Department of Defense · Department of the Air Force · FA7000 10 CONS LGC
Account requiredWhy it scored this way
Every reason behind the verdict rather than the headline one — which of your certifications match, how much runway is left, whether the work is your size, and what we would need to know to sharpen it.
The requirements that decide a bid — bonding, clearances, experience minimums, page limits — live in the attachments, not in the notice above. Start a free trial to upload them and have them read.
Draft the paperwork
Written against this notice and what you have told us about your company. Anything we do not know is marked [NEEDS INPUT] in the draft rather than guessed at — read it before you send it. Federal notices routinely put the real requirement in an attachment; adding the documents above makes every one of these materially better.
Start a free trial to draft these. Nothing is sent to an agency on your behalf, ever — you get a document to review, edit and submit yourself.
What would disqualify you
Read straight from the solicitation documents: the bonding, clearances, insurance minimums, experience thresholds and deadlines that decide whether you can bid at all — before you write a word.
Sources Sought response
A complete draft response — capability statement, relevant past performance, business size and socioeconomic status, and answers to the agency's specific questions.
Questions to submit
Genuine ambiguities and requirements that disadvantage a smaller bidder, drafted as questions you can submit before the Q&A deadline.
Past performance write-ups
Which of your prior awards best match this requirement, and draft write-ups in the format the agency asked for.
Solicitation details
Solicitation number
FY27_USAFA_Swimsuits_Compression_Shorts
Notice type
Sources Sought
NAICS
315250
Product service code
8415
Set-aside
Small Business Set Aside - Total
Posted
2026-10-15
Response deadline
Oct 23, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
Place of performance
USAF Academy, CO
Contracting contact
melinda.lingley@us.af.mil
Market intelligence
Account requiredWho wins this work, and what it pays
Comparable awards under NAICS 315250 at this agency — the incumbent, what they were paid, when their period of performance ends, and the real pricing distribution rather than the headline number. From public federal award records.
SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FY27 USAFA CADET SWIMSUITS AND COMPRESSION SHORTS (REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT) THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION; THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), 10th Logistics Readiness Squadron Cadet Uniform Section (10 LRS/LGRCU), has a recurring, mandatory-issue requirement to outfit cadets with athletic swimsuits and compression shorts. Garments are mandatory-issue items used for physical education, athletic training, and scheduled cadet clothing issue events, with a delivery due date each April. The Government intends to solicit and award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Requirements Contract in accordance with FAR 16.503, consisting of one (1) 12-month base period and four (4) consecutive 12-month option periods. The following estimated quantities represent projected annual requirements (exact quantities and sizes will be included with the award): 0001 Shorts Compression MNS 2,850 each 0002 Shorts Compression WMNS 450 each 0003 Swimsuit MNS 500 each 0004 Swimsuit WMNS 170 each SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS / SPECIFICATIONS Garments proposed must meet or exceed the following salient characteristics: A. Cadet Compression Shorts (Men’s & Women’s) Fabric & Material: Form-fitting nylon/elastane-type fabric blend; 4-way stretch elastic performance construction. Moisture Management: Advanced moisture-wicking material engineered to pull sweat away from the skin, lessening chafing and rash onset during rigorous athletic training. Athletic Performance: Form-fitting garment providing compression to keep thigh muscles warm and reduce muscle fatigue/strain; incorporates athletic performance standards comparable to NFL Combine compression gear. Color: Dark Navy Blue throughout (uniform dyed fabric through and through). Coverage & Inseam: Men’s: Mid-thigh coverage with standard athletic compression inseam. Women’s: Specifically tailored female cut with a shorter inseam of 2" to 4". B. Cadet Men’s Swimsuit Shell Material: 100% Polyester Taslan. Liner: Synthetic mesh brief liner (anti-chafing construction). Waistband: Elastic waistband equipped with an internal or external drawstring / drawcord. Inseam: 5" to 8" inseam length. Construction: Lightweight, quick-drying, durable, and anti-chafing. Color: Royal Blue. Standard Sizing Breakdown: X-Small (XSM): 24"–27" waist Small (SM): 28"–31" waist Medium (MED): 32"–35" waist Large (LG): 36"–39" waist Extra Large (XLG): 40"–44" waist Double Extra Large (XXLG): 45"–47" waist C. Cadet Women’s Swimsuit Fabric Composition: 85% Polyester / 15% Elastane (Poly/Elastane 85/15 blend). Design & Cut: Athletic one-piece suit with moderate/standard leg cut and wide support straps. Back Style: Performance / Racerback styling with keyhole opening. Support & Lining: Built-in shelf bra; fully lined front and back. Color: Royal Blue. Standard Sizing Breakdown: Size 30 / XXSM (Dress size 00–0) Size 32 / XSM (Dress size 0–2) Size 34 / SM (Dress size 4–6) Size 36 / MED (Dress size 8–10) Size 38 / LG (Dress size 12–14) Size 40 / XLG (Dress size 16–18) Size 42 / XXLG (Dress size 20–22) Government-Furnished Material (GFM): No Government Furnished Material or Property will be provided. The contractor is entirely responsible for sourcing and procuring all fabric, trims, threads, and packaging. Domestic Preference / Sourcing: The Buy American Act and applicable Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses (e.g., DFARS 252.225-7001 / Berry Amendment DFARS 252.225-7012 as applicable to military apparel acquisitions) will apply. First Article Testing (FAT): A First Article Sample will be required upon contract award prior to mass production in accordance with FAR 52.209-4 (First Article Approval - Government Testing) or Alternate I. Delivery Terms: FOB Destination to USAFA Cadet Uniform Section (10 LRS/LGRCU), 2348 Sijan Hall, USAF Academy, CO 80840. In response to this sources sought provide the following capabilities package: Company Profile Company Information: Legal Business Name, physical address, point of contact (name, email, phone number), and website. Identification Identifiers: Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), CAGE Code, and SAM.gov registration status (must be active with no exclusions). Business Size & Socio-Economic Classifications: Confirm whether your firm is a Small Business under NAICS 315250 (750 employees) and specify any certified socio-economic designations (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, SDVOSB, Small Disadvantaged Business). Technical & Manufacturing Capability Scope Coverage: Indicate whether your firm can manufacture and supply both product categories (Swimsuits AND Compression Shorts) or only a specific subset. Multi-Year Capacity: Demonstrate your company’s production and supply chain capacity to support an ongoing Requirements Contract over a 5-year period (Base plus 4 Option Years) meeting the estimated annual quantities and sizing distributions. Domestic Sourcing Compliance: State your ability to comply with domestic sourcing requirements (Buy American Act / Berry Amendment DFARS requirements) and manufacturing origin. Lead Times: Typical lead time required for First Article Sample submission and subsequent standard production order turnaround times. Please note: All contractors doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. The website for registration is www.sam.gov. Responses must be submitted electronically via email to the following points of contact: Primary Point of Contact: Melinda Lingley - melinda.lingley@us.af.mil Secondary Point of Contact: Wanda Farr - wanda.farr@us.af.mil Response Due Date: Responses are due no later than 23 October 2026 at 2:00 PM MST. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Future acquisition milestones, including solicitation issuance and any amendments, will be publicized through SAM.gov. Interested vendors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for updates.
Contact
Point of contact
Melinda Lingley
Role
not stated on this notice — SAM publishes a role for only about 5% of them, so this may be a contract specialist rather than the contracting officer
Email
melinda.lingley@us.af.mil
Secondary
wanda.farr@us.af.mil
Submit questions
Ambiguities and requirements worth clarifying, written as questions you can send before the deadline.
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