State’s small business PPE marketplace launching Wednesday

The state’s small business marketplace, which is designed to help employers obtain personal protective equipment during the pandemic, is set to launch Wednesday, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the creation of the marketplace on Friday as he outlined his five-stage approach for reopening the economy, which included requiring stores, restaurants, offices and other companies to develop safety plans for employees and customers.

Stage 2 of Holcomb’s plan, which most of the state moved to on Monday, encourages, but does not require, all Hoosiers to wear face masks in public. But employees in certain industries, such as personal care services and restaurants, will be required to wear masks once those businesses can reopen.

The Indiana Small Business PPE Marketplace will be overseen by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., which will obtain the products from Indiana businesses.

Initially the state will be fulfilling orders at no charge.

In order to qualify to order equipment from the marketplace, a business or not-for-profit must be registered to do business in Indiana and have fewer than 150 employees. The marketplace also is limited to retailers, restaurants, personal service businesses and offices.

The marketplace is an extension of the state’s efforts to secure PPE for hospitals, first responders, long-term care facilities and health care providers treating COVID-19 patients.

To date, the state has secured commitments for more than 9 million pieces of PPE—up from 6.3 million reported last week—with more than 3.7 million items already delivered to the Indiana State Department of Health for distribution.

Luke Bosso, chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., said during Tuesday’s press briefing that the marketplace will offer “bundles” of PPE that include face masks, hand sanitizer and face shields.

Bosso said the state will only be able to fulfill about 10,000 requests in the first week, so employers should only use the marketplace if they can’t buy hand sanitizer and face masks elsewhere.

The state is expecting to continue to replenish its stock of supplies though.

“For businesses that aren’t able to get onto the marketplace just yet, we’ll be able to take a list of those businesses that come through and be able to help get them the next round,” Bosso said.

He also encouraged small businesses to work together to place larger orders.

“Trying to find 10 masks right now is going to be more difficult than it would be to try to find 10,000, so talk to your neighbor businesses,” Bosso said.

Bosso said the first orders from the marketplace should be sent out on Friday.

Businesses can access the marketplace at backontrack.in.gov once it launches Wednesday.