Quote from federalcontractingcenterseo2@gmail.com on February 12, 2026, 7:23 am

The Department of Defense (DoD) buys millions of uniforms, boots, tents, and flags. However, unlike other industries where global sourcing is common, the defence textile industry is governed by a strict protectionist law: the Berry Amendment. This law mandates that for certain textile products bought with DoD funds, 100% of the production process—from the growing of the cotton to the final stitching—must occur in the United States. There are virtually no exceptions.

For US textile manufacturers, this law creates a protected market worth billions. But entry requires strict proof of domestic origin. Your federal entity profile is the first place a contracting officer looks to verify your "Place of Performance." If you manufacture in North Carolina but your profile lists a corporate parent in a foreign country, or if you fail to renew SAM and update your manufacturing location data, you raise immediate red flags. In the Berry Amendment world, your administrative data is your proof of American identity.

Validation of manufacturing Capabilities

The government distinguishes between "dealers" and "manufacturers." Under the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, you must qualify as one or the other. Your registration profile asks you to certify your status. If you claim to be a manufacturer of military uniforms, you must have the factory to prove it. Contracting officers use the profile data to schedule site visits. If your profile lists a PO Box as your manufacturing site, you look like a shell company. Accuracy in your facility data is crucial for passing the pre-award survey.

Source of Supply Traceability

Berry Amendment compliance requires tracing the supply chain down to the fibre. While the registration database doesn't hold the supply chain map, it identifies the prime contractor responsible for it. If a prime contractor is audited and their registration is found to be inactive or filled with errors, auditors will dig deeper. They will suspect that if the admin is sloppy, the supply chain tracking is likely sloppy too. A pristine profile acts as a signal of overall corporate compliance culture.

DLA Troop Support and Automated Buying

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support buys the bulk of these items. They use automated systems to issue awards for commodity items like t-shirts or socks. These systems rely on the "CAGE Code" to route the order. If your registration lapses, your CAGE code is suspended, and the automated system skips you. You don't even get a notification; you just stop getting orders. For high-volume manufacturers, an automated renewal schedule is essential to keep the orders flowing.

Subcontracting to Cut & Sew Shops

Prime contractors often farm out work to smaller "cut and sew" shops. These subcontractors must also be domestic. Primes are increasingly requiring their subs to be registered in the system to prove their domestic status and vetting. If you are a small sewing shop wanting to work on military contracts, having an active UEI makes you a verifiable, low-risk partner for the large primes who hold the main contracts.

Conclusion

The Berry Amendment keeps the American textile industry alive, but it demands strict adherence to the rules. Your federal registration is your declaration of domestic capability. By maintaining it with precision, you honour the intent of the law and position your factory to clothe those who defend the nation.

Call to Action

Keep your textile factory eligible for defence contracts by scheduling your registration renewal now.