Thursday, May 25, 2023

Army and Air Force Coat Contract Awarded

May 25, 2023, Puerto Rico Apparel Manufacturing Corp.,*** Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $10,928,873 modification (P00033) exercising the fourth one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-19-D-1151) with four one-year option periods for various types of coats and trousers. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is May 29, 2024. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

***Small-disadvantaged business in historically underutilized business zones

Monday is Memorial Day

Agathon Associates will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day, a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

In much of the United States, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. The "three day weekend" created by the Monday holiday is enjoyed with cookouts, trips to the beach and other leisure activities as will as parades and public ceremonies honoring those who died in service of the nation. This Memorial Day we remember and honor the men and women who died to preserve our freedom. Even as we enjoy kicking off summer, however we chose this weekend, that is itself a testimony to their sacrifices, for we enjoy the cookouts, trips to the beach, and so forth because they made it possible. We especially honor those who died for our country when we decorate their graves or participate in patriotic parades and ceremonies this weekend.

At those solemn memorial events in our towns and cities, in our churches and synagogues, and in the halls of our veterans or other lodges, a familiar, haunting melody will mark the day --

The familiar bugle call "Taps" is generally believed to be based on a traditional French call to curfew (from Middle English "curfeu," from Old French "cuevrefeu," meaning cover the fire and turn in for the night).

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the use of "Taps" is unique to the United States military, as the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying ceremonies and memorial services. "Taps" originally began as a signal to extinguish lights. Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for "Extinguish Lights" was the one set down in the Infantry manuals which had been borrowed from the French. The music for "Taps" was changed by Major General Daniel Adams Butterfield for his brigade in July 1862. Butterfield was not pleased with the call for "Extinguish Lights," feeling that it was too formal to signal the day's end. With the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton, he created "Taps" to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia following the Seven Days' battles during the Peninsular Campaign.

The same Veterans Affair internet resource, https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/taps.pdf, states that the earliest official reference to the mandatory use of "Taps" at military funeral ceremonies is found in the U.S. Army Infantry Drill Regulations for 1891, although it had doubtless been used unofficially long before that time, under its former designation, "Extinguish Lights." The first use of "Taps" at a funeral was during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. Captain John C. Tidball of Battery A, 2nd Artillery ordered it played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. Because the enemy was close, he worried that the traditional three volleys would renew fighting.

Taps now is played by the military at burial and memorial services, to accompany the lowering of the flag, and to signal the "lights out" command at day's end.

New England's storied history with wool, textiles

On May 24, 2023, the local Boston WBZ news TV outlet devoted its "Chronicle" program to New England wool. Kristin Draper, Bethany Pollack, and Phil Lindsay were among the local woolies who were interviewed.

Part 1 (Kristin, Bethany, and Phil).

Part 2 fiber production.

Part 3 local Boston repair artist, one of a dozen or so left in the nation, who re-weaves damaged textile articles.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Auburn Manufacturing Hosts Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Knight, Highlights Maine Manufacturers & U.S. Textile Industry’s Competitiveness

On May 17, 2023,Auburn Manufacturing Inc.(AMI) — a manufacturer of advanced textiles for extreme-heat environments — hosted Jennifer Knight, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods, Materials Industries, Critical Minerals and Metals with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, at the company’s state-of-the art manufacturing facility in Auburn, Maine.

Read more HERE

Monday, May 22, 2023

Army and Air Force Trouser Contract Awarded

May 22, 2023,Bethel Industries Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $8,040,600 modification (P00003) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-22-D-1559) with three one-year option periods for trousers. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Kentucky, with a May 25, 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. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Army Women's Uniform Slacks Contract Awarded

May 22, 2023, Puerto Rico Industry for the Blind Corp., ** Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $32,438,800 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for women’s uniform slacks. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is May 21, 2028. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2028 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-23-D-N011).

**Small-disadvantaged business

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Trumbull Represents AAFA at TAG

Niso Barokas, COO, Safer Textiles, Newark, New Jersey, and David Trumbull (representing the American Apparel and Footwear Association), at the NIB (National Industries for the Blind)/SourceAmerica TAG (Textile Apparel Group) Conference, April 25, 2023, Philadelphia, Penn.

Proposed Revocation of One Ruling Letter and Proposed Revocation of Treatment Relating to The Tariff Classification of Inflatable Olaf Figure with Holly Berry Motif

In Custum Bulletin Vol. 57, No. 19, beginning on page 7, Proposed Revocation of One Ruling Letter and Proposed Revocation of Treatment Relating to The Tariff Classification of Inflatable Olaf Figure with Holly Berry Motif.

In NY N325599, CBP classified an inflatable lawn ornament in the form of Olaf that has a stocking hat and a snowflake pattern scarf that has three holly leaves and three red berries on it in subheading 6307.90.98, HTSUS. The lawn ornament is marketed and used as a lawn decoration used for decoration for the Christmas holiday season.

CBP has reviewed NY N325599, and has determined the ruling letter is in error. CBP now proposes to classify the lawn ornament in NY N325599 in subheading 9505.10.40, HTSUS, which provides for “Festive, carnival or other entertainment articles, including magic tricks and practical joke articles; parts and accessories thereof: Articles for Christmas festivities and parts and accessories thereof: Other: Of plastics.”

Through the years there have been several rulings, reversals of rulings, and even litigation around the question of when is merchandise a textile article, typically subject to import duty, or a "festive article," typically duty-free. It is unusual for CBP to reverse a ruling that imposed the textile tariff.

The Company Store Recalls Children’s White Robes Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standards and Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively at thecompanystore.com (Recall Alert)

This recall involves The Company Store branded white children’s robes. The robes are 100% cotton terry, long-sleeved, hooded, have two front pockets and two side seam belt loops with a matching belt. The robes were sold in white and in sizes 2T through 16 years. “The Company Store” and “RN#86790” are printed on a sewn-in neck label.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled robes away from children, stop using them and contact The Company Store for a full refund. Consumers should destroy the robes by cutting them both vertically and horizontally and dispose of them in accordance with local state recycling laws. The Company Store is contacting all known purchasers directly.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Sold At: Online at www.thecompanystore.com from September 2021 through November 2022 for about $60.

Importer(s): Home Depot U.S.A., dba The Company Store, of Atlanta, Georgia

Manufactured In: China

Recall number: 23-754

More information and photos HERE.

U.S. Resolves Civil Claims Against Medical Device Manufacturer for Falsely Claiming that Chinese Components Sold to the Federal Government Were American Made

The civil settlement, reached with Zoll Medical Corporation, a supplier of medical devices and related technology that is headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, follows an investigation into allegations that, between January 2019 and November 2022, Zoll sold electrocardiogram cables (“ECG”), which are used with defibrillators and cardiac monitors, to federal government purchasers, including the U.S. Department of Defense, despite knowing that the cables were manufactured in China, rather than the United States. Under the federal Trade Agreements Act, goods sold to the military or federal government purchasers must be made in America or certain designated foreign countries; China is not such a country.

Read more HERE.

USTR Extends China 301 Exclusions for Certain COVID-related Products through September

On May 17, 2023, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (88 FR 31580) Notice of Product Exclusion Extensions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation.

In prior notices, the U.S. Trade Representative modified the actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by excluding from additional duties certain medical-care products needed to address COVID, and subsequently extended certain of these exclusions. The current COVID exclusions -- covering 81 medical-care products -- are scheduled to expire on May 15, 2023. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to provide a 16-day transition period for all COVID exclusions, extending them through May 31, 2023, and to extend 77 of the COVID exclusions through September 30, 2023.

Annual Review of Country Eligibility for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act for Calendar Year 2024

On May 17, 2023, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (88 FR 31579) Annual Review of Country Eligibility for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act for Calendar Year 2024

Navy Apparel Contract Awarded

May 16, 2023, Bernard Cap LLC, Hialeah, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $40,527,158 modification (P00002) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-22-D-5043) with four one-year option periods for men’s and women’s blue jumpers. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is May 23, 2024. Using military service is Navy. The type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Monday, May 15, 2023

Today is Straw Hat Day

May 15th is Straw Hat Day the beginning of the season when men may wear their straw boaters and Panamas rather than the fur felt fedoras, porkpies, homburgs, and bowlers that we wear (You do wear a hat, don't you?) the rest of the year.

For more information, or to buy quality hats, including hats made in the U.S.A., visit these fine vendors:

Just don't wear your straw hat after September 15th, or you may start a riot.

Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber From China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan; Notice of Commission Determinations To Conduct Full Five-Year Reviews

On May 15, 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (88 FR 31006) Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber From China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan; Notice of Commission Determinations To Conduct Full Five-Year Reviews

Friday, May 12, 2023

Standard Textile Recognized as a US Best Managed Company

CINCINNATI, May 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Textile is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2023 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte* Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their management teams.

Read more HERE.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Regulations Improving and Strengthening the Enforcement of Trade Remedies Through the Administration of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws

On May 9, 2023, the International Trade Administration published in the Federal Register (88 FR 29850) Regulations Improving and Strengthening the Enforcement of Trade Remedies Through the Administration of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws.

To be assured of consideration, written comments must be received no later than July 10, 2023.

Physical Fitness Uniform Trunk Contract Awarded

May 5, 2023, Federal Prison Industries Inc.,** doing business as UNICOR, Washington, D.C., has been awarded a maximum $9,906,000 modification (P00006) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-21-D-1472) with two one-year option periods for physical fitness uniform trunks. This is an indefinite-delivery contract. Locations of performance are New Jersey, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado, with a May 18, 2024, ordering period end date. 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

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Men's Uniform Dress Coat Contract Awarded

May 1, 2023, Gil Sewing Corp.,* Chicago, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $15,463,800 modification (P00009) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-21-D-1467) with four one-year option periods for men’s uniform dress coats. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is May 6, 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.

*Small business

Men's Uniform Dress Trouser Contract Awarded

May 1, 2023, Fechheimer Brothers Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $9,247,500 modification (P00008) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-21-D-1468) with four one-year option periods for men’s uniform dress trousers. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are Kentucky and Tennessee, with a May 4, 2024, ordering period end date. 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.

Federal Trade Commission Returns More Than $176,000 to Consumers Who Bought Clothing and Accessories Deceptively Labeled as ‘Made in USA’

The Federal Trade Commission is sending 11,446 checks and 66 PayPal payments, totaling more than $176,000, to consumers who bought clothing and accessories from Lions Not Sheep. The company was charged with using deceptive ‘Made in USA’ labels and advertising on clothing and accessories imported from other countries. Each of the payments is $15.30.

Consumers who receive checks should cash them within 90 days, as indicated on the check. Recipients who have questions about their refund should call the refund administrator, Analytics, at 1-855-620-9529, or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.

According to the FTC’s May 2022 complaint, Lions Not Sheep Products, LLC, and its owner Sean Whalen deceptively advertised clothing and accessories as Made in USA. In most cases, the products advertised using these claims consisted of wholly imported shirts and hats with limited finishing work performed in the United States. An administrative order settling the Commission’s complaint barred the company and its owner from advertising and labeling its clothes and accessories as made in the United States when they are not. It also required the defendants to pay money to provide refunds to defrauded consumers.

More information HERE.