I almost got a job with these folks.

Peter

+== acb-l Message from "Christopher McMillan" <[log in to unmask]> ==+
ITAA seeks 508 clarifications

By Susan M. Menke

GCN Staff

MAY 29-The Information Technology Association of America wants to know more
precisely what the final Federal Acquisition Regulation rule about Section
508 means.

In a letter to the General Services Administration last week, ITAA said
federal contractors and contracting officers need clarification of the term
"equivalent facilitation" for disabled users who cannot be accommodated
exactly as 508 requires.

ITAA also said some agencies "might interpret the FAR rule as requiring an
amendment" whenever none of the products offered in a procurement seems to
satisfy accessibility standards. The association said it believes adding the
phrase "best meets the accessibility standards" would avoid such amendments.

It further asked GSA to clarify the rule that agencies issuing
indefinite-quantity contracts must make available the accessibility
information provided by their vendors. "No one definition of 'Section
508-compliant' exists," ITAA said, and some agencies might interpret the
rule as demanding a straight yes or no answer from vendors about compliance.

The Arlington, Va., association represents about 500 U.S. information
technology vendors. Its letter to GSA appears in Adobe Portable Document
Format on the Web, at www.itaa.org/software/drabkin.pdf.

Thanks!!

Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
203 934 5432    Telephone
708 585 6130    Fax

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