Lord to testify on COVID-19's industrial base impact

Pentagon acquisition chief Ellen Lord is scheduled to appear before the House Armed Services Committee on June 10 to discuss the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic poses for the U.S. defense industrial base.

"The hearing will focus on the department's efforts regarding defense industrial base challenges, contribution to interagency efforts, and use of existing acquisition authorities, including the Defense Production Act, to respond to challenges presented by COVID-19 and meet the department's readiness needs," according to a committee notice.

News of the hearing follows several significant developments at the Pentagon, including the ouster of Jen Santos, the former deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy who served as the Defense Department's point person on the Defense Production Act.

President Trump has also announced the Pentagon will play a major role in its "Operation Warp Speed" vaccine effort and has named Army Materiel Command chief Gen. Gus Perna to the leadership team.

Meanwhile, defense contractors say DOD will need to seek supplemental funding from Congress to address programs delayed by COVID-19 challenges.

Lord has previously said she expects the pandemic to delay major programs by about three months and require a supplement of "billions and billions" of dollars to reimburse contractors required to remain in a "ready state." At the time, Lord said she hoped the funding could be provided through legislative action, but DOD has yet to submit a request to Congress.