
The Pentagon is seeking Congress’ help with paying billions of dollars in pandemic-related claims from industry that could cause impacts to readiness and modernization without newly appropriated funds. Ellen Lord, the department’s top acquisition official, told lawmakers during a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing on Wednesday that at least one prime contractor has told her the company would have around $2.5 billion in claims related to costs as a result of the pandemic. Section 3610 of CARES Act coronavirus…