Federal Contract Alert: USS RUSHMORE (LSD-47) VEHICLE LASHING SOCKET IN WELL DECK; REPLACE — DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSUP.NAVSUP GLOBAL LOGISTICS SUP
USS Rushmore Vehicle Lashing Socket Replacement: Navy Supply Contract
The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka is seeking a qualified manufacturer to design, produce, and deliver replacement vehicle lashing sockets for the USS Rushmore (LSD-47) well deck. Lashing sockets are the attachment points that secure vehicles and equipment during transport on amphibious assault ships. This is a direct replacement parts contract — not R&D, not installation labor — which means you're competing on manufacturing capability, lead time, and price.
Eligibility: Who Can Bid
NAICS Code and Business Type
The contract is classified under NAICS 336611 (Ship and Boat Building). This is a full and open competition with no set-aside status, which means large primes, small businesses, and everything in between are eligible. That said, if your shop has held a small business contract with Navy before, you have an advantage on past performance evaluation — they'll look for evidence you've delivered ship components on schedule.
The real gate here is manufacturing capability. You need a machine shop or fabrication facility capable of producing metal hardware to Navy specifications, likely with welding, heat treatment, or surface finishing. If you're a service-only or software company, stop reading and move on.
Security and Compliance Prerequisites
This is a Navy contract for ship components, which puts you under DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) rules. You will need an active CAGE code, a federal contractor tax ID, and the ability to source materials domestically or meet Buy American Act requirements. No special facility clearance is required for manufacturing hardware, but your supply chain must be documented and traceable.
Key Deadline
Proposal submission closes August 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM Japan Standard Time (JST). That's 19 days from the posting date. NAVSUP Yokosuka accepts submissions via SAM.gov — print the full solicitation immediately and do not assume the notice excerpt tells you everything. Procurement officials often hide critical details in the statement of work or technical data requirements sections.
How to Respond and Competitive Intelligence
Step One: Get the Full Solicitation
Log into SAM.gov, find this opportunity, and download the RFQ or IFB package. Navy supply contracts often use Invitation for Bid (IFB) format, which means price is the primary driver after you meet technical specs. Read the drawing, material spec, and any test/certification requirements.
Step Two: Assess Past Performance and Lead Time
Check if the incumbent won the last contract and how long it took them to deliver. If lashing sockets have a 16-week lead time and the Navy needs delivery in 12 weeks, you're chasing a contract you can't win. Past performance wins Navy contracts — a pristine price quote for something you can't deliver on time is worthless.
Step Three: Price Competitively
Don't low-ball. Navy hardware contracts are rarely profit centers; they're relationship builders. Price fairly for your labor and material, include a reasonable margin, and move on if the numbers don't work. A loss leader on one socket contract isn't worth the audit trail.
Three Actionable Tips
1. Verify material sourcing now. If the spec calls for a specific alloy or coating and you can't source it in your lead time, decline the bid. Navy procurement is inflexible on substitutions.
2. Check past performance references. Call the last three contractors who supplied hardware to NAVSUP Yokosuka. Ask them how responsive the technical point of contact was and whether the Navy enforced rejections for minor defects. Some Navy activities are reasonable; others are notoriously difficult.
3. Calculate your all-in cost and margin before writing the proposal. Navy solicitations look simple but often hide scope creep in quality requirements or shipping terms. Know your floor price before you commit.
CMMC & DFARS Compliance Checklist
This contract does not involve information technology, cybersecurity, or controlled unclassified information (CUI), so CMMC certification is not required. However, DFARS rules still apply.
DFARS Clauses to Confirm
Check the solicitation for DFARS 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information). Even though this is hardware, Navy often includes boilerplate DFARS clauses. Confirm whether you must implement basic cybersecurity practices for any technical data or CAD files the Navy provides. If the solicitation references 252.204-7019 or 252.204-7020 (CMMC or cyber incident reporting), that's a red flag — ask for clarification because it signals the Navy may add IT requirements during contract performance.
What You Need Before Bidding
An active CAGE code, a signed System for Award Management (SAM.gov) account in good standing, proof of domestic supply or Buy American Act compliance, and documentation of your manufacturing quality system. Nothing exotic, but nothing optional either.
Bottom Line
This is a straightforward Navy supply contract. If you have the machine shop, the lead time, and the past performance in ship components, bid it. If you're scrambling to source material or your delivery window is tight, skip it and wait for the next one.
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