The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

JWOD NDEAM MATERIALS

Introduction What is JWOD? History of the JWOD Program JWOD Program Partners Planning Federal JWOD Celebration Activities Key Messages JWOD Program Facts & Figures Economic Benefits Studies Summaries Sample Secretary's Announcement Sample Memorandum of Support Memorandums of Support from Federal Agencies FAQs from the Federal Perspective JWOD Participating Nonprofit Agencies JWOD NDEAM Poster JWOD Logos Information for JWOD Participating Agencies

Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program Partners

COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED

The JWOD Program is administered by an independent Federal agency, the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (the Committee). There are 15 Committee members, including 11 senior Federal executives, a majority of whom are procurement officials, and four private citizens who are advocates for people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities. The Federal executives on the Committee represent the following agencies:

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Department of the Air Force

Department of the Army

Department of Commerce (DoC)

Department of Defense (DoD)

Department of Education (ED)

Department of Labor (DoL)

Department of the Navy

Department of Justice (DoJ)

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

General Services Administration (GSA)

The four private citizens on the Committee include two individuals who represent participating nonprofit agencies and two individuals who are knowledgeable about the employment obstacles faced by people who are blind or who have other severe disabilities. The president of the United States appoints all members of the Committee.

In addition to their role in setting policy for the JWOD Program, Committee members are primarily responsible for determining which products and services purchased by the Federal Government will be added to the Program Procurement List for provision from JWOD-participating nonprofit agencies; establishing the fair market prices for these products and services, and revising the prices when appropriate; ensuring that nonprofit agencies comply with Committee rules and regulations (through on-site reviews of agency operations, annual certifications and other means); and assisting entities of the Federal Government in expanding their JWOD procurement.

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (serving individuals with a range of disabilities) propose items to the Committee for addition to the Procurement List after working closely with Federal contracting activities and the nonprofit agencies that will be performing the work. The JWOD Act requires that the Federal Government purchase products and services that the Committee has decided, after careful consideration, to add to the Procurement List. The Committee works closely with NISH, NIB, JWOD-participating nonprofit agencies and Federal personnel in order to accomplish the employment and procurement missions of the JWOD Program.

The Committee is supported in its efforts by a full-time staff located in Arlington, Va. The staff reviews proposed products and services and compiles information to ensure that the Committee has adequate data to determine whether the products or services are suitable for addition to the Procurement List. Other responsibilities of the Committee staff include communicating to Federal customers the benefits of purchasing JWOD Program products and services; identifying and researching issues of interest to the JWOD Program for review and discussion by the Committee; reviewing and analyzing recommended fair market prices for current and proposed JWOD Program products and services; assisting nonprofit agencies in complying with Committee rules and regulations and those of other Federal agencies; and implementing technology infrastructures to facilitate communication and rapid access to information electronically among Committee members, Committee staff, central nonprofit agencies, nonprofit agencies and Federal customers.

NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND (NIB)

IIncorporated as a private, nonprofit organization in 1938, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) has been making a difference in the lives of thousands of people who are blind for more than half a century.

NIB has more than 80 associated agencies throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, generating employment and training opportunities for nearly 5,000 people who are blind.

NIB believes in the capabilities of people who are blind. This means providing jobs with competitive wages, benefits, great work environments, upward mobility, and career planning and placement. Employment is the single most important factor that enables an individual to more fully participate in society, bringing economic stability, independence and dignity.

NIB's associated agencies offer careers at all skill levels from manufacturing and warehousing to administrative support, call center operations and management positions. NIB also provides on-the-job training and sponsors the Business Leaders Program, designed specifically to prepare individuals who are blind for careers in business management.

Employees of NIB and its associated agencies have an uncompromising dedication to their work and to the quality of products and services provided. They perform an invaluable public service by supplying thousands of SKILCRAFT® and other JWOD products and services to the Federal Government and U.S. Armed Forces.

For added convenience, NIB offers extensive sales and distribution channels for SKILCRAFT products, including Government distribution, retail locations, jwod.com, and JWOD authorized commercial distributors.

NIB believes in the powerful capabilities of people who are blind and is committed to enhancing opportunities for economic and personal independence. Whether you are a prospective customer, partner, associated agency, supporter or employee, NIB's message is simple--make the right choice.

NISH-CREATING EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES

NISH is one of two national nonprofit organizations designated by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled to facilitate the JWOD Program. NISH's mission is to create employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities by securing Federal contracts for its network of community-based, nonprofit agencies.

More than 550 NISH-affiliated agencies provide a wide array of quality products and services to the Federal Government while employing more than 41,000 people with severe disabilities. People with disabilities are working on projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

With its headquarters in Vienna, Virginia, NISH has regional offices in California, Washington, Georgia, Virginia, Texas and Illinois. Among its services, NISH offers its agencies regulatory assistance, information technology support, engineering, financial and technical assistance, legislative and workforce development assistance, communications and public relations materials and an extensive professional training program. .