Uncle Sam Adds Spices to Blind-Makers' Shopping Cart
Published Date: 5/14/2026
Notice
Summary
The government wants to add some tasty new spices to its official shopping list, made by nonprofits that hire people who are blind or severely disabled. At the same time, it plans to stop using a grounds maintenance service for a Navy base in California. If you have thoughts, speak up by June 13, 2026—these changes mainly affect the Department of Defense and could shift who gets the contracts and how money flows.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Removal of Several Federal Service Contracts
The Committee proposes deleting multiple grounds maintenance and custodial service entries from the Procurement List at specified federal facilities. Affected locations and authorized nonprofit suppliers include: NAVFAC Southwest Navy Operational Support Centers in Alameda (Rubicon Programs, Inc.), Sacramento (Easter Seal Society of Superior California; Job Options, Inc.), and San Jose (North Bay Rehabilitation Services; Job Options, Inc.); US Mint, Denver (Bayaud Enterprises, Inc.); and NASA Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans (Goodworks, Inc.).
DoD Mandatory Purchase: New Spices
The Committee proposes adding three spice products (NSN 8950-01-E10-2928 Parsley Flakes; NSN 8950-01-E10-2926 Salt Free Garlic and Herb Seasoning; NSN 8950-01-E10-2931 Salt Free Seasoning) to the Procurement List for production by CDS Monarch, Webster, NY. If added, these products would be mandatory for the Department of Defense and would not be available through the U.S. AbilityOne Commission's Commercial Distribution Program.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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The government teams from OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA want to keep using the Acquisition 360 Voluntary Survey for three more years to help improve how they buy stuff. They’re asking people to share their thoughts by July 13, 2026, to make sure the survey is useful and not too much work. This won’t cost anyone money but helps make buying smarter and smoother.
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The government is removing some products and services from the special list that supports people who are blind or severely disabled. Starting June 13, 2026, items like carrying cases and fire hoses will no longer be bought through this program, mainly affecting nonprofit agencies that supplied them. This change won’t cause extra costs or paperwork but opens the door for other suppliers to step in.