U.S. Procurement in the Age of COVID-19: Challenges,Intergovernmental Collaboration,and Recommendations for Improvement

Abstract

This article discusses U.S. government’s procurement of medical supplies and equipment during COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges posed by COVID-19 to U.S procurement system. The article also examines how the U.S. government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations are working together to address procurement challenges. This article notes that the global pandemic has drained the strategic national stockpile of medical supplies and equipment and that the United States is struggling to meet the demand of these critical resources. The good news is that the U.S. government is partnering with the private sector to ramp-up the much-needed supply. This article underscores the need for the U.S. government to continue to look for efficient and productive ways to procure necessary medical supplies and equipment that are essential for health care professionals and those affected by the COVID-19. This article offers some recommendations to improve U.S. procurement system and outlines an agenda for future research.