Comment Submitted by Linda Mitchell

I believe this rule to be an extension (to DHS) of the Berry Amendment. In 2008, I purchased flame resistant uniforms for the Army at Ft. Belvoir and worked within the boundaries of the Berry Amendment. However, we found no domestic source for the thread needed to meet the fire resistant standards and had an exemption to have the uniform makers purchase the thread from Lenzing (Austria). I believe DHS will need a way to likewise allow for exceptions not explicity listed in the proposed rule, and should plan for that inevitable situation by indicating how exemption requests would need documented and approved (e.g., by the Agency Head).