Germanium Wafer Storage and Rotation

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials is seeking contractors to provide storage and rotation services for unfinished germanium epitaxial wafers used in National Security Space (NSS) photovoltaic solar cell applications. The contract will be structured as a firm fixed-price, indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery (ID/IQ) agreement with a one-year base period plus three option years. Key qualifications for interested contractors include demonstrated capability to independently manage storage and rotation without subcontractors, operation of secured facilities that minimize corrosion, qualification by NSS solar cell manufacturers, ability to package wafers individually, and capability to expedite shipment to any Continental United States location within 24 hours. Potential vendors must submit a detailed capabilities statement and respond to a comprehensive questionnaire; responses are due by November 28, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST to Cecilia.Arrington@dla.mil and DSCO-F2Contracting@dla.mil. This opportunity is targeted specifically at companies classified under NAICS code 334413 (Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing), and no set-aside designations have been applied to this procurement.

The National Defense Stockpile currently holds 68,671 unfinished wafers comprising 4-inch (100mm) and 6-inch (150mm) germanium substrates that require secure storage and rotation services. The contract scope includes an optional upgrade capability to reprocess 100mm wafers into 150mm wafers to better support future National Security Strategy requirements. No incumbent contractor or current award value has been identified in this pre-solicitation notice, and specific budget ranges have not been disclosed at this early stage. The pre-solicitation period is open through December 2, 2025, allowing interested parties time to submit questions and gather additional information from the attached Statement of Work and Sources Sought documents before the formal solicitation is released. This requirement stems from obligations under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, 50 U.S.C. 98 et seq., which mandates the maintenance of critical materials for national defense purposes.