Included in the omnibus federal appropriations bill passed by the Senate on Thursday is a provision giving government contracting officers the authority to determine, based on product quality and delivery schedule, whether FPI or a private sector competitor offers best value on a potential half-billion dollars in products and services.

Cocivera added, “This represents a major step in our efforts to reform a fundamentally flawed system, but Congress must continue to work toward a permanent solution. TRSA urges Congress to pass the House-approved H.R. 1829, a reform bill that eliminates FPI’s mandatory source status over the course of five years and provides for much-needed inmate rehabilitation programs.”

Since 1913, TRSA members have provided textile maintenance and rental services to commercial, industrial and institutional accounts — over 90 percent of TRSA member companies are small businesses. TRSA members serve hygienically clean textile items to millions of customers in commerce, industry, and other professions. The combined textile rental industry had an estimated 2002 sales of about $10.9 billion. Linen supply and industrial laundering companies employ more than 110,000 people.