By Troy Turner
American Apparel Inc., a Selma-based company, landed in July a nearly $83 million five-year contract to produce men’s uniform all-weather coats for the U.S. Army. That contract came on the heels of a nearly $72 million contract in April to provide apparel for the Marines.
The contracts represent continuation of a long-established relationship between Department of Defense and American Apparel to provide the military various clothing needs.
The Army-coat appropriation will come from fiscal 2023-28 funds, and the ordering period will have an end date of July 19, 2028, according to the DOD. It matches similar contracts inked in the past, such as one for Army coats signed in 2018.
The Defense Agency Troop Support in Philadelphia is the contracting agency, and American Apparel was selected “in a competitive acquisition with seven responses received.”
The DOD announced the contract as being awarded July 20, 2023, and it’s not the first time the company has received military orders for coats. Most recently a $23 million contract “for various types of coats” was granted in 2022 and intended for use by the Army and Air Force. However, those coats were planned for production in Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile, American Apparel in April 2023 was awarded a maximum $71,595,965 firm-fixed‐price, indefinite‐delivery/indefinite‐quantity contract for blouses, trousers and maternity blouses and slacks to be used by the Marine Corps.
“This was a competitive acquisition with eight responses received. This is a one‐year contract with four one‐year option periods. The ordering period end date is April 24, 2024,” the DOD reported.
American Apparel has served as a contract provider for the military on multiple occasions in the past, including when it made headlines in 2012 after Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-07) was joined by senior procurement executives from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) based in Philadelphia to tour and meet with company representatives at the factory headquarters in Selma.
Sewell had invited DLA representatives to discuss military procurement opportunities for the Alabama company.
“This was a unique opportunity to showcase American Apparel and the hardworking individuals of 7th Congressional District as shining examples of what businesses can do with the resources and opportunities provided to this district,” Sewell said after the visit.
American Apparel has produced combat and utility uniforms, among other products over the years.
“American Apparel is not only a valued employer in the district, but also a key partner with DLA in helping ensure that our military combat units are prepared and equipped with essential life-saving combat uniforms,” Sewell said. “We were able to establish and engage in a meaningful dialogue about the procurement process and industry needs and concerns. I applaud American Apparel and the Defense Logistics Agency for their commitment to maintaining and strengthening this essential partnership between businesses and the federal government.”
