UNSPSC 23271603: Soldering iron

Soldering irons are tools for bonding two or more metallic surfaces together with an intermediate alloy (such as tin/lead or zinc/copper alloys), which is melted and re-cooled as the bond.

UNSPSC 23271603 Soldering iron is a Commodity code representing hand tools and consumables used in electrical and metal-joining work. Recent state and local opportunities show that procurement under this code centers on welding materials, supplies, and equipment rather than soldering irons specifically—a mismatch between the nominal code scope and actual buying activity. The issuing bodies are community colleges and school districts seeking to establish multi-vendor contracts for welding consumables, tooling, and related equipment to support vocational and technical training programs. Collin College (Texas) has posted two separate three-year welding-materials ITBs with estimated annual volumes of approximately $400,000 each, emphasizing multi-vendor awards and evaluating on purchase price (35%), quality (15%), references (15%), meeting district needs (15%), and other factors including Texas vendor status. Mt. San Antonio Community College District (California) solicited purchase and installation of flexible vent extraction arms for a welding lab with an Engineer's Base Bid Estimate of $150,000. The School Board of Polk County (Florida) issued a Request for Vendor Response for integrated CNC machining training equipment and support services, and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department issued an IFB for a plasma cutting table system—both outside the soldering iron commodity scope.

Geographic activity clusters in Texas and California, with secondary representation in Florida. The code shows little relevant recent activity aligned to soldering irons; the opportunities tagged under it are predominantly welding-program procurement (materials, consumables, and equipment installation) and related vocational training equipment. Collin College's FY2024-ITB-020 (due March 19, 2024) and FY2024-ITB-024 (due April 19, 2024) represent the most directly relevant recent solicitations, both seeking three-year contracts for welding consumables with multi-vendor awards and emphasis on competitive pricing, quality, and vendor relationship history. Mt. San Antonio Community College District's Solicitation 2026067 (due July 16, 2026) for welding lab extraction-arm installation required California Contractor's License classification C-20 and DIR registration, with a 3% DVBE participation goal and prevailing wage compliance. The code presents minimal opportunity for soldering-iron suppliers in its current state.