What the Berry Amendment Means for Government Textile & Laundry Contracts
If your contract touches Department of Defense funds and any textiles, the Berry Amendment probably applies. Here's the rule in plain English and how it affects a laundry or linen vendor.
What is the Berry Amendment?
The Berry Amendment is a federal law requiring the Department of Defense to give preference to domestically produced food, clothing, textiles and certain other items bought with DoD funds. For textiles, that means the fiber, yarn, fabric and finished product are generally made in the United States.
It exists to protect the domestic industrial base — especially the textile and clothing supply chain the military depends on. For a contractor, it turns 'where was this made' into a compliance requirement, not a preference.
How does it affect a laundry or linen contractor?
Laundering existing government-owned linen is a service and usually isn't itself a Berry issue. But the moment a contract has you supplying textiles — rental linen, replacement towels and sheets, new uniforms, mats — those goods typically must be Berry-compliant (US-made) when DoD funds are involved.
The practical takeaway: know whether your contract is service-only or supply-inclusive, and source any textiles you provide from compliant, documented domestic suppliers so you can certify origin if asked.
Berry Amendment vs. the Buy American Act — what's the difference?
The Buy American Act applies broadly across federal procurement and allows foreign content above certain thresholds with price adjustments. The Berry Amendment is narrower and stricter: it applies to DoD and, for covered items like textiles and clothing, generally requires 100% domestic origin with very limited exceptions.
Civilian-agency contracts may instead invoke the Buy American Act or the Trade Agreements Act. Always read the solicitation's clauses — the FAR/DFARS references tell you which rules govern your specific contract.
Common questions
Does the Berry Amendment apply to non-DoD agencies?
No. The Berry Amendment is specific to Department of Defense funds. Civilian federal agencies are governed by other rules, most commonly the Buy American Act or the Trade Agreements Act, so always check the contract clauses.
Is laundering government linen a Berry Amendment issue?
Generally no — cleaning government-owned linen is a service. Berry compliance typically comes into play when you supply textiles (rental linen, replacement towels, new uniforms) under a DoD-funded contract.
How do I prove a textile is Berry-compliant?
Through supplier documentation establishing US origin of the fiber, yarn, fabric and finished item. Keep certificates of origin and source records so you can certify compliance if the Contracting Officer requests it.
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