Bid guide
How to bid on Mineral Processing Leasing Opportunities with the Dept of Defense
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The Department of the Air Force is looking for information from businesses interested in leasing underused surface land at Air Force bases. This land would be used for mineral processing facilities. This includes activities like refining, smelting, and producing processed critical minerals, including rare earth elements. This opportunity does not involve exploring or extracting minerals from underground.
This is an important chance for businesses in the mineral processing sector to potentially use federal land, supporting economic development and national readiness goals.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This Request for Information (RFI) was published on September 10, 2026. All responses are due by October 09, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET. This is a strict deadline, and late submissions are typically not considered.
Since this is an RFI, the Air Force is gathering information and expressions of interest. This is not a lease award at this stage, but it is the first step in a potential leasing process.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms involved in mineral processing, specifically those with expertise in surface activities such as refining, smelting, and the production of processed critical minerals and related products. Companies that work with rare earth elements are also a good fit.
The solicitation is for facilities, meaning businesses that operate or plan to establish physical processing plants would be interested. The location is Mountain Home AFB, ID, so firms able to operate in that region should consider responding.
How to respond to this RFI
To access the full details of this opportunity, you need to click the “View original source” button on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.
You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all associated documents. However, for many bids, you can view documents without an account.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
When responding to an RFI like this, clearly articulate your company's capabilities in mineral processing, focusing on surface activities as specified. Highlight any experience with critical minerals or rare earth elements.
Even though this is not a binding offer, provide clear and concise information about your potential operational plans, facility requirements, and how your proposed activities align with the Air Force's goals of economic development and mission readiness. Ensure your response is well-organized and directly addresses the information requested by the agency.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from DEPT of the Air Force; the original posting controls.