Pentagon spends big on Ohio face mask technology

The systems can decontaminate up to 80,000 used N95 respirators per system per day, enabling mask reuse up to 20 times, the department said.

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Earlier this month, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine urged President Donald Trump to push the Food and Drug Administration to allow an expanded emergency authorization for the system’s use. The FDA extended the authorization that day.

Spearheaded by the Department’s Joint Acquisition Task Force, six units have already been delivered to locations including two to New York, and one each to Columbus, Ohio, Boston, Chicago and Tacoma, providing the ability to sterilize 3.4 million masks a week, reducing the need for new masks by the same number, the department said in a release late Monday.

All 60 systems will be available by early May for prioritization and distribution by FEMA and Health and Human Services.

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“Once all are delivered, these 60 units will allow 4.8 million masks to be sterilized per day, almost 34 million per week,” the Pentagon said.

‘I remain extremely proud of the selfless efforts of Department of Defense personnel who continue to do everything they can to help provide medical masks, test kits, medicine and meals to support America’s military, medical, emergency services and law enforcement professionals who are on the front lines and need them most,’ said Under Secretary of Defense Ellen Lord.

This procurement includes a service contract to cover operations and maintenance.”