HHS Established Quarterly PPE Demand Forecast
The department will now publish regular forecasts to boost domestic procurement of protective gear.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in COVID-19
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a recurring quarterly forecasting system for personal protective equipment demand. This policy aims to provide domestic manufacturers with earlier visibility into federal procurement needs to better align production capacity.
Why it matters
By providing advanced notice of upcoming supply requirements, the policy seeks to strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical medical gear. This initiative supports the goal of procuring American-made protective equipment as mandated by federal law.
The mandate aligns with the Make PPE in America Act, which requires federal agencies to prioritize domestically produced supplies. Under these requirements, federal contracts for such equipment must span a minimum duration of two years.
The players
Department of Health and Human Services
This federal agency is responsible for overseeing the health and well-being of the United States public through various programs and policies.
American Medical Manufacturers Association
This industry organization represents companies that produce medical equipment and supplies within the United States.
The details
Every HHS division is now required to maintain and update a current forecast of its acquisition requirements for personal protective equipment. This consolidated information will be published publicly through the Small Business Customer Experience platform.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: HHS issued a news release detailing the new forecast process.
September 20, 2026: The American Medical Manufacturers Association released a statement in support of the policy.
October 15, 2026: The first department-wide PPE forecast update is scheduled for release.
The Big Picture
The new forecasting protocol serves as an administrative mechanism to implement the domestic procurement requirements established by the Make PPE in America Act. This policy marks a transition from reactive purchasing to a model centered on early production planning.
The policy change is primarily an administrative shift for federal procurement and is not expected to change daily retail availability of personal protective equipment for the general public. It may indirectly impact public health preparedness by fostering a more stable domestic manufacturing sector for medical supplies.
The takeaway
The government is shifting toward long-term production planning to better support domestic manufacturers of medical supplies. This move aims to prevent future supply shortages by providing clear, predictable demand signals to American companies.
Further reading
For more information on the federal response to the pandemic and supply chain management, visit COVID-19.
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