WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established its first recurring department-wide forecast of personal protective equipment purchases on Sept. 18, giving U.S. manufacturers earlier visibility into federal demand as the agency implements domestic procurement requirements under the Make PPE in America Act.
Every HHS division will be required to maintain a current forecast covering PPE subject to the law. The forecasts must account for known acquisition requirements as well as expected recurring purchases, annual and emergency stock replenishment, seasonal demand, planned programs, and potential surge requirements.
The requirement extends across authorized purchasing methods, including contracts, orders, and Government Purchase Cards. HHS procurement rules implementing the law generally require contractors to deliver domestic PPE, subject to specified exceptions.
The first department-wide quarterly update is due Oct. 15. Subsequent updates are scheduled for Jan. 15, April 15, and July 15 each year, replacing one-time data collection with a continuously updated view of expected demand.
HHS will consolidate the information after each update and provide it to the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for publication through the department’s Small Business Customer Experience platform.
The policy is intended to give manufacturers more time to make decisions about staffing, equipment, raw materials, and production capacity before federal orders are placed. It also gives HHS a department-wide view of expected PPE requirements for routine purchasing and potential demand surges.
“American manufacturers cannot build durable capacity around uncertainty,” Anthony Figliola, principal deputy assistant secretary for financial resources, said. “This forecast gives domestic PPE makers a clearer line of sight into future HHS demand so they can hire workers, invest in equipment, and keep production ready here at home.”
The Make PPE in America Act limits HHS purchases of covered PPE from foreign sources. Covered products include surgical masks, respirators, face shields, protective eyewear, gloves, gowns, and other equipment used to protect against disease transmission.
The department’s updated acquisition rules implementing those restrictions take effect Oct. 1 and apply to HHS divisions for applicable solicitations and contracts. The rules require a Made in America clause in solicitations, orders, and contracts involving covered PPE, regardless of dollar value.
The forecasts are intended for acquisition planning and industry awareness and do not constitute solicitations, purchasing commitments, or guarantees that HHS will proceed with an acquisition or award.
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