Government Drops Fire Hoses from Blind-Made List
Published Date: 5/14/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Nonprofits Lose Mandatory Purchases
Effective June 13, 2026, a set of products and services will be removed from the Procurement List so they will no longer be required to be purchased through the program that supports nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Examples noted in the notice include carrying cases (e.g., Case, Carrying, M240) and a fire hose (Hose, Fire, Lightweight, 1'' x 50').
No New Paperwork for Small Entities
The Committee certified that this deletion will not create additional reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements for small entities. The notice states explicitly that there will be no new paperwork or compliance duties as a result of this action.
Other Small Suppliers May Become Eligible
The notice states the action may authorize other small entities to furnish the deleted products and services to the Government, opening the opportunity for other suppliers to compete for those government purchases after June 13, 2026.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
The Committee certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this deletion "will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities," and stated there are no known regulatory alternatives that would meet the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act objectives for these deleted items.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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!
2026-13391 — Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions
The government plans to add new services like courier and fleet management to a special list that supports nonprofits employing people who are blind or severely disabled. At the same time, some products and services will be removed from this list. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by August 1, 2026—these changes affect agencies like Homeland Security and the Air Force and help direct government contracts to these nonprofits.
2026-13390 — Procurement List; Deletions
The government is removing a grout scrubber and some admin support services from the list of products and services bought from nonprofits that employ people who are blind or severely disabled. This change takes effect on August 2, 2026, and won’t cause extra costs or paperwork for small businesses. It might even open doors for new suppliers to step in and help out!
2026-12785 — Procurement List; Additions and Deletions
Starting July 26, 2026, some new products and services will be added to the government’s special shopping list, and a few old ones will be removed. These changes help nonprofit groups that employ people who are blind or have severe disabilities get more work. This update keeps things fair and supports good causes without changing prices or deadlines for buyers.
2026-12601 — Draft FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the U.S. AbilityOne Commission
The U.S. AbilityOne Commission is rolling out a new plan for 2026-2030 to create more jobs for people who are blind or have serious disabilities by improving how the program works and teaming up with others. This plan affects workers, federal buyers, and partner organizations, aiming to boost job opportunities and program efficiency. Public comments are open until July 22, 2026, so everyone can share their thoughts before it’s finalized.
2026-12292 — Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions
The government plans to add new cleaning and groundskeeping services to its special list, which supports nonprofits employing people who are blind or severely disabled. At the same time, some helmet covers will be removed from the list. Comments on these changes are open until July 18, 2026, so interested folks can weigh in before the updates take effect.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09610 — Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions
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.
Next: 2026-09620 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Community Services Block Grant Disaster Supplemental Annual Report (New Collection)
The government wants to start collecting a new annual report about how disaster relief money from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian is being used to help low-income families recover. This affects states like Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico, plus any future disaster funding. They’re asking for public feedback by July 13, 2026, to make sure the report works well without causing extra hassle or costs.