The US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), an agency within the US Department of Defense, issued a tender seeking up to nearly 5.2mn lbs of bismuth metal over a five-year period for the National Defense Stockpile.
The tender, published on 26 August, seeks offers for 99.99pc bismuth in slab or ingot form under an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a guaranteed minimum of $3mn and maximum value of $65mn. The DLA expects deliveries of the metal within 24 months. Offers are due by 9 September.
Under the contract, Bismuth metal would need to be sent to the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada, which will be home to the US's first strategic mineral reserve (SMR) announced earlier this month. With support from the US federal agencies, aviation software company Volato Group and critical mineral supply chain development firm M2i Global will develop and operate the SMR.
Argus last assessed min 99.99pc grade bismuth ingot at $15-18/lb fob US warehouse on 26 August.
This follows the DLA's solicitation, on 20 August, for up to $500mn of cobalt metal over a five-year period.
In addition, the DLA issued requests for information (RFI) on 26-27 August for the potential acquisition of 222 metric tonnes (t) of indium ingots, 1,715t of tungsten ores and concentrates, 4000t of vanadium pentoxide and heavy rare earth oxides — including 30t of dysprosium oxide, 900t of gadolinium oxide, 3,500t of samarium oxide and 10t of terbium oxide.
