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 pri

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.