ACQUISITION ALERT 00-01

1. ACQUISITION ALERT SYSTEM-This tool is designed to share information with acquisition personnel within NOAA. The Alerts will be issued by the Office of the Director, Acquisition and Grants. Future plans for this Alert System will be direct submission of the Alerts to all agency Purchase Card Holders and Approving Officials. Alerts will be issued on an as-needed basis.



2. JAVITS-WAGNER-O'DAY PROGRAM-On March 29, 2000, President Clinton issued a Presidential memorandum to the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies reminding agencies of his commitment to and our responsibility to utilize the mandatory sources under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program. As a result of purchase card usage and the increased usage of Federal Supply Schedules, the workshops for the blind and severely handicapped have seen a significant reduction in the volume of sales to Government agencies. Accordingly, you are reminded that utilization of the mandatory sources of supply and services (which includes the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) workshops) is required of any individual who is purchasing goods or services for the Government, including purchase card holders. The JWOD program recently launched a Web site, www.JWOD.com, that sells office supplies, cleaning supplies and other business products made by the blind and disabled as part of its ongoing efforts to transfer business to new distribution channels. Representatives from NIB and NISH will be contacting procurement staffs in the near future to explore steps that can be taken to increase support for the JWOD program.