FEMA cancels $55 million contract for N95 masks [View all]

[SheltieLover]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/13/politics/fema-ppe-contract-cancelled-coronavirus/index.html

CNN)The Federal Emergency Management Agency canceled a $55 million unfulfilled contract with a Virginia company for an order of N95 masks that was supposed to be sent earlier this month -- the latest in a string of cancellations many states and agencies have faced amid the scramble to procure personal protective equipment for front-line workers.

The company, Panthera Worldwide LLC, was awarded the contract on April 1 -- to be fulfilled by May 1 -- but it requested an extension for May 11. A FEMA official told CNN that FEMA reviewed the company, which is not a manufacturer, and believed it would be able to fulfill the contract. But when Panthera requested another delivery extension of 96 hours on May 11, FEMA denied the extension and canceled the contract. No money was paid for the contract, according to the official.

Why would FEMA not buy directly from manufacturer? And why cancel?