SPI Insights

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created a Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force to secure needed supplies and equipment in the COVID-19 fight.

Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force

One of eight COVID-19 focused task forces under the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), this task force is taking a nationwide approach to address limited supply of critical protective and life-saving equipment.

The task force’s primary effort is the sourcing of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other critical resources requested by states, tribes, and territories. By using the structure of FEMA’s NRCC, the task force is finding and executing solutions to meet urgent demand and enable the federal government to support COVID-19 “hot spots” as they arise.

Supply Chain Task Force Engages Manufacturers, Distributors, Health Care

In addition, the task force is engaging manufacturers, distributors and health care networks to build the next phase of supply chain stabilization.

To increase availability of critical resources, the task force is developing a strategy to increase availability of critical resources through four primary efforts:

• Preservation – Limit unnecessary use of PPE and other supplies. Developing guidance to prioritize the allocation and the most appropriate use of supplies for specific needs are critical components of this strategy.
• Acceleration – Industrial manufacturing is required to help meet the urgent demand placed on the market. Manufacturers are ramping up production of critical resources and have extended operating hours to increase production well above pre-COVID-19 levels.
• Expansion – Industry expansion also is taking place. Manufacturers are enhancing production capacity with additional machinery, and in some cases re-tooling assembly lines to produce new products needed.
• Allocation – Critical resources will be allocated based on data-informed decisions. These decisions will be coordinated between the federal government and the private sector.

How to Sell Medical Supplies or Equipment to Federal Government

To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government, submit a price quote under the COVID-19 PPE and Medical Supplies Request for Quotation. Full details can be found in the solicitation (Updated Notice ID 70FA2020R00000011). Offers are due by September 25. This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be considered for award. Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov. Registration must be “active” at the time of the award.

Anyone who has medical supplies or equipment to donate, please provide FEMA with details on what is being offered through its online medical supplies and equipment form at www.fema.gov/covid19offers.

Those interested in doing business with FEMA and supporting the response to COVID-19 with their company’s non-medical goods and/or services, may submit their inquiries to the Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Action Innovative Response (PAIR) team at DHSIndustryLiaison@hq.dhs.gov.