Press Release

Thomas Bouchard, Department of the Army, Receives Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program Outstanding Contributions Award

November 7, 2005
For immediate release
Contact: Stephanie Lesko
Public Affairs Specialist
Phone: (703) 603-2146
Fax: (703) 603-0655
E-mail: slesko@jwod.gov

Arlington, VA - Thomas J. Bouchard, Chief, Soldier Systems Branch, Natick Contracting Division, Department of the Army, was recently presented with the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program Outstanding Contributions Award by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. This award recognizes Federal employees for their efforts in creating employment opportunities on Federal contracts for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities under the auspices of the JWOD Program.

Mr. Bouchard has oversight responsibilities for all equipment and supplies purchased by the Natick Contracting Division. Under his leadership, JWOD Program opportunities at Natick increased dramatically: from $5.1 million in contracts in 2000, to $65 million in contracts and 750 full time equivalent positions for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by 2004.

"Mr. Bouchard is a worthy recipient of this award. By creating steady, essential job opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled, he allows the JWOD Program to demonstrate that it is a critical part of the U.S. military industrial base, providing support to the warfighters and international relief efforts through the provision of mission-specific products and services," said Steve Schwalb, Committee Chairperson.

Over the last seven years, Mr. Bouchard has awarded contracts to the JWOD Program for such items as uniforms; helmets; boots; and specialty items, such as fleece jackets and silk weight underwear, used by the Special Operations Forces. Mr. Bouchard also educates other Federal employees about the JWOD Program at seminars in which he participates; and he continually considers the challenges and future for JWOD participation in soldier support contracts.

The Outstanding Contributions Award was presented at the NIB 2005 National Training and Achievement Conference held October 30 - November 1, 2005, in Baltimore, MD.

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 employment opportunities for persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the Federal Government. Nearly 70 percent of people with disabilities are not employed. The JWOD Program was created by Congress to help alleviate this employment inequity and has become the single largest employer of Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities, by identifying Federal contract work to be performed by these individuals.

National Industries for the Blind is one of the two national, nonprofit organizations designated by the Committee to assist in the implementation of the JWOD Program. Together with, NISH, which serves people with a range of severe disabilities, these two agencies provide assistance to more than 600 community-based nonprofit agencies participating nationwide in the JWOD Program.