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Like so many small businesses in this weak economy, Kaos Worldwide, a sports apparel company just outside Houston, has been struggling. But it has managed to survive while its competitors have folded because it won a five-year, $1.5 million contract last year to supply sports bras to the United States military.

“Without the military contract, we might not still be here,” said Bert Emanuel, who founded the business with his wife, Terri, after a knee injury in 2001 forced him to retire from an 11-year career as a professional football player. Their company sells temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking base layers like T-shirts, shorts, leggings and bras.

While it may seem that only large corporations like Halliburton and Lockheed Martin would have a shot at lucrative military contracts, the Defense Department actually awards more than half, or $55 billion, to small businesses. And the Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus plan promises to make even more money available.

“Small businesses play an important role in the economy and the military,” said Joseph E. Misanin, deputy director of small-business programs at the Defense Department. “They have an agility and flexibility that gives them an advantage over bigger companies.”

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Who knew that a sports bra designed by former NFL wide receiver and Rice alumnus Bert Emanuel ‘94 would be worn by women in the United States Armed Forces around the world?

Emanuel’s company, KAOS Worldwide, signed a five-year contract with the Army to supply more than 200,000 bras per year. A manufacturer of technical clothing systems, KAOS has been shipping 20,000 bras each month to the Army, which distributes them to countries in which the U.S. has a presence.

“Our clothing systems are the first line of defense against the harshest elements on the planet,” Emanuel said. “They keep soldiers cooler in the desert heat, warmer in the cold and more comfortable in every environment. The United States Army selected KAOS garments for our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan specifically because of our product’s unique combination of performance, superior construction and comfort. Our garment was unanimously selected by military personnel as the most technically comfortable product on the market.”

Emanuel said the KAOS bra is “amazingly light and soft,” and he trademarked that signature feature as “KAOS Komfort.”

A new contract with the U.S. Army has KAOS Worldwide outfitting the troops.
The Stafford-based performance apparel company has been awarded its first deal with the Army, a five-year contract that calls for KAOS to supply advanced sports bras to the female troops.
The garments — which are designed to provide comfort, support and protection from heat- [...]

Like so many small businesses in this weak economy, Kaos Worldwide, a sports apparel company just outside Houston, has been struggling. But it has managed to survive while its competitors have folded because it won a five-year, $1.5 million contract last year to supply sports bras to the United States military.
“Without the military contract, we [...]