The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 8 prioritizes purchasing sources that federal employees should utilize in procuring their requirements. According to these regulations, products available from the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled have higher priority than General Services Administration (GSA) stock programs or open market purchases. See Guidance in Selecting a Source for a prioritized guide to source selection of supplies and services based on Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 8 - Required Sources of Supplies and Services.
Cardholders are reminded that they should make every attempt to fulfill their purchasing requirements via such priority sources of supply. Following are several web sites that provide additional information and ordering instructions. (GSA Advantage, the federal purchasing site, offers numerous AbilityOne as well as recycled products for purchase. In addition, many GSA vendors such as Staples and Office Max carry AbilityOne items.
NOTE: In addition, we are also providing a link below for information concerning environmental products and services. Federal agencies are required to purchase designated products (Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines or "CPG" items) as well as products containing a specified amount of post consumer recovered materials that meet affirmative procurement requirements. Designated products include such items as file folders, binders, padded mailers, note pads, plastic desk accessories, toner cartridges, copier paper, awards and plaques, and others.
 National Industriesfor the Blind (NIB) 
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 National Industriesfor the Severely Handicapped (NISH)
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 AbilityOne Ordering Site |
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 GRC's Affirmative
Procurement Program(Buying Recycled) |
Following are some of the many companies that provide employment opportunities for the disabled as well as high quality products and services for their customers. GRC Cardholders should use companies such as these as sources for their purchases whenever possible:
The Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind is a private, nonprofit organization
providing jobs, training, and vocational services for people who are blind. Following is a
sampling of items available for purchase through its LighthouseStore.org web site:
NOTE: All business card orders must have supervisory approval prior to being placed. Print a copy of the approval form and retain the signed copy with a printout of your bankcard order.
Envision Introduction Letter 1
Envision Introduction Letter 2
Envision is the mandatory source for Government business cards. Business cards
can be ordered via the Envision website: www.envisionbusinesscards.com.
Thresholds creates the opportunity for people with mental illness to live with
dignity and independence. Each year, the agency serves more than 4,000 people with mental
illness through its comprehensive program of therapeutic support, case management,
education, vocational training and placement, and housing. The following items can be
purchased from Thresholds Rehabilitation
Industries -
employing people with disabilities:
The mission of Delaware Industries for the Blind (DIB) is to provide its
customers with quality products and services, and by doing this, create jobs are for
Visually Impaired and Blind individuals in Delaware. Following is a sampling of items
available for purchase through the DIB On-Line
Ordering Site .
Your purchase of products from Daymax creates training and
employment opportunities for over one hundred men and women with disabilities in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The mission of the Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania is to
promote the independence, dignity and equality of persons with disabilities. Following is
a sampling of items available for purchase:
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Go to Purchasing Sources Page
Wednesday, 24-Apr-2013 12:14:13 EDT
