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In coronavirus scramble for N95 masks, Trump administration pays premium to third-party vendors
National
In coronavirus scramble for N95 masks, Trump administration pays premium to third-party vendors
By Isaac Stanley-Becker, Desmond Butler and Nick Miroff
April 15, 2020 at 7:42 p.m. EDT
{snip}
The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a $55 million contract for N95s this month to Panthera Worldwide LLC, which is in the business of tactical training. One of its owners said last year that Panthera’s parent company had not had any employees since May 2018, according to sworn testimony.
It also has no history of manufacturing or procuring medical equipment, according to a review of records produced as a result of legal disputes involving the company and its affiliates.
{snip}
Panthera Worldwide’s parent company filed for bankruptcy last fall, and the LLC is no longer recognized in Virginia — where it has its main office — following nonpayment of fees, which according to Virginia code results in “the existence of a limited liability company” being “automatically canceled.”
James V. Punelli, one of the company’s executives, said he is working his military contacts to obtain the masks.
“We’ve done DoD medical training over the years and through those contacts with that community were brought sources of supply in order to assist in the COVID-19 response,” Punelli said in a text message to The Washington Post, referring to the Defense Department. “We made the connection with FEMA and offered these supplies to them.”
Asked about delivery of the masks, Punelli said: “We will provide these masks before May 1 for certain, in full and with a very high-quality product.” He said the company is registered as an LLC in Delaware and allowed its Virginia registration to lapse “because we’re not doing business in Virginia.”
{snip}
Isaac Stanley-Becker
Isaac Stanley-Becker is a national political reporter. Follow https://twitter.com/isaacstanbecker
Desmond Butler
Desmond Butler is an investigative reporter on The Washington Post's climate and environment team. He previously reported for the Associated Press in Washington, Istanbul and New York. His work has spotlighted unscrupulous military contractors, disinformation campaigns and nuclear smuggling. He also served as AP's chief correspondent in Turkey. Follow https://twitter.com/desmondbutler
Nick Miroff
Nick Miroff covers immigration enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security for The Washington Post. He was a Post foreign correspondent in Latin America from 2010 to 2017, and has been a staff writer since 2006. Follow https://twitter.com/NickMiroff
In coronavirus scramble for N95 masks, Trump administration pays premium to third-party vendors
By Isaac Stanley-Becker, Desmond Butler and Nick Miroff
April 15, 2020 at 7:42 p.m. EDT
{snip}
The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded a $55 million contract for N95s this month to Panthera Worldwide LLC, which is in the business of tactical training. One of its owners said last year that Panthera’s parent company had not had any employees since May 2018, according to sworn testimony.
It also has no history of manufacturing or procuring medical equipment, according to a review of records produced as a result of legal disputes involving the company and its affiliates.
{snip}
Panthera Worldwide’s parent company filed for bankruptcy last fall, and the LLC is no longer recognized in Virginia — where it has its main office — following nonpayment of fees, which according to Virginia code results in “the existence of a limited liability company” being “automatically canceled.”
James V. Punelli, one of the company’s executives, said he is working his military contacts to obtain the masks.
“We’ve done DoD medical training over the years and through those contacts with that community were brought sources of supply in order to assist in the COVID-19 response,” Punelli said in a text message to The Washington Post, referring to the Defense Department. “We made the connection with FEMA and offered these supplies to them.”
Asked about delivery of the masks, Punelli said: “We will provide these masks before May 1 for certain, in full and with a very high-quality product.” He said the company is registered as an LLC in Delaware and allowed its Virginia registration to lapse “because we’re not doing business in Virginia.”
{snip}
Isaac Stanley-Becker
Isaac Stanley-Becker is a national political reporter. Follow https://twitter.com/isaacstanbecker
Desmond Butler
Desmond Butler is an investigative reporter on The Washington Post's climate and environment team. He previously reported for the Associated Press in Washington, Istanbul and New York. His work has spotlighted unscrupulous military contractors, disinformation campaigns and nuclear smuggling. He also served as AP's chief correspondent in Turkey. Follow https://twitter.com/desmondbutler
Nick Miroff
Nick Miroff covers immigration enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security for The Washington Post. He was a Post foreign correspondent in Latin America from 2010 to 2017, and has been a staff writer since 2006. Follow https://twitter.com/NickMiroff
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