DIBC: Domestic Processing Capabilities of Critical Minerals

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) has released RPP-CM-26-01: Domestic Processing Capabilities of Critical Minerals to strengthen U.S. defense supply chains.

The RPP closes: March 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM (ET). Late submissions may not be reviewed or considered.

This opportunity supports projects that establish, expand, or scale domestic processing capabilities for critical minerals essential to national defense. Awards will be issued through Other Transaction (OT) authority under 10 U.S.C. § 4021 (Research) or 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (Prototype).

If your company operates anywhere across the mineral value chain — from extraction to refining to recycling — and addresses at least one in-scope mineral, this is a high-priority DoD-backed industrial base investment opportunity.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify award amounts, minimum or maximum funding levels, number of awards, or total program funding.

Phase 2 submissions will include full pricing documentation. The Government will evaluate cost reasonableness and feasibility.

For projects:

• Over $100M but not $500M, additional cost feasibility standards apply.

• Over $500M, use of authority must be essential to meet critical national security objectives.

All agreements are generally expected to be fixed-price with milestone payments, although other award types may be proposed and negotiated.

What could I use the funding for?

Projects must address at least one of the following minerals:

• Arsenic

• Bismuth

• Gadolinium

• Germanium

• Graphite

• Hafnium

• Nickel

• Samarium

• Tungsten

• Vanadium

• Ytterbium

• Yttrium

• Zirconium

And must align with at least one of six Areas of Interest (AOIs):

AOI 1 – Raw Mineral Sourcing and Beneficiation

• Feasibility studies

• Infrastructure improvements

• Capital investments

• Productivity enhancements

• Expansion of mining capacity

AOI 2 – Separation and Processing

• Conversion to intermediate chemical forms (e.g., oxides, chlorides, salts)

AOI 3 – Metal Production, Metallization, Refining, and Upscaling

• Smelting

• Metal purification and refining

AOI 4 – Alloying and Finish Processing

• Alloy production

• Coating or plating

• Production of materials ready for integration into supply chains

AOI 5 – Recycling, Recovery, and Alternative Sourcing

• Recovery from mine tailings, scrap, industrial waste, end-of-life materials

AOI 6 – Supporting Supply Chains

• Production of chemical reagents, key inputs, tooling, production equipment

• Qualification of materials for DoD systems

Projects may span multiple stages of the value chain and may include co-products if at least one in-scope mineral is produced.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

This opportunity is structured under Other Transaction (OT) authority, which:

• Is not subject to the FAR

• Allows flexible commercial terms

• Enables milestone-based payment structures

• May support follow-on production without further competition under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f), if the prototype is successfully completed

Submissions may also be placed in a 24-month “basket” for potential future award consideration.

The Government may also leverage additional financial tools such as:

• Direct equity stakes

• SAFE instruments

• Convertible notes

• Revenue share agreements

• Offtake agreements

• DPA Title III loans, loan guarantees, or purchase commitments

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

RPP Release Date: February 27, 2026
RPP Closes: March 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM (ET)

The Government may close the RPP at any time. After closure, submissions will not be accepted.

The solicitation does not specify an award timeline or expected funding start date.

The review process includes:

Phase 1: Quad Chart submission

• Evaluated for relevance and feasibility

• Selected companies invited to Phase 2

Phase 2: Full proposal package

• Includes Project Execution Plan, pricing, certifications, Environmental Assessment Questionnaire

Only selected Phase 1 applicants will move to Phase 2.

Where does this funding come from?

This opportunity is issued by the Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) under the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC).

It supports the mission of Industrial Base Policy (IBP) within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSW(A&S)).

Funding is aligned with:

• Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS)

• Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III authorities

Who is eligible to apply?

Only Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) Consortium Members may submit.

Additional requirements:

• Must submit through ATI’s Business Information Data System (BIDS)

• Must be registered in SAM (System for Award Management)

• Must not be suspended or debarred

• Must meet responsibility determination standards

For Prototype authority under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, eligibility requires one of the following:

• Significant participation by a Nontraditional Defense Contractor (NDC) or Nonprofit Research Institution (NRI),

• Complete participation by a small business, or

• At least one-third resource contribution by a consortium member other than the above.

Foreign investment or control must be disclosed.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The Government will evaluate proposals based on:

Phase 1:

• Relevance to the AOI

• Merit and feasibility

Phase 2:

• Relevance to the AOI

• Technical merit and feasibility

• Reasonableness of schedule

• Reasonableness and adequacy of cost

• Data rights assertions

Projects must clearly demonstrate:

• Impact on defense supply chains

• Production volumes

• Advancement in TRL and MRL

• Commercialization pathway

• Mitigation of global supply chain vulnerabilities

Holistic, integrated, scalable solutions across multiple value chain stages are encouraged.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Submissions must follow mandatory templates.

• Files must be unencrypted, under 5MB.

• No reimbursement for proposal costs.

• Classified material is not allowed.

• CUI submissions must comply with NIST SP 800-171r2.

• Supply chain reporting is required (including vendor data and part traceability).

• Mandatory Government terms apply under the DIBC Base Agreement.

• The Government retains broad discretion and may decline any proposal.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

This is a two-phase process.

Phase 1:

• Quad Chart (mandatory template)

Phase 2 (by invitation only):

• Cover Page (2 pages)

• Project Execution Plan (15 pages)

• Affirmation of Business Status Certification

• Price proposal and justification

• Environmental Assessment Questionnaire

Preparation time will depend on project complexity. The solicitation does not specify an estimated preparation timeline.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Determine alignment with IBAS vs. DPA Title III authorities

• Position your project across the mineral value chain

• Develop a compliant Quad Chart

• Build a defensible milestone-based pricing structure

• Align TRL/MRL progression to evaluation criteria

• Structure cost share or resource contribution documentation

• De-risk data rights assertions

• Prepare Phase 2 documentation under strict OT requirements

We ensure your submission aligns precisely with AOI criteria and evaluation factors.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($9,000) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.