Friday, October 11, 2019
Air Force Boot Contract Awarded
Carbon Fiber FTZ Approved for Export Only
On June 24, 2019, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (84 FR 29496) Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. (Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber); Greenwood, South Carolina
Production under FTZ procedures will exempt TCF from customs duty payments on the foreign-status components used in export production. On its domestic sales, for the foreign-status materials/components noted below, TCF wanted to able to choose the duty rate during customs entry procedures that applies to carbon fiber (duty free).
On October 11, 2019, the Foreign-Trade Zone Board published in the Federal Register (84 FR 54837) Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 38— Spartanburg County, South Carolina; Authorization of Limited Production Activity; Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. (Polyacrylonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber); Greenwood, South Carolina.
The Board authorized the production activity described in the notification on a limited basis, subject to a restriction requiring that all foreign status polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber admitted for production activity must bere-exported (entry for U.S. consumption was not authorized).
This is consistent with earlier FTZ filings relating to carbon fiber approved for export only.
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Monday is Columbus Day in the U.S.
Columbus and the Last Hope of Mankind
"We do not read even of the discovery of this continent, without feeling something of a personal interest in the event; without being reminded how much it has affected our own fortunes and our own existence. It would be still more unnatural for us, therefore, than for others, to contemplate with unaffected minds that interesting, I may say that most touching and pathetic scene, when the great discoverer of America stood on the deck of his shattered bark, the shades of night falling on the sea, yet no man sleeping; tossed on the billows of an unknown ocean, yet the stronger billows of alternate hope and despair tossing his own troubled thoughts; extending forward his harassed frame, straining westward his anxious and eager eyes, till Heaven at last granted him a moment of rapture and ecstasy, in blessing his vision with the sight of the unknown world." -- Daniel Webster, First Bunker Hill Monument Oration, 1825
In Boston we are surrounded by familiar sights -- Old North Church, the Old State House, Old South Meeting House, and the other stops on the Freedom Trail -- that remind us of Boston's unique Revolutionary War history. At 243 years distance from 1775, we are nearly two-and-a–half centuries removed from the beginning of the American War of Independence. In like manner, 1775 was a bit more than two-and-a-half centuries (283 years to be precise) removed from Columbus' discovery of the New World. Independence and the Revolutionary War mark not the beginning, but the halfway point in the history of European civilization in America.
In his remarks, quoted above, Mr. Webster, on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, traced the origins of the United States not to the Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock (although he mentions them in the oration), nor to the earlier English settlement of Virginia (not even mentioned by Webster), but to Christopher Columbus and his first "sight of the unknown world."
Others came here earlier -- possibly the Vikings, maybe other Europeans, and certainly the American Indians who arrived most probably from Asia by land-bridge to Alaska. But Webster -- and many of us concur -- begins our history with Columbus. All month we celebrate Italian-American Heritage and we celebrate the brave and persevering Italian navigator who opened the way for immigrants from every nation to settle in this New World and create the United States that remains, to quote again from Webster's speech, "the last hope of mankind." This is a phrase that will be echoed by Abraham Lincoln in his December 1862 Annual Message to Congress ("the last best, hope of earth") and Ronald Reagan in his January 1974 "We Will Be a City on a Hill" speech ("the last best hope of man on earth"). God willing America shall continue for many years as a beacon of liberty.
USITC report U.S. SME Exports: Trade-related Barriers Affecting Exports of U.S. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to the United Kingdom
On October 4, 2019, the U.S. International Trade Commission released Inv. No. 332-569, Publication 4953, U.S. SME Exports: Trade-related Barriers Affecting Exports of U.S. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to the United Kingdom
The report focuses on barriers identified by SMEs that hinder their ability to export to the UK. The USITC collected primary qualitative information and data to analyze both tariff and nontariff measures that may affect U.S. SME exports to the UK. The report includes suggestions from SMEs and relevant literature for actions that would help address some of the identified barriers and enhance the participation of U.S. SMEs in U.S.-UK trade.
Main Findings:
- SMEs believe they are particularly affected by a number of specific crosscutting trade-related barriers imposed by a European Union (EU) or UK government law or policy; these include tariffs and taxes, customs procedures, intellectual property measures, and temporary entry provisions. Further, SMEs noted various market-related barriers that they perceive as affecting their ability to export to the UK market, including logistical and finance-related issues, and difficulties in entering or participating in the UK market.
- Standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures are most often cited by SMEs as limiting their exports to the UK. The most frequently cited SME concern is that the UK often does not recognize the standards set by U.S. standards bodies, which forces many U.S. firms to seek dual U.S. and UK certifications before they can export their products.
- SMEs producing manufactured goods reportedly face numerous regulatory measures related to standards and regulations, which include labeling, licensing, and certification. U.S. agrifood SMEs also identified a variety of nontariff barriers that they face in the UK with respect to labeling requirements, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements, geographical indications and wine names, packaging rules, food safety requirements, and certifications.
- There are limited trade-related barriers for U.S. service exports to the UK. However, the largest hardships U.S. SMEs engaged in the professional services industry say they face are temporary entry provisions, and licensing and credential issues. SMEs that export computer services reportedly encounter issues related to data protection and privacy laws, cybersecurity, and customs requirements.
Federal Business Opportunities through October 9, 2019
------------------------------------------------------- Title: LEEK Sol. #: 16MPBDEED001 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: ECWCS Gen III Level 6 Jackets and Trousers Sol. #: FA487720Q8001 Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Latex Gloves Sol. #: 47QSWA-19-A-0627 Agency: General Services Administration ------------------------------------------------------- Title: FLAG,NATIONAL Sol. #: SPE1C119Q0244 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Modular Scalable Vest (MSV) Sol. #: W91CRB-19-R-0066 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: STREAMER SET,AWARD Sol. #: SPE1C120T0055 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Hard Armor Ballistic Plate Boron Carbon Recovery and Reclamation Sol. #: W91CRBRFIBORONCARBON Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Men's Army Trouser without Braid, Shade 451 Sol. #: SPE1C1-20-Q-0004 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: JPADS Parachute Container Sol. #: 0011404346 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: INSIGNIA,SHOULDER S Sol. #: SPE1C119Q0231 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: COVER,SERVING SIDE Sol. #: SPE8ED20T0054 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Mobility Bag Sol. #: W90VN619R0024 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: ECWCS Gen III Level 6 Jackets and Trousers Sol. #: FA487720Q8001 Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: PAD,HELMET,AIRCRAFT Sol. #: SPE1C119T2454 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: TENT Sol. #: SPE1C120T0041 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: MH/AH-6 Flight Helmets Sol. #: 20191007 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: NAME BADGE AND ACCESSORIES Sol. #: HDEC0419R0054 Agency: Other Defense Agencies ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Solomon4DQuest Gortex Coyote Sol. #: 0375SolomonBuy Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: COVER,VISOR,FLYER'S Sol. #: SPE1C120T0051 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: OVERBOOTS, MOLDED, LIGHTWEIGHT, CHEMICAL/BIOLOGICAL PROTECTIVE (MALO) Sol. #: SPE1C1-19-R-0010 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: KIT,BLADDER,AIRCRAF Sol. #: SPE1C120T0035 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Men's Army Trouser without Braid, Shade 451 Sol. #: SPE1C1-20-Q-0004 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 341st Operations Group MASSIF Jackets Sol. #: FA4626-19-Q-0090 Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Solomon4DQuest Gortex Coyote Sol. #: 0375SolomonBuy Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: COLD WEATHER HEAD AND FACIAL PROTECTION SOLUTION Sol. #: W911QY-ColdWeatherHeadAndFacialProtectionSolution Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Marine Corps Green Trousers Shade 2212 Sol. #: SPE1C1-20-Q-0008 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: INSIGNIA,SHOULDER S Sol. #: SPE1C119T2442 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: BEP Police Uniforms and Equipment Sol. #: 2031ZA19Q00044 Agency: Department of the Treasury ------------------------------------------------------- Title: HELMET,FIREMAN'S Sol. #: SPE8E620Q0007 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: KIT BAG, UNIVERSAL PARACHUTE Sol. #: SPE1C120Q0006 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Air Force Vest Kits Sol. #: W912PQ19Q9007 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Tactical Armband Sol. #: W91UH4KS0007 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: FLAG,NATIONAL Sol. #: SPE1C120T0032 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: BAG,TENT FRAME PART Sol. #: SPE1C120T0022 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: INSIGNIA,SHOULDER S Sol. #: SPE1C120T0017 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: FLAG,NATIONAL Sol. #: SPE1C119Q0228 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Safety Work Shoes Sol. #: W911N219R0014 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Arctic Gear Kits Sol. #: F1L1249200AW01 Agency: Department of the Air Force ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Carpet Sol. #: 2119409Y152125821 Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: ACU Unisex and Female FR Trousers & IHWCU Trousers Sol. #: SPE1C1-19-R-0083 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: PERSONNEL CLOTHING AND EQUIPAGE Sol. #: W9136419R7020 Agency: Department of the Army ------------------------------------------------------- Title: ACU FR Unisex and Female Coats Sol. #: SPE1C1-19-D-0081 Agency: Defense Logistics Agency ------------------------------------------------------- Title: SSJ under the SAT Sol. #: 192119DVHQD4SRT010 Agency: Department of Homeland Security ------------------------------------------------------- Title: Latex Gloves Sol. #: 47QSWA-19-A-0627 Agency: General Services Administration ------------------------------------------------------- Title: 36C258-19-AP-0679|VA EMPLOYEE UNIFORMS Sol. #: 36C25819Q0446 Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs -------------------------------------------------------
Clients of Agathon Associates and subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service can find links to the full solicitations at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/fbo.htm. You will need to enter your username and password. If you do not know your username and password email David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Air Force on schedule with new uniform issue timeline
Trainees entering into Basic Military Training, or BMT, at the 37th Training Wing this week are the first group to be issued the new Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, uniforms.
After taking Airmen feedback into consideration, the uniform board members said they chose the OCP for the improved fit and comfort and so that they will blend in with their soldier counterparts’ uniforms in the joint environments, according to Cooper.
When Air Force officials announced last year they are adopting the Army OCP as the official utility uniform, they developed a three-year roll-out timeline across the force for the entire change over. This week puts them on target for issuing to the newest members.
“Each trainee is issued four sets of uniforms with their initial issue,” said Bernadette Cline, clothing issue supervisor. “Trainees who are here in ABUs (Airmen Battle Uniforms) will continue to wear them throughout their time here, and will be replaced when they get their clothing allowance.”
The 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Initial Issue Clothing outfits nearly 33,000 BMT trainees every year and maintains more than 330,000 clothing line items.
“We partner with Defense Logistics Agency, who provides the clothing items upfront to be issued,” said Donald Cooper, Air Force initial clothing issue chief. “Then we warehouse and issue to the individuals’ size-specific clothing.”
The OCP was chosen because its form will allow airmen to do their jobs easier, it fits in alongside soldiers in the field and functions well in the joint environment.
“Right now, if someone deploys, they’ll get it issued,” Cline said, “Now that everyone is converting over to this uniform, they [the trainees] already have the uniform to work and deploy in.”
Following the timeline, the OCP should now be available online for purchase as well.
The next mandatory change listed on the timeline, to take place by June 1, 2020, will be the Airmen’s boots, socks, T-shirts, U.S. Flag and officer ranks to the spice brown or tan color.
Switching from two different types of utility uniforms to just one, multifunction uniform could also simplify life for the airmen.
“I think the biggest value is going to be the thought that they aren’t required to have two uniforms anymore once they convert to a uniform that is for deployment and day-to-day work,’” Cooper said.
For more information on uniform guidance, visit https://www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/Dress-and-Appearance/.
IKEA Recalls Infant Bibs Due to Choking Hazard
Description: This recall involves the MATVRÅ bibs for infants sold in a two pack with one blue and one red bib with a snap at the back of the neck. The blue bib has a green seam along the outside with white polka dots. The red bib has a yellow seam along the outside with red polka dots. MATVRA, IKEA and the IKEA logo are printed on a white tag on the back of the bib.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bibs and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm received two reports of the snaps on the bibs detaching. Neither incident occurred in the United States. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Exclusively at IKEA stores nationwide and online at www.ikea-usa.com from August 2019 through September 2019 for about $2.
Importer(s): IKEA Supply AG, of Switzerland
Distributor(s): IKEA Supply AG, of Switzerland
Manufactured In: Vietnam
Recall number: 20-008