Ucore Rare Metals Inc. has achieved a significant milestone in its $22.4 million funding agreement with the US Army Contracting Command-Orlando, with the project now receiving Defense Priorities & Allocations System (DPAS) DO-B8 rating status. The rating, applied to purchase orders for the RapidSX rare earth element separation technology project in Alexandria, Louisiana, legally requires suppliers to prioritize these orders over non-rated contracts to meet national defense requirements. The DPAS designation underscores the strategic importance of developing domestic rare earth processing capabilities as the United States seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains.
The modified contract, updated on July 9, 2025, enables Ucore to accelerate its timeline for building a production-ready commercial RapidSX machine and supporting infrastructure. The full details of this development are available in the official announcement at https://ibn.fm/EMuCd. Ucore's broader strategy involves disrupting China's dominance in the North American rare earth element market through the development of processing facilities in Louisiana, with subsequent planned facilities in Canada and Alaska. The company's long-term vision includes developing its Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project in Southeast Alaska, positioning the company as a key player in North American critical mineral independence.
The DPAS rating represents more than just administrative prioritization—it signals the US government's commitment to securing domestic supply chains for materials essential to national security and technological advancement. Rare earth elements are crucial components in defense technologies, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics, making their secure supply a matter of strategic national importance. Investors can track further developments through the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/UURAF.
This development comes at a time when Western nations are increasingly focused on building resilient supply chains for critical minerals. The ability to process rare earth elements domestically reduces vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions that could impact everything from military equipment manufacturing to consumer electronics production. The Alexandria facility represents a concrete step toward achieving that security, with the DPAS rating providing legal weight to ensure the project receives necessary resources and priority from suppliers. This governmental backing transforms what might otherwise be a commercial venture into a component of national defense infrastructure, reflecting the heightened awareness of supply chain vulnerabilities exposed in recent years.
The implications extend beyond immediate project acceleration to broader industrial policy and national security strategy. By legally mandating supplier prioritization, the U.S. government is effectively declaring rare earth processing capacity as vital to defense readiness, similar to traditional defense contracting priorities. This creates a more predictable environment for Ucore and its partners while sending a clear market signal about the strategic value of domestic rare earth capabilities. The move aligns with broader efforts across Western nations to secure critical mineral supply chains, recognizing that technological and military superiority increasingly depends on access to specialized materials that have become concentrated in geopolitically sensitive regions.
