The Defense Logistics Agency posted a tender on July 2 seeking about 36 million
lb (≈16,000 t) of battery‑grade lithium carbonate over five years, with a
contract value of up to $300 mln. The agency requests five‑year fixed pricing,
says the government will commit a minimum $1 mln and up to $300 mln, and set a
bid deadline of July 17. The move follows a March DLA information request and
the White House’s launch earlier this year of the $12 bln Project Vault
critical‑minerals reserve; lithium prices are up over one‑third YTD amid strong
demand expectations and supply uncertainty in key producing countries such as
Zimbabwe.
