    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 29, 2000]
    [Pages 561-562]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on Continued Commitment to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program
    March 29, 2000

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Continued Commitment to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program

        The Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, named for its legislative
    sponsors, is a Federal initiative that generates employment and training
    for more than 34,000 people who are blind or who have other significant
    disabilities. These individuals, working in more than 600 nonprofit
    agencies associated with the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) or
    with NISH (a national nonprofit agency that serves persons with a wide
    range of disabilities), furnish supplies and services to the Federal
    Government under the JWOD Program.
        In recent years, the JWOD Program has faced numerous challenges as
    the Federal acquisition system has evolved in ways not envisioned even a
    decade ago. Today, for example, hundreds of thousands of Federal
    employees buy goods with purchase cards. Electronic commerce is
    expanding rapidly and commercial firms deliver goods previously stocked
    and distributed by Federal agencies. These and other procurement reforms
    have created a more direct relationship between commercial vendors and
    their Federal customers. Participants in the JWOD Program are taking
    steps to adjust to these and other changes in the Federal procurement
    environment, but the transition is a dynamic and far-reaching process
    that requires strong support from Government customers.
        As I have stated on numerous occasions, the unemployment rate for
    adults with disabilities is unacceptably high. We cannot afford to lose
    any opportunities for this segment of our population. I call upon you to
    recognize the contributions made to the Federal Government by
    individuals with disabilities under the JWOD Program and to take steps
    to ensure that your agencies' procurement executives, and other
    employees who acquire supplies for your agency, purchase JWOD products
    and services, consistent with existing law. Their support for the JWOD

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    Program will help people with significant disabilities become and remain
    more independent and productive members of society. It is particularly
    important to encourage those entrusted with Federal purchase cards to be
    vigilant in continuing to purchase the reasonably priced products and
    services (including SKILCRAFT items) supplied through the JWOD Program.
        The JWOD Program also provides many recycled content,
    environmentally preferable, and energy efficient products. The purchase
    of these items would enable the Federal Government to continue its
    leadership of the ``greening of the government'' initiative while
    invigorating the JWOD Program.
        Representatives of the Committee for Purchase From People Who are
    Blind or Severely Disabled (the Federal entity responsible for the JWOD
    Program), NIB, or NISH will contact your procurement staff in the near
    future to explore steps that your agency can take to increase support
    for the JWOD Program at this critical juncture.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this memorandum.