If you work in military logistics, defense procurement, or government contracting, you already know that sourcing batteries for DoD applications isn’t as simple as placing an order on a commercial website. Military batteries must meet strict performance specifications, are tracked by National Stock Numbers (NSNs), and are procured through specific DLA channels. This guide walks through exactly how that process works — and how working with a certified SDVOSB supplier simplifies it.
Why Military Batteries Are Different
Not all batteries are created equal for defense applications. Military vehicles, aircraft, ground support equipment, and communication systems operate in extreme conditions — temperature swings, vibration, shock, and extended field deployments. Standard commercial batteries fail under these conditions.
EnerSys is the dominant supplier of military batteries to the U.S. government, with product lines specifically engineered for defense use. Their Hawker ARMASAFE Plus TPPL batteries, for example, are the standard for combat vehicles across all branches of the U.S. military. EnerSys has supplied batteries to DLA under long-term contracts for decades, making their NSNs among the most frequently sourced in the DLA catalog.
What Is an NSN and Why Does It Matter?
A National Stock Number (NSN) is a 13-digit identifier assigned to every item the U.S. military procures — including batteries. The first four digits are the Federal Supply Class (FSC); for batteries, that’s FSC 6140. The remaining nine digits are the National Item Identification Number (NIIN), which identifies the specific item.
When a contracting officer or logistics specialist needs to procure a battery, they don’t search by brand name or part number — they search by NSN. If you’re a supplier and you’re not set up to source and quote against specific battery NSNs, you’re invisible to that buyer.
Common EnerSys battery NSNs procured through DLA include items in FSC 6140, covering lead-acid, TPPL, and specialty batteries for military vehicles, aircraft, and ground equipment. IAO Industries has been awarded DLA contracts on multiple battery NSNs, including 6140-01-628-9869 and 6140-01-598-6864.
How DLA Procures Batteries
DLA procures batteries primarily through two mechanisms:
Long-term contracts are awarded to manufacturers like EnerSys directly for high-volume, frequently needed NSNs. These contracts cover the majority of recurring military battery requirements.
Open market solicitations are posted on DIBBS (the DLA Internet Bid Board System) for NSNs that fall outside long-term contracts, low-quantity requirements, or emergency purchases. These solicitations are open to any approved vendor — including SDVOSB distributors like IAO Industries — and are posted continuously. DLA processes thousands of solicitations weekly.
For procurement officers and contracting specialists, the process is straightforward: identify the NSN, search DIBBS for open solicitations, and award to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. For set-aside solicitations, only certified SDVOSB, 8(a), or small business vendors are eligible to bid.
How SDVOSB Suppliers Fit Into Battery Procurement
Under FAR Part 19, contracting officers are required to consider SDVOSB set-asides before opening competition to all vendors. If two or more certified SDVOSB suppliers can fulfill a requirement, it must be set aside for that pool. If only one SDVOSB responds with an acceptable offer, the contracting officer can — and typically does — make the award to that single offeror.
This means that for battery NSNs where IAO Industries is an approved source, the set-aside rules work in our favor. A contracting officer sourcing a battery NSN through DIBBS who sees an SDVOSB-set-aside solicitation is specifically looking for suppliers like IAO.
IAO Industries has documented cost reductions of 10–47% compared to incumbent suppliers on DLA battery contracts — competitive pricing combined with set-aside eligibility makes for a strong procurement case.
What Procurement Officers Need to Know About Working With IAO
IAO Industries is a federally certified SDVOSB and minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) with active SAM.gov registration and SBA VetCert certification. For battery procurement specifically:
We source the full EnerSys product line including Odyssey, Hawker ARMASAFE Plus, Genesis, DataSafe, Cyclon, and NexSys series. We quote against specific NSNs for DLA solicitations and open market requirements. We have an established track record of DLA contract awards for battery NSNs with on-time delivery. We work with prime contractors and defense integrators as a subcontractor to meet supplier diversity requirements.
How to Request a Quote
If you have a battery NSN requirement — whether through DIBBS, an open market purchase, or a subcontracting need — the fastest path is to submit a quote request directly. Include the NSN or part number, quantity, and required delivery date. IAO Industries responds within one business day.
Use the quote form on our Batteries page or contact us directly at sales@iaoind.com.
Categories: Government Procurement, Batteries Tags: EnerSys, DLA, NSN, military batteries, SDVOSB, battery procurement, 6140, DIBBS, defense logistics