLA and 

can be found at https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/

Q: How do I find opportunities to become an approved source?

A: First, search the DIBBS website to find opportunities that match your capabilities. Start by identifying solicitations

in which complete technical drawings are available. These can be easily identified in DIBBS in the Technical

Documents column of the solicitation where a drawing icon is posted. That icon means you can access the drawing

and/or technical data via the DLA Collaboration Folder (cFolders). https://pcf1.bsm.dla.mil/cfolders/

Q: What if drawings are not available and my company is interested in becoming an approved source?

A: An alternate offer is a response to a solicitation in which complete technical data does not exist and when offerors

provide an item which is from other than an approved source and/or is not the exact product (i.e. CAGE and P/N)

cited in the acquisition identification description (AID) manufactured by the manufacturer cited in the AID or 

manufactured by a firm who manufactures the product for the manufacturer cited in the AID.) The alternate offeror's

product must be identical to or be physically, mechanically, electrically, and functionally interchangeable with the

products cited in the AID to be approved. In order to be approved, you’ll need to submit a Source Approval

Request (SAR). 

Package Labeling

Shelf life marking has two mutually exclusive categories. Carefully look at your contract 

for the type of shelf life. The two types are Type I and Type II. Type I has an expiration 

date and Type II has an inspection/test date. Example of Type I: MFD 10/17, EXP 10/22. 

Example of Type II: MFD 10/17, INSP/TEST 10/22. MIL-STD-129R, 5.10.1.a,b provides 

further details on shelf life markings and label format requirements. Non-compliance to 

shelf life marking is one of the reasons contractor items become suspended stock 

resulting in no payment, delayed payment, or items returned to the contractor.
Page 3

Helpful Hints for Your Post Award Requests (PARs)

The issuing office POC will address all requests sent for post 

award action. The POC is located in block 6 of the contract/

purchase order.

If you send your email request to the PAR mailbox, you will 

receive an interim reply within two to three business days. 

This email is to notify you your request has been accepted 

and assigned for action. Please double check the email address if you do not get an interim response.

Another good recommendation for quicker service is for the vendor to create a PAR via DIBBS at

https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/. The following information on PAR requests in DIBBS (Status, Tracking, and 

Contracting Officer POC info) is available to you via submission in DIBBS. 

When our PAR coordinators create your request internally, you will not have access to this information. See more

information at Post Award Requests (PAR) in DIBBS - November 2015 https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/notices/

msgdspl.aspx?msgid=821

If you are not getting a response from us as

indicated above please utilize our voicemail 

service by dialing 614-692-9745 for DLA

Maritime items only. This is a

voicemail box which is monitored during 

business hours between 0900 – 1500. 

The box is checked a minimum four times daily

during business hours.

New—DLA Land and Maritime 

Form 918

A new revision of the DLA Land and Maritime Form 918 was 

published and released on September 22, 2017. The DLA Land and 

Maritime Form 918 (AUG 2017) supersedes all previous versions of 

the form and should be used by suppliers for all FSC 5962 contracts 

effective immediately. DLA will not accept submissions of the 

December 2014, April 2015, March 2016, or NOV 2016 versions of 

the DLA Land and Maritime Form 918 for any contract awarded 

after September 22, 2017. The form was updated to align with requirements of DFARS 252.246-7008, Sources of Electronics Parts, 

and DLAD Procurement Note M01. 
Page 4

Thanks to our Suppliers for their Mission Essential Support of the Warfighter

WARNING— SAM Registration Reminder

Contractors and grants recipients are reminded in most cases registration in SAM is 

required in order to receive an award. SAM.gov registration is FREE. There is NO FEE to 

register or maintain your SAM.gov registration. If you get an email, text, or phone call 

from a company asking you to contact them right away about your SAM.gov registration 

or if you are asked to pay money to complete or renew your SAM.gov registration, be 

cautious. These messages are not from the Federal Government. You may complete or update your registration at 

www.sam.gov. 

DLA funds Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) to increase the number of U.S. businesses capable of 

bidding and performing on local, state, and federal government contracts. PTACs have government contracting experts 

available to assist suppliers at no cost. Visit the PTAC website to find your local PTAC:

http://www.dla.mil/HQ/SmallBusiness/PTAP.aspx

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is reaffirming its 

commitment to support warfighter readiness in a 

complex and rapidly changing environment with its 

new 2018-2026 Strategic Plan. The plan supports 

Department of Defense priorities to strengthen the 

nation’s military by building a more lethal force, 

reinforcing alliances with industry and government 

partners, and reforming business practices.

The plan features five lines of effort:

 Warfighter First – Strengthen service and 

combatant command readiness and lethality

 Global Posture – Prepared for immediate action

 Strong Partnerships – Leverage the joint logistics enterprise, interagency, 

industry, and partner and allied nations

 Whole of Government – Support to the nation

 Always Accountable – Assured supply chain, financial, and process 

excellence

For more information please visit: http://www.dla.mil/Info/strategicplan/

PTAC—How Can They Help?