Know if you can win a DLA part before you spend hours quoting it
Send a part number, NSN (National Stock Number) or solicitation. You get a short memo that says whether a new source can win the part, who controls the design, and what the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) lists as its price.
$99 per month. Onboarding the first 10 bidders.
Four answers before you quote
Every memo answers the same four questions about one part.
Can a new source win it?
When DLA has an acquisition method on file for a part, it records two codes: the acquisition method code (AMC) and its suffix (AMSC). We read both and tell you in plain English whether a company that has not sold the part before can compete. Many catalogued parts have no acquisition method on file, and the memo says so rather than guessing. How the codes work.
Who controls the design, and who is catalogued?
You see the company that controls the design and every part number and CAGE code DLA has on file for the part, with DLA's label for each. A CAGE code is the five-character ID DLA gives each company.
What does DLA say it costs?
The memo shows DLA's catalog reference price. It is not an award price, and the memo labels it that way.
Which shops could make it?
We check which machine shops in our directory could make the part, so you have somewhere to turn if you resell.
If you send the solicitation, you also get the paperwork list
A solicitation is DLA's request for quotes on a part. Send it and the memo lists the paperwork that solicitation calls for. A person reviews that list before it reaches you.
A sample memo, from a real part
This one uses a real part from DLA's public catalog. Every value below is copied from it.
Bid desk memo (sample)
Cylinder, Actuating, Linear, NSN 1650-00-031-5419
1. Can a new source win it?
A new source can compete for this part. DLA rates this part suitable for competitive buying for the first time. DLA's code says the government has unlimited rights to the technical data and the data package is complete.
DLA codes: AMC 2, AMSC G. Managed by Defense Logistics Agency (MOE code DS).
2. Who controls the design, and who is catalogued?
Design control: The Boeing Company, Long Beach, CA (CAGE 88277).
| Part number | Company | CAGE | What DLA calls it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4447369 | The Boeing Company, Long Beach, CA | 88277 | Design control (current)DLA codes: RNCC 3, RNVC 2 |
| 4447369 | The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, CA | 18355 | Earlier reference. DLA marks it superseded, cancelled, obsolete or discontinued.DLA codes: RNCC 5, RNVC 9 |
3. What does DLA say it costs?
$817.30 per EA, effective 01-OCT-2026. This is DLA's catalog reference price, not an award price.
4. Which shops could make it?
A real memo lists the matching shops from our directory. This sample does not include that list.
Source: DLA PUB LOG, release 2026-10-27. The solicitation always governs.
How it works
Send what you are quoting
A part number, an NSN (National Stock Number) or a solicitation number.
An AI drafts the memo
It works from DLA's own public data, not from guesses.
A person reviews it
We check the draft, then email the memo to you.
Who it is for
Bidders
Resellers and small prime contractors who quote DLA parts on DIBBS, DLA's bid board. You get a memo for each part you send, so you know where you stand before you spend hours on a quote.
Machine shops
If you make parts rather than resell them, there is a smaller option: tell us what you make, and we will tell you about DLA buys your shop can actually win.
Tell me about DLA buys my shop can actually winPricing
$99 per month
We are onboarding the first 10 bidders. Request early access and we will email you about next steps.
Request early accessQuestions
What is a DLA bid desk memo?
It is a short written answer for one part you are thinking of quoting. It says whether a new source can win it, who controls the design, what DLA's catalog lists as the price, and which shops in our directory could make it. An AI drafts it from DLA's own public data. A person reviews it before it is emailed to you.
What do AMC and AMSC mean?
AMC is DLA's acquisition method code, and AMSC is its suffix. DLA records both when it has an acquisition method on file for a part. Together they tell you whether the part is open to new sources and, if it is not, why. The memo reads both codes for you and says what they mean in plain English.
Is the price in the memo what the part sold for?
No. It is DLA's catalog reference price, taken from DLA's public catalog data. It is not an award price, and the memo labels it that way. The solicitation is what sets the terms of any buy.
What do you need from me to start?
A part number, an NSN (National Stock Number), or a solicitation number. If you send the solicitation, the memo also lists the paperwork it calls for.
Which parts are covered?
Aircraft parts and mechanical power transmission parts such as gears, pulleys and sprockets: Federal Supply Groups 15, 16, 17 and 30. Parts outside those groups are not covered yet.
Does DLA run or endorse this?
No. MachineShop.Directory is not affiliated with DLA. The memo reads DLA's public data, and the solicitation always governs.
What does it cost?
$99 per month. We are onboarding the first 10 bidders. Request early access and we will email you about next steps. There is no checkout on this page.
I run a machine shop. Can I use this?
Yes. Shops can sign up for a smaller option: tell us what you make, and we will tell you about DLA buys your shop can actually win. Use the form below and choose "Machine shop".
Learn the basics first
Request early access
Tell us what you are quoting and where to reach you. If the form does not work, email hello@machineshop.directory.
MachineShop.Directory is not affiliated with DLA. The solicitation always governs. Memos read DLA's public PUB LOG catalog data and cover aircraft parts and mechanical power transmission parts (Federal Supply Groups 15, 16, 17 and 30) only.