Wool Military Contracts Awarded

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) recently awarded new purchase orders against existing contracts for military clothing containing wool fabric.

Two purchase orders were issued to Burlington Industries. The first purchase order calls for the production of 105,000 linear yards of Marine Corps khaki, polyester/wool, tropical fabric valued at $1.2 million. The fabric is to be delivered in three shipments of 35,000 yards in April, May and June of 2010 and will require approximately 28,000 pounds of clean grade 64s U.S. wool.

The second Burlington purchase order calls for 250,500 yards of U.S. Air Force blue, polyester/wool, serge fabric valued at $3.2 million. This fabric will be delivered in five shipments beginning in May 2010 and ending in September 2010. The Air Force fabric will require approximately 70,000 pounds of clean grade 64s U.S. wool.

Sterlingwear of Boston was also issued two purchase orders from DSCP for Navy men's and women's overcoats (peacoats) against an existing contract. The purchase orders call for the manufacture of 7,000 men's and 2,800 women's coats. The peacoat is made from 100 percent, 62s grade American wool. These orders will require approximately 40,000 pounds of clean wool.

"The U.S. armed forces are great customers of the American wool industry as they utilize up to 20 percent of our wool clip each year," stated Rita Kourlis Samuelson, director of wool marketing for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). "Over the last six years, ASI has been diligent in working with the military to develop the products needed to clothe and to protect our troops."