BIS Seeks Comments on the
Impact of Proposed Stockpile Disposals

The Department of Commerce announced today that it has published a Federal Register Notice requesting public comment on the potential market impact of proposed stockpile disposal levels of items from the National Defense Stockpile under the Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 Annual Materials Plans (AMPs). Public comments are due by November 17, 2003.

The National Defense Stockpile, maintained by the Department of Defense, is an inventory of materials that are critical to meeting defense and essential civilian requirements.

The National Defense Stockpile Market Impact Committee, co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, provides expert advice to the Department of Defense on the projected domestic and foreign economic effects of all acquisitions and disposals of materials from the National Defense Stockpile.

The AMPs specify the proposed maximum quantity of each material that may be sold in a particular fiscal year. The actual quantity of each material that will be offered for sale will depend on the market for the material at the time and the quantity of material approved for disposal by Congress.

A copy of the Federal Register notice is availble on this Web site.