NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Acquisition Management (OAM), intends to award a sole source contract to CRU International Ltd. (CRU) for Global Steel and Aluminum Monitoring services. This action is on behalf of the International Trade Administration (ITA), Office of Enforcement and Compliance (E&C). This is a notice of intent, not a solicitation. Companies believing they can meet the requirements must submit a written response by May 29, 2026.
Scope of Work
CRU will provide E&C with essential data and analytical services for global steel and aluminum markets. Key requirements include:
- Aluminum Monitoring: Access to smelter-level production, country-level production and capacity, consumption, utilization rates, and current/historical pricing data. This includes weekly and monthly global prices, market analysis, and short-term forecasts for major producing countries (e.g., U.S., China, Canada, Australia, India, Russia).
- Steel Monitoring: Access to weekly and monthly global steel prices, market analysis, and short-term/long-term forecasts (up to 15 years) for crude steel, hot metal, and DRI/HBI on a country-by-country basis.
- Comprehensive Data: Large reports covering steel and aluminum inputs (scrap, dri, hbi, pig iron, iron ore, met coke, met coal) and finished products (hot rolled sheet, cold rolled sheet, galvanized sheet, plate, wire rod, rebar, billet, bar, wire mesh, beams), pricing, and written analysis.
- Forecasts: Quarterly forecasts out two years and annually out five years.
- Data Access & Tools: Direct data download capabilities, interactive comparison tools, graphs, tables, and technical assistance. ITA must be allowed to internally redistribute the data.
- Specific CRU Databases: Aluminum Premium, Steel Metallics Classic, Steelmaking Raw Materials Classic, & Steel Premium.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source (Special Notice)
- Contract Vehicle: Purchase Order
- Duration: Base 12-month period
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source)
- Response Due: May 29, 2026, 03:00 PM EDT
- Published: May 14, 2026
Evaluation
This is not a solicitation for proposals. The DOC intends to award to CRU based on the determination that CRU is the only source reasonably available. However, responses from other companies will be considered to determine if a competitive procurement is warranted. Submissions must clearly defend claims and assertions that refute the government's sole source determination.
Additional Notes
This acquisition is conducted under the authority of Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulations Overhaul (RFO) 12.102(a) and 41 U.S.C. 1901. Questions should be submitted in writing via email to Alicia Brister.