Pentagon strikes deal with 3M to increase mask production by fall
The Defense Department and Trump Administration have made a number of different moves in recent weeks to increase the stockpile of N95 respirator masks. The 3M contract represents one of the largest manufacturing deals since the Administration began making efforts to fight COVID-19 in late February. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes)
The Department of Defense has awarded 3M with a $126 Million contract to increase the production of N95 masks to 95 million a month by October, according to a statement from the department released Wednesday.
“Spearheaded by the Department’s Joint Acquisition Task Force, and funded through the CARES Act, this increased production/industrial capacity will continue to ensure a sustainable supply chain of N95 respirators and resupply the Strategic National Stockpile in response to the increased national demand caused by the COVID 19 pandemic,” said DOD spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews in a news release.
This comes as reports of unregulated masks are flooding the streets for consumers, creating a dangerous black market of respirators that are more expensive, less effective, and can cause other health issues.
3M, a multinational conglomerate, plans to expand operations at production facilities in Wisconsin to initially handle increased manufacturing. From there the Minnesota-based company said it plans to relocate and expand operations to itsplant in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
The company also made efforts last month to bring millions of masks from its locations in China and other Asian nations after negotiations with the White House. The president expressed discontent for 3M, claiming it had been intentionally slowing production during a pandemic.
“We hit 3M hard after seeing what they’re doing with their masks,” President Trump tweeted. “Big surprise to many in government as to what they were doing – will have a big price to pay!”
At the time chairman and CEO Mike Roman called it “absurd” to suggest that they had not been doing all they could to produce as many respirator masks as possible. However, he thanked the president on Thursday.
“3M is working around the clock to get much-needed personal protective equipment to the nation’s frontline healthcare workers,” he said in a statement. “Being selected for these contracts will allow us to increase our manufacturing capability even more. We thank the Trump Administration and the Department of Defense for their close collaboration on this effort and share their goal of protecting the American public.”
