Defense Production Act: Opportunities Exist to Increase Transparency and Identify Future Actions to Mitigate Medical Supply Chain Issues
Abstract
COVID-19 has put the U.S. health care system under severe strain, including affecting the federal government's ability to buy and maintain critical medical supplies to treat patients and protect health care workers. In March 2020 agencies began using DPA authorities to rapidly obtain and expand domestic production of medical supplies for COVID-19. The CARES Act provided the Department of Defense (DOD) $1 billion for DPA purchases related to COVID-19. HHS also reported using some of the $8.4 billion it obligated to buy supplies and replenish the Strategic National Stockpile to increase domestic production of medical supplies, which GAO refers to as similar actions. The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO to monitor funds provided for the COVID-19 pandemic. This report examines (1) federal agencies' use of these actions to address COVID-19, and (2) the federal approach for using DPA and similar actions for medical supplies, among other issues. GAO analyzed agency announcements, federal procurement data, contracts, project data, and planning documents from March 18 through September 30, 2020, and interviewed HHS, DOD, and FEMA officials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1149390
Entities
People
- W. W. Russell
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office