Domestically Sourced RARE EARTH MAGNETS FOR sUAS

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Domestically Sourced RARE EARTH MAGNETS FOR sUAS" opportunity, Notice ID W51AA102042026. The RFI closing date was February 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM EST.

• Motor Manufacturer: Tobyhanna Army Depot.
• Total Motors to be Manufactured: 480,000.
• Demand Forecast (for planning purposes only):
  • 320,000 of the 2807's
  • 80,000 of the 3115's
  • 80,000 of the 2407's
• Plating Requirement: The coating is for corrosion resistance. Alternate coatings are acceptable if compatible with mounting adhesives like epoxy.
• Radial Orientation of Magnetization: Pole orientation must be centered in the arc segment in the radial direction, but does not need to be continuous. Sets of 14 magnets are required (7 North on OD, 7 North on ID).
• N52SH Nominal Requirements (Room Temperature):
  • Max Energy Product (BH)max: 49-53 MGOe
  • Remanence (Br): 1.42 - 1.48 Tesla
  • Intrinsic Coercivity (Hcj): >19 kOe
  • Coercivity (Hcb): 10.5kOe
• N52SH Nominal Requirements (Operating Temperature):
  • Max operating temp: 90 deg C.
  • Max ambient temp: 50 deg C.
  • Reversible loss of magnetic field strength (Br) should not exceed -0.14% / deg C.
• Magnet Calculation: The calculation of 6,720,000 total magnets (14 magnets/motor * 480,000 motors) is confirmed as a correct estimated quantity.

These clarifications provide specific technical details and quantity estimates that bidders should consider when preparing their responses to the solicitation.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) for market research to identify U.S. companies capable of manufacturing and supplying commercial-grade rare earth magnets. These magnets are critical for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors used in small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS). The information gathered will help determine the final procurement strategy, which may include small business set-asides or full and open competition.

• Material Type: Neodymium Magnet Grade N52SH

• Coating: Triple-layer Nickel-Copper-Nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni)

• Magnetization: Radially magnetized arc segments for alternating polarity.

• Specific Magnet Dimensions: Required for three BLDC motor sizes (3115, 2807, 2407) with specific Outer Diameter (OD), Inner Diameter (ID), Arc Segment Angle, Height, and Thickness for each.

• All materials, including raw rare earth materials, must NOT be sourced from prohibited foreign countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea) per DFARS 252.225-7052.

• Compliance with the Specialty Metals Amendment (10 USC 4862) and DFARS 252.225-7008/7009 is required.

• Format: Brief capabilities statement package (max 10 pages, 10pt font, bullet format).

• Content: Demonstrate ability to provide required products/systems. Include organization details (name, address, POCs, ownership type) and tailored capability statements with supporting documentation. Address subcontracting/teaming if applicable.

• Submission Method: Electronically via email to nicholas.m.paras.civ@army.mil & christopher.k.volch.civ@army.mil.

• Deadline: 1:00 p.m. EDT on 11 February 2026.

• Subject Line: Reference the synopsis number.

• Confidentiality: Data marked as proprietary will be protected.

This RFI is for informational purposes only and is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP). It does not constitute a solicitation, and responses are not offers. The government is not obligated to award a contract, and no funds are available to pay for response preparation.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "Domestically Sourced RARE EARTH MAGNETS FOR sUAS" opportunity (Notice ID: W51AA102042026). The RFI Closing Date was February 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm EST.

• Motor Manufacturer: Tobyhanna Army Depot.
• Total Motors to be Purchased: Manufacturing 480,000 motors.
• Demand Forecast (for planning purposes only): Projected 320,000 of the 2807’s, 80,000 of the 3115’s, and 80,000 of the 2407’s.
• Plating Requirement Purpose: The coating is required for corrosion resistance. Alternative coatings are acceptable if compatible with mounting adhesives like epoxy.
• Magnetization Orientation: Pole orientation must be centered in the arc segment in the radial direction. Continuous radial orientation is not required. Sets of 14 magnets are required (7ea North on OD, 7ea North on ID).
• N52SH Requirements (Room Temperature):
  • Maximum Energy Product (BH)max: 49-53 MGOe
  • Remanence (Br): 1.42 - 1.48 Tesla
  • Intrinsic Coercivity (Hcj): >19 kOe
  • Coercivity (Hcb): 10.5kOe
• N52SH Requirements (Operating Temperature): Nominal operating temperature should not exceed 90°C (with an upper ambient temperature extreme of 50°C). Reversible loss of magnetic field strength (Br) should not exceed -0.14% / °C.

These clarifications provide specific details on manufacturing quantities, demand forecasts, material properties, and technical requirements that bidders should consider when preparing their responses.

Request for Information (RFI)

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) for market research purposes. The goal is to identify American companies capable of manufacturing and supplying commercial-grade rare earth magnets, which are critical components for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors used in small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS). This RFI is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or a commitment to award a contract. The information gathered will inform the final procurement strategy, which may include small business set-asides and potentially multiple awards.

TYAD is seeking information on capabilities to provide specific rare earth magnets for BLDC motor manufacturing. The initial request covers three different BLDC motor sizes, with options for additional magnet variations.

• General Material Specifications:

  • Material Type: Neodymium Magnet Grade N52SH
  • Coating: Triple-layer Nickel-Copper-Nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni) plating for corrosion resistance.
  • Magnetization: Radially magnetized arc segments for N-S-N-S assembly.

• Specific Magnet Dimensions: Information is requested for magnets for 3115, 2807, and 2407 BLDC motors, with detailed Outer Diameter, Inner Diameter, Arc Segment Angle, Height, and Thickness specifications provided (14 pieces per motor).

• Sourcing: All materials, including raw rare earth materials, must not be sourced from prohibited foreign countries (e.g., China, Russia, Iran, North Korea).

• Compliance: Any potential contract will be Unclassified. All products must comply with the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a) as implemented by DFARS 252.225-7008 and 252.225-7009 regarding specialty metals. Respondents should demonstrate their capability to meet these domestic sourcing requirements.

• Content: Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (maximum ten 8.5 x 11-inch pages, 10-point font minimum) demonstrating their ability to provide the specified products/systems. Documentation should be in bullet format.

  • Required information includes: Organization name, address, POCs, email, FAX, website, phone, type of ownership.
  • Tailored capability statements with supporting documentation.
  • If subcontracting/teaming, address administrative and management structure.

• Format: Electronic submission in Microsoft Word or PDF.

• Deadline: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 11 February 2026.

• Submission Address: Email to nicholas.m.paras.civ@army.mil and christopher.k.volch.civ@army.mil.

• Important: Reference the synopsis number in the email subject line. Do not submit classified material. Responses are strictly voluntary, and no funds are available for preparation.

The information gathered may lead to a procurement strategy that includes small business set-asides (in full or in part) or full and open competition. The Government anticipates the possibility of making multiple awards.

This RFI is for market research only and does not constitute a solicitation or a commitment by the Government to award a contract. Responses are not offers.