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US Defence apparels procurement process tto begin this week

Article Posted On April 09, 2008 at 11:06 am

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This week, supply chain will receive an update on key developments in military procurement processes. Under the Berry Amendment, the Department of Defense must procure all clothing and textile items for soldiers from American businesses, using American-grown material, sewn by American workers. Government Contracts Committee (GCC) member companies participate in each link of the supply chain – from the yarn producers and textile companies to the end-item manufacturer. From April 9 to April 12, this supply chain will gather with military sourcing officials in Santa Fe, New Mexico for AAFA’s annual GCC Spring meeting. The meeting will focus on discussions with representatives from the military services, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) on the military’s upcoming procurement needs. Meeting will also provide an update on the ongoing discussions between industry and government to create a more efficient, accurate and successful procurement system. Three years ago, the “Group of Six” was formed by industry representatives from AAFA, the National Textile Association, the Parachute Industry Association and Clemson Apparel Research. “The Group of Six has a strong and deep commitment to fix procurement problems, so that industry and the government can work more quickly and cooperatively,” said AAFA's GCC Chairman Michael Mansh, president of Pennsylvania Apparel, LLC. “At the end of the day, the whole supply chain from the textile producers and suppliers to the manufacturers of military specific goods to the soldiers on the ground needs to be improved,” said Kevin M. Burke, president & CEO, AAFA. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. Source: Press release from AAFA and Reports at fibre2fashion.com