Press Release

The Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program Recognizes Outstanding Distributors

January 23, 2006
For immediate release
Contact: Eric Beale, Commercial Distribution Coordinator
Phone: (703) 603-2119
Fax: (703) 603-0655
Email: ebeale@jwod.gov

Arlington, VA-The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled recently recognized eighteen commercial office supply distribution partners as "Outstanding Distributors" for their efforts to support the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program during Fiscal Year 2005.

Fifteen of the eighteen distributors achieving this distinction are small businesses; they include Stephens Office Supply, Miller's Office Products, Metro Office Products, Benjamin Office Supply, Caddo Design & Office Solutions, Northeast Office Supply, KM2 Incorporated, Sita Business Systems, Chesapeake Office Supply (MD), VIP Printing & Office Supply, Chuckals, Inc., Capitol Supply, Inc., Milwaukee Industries for the Blind, Inc., WECsys, LLC, and Lucille Maud. The remaining three businesses recognized by the Committee include BCOP Federal (An OfficeMax Company), Office Depot, and Corporate Express.

In order to receive the Committee's "Outstanding Distributor" distinction, distributors must maintain substantial JWOD product sales, ensure that Federal customers receive the appropriate JWOD items, produce high quality catalogs that make it easy for Federal customers to find the JWOD products they require, and market the JWOD Program through a variety of efforts.

"These valued commercial partners are critical to ensuring that Federal customers can easily procure Javits-Wagner-O'Day products to fulfill their agency missions. These various distribution channels also provide purchase card holders with the options they need to meet both their socioeconomic goals and their requirements to rotate sources of supply," said Leon A. Wilson, Jr., Executive Director of the Committee.

The JWOD Program is a cost-effective way to help people who are blind or severely disabled achieve greater independence, and provide the Federal Government with a quality source of products and services. Established by Congress, the JWOD Program is a public-private partnership through which the Federal Government uses its acquisition policies to support this important socioeconomic objective. JWOD Program employment enables many individuals to reduce dependence on Government support, join the ranks of taxpayers, and contribute to the Federal Government's critical missions. JWOD Program sales account for less than one percent of all Federal procurement dollars spent; this minimal investment creates more than 45,000 job opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. For more information about the JWOD Distributor Program, including links to the web sites of the Outstanding Distributors mentioned above, please visit www.jwod.gov/distributors.

# # #

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is the independent Federal agency that administers the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, which creates jobs and training opportunities for persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. The Committee's primary means of achieving its employment goal is through facilitating Government purchases of supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing such individuals.