USA Contracts for New Army Combat Uniforms, New Camo
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The USA’s Army Combat Uniform (ACU) has undergone significant redesign over the last few years, including the recent addition of an Army Combat Shirt made of different materials. The advances in ACU design undertaken by US Army’s “PEO Soldier,” drew on feedback from the troops and an iterative testing cycle to define the new functional design and look. See the graphic for more details re: specific improvements.
All of the new uniform pieces use a new fractal camouflage scheme called ACUPAT. Because of the wide variety of areas in which ACUPAT may have to operate, and the desire to keep the number of potential uniform schemes to a minimum, ACUPAT is not as locally optimized as other advanced fractal patterns like Hyperstealth’s KA2 for Jordanian forces. It is also very closely derived from the US Marines’ MARPAT, rather than incorporating some of the more recent advances in the field. Like the uniform itself, it may have further room for refinement, but it is an improvement over past conventional camouflage patterns and uniforms. This article tracks the current set of ACU contracts over time, from their initial 2005 issue to the present; as well as changes to US ACU patterns.
- ACU Contracts & Key Events
- Additional Readings
ACU Contracts & Key Events
in Afghanistan
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The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA issues firm-fixed-price contracts for the ACU. Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. Unless otherwise indicated, work will be performed at the contract winner’s prime location only.
Aug 16/10: Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Polk become the first active-component BCT to receive the Army’s new MultiCam Army Combat Uniforms, in preparation for the unit’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. They’ll also be wearing new mountain combat boots. US Army.
June 24/10: Bluewater Defense, Inc. in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico received a maximum $59.1 million firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for Army Combat Uniform coats and trousers. work will be performed in Puerto Rico and North Carolina. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response, and the contract will run until March 30/12 (SPM1C1-10-D-1070).
June 24/10: American Apparel, Inc. in Selma, AL received a maximum $55.7 million firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for Army combat uniform coats. Work will be performed in Alabama, Mississippi, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response, and the contract will run until March 30/12 (SPM1C1-10-D-1065).
Feb 24/10: PEO Soldier announces:
“After a rigorous four-month evaluation of alternate camouflage patterns, the Secretary of the Army has selected MultiCam as the camouflage pattern for all uniforms, as well as operational clothing and individual equipment, for Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. The uniforms and OCIE will be provided to Soldiers through PEO Soldier’s Project Manager Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment.”
New units are expected to enter Afghanistan in July – August 2010, wearing the new pattern. ABC News’ Political Punch blog adds some background, and statistics:
“Last summer, the late congressman [Jack Murtha] inserted language into a War Supplemental Bill that required the Army to look at whether its current camouflage uniform pattern was suited for Afghanistan. He had heard some complaints from soldiers in the field that the current uniform camouflage pattern was okay for Iraq, but not for Afghanistan’s different topography. As a result the Army announced it would begin field testing of two new camouflage patterns, one called MultiCam and the other UCP-Delta… In the battalion that received the multi-cam pattern, 93 percent of the soldiers in the unit favored the new pattern. That compares to 74 percent favorability for the other pattern worn by the other battalion. Studies showed that the MultiCam uniform had 21 percent less detectability than the current camouflage pattern, that compares to 16 percent for the UCP-Delta.”
Sept 17/09: In “Army to Field New Uniforms for Afghanistan,” Military.com reports that the US Army will test-field 2 new patterns for use in Afghanistan, where the current ACUPAT design has been criticized as not well adapted. One new pattern adds a “Coyote Tan” to ACUPAT, to create ACU-Delta. The other is Cyre Precision’s “Multicam” pattern, which is popular with special forces. All told, the service so far plans to field 4,000 uniforms for the tests, at a cost of about $1 million.
Each pattern is likely to equip a deploying battalion within the same brigade, and Army snipers are fielding about 100 MultiCam ghillie suits to sharpshooters in theater. By the end of January 2010, the Army intends to make a decision on which pattern to go with for the Afghan theater – and very likely for other areas in the Middle East.
Jan 30/09: D.J. Manufacturing Corp., Caguas, Puerto Rico is being awarded a maximum $32.1 million firm-fixed-price, total set-aside, indefinite-quantity/ indefinite delivery contract for Army Combat Uniform coats and trousers. This contract is exercising the 4th option year period, which will end on Jan 31/10 (SPM100-05-D-0407).
Jan 30/09: Propper International, Inc. in Mayaquez, Puerto Rico received a maximum $74.3 million firm-fixed-price, total set-aside, indefinite-quantity/ indefinite delivery contract for Army Combat Uniforms, coats and trousers. This contract is exercising the 4th option year period, which will end on Jan 31/10 (SPM100-05-D-0408).
Jan 30/09: American Apparel, Inc., Selma, Ala., is being awarded a maximum $34.8 million firm-fixed-price, total set-aside, indefinite-quantity/ indefinite delivery contract for Army Combat Uniform coats. This contract is exercising the 4th option year period, which will end on Jan 31/10(SPM100-05-D-0406).
Jan 30/09: Golden Manufacturing Inc., Golden, Miss., is being awarded a maximum $19 million ffirm-fixed-price, total set-aside, indefinite-quantity/ indefinite delivery contract for Army Combat Uniform coats. This contract is exercising the 4th option year period, which will end on Jan 31/10 (SPM100-05-D-0409).
Jan 30/09: Woolrich, Woolrich, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $13 million firm-fixed-price, total set-aside, indefinite-quantity/ indefinite delivery contract for Army Combat Uniform trousers. This contract is exercising the 4th option year period, which will end on Jan 31/10 (SPM100-05-D-0410).
Zaghiniyat, Iraq
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Feb 8/08: Small business qualifier Bethel Industries, Inc. in Jersey City, NJ received a maximum $16 million firm-fixed-price, partial set aside contract for Army Combat Uniform coats, exercising option year 3. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Date of performance completion is Feb 8/09 (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Feb 8/08: Small business qualifier Bremen-Bowdon Investment Co., Inc. in Bowdon, GA received a maximum $16 million firm-fixed-price, partial set aside contract for Army Combat Uniform coats, exercising option year 3. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Date of performance completion is Feb 8/09 (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Feb 8/08: Small business qualifier Wellstone Apparel, LLC in Greenville, SC received a maximum $28.3 million firm-fixed-price, partial set aside contract for Army Combat Uniform coats, exercising option year 3. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Mississippi. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Date of performance completion is Feb 8/09 (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Feb 8/08: Small business qualifier Fox Apparel in Asheboro, NC received a maximum $22.8 million firm-fixed-price, partial set aside contract for Army Combat Uniform coats, exercising option year 3. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. This contract represents a third option year. Date of performance completion is Feb 8/09 (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Feb 8/08: Small business qualifier Sidran, Inc., Farmers Branch, TX received a maximum $7.9 million firm-fixed-price, partial set aside contract for Army Combat Uniform coats, exercising option year 3. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Date of performance completion is Feb 8/09 (SPM200-05-D-0422).
Feb 8/08: Small business qualifier Tullahoma Industries, LLC in Tullahoma, TN received a maximum $23.4 million firm-fixed-price, partial set aside contract for Army Combat Uniform coats, exercising option year 3. Other locations of performance are Alabama and Tennessee. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 36 responses. Date of performance completion is Feb 8/09 (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Jan 31/08: American Apparel Inc. in Selma, AL received a maximum $61.6 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform Coats, exercising option year 3. Date of performance completion is Jan 31/09 (SPM100-05-D-0406).
Jan 31/08: D.J. Manufacturing Corp. Caguas, Puerto Rico received a maximum $57,834,840.00 firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform Coats, exercising option year 3. Date of performance completion is Jan 31/09 (SPM100-05-D-0407).
Jan 31/08: Propper International, Inc. in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico received a maximum $73.4 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform Coats, exercising option year 3. Date of performance completion is Jan 31/09 (SPM100-05-D-0408).
Jan 31/08: Golden Manufacturing Co. Inc. in Golden, MS received a maximum $19.4 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform Coats exercising option year 3. Date of performance completion is Jan 31/09 (SPM100-05-D-0409).
Jan 31/08: Woolrich, Inc. in Woolrich, PA received a maximum $23.2 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract for Army Combat Uniform Coats, exercising option year 3. Other locations of performance are GA, TX, and IL. Date of performance completion is Jan 31/09 (SPM100-05-D-0410).
April 5/07: Field Review: New ACU Needs Work. Eric Coulson is an Army officer commanding an Engineer Company in Iraq. He has a number of criticisms derived from combat experience, and some suggestions for improvement.
Feb 7/07: Bethel Industries, Inc. in Jersey City, NJ (disadvantaged woman-owned small business) is being awarded a maximum $16.1 million firm fixed price contract for coats for the US Army Combat Uniform. Other locations of performance include West New York and Union City, NJ. Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract exercising option year 2 with a base and 4 one-year options; the date of performance completion is February 7, 2008 (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Feb 7/07: Bremen Bowdon in Bowdon, GA (woman-owned small business) is being awarded a maximum $16 million firm fixed price contract for coats for the US Army Combat Uniform. Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract exercising option year 2 with a base and 4 one-year options; the date of performance completion is February 7, 2008 (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Feb 7/07: Small business qualifier Wellstone Apparel, LLC in Greenville, SC is being awarded a maximum $28.1 million firm fixed price contract for coats and trousers, for the US Army Combat Uniform. Other locations of performance include Flotala, AL; Columbia and Tylertown, MS; Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract exercising option year 2; the date of performance completion is February 7, 2008 (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Feb 7/07: Small business qualifier Fox Apparel in Asheboro, NC is being awarded a maximum $22.7 million firm fixed price contract for coats and trousers for the US Army Combat Uniform. Other location of performance is Boiling Springs, TN. Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract exercising option year 2; the date of performance completion is February 7, 2008 (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Feb 7/07: Small business qualifier Sidran, Inc. in Farmers Branch, TX is being awarded a maximum $7.7 million firm fixed price contract for coats and trousers for the US Army Combat Uniform. Other location of performance is Brownwood, TX. Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract exercising option year 2; the date of performance completion is February 7, 2008 (SPM100-05-D-0422).
Feb 7/07: Small business qualifier Tullahoma Industries, LLC in Tullahoma, TN, is being awarded a maximum $30.4 million firm fixed price contract for coats and trousers, for the US Army Combat Uniform. Other locations of performance include Brilliant, Gruetli-Laager, AL and Omega-Smithville, TN. Proposals were Web-solicited and 36 responded. This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract exercising option year 2; the date of performance completion is February 7, 2008 (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Jan 31/07: American Apparel, Selma, AL is being awarded a maximum $60.1 million contract for coats for the Army Combat Uniform, exercising option year 2. Date of performance completion is July 31, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0406).
Jan 31/07: DJ Manufacturing Corp., Caguas, Puerto Rico received a maximum $59.4 million contract for coats and trousers for the Army Combat Uniform, exercising option year 2. Date of performance completion is July 31, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0407).
Jan 31/07: Propper International, Inc. in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico received a maximum $71.9 million contract for coats and trousers for the Army Combat Uniform, exercising option year 2. Date of performance completion is July 31, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0408).
Jan 31/07: Golden Manufacturing Co. Inc. Golden, Miss. received a maximum $11.2 million contract for coats for the Army Combat Uniform, exercising option year 2. Date of performance completion is July 31, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0409).
Jan 31/07: Woolrich, Inc., Woolrich, PA received a maximum $22.7 million contract for trousers for the Army Combat Uniform, exercising option year 2. Other locations of performance are Atlanta, GA; Beaumont and Seagoville, TX; and Greenville, IL. Date of performance completion is July 31, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0410).
Feb 10/06: Bethel Industries, Inc. in Jersey City, NJ (a woman-owned small disadvantaged business) received a maximum $15.9 million firm-fixed-price contract; date of performance completion is April 5, 2007. This contract exercises option year 1 (SPM100-05-D-0135)
Feb 10/06: Bremen Bowdon in Bowdon, GA (a woman-owned small business) received a maximum $16 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Army combat uniform coat and trousers; date of performance completion is April 5, 2007. This contract exercises option year 1 (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Feb 10/06: Small business qualifier Rutter Rex, Inc. in Metairie, LA received a maximum $28 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Army combat uniform coat and trousers. This contract exercises option year 1. Work will be performed in Metairie, LA; Columbia, MS; and Tylertown, MS; date of performance completion is April 5, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Feb 10/06: Fox Apparel, Inc. in Asheboro, NC (a veteran owned small business) received a maximum $2.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Army combat uniform coat and trousers; date of performance completion is April 5, 2007. This contract exercises option year 1 (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Feb 10/06: Sidran, Inc. in Farmers Branch, TX received a maximum $7.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Army combat uniform, coat and trousers; date of performance completion is April 5, 2007. This contract exercises option year 1 (SPM100-05-D-0422).
Feb 10/06: Tullahoma Industries LLC in Tullahoma, TN (a small business in a HUBZone) received a maximum $27.4 million firm-fixed-price contract. This contract exercises option year 1. Work will be performed in Tullahoma, TN; Gruetli-Laager, TN; and Brilliant, AL; date of performance completion is April 5, 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Feb 2/06: American Apparel, Inc. in Selma, AL received a maximum $57.7 million contract for Army combat uniform coat, exercising option year 1. Other Alabama location(s) of performance are Fort Deposit, Centre, Opp, and Roanoke. Date of performance completion is 28 March 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0406).
Feb 2/06: DJ Manufacturing Corp. in Caguas, Puerto Rico received a maximum $58.4 million contract for Army combat uniform trouser and coat, exercising option year one. Other location(s) of performance is Cidra, Puerto Rico. Date of performance completion is 28 March 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0407).
Feb 2/06: Propper International, Inc. in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico received a maximum $71 million contract for Army combat uniform trouser and coat, exercising option year 1. Other location(s) of performance in Puerto Rico are Cabo Rojo, Last Marias, Adjuntas, and Lajas. Date of performance completion is 28 March 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0408).
Feb 2/06: Golden Manufacturing, Co., Inc., of Golden, MS received a maximum $18.2 million contract for Army combat uniform coat, exercising option year 1. Other location(s) of performance is Marietta, MS. Date of performance completion is 28 March 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0409).
Feb 2/06: Woolrich, Inc. in Woolrich, PA received a maximum $22.3 million contract for Army combat uniform trouser, exercising option year one. Other location(s) of performance are Atlanta, GA, Beaumont, and Seagoville, TX, and Greenville, IL. Date of performance completion is 28 March 2007 (SPM100-05-D-0410).
Feb 8/05: Bethel Industries Inc. in Jersey City, NJ (a woman-owned small disadvantaged business) received a maximum $15.9 million contract for combat uniform coats for the U.S. Army. Work will also be performed in West New York, NJ, and Union City, NJ. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0418).
Feb 8/05: Bremen Bowdon in Bowden, GA (a woman-owned small business) received a maximum $16 million contract for combat uniform coats for the U.S. Army. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0419).
Feb 8/05: Rutter Rex Inc. in Metairie, LA received a maximum $28.65 million contract for combat uniform coats and trousers for the U.S. Army. Work will also be performed in Columbia, MS; and Tylertown, MS. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0420).
Feb 8/05: Fox Apparel Inc. in Asheboro, NC (a veteran owned small business) received a maximum $22.7 million contract for combat uniform trousers for the U.S. Army. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0421).
Feb 8/05: Sidran Inc. in Farmers Branch, TX received a maximum $7.5 million contract for combat uniform coats for the U.S. Army. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0422).
Feb 8/05: Tullahoma Industries, LLC in Tullahoma, TN (a small business in a HUBZone) received a maximum $27.6 million contract for combat uniform coats and trousers for the U.S. Army. Work will also be performed in Brilliant, AL. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0427).
Feb 8/05: Small business qualifier AC Fabricated Products in Jackson, AL received a maximum $13.6 million contract for combat uniform trousers for the U.S. Army. The estimated performance completion date is June 7, 2006. The contract includes a base year, and 4 one year options (SPM100-05-D-0428).
Jan 31/05: American Apparel Inc. in Selma, AL, received a maximum amount of $62.3 million firm fixed price indefinite delivery contract for combat uniform coats for the Army. Work will be performed in Alabama. The estimated performance completion date is March 31, 2006. Proposals were solicited on the World Wide Web and 36 responded (SPM100-05-D-0406)
Jan 31/05: DJ Manufacturing Corp. in Caguas, Puerto Rico, received a maximum amount of $59 million firm fixed price indefinite delivery contract for combat uniform coats and trousers for the Army. Work will be performed in Puerto Rico. The estimated performance completion date is March 31, 2006. Proposals were solicited on the World Wide Web and 36 responded (SPM100-05-D-0407)
Jan 31/05: Propper International, Inc. in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, received a maximum amount of $72.4 million firm fixed price indefinite delivery contract for combat uniform coats and trousers for the Army. Work will be performed in Puerto Rico. The estimated performance completion date is March 31, 2006. Proposals were solicited on the World Wide Web and 36 responded (SPM100-05-D-0408)
Jan 31/05: Golden Manufacturing Co. in Inc., Golden, MS, received a maximum amount of $17.9 million firm fixed price indefinite delivery contract for combat uniform coats for the Army. Work will be performed in Mississippi. The estimated performance completion date is March 31, 2006. Proposals were solicited on the World Wide Web and 36 responded (SPM100-05-D-0409)
Jan 31/05: Woolrich, Inc. in Woolrich, PA, received a maximum amount of $21.8 million firm fixed price indefinite delivery contract for combat uniform trousers for the Army. Work will be performed in Georgia, Texas, and Illinois. The estimated performance completion date is March 31, 2006. Proposals were solicited on the World Wide Web and 36 responded (SPM100-05-D-0410)
Additional Readings
- Us Army PEO-Soldier – Army Combat Uniform
- US Army (June 3/10) – West Point explores science of camouflage. Notes that Dr. Timothy O’Neill has been contracted to assist the Army in ACU redesign.
- Defense Tech (Dec 22/09) – Afghanistan Experimental Camo – Photos from the Field
- Military.com Kit Up! (Dec 2/09) – Camouflaging Yourself AND Equipment. “The Army is conducting yet another review of the camouflage pattern of its combat uniforms. This makes it what, the third or fourth such review on the pattern du jour? What I find interesting though, is… how little attention we are paying to camouflaging everything else but the uniform… As a scout looking for bad guys, one of the things you look for is black angular objects, which are universally man made, and on the battlefield usually mean weapons. So why do we still have black weapons?”
- Military.com (April 5/07) – Field Review: New ACU Needs Work. Eric Coulson is an Army officer commanding an Engineer Company in Iraq. He has a number of criticisms derived from combat experience, and some suggestions for improvement.
- DID (March 21/06) – Fractal Creep: New Digitized Camo Uniforms for USAF, USN, Jordan. Hyperstealth’s patterns have entered service with several branches of Jordan’s army & paramilitary forces, and are now used on Slovakia’s MiG-29 fighters. Meanwhile, the USN jumps in with a MARPAT-based patterns and the USAF goes with a pixilated Tiger Stripe pattern.
- AIGA – The Art of Camo. Takes more of a design-centered look at new patterns, rather than a practical examination.
