General Information
DLA Troop Support’s (TS) Medical supply chain supports the Nation’s military every day and in every crisis. DLA TS Medical support warfighters and their dependents around the world, from well babies to wounded warriors. To ensure their basic and critical medical and pharmaceutical needs are met, the support includes surgical items, preventive vaccines, field hospital equipment and even medical supplies for animals.
DLA TS’s Medical supply chain has established multiple acquisition methods for its customers to purchase medical materiel (the equipment, apparatus, and supplies of a military force or other organization). They include the following: Medical Prime Vendor Program (MPVP), Medical Electronic Catalog (ECAT), Contingency Contracts, Solicitation Proposal Process, National Stock Number (NSN) Ordering, and through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS).
Being a participant in any one or more of the programs does not guarantee sales. You will need to market your company and products to the Military Services to increase sales. This could be accomplished by sending sales and marketing personnel to meet with clinical and medical logistics personnel located at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) (hospitals, ambulatory care and occupational health clinics, and dental clinics) such as Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, etc., or by speaking to clinical and logistics personnel assigned to field and deployable medical units.
What Does DLA Troop Support Medical Procure and How?
| Commodity |
MPVP |
ECAT |
Contingency Contract |
Solicitation Proposal Process |
NSN or Part # Ordering |
DIBBS |
Federal Supply Classification (FSC) Code |
| Pharmaceuticals |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6505 |
| Medical/Surgical |
Yes |
Yes (Limited) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6515 |
| Dental Items |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6520 |
| Optical Items |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
6540 |
| Laboratory Items |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6640 |
| Hospital Lab Equipment |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6640 |
| Critical Care |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6515 |
| Biomedical Equipment |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
6525 |
| Medicated Cosmetics |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6508 |
| Veterinary Pharmaceuticals |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6509 |
| Surgical Dressing Materials |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6510 |
| Hospital Furniture |
NOTE: Medical does not procure hospital furniture. GSA is the authorized supplier. |
6530 |
| Hospital Surgical Clothing |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6532 |
| Replenishable Field Kits |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6545 |
| In-Vitro Diagnostic Substances, Reagents Test Kits and Sets |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6550 |
| Chemical Analysis Instruments |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6630 |
| Training Aids |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
6910 |
| Crude Grades Plant Material |
NOTE: Medical does not have requirements for this FSC. |
9410 |
| Memorials, Mortuary Equipment |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
9930 |
Product and Service Search
Use the Product and Service Search tool to search and sort products and services a Supplier can supply to the Government. These products and services are categorized by the Major Subordinate Commands (i.e. Aviation, Land and Maritime, etc.) that manage the supply chain, and a Supplier can use the information to determine a pathway to which primary DLA supply chains (i.e. MSCs) need the material or service.
Medical Prime Vendor Program
The majority of Medical Items are purchased by DLA’s customers through the Medical Prime Vendor Program (MPVP).
A Prime Vendor (PV) is a single distributor of brand specific medical supplies. PV contracts are in place for pharmaceuticals, medical/surgical, Navy Fleet, and War Reserve/Readiness.
Distribution and Pricing Agreements (DAPA)
Are issued to suppliers of medical items (commercial items and items that do not necessarily need an NSN) by the DLA TS Medical Supply Chain. These suppliers thereby become "DAPA-holders." DAPAs are pricing vehicles used to establish and manage pricing with manufacturers and/or distributors for medical material purchased under DLA’s MPVP contracts. Prices are deemed fair and reasonable prior to approving and issuing a DAPA.
Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) for pharmaceutical items
If suppliers already have a FSS for an item, they can use that FSS to sell that item through the MPVP. A DAPA will still need to be established to sell through the MPVP for medical/surgical and equipment items
Medical Electronic Catalogue
The Medical ECAT is a Net-centric ordering, distribution, and payment system providing the Department of Defense (DoD) and other Federal customers access to multiple manufacturer and distributor commercial catalogs at discounted prices. The program is a complementary acquisition strategy allowing customers to browse, compare, and order a wide range of pharmaceutical, laboratory, dental, optical fabrication, and medical/surgical equipment commercial items not available through DAPAs under the MPVP.
ECAT provides products from manufacturers and distributors to maximize the breadth and depth of its product offerings and promote competition among suppliers. DLA TS Medical Supply Chain contracting specialists negotiate discounted pricing off of the supplier's commercial catalog price. This discounted price is presented to ECAT customers as the “Total Delivered Price” of the product. This price includes all transportation/distribution and administrative costs.
Contact the ECAT Help Desk at 800-290-8201 or email the ECAT Help Desk at DSCPECATHELP@dla.mil with any questions on the ECAT program or how to become an ECAT supplier.
Contingency Contracts
DLA TS Medical Supply Chain, in consultation and collaboration with the Military Services and other DoD agencies, places a subset of items under contract for contingency situations such as military or humanitarian operations. In order to ensure that the healthcare industry and the industrial base can support contingency operations, DLA TS Medical Supply Chain attempts to place products under contingency contract to improve planning and sustainment operations on behalf of the Military Services.
Solicitation Proposal process
DLA TS Medical Supply Chain utilizes various kinds of solicitations. For example, we have Customer Value Contracts (CVCs), Multiple Award Contracts, and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). We place notices of solicitations valued over $25,000 on the Federal Contract Opportunities website at SAM.gov .
- Site: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, DODAAC: SP0200, SPE2D*, SPM200, SPM2D*
- Site: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii DODAAC: SPE2DT
Buys from $2,500 to $24,999 are competed with a variety of companies that produce the product typically through the DLA Internet Bid Board System. For Equipment items such as Imaging Equipment, DINPACS, Patient Monitoring, Imaging Equipment Maintenance, or Radiation Oncology Equipment, DLA TS Medical Supply Chain awards to every company that meets the requirements of the solicitation. We then issue orders for items as the customers send in their purchase requests.
National Stock Number Ordering
Prior to the implementation of MPVP, medical supplies were procured using National Stock Numbers (NSNs). The NSNs are now primarily reserved to support our readiness efforts and contingency operations. Military services have the ultimate authority to establish a NSN for a new product or authorize a substitute source for any existing NSN that meet the minimum requirements of the mission.
DLA Internet Bid Board System
The DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) at is a web-based bid board that allows suppliers to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests for Quotations (RFQs), search and view Request for Proposals (RFPs), and view awards for DLA items of supply.
Contact Us
DLA Troop Support Small Business Office
Submit an inquiry for assistance within the DLA Small Business Programs Office Contact Inquiry option. Choose DLA Troop Support – Medical in the “Which Buying Organization do you need assistance with?” field.
Explore DLA’s Supplier Pathway Program’s Getting Started page specific for DLA Troop Support’s Medical supply chain. It provides the steps on how to do business with the supply chain to include what type of certifications you will need and opportunity routes you can take to become a supplier at a prime or subcontracting level.