Government Shopping List Adds Items to Boost Jobs for Blind and Disabled

2026-08392, Revising Central Nonprofit Agencies' Requirements To Charge Fees and Clarifying the Permissibility of Subcontracting Within the AbilityOne Program

The AbilityOne Program is updating rules so central nonprofit agencies must get written approval before charging fees, making things clearer and easier when subcontracting work. These changes help nonprofits save time and reduce paperwork, affecting agencies involved in AbilityOne starting soon. Comments on these updates are open until June 1, 2026, so jump in and share your thoughts!

2026-20621, Procurement List; Deletions

The government is removing certain products and an office supply service from the special Procurement List that supports nonprofits employing people who are blind or severely disabled. This change, effective November 8, 2026, means these items and services will no longer be bought through these agencies, but it won’t cause extra costs or paperwork. It’s a smooth update to keep things efficient and fair for everyone involved.

2026-20620, Procurement List; Proposed Deletions

The government plans to remove certain mop heads and Army caps from the list of products made by nonprofits that employ people who are blind or severely disabled. This change affects organizations like Mississippi Industries for the Blind and Goodwill Industries of South Florida. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until November 7, 2026, to speak up!

2026-20252, Public Meeting

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is hosting a virtual public meeting on October 28, 2026, to share updates and discuss ways to break down job barriers for people with disabilities. Anyone interested can join via Zoom, register by October 27, and even speak if they register by October 20. This meeting helps shape federal contracts that create jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, with no cost to attend.

2026-20089, Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions

The government wants to add new first aid kits to the list of products made by nonprofits that employ people who are blind or severely disabled, especially for the Department of Defense. At the same time, some older products will be removed from this list. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until October 31, 2026, to share them—these changes could impact who supplies important gear and how money flows in defense contracts.

2026-20090, Procurement List; Deletions

Starting November 1, 2026, the government will stop buying certain products and services from nonprofit groups that employ people who are blind or severely disabled. This change removes a remanufactured toner cartridge and a stamp packaging service from the official Procurement List. No big money or paperwork changes are expected, and small businesses might get new chances to supply these items.

Previous: 2025-23894, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' Cold Bay Ferry Terminal Reconstruction Project in Cold Bay, Alaska

The Alaska Department of Transportation wants to rebuild the Cold Bay Ferry Terminal, which might disturb some local marine mammals. NOAA is thinking about giving permission for this, but they want your thoughts by January 28, 2026. If all goes well, there could be a one-year extension, helping the project stay on track without harming wildlife too much.

Next: 2025-23898, Accreditation of Altol Chemical and Environmental Laboratory (Ponce, PR) as a Commercial Laboratory

Altol Chemical and Environmental Laboratory in Ponce, Puerto Rico, just got the green light to officially test petroleum products for U.S. Customs starting September 5, 2024. This means importers and exporters can trust their results for the next three years, with the next check-up set for 2027. No extra costs or delays are expected, just smoother, official testing in the Caribbean!