Results of the 2020 Annual Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Review

On November 9, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (85 FR 71391) Results of the 2020 Annual Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Review.

Tent Contract Awarded

Outdoor Venture Corp., Stearns, Kentucky, has been awarded a maximum $37,464,448 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Modular General Purpose Tent System and components. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Location of performance is Kentucky, with a Nov. 4, 2021, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-21-D-1404).

USTR Announces GSP Enforcement Action, Country Successes, and New Eligibility Reviews

On October 30, 2020, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that President Trump is suspending $817 million in trade preferences for Thailand under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program based on its lack of sufficient progress providing the United States with equitable and reasonable market access for pork products.

USTR also announced the closure of GSP eligibility reviews with no loss of benefits for three countries: Georgia, based on improvements in the protection of worker rights; Uzbekistan, also based on improvements in the protection of worker rights; and Indonesia, based on improvements aimed at providing the United States with equitable and reasonable market access. USTR also announced the closure of the GSP designation review of Laos with no change in status and the opening of two new GSP eligibility reviews of Eritrea and Zimbabwe, based on worker rights concerns.

Read more HERE,

DLA ensures textiles-based PPE is American-made per Berry Amendment

Despite worldwide shortages of medical supplies for COVID-19, the Defense Department agency that supplies military equipment to troops around the world is helping the Department of Health and Human Services provide items like masks and gloves that are made here in America when possible.

Read more HERE.

CPSC Staff to Attend AATCC Virtual Meetings

Paige Witzen and Emily Maling, Office of Hazard Identification and Reduction, Consumer Product Safety Commission Directorate of Laboratory Sciences will be attending the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists committee meetings via teleconference calls. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 10-11, 2020, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST. For more information, including call-in information, contact Paige Witzen at 301-987-2029 or pwitzen@cpsc.gov.

Target Recalls Toddler Boots Due to Choking Hazard

This recall includes the Cat & Jack “Himani” and “Jaren” toddlers’ boots in sizes 5 – 12, made in China. The boots have an elastic lace with a toggle at the top that can be tightened to keep out snow. The “Himani” boots were sold in navy and pink and the “Jaren” boots were sold in olive, black with multi-colored polka dots, pink with multi-colored polka dots, and navy with rainbows. The product’s item number is printed inside the boot shaft.

Read more HERE.

Army Cloth Contract Awarded

Burlington Apparel Fabrics, Greensboro, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $8,122,500 modification (P00010) exercising the second one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-19-D-1100) with four one-year option periods for cloth. This is a firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Nov. 4, 2021, ordering period end date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.