Samarium and Gadolinium RFI - Warstopper
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 Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Warstopper Program is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather data on Samarium and Gadolinium metal usage. This RFI aims to establish a buffer for these critical rare-earth metals to support the Department of Defense's industrial readiness. Responses are due July 17, 2026, by 3 PM EST.
Scope of Information Requested
DLA Warstopper seeks detailed information from industry on Samarium and Gadolinium, specifically:
- Material Specifications: Purity levels (e.g., 99.5%, 99.9% TREM), maximum allowable non-rare-earth impurities (Oxygen, Carbon, Iron, Calcium).
- Physical Form: Preferred forms or intermediary states (e.g., ingots, distilled chunks, strip-cast flakes, pre-alloyed powders).
- Usage & Demand: Current annual volume and projected five-year demand for DPAS-rated orders, including typical Gadolinium ratios for temperature-compensated magnet grades.
- Supply Chain: Current lead times, Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs), existence of internal buffers, DFARS 252.225-7052 compliance, and the tier where oxide-to-metal reduction and alloying occur.
- Waste Management: Details on waste produced during manufacturing (e.g., swarf, sludge) and established processes/vendors for recycling.
- End Products: Specific end-products or platforms with surge requirements that could be affected by rare-earth lead times.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Market Research
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: July 17, 2026, 3 PM EST
- Published: May 21, 2026
Purpose
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue one. The DLA Warstopper Program uses this information to preserve manufacturing capabilities for mission-critical, DLA-managed commodities with significant demand disparity or long lead times, mitigating industrial base shortfalls during national emergencies.
Submission Details
Interested vendors should submit responses and any questions via email to Christine Boyer at christine.boyer@dla.mil. The subject line must include "RFI – SmCo". Responders are responsible for ensuring email receipt and viewability.