DoD Invests CARES Act Funds for Diagnostic Testing, Defense Subsystem Manufacturing Efforts

The Department of Defense has allocated a total of $17.4M to help four companies expand domestic COVID-19 diagnostic testing and retain workforce capacities at the defense industrial base.

The contracts come as part of the DoD’s efforts to achieve Defense Production Act Title III objectives aimed at filling U.S. manufacturing gaps in molecular testing, laser electronics, aircraft engine repairs and satellite communications, DoD said Friday.

BioFire Defense, a subsidiary of French biotechnology firm bioMerieux, secured $3.1M in funding to support the expansion of BioFire’s Salt Lake City facility and accelerate COVID-19 testing through the company's proprietary FilmArray products.

AQYR Technologies, a small business headquartered in Nashua, N.H., also received $3.6M to drive production of the Global Broadcast Service Portable Receiver Suite terminals for global satcom operations.

The company serves as the sole supplier of PRS portable terminals to the DoD under the Small Business Innovation Research program.

According to the notice, DoD also earmarked $7M to support Leonardo DRS’ electronics arm in efforts to “stabilize the supply chain” for laser weapon components and continue manufacturing Diode Pumped Alkali Laser modules.

The department’s last investment is valued at $3.7M and will support Stockton, Calif.-based Aero Turbine in producing components for the U.S. Air Force’s General Electric-built J85 turbojet engine.

Funding for all contracts will come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. DoD, along with the Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, has allocated $2.9B for COVID-19 relief efforts to date, the notice states.