About Strategic Materials

DLA Strategic Materials is the leading U.S. agency for the analysis, planning, procurement and management of materials critical to national security. We serve our clients through a unique combination of technical expertise, global/geopolitical material supply analysis, and management & tracking of a broad range of existing & future critical materials. Below, is a video describing projects DLA Strategic Materials are leading involving Beryllium, Germanium and Triamino-Trinitrobenzene (TATB).

• Statute (PDF): The Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Act (50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.) as amended through Fiscal Year 2024
   
• History (PDF): A brief history of DLA Strategic Materials, from its inception to what is the current day organization. 

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR Part 8.003 ) recognizes DLA Strategic Materials as a mandatory source for materials from inventories exceeding Defense National Stockpile requirements.

Mission

To decrease and preclude dependence upon foreign sources or single points of failure for strategic materials in times of national emergency.

Vision

Subject matter experts solving the strategic and critical material needs for national defense.

Purpose

Provide for the:

• Operation and oversight of the National Defense Stockpile
• Acquisition and retention of stockpile materials
• Conversion and upgrade of stockpile materials to prevent obsolescence
• Development and Qualification of domestic sources of strategic materials
• Recycling of strategic materials from end-of-life Government items
• Disposal of excess stocks for operational funding

Our Offices

The Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials is responsible for providing safe, secure and environmentally sound stewardship for strategic and critical materials in the United States National Defense Stockpile (NDS). An early form of the NDS was created just before World War II with the mission to acquire and store metals, minerals and agricultural supplies. The stockpile of materials was intended to decrease dependence upon foreign sources of supply during national emergency.

The Congress of the United States has authorized DLA Strategic Materials to sell commodities that are excess to Department of Defense needs. Sales of excess NDS materials produce revenue that fund DLA Strategic Materials operations to make it a self-sustaining organization.

DLA Strategic Materials stores a wide range of commodities at 6 locations in the U.S. Commodities range from base metals such as zinc, cobalt, and chromium to the more precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and iridium. There is no private sector company in the world that sells this wide range of commodities and materials.

DLA Strategic Materials employs approximately 60 people working at three staffed depots and the DLA Headquarters at 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 3229, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060-6223.

Directorate of Strategic Planning and Market Research

Conducts market research and provides marketing advice to the Administrator with regard to the sale and acquisition of strategic and critical materials. Assists in developing the overall sales and acquisition strategies for the materials. Provides economic analyses and forecasts for strategic & critical materials with a focus on macroeconomic & technology "mega-trends", end-use demand drivers, production and geopolitical & supply chain events that have an impact on global markets. In addition, Strategic Planning offers outreach to the Military Services as it relates to strategic and critical materials acquisitions and disposals. Serves as the principal DLA representative and overall strategic materials production and applications subject matter expert to the military services, other DOD offices, other Federal Agencies, and industry representatives. The Market Research division solicits, receives and evaluates quotes for the disposal of excess materials held in the National Defense Stockpile (NDS). Additionally, sales contract award and administration are managed by the Marker Research division.
 

Directorate of Material Management

Functions as the principal adviser to the Administrator, DLA Strategic Materials in the development and administration of all aspects of the NDS materials management and environment and safety and health programs. Includes responsibility for receipt, storage, maintenance, packaging, shipping, disposal procedures, and related programs and processes. Provides and manages all NDS storage and assigned DLA Strategic Materials facilities and personnel within the United States. Acts as liaison between DLA Strategic Materials and local communities on NDS issues. In addition, Material Management is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the DLA Strategic Materials environmental management and occupational health and safety programs.