In coronavirus scramble for N95 masks, Trump administration pays premium to third-party vendors

[Midnightwalk]

The Trump administration has awarded bulk contracts to third-party vendors in recent weeks in a scramble to obtain N95 respirator masks, and the government has paid the companies more than $5 per unit, nearly eight times what it would have spent in January and February when U.S. intelligence agencies warned of a looming global pandemic, procurement records show.

....

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.

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.”

[link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/coronavirus-trump-masks-contracts-prices/2020/04/15/9c186276-7f20-11ea-8de7-9fdff6d5d83e_story.html|]

What does Panthera’s web site say?

Specialized teams comprised of US Special Forces troops, members of Federal agencies, and/or intelligence collection experts, join forces to carry out and protect the National Security interests of the United States.

Why am I thinking about blackwater?

[Texaswitchy]

1. Kick backs.

You know it.

[WyattKansas]

2. How many N-95 Masks did Jared Kushner hoard and hold in a government warehouse...

Just so he could sell them as a third party vendor through a private corporation set up within his family?

[scarletwoman]

3. "Why am I thinking about blackwater?" Probably for the same reason I started thinking Eric Prince

while I was reading this.

I think it's a safe assumption that there's a Trumpist connection lurking somewhere in the background of Panthera.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. No bid contracts. Blackwater in WH. $5 per mask WHOLESALE is gouging the taxpayer. Investigate. nt

[crickets]

5. Adam Schiff, paging Adam Schiff.

Clean up on aisle 45...