; (B) identify and recommend changes to the acquisition laws, regulations, and policies of the Department of Defense to ensure contractors and subcontractors of the Department use supply chains involving critical minerals that are not mined or processed in or by covered countries to the greatest extent practicable, prioritizing production and processing in the United States; (C) evaluate the utility and desirability of using authorities provided by the Defense Production Act of 1950 ( 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq. ) to expand supply chains and processing capacity for critical minerals in the United States; (D) evaluate the utility and desirability of expanding authorities provided by the Defense Production Act of 1950 to be used to expand supply chains and processing capacity for critical minerals by countries that are allies or partners of the United States; (E) evaluate the utility and desirability of leveraging the process for acquiring shortfall materials for the National Defense Stockpile under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act ( 50 U.S.C. 98 et seq. ) to expand supply chains and processing capacity for critical minerals in the United States and in countries that are allies or partners of the United States; (F) identify areas of potential engagement and partnership with the governments of countries that are allies or partners of the United States to jointly reduce dependence on critical minerals mined or processed in or by covered countries; (G) identify and recommend other policy changes that may be needed to achieve critical mineral supply chain independence from covered countries for the Department; (H) identify and recommend measures to streamline authorities and policies with respect to critical minerals and supply chains for critical minerals