Feds Mandate Buying from Blind-Run Nonprofits: Opportunities Boosted

2026-05869 — Procurement List; Additions and Deletions

Starting April 25, 2026, new products and services will be added to the government’s must-buy list from nonprofit groups that employ people who are blind or have severe disabilities. At the same time, some services will be removed from this list. This change helps support these nonprofits while making sure the government gets what it needs on time and without extra hassle.

2026-05868 — Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions

The government plans to add new base operations and maintenance services at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska to be done by a nonprofit that helps people with severe disabilities. At the same time, some webbing strap products supplied by another nonprofit will be removed from the list. Comments on these changes are open until April 25, 2026, so interested folks can weigh in before the final decision.

2026-05367 — Procurement List; Deletions

The government is removing some punch head replacements from the list of products it buys from nonprofit groups that employ people who are blind or severely disabled. This change takes effect on April 19, 2026, and means these products won’t be required to be bought from the usual supplier anymore. It won’t cause extra costs or paperwork for small businesses and might even open up new opportunities for others.

2026-05368 — Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions

The Committee is updating its Procurement List by adding a new custodial service for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Guam, provided by a nonprofit that employs people who are blind or severely disabled. At the same time, several safety lighting kits and a helicopter landing zone kit are being removed from the list. Comments on these changes are open until April 18, 2026, so stakeholders have time to weigh in before the updates take effect.

2026-05431 — Public Meeting

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is hosting a virtual public meeting on April 22, 2026, to share updates and discuss new ideas for making AbilityOne products more innovative and made in the USA. This affects people with disabilities who get jobs through federal contracts and anyone interested in supporting domestic manufacturing. If you want to speak or comment, register by mid-April—this is your chance to shape future products and jobs!

2026-04815 — Procurement List; Deletions

The government is removing some products from the special Procurement List that supports people who are blind or severely disabled. Starting April 12, 2026, these items—like wooden coaster sets and combat ID panels—won't be bought through this program anymore. This change won’t cause extra costs or paperwork and might open doors for new suppliers to step in.

Previous: 2026-00160 — Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules; Hearing of the Judicial Conference

Heads up! The public hearing about changes to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, set for February 5, 2026, has been canceled. This affects lawyers, judges, and anyone interested in criminal court rules, but no new date or cost changes have been announced yet. Stay tuned for updates on when these important rule changes will be discussed next!

Next: 2026-00165 — Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

The U.S. is hosting a public meeting on January 21, 2026, to talk about new global rules for fats and oils that will be discussed in a big international meeting in Malaysia in February. This affects food producers, traders, and consumers by shaping fair trade and safety standards for fats and oils worldwide. If you’re involved in food or trade, now’s the time to share your thoughts and get ready for changes that could impact markets and products.