Congressman Joe Neguse Requests Transparency from FEMA on PPE Supply Chain Management After Reports that FEMA Intercepted a Colorado Order of Ventilators

Washington D.C.—Today Congressman Joe Neguse sent a letter to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, signed by fellow Colorado Delegation lawmakers, requesting increased transparency on personal protective equipment shipments and FEMA’s supply chain management process. Earlier this week, Governor Polis shared that a ventilator contract the state of Colorado was working on to bring supplies to local communities was dropped because of a countering bid from FEMA.

“As our nation continues to face unprecedented challenges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I urge you to provide transparency that is required for states to obtain the lifesaving equipment desperately needed to combat this disease,” reads the letter from Congressman Neguse.

“As the state continues to prepare for this worst-case scenario and ensure that our hospitals, emergency responders, and public health officials have the supplies they need, it is critical that FEMA work closely to coordinate and communicate with state officials to ensure that ordered supplies are successfully delivered to the communities purchasing them. Therefore, it is deeply concerning that local orders for PPE, ventilators, and other medical equipment have been intercepted and diverted by FEMA, with little to no explanation to local communities.”

The letter requests that FEMA provide the following information to clarify FEMA’s supply distribution process:

• FEMA’s current inventory of medical supplies including PPE and ventilators;
• Guidelines and data FEMA is using to determine which states are prioritized;
• Guidelines and data FEMA is using to determine what supplies are being intercepted and diverted away from local communities;
• A list of where supplies have been diverted, the reason for doing so, and when those local communities can expect to get their orders filled in the future;
• Clarity for state and local officials regarding whether they should expect FEMA to purchase all supplies and distribute them, or if states should move forward with purchasing supplies;
• Clarity for state and local officials regarding how FEMA will communicate with them and provide an explanation in the case of supply diversions.

Read the full letter here.