Plastic Pollution and Textiles: What the Science Says and Why It Matters
Tuesday, April 28 | 2:00 PM EST
CottonWorks™ by Cotton Incorporated is dedicated to increasing the demand for and profitability of cotton through research and promotion. CottonWorks™ serves as an essential resource for apparel and textile professionals to showcase what’s possible with cotton.
Register HERE.
April 17, 2026, Solicitation SPE1C1-26-R-0057 will be issued as full and open competition and utilize a lowest price technically acceptable approach in accordance with DoD Source Selection Procedures dated August 20, 2022. After an integrated assessment of technical merits and price, the Government intends to make a single award to the responsible offeror that provides a technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price that is determined fair and reasonable and complies with the terms and conditions of the solicitation.
The NAICS code is 315990 - Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing:
The Defense appropriations and authorization acts and other statutes (including what is commonly referred to as "The Berry Amendment") impose restrictions on the DoD's acquisition of foreign products and services. Generally, Clothing and Textile items (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7012), including the materials and components thereof (other than sensors, electronics, or other items added to, and not normally associated with clothing), must be grown, reprocessed, reused, melted, or produced in the United States, its possessions or Puerto Rico, unless one of the DFARS 225.7002-2 exceptions applies.
See: SAM Notification
On April 17, 2026, the International Trade Administration published in the Federal Register (91 FR 20638) Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023–2024.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that Toray Advanced Materials Korea, Inc. (TAK) made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value during the period of review (POR), August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-
average
Producer/exporter dumping
margin
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toray Advanced Materials Korea, Inc........................ 3.02
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April 15, 2026, Goodwill Industries of South Florida Inc.,** Miami, Florida, has been awarded a maximum $69,734,496 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for combat uniform female trousers. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is April 14, 2031. Using military services are Army, Air Force, and Space Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-N012).
**Mandatory source
April 13, 2026
DLA TS C&T has partnered with the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) with a Commercial Solutions Offering (CSO) for addressing industry concerns on webbings. The CSO is aimed at finding a solution from industry on how we move the manufacturing processes, materials, and/or machinery required for shuttle-looms into the 21st century without sacrificing on the quality that a shuttle-loom brings to our critical webbings.
As the nation’s combat logistics support agency, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) manages the end-to-end global defense supply chain—from raw materials to end user disposition—for the US military services; 11 combatant commands; other federal, state, and local agencies; and partner and allied nations. Specifically, NCMS is assisting DLA Troop Support Clothing & Textiles Directorate (DLA TS C&T) in identifying a company to improve production rates and output on domestically sourced critical safety textile webbings. <[>Background
Shuttle loom Class 1 Textile webbings are used in rigging, safety equipment, parachute, and tentage applications. As a result, they require higher working & breaking tensile ratings, in addition to abrasion, heat, and UV resistance. Most commonly they are made of nylon or polyester and flat or tubular in design. DLA currently manages at least 36 national stock numbers that call for shuttle loom construction.
Currently, there are only two known domestic manufacturers that use shuttle looms in the manufacturing process. This legacy technology produces a true woven edge (selvage) on both sides of the webbing, which is critical for preventing fraying. Modern shuttle-less looms, while faster and more efficient, typically create one woven edge and one knitted edge. This knitted edge is susceptible to fraying, which can lead to catastrophic failures in critical applications such as parachute-assisted cargo drops, potentially resulting in severe injury or death.
Objectives
The primary objective is to develop, evaluate, and implement an improved production process for critical safety webbings. This can be achieved by either enhancing current shuttle loom manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and reduce lead times, or by introducing new or alternative technologies that can produce webbing with two durable, fray-resistant woven edges, equivalent or superior to that of a shuttle loom. The new process must be scalable, cost-effective, and capable of meeting all requirements within the specification for tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and other critical safety specifications. The goal is to create a sustainable domestic supply chain for this critical material.
See: National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Peter Navarro, Senior Counselor to the President, and Ambassador Rick Switzer, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, will address the National Council of Textile Organizations’ (NCTO) 22nd Annual Meeting on April 16, 2026, offering insights into the administration’s trade agenda and its impact on the U.S. textile industry.
On April 14, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission announced law enforcement actions involving three companies that deceived American consumers by falsely claiming, in advertising and labeling, that their products were made in the United States. These actions follow President Trump’s March 13, 2026, Executive Order 14392
"The FTC alleges that Americana Liberty, Three Nations, and their principals violated Section 5 of the FTC Act, Section 45a, the MUSA Labeling Rule, the Textile Act, and the Textiles Rules."
April 14, 2026, This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Division (AFLCMC/ROU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience with Air Force Safe-to Fly (StF) Boot program. AFLCMC is issuing this RFI to develop an expanded listing of Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Boots the AF can purchase to provide newer and a greater variety of boots to USAF Aircrew personnel. The Government is issuing this RFI solely for information and planning purposes. The Government will consider responses to determine the expanded listing for Air Force (AF) Safe-to-Fly registry.
See: SAM Notification.
April 14, 2026, This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Division (AFLCMC/ROU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience with Air Force Safe-to Fly (StF) Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Glove program. AFLCMC is issuing this RFI to develop an expanded listing of Gloves the AF can purchase to and provide a greater variety to USAF Aircrew personnel. The Government is issuing this RFI solely for information and planning purposes. The Government will consider responses to determine the expanded listing for Air Force (AF) Safe-to-Fly registry.
See: SAM Notification.
April 14, 2026, This synopsis is for the procurement of the Coast Guard Dress Trousers and Slacks. This acquisition will be issued as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Berry Amendment Applies.
The Defense appropriations and authorization acts and other statutes (including what is commonly referred to as “The Berry Amendment”) impose restrictions on the DoD’s acquisition of foreign products and services. Generally, Clothing and Textile items (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7012) and “specialty metals” (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7014), including the materials and components thereof (other than sensors, electronics, or other items added to, and not normally associated with clothing), must be grown, reprocessed, reused, melted or produced in the United States, its possessions or Puerto Rico, unless one of the DFARS 225.7002-2 exceptions applies.
See: SAM Notification.
Apil 13, 2026, SOURCE SOUGHT NOTICE: DLA Troop Support Clothing and Textiles is seeking eligible contractors to furnish the Gloves, Heavy Duty Leather (PGC:03999) in accordance with 6170-5E, DATED JUNE 5, 2021.
See: SAM Notification.
April 13, 2026, This solicitation is for the procurement of 4,900 EA of the new Air Force Straight Dress Skirts. Closing date is April 27th, 2026. Pre-Production Sample WILL be requested after award.
See: SAM Notification.
April 13, 2026, This solicitation is for the procurement of 4,500 EA of the new Air Force Curvy Dress Skirts. Closing date is April 27th, 2026. Pre-Production Sample WILL be requested after award.
See: SAM Notification.
On March 25, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued Binding Ruling Letter N359114
The article identified as a “sauna hat” is constructed of 100 percent merino wool felt fabric. The hat is manufactured by felting loose wool fibers through heat, moisture and mechanical action to create a nonwoven felt material. The finished article is a seamless head covering designed to be worn during sauna use to protect the scalp and hair from heat exposure.
The applicable subheading for the sauna hat will be 6505.00.4090, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for “Hats and other headgear, knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric, in the piece (but not in strips), whether or not lined or trimmed; hair-nets of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed: Other: Other: Of wool: Other: Other: Other.” heT column 2 rate of duty will be per kilogram plus percent ad valorem$1.10 50.
The Ruling was requested by LoylyCraft, https://loylycraft.com/
Representative Ted Lieu (Dem., Calif. 36th) has announced the he is accecpting REQUESTS for 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
Requests for FY27 NDAA will be considered on a rolling basis.
This recall involves all Silks-branded children’s loungewear sets. The recalled, two-piece loungewear sets consist of a short-sleeved shirt and matching shorts or pants. The sets were sold in multiple colors with varying prints and in children’s sizes 2T through 13/14. “Silks” and the size are printed on the sewn-in neck label and on the seam label.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled loungewear, take it away from children and contact Silks for a full refund or store credit. Consumers should destroy the garments by cutting the top and bottom in half and send a photo of the destroyed garments to silkssupport@silksdesign.com. Consumers should then dispose of the loungewear.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Online At: Silksdesign.com from January 2024 through September 2025 for between $40 and $50.
Retailer: Silks, of Queen Creak, Arizona
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 26-389
More information and photos HERE.
On April 9, 2026, the Executive Office of the President published in the Federal Register (91 FR 17839) Executive Order 14388 of February 20, 2026: Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries.
April 9, 2026, the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled published in the Federal Register (91 FR 17952) Proposed Deletions from the Procurement List.
The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is an independent Federal agency operating as the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. It oversees the AbilityOne Program, which provides employment opportunities through Federal contracts for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the Federal Government. The Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. chapter 85) authorizes the contracts.
The following product(s) are proposed for deletion from the Procurement List:
April 3, 2026, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement praising President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027.
See also: Defense Budget Materials - FY2027.
The Congressional Research Service released IF13197 Cyber and Artificial Intelligence Provisions in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026 NDAA; P.L. 119-60) contains numerous provisions regarding cyber-related issues, including artificial intelligence (AI). Title XV organizes Cyberspace-Related Matters into five subtitles: A. Operations; B. Cybersecurity; C. Information Technology and Data Management; D. Artificial Intelligence; and E. Reports and Other Matters. Other titles in the FY2026 NDAA contain provisions directly or indirectly related to cyberspace and AI. This In Focus describes selected elements of these and other selected provisions and potential issues for Congress.
On March 31, 2026, the Small Business Administration announced that small manufacturers across the country will soon be eligible for enhanced support through the SBA’s International Trade Loan (ITL) Program. The loans, which come with a 90% federal guarantee, will help manufacturers expand facilities, hire workers, and increase production – as part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to rebuild America’s industrial dominance and strength. In addition, the SBA recently expanded ITL eligibility to include small businesses across the food supply chain, including those in the agriculture, production, and logistics industries.
Starting May 1st, manufacturers across NAICS Sectors 31–33 will become eligible for the expanded ITL Program. Eligible businesses may use the funds to:
NAICS Sectors 31–33 include:
April 3, 2026, Maria Silvester is retiring from her current position as a contracting officer in the Clothing and Textiles supply chain with eight years of service.
Read more HERE.
April 1, 2026,
Base and All Options Value (Total Contract Value): $321,000.
Contractor Awarded Name: Brand & Oppenheimer Co. Inc., Portsmouth, RI.
See: SAM Notification.
April 6, 2026, Contract Opportunity: Parka, Navy Working Uniform (NWU), Woodland Camouflage
This requirement is being solicited as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Refer to Section I of the solicitation for full-text.
See: SAM Notification.
April 6, 2026, Cloth Netting Contract Awarded.
Base and All Options Value (Total Contract Value): $172,500.
Contractor Awarded Name: HLC Industries, Inc., Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004.
See: SAM Notification.
April 6, 2026, UNICOR, the trade name for Federal Prison Industries (FPI), will host an in-person Industry Day on May 4, 2026, in Coleman, FL. This no-cost event is open to all industry partners providing high-quality upholstery fabrics for our seating and related furniture lines. UNICOR is a self-sustaining, wholly-owned government corporation established in 1934 that provides job training and skills to federal inmates. It manufactures products and provides services—ranging from furniture and electronics to clothing and data entry—primarily for federal agencies. UNICOR's Office Furniture Group (OFG) provides an extensive range of high-quality, cost-effective office furniture and services to Federal civilian agencies and the DoD, while simultaneously providing valuable work experience and training for Federal inmates. To attend, all participants must complete the attached registration form and back ground clearance form and email them to peyton.perry@usdoj.gov with the subject line: “UNICOR Industry Day, Sales and Marketing” no later than 3:30 p.m., EST, April 20, 2026.
See: SAM Notification.
On April 3, 2026, the Office of Budget and Management submitted, to Congress, President Trump's Budget Request for FY 2027.
The Budget builds upon the historic $1 trillion overall defense topline enacted for 2026 and requests $1.5 trillion in total budgetary resources for 2027. This is a $441 billion or 44-percent increase from the 2026 enacted level in combination with the $151.5 billion in mandatory funding provided through the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTC), Public Law 119-21. Of this amount, the Budget includes $1.1 trillion in base discretionary budget authority specifcally for DOW in 2027. The Budget also includes a request for $350 billion in additional mandatory resources for critical Administration priorities such as increasing access to critical munitions and further expansion of the defense industrial base. The mandatory funding protects key priorities such as providing fexibility in maturing technology for delivery and allowing for acquisition approaches for portfolios of capabilities that broaden opportunities for new entrants.
Read the President's FY 2027 Budget Request HERE.
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-41) issued the following statement on the release of President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget request:
“President Trump’s landmark budget request makes the continued rebuilding of America’s military a top priority. As Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I applaud the President’s leadership and steadfast commitment to our national security. The budget request includes several priorities that echo initiatives the Defense Subcommittee has advanced under my leadership, including historic pay raises for our junior enlisted servicemembers as well as all troops, investing in the production of munitions at scale, increased shipbuilding, and the domestic sourcing of critical minerals. As we have seen in Ukraine and throughout the Middle East, modern warfare is changing rapidly. It is essential to America’s national security that Congress provides the right resources, in terms of both quality and quantity, to confront the threats we face today and tomorrow. I look forward to our upcoming budget hearings with Department of War leaders and working with my colleagues to craft a Fiscal Year 2027 defense appropriations bill.”
For a detailed spreadsheet of the full data, contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com.
This recall involves Member’s Mark-branded Valentine SS Notch Collar children’s pajama sets. The Valentine’s-themed pajamas consist of a short and a short-sleeve, button-up top with a front pocket. They were sold in various colors and prints, including solid pink, pink with hearts and cream with bows, and in sizes XS (4/5), S (6/6X), M (7/8), L (10/12), XL (14/16). “Member’s Mark” and the size are printed on the pajama’s neck label.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pajama sets, take them away from children and contact Sam’s Club for information on how to receive a full refund. Consumers will be asked to return the product to their local store or to destroy the pajamas by cutting them in half and send a photo of the destroyed pajamas to Supersam@Samsclub.com then dispose of the product.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Online At: Samsclub.com from December 2025 through January 2026 for about $14.
Manufacturer(s): Hansoll Textile Ltd., of South Korea
Importer(s): Walmart, Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas
Distributor(s): Sam’s West Inc. dba Sam’s Club, of Bentonville, Arkansas
Manufactured In: Indonesia
Recall number: 26-380
More information and photos HERE.
April 3, 2026, Solicitation for the purchase of the Socks, Black, Athletic will result with the intent of the Government to award two contracts – a 50% portion (Lot 0001) award and a 50% portion (Lot 0002) award. The RFP and proposed contract(s) will be issued as 100% Small Business Set-Aside. Only small business firms may submit offers for this acquisition. The Small Business Set-Aside will result in firm fixed price contract or contracts in accordance with FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items. The resultant contract will be an award of a 60-month contract consisting of five (5) 12-month price tier periods. Each tier shall be for a 12-month period.
All materials/components and manufacturing shall be Berry Amendment compliant.
See: SAM Notification.