The U.S. Defense Department and HHS have awarded four contracts totaling $647 million to COVID-19 test manufacturers for a total of 60 million over-the-counter test kits.
The Defense Department said Sept. 17 that the procurements were funded through the American Rescue Plan Act to deliver critical medical supplies to the nation.
The Defense Department awarded $205.2 million to Orasure Technologies for 20.6 million test kits; $284.2 million to Quidel for 25.6 million test kits; $47.8 million to Abbott for 3.8 million test kits; and $109.8 million to Intrivo for 10 million test kits.
All of the companies are to begin delivering the test kits to the U.S. government in October. The Defense Department didn't specify where they'd allocate the tests.
Read the Defense Department's full news release here.