+ OMB Circular A-123 (Appendix B): Improving ... - The White House

Chapter 9 - Requirements for Micro Purchases under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Questions
Page
9.1 What does Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require? ............................................................................... 29
9.2 Is the exception for micro purchases from the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act still in
effect? ............................................................................................................................................................... 29
9.3 Are there any quick references, such as a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to which I can refer for
guidance when making purchase approval decisions? ..................................................................................... 29
9.4 Are there any penalties for not complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act? .................................. 30
9.1 What does Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require?
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that when Federal departments or agencies
develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology (E&IT), they must
ensure that such E&IT allows Federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of
information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of information and data by other
Federal employees.
Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public
seeking information or services from a Federal department or agency, have access to and use of
information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public without disabilities.
9.2 Is the exception for micro purchases from the requirements of Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act still in effect?
No. On April 1, 2005, the micro purchase card exception regarding Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act permanently expired. All micro purchases, including open market buys and
those made through government contract vehicles (e.g., GSA Advantage), will be subject to the
provisions set forth in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, unless an exception applies (see
part 39.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation on www.acqnet.gov/far).
9.3 Are there any on-line tools or resources, such as a set of frequently asked questions
(FAQs) to which I can refer for guidance when making purchase approval decisions?
Yes. The Buy Accessible Wizard is a web-based application that makes it easier to buy products
and services that comply with Federal requirements for Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It
helps Federal buyers quickly and easily identify the Section 508 standards and requirements
related to their purchases, while also helping government buyers for both small and large
acquisitions. The Wizard is available at www.buyaccessible.gov. In addition, the Architectural
and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (or Access Board), GSA, and the Interagency
Section 508 Working Group have developed a set of detailed FAQs which may be found either
Appendix B
OMB Circular A-123
(Revised January 2009)