The US Government has granted up to $510m to enhance domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Biden administration has announced this investment to bolster the nation's preparedness for future public health emergencies.
It is earmarked for increasing the domestic production of PPE, specifically isolation gowns, to replenish the strategic national stockpile (SNS).
The investment will be distributed among six companies, namely Airboss Defense Group, Essential Safety Products, Gredale, New York Embroidery Studio, StringKing Lacrosse and Two One Two New York.
These companies have been selected to manufacture isolation gowns in the US, ensuring a ready supply of critical PPE for future health crises.
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has allocated more than $367m for the procurement of PPE.
This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's priority to restock the SNS.
The investment aligns with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), requiring the isolation gowns to be domestically sourced and manufactured within the US.
The awarded contracts aim to maintain a robust stockpile of critical PPE, supporting healthcare workers and the public during health events.
These efforts are not only crucial for national security but also for supporting the economy by creating domestic manufacturing jobs.
ASPR Assistant Secretary Dawn O'Connell said: “This latest investment in protective equipment continues ASPR's efforts to restock the Strategic National Stockpile following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These awards also ensure that we are resupplying the SNS with domestically manufactured materials when possible. ASPR is committed to building a US-based supply chain that is prepared for future public heath emergencies.”
The SNS is the nation's repository for life-saving medical supplies, which can be rapidly deployed during a public health crisis.
It serves as a short-term buffer when the immediate materials supply may not be available or sufficient.
