In response to Covid-19, manufacturers have been asked to help fill the PPE supply chain gap need. This page provides several avenues and opportunities for manufacturers to get their products into the hands of those who need them. Join the #MAKEadifferencechallenge.
The top priority is to protect our loved ones and prevent the virus from spreading. We need to increase the manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) to supply to the medical community and to workplaces throughout Missouri. As our economy takes steps to reopen, there are several routes your manufacturing company can take to #MAKEadifference in stopping the spread of Covid-19 as it relates to PPEs.
1. Ready to sell medical-grade products to the medical community: Register your company and products on the State of Missouri’s PPE Marketplace. Through this site, information about your product will go directly to the medical community so they can connect with you directly for purchasing. This site is only for those who are READY to sell and make products.
2. Ready to sell non-medical grade products to other businesses in need: Register your company on Missouri Enterprise’s Covid-19 Reopening Products & Services Directory. This directory features products & services made and offered by our manufacturing community to help other businesses protect their employees on the job as we reopen our economy. Purchasing protective products listed on this directory supports manufacturers and their workers in our state, many of whom have been hit hard by the pandemic. This site may also feature similar products made in the USA.
If you are INTERESTED in helping produce PPEs or other medical products, you can and should reach out to local hospitals and clinics to offer assistance. You should also connect with other manufactures within this makeshift supply chain by joining our Covid-19 Manufacturing Network.
Here are five steps to first consider when reaching out to the medical community to inquire about and potentially fill needs:
1. Review the pattern and specifications for producing PPE. Determine if your factory can be retooled to produce surgical
masks and/or shields. The pattern is available at www.aha.org/100MillionMasks.
2. Learn about your hospital’s or health system’s needs. Reach out to leaders at your local hospital to learn more about their PPE needs and how your company can help. See list of Missouri Hospitals by County and the list of Missouri Nursing Homes.
3. Source materials for PPE. You likely do not have the materials on hand to make PPE. Work with your local hospital to learn about what materials you can use and how to access them. Be creative and innovative about how to make it work.
4. Ensure the products meet quality, safety and sanitization standards. Work with your hospital partner to ensure the products are produced in a way that meets quality, safety and sanitization standards before they are shipped to the hospital.
5. Deliver the PPE to your hospital partner. The need for PPE is immediate and will be ongoing. Work with your hospital partner to identify how to get the masks and shields to your providers.
OTHER platforms to broadcast your medical supply manufacturing services/products:
Foundation for Mfg. Excellence:
FEMA:
- To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government, please submit a price quote under the COVID-19 PPE and Medical Supplies Request for Quotation. Full details can be found in the solicitation (Notice ID 70FA2020R00000011). **This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be considered for award, pursuant to applicable regulations and guidelines. Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov. Registration must be “ACTIVE” at the time of award.
- If you have medical supplies or equipment to donate, please provide us details on what you are offering.
- If you are a private company that wants to produce a product related to the COVID response – email nbeoc@max.gov
- If you are a hospital or healthcare provider in need of medical supplies, please contact your state, local, tribal or territory department of public health and/or emergency management agency.
- If you are interested in doing business with FEMA and supporting the response to COVID- 19 with your company’s non-medical goods and/or services, please submit your inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Procurement Action Innovative Response Team (PAIR) team at DHSIndustryLiaison@hq.dhs.gov
FDA:
Email Deviceshortages@fda.hhs.gov with Covid-19 related inquiries if:
- You do not normally manufacture masks.gowns/gloves/PPEs but might have capabilities to do so (e.g., have a 3D printer, have a factory) and want to help “”Helper Companies and Individuals”), inside or outside the US
- You need information on importing masks/gowns/gloves/PPE/ventilators/diagnostics from outside the US
- You ar outside the US and want to ship masks/gowns/gloves/PPE/ventilators/diagnostics to hospitals in the US
- You would like to fast-track a new product to get on the US market (including Emergency Use Authorizations)
- You have questions related to reuse, resterilization, or substitution/modification of PPE/ventilators/diagnostics/accessories
The national clearinghouse to connect healthcare providers with critical equipment
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
NCMS is assisting our government partners and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in preparing a list of companies with manufacturing capabilities that may play a role in solving critical supply shortages. DOD’s COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) has prioritized ventilator and ventilator components as our highest priority items of interest at this point. Second priorities are masks and face shields.
Sources Sought: Medical Mask Materials and Fabricators
NCMS is assisting the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and other agencies to locate supply sources for materials and fabrication of face masks. This country and the Department of Defense needs millions of face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The DLA has developed a survey to assess technologies and capabilities for strategic planning for the production and distribution of masks. If you feel you can help, please take a moment to complete the survey on this link. If you know of others who may be able to assist, please share this important information.
Links to Specs, Standards, and Insight:
- American Hospital Association – 100 Million Mask Challenge
- FDA issued guidance on Enforcement Policy for Face Masks and Respirators During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency.
- FDA issued guidance on Enforcement Policy for Gowns, Other Apparel, and Gloves During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency.
- ASTM International is providing no-cost public access to important ASTM standards used in the production and testing of personal protective equipment – including face masks, medical gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizers.
- A Review of Isolation Gowns in Healthcare: Fabric and Gown Properties
Missouri Enterprise, and the MEP national network, is here to assist with process changes you may encounter to meet this request. Please reach out to Dave Goebel for more details at dgoebel@missourienterprise.org.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have more questions. We are here for you and we will get through this together. Share this information with others within your company or within your network. Be safe. We are here when you need us. Connect with your Area Business Manager at any time.
Check out our new page for resources and solutions specifically geared to help manufacturers transition through this pandemic.
