An agreement signed on April 6 between Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (IHEODTD) and Blue Dyer Distilling Company of Waldorf, Maryland teams up the two organizations to produce critical hand sanitizers for local emergency personnel.

“This is an opportunity to help a local business do some good in an area where we have the materials and capabilities to aid them. If we can find a unique way to leverage our assets during this crisis, we are going to find a way to do so,” said Dr. Chris Wilhelm, NSWC IHEODTD Office of Research and Technology Applications lead.

The agreement provides Blue Dyer with raw materials from the Navy; as well as facilities and operators to expedite large scale production of hand sanitizer. Blue Dyer founder and co-owner Walker Dunbar says to date the distillery has produced approximately 200 gallons of sanitizer to over 30 state, local and government agencies.

Photo by John Roark // AP