RFI_Rare Earth Magnets.pdf

Version – February 2017

Request for Information – Domestically Sourced Rare Earth Magnets for sUAS

INTRODUCTION

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) as a part of its market research to identify American companies based in the United States of America with the interest and capability to manufacture and supply commercial-grade rare earth magnets. These magnets are critical components for Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors used in small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS).

The information gathered from this RFI will be instrumental in determining the final procurement strategy. This requirement may be set aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. The Government anticipates the possibility of making multiple awards. All small business set-aside categories will be considered.

DISCLAIMER

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES

NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A

COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT

OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A

CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE

AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS

ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO

THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

The Government requires specific rare earth magnets in support of Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor manufacturing. The initial request is for three different BLDC motor sizes with options for additional magnet variations for various BLDC sizes. All magnets must conform to the general material and coating specifications listed below.

3.1 General Material Specifications

• Material Type: Neodymium Magnet Grade N52SH

• Coating: Triple-layer Nickel-Copper-Nickel (Ni-Cu-Ni) plating for corrosion resistance.

• Magnetization: Radially magnetized arc segments intended for assembly in an alternating polarity configuration (e.g., N-S-N-S).

3.2 Specific Magnet Dimensions

Specification 3115 BLDC Motor (10-

12" sUAS) 2807 BLDC Motor (7- 8" sUAS)

2407 BLDC Motor (4- 6" sUAS)

Required 14 pieces per motor 14 pieces per motor 14 pieces per motor

Quantity

Outer Diameter

(OD)

34.5 mm 30.9 mm 26.4 mm

Inner Diameter

(ID)

31.5 mm 28.4 mm 24.4 mm

Arc Segment Angle

23.7° 23.7° 23.7°

Height 15.0 mm 7.0 mm 7.0 mm

Thickness 1.5 mm 1.25 mm 1.0 mm

SOURCING REQUIREMENTS

All materials, including the raw rare earth materials used in magnets, must not be sourced from prohibited foreign countries, including the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Any potential contract will be Unclassified. All products delivered must be fully compliant with the specialty metals needs of the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a) as implemented by DFARS 252.225-7008, “Restriction on Acquisition of Specialty Metals,” and DFARS 252.225-7009, “Restriction on Acquisition of Certain Articles Containing Specialty Metals.” Respondents should demonstrate their capability to comply with these domestic sourcing requirements for specialty metals.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than ten 8.5 X 11- inch pages, font no smaller than 10 point) demonstrating ability to provide the products/systems listed in this Technical Description.

Documentation should be in bullet format. No phone or email solicitations with regards to the status of the RFP will be accepted prior to its release.

Your response to this RFI, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to the Lead Mechanical Engineer (Nicholas Paras) and TYAD UAS Project Manager (Christopher Volch) in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email to nicholas.m.paras.civ@army.mil & christopher.k.volch.civ@army.mil no later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 11 February 2026 and reference this synopsis number in subject line of e-mail and on all enclosed documents. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.

mailto:nicholas.m.paras.civ@army.mil mailto:christopher.k.volch.civ@army.mil

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide the required products/systems, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, address, primary points of contact (POCs) and their email address, FAX, Web site address, telephone number, and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) Tailored capability statements addressing the requirements of this notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

All data received in response to this RFI that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.