This Request for Information (RFI) is the first phase of a process to leverage non-excess under-utilized Department of the Air Force (DAF) surface land to accelerate economic development in the United States and to enhance mission readiness in connection with presidential directives and policy directing agencies to leverage federal assets to support mineral processing facilities, to include processing of rare earth elements.

For purposes of this RFI, mineral processing is strictly limited to surface use activities, including refining, and smelting of minerals, and the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products. This RFI does not solicit interest in the exploration or extraction of subsurface minerals. While the Department of the Interior/Bureau of Land Management (DOI/BLM) generally controls the leasing and disposition of federally owned subsurface minerals, the DAF maintains authority over whether and under what conditions a party may physically occupy or use the surface of a DAF installation consistent with mission requirements.