Who should use the Wizard?

Anyone who determines program requirements for E & IT product or service deliverables should use the Wizard. This is typically the Program Requiring Official, but many other Federal Government officials who share the role of specifying program, E & IT, and Section 508 requirements should use the Wizard too.

Should I use the Wizard even if I plan to buy from a purchase schedule or use an existing contract vehicle?

Yes. All E & IT products or services acquired must comply with Section 508 requirements.

You are responsible to determine the applicability of Section 508, regardless of the contract vehicle or RFP mechanism you use. You should not assume that purchases made under pre-existing contracts will automatically be compliant with Section 508.

Should I use the Wizard if I am developing or integrating a custom E & IT solution, instead of buying a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product?

Yes. Responsibility for determining Section 508 requirements still applies.

The purchase of custom E & IT is different from COTS because the physical and functional characteristics of custom E & IT may not yet be known. However, you still must address Section 508 requirements based on the anticipated characteristics and development process of the custom E & IT.