SESSION SUMMARIES

Session 1A, Opportunities: Dress Clothing. DLA and Service representatives will discuss known current and future requirements and acquisition processes for these textile-based products, including but not limited to:

  • men’s and women’s dress uniforms (coats, trousers, slacks, and skirts and the poly/wool fabric required to manufacture these items); outerwear (dress all weather coats, Navy jumpers, coveralls, and dress jackets); shirts (dress shirts and blouses worn by all Services); dress headwear and ecclesiastical supplies
  • heraldics (insignia, flags, swords & scabbards and guidons)
  • mattresses and bedding

Speakers may also discuss priorities and expectations for integration of advanced textile technologies into these products.

Session 1B, Finding Prime and Subcontract Opportunities Utilizing SAM.gov, DLA DIBBS, DLA Website, MatchForce.org, NCMBC.us and other resources. Presenter(s) will discuss how to establish and run agency- and NAICS-focused searches on SAM.gov and the DLA DIBBS system in order to identify contract opportunities.  They will also discuss DLA forecast resources, the NCMBC.us textile industry page and future opportunity database, and the advantages of MatchForce.org, which automatically matches opportunities from SAM.gov to registered businesses and notifies them of matched opportunities.  Additionally, presenters will discuss how to identify end item prime contractors and supply chain sources, using online resources including SAM.gov (formerly FPDS), DLA DIBBS, eTextileCommunications, NCMBC.us, Manufactured in NC, TextileConnect, and webpages for prime contractors, DLA and the SBA. Presenters will identify textile industry resources in NC to facilitate subcontracting, including the Textile Technology Center, Manufacturing Solutions Center, manufacturing and Textile Innovation Network, NCMBC, PTAC and other sources.

Session 2A, Opportunities: Combat Clothing and Accessories. DLA and Service representatives will discuss known current and future requirements and acquisition processes for these textile-based products, including but not limited to:

  • all camouflage uniforms and hats (Army Combat Uniform, ACU, Airman Battledress Uniform, ABU, Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, MCCUU, and the Navy Working Uniform, NWU), with treatments including permanent press, permethrin, or fire retardant
  • physical training uniforms (jackets, pants, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and shorts)
  • accessories, including belts, buckles, duffle bags, cold weather liners, neckwear, socks, trunks, towels, t-shirts and undergarments.

Speakers may also discuss priorities and expectations for integration of advanced textile technologies into these products

Session 2B, US Navy and US Marine Corps Future Priorities and Research and Development. Speakers session will highlight anticipated future trends, requirements and interests in emerging technologies for textile-related products, including but not limited to uniforms, accessories, individual equipment, footwear, etc.  Presenters will highlight the command structure for US Navy/USMC R&D, processes for interaction between industry and Navy/USMC R&D entities, and future requirements for advanced technology integration into specific soldier systems, potentially including electro-optical camouflaged fabric to help warfighters hide from enemy short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensors (camouflage spectral reflectance).

Session 3A, Opportunities: Individual Equipment, Safety, Tentage and Shelters. DLA and Service representatives will discuss known current and future requirements and acquisition processes for these textile-based products, including but not limited to:

  • Individual equipment: hard and soft body armor (Outer Tactical Vest, IOTV, Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts, ESAPI, and Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts, ESBI); load bearing equipment (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, MOLLE, and the Family of Improved Loadbearing Equipment, FILBE); and individual equipment items (canteens, field packs, knee/elbow pads, high visibility belts, identification tags and restraints)
  • Safety items: ballistic helmets (Advanced Combat Helmet, ACH, USMC Lightweight Helmet, MCLWH, and Advanced Combat Vehicle Crewman, ACVC); flight helmets; helmet components; and flight safety gear, including the Flexible Body Armor Vest
  • Tents (military specification standard tent systems and commercial design shelters) and components (poles, lines, pins, covers, and tarpaulins)

Speakers may also discuss priorities and expectations for integration of advanced textile technologies into these products.

Session 4A, Opportunities: Environmental Clothing. DLA and Service representatives will discuss known current and future requirements and acquisition processes for these textile-based products, including but not limited to:

  • Cold weather: Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS, including the Army’s “Gen 3” ensemble), USAF/USMC All Purpose Environmental Clothing System (APECS), Navy parkas, trousers, and liners, cold weather headwear, field coats, and the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE)
  • Wet weather: parkas, jackets, and poncho liners
  • Handwear: Leather, flyers, heavy duty cattle hide, dress, cold weather, electrical, etc.
  • Materials: industrial cloths (felt, duck, and laminated), tapes, webbings, fasteners and specialty cloths (leather, sheepskin) – used in aerospace equipment, parachutes, tentage, cargo harnesses, slings, life preservers, and clothing

Speakers may also discuss priorities and expectations for integration of advanced textile technologies into these products.

Session 4B, US Army and US Air Force Future Priorities and Research and Development. Speakers in this session will highlight anticipated future trends, requirements and interests in emerging technologies for textile-related products, including but not limited to uniforms, accessories, individual equipment, footwear, etc.  Presenters will highlight the command structure for US Army/USAF R&D, processes for interaction between industry and Army/USAF R&D entities, and future requirements for advanced technology integration into specific soldier systems, potentially including electro-optical camouflaged fabric to help warfighters hide from enemy short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensors (camouflage spectral reflectance).

Session 5A, Opportunities: Special Purpose (including Flight and Shipboard) Clothing and Footwear. DLA and Service representatives will discuss known current and future requirements and acquisition processes for these textile-based products, including but not limited to specialty clothing provided to Service members upon arrival at their organizational unit:

  • aircrew combat uniforms, fuel protective and firefighting items, flight deck jerseys, anti-flash hoods and neck gaiters, sleeping shirts and various jackets
  • coveralls, including combat vehicle crewmen, utility, fueling, mechanics and disposable
  • chemical protective Items
  • footwear: all footwear items, including dress shoes to various styles of combat, safety and extreme cold weather boots

Speakers may also discuss priorities and expectations for integration of advanced textile technologies into these products.

Session 6A: Textile Workforce and Talent Pipeline: Resources for Government and Industry. This session will focus on recruitment, training, employment and retention of a skilled textile workforce.  Panel members will also highlight specific resources, programs and initiatives in K-12, Community College and UNC Systems, as well as textile-focused apprenticeships, internships and other sources of talent – including the transitioning military workforce.

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The NC Military Business Center, the NC Community College System, and the State of North Carolina do not officially endorse events. These items are posted strictly for the information and convenience of NCMBC customers.