Through its website, the Federal Emergency Management Agency[1] is encouraging the private sector to step up and support the agency in its response to COVID-19 in a variety of ways. In pertinent part, the website solicits donations of medical supplies and equipment, refers businesses with nonmedical goods or services that can help the response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Procurement Action Response team, and provides guidance to hospitals and health care providers in need of medical supplies.
The centerpiece of the “How To Help” web page is its open solicitation[2] of COVID-19 personal protective equipment and medical supplies. Released “under unusual and compelling urgency,” the solicitation contemplates making single or multiple awards for commercial supplies required by medical professionals responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as protective masks, gloves, gowns/coveralls and face guards. Many of these items were been deemed commercial items by the Defense Contract Management Agency Commercial Item Group in a March 27 commercial item determination.