I think the release says they are buying wafers since POET is vetting suppliers. Clearly, only POET knows whether the wafers will be up to snuff. I would also believe that this will only be in the initial stages of production, eventually the fabs will carry that cost.

Or maybe POET is vetting suppliers and will advise their 3rd party foundry of wafer suppliers that meet their standards. Then the fab will go out and buy the wafers that are deemed worthy, and in sufficient quantities to satisfy demand.

If they are looking for multiple suppliers, they apparently are going to need a lot of them.

I don't know who pays for what, or when, in this whole scenario but what I do believe this release says is that production is coming soon, and in mass quantity.