BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased demands for and shortages of key goods such as medical equipment (e.g., personal protective equipment and ventilators), paper products, cleaning products, manufacturing supplies (e.g., semiconductor chips, steel, and lumber), and some food products. Understanding the dependence on supplies that are sourced internationally, such as critical medical supplies, has become important. Research is needed to provide an understanding of the supply chain interruptions, adaptations, successes, and failures during the COVID-19 pandemic to learn what actions may be taken by state transportation agencies and other public agencies to mitigate those impacts during a future pandemic or significant disruptive event.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this research are to: (1) develop guidance for state and local government agencies to plan for future supply chain disruption, and (2) create a toolkit to help practitioners identify effective practices associated with overcoming supply chain challenges and leveraging opportunities.  

At a minimum, the research shall: (1) document supply chain challenges, opportunities, effective practices, and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) document initiatives underway in public and private industry that provide solutions to address critical supply chain challenges at a state and local level.

RESEARCH PLAN

PHASE I

TASKS

Task 1.  Conduct a literature review related to COVID-19 pandemic supply chain challenges. 

Task 2.  Identify key issues and effective practices related to mitigating supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Summarize the state of practice and challenges encountered by state and local agencies.

Task 3. Prepare an annotated outline of the proposed guidance and tool kit to be developed in Phase II.  

Task 4. Prepare a technical report that documents the work completed in Tasks 1 through 3. Include a detailed work plan for Phase II.

PHASE II 

Task 5.  Provide a minimum of five case studies that showcase successful practices in mitigating supply chain challenges. 

Task 6.  Develop the proposed guidance and toolkit according to the approved work plan. The deliverables should be suitable for a diverse set of stakeholders that enable them to identify effective practices associated with supply chain challenges and opportunities.

Task 7. Develop a final research report that at a minimum includes (1) an assessment of the current state of practice; and (2) guidance for state and local governments to plan for future supply chain disruption.

STATUS: Research in progress.