Celebrate 170 Years of Draper Knitting: Mill Tour & New England Section Reception

Step inside one of America’s longest‑running textile mills as Draper Knitting celebrates 170 years of craftsmanship and innovation. This free event is open to all attendees, offering a rare, behind‑the‑scenes tour hosted by the AATCC New England Section.

Non‑members are encouraged to join and learn how AATCC can expand your network, elevate your career, and keep you connected to the innovations shaping the future of textiles.

Explore historic and modern machinery, see three fabric‑formation methods in one facility, and experience 120,000 sq. ft. of production in action. After the tour, enjoy a complimentary networking reception with textile professionals, industry leaders, and fellow innovators.

Event Details
Date: June 18, 2026
Time: Tours at 2:00 PM EST; reception to follow
Location: Draper Knitting, 28 Draper Lane, Canton, MA
Cost: Complimentary

To RSVP, email Bethany Pollack (bpollack@draperknitting.com), VP of Draper Knitting and NE Section Officer, with your name, organization, member status, email, and phone number.

Contract Opportunity: Flight Attendant Uniforms

May 15, 2026, Contract Opportunity: Flight Attendant Uniforms.

SOURCES SOUGHT: THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. THIS IS FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY! This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

Andrews Air Force Base anticipates a requirement that is being considered under a small business set-aside program. The North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code proposed is 458110. The size standard is $47.0 Million dollars.

The purpose of this procurement is to acquire Flight Attendant Uniforms for the 1st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Andrews.

All garments must be sources OUTSIDE of China, will have 4-way stretch material, or 2-way if 4-way is not an option. The Ideal blend would be: 55% Nylon, 20% Polyester, and 5% spandex or a similar blend.

Original Set Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

See: SAM Notification.

Uniform Variety Characterized American Revolutionary War

May 15, 2026, Here is a look back at uniforms from 250 years ago during an important period of the nation's birth.

UPDATE: Section 122 Tariffs

On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the imposition of tariffs. Later that same day, President Trump announced that he was imposing a temporary 10% surcharge on imports using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2132). This is the first time a President has used Section 122.

See: 91 FR 9339 (February 25, 2026).

Section 122 authorizes the President to impose temporary import duties or surcharges "[w]henever fundamental international payments problems require special import measures to restrict imports (1) to deal with large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits, (2) to prevent an imminent and significant depreciation of the dollar in foreign exchange markets, or (3) to cooperate with other countries in correcting an international balance-of-payments disequilibrium." President Trump's actions have raised questions about the meaning of the term "balance-of-payments deficits" as it is used in Section 122.

See: CRS Report IF13199 (April 9, 2026).Sec. 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. as amended.

See: Sec. 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, as Amended through P.L. 119–75, Enacted February 3, 2026.

On May 7, 2026, The United States Court of Internation Trade, in a devided decision, struck down Trump's Section 122 tariff action.

See: Slip Op. 26-47 (May 7, 2026).

On May 12, 2026, several non-governmental sources reported that the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stayed the CIT's judgment while the court considers such relief.

Physical Fitness Shirts Contract Awarded

May 14, 2026, Pacific Continental Clothing Inc.,* Carson, California, has been awarded a maximum $20,425,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for various types of physical fitness shirts. This was a competitive acquisition with 12 responses received. This is a four-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is May 14, 2030. Using military services are Air Force and Space Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-0051).

*Small business

Woman Pleads Guilty to Importing and Selling Counterfeit Apparel and Other Luxury Articles

On May 6, 2026, a Waynesville, Missouri., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to importing and selling counterfeit luxury goods, apparel, and other items online.

By pleading guilty today, Lecena admitted she sold various counterfeit purses, jewelry, phone cases, handbags, shoes, clothing, and other counterfeit products through Bali Rattan LLC from March 2022 to December 2024.

The counterfeit goods and apparel were typically manufactured in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China and shipped to the U.S. for distribution. Numerous shipments were delivered from these countries to Lecena during this time.

Read the Department of Justice Press Release HERE.

Graham Introduces Legislation that Supports Textile

Under current law, all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces – except the U.S. Coast Guard – are barred from purchasing clothes, fabrics, fibers, yarns, and other materials that are produced overseas. Graham’s bill would extend this prohibition to include the Coast Guard, ensuring no branch of the U.S. Armed Forces relies on a foreign country for personal equipment.

Specifically, the proposed legislation would amend Section 4862 of title 10, United States Code, the BERRY AMENDMENT by adding the COAST GUARD to the department and divisions subject to the Berry Amendment.

If enacted, the Graham bill would require that Coast Guard uniforms be made in the U.S., of fabric manufactured in the U.S., of yarn manufactured in the U.S., of fiber grown or manufactured in the U.S.

See: Sen. Graham Press Release.

See: Bill Text