FEMA Shifts Some Virus Supply Buying Power to Defense Department

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is handing over some of its responsibilities for acquiring Covid-19 supplies to the Defense Logistics Agency, a subset of the Defense Department, a FEMA spokesperson said.

The Defense Logistics Agency will coordinate longer-term purchasing of supplies, including personal protective equipment, the spokesperson said. That agency manages the supply chain for the entire U.S. military and has extensive experience in the area.

FEMA will continue to lead the federal response to the coronavirus crisis, the spokesperson said.

FEMA first indicated the move in an update to a General Services Administration webpage, in which it said it ...