FEMA to Hold Meeting With Industry to 'Maximize' Production, Distribution of PPE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold a virtual meeting May 21 to discuss with industry the terms of a potential agreement to produce personal protective equipment, FEMA said in a notice. The agreement would “maximize the effectiveness of the distribution of critical health and medical resources nationwide” to respond to pandemics, FEMA said, including establishing terms for coordination between the federal government and PPE manufacturers. “The agreement would establish the terms, conditions, and procedures under which participants agree voluntarily to contribute and facilitate health and medical resource production and distribution capacity as requested by FEMA,” the agency said. FEMA is currently overseeing export control decisions on U.S. shipments of PPE (see 2004210022).

FEMA said it proposes a five-year voluntary agreement “effective as soon as possible” to “address the Nation’s response to COVID-19.” The agreement would be overseen by a committee that would help “maximize” the distribution of PPE nationwide. The agency said it will invite “major manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of health and medical resources.” Written comments for the meeting must be submitted by noon May 20. If necessary, a second meeting may take place May 27.

(Federal Register 05/12/20)