Is hydrochloric acid necessary to produce the intrinsic factor for cobalamin?

No, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is not necessary to produce the intrinsic factor for cobalamin. HCl is needed along with gastric enzymes to free Cobalamin (B12) from its polypeptide linkages in food. The intrinsic factor involved with the digestion and absorption of Cobalamin (B12) is a glycoprotein.