NCTO hails House passage of NDAA closing military procurement gaps

The House NDAA bill, which sets policy and funding priorities for the US military, includes a key provision that would eliminate a statutory exemption under the Berry Amendment that acts as a loophole allowing the US military to buy textiles abroad instead of from American textile manufacturers as long as the purchase is at or below a small purchase threshold of $150,000, NCTO said in a release.

The loophole has undercut the Berry Amendment, which requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to purchase cent per cent US-made textiles and clothing.

The NDAA also incorporates language from the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, championed by NCTO and a broad coalition, which directs the secretary of defense to issue regulations within two years that prohibit any member of the armed forces from wearing optional combat boots unless they are made in the United States with indigenous components, with limited exceptions.

The measure closes another gap that has allowed active-duty troops to be supplied with foreign-made boots, undermining US footwear manufacturers, NCTO noted.

The US textile industry produces more than 8,000 products annually for the US military that includes over $1.8 billion in uniforms, footwear and personal equipment.

“We urge the Senate to include these measures in its version of the legislation and look forward to working with both chambers to ensure the provisions are included in the final conference report,” said NCTO president and chief executive officer Kim Glas.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)