Department of the Interior Acquisition Policy Release (DIAPR) 2001-2

SUBJECT: Electric and Information Technology Accessibility, FAC 97-27

1. Purpose:

The purpose of this policy release is to direct special attention to the final Federal Acquisition Regulations on Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility published in the Federal Register April 25, 2001. Copy attached.

2. Effective Date:

The regulations are effective June 25, 2001. They apply to contract awards, task orders and delivery orders placed against indefinite-quantity contracts including Federal Supply Schedule contracts, governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACS), multi-agency contracts (MACS) and other interagency acquisitions issued on or after June 25, 2001.

3. Background:

The FAR amendments implement section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board's Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) Accessibility Standards found at 36 CFR part 1194. The new rules require that when acquiring EIT agencies must ensure that:

a. Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the given Federal employees without disabilities: and
b. Members of the public with disabilities seeking information or services from an agency have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that afforded members of the public without disabilities.

The FAR amendment does not contain implementing provisions, clauses or warranties for insertion in solicitations, delivery orders or task orders. Implementation is to be accomplished through work statements, specifications, or other product descriptions provided by requiring activities.

The FAR lists Exceptions to the rules at 39.204

4. Action Required:

Contracting offices must immediately notify all requiring activities of the FAR rules and that, for applicable awards on or after June 25, 2001, they must provide requirements documents for the acquisition of electronic and information technology that comply with the applicable accessibility standards issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board at 36 CFR part 1194.

In short, it will be the responsibility of EIT requiring program officials to:

a. Identify what standards apply to their requirement
b. Conduct market research to identify what commercial items, if any, meet the standards: and
c. Draft the technical specifications.

5. Web Site Information:

Additional program information is available from the following web sites:

a. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, (Access Board), Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards, 36 CFR Part 1194. See http://www.access-board.gov/
b. The Federal Information Technology Accessibility Initiative, an interagency partnership promoting accessibility, offers technical assistance, outreach programs and training courses. See http://www.cmpinc.net/section508/
c. Further information on section 508: See http://www.section508.gov.

6. Agency Contacts:

Interior's Section 508 Coordinator: Nancy Trent, Office of Information Resources Management, (202)208-6051.

Office of Acquisition and Property Management contact: Dean Titcomb, (202)208-3433.

Debra E. Sonderman, Director Office of Acquisition and Property Management