Cotton and Wool Apparel Program

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) created the Cotton and Wool Apparel Program (CAWA) to support the domestic markets for wool and Pima cotton by assisting eligible apparel manufacturers of men's and boys' worsted wool suits, sport coats, pants, or Pima cotton dress shirts; Pima cotton spinners; and wool fabric manufacturers and wool spinners. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced the demand for these types of clothing, textiles, and threads, and in turn, the market for the raw commodities. CAWA will assist in the development and restoration of the market for domestically produced cotton and wool products and ultimately for the underlying commodities. To be eligible for CAWA, an applicant must have experienced a decrease of at least 15 percent in calendar year 2020 gross sales or consumption of eligible products described compared to the applicant's gross sales or consumption in any selected calendar years 2017, 2018, or 2019. Payments to eligible entities will be based on their pre-pandemic market share relative to other similar applicants subject to payment limitations.

To be eligible for a CAWA payment, an applicant must:

1. Have filed an affidavit for a payment in any year from 2017 to 2021 from the trust funds authorized by sections 12602 and 12603 of the 2018 Farm Bill.

2. At the time of application, be in operation or have plans to restart domestic operations within a reasonable timeframe as an apparel manufacturer, Pima cotton spinner, wool fabric manufacturer, or wool spinner and submit a business plan showing the use of the assistance determined acceptable by the Deputy Administrator.

3. Have had at least a 15 percent decrease in calendar year 2020, compared to calendar year 2017, 2018, or 2019, in:

   1. Gross sales; or

   2. Consumption of the eligible products, except for apparel manufacturers.

4. Be an active entity on https://SAM.gov and have a SAM UEI.

To apply for CAWA, eligible applicants must submit a completed form CCC-917, Cotton and Wool Apparel Program (CAWA) Application. Applications may be submitted to the FSA National Office by email to CAWA@usda.gov. All applicants must be an active entity on https://SAM.gov and are required to enter their SAM UEI number on the application form to receive payment.

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