USAF Contracts for New Uniforms and Clothing
(click to view full)
In March 2006, “Fractal Creep: New Digitized Camo Uniforms for USAF, USN, Jordan” looked at some of the new fractal camouflage patterns emerging on the market, and the some of the design decisions behind the uniforms themselves. The new uniform design is a pixilated tiger stripe, with 4 soft earth tones of tan, grey, green and blue. The Air Force Battle Uniform will have a permanent crease and will be offered in 50-50 nylon-cotton blend permanent press fabric, eliminating the need for winter and summer weight uniforms. It will also be available in more body sizes, tailored for men and women. A tan T-shirt and polish-free suede cowhide boots in matching green-gray color will accompany the uniform, and will be available in men’s and women’s sizes. So will a fleece.
Back in 2006, Brig. Gen Robert R. Allardice said that they:
(click to view full)
“…were looking for a uniform that… the Airman wouldn’t need to spend a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to maintain… We listened to the Airmen’s request where they wanted pockets to hold small tools and when they wear body armor the existing shirt pockets are not accessible or usable… It will have the four pockets on the front of the shirt, and also a small pencil pocket on the left forearm and two pockets on the lower legs. In addition, inside the side pockets and inside of the breast pockets there will be smaller sewn-in pockets to hold small tools, flashlights or cell phones… Our uniform requirement is we want a uniform that you wash, pull it out of the dryer, and wear it… We don’t want people putting an iron to it.”
The uniform has not been an universal hit. There have been a number of complaints, from design, to comfort levels in the warm climates of CENTCOM, to the difficulty of cleaning petroleum-based stains, to an overall baggy look that some describe as unprofessional. To date, the USAF has not made major changes.
Some experts we talk to add that its fractal camouflage pattern works best under indoor office lighting, and tends to wash out somewhat in full sunlight. Other services may insert stereotyped wisecracks here, but with USAF personnel taking on more and more duties like base security and local ground patrols, the issue of the pattern’s effectiveness is an important one.
Contracts and Key Events
(click to view full)
The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issues the contracts related to US Air Force uniforms and clothing, which go beyond the ABU, and include some items you might not expect. Note that this list of contracts begins as of FY 2007.
The Pentagon announcements use both “airman” and “airmen” in describing the uniforms. DID has decided to simply reflect each choice.
June 25/10: Small business qualifier Bethel Industries, Inc. in Jersey City, NJ receives a maximum of $15 million, for the 3rd of 4 option years within a firm-fixed-price, partial set-aside contract for men’s and women’s airmen battle uniforms. Work will be performed in Jersey City, NJ; North Bergen, NJ; and in Tennessee and Mississippi. The original proposal was Web solicited with 6 responses, and this option will run until June 25/11 (SPM1C1-07-D-1502).
Jan 26/10: Propper International in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico received a maximum $19.5 million, as the 3rd of 4 option years within a firm-fixed-price contract for men’s and women’s airman battle uniforms, coats and trousers. The original proposal was Web solicited with 6 responses, and this option will run until Jan 31/11 (SPM1C1-07-D-0008).
Jan 26/10: American Apparel, Inc. in Selma, AL receives a maximum $14 million, as the 3rd of 4 option years within a firm-fixed-price contract for men’s and women’s airman battle uniform, coats and trousers. The original proposal was Web solicited with 26 responses, and this option will run until Jan 31/11 (SPM1C1-07-D-0009).
Oct 9/09: The 98th Air Force Virtual Uniform Board at Wright Patterson AFB, OH, releases a policy message for wearing the new Air Force sage green fleece as an outer garment for the airman battle uniform. USAF.
Sept 17/09: Small business qualifier Excel Garment Manufacturing, Inc. in El Paso, TX receives a maximum $8.2 million, as the 2nd of 4 option years within a firm-fixed-price contract for men’s and women’s airmen battle uniforms. The original proposal was Web solicited with 26 responses, and this option will run until Sept 24/10 (SPM1C1-07-D-1501).
June 26/09: Bethel Industries Inc. in Jersey City, NJ receives a maximum $14.8 million, as the 2nd of 4 option years within a firm-fixed-price contract for men’s and women’s airman battle uniforms, coats and trousers. The original proposal was a 100% small business set-aside, and was Web solicited with 26 responses. This option will run until Sept 18/10 (SPM1C1-07-D-1502). Bethel lists as a “woman-owned small business,” which makes them eligible for additional quotas.
June 11/09: USAF officials announce the results of the 98th Virtual Uniform Board. The board convened in 2008 with Airmen voting members from all major commands and most functional communities. Representatives from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Defense Logistics Agency, Air Force Uniform Office, Air Force Logistics and Air Staff members acted as non-voting advisors. Board members forwarded their recommendations to the Air Force chief of staff for a final decision.
Note the specific complaints offered by serving USAF members in the comments under the USAF release. USAF | USAF 302nd AW adds some details | Wikipedia says it has a list of changes rejected by the USAF.
Jan 29/09: American Apparel in Selma, AL receives a maximum $20.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for airmen battle uniforms, coats and trousers. The contract will include work by Excel Manufacturing in El Paso, TX and Warmkraft in Taylorsville, MS. The proposal was originally Web solicited with 12 responses, and this contract will run until Jan 31/10 (SMP1C1-07-D-0009).
Jan 29/09: Propper International in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico receives a maximum $13.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for airmen battle uniforms, coats and trousers. Work will be performed in Mayaguez, Cabo Rogo, Las Marjas, Lagas, and Lajas, Puerto Rico. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 6 responses, and this order will run until Jan 31/10 (SPM1C1-07-D-0008).
Jan 31/08: Propper International in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico receives a maximum $19.3 million firm fixed price contract for US Air Force Battle Uniforms. This proposal was originally Web solicited with six responses, and this contract represents the 1st option year. It will end on Feb 2/09, and the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issued the contract (SPM1C1-07-D-0008).
Jan 31/08: American Apparel in Selma, AL receives a maximum $13.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for US Air Force Battle Uniforms. Other locations of performance are Texas and Mississippi. This proposal was originally Web solicited with 12 responses, and this contract represents the 1st option year. It will end on Feb 2/09, and the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issued the contract (SPM1C1-07-D-0009).
Oct 31/06: Propper International in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico won a maximum $29.8 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. They will produce airmen battle uniform, men’s coats, and women’s maternity coats and trousers. Work will be performed in Mayaguez, Cabo Rogo, Las Marjas, Lagas, and Lajas in Puerto Rico. Date of performance completion is April 30/08. Proposals were Web-solicited and 6 responded (SPM1C1-07-D-0008).
Oct 31/06: American Apparel in Selma, AL received a maximum $21 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. They will produce men and women’s airmen battle uniform, coats and trousers. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and the date of performance completion is April 30/08. Proposals were web-solicited and 12 responded (SPM1C1-07-D-0009).
March 17/06: The new Airman Battle Uniform design and pattern is declared ready for production. The USAF’s deputy chief of staff of personnel says they will be available in FY 2007. USAF.
Additional Readings
- USAF, Sheppard AFB – Airman Battle Uniform FAQs
- Tiger Stripe Products – US Air Force ABU and More. Chronicles their efforts to develop an ABU pattern for the USAf from October 2002, including patterns the USAF rejected, and some insight into the USAf’s design thinking. Not a positive review.
- Stars and Stripes (May 20/10) – Air Force tailoring uniform to suit airmen’s needs. They’re speaking of the dress uniform, whose recent version has been criticized as making USAF personnel look like airline flight attendants. The 2 prototype designs are based on uniforms worn by USAF pioneers Billy Mitchell and Hap Arnold. Not a bad start.
