KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A Knoxville apparel and sewing company has won a $15.395 million contract to make parkas for the military.

Valley Apparel, LLC was one of five companies that bid to make the universal camouflage pattern parkas for the Army. The contract was awarded by the Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, with the exact numbers of parkas ordered not released. According to the government, the contract will run through March 2011.

The universal camouflage pattern was selected by the army after several laboratory and field tests in the mid 2000s. It is designed for use in woodland, desert and urban environments and consists of a digital pattern featuring gray, tan and sage green.

Valley Apparel, LLC operates out of a South Knoxville factory located on Blount Ave along the Tennessee River. They are no stranger to government contracts, having successfully bid on a pair of others. The first was a $6.78 million contract awarded to the company on September 7th, 2007 for flyer’s jackets the jackets were used by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

The second contract was worth $20.9 million and awarded December 3rd, 2009 to supply Navy Task Force Uniform parkas. The contract expires December 4th, 2009.