Defense Production Act Title 3 actions initiated

The Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated five Defense Production Act Title 3 officials said would aid in sustaining defense-critical workforce capabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $135 million action assists in retaining body armor, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding production, officials said, restoring some jobs lost because of the pandemic.

“The Department remains closely partnered with FEMA and HHS, providing almost $2.9 billion in life-saving medical services, supplies and equipment to service members and federal agencies in the nation’s whole-of-government approach to the coronavirus pandemic,” Lt. Col. Mike Andrews, Department of Defense spokesman, said.

The DoD has signed a $15 million agreement with Bethel Industries, Inc. to increase critical industrial capacity for specialized laser cutting of laminated nylon fabrics for soldier protective systems; entered into a $20 million contract with GE Aviation to sustain industrial base capability for highly specialized engineering resources; as part of the national response to COVID-19, to support the health of the Defense Industrial Base, allocated $80M to Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.; signed a $19.5 million agreement with Steel America to sustain critical industrial base capability and capacity for Navy shaft repair and manufacturing; and signed a $500,000, agreement with Allied Systems to sustain industrial base capability for manufacturing and service provisioning for cranes and davits for the Navy and Coast Guard.