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June 30, 2003
CONTRACTING OFFICERS AND BUYERS
SUBJECT: Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program
Let me take this opportunity to outline the Postal Service's commitment
to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. The program gets its name from its
enabling legislation, the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act of 1971, 41 U.S.C.
46-48c. The Act calls on government agencies, including the Postal
Service, to purchase certain products and services from qualified
not-for-profit businesses that principally employ the blind or severely
disabled. When these businesses can meet our delivery and quality
requirements at competitive prices they are, by law, mandatory sources.
Two national nonprofit agencies have been established to help the
JWOD Committee administer the Act - NIB (National Industries for
the Blind) and NISH which focuses on creating employment opportunities
for people with severe disabilities. Both agencies seek business
opportunities for their nonprofit firms and serve as liaisons between
these businesses-the JWOD Committee, and us.
Historically, the USPS has been a strong supporter of the program
and a major customer for JWOD supplies and services. I should emphasize
that the JWOD Program not only benefits those who are blind or have
severe disabilities-and helps them become productive members of
society-but it also gives us sources that provide quality supplies
and services. JWOD firms have, over all, an excellent track record
with us.
Our national coordinator and central point of contact for this
program is John Alan Grimes. You can reach him by email john.a.grimes@usps.gov
or telephone 202-268-7917 if you need help or want information.
I urge each of you and your staff to learn about JWOD and to find
ways these organizations can assist us in providing our customers
with top quality goods and services. You might wish to visit a NIB
or NISH business and observe their processes and practices, or attend
training conferences that they sponsor. It is only through our collective
leadership and personal commitment that we can discharge our statutory
obligations and maintain our active support and involvement with
this important program.
The program also extends to our credit card buyers. We ask your
help in making them aware of our responsibility to buy certain products
from JWOD sources. To identify whether needed products or services
are available from JWOD sources, you can check the JWOD Internet
site: www.jwod.com. You can also contact Boise Cascade-a JWOD distributor.
As you know, Boise is our national supplier for office supplies,
and JWOD office products are available through Boise. Additionally,
JWOD custodial supplies are available through Cleanwise and Grainger's.
NIB affiliated business are most active with us in providing a
broad range of mail transportation products including boxes, trays,
mailbags, and spare parts. The list of products and services NIB
firms provide is on their website at www.nib.org.
NISH is active in service contracting. For a comprehensive listing
of the various services NISH community rehabilitation programs can
provide, check their website at www.nish.org. Their products and
services are used throughout our postal facilities.
We in Supply Management serve as the principal proponent of the
JWOD Program within the USPS. Feel free to direct any questions
or suggestions to Alan Grimes in our Supply Management Infrastructure
organization.
(signed)
Keith Strange
Vice President, Supply Management
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