USAF Band Custom Uniform Alterations Project - PWS.pdf

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

United States Air Force Band

Custom Uniform Alterations Project

Date of PWS: 5 August 2026

1. Introduction

The United States Air Force Band performs military missions wearing the official Ceremonial

Tunic. These tunics were designed for wear in a military formation but are also used for solo missions, stage performances, and joint missions, which are typically performed outside of a military formation.

2. Background

Members of the United States Air Force Band perform hundreds of high-visibility missions each year for large live and media audiences, bringing an increased spotlight and scrutiny on members' appearance in uniform. Band members represent the larger Air Force to the public and are therefore expected to demonstrate a fit, uniform, and tidy appearance in uniform. However, due to the "one-size-fits-all" nature of the ceremonial tunic, off-the-rack uniforms may appear improperly fitted, untidy, or unnatural, especially in more performative roles such as stage performances or solo missions.

3. Scope

This project serves to systematically custom tailor the ceremonial tunics of each member of The

United States Air Force Band to create a streamlined, professional, and regimental appearance, regardless of the mission. This would occur over a 1-year period of performance, with approximately 50 members being fitted with custom tunics per year.

4. Performance Requirements

4.1. Fitting Services

The contractor shall be responsible for custom fitting the ceremonial tunic funded by the

Government for the USAF Band. Tasks shall include providing fittings, deconstructing garments, creating seams/darts, adding panels as necessary for custom fit, and reconstructing garments.

4.2. Uniform Alteration Standards

• 4.2.1. Dress Regulations: The contractor shall alter the performance ceremonial tunic for

USAF Band members to create a custom, tailored appearance that conforms to Air Force dress and appearance regulations, IAW DAFMAN 35-106.

• 4.2.2. Seamster Requirements: The contractor shall use existing uniform design and specifications for the ceremonial tunic provided by the Government, and add seams, darts, and panels as necessary to create a regulation appearance on the individual member. (Refer to the specifications in Section 4.4).

• 4.2.3. Sewing & Tailoring: The contractor shall perform sewing services to include adjusting current seams, creating princess seams, bust darts, back waist seams, replacing collar plastic, and other tailoring techniques to create a regulation appearance on the individual while maintaining uniform appearance in formation.

• 4.2.4. Performance Posture: To ensure proper drape and mobility, the contractor must conduct fittings with the band members in their functional playing posture (e.g., holding their specific musical instrument).

• 4.2.5. Quality & Pressing Standard: All specified work on uniforms shall be completed prior to pickup by/delivery to the service member. Customizations must be accomplished, all tailoring markings must be invisible or removed, and each garment pressed in accordance with the commercial standard of a professional press (wrinkle-free, no double creases, and no fabric scorches). Work generally does not include hemming of pants/sleeves, or uniform repairs unrelated to the custom tailoring process such as missing buttons or broken zippers. All alteration, seamster, and sewing services are subject to final inspection and approval by the USAF Band within three (3) business days of delivery.

4.3. Alteration Process & Turnaround

Custom-fitted tunics shall be available for pickup or delivery no later than 4 weeks from the initial fitting, adhering to the specialized milestones detailed below.

Step /

Milestones

Complex Customization (Requires garment deconstruction & primary shape adjustments)

Less Complex

Customization (Only requires taking in existing seams)

Phase 1 2 weeks from initial fitting to second fitting 2 weeks from initial fitting to second fitting

Phase 2 1 week from second fitting to final fitting 2 weeks from second fitting to final pickup

Phase 3 1 week from final fitting to final pickup Not applicable

4.3.1. GFP Materials: Ceremonial tunics and coordinating skirts (to be used strictly as matching fabric for adjustments) shall be provided directly by the USAF Band.

4.4. Original Tunic Specifications

The standard garments provided to the contractor for custom tailoring will conform to the following specifications:

Component Construction & Measurement Specifications

Coat Styling Single-breasted, semi-fitted, fully lined garment with a French fly front closure, banded collar, and a four-piece back. Male coats have wide shoulder patterns; female coats have a regular shoulder pattern with a cut containing no extra front-panel darts. No pockets.

Coat Length Hemline must extend 2 ½” to 3 inches below the clasped knuckles of the wearer standing at the position of attention.

Shoulder

Padding

Commercial-grade, high-quality cotton shoulder pad covered with print cloth, quilt-stitched. Male: Side shoulder with 10" x 7" pads. Female:

Regular width shoulder with 4.5" to 7.5" pads.

Sleeves &

Cuffs

1 ¾” Sleeve head made from 100% preshrunk cotton and 60-40 tailored sleeve pitched 4%. Cuffs constructed with 3 ½” turn-under and left unfinished. 3.5" adjustable hem, left unfinished with a ¾" silver braid sent separately.

Collar Lined in black, height 1 7/8” at center back. Features a black ½” hook and eye closure. A self-fabric tab is permanently attached under the left side so no skin shows in the center. Implements a 5-layer construction.

Embroidery “U.S.” embroidered on standing collar, centered top-to-bottom, placed 2" from the front opening on each side (0.5" height, 0.75" width). Upper left sleeve cap features a semi-circle band embroidery pattern.

Piping &

Binding

Single-ply ¼” binding. Fly front left edge piped with Silver Metallic 3186.

Underarm &

Lining

Underarm perspiration pieces: 4 3/8” width, 4" depth. Lining features a 1" deep center back vent to the waist; bagged construction.

Epaulets 7 5/8” long, 2 ½” wide, silver piping, with ¼” top-stitching; 25-ligne Wing and Star button with 15-ligne stay button, sewn down.

Front Closure Fly front approx 18" long with a concealed brass zipper (13" to 18" based on size) on a 5/8" black tape, secured with 3 stainless steel snaps. Eight 36-ligne wing & star design buttons (Mil-B-3461) attached with disc and cotter pin.

Outershell

Fabric

100% polyester twill, minimum weight 6.5 oz per square yard (Purchase

Description YAG 94-1), Air Force Blue Shade 1625.

Lining Fabric Rayon (Mil-C-368), Blue Shade 1086.

Trousers

(General)

100% polyester twill, minimum 6.5 oz per square yard (YAG 94-1), Blue

Shade 1625. Silver metallic braid striping centered over the outseam (not sewn into the seam), running the full length of the leg. Unlined with sewn-in front and back creases. Braid reinforced with non-woven Pellon on outseams inside trouser legs.

Male Trousers Two hip pockets and two side pockets (left hip pocket features a button and tab closure). Belt loops, suspender buttons, serged bottoms, and shipped unhemmed with a 6” hem allowance. Sewn-on waistband.

Female

Trousers

Waistband with a 2” extended tab that fastens with one hook flex, regular side pockets. Belt loops, suspender buttons, serged bottoms, and shipped unhemmed with a 6” hem allowance. Sewn-on waistband.

Crotch

Construction

Clean-finished with no extra fabric extending from tops of inseams; four-way reinforcement. Right fly lined with durable polyester cotton extending beyond the four-way crotch assembly.

Trouser Fly Left fly reinforced with Pellon SF134W, bound with preshrunk, bias-cut tape. Permanent 2-piece French fly buttons into left front. Three bartacks at base (two vertical interior, one horizontal exterior). Solid brass YKK zipper with #3 brass wire stop at base. Zipper teeth removed at top.

Waistband

Closure

Front fly secured at top of waistband with two stainless gripper snaps or a double hook flex closure. Includes a 3/5” Banrol reinforcement stitched into the seam.

4.5. Tiered Alteration

Tier Classification Alteration Scope Description Examples

Tier 1 (Minor /

Standard)

Standard adjustments that do not require deconstructing the garment's primary shape.

Taking in/letting out existing side seams, adjusting sleeve lengths, and repositioning buttons or hooks.

Tier 2 (Moderate /

Custom)

Moderate structural changes to the garment.

Adding bust darts, creating back waist seams, replacing collar structure, and significant tapering that requires reshaping the tunic's lower half.

Tier 3 (Complex /

Reconstruction)

Structural overhauls requiring deconstruction of the garment.

Realigning shoulder points, full armhole rotations, adding entirely new fabric panels, and inserting elastic waist gussets.

4.6. Authorization & Digital Manifests

• 4.6.1. Digital Submissions: The contractor is not required to submit individual paper chits for garments. Following each scheduled fitting block, the contractor shall submit a consolidated digital manifest (Excel/CSV spreadsheet) via email to the USAF Band

Supply POC.

• 4.6.2. Manifest Details: This manifest must list each member fitted, a brief description of the required work, and the contractor's proposed Tier (1, 2, or 3) and Complexity

(Complex or Less Complex) for each garment.

• 4.6.3. Government Approval: The USAF Band Supply Superintendent or designated POC shall review and approve the digital manifest via email before the contractor begins work.

• 4.6.4. Invoicing Supporting Data: The contractor shall submit their monthly invoices in

WAWF (Wide Area Workflow) using these government-approved digital manifests as their supporting documentation.

5. Place of Performance, Period of Performance & General Information

• 5.1. Place of Performance: These services are to be performed at Hangar 2 (The USAF

Band), Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., or the contractor’s approved facility as outlined in Section 6.

• 5.2. Period & Quantity of Performance: The contractor shall perform custom alterations and tailoring services for approximately 50 members annually. The baseline period of performance is 1 year.

• 5.3. Base Access: The contractor and any associated personnel must successfully pass a background check and obtain a Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) card or equivalent long-term base pass within 15 days of contract award to ensure unescorted access to JBAB for scheduled fittings and deliveries.

6. Schedule of Work and Logistics Flexibility

• 6.1. Track 1: Standard On-Site Fitting Blocks

The contractor shall conduct on-site fitting sessions at Hangar 2, JBAB, up to two (2) times per month (e.g., the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month). These standard blocks shall be factored into the base price of the uniform alterations. Fittings will be scheduled in 30-minute increments by the Government during duty hours.

• 6.2. Track 2: Off-Site / Make-Up Fitting Options (Flexible Backup)

To prevent disruption to high-priority military and musical missions, members unable to attend the standard on-site blocks shall be accommodated through one of the following mutually agreed-upon options:

• Option A (Contractor Facility): Members may obtain fittings directly at the contractor's professional facility (commercial storefront or professional home studio). To ensure minimal travel burden on military members, the facility must be located within a 25-mile driving distance of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

(JBAB) as calculated by Google Maps. The contractor must offer flexible appointment hours (including at least one weekend day or evening block).

• Option B (Squadron Make-Up): If the contractor prefers not to host members at their facility, or if members cannot travel, the contractor may coordinate with the

Supply POC to conduct one (1) monthly "make-up" fitting block (maximum 2 hours in duration) on-site at Hangar 2, JBAB, at no additional charge to the

Government.

• 6.3. Track 3: Ad-Hoc / Emergency On-Site Visits (Separately Billable)

If the Government requires the contractor to travel to Hangar 2, JBAB for fittings or alterations outside of the standard monthly visits (Track 1) or the single monthly make-up block (Track 2, Option B), the Government may authorize an Ad-Hoc Site Visit.

• 6.3.1. Billing: Ad-Hoc visits will be billed as a separate flat-rate "Trip Charge" under a dedicated Contract Line Item Number (CLIN).

• 6.3.2. Authorization: Ad-Hoc visits must be explicitly authorized at least two (2) business days in advance by the Supply Superintendent or Contracting Officer's

Representative (COR).

• 6.3.3. Support Window: The contractor must be able to support an Ad-Hoc visit within 72 hours of notification.

• 6.4. Logistics & Delivery: Regardless of the fitting track utilized, completed, tailored, and pressed garments must be delivered directly to the USAF Band Supply POC at

Hangar 2, JBAB, within the mandatory 4-week turnaround window. The contractor is responsible for secure, clean transport of garments.

• 6.5. Federal Holidays: The contractor is not required to provide service on standard

Federal Holidays.

7. Deliverables

Deliverable Name Frequency / Timing Recipient Format

Consolidated

Digital Manifest

Within three (3) business days following any fitting block.

USAF Band

Supply POC

Excel/CSV Spreadsheet via Email

Completed

Tailored Garments

Within four (4) weeks of the initial fitting date.

USAF Band

Supply POC

Hand-Delivered (Clean, Pressed, in Garment

Bags)

Tracking Status

Log

Monthly update (sent with

WAWF billing).

USAF Band

Supply POC

Excel/CSV Spreadsheet via Email

8. Quality Control & Tracking

• 8.1. Quality Assurance: The Government shall rely on the Contractor's existing quality assurance system to ensure requirements are met; however, the Government reserves the right to monitor, evaluate, and inspect the quality of services and compliance at any time.

• 8.2. Workload Tracking: The contractor shall maintain a tracking system/log for all jobs to ensure accurate workload data. Actions will require tracking from the initial fitting of the uniform, sewing and alterations, through to final delivery.

9. Government-Furnished Property (GFP)

• 9.1. Property Status & Responsibility: The uniforms provided under this contract are government-furnished property. The contractor shall maintain a tracker of government-furnished property received and acknowledge the state of each item. The contractor shall maintain full responsibility for the uniforms while in their possession. If government property is damaged beyond repair, it shall be replaced or paid for by the contractor.

• 9.2. Secure Storage: The contractor shall ensure that all government-furnished property under the contractor’s possession is stored securely to protect its condition and cleanliness.