14 September
Five American small businesses have signed contracts worth $136m with the US Department of Defense (DOD) for the production of 15 million Covid-19 reusable isolation gowns. The contracts have been signed by the DOD on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services. These awards are expected to reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical personal protective items. Work done under the contract, as well as deliveries, will be completed by January next year.
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The Australian Government has announced $32m funding as part of Defence Covid-19 investment initiatives. The additional investment through the Defence Innovation Hub over the next two years will increase cash flow to Australian small and medium-sized businesses. Australian Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said that the funding will boost further job creation in the sector and develop innovations to improve defence capability.
Arizona-based small business Control Vision and the US Department of Defense (DOD) have signed $1.9m Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III agreement. Under the agreement, the company will develop and mature an optical payload and manufacture a unit for a future flight test. The investment is intended to sustain and advance aerospace-grade advanced optical sensor domestic industrial base capabilities. It will also allow the company to retain high skill staff positions. Separately, Radio Design Group and DOD reached $1m agreement to continue producing critical communications equipment and invest in future communications capabilities for the US Navy.
