Nonferrous Base Metal Refinery And Intermediate Forms

PSC 9650 covers nonferrous base metal refinery and intermediate forms, encompassing a wide range of metal materials and products including platinum and rhodium wire, titanium ingots, aluminum alloy ingots, lead shot, lead pigs, bismuth alloy ingots, zinc ingots, and specialized metal components. These materials serve critical functions across federal agencies, supporting infrastructure, research, manufacturing, defense, and scientific applications. The category represents specialized metal fabrication and procurement for various technical and operational requirements.

Federal contract awards under PSC 9650 demonstrate significant diversity in contract values, ranging from minimal purchases around $750 to substantial contracts exceeding $54 million. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) emerges as a primary contracting agency, consistently procuring metal alloys and ingots. Contractors include small businesses, woman-owned firms, and minority-owned enterprises like Johnson Matthey Inc., RMI Titanium Company, Precision Advanced Machining, and Belmont Metals. Most awards are firm fixed-price purchase orders or definitive contracts, with performance periods typically spanning several months to approximately two years. Set-aside designations vary, with some contracts reserved for small businesses or specific socioeconomic categories.

The contract awards reveal a broad spectrum of federal agencies utilizing these metal products, including the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Department of Defense components. Specific applications include neutron beam research equipment, aerospace components, military infrastructure, meteorological monitoring systems, and munitions support. The metals procured serve critical roles in scientific research, defense manufacturing, infrastructure development, and specialized technological applications across multiple federal sectors.