Defense Logistics Agency Supports White House Initiative With $2.78B in Testing Supplies

 Oct. 1, 2021 | BY John Dwyer III , Defense Logistics Agency

The Defense Logistics Agency awarded six contracts with a combined maximum value of just over $2.78 billion for up to 150 million at-home and 400 million point-of-care COVID-19 test kits in support of White House initiatives to defeat COVID-19.

DLA Troop Support Medical Director of Customer Operations, Daniel Keefe, and his team worked tirelessly through the Labor Day weekend until the final award was made on Sept. 17, 2021, to meet the Department of Health and Human Services' requirements and timeline.

The combination of test types was requested by HHS to support the White House initiative announced Sept. 9, 2021. Kits will be sent on a recurring basis to federally qualified health centers, nursing homes, colleges and universities and other vulnerable populations over the one-year period of the respective contracts. 

"These test kits will be utilized across the nation in the battle against the spread of COVID-19," Keefe said. "A truly amazing effort that will be undertaken by the awardees as they partner with DLA, HHS and other federal agencies in delivering this most vital product."

Keefe credited his team — which included Medical Electronic Catalog Division Chief Eileen Motta in the lead role, as well as integrated support team chief Charles Reimer and acquisition specialists Christina Izzi and Denise Taubman — with the timely, and strenuous acquisition.

Other key players noted by Keefe included the Office of General Counsel representatives that helped navigate the acquisition, including: Michael Wilson, Zen Schaper and Katherine McCulloch.

"I'm very proud of the work our DLA Troop Support Medical Supply Chain professionals contributed in making these COVID-19 testing awards … supporting [Department of Defense] and whole-of-government partners," DLA Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric P. Shirley said.