Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Meet

The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations to U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("COAC") will meet on October 29, 2015 in Washington, DC. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Committee will hear from the following subcommittees on the topics listed below and then will review, deliberate, provide observations, and formulate recommendations on how to proceed on those topics:

1. The Trade Modernization Subcommittee will discuss the progress of the Center of Excellence and Expertise ("CEE") Working Group which is addressing the topics of uniformity and levels of service across all of the CEEs. The subcommittee will also discuss the formation of two new working groups, the International Engagement & Trade Facilitation Working Group and the Future Role of Global Supply Chain Parties Working Group.

2. The Global Supply Chain Subcommittee will discuss recommendations related to the use of electronic cargo security devices and their impact on CBP operations. The Pipeline Working Group will provide recommendations pertaining to clear definitions on in-transit pipeline movements and related topics. The subcommittee will also discuss Customs—Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ("C-TPAT"), land ports of entry (Canada and Mexico), ocean cargo, in-transit movements and the Air Cargo Advance Screening pilot ("ACAS").

3. The Exports Subcommittee Manifest Working Group will continue its review of theFederal RegisterNotices for the Air and Ocean Export Manifest Cargo Tests, and further discuss one of the elements developed from the COAC export mapping exercise, the Progressive Filing Model and Air Environment. The Exports Subcommittee will provide recommendations stemming from the reviews.

4. The One U.S. Government Subcommittee will discuss progress of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Single Window effort and the COAC recommendations. The subcommittee will provide input on trade readiness and partner government agencies' readiness for the upcoming November 1, 2015, ACE implementation of Single Window. There will also be an update from the North American Single Window Vision Working Group. In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will provide updates on previous COAC recommendations.

5. The Trade Enforcement and Revenue Collection Subcommittee will discuss the establishment of the 14th Term Intellectual Property Rights Working Group, the Trade Enforcement Vision Working Group, and progress made on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Working Group.

6. The Trusted Trader Subcommittee will report on the Trusted Trader Pilot and discussions on the implementation of the second phase for testing U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") and partner government agency trade benefits.

Annual Meeting at American Textile History Museum October 15&16, 2015

Industry leaders will gather this fall in Lowell, Massachusetts for the American Flock Association annual meeting and a celebration of 30 years of service to the industry. All are invited to hear presentations focused on the flock industry. A special feature will be an explanation by an OSHA representative of the new SDS replacing the current MSDS. There also will be a guided tour of the American Textile History Museum. Click here for registration.

• Network with industry leaders.

• Learn about international trade opportunities.

• Understand the new OSHA labeling and SDS regulations.

• Delve into the sound dampening qualities of flock.

• Tour the American Textile History Museum.

FEMA Needs to Cohesively Manage Its Workforce and Fully Address Post-Katrina Reforms

In meeting its mission to help prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA")—a component of the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS")—contracts for a variety of products and services, ranging from providing tarps and blankets for disaster survivors to computer systems support. In fiscal years 2013 and 2014, FEMA obligated more than $2.1 billion for its disaster and non-disaster contracts. The focus of this report is FEMA’s disaster contracting, which during this period included obligations of $631 million from the FEMA headquarters contracting offices primarily responsible for supporting disasters, and almost $137 million from FEMA’s regional offices.

According to a report by the U.S. Government Accountibility Office ("GAO"), FEMA has more than tripled the number of contracting officers it employs since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but it does not have a sufficient process in place to prioritize disaster workload and cohesively manage its workforce. Some of the workforce growth is attributed to the establishment of the Disaster Acquisition Response Team ("DART") in 2010, which has the primary mission of deploying to provide disaster contracting support, such as contracting for blankets or debris removal. DART has gradually assumed responsibility for administering the majority of disaster contract spending, but FEMA does not have a process for prioritizing the team's work during disasters. Without such a process, FEMA is at risk of developing gaps in contract oversight during major disasters. Further, in 2011, FEMA established an agreement that regional contracting officers would report to headquarters supervisors for technical oversight while continuing to respond to regional supervisors—who have responsibility for administrative duties—for everyday operations. This agreement has led to challenges for FEMA in cohesively managing its workforce, including heightening the potential for an environment of competing interests for the regional contracting officers. Further, FEMA has not revisited this agreement on annual basis as called for in the agreement. As a result, it does not incorporate lessons learned since its creation 4 years ago.

Read the full GAO report HERE.

Fourth annual Fibershed Wool & Fine Fiber Symposium

The Fourth annual Fibershed Wool & Fine Fiber Symposium will be held November 7th, 2015, at Point Reyes Station, California.
In addition to hands-on activities and demonstrations, there will be informative presentations on collaborations between fiber farmers and designers, as well as on carbon farming, soil carbon sampling and drought tolerant breeds.
The Fibershed Marketplace will offer an array of beautiful local fibers and handmade goods, on sale in the Dance Palace church building, as well as on the lawn (weather permitting).
For more information go to https://wool-symposium-2015.eventbrite.com
Fibershed is a non-profit educational and research organization that develops regenerative textile systems that are based on carbon farming, regional manufacturing, and public education. We envision the emergence of an international system of regional textile communities that enliven connection and ownership of ‘soil-to-soil’ textile processes. These diverse textile cultures are designed to build soil carbon stocks on the working landscapes on which they depend, while directly enhancing the strength of regional economies. Both fiber and food systems now face a drastically changing climate, and must utilize the best of time-honored knowledge and available science for their long-term ability to thrive.
In 2013 Agathon Associates assisted Fibershed in the research and production of a Feasibility Study for a California Wool Mill.

AGOA TPLs Announced

The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act ("AGOA") provides for duty-free entry of apparel assembled in the AGOA region of fabric formed in the U.S. of yarn formed in the U.S. It also provided for a Tariff Preference Level ("TPL") equal to seven percent of all U.S. apparel imports for apparel assembled in the AGOA region of fabric from the AGOA region. The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA"), today, announce the TPL for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016 will be 1,935,096,830 square meter equivalents ("SME"). There is also a TPL for Lesser Developed Countries ("LDCs") in the AGOA region for apparel assembled in an AGOA LDC of third-country fabric. The TPL is set at 3.5 percent of all U.S. apparel imports. Today CITA announced the TPL for the 12-month period starting October 1, 2015 will be 967,548,415 SME.

Clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in TMD 433 at the University of Rhode Island can learn more about AGOA at http://agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/agoa/. 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.

Burlington Awarded Air Force Wool Fabric Contract

Burlington Apparel, Greensboro, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $9,846,000 modification (P00103) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1072) with four one-year option periods for poly/wool cloth for Air Force uniforms. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Sept. 26, 2016, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Fine Animal Hair Dehairing Facility Slated to Open in U.S.

Every great journey begins with an idea! And, some journeys are destined to never end! Natural Fiber Producers cooperative, developed in 2007, was built on the foundation of profitability and sustainability for U.S. natural fiber producers. That founding idea became a unique cooperative model and provided the stepping-stone for a bigger idea. The Dehairing Project, NFP’s dream-turned journey, began early in 2014 and has reached a milestone this week.

Since its arrival in the U.S. in August, the machine has undergone the necessary reassembling transitions under the watchful eye of Gregorio Scarpini, the technician from Cormatex, the Italian manufacturer of this commercial dehairing machine. With assembly and installation near completion, the machine is about to start up and initial calibration and testing commence. The now almost 100 feet of equipment will soon face a most historical time frame. NFP’s Dehairing Project Manager, Carrie Hull, arrived in Kentucky this week, joining Gregorio and the crew of US Natural Fibers (operators of the machine), in perfect time to oversee the initial dehairing process. The first commercial batch of fiber, American Bison or Buffalo fiber from Buffalo Gold and Buffalo Wool Co. of Texas has already begun scouring (washing) at the US Natural Fiber facility in preparation for dehairing.

With the fiber and textile industry on the cusp of resurgence, exciting newsworthy events began to unfold this past week. A unique opportunity to participate in “Dehairing Fiber Trials” was presented by Hull to North American fiber producers. At least a dozen producers from Alaska to Maine and including Canada have shipped their precious fiber to Kentucky for inclusion in the trials. These fibers include Musk Ox (qiviut), Yak, Cashmere, Angora Goat (Mohair), Llama, Suri and Huacaya alpaca, and Angora rabbit.

The 2-day “Bison and Bourbon” Grand Opening event at the US Natural Fiber facility in Springfield, Kentucky began on Thursday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m. with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The program included speakers from the Springfield community, the fiber industry, and Natural Fiber Producers as well as a media presentation of the Dehairing Project journey. Following the ceremony, light refreshments including a Popcorn Bar accompanied displays, fiber sorting & grading demonstrations, tours of the facility and vendor booths continued throughout the afternoon.

Natural Fiber Producers (NFP) is an agricultural cooperative, advancing the opportunity for sustainability and enhanced profitability for its fiber-producing owners. Founded in 2007, Natural Fiber Producers is proud to report that all their products are processed here in the U.S. from fiber grown in the U.S. and Canada. Products are marketed to members and retailers at wholesale cost with those profits being returned to the members. Member access to commercial processing through value added products provides profit margins between $14-61 per pound, and increases the volume of US-grown natural fibers entering the pipeline. In 2012, the organization opened its membership to include producers of llama, sheep, angora, cashmere, yak, buffalo, and qiviut. Now, the reintroduction of dehairing services to the US revitalizes the textile industry and builds momentum for Green and Natural Products.

Army Uniform Contracts Awarded

Pentaq Manufacturing Corp., Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $31,895,125 modification (P00133) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1073) with four one-year option periods for Army combat uniform trousers with permethrin. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Locations of performance are Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Alabama and North Carolina, with a Sept. 23, 2016, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pentaq Manufacturing Corp., Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $18,499,173 modification (P00129) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1074) with four one-year option periods for Army combat uniform trousers with permethrin. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Locations of performance are Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Alabama and North Carolina, with a Sept. 23, 2016, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The contract is regulated by the "Berry Amendment" which requires domestic U.S. sourcing of textiles and clothing for the Department of Defense. Clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in TMD 433 at the University of Rhode Island can learn more about the Berry Amendment at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/. 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.

American Woolen Company Selected as a Finalist for the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Award for Design.

In 2013 investor Jacob Long purchased the rights to the iconic name American Woolen Company with the intention of manufacturing wool textiles in the United States. For more on the purchase and plans to reopen the Stafford Springs facility see the story in today's Hartford Courant.

For more information, or to vote for American Woolen Company, in the Martha Stewart American Made Award Competition CLICK HERE.

Boston Apparel Company Gets Dept. of Defense Apparel Contract

Sterlingwear of Boston Inc., East Boston, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $6,787,669 modification (P00011) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-15-D-1008) with four one-year option periods for Afghanistan national police field jackets. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Location of performance is Massachusetts, with a Sept. 19, 2016, performance completion date. Using foreign customer is Afghanistan national police. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Read more about Sterlingwear of Boston HERE

The contract is regulated by the "Berry Amendment" which requires domestic U.S. sourcing of textiles and clothing for the Department of Defense. Clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in TMD 433 at the University of Rhode Island can learn more about the Berry Amendment at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/. 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.

Inspector General Finds Naval Contracting Personnel Let Non-Berry Compliant Textiles and Other Acquisitions Slip Through

Thanks to Steve Warner at the BeaverLake 6 Report for alerting us that on August 12, 2015, the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense, issued report DODIG-2015-161 Naval Personnel Can Improve Compliance With the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act. Among the findings--

"Naval contracting personnel did not consistently comply with the Berry Amendment for 11 of the 23 contracts reviewed. Contracting personnel did not assess whether suppliers could provide U.S.-produced items and omitted the Berry Amendment contract clause because they were not familiar with the Berry Amendment. Navy personnel allowed a contractor operating a logistics support program to sell non-U.S. made items because the contracting officer did not ensure the contractor was stocking items compliant with the Berry Amendment. ...

Contracting personnel...permitted the substitution of non-U.S. produced synthetic fabric on a contract because the contracting officer misinterpreted a DFARS exception to the Berry Amendment, which allows the substitution of incremental amounts of natural fiber."

Clients of Agathon Associates, subscribers to Agathon Associates' Trade Advisor Service, and students in TMD 433 at the University of Rhode Island can learn more about the Berry Amendment at www.agathonassociates.com/textile-pri/berry/. 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.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative requests written comments from the public identifying Internet and physical markets based outside the United States that should be included in the 2015 Notorious Markets List.

On September 10, 2015, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (80 FR 54651) [Docket No. USTR-2015-0016] 2015 Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets: Request for Public Comments.

SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requests written comments from the public identifying Internet and physical markets based outside the United States that should be included in the 2015 Notorious Markets List. In 2010, USTR began publishing the Notorious Markets List separately from the annual Special 301 Report as an ``Out-of-Cycle Review.'' The Notorious Markets List (List) identifies online and physical marketplaces that reportedly engage in and facilitate substantial copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting.
DATES: The deadline for interested parties to submit written comments is 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on October 5, 2015. Interested parties who wish to provide rebuttal or other information to be considered during the review may do so through this docket until 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on October 12, 2015.

Today is Felt Hat Day

September 15th is Felt Hat Day the end of the season when men may wear their straw boaters and Panamas rather than the fur felt fedoras, porkpies, homburgs, Western-style, and bowlers that we wear (You do wear a hat, don't you?) the rest of the year. For more information see www.thefedoralounge.com. Straw hats may not be worn again until Straw Hat Day which is May 15th.

Milliken & Company Acquires Springfield LLC

Today, Milliken & Company, a global innovation company, announced its acquisition of Springfield LLC, a manufacturer of technical, performance and flame resistant ("FR") fabrics for the safety apparel, fire service, military and occupational markets. Springfield is based in Jericho, New York with offices in Rock Hill and manufacturing facilities in Gaffney and Lyman, South Carolina.

The following is a Milliken & Company press release.

“As Milliken continues to build for the future, we remain committed to delivering innovations that ‘do good’ - adding value to daily lives, improving health and safety and helping to make the world more sustainable,” commented Joe Salley, president and CEO, Milliken & Company. “With this acquisition, we will further improve the user experience for industrial workers, first responders and military personnel with performance-driven protective apparel that does not sacrifice comfort or safety.”

This acquisition is the latest initiative in Milliken’s expanding presence in the global industrial workwear and military fabrics markets. Springfield’s portfolio of flame resistant (FR) and non-flame resistant fabrics provides Milliken with enhanced technical resources and delivers additional advanced-engineered textile solutions. “Springfield’s expertise is an excellent complement to our existing products and capabilities," said Jeff Price, president, specialty fabrics division, Milliken & Company. “It further enables Millliken to deliver valuable, comprehensive textile solutions designed to improve comfort, protection and safety.”

“Springfield is excited to join a strong values-based company with a rich heritage of innovation,” shared Ed Shogan, CEO, Springfield LLC. “By combining our collective technical expertise, market insights and supplier relationships, we will continue to deliver exceptional products and services to the workwear and military fabrics markets.”

About Milliken - For 150 years, Milliken has been innovating with the purpose to explore, discover and create ways to enhance people’s lives. Our community of innovators has developed one of the larger collections of United States patents held by a private U.S. company. With expertise across a breadth of disciplines, including specialty chemical, floor covering and performance materials, we work around the world every day to add true value to people’s lives, improve health and safety, and help make this world more sustainable. For more information, visit http://www.milliken.com and join us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Springfield – Springfield LLC engineers world-class protective and industrial fabrics supported with advanced technical service and expertise. Headquartered in Jericho, New York, the family-owned U.S.manufacturer is known for high-caliber customer relationships and providing textile products for the global industrial workwear and military fabrics markets. To learn more about Springfield’s performance-driven textiles, visit http://www.springfieldllc.com.

Flocked Bioconversion Media for Ammonia/ Water Bioremediation II: Physical and Mechanistic Aspects of Bioconversion Processes

Authors: Kim, Yong K.; Lewis, Armand F.; Sun, Yu

Source: AATCC Journal of Research, Volume 2, Number 5, September/October 2015, pp. 16-22(7)

Abstract: By extrapolating (exponential) plots of ammonium ion depletion rates (ADR) vs. water flow rate curves to the zero water flow rate, a new parameter called the intrinsic ammonia depletion rate (ADR(i)) has been defined. This parameter is helpful in understanding the ammonia/water bioremediation process. ADR(i), representing the ammonium ion depletion rate for bio-media under quiescent, equilibrium ammonia/water conditions, should be an inherent property of the bio-media material itself, and can serve as an ADR effectiveness rating index for various bio-media. In the reported work, flocked bio-media were shown to exhibit overall higher ADR(i) values than non-flocked media. The bio-reaction's physical (hydrodynamic) process mechanism appears to be different for non-flocked and flocked media classifications. A short term “live fish” aquaculture field trial was also carried out.

Full text: Available to members of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists at www.aatcc.org.

Annual Meeting at American Textile History Museum October 15&16, 2015

Industry leaders will gather this fall in Lowell, Massachusetts for the American Flock Association annual meeting and a celebration of 30 years of service to the industry. All are invited to hear presentations focused on the flock industry. A special feature will be an explanation by an OSHA representative of the new SDS replacing the current MSDS. There also will be a guided tour of the American Textile History Museum. Click here for registration form.

Air Force Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit Contract Awarded

Vinyl Technology, Monrovia, California, has been awarded a maximum $9,909,459 modification (P00009) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-14-D-1042) with three one-year option periods for manufacturing and delivery of CSU-22/P advanced technology anti-gravity suits. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is California, with a Sept. 9, 2016, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Monday, September 7th, is Labor Day

Monday, September 7th, is Labor Day in the United States. National, state, and local government offices will be closed, as will most non-retail business. In much of America Labor Day marks end of summer.

As I sit in a comfortable chair in my air-conditioned office today the outdoor temperature is expected to exceed 80. As my fingers move across the keyboard the overhead light reflects off my freshly manicured nails and the cuff links in my soft clean white shirt. As I think of my relative comfort I remember that I enjoy ease because other men and women are out in the heat and sun doing dirty backbreaking work. And that is why we set aside the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Of course, Labor Day honors all workers, not only those who do manual labor. But it is good to remind ourselves from time to time of the necessity of manual labor. Ordinary Americans today enjoy necessities of life, security, and even luxuries, the envy of princes in an earlier age. The bright, hardworking, and daring men and women of Wall Street and other financial markets created new and innovative ways to maximize wealth and gave us the most prosperous society the world has known, and one in which wealth, has been distributed more widely than ever before. In sum, our financial markets —- at least when left alone —- do a bully job of managing wealth. But they do not create wealth. Ultimately you have to make it (manufacturing), mine it (digging or drilling), or grow it (agriculture). Someone has to build houses for the economic indicators to register an increase in housing starts. Some has to drill if we are to have the oil to fuel our economy. Someone has to hoe and weed to keep Whole Foods (whole-paycheck we call it my house) stocked with the organic fruit and vegetables we love to consume.

Politicians in Washington will talk much this Labor Day weekend about the dignity of the workingmen and women of America, but the policies they enact tell a different tale. You do not respect the dignity of the workingman or woman by destroying his job.

The James Trading Group Recalls Kids Sports Hoodie Due to Strangulation Hazard

The James Trading Group Recalls Kids Sports Hoodie Due to Strangulation Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/The-James-Trading-Group-Recalls-Kids-Sports-Hoodie/

Recall Summary

Name of Product: Croker Kids Ireland kids hoodie

Hazard: The sweatshirts have a drawstring around the neck area which poses a strangulation hazard to children. Drawstrings can become entangled or caught on playground slides, hand rails, school bus doors or other moving objects, posing a significant strangulation and/or entanglement hazard to children. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines about drawstrings in children's upper outerwear. In 1997, those guidelines were incorporated into a voluntary standard. Then, in July 2011, based on the guidelines and voluntary standard, CPSC issued a federal regulation. CPSC's actions demonstrate a commitment to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

Remedy: Refund

Consumers should immediately take these recalled hoodies away from children. Consumers can remove the drawstring from the hoodie to eliminate the hazard or return it to the place where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: The James Trading Group at 800-541-5004 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.thejtg.com and click on the Recall tab on the top menu bar for more information.

Photos Available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2015/The-James-Trading-Group-Recalls-Kids-Sports-Hoodie/

Recall Details

Units: About 1, 200

Description: This recall involves James Trading Group’s Croker Kids Ireland Sports Hoodie with model number IR6012 printed on a hang tag attached to the hoodie. The kids hoodie has green fabric on the upper chest and arms with a white diagonal stripe across the torso and a blue panel on the bottom half of the hoodie. “Ireland” is printed in white letters across the chest and there are three Shamrock logos embroidered onto a patch on the bottom left side of the hoodie. The hoodie is 75% cotton and 25% polyester. The hoodie was sold in kids sizes “2YR” through “12YR” printed on the hang tag and on the tag sewn into the neck of the garment. “Croker” is printed on the inside neck label on the garment.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Sold at: Irish boutiques and other specialty retail stores nationwide and online at www.thejtg.com from November 2012 through August 2015 for about $20.

Manufacturer: The James Trading Group, Orangeburg, N.Y.

Manufactured in: China.

Agricultural Marketing Service Announces Reduction in Funds for Cotton Research and Promotion Program

The Agricultural Marketing Service ("AMS") in today's Federal Register (80 FR 53243) announced it is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, decreasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton.

DATES: This direct rule is effective November 2, 2015, without further action or notice, unless significant adverse comment is received by October 5, 2015. If significant adverse comment is received, AMS will publish a timely withdrawal of the amendment in the Federal Register.

Background

This direct final rule would amend the value assigned to imported cotton in the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations (7 CFR 1205.510(b)(2)) that is used to determine the Cotton Research and Promotion assessment on imported cotton and cotton products. The total value of assessment levied on cotton imports is the sum of two parts. The first part of the assessment is based on the weight of cotton imported--levied at a rate of $1 per bale of cotton, which is equivalent to 500 pounds, or $1 per 226.8 kilograms of cotton. The second part of the import assessment (referred to as the supplemental assessment) is based on the value of imported cotton lint or the cotton contained in imported cotton products--levied at a rate of five-tenths of one percent of the value of domestically produced cotton.

Under the Cotton Research and Promotion Program, assessments are used by the Cotton Board to finance research and promotion programs designed to increase consumer demand for Upland cotton in the United States and international markets. In 2013 (the last audited year), producer assessments totaled $36.9 million and importer assessments totaled $42.2 million. According to the Cotton Board, should the volume of cotton products imported into the U.S. remain at the same level in 2014, one could expect a decrease of assessments by approximately $2,442,758.

Milliken Acquires Assets of Ontera Modular Carpets Pty Ltd

Today, Milliken & Company announced its acquisition, through its subsidiary Milliken (Australia) Pty Ltd, of the assets of Ontera Modular Carpets Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Cavalier Corporation Limited. Based in Australia, Ontera is a leader in the design and manufacture of commercial modular carpet, currently providing Milliken-branded products as part of its offering.

The following is a Milliken press release --

This acquisition is the latest initiative in Milliken’s focus on global growth within its floor covering division, as the company formally enters a new region noted for great market potential.

“Ontera and Milliken share a long history,” said Joe Salley, president and CEO, Milliken & Company. “Our partnership succeeds because of similar unwavering commitments to quality, innovation and environmental stewardship. This acquisition is a natural progression of our relationship.”

Founded in 1985, Ontera is headquartered and has operations in Northmead, Sydney. The company has licensed Milliken technology for more than 30 years.

“The addition of Ontera, a well-respected brand, to the Milliken portfolio strategically positions us to enhance our customer base and customer service in Australia and New Zealand,” shared Jim McCallum, president of Milliken’s floor covering division. “We are excited about the potential that our combined technological capabilities and market insights will bring.”

“At Ontera, we have long been impressed with Milliken’s technological capabilities, innovative designs and clear commitment to sustainability,” said Ontera CEO Dean Harriott. “It’s exciting to be part of this world-class company. Our customers will benefit from Milliken’s global product development capabilities, technologies and insights accrued during its 150-year legacy.”

About Milliken’s global floor covering division – Milliken has a rich history of delivering innovative flooring solutions from its award-winning global design studios, research center and manufacturing facilities. Milliken’s progressive and purposeful flooring products offer great design solutions built from unique insights and an exceptional array of technical capabilities. Visit us at any of our product showrooms around the world and see what inspires our community of innovators. Or, learn more about Milliken floor covering at http://www.millikencarpet.com, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/millikencarpet, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/millikencarpet, on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/millikencarpet and on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/millikencarpet. About Milliken - For 150 years, Milliken has been innovating with the purpose to explore, discover and create ways to enhance people’s lives. Our community of innovators has developed one of the larger collections of United States patents held by a private U.S. company. With expertise across a breadth of disciplines, including specialty chemical, floor covering and performance materials, we work around the world every day to add true value to people’s lives, improve health and safety, and help make this world more sustainable. For more information, visit http://www.milliken.com and join us on Twitter and Facebook.

Army Parka and Jacket Contracts Awarded

Coachys and Associates, Canton, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $14,318,625 modification (P00005) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-15-D-1010) with one one-year option period for extreme cold/wet weather parkas and jackets. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Locations of performance are Georgia and Tennessee, with an Aug. 30, 2016, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tennier Industries Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $13,247,410 modification (P00007) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-15-D-1011) with one one-year option period for extreme cold/wet weather parkas and jackets. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. Locations of performance are Florida and Tennessee, with an Aug. 30, 2016, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

U.S. Manufacturing Council to Meet September 16th,

The United States Manufacturing Council (Council) will hold the third meeting of the current members' term by teleconference on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. The Council was established in April 2004 to advise the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the U.S. manufacturing industry.

The purpose of the meeting is for Council members to review and deliberate on recommendations developed by the Workforce subcommittee looking at issues of improving the image of manufacturing as a career path and developing skilled workers for consideration by the Manufacturing Council. The agenda may change to accommodate Council business.

The textile industry is represented on the Council by Jenny Houston, Executive Vice President, Warwick Mills; New Ipswich, N.H., who appointed in February, 2015, by Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritsker.