DoD announces Defense Production Act Title III actions

The Department of Defense (DoD) said five Defense Production Act Title III actions funded with $187 million would sustain and strengthen essential domestic industrial base capabilities and the defense-critical workforce.

“These actions will help to retain critical workforce capabilities throughout the disruption caused by COVID-19 and to restore some jobs lost because of the pandemic,” Lt. Col. Mike Andrews, spokesman for the Department of Defense, said. “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.”

The DoD outlined a $50 million Defense Production Act Title III Agreement with Austal USA to strengthen the domestic shipbuilding industrial base; a $55 million Defense Production Act Title III Agreement with W International to strengthen the domestic shipbuilding industrial base; a $25 million Defense Production Act Title III Agreement with Weber Metals, Inc. to strengthen the domestic aviation defense industrial base; a $55 million agreement with GE Aviation to sustain essential aircraft engine component manufacturing capabilities; and a $2 million agreement with American Woolen Company to sustain domestic production of poly/wool blend fabric for U.S. Army dress uniforms.