DPA defines domestic to be US/Canadian, BAA invest $5-$20M Defense Production Act Title III Market Research Regarding the Domestic Industrial Capability for Critical Chemicals Production for DoD Missiles and Munitions
One additional screening criterion is also considered by the Title III Program Office in determining the applicability of the use of Title III authorities; the combination of U.S. national defense (military) or critical infrastructure demand and foreseeable non-defense (commercial) demand should be greater than the total domestic industrial capability resulting at the conclusion of the Title III activity. Title III activities must consider the impact of potentially creating excess capacity. While the projected military or critical infrastructure demand for a technology or component is the key consideration from a DoD perspective, the projected commercial demand for use in the civilian market can be included to address this issue. Considering whether demand will exceed supply addresses the likelihood that an economically viable industry will result from the Title III activity and that additional financial incentives will not be necessary to maintain the business).
Note: The DPA is concerned with only domestic sources. Foreign capabilities will not be considered. Title III cannot be used to create or expand a foreign source, regardless of the essentiality of the technology to U.S. defense requirements. The DPA defines domestic source to be a business concern that performs in the United States or Canada substantially all of the research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and production activities required of such business concern under a contract with the United States relating to a critical component or a critical technology item and that procures from such concerns substantially all of any components and assemblies required under a contract with the United States relating to a critical component or critical technology item.
Title III investments are most appropriate to address pervasive (benefiting more than just a single service, agency, or program office) industrial base manufacturing shortfalls that can be typically remedied within a 5 year timeframe. Government investments usually range from $5-20M with matching cost share anticipated from the Responder/Recipient.
Typical Title III tasks include the procurement, installation, and qualification of production equipment; Page 5 of 7 modernization of manufacturing capabilities and capital upgrades to the plant…
It indicates industry understands that government investments will position a domestic firm to make substantial returns after the government investments cease, and it also indicates industry's commitment to be a long term supplier to the DoD and other government customers.
https://rareearthsinvestor.discussion.community/post/a-federal-strategy-to-ensure-secure-and-reliable-supplies-of-critical-minerals-june-2019-10158547?pid=1308779460
The Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III program is one of three active authorities in the Defense Production Act, which was first signed into law in 1950 and was last renewed in 2018. The Title III program provides the President broad authority to ensure the timely availability of essential domestic industrial resources to support national defense and homeland security requirements through the use of highly tailored economic incentives. Specifically, the program is designed to create, maintain, protect, expand, or restore domestic industrial base capabilities.
THE DPA TITLE III OFFICE
The DPA Title III Office reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. The DPA Title III Office provides direction, guidance, and oversight to the DPA Title III program within the Department of Defense (DoD). The program is executed through the careful selection and implementation of projects designed to mitigate critical shortfalls in domestic defense industries.
THE BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)
BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)
In February 2018, the DPA Title III Office, working with the U.S. Army Contracting Command, issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), a contracting vehicle, that provides companies a formalized way to submit their ideas through white papers for future projects essential to national defense. The BAA is in effect until February 22, 2023.
https://www.businessdefense.gov/Programs/DPA-Title-III/
Commerce Resources respond to this:
Broad Agency Announcement
National Defense Stockpile Research
DLA STRATEGIC MATERIALS
Application filed for grant of up to $3M USD for completion of Ashram REE pilot plant and production of representative samples for delivery to US REE processors
August 2018
Production Process for Rare Earth Hydroxide
Refinery Feedstock from the Ashram Monazite Deposit
Commerce Resources Corp. BAA-DLASM-2018-01
Contribution to the Requirement
Confirmation of the Ashram REE Project’s Process Flowsheet will validate the future mine’s ability to supply the United States with strategically vital Rare Earth Elements.
Relevance Including Transition to Military Systems or Programs
Areas of interest number:
1 (a), 1 (d), 2 (b), 3 (a), 3 (b), 3 (c), 3 (d), 4(a), 4(c), 5 (a), 5 (b),
and 6 (c).
TRL: Current __6__ Anticipated __8___
https://www.commerceresources.com/assets/pdf/Ashram%20Corporate%208%20March%202019.pdf
So this grant could be just the first in a row...JMHO