Technical Consultant - Potash Mining Consultant

Quick Summary

The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), specifically its Office of Health and Agribusiness (OHA), is soliciting proposals for a Technical Consultant - Potash Mining Consultant. This Firm-Fixed-Price contract requires a subject matter expert to conduct due diligence on a greenfield potash mining project in Argentina. Quotes are due by Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET.

Scope of Work

The consultant will provide technical/engineering expertise for a greenfield potash mining project in Argentina utilizing horizontal selective solution mining. Key responsibilities include:

• Independent analysis of the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS), identifying weaknesses, unrealistic assumptions, data gaps, methodological flaws, or overly optimistic conclusions.
• Validation of wellfield capital and operating cost inputs for mineral extraction.
• Review and validation of the pilot plant design, identifying key issues, infrastructure needs, and design flaws.
• Review and interpretation of 3D Seismic results, providing an objective opinion.
• Interaction with stakeholders and provision of feedback to study authors.
• Identification of additional geotechnical and engineering studies required for pilot plant advancement.

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.
• Period of Performance: A base period of ten (10) weeks from award, with work commencing when the PFS and 3D Seismic documents become available (expected mid-July).
• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).
• NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services), with a size standard of $25.5 million.
• Place of Performance: Primarily remote or at the contractor's facility, with potential for cost-reimbursable travel to the project site in Argentina.

Submission & Evaluation

• Quotes Due: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.
• Submission Method: Via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist.
• Required Documents: Technical qualifications and experience (Word or PDF), and a price quote (Microsoft Excel, including labor categories, rates, hours, and total costs).
• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on 1) technical capabilities and 2) price, with award made to the offeror providing the best value to the government.
• Inquiries Due: Thursday, May 28th, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.

Eligibility & Notes

• Experience Requirement: Contractors must demonstrate 10+ years of consultancy experience in potash projects and 10+ years in the broader mining or fertilizer sectors (firm or employee experience).
• Security: Contractor personnel must meet DFC security requirements and obtain a Public Trust clearance.