Goodbye cFolders, Hello TDMT: How to Access DLA Engineering Drawings
If you rely on the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) to bid on defense contracts, your workflow for pulling Technical Data Packages (TDPs) just underwent a major shift. The legacy Collaboration Folders portal (cFolders) is officially retired—replaced by the new Technical Data Management Transformation (TDMT) System.
Here is what you need to know to navigate the new portal, secure your access, and avoid common technical hurdles.
What’s Changed?
Older solicitation PDFs may still point to the legacy cFolders link, but that URL is dead. All current engineering drawings, specifications, and TDPs are now hosted inside TDMT.
• Authentication: Instead of a standalone cFolders password, access now requires a basic account in DLA's AMPS system combined with Okta Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
• Data Currency: TDMT links directly to service product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, serving real-time, up-to-date revision data.
Quick 5-Step Setup Checklist
1. Register in AMPS: Head to amps.dla.mil and request a basic vendor account with the TDMT Vendor Role. Crucial: Use the exact same email address tied to your DIBBS account.
2. Set Up Okta MFA: Complete your single sign-on profile following DLA's Okta MFA setup guide.
3. Log In to TDMT: Navigate directly to tdmt.dla.mil using your new DLA Single Sign-On.
4. Verify Solicitation Data: Before digging into the portal, check DIBBS Navigator search results for a Tech Docs/Draw “Yes” indicator. If it has a “No” indicator, then DLA has no tech docs or drawings for the item – probably a commercial off the shelf item.
5. Keep JCP Current: If you need export-controlled or restricted technical data, ensure your Joint Certification Program (JCP) certification (DD Form 2345) is active.
Note: Registration across DIBBS, AMPS, TDMT, and JCP is completely free. Ignore third-party services attempting to charge fees for registration setup.
Critical Policy Change: View-Only Prior to Award
The biggest shift contractors are noticing isn't just the interface—it's DLA's updated security protocol: You can no longer download or export TDP documents prior to being awarded the contract.
Under current DLA policy, vendors have full access to view drawing packages for bidding purposes, but file downloads and export capabilities remain disabled until contract award.
Quick Viewing Tip
When searching a solicitation inside TDMT (under Acquisitions Documents), navigating to the actual document viewer can be counterintuitive. Opening a file requires clicking through the tdp [...] column and then selecting the entry in the Document Number column rather than clicking standard filename text.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why am I getting an authorization or access denied error when logging into TDMT?
A: This usually happens if your AMPS registration email doesn't match your DIBBS account email, or if the "TDMT Vendor Role" wasn't explicitly assigned during your AMPS account setup. Verify your profile email addresses match across both systems and confirm that the TDMT role shows active approval in AMPS.
Q: My old cFolders login credentials aren't working in TDMT. Do I need to reset my password?
A: No, password resets won't help because cFolders logins are completely obsolete. TDMT uses DLA's Single Sign-On via Okta MFA. You must create an account in AMPS and complete the Okta MFA enrollment process to log into TDMT—legacy cFolders credentials will not work.
Q: Why is my Okta MFA prompt looping or timing out when I try to log in?
A: Multi-factor authentication timeouts are frequently caused by stale browser cookies, aggressive ad-blockers, or temporary network slowdowns on the portal. Clear your browser cache, disable pop-up blockers for tdmt.dla.mil, or attempt the login in a clean private/incognito window.
