February 22, 2023, Propper International Inc., Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $100,389,285 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for backpacks and related components. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is March 21, 2026. Using military service is Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-23-D-0022).
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Army Jacket Contract Awarded
February 21, 2023, Blind Industries and Services of Maryland,** Baltimore, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $9,202,500 modification (P00004) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-21-D-B107) with four one-year option periods for wind and cold weather jackets. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is Feb. 25, 2024. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
**Mandatory source
Friday, February 17, 2023
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Hatley-USA-Recalls-Childrens-Pajamas-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standards-and-Burn-Hazard-and-Childrens-Headbands-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Lead-Content-Ban
This recall involves children’s Oaks Apparel-branded 95% cotton and 5% spandex nightgowns advertised as “Loungewear Gowns.” The nightgowns have elastic cinched wrists, a cinched chest via a red robe trim and a red trimmed neckline. The nightgowns were sold in “Very Merry” print and in sizes 12 months through size 8 years. The inside seam label displays the fiber content and washing instructions. The sewn-in neck label displays the garment size and “The Oaks Apparel,” “Est. 2014” and “www.oaksapparel.com.”
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled nightgowns away from children, stop using them and contact Oaks Apparel for a full refund. Consumers who purchased the nightgowns will be asked to destroy the nightgowns by cutting them in half and send the recalling firm a photo of the destroyed garment at jennifer@oaksapparel.com. Upon receipt of the photo, consumers will be issued a full refund of the purchase price. The Oaks Apparel Company is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: Oaks Apparel and children’s boutique stores nationwide and online at OaksApparel.com from July 2022 through November 2022 for about $53.
Importer(s): The Oaks Apparel Company LLC, of Dothan, Ala.
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 23-121
More informtion and photos HERE
Hatley USA Recalls Children’s Pajamas Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard and Children’s Headbands Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban
This recall involves children’s 100% polyester fleece zip-up pajamas and Opalescent Angel Wings Headbands. The pajamas have a hood, two functional front pockets and ribbed wrist and ankle cuffs. The pajamas were sold in children’s sizes 2 through 14 in Black Bear, Moose on Red and Buffalo Plaid prints. The pajamas’ neck label states “Little Blue House,” the size designation and Country of Origin. The recalled pajamas can be identified by tracking numbers 1014970, 1015226, 1016019, 1016490, 1018791, or 1018936. The tracking numbers are located on an inside left side seam label that states “PAL501” followed by the tracking number. The Opalescent Angel Wings Headbands were sold in one size. They are pink with two silver angel’s wings.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled products away from children, stop using them and contact Hatley USA for a full refund. Consumers should destroy the pajamas by cutting them in half, break the headband and send Hatley USA a photo of the destroyed recalled products by email at service@hatley.com. Upon receipt of the photo, consumers will be issued a full refund of the purchase price. Consumers can also return the recalled products to any Hatley USA store. Hatley USA is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: Hatley Boutique, Out West Trading Co, and resort area gift shops nationwide from January 2019 through September 2022 for between $9 and $46.
Importer(s): Hatley USA Inc., of New York
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 23-122
More information and photos HERE.
AAFA Comments on Federal Contractor Climate Disclosure Rule
On February 13, 2023, AAFA Commented on Federal Contractor Climate Disclosure Rule
- Among our comments
Read more HERE
AAFA Updates Industry’s Most Trusted Restricted Substance List with PFAS Class Restrictions
On February 7, 2023, the Amereican Apparel and Footwear Association published the 23rd edition of the Restricted Substance List (RSL). As an open-industry resource available to both AAFA members and the broader community, the RSL supports the industry by providing a reference of all banned and restricted chemicals and substances for finished apparel, footwear, accessories, and home textile products, identifying the most restrictive regulations worldwide. For the first time, the RSL includes restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) as a class of chemicals. The report also offers an Appendix on Reporting that covers the U.S. states whose laws require reporting of chemicals in children’s products as well as European reporting rules.
Read more HERE
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Notice of Receipt of Complaint; Solicitation of Comments Relating to the Public Interest
On February 13, 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (88 FR 9302) Notice of Receipt of Complaint; Solicitation of Comments Relating to the Public Interest.
The Commission has received a complaint entitled Certain Compact Wallets and Components Thereof. The Commission is soliciting comments on any public interest issues raised by the complaint or complainant’s filing.
The complaint was filed by Ridge Wallet LLC on February 6, 2023. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain compact wallets and components thereof. The complaint names as respondents: Mosaic Brands, Inc. of Alamo, CA; Rosemar Enterprise LLC d/b/a RossM Wallet of Palm Springs, CA; INSGG of China; Shenzhen Swztech Co., Ltd d/b/a SWZA of China; and ARW of China.
CBP Expands 321 Data Pilot Participation
On February 16, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a Federal Register Notice soliciting additional participants for the Section 321 Data Pilot, which allows the agency to partner with private sector supply chain actors to identify and target high-risk shipments for inspection while expediting clearance of legitimate trade flows.
The Section 321 Data Pilot is a public-private partnership that mitigates risk and expedites legitimate low value e-commerce shipments. These shipments are entered under de minimis procedures which allow small packages valued at $800 or less to enter the United States tax and duty-free.
Read more HERE
Betsy & Lace Recalls Children’s Nightgowns Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard and Burn Hazard
This recall involves children’s Betsy & Lace-branded 100% polyester short-sleeve nightgowns with lace trim collar. The nightgowns were sold in various sizes including small, medium, large, extra-large, extra-extra-large and extra extra-extra-large; and the following colors: coral, dark blue, gold, green, light blue, light pink, dark pink, purple, red, turquoise and white. The inside neck label displays “Betsy & Lace” and the garment’s size.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled nightgowns away from children, stop using them and destroy the nightgowns by cutting them in half. Betsy & Lace is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Exclusively At: Online www.betsyandlace.com from March 2018 through September 2022 for between $16 and $22.
Recall number: 23-123
More information and photos HERE
Monday is Washington's Birthday
Monday is WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY, a federal and state holiday to honor the hero of the Revolutionary War, the Father of His Country, and the first President of the United States. Of the 46 men to serve as chief executive of the Union, only Washington is so singled out for honor with a federal holiday. Federal, state, and local government offices in the United States will be closed. Many businesses, especially those that routinely engage with government offices, will also be closed in observance of the day.
That many persons now call the third Monday in February "Presidents Day" is an indicator of our lack of discrimination and devaluing of true accomplishment and fame. To put it in perspective, Catholics believe that each of the 266 popes was the Vicar of Christ on Earth, infallible in matters of faith and morals, and yet fewer than 90 have been added to the calendar of Saints (and no less erudite writer than Dante placed some of the popes in Hell), but common American usage honors equally the great Washington and the least noble and least accomplished of men to hold the office by jumbling them all together on "Presidents Day," the equivalent of declaring each a "secular saint."
Books on history and government from Washington's library include his personal copy of Common Sense, the tract by Thomas Paine that was so influential in promoting the revolutionary spirit. The General, of course, had several books on military science. Remembering that Mount Vernon was a working farm, we are not surprised to find books on agriculture and practice arts such as carpentry and horsemanship. President Washington's mind ranged beyond those necessary topics, for we also find books on religion, linguistics, and poetry.
Slighting of Washington by calling his birthday "Presidents Day" also errs by neglecting the 29th of May, which by state law (Mass. Gen. Laws Chap. 6 Section 15VV) is our PRESIDENTS DAY, in memory of John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, former presidents from the Commonwealth.
Virginia, home of eight presidents, including Washington, beats us out in total number. But here in the Bay State we have something the Old Dominion lacks. We have in our midst the Washington Library -- About 800 books and pamphlets from George Washington's personal library at Mount Vernon given to the Boston Athenæum by a group of Bostonians in 1848. The books themselves are priceless and only serious scholars need apply for permission to use the collection. However, in 1997 the library published a catalog so the rest of us can see what sort of books the great man was reading.
I could lump Washington in the same group with some of the lesser men who occupied the White House -- but that would be a lie.
Thursday, February 9, 2023
WeeSprout Recalls Baby Sleep Sacks Due to Choking Hazard Recall Alert
This recall involves the WeeSprout baby sleep sack. The 100 percent cotton sleep sack was sold in sizes newborn through 36 months and in the following colors: blue dusk, dotted rose, gray stitch and rosemary stitch. All colors and sizes of the sleep sack are included in this recall.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using, take the recalled sleep sack and cut it in half with a pair of scissors, take a photo of it, and discard it in the household trash. Contact WeeSprout to receive a $17 refund or credit in the form of a gift card. Email a photo documenting that the sleep sack has been destroyed along with your contact information to weecare@weesprout.com to receive the refund or credit. WeeSprout is contacting all known purchasers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 17 reports of the zipper detaching from the sleep sack. No injuries have been reported.
Sold At: Online at Amazon.com nationwide and on weesprout.com from August 2022 through December 2022 for about $17.
Importer(s): Wellaco Inc., dba WeeSprout, of Memphis, Tennessee
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 23-724
More information and photo HERE.
CASHMERE AND CAMEL HAIR MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE’S FALSE ADVERTISING CASE RESOLVED
CCMI and Etsy, Inc. Have Resolved Their Dispute and Look Forward to Collaborating to Protect the Interests of Cashmere Customers, Manufacturers, and Sellers.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, February 7, 2023 – The Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (“CCMI”) announced today that its false advertising and unfair competition action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, entitled CCMI v. Etsy, Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-12242-RWZ, has been finally resolved, avoiding the need for further proceedings in the case.
CCMI’s legal action, filed in the U.S. federal court on December 30, 2022, had challenged the advertising and sale of purported “100% Cashmere” and “Cashmere” garments on Etsy websites in the U.S. and abroad that CCMI had tested and found not to be Cashmere, but rather to be 100% acrylic, polyester, and other synthetic blends.
Fabio Garzena, President of CCMI, said that “CCMI and Etsy have resolved their dispute and look forward to collaborating to protect the interests of Cashmere customers, manufacturers, and sellers.” CCMI has a long history of working to help maintain the integrity of the Cashmere marketplace by providing important information about Cashmere’s value as a high quality luxury fabric, identifying reliable Cashmere testing laboratories and services, and pursuing legal action where appropriate to challenge the mislabeling of purported Cashmere garments and fabric. CCMI’s legal action presented a number of important intellectual property and competition law issues related to the advertising and sale of falsely or misleadingly advertised products over the internet in the international marketplace. CCMI was represented in the action by Robert J. Kaler, a partner in the international law firm of Holland & Knight LLP.
For further information contact: James Coleman, CCMI USA Representative in Boston, MA, at jcoleman@cashmere.org
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
BERRY COMPLIANT NOSE WIPE MATERIAL SOUGHT
Below is the material information taken from MIL-DTL-4441B
- 3.6.3 Nose wipe.
- 100 nylon facing fabric
- Base material made of 50 (± 2) % polyester, 50 (± 2) % cotton
- Color Foliage Green 504, Coyote 498 or as specified in the contract
- Meet the requirements below when tested as specified in 4.4.1 (see 6.10)
- Requirements
- Weight, oz./sq. yd. 6.6 (+0.3)
- Colorfastness to Crocking, rating, (minimum)
- Wet 4.0
- Dry 5.0
- Tear Strength, pounds, (minimum) 3.0
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Indianapolis CBP Stops 3 Shipments Filled with Counterfeits in 5 Days Had These Been Genuine, They Would Have Been Worth Nearly $265K
As Valentine’s Day approaches, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) warns consumers to make sure they’re getting their loved ones the real deal instead of knock-off goods. From January 26-31, CBP officers in Indianapolis seized three shipments containing a total of 207 pieces of counterfeit designer merchandise. If the items—which all originated in the Philippines—had been genuine, it would have been worth a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $264,285.
Read more HERE.
U.S. Attorney Announces $1 Million Settlement Of Civil Fraud Lawsuit Against Trading Company For Underpaying Customs Duties On Imported Footwear
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, AnnMarie R. Highsmith, the Executive Assistant Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (“CBP”) Office of Trade, Francis J. Russo, the Director of CBP Field Operations New York, and Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), announced that the United States has filed and settled a civil lawsuit against Samsung C&T America, Inc. (“SCTA”), a global trading and investment company that is a U.S. subsidiary of the Korean conglomerate Samsung C&T Corporation. Among other things, SCTA imports and sells footwear manufactured overseas in partnership with other companies. SCTA performs services in connection with the importation and sale of footwear, including financing, transportation, warehousing, and distribution. The settlement resolves claims brought by the United States that between May 2016 and December 2018, SCTA violated the False Claims Act by misclassifying imported footwear under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (“HTS”) and by not paying the full amount of customs duties owed.
Read more HERE
Monday, February 6, 2023
Paper Cape Recalls Children’s Pajamas Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard
This recall involves two styles of Paper Cape children’s pajamas made of 100% Pima cotton two-piece, long-sleeved Classic Pajamas and Classic Footless Pajama Sleepers. The two-piece, long-sleeved Classic Pajamas were sold in 17 prints and colors: navy, heather gray, baby blue, red, pink blush, pink bows, pink stripe, blue stripe, celestial print, blue floral, truck print, airplane print, watercolor floral, light pink, turquoise, pink dot and playground print. The Classic Footless Pajama Sleepers were sold in 16 prints and colors: navy, heather gray, baby blue, red, pink blush, pink bows, blue vines print, watercolor floral, light pink, pink stripe, blue stripe, celestial print, nautical print, bunny print, pink dot and playground print. Both recalled styles were sold in children’s sizes 12 months through 12 years. “Paper Cape, 100% Pima Cotton, Made in Peru,” the size designation as well as the warning: “wear snug fitting, not flame resistant” is printed on the neck label. The side-seam label states “Paper Cape, 100% Pima Cotton, Made in Peru” on the front and has care and washing instructions on the back.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled children’s pajamas away from children, stop using them and contact Paper Cape for a full refund or a refund in the form of store credit for the original purchase price + 10%. Consumers should destroy the recalled children’s pajamas by cutting them in half then send Paper Cape a photo of the destroyed garment. Upon receipt of the photo, consumers will be issued a full refund of the purchase price or store credit for the original purchase price + 10%. Paper Cape is contacting all known purchasers directly.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold At: Online at www.papercape.com and at various children’s boutiques nationwide from November 2018 through November 2022 for between $45 and $58.
Importer(s): Paper Cape, of San Francisco, California
Manufactured In: Peru
Recall number: 23-109
More information and photos HERE.
Children’s Robes Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard;
Certain Amorphous Silica Fabric From the People’s Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determinations of Circumvention
On February 3, 2023, the International Trade Administration published in the Federal Register (88 FR 7400) Certain Amorphous Silica Fabric From the People’s Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determinations of Circumvention
U.S. Attorney Announces $1.3 Million Settlement Of Civil Fraud Lawsuit Against Apparel Importer For Underreporting Value Of Goods To Avoid Paying Customs Duties
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (“CBP”) Office of Trade, and Francis Russo, Director of CBP Field Operations New York, announced that the United States has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve a civil fraud lawsuit against HIGH LIFE LLC (“HIGH LIFE”), an apparel design and import company headquartered in Manhattan, for underreporting to CBP the value of apparel imported into the United States. The settlement resolves claims that HIGH LIFE underreported the value of 67 apparel shipments in order to avoid paying the full customs duties owed. Under the settlement agreement approved by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, HIGH LIFE has agreed to pay $1.3 million to the United States and has made admissions regarding certain conduct alleged in the Government’s Complaint.
Read more HERE
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Army and Air Force Coat Contract Awarded
February 3, 2023, Federal Prison Industries Inc.,** doing business as UNICOR, Washington, D.C., has been awarded a maximum $22,641,000 modification (P00013) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-20-D-F057) with four one-year option periods for various types of coats. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are Texas, Illinois and North Carolina, with a Feb. 5, 2024, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2024 defense working capital funds. Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the contracting activity.
**Mandatory source
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber From China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan; Institution of Five-Year Reviews
On February 1, 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register 88 FR 6790) Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber From China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan; Institution of Five-Year Reviews.
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