Press Release

New E-Commerce Site for Federal Employees: Features Hundreds of Products; Helps People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

January 11, 2000
For immediate release
Contact: Kimberly Zeich
Phone: (703) 603-7748
Fax: (703) 603-0655
E-mail: kzeich@jwod.gov

A new web site has been launched to make it easier for Federal employees to buy a multitude of business products and related supplies, right from their desks, with next-day delivery for the most frequently used items. This site, www.jwod.com, features quality products furnished by people who are blind or have other severe disabilities under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, a unique socioeconomic procurement initiative.

The www.jwod.com site provides Federal customers with convenient, one-stop shopping. It also assures that purchases comply with the JWOD Act, which requires Federal agencies to buy certain supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or severely disabled, in association with National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH, a nonprofit agency serving people with a range of disabilities. The site was developed by NIB and its technology partner, Online Office Supplies Co., to provide Federal customers with direct access to SKILCRAFT and other JWOD items.

With national distribution and state-of-the-art online ordering capability, www.jwod.com expands the number of vehicles through which Federal customers can order JWOD office supplies or general products. In addition to online orders, Federal or commercial customers may order by phone (877-GET-JWOD), fax (877-FAX-JWOD), or regular mail. Customers may also use authorized commercial distributors for JWOD products (listed at www.jwod.gov), or visit military Base Supply Centers operated by JWOD-participating nonprofit agencies on many installations.

"When our employees use jwod.com, I know they are doing the right thing to obtain THE "best value" procurement-buying quality products at reasonable prices-and at the same time are meeting their JWOD mandatory source requirements," said Gary J. Krump, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management, Department of Veterans Affairs and Chairperson of the Federal Committee that oversees the JWOD Program.

Federal managers and end-users are already reporting that www.jwod.com is easy to use. "The jwod.com site is a fine example of technology making our jobs easier, while helping to create jobs for people who are blind or severely disabled," said Ira L. Hobbs, Deputy Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture. "I feel good knowing that my purchases through jwod.com will contribute to employing Americans with disabilities," said Cindy Maltby, a Program Manager with the Department of the Interior. New E-commerce Solution: www.jwod.com

As Federal agencies implement paperless acquisition and seek new sources for their requirements, the www.jwod.com site offers an easy-to-use electronic means to purchase JWOD products. Thousands of Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities depend on the sales of JWOD supplies to remain gainfully employed. JWOD Program employees benefit from the skills and income they earn on JWOD contracts, while the Federal Government benefits from quality supplies and services, delivered on-time and at reasonable prices.

At the same time, www.jwod.com reflects best practices in purchasing for both the Government and the private sector. "The Federal Government has mandated efficient and cost-effective purchasing through electronic commerce. Customers meet this goal when they use jwod.com," said James D. Gibbons, President and CEO, NIB. The site is built to be compatible with the Department of Defense Electronic Mall (EMALL) and GSA Advantage! Online Shopping Service, he said. The site is also built in accordance with the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative and will be "Bobby-compliant" to ensure availability to all customers, with or without disabilities.

# # #

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is an independent Federal agency that administers the JWOD Program, creating 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 orchestrating Government purchases of supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing such individuals. For more information, see www.jwod.gov.

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (serving people with a range of disabilities) are national, nonprofit organizations designated by the Committee to assist in the implementation of the JWOD Program. NIB and NISH serve as liaisons between the Government and the 620-plus local nonprofit agencies across the country that participate in the JWOD Program. For more information, see www.nib.org and www.nish.org.

Online Office Supplies Company (OOSC), a woman-owned and operated technology firm, provides innovative office supply solutions to help businesses work more efficiently. OOSC is a wholly owned subsidiary of E-Commerce Industries, Inc., headquartered in Ijamsville, MD.