by supplychainreport
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has announced plans to procure more than five million pounds of bismuth metal over the next five years, aiming to secure domestic supplies of the material, which has not been held in the national stockpile since 1997.
Bismuth is widely used in metallurgy and industrial applications, including certain types of ammunition, due to its properties as a lead alternative. The procurement is intended to reduce supply chain risks and ensure consistent availability for U.S. industrial and strategic needs. The DLA’s planned purchases total 5.16 million pounds of 99.99% pure bismuth, with annual volumes gradually declining from 1.23 million pounds in the first year to 854,000 pounds in the fifth year. All production, sampling, and testing must be conducted within the continental United States, with deliveries scheduled to the DLA’s storage depot in Hawthorne, Nevada.
China currently dominates global bismuth production, accounting for more than 80% of supply last year. The DLA’s initiative reflects broader efforts to diversify supply chains for critical minerals and strengthen domestic sourcing capabilities. Contractors responding to the tender are required to submit detailed sampling and testing plans to ensure quality and compliance.
#SupplyChainReport #CriticalMinerals #TradeUpdate #IndustrialMetals #USProcurement
