This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on September 10, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION MINERAL PROCESSING LEASING OPPORTUNITIES
Contract Overview
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The Department of the Air Force issued Request for Information AFCEC-26-R-0011 to identify industry interest and feasibility for Enhanced Use Lease opportunities on underutilized surface land. The primary objective is to accelerate U.S. economic development and enhance mission readiness by establishing mineral processing facilities, specifically for the refining and smelting of critical minerals and rare earth elements. This initiative is strictly limited to surface use activities and explicitly excludes the exploration or extraction of subsurface minerals. Potential sites under consideration include Mountain Home AFB, Luke AFB, Kirtland AFB, and Hill AFB. As a market research tool, this RFI is intended to inform a future Request for Lease Proposal and is not governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Interested parties must provide input on site suitability, real estate preferences, and the ability to operate without government-provided raw materials. Key requirements for potential developers include addressing Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States security considerations, managing physical and cyber security, and providing reclamation plans. Additionally, lessees are responsible for reimbursing the government for costs associated with National Environmental Policy Act compliance and must disclose all foreseeable radiologic, chemical, or explosive hazards. Responses are due by October 9, 2026.
General Info
NAICS
Place of Performance
0, ID, 83648, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
This Request for Information (RFI) is the first phase of a process to leverage non-excess under-utilized Department of the Air Force (DAF) surface land to accelerate economic development in the United States and to enhance mission readiness in connection with presidential directives and policy directing agencies to leverage federal assets to support mineral processing facilities, to include processing of rare earth elements.
For purposes of this RFI, mineral processing is strictly limited to surface use activities, including refining, and smelting of minerals, and the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products. This RFI does not solicit interest in the exploration or extraction of subsurface minerals. While the Department of the Interior/Bureau of Land Management (DOI/BLM) generally controls the leasing and disposition of federally owned subsurface minerals, the DAF maintains authority over whether and under what conditions a party may physically occupy or use the surface of a DAF installation consistent with mission requirements.
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