NEWMARKET, Ontario—AirBoss of America Corp.'s defense group has been awarded two contracts worth more than $123 million for the production of respirator systems, filters, various accessories and protective hoods to support the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and the U.S. Veterans Health Administration.
The U.S. Department for Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response placed an order with AirBoss for the manufacture of 50,000 FlexAir Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) systems, 3 million high efficiency filters, protective hoods and related accessories, for delivery to the Strategic National Stockpile. The contract is expected to be worth about $121 million.
Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter.
AirBoss also received a sustainment order from the VA of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for 60,000 high efficiency filters and 20,000 protective hoods to establish a contingency stockpile of consumables for the ongoing battle against COVID-19. The pact is worth an estimated $2.55 million and shipments also are expected to start in the third quarter.
"As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, federal organizations are increasingly examining ways to both manage their ongoing response and also address their future emergency preparedness," according to Chris Bitsakakis, president and chief operating officer of AirBoss.