U.S. Defense Stockpile Seeks Comment on Bearing Disposal

The United States Department of Commerce periodically issues lists of overstocked, "strategic and critical materials," scheduled for disposal via commercial resale. Because the quantities involved are often large enough to disrupt commercial markets for these items, Congress established a Market Impact Committee in 1993. The Committee is to, "advise the National Defense Stockpile Manager on the projected domestic and foreign economic effects of all acquisitions and disposals of materials from the stockpile." The Annual Materials Plan (AMP) disposal lists for 2005 and 2006 include a wide variety of products, primarily raw materials, as diverse as 6 million pounds of cobalt, 1 million pounds of mica, 7 million pounds of thorium, 100,000 troy ounces of palladium, 25,000 troy ounces of platinum, 50,000 tons of zinc, and many others. Included in the AMP lists for 2005 and 2006 are: Jewel Bearings -- quantity: 82,051,558 These bearings would potentially be disposed by June 30, 2006, subject to remaining inventory availability. The 1993 legislation directs the Market Impact Committee to, "consult from time to time with representatives of producers, processors and consumers of the types of materials stored in the stockpile." The committee, therefore, is seeking your input: The committee requests that interested parties provide written comments, supporting data and documentation, and any other relevant information on the potential market impact of the sale of these commodities. Although comments in response to this Notice must be received by December 17, 2004 to ensure full consideration by the Committee, interested parties are encouraged to submit comments and supporting information at any time thereafter to keep the Committee informed as to the market impact of the sale of these commodities. Public comments are an important element of the Committee's market impact review process. Public comments received will be made available at the Department of Commerce for public inspection and copying. Anyone submitting business confidential information should clearly identify the business confidential portion of the submission that can be placed in the public record. The Committee will seek to protect such information to the extent permitted by law.