The federal agency created after 9/11 to protect airline travelers has a fight of its own brewing over the manufacturing of its uniforms.

A Knoxville contractor is challenging a request for bids issued by the Transportation Security Administration for the production of uniforms worn by airline screeners.

Government Suppliers & Associates, a Knoxville-based uniform manufacturer, said the TSA is taking advantage of a loophole in the recently passed Kissell Amendment that would have required the uniforms to be made entirely in the United States.

But because of language in the Kissell Amendment, which states that the new federal law should comply with U.S. obligations under international agreements, the law does not apply to all foreign countries and uniforms can still be produced offshore.

"Apparently somebody thought we were passing a law that required 100 percent American production, but by adding the language, the item exempted Canada, Mexico and Chile," said Marc Lamer, attorney for Government Suppliers & Associates. "This whole new law is absolutely meaningless."

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