Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining

The NAICS category 212323 encompasses Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining, focusing on the extraction and processing of various mineral resources. The awards and opportunities in this category demonstrate a range of clay and mineral-based product procurement, including limestone rock, bentonite clay, and specialized clay materials. These products are typically used in construction, environmental projects, manufacturing, and specialized technical applications.

The federal contract awards in this category show a pattern of small business set-aside purchases, with contract values ranging from $28,674 to $225,330. The Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers are prominent funding agencies. Lone Star GTC LLC, a minority-owned small disadvantaged business, appears multiple times as a contractor. The contracts are predominantly purchase orders with firm fixed pricing, covering materials like granular bentonite clay, limestone rock, and specialized clay products. Performance periods typically span several months to a year, with locations including Tennessee, Missouri, and Arizona.

The federal contract opportunities reflect similar characteristics to the awards, with a focus on small business set-asides. The primary opportunity is a solicitation by the Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service for 5,800 tons of 3-inch limestone rock for the Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee. The opportunity is structured as a 100% small business set-aside, with quotes due by August 20, 2024, and an anticipated performance period from September 1, 2024 to September 1, 2025. The government will evaluate offers based on price and past performance, continuing the trend of supporting small business participation in mineral resource procurement.