Pentagon officials are bracing for companies being unable to deliver weapons on time as the coronavirus makes its way through company assembly lines and supply chains.
In separate briefings with reporters last Wednesday, the top weapons buyers for the Department of Defense and the Navy said that they are working with industry to assess the impact of the virus on their workforces, but that already some aircraft production has been halted.
“I do expect there will be some delay and disruption,” said James “Hondo” Geurts, the Navy’s top weapons buyer, on a Wednesday conference call. Navy officials have “real-time systems” to track disruptions when they arise, and already they have spotted changes.
“We’re seeing a tightening on the supply base as smaller shops deal with their local situations,” Guerts said.
As for larger sites run by major defense contractors, it depends on where they’re located.
Keep reading this article at: https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/03/pentagon-bracing-coronavirus-delay-weapons-deliveries/164118/
The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech has established a webpage where all contract-related developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) are summarized. Find the page at: https://contractingacademy.gatech.edu/coronavirus-information-for-contracting-officers-and-contractors/
