Secretary Lord calls on NDIA for COVID-19 response panel

ARLINGTON, VA -- The National Defense Industrial Association is among industry organizations that will talk daily with Defense Department officials on Coronavirus COVID-19 updates and the virus’ impact on industry.

Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense for acquisition and sustainment, on Tuesday invited NDIA, Aerospace Industries Association, Professional Services Council, the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to be part of this team "to ensure the security, reliability and resilience of our defense industrial base and our collective effort to execute the National Defense Strategy,” a statement from Lord’s office said.

Jennifer Santos, deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy, will conduct the daily meetings. Tuesday’s call included representatives from Industrial Policy, Defense Contracting Management Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, and Defense Pricing and Contracting.

Hawk Carlisle, NDIA’s president and CEO, commended the Defense Department’s response to the crisis.

“DoD has been extremely responsive in all efforts to ensure the safety of personnel involved in national security, from the men and women in uniform to the government civilians and defense contractors that support them,” Carlisle said. “This daily call is an excellent platform for ongoing communication between the Defense Department and the organizations that support a responsive and ready industrial base.

“NDIA is working with our membership to determine the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 response on the defense industrial base. We commend Secretary Lord and her team’s efforts to understand those impacts and maintain frank, open and clear communications. As this situation evolves, the assistance and advice to the industrial base must evolve with it. We look forward to continuing to collaborate as a community to ensure our warfighters, their families, and the industrial team that supports them are safe and ready throughout this response.”

 For media queries, contact Evamarie Socha at esocha@NDIA.org.