ATI Wins Contract to Assist Federal Government with Compliance

ATI, an SCRA affiliate, was recently award a new contract, “BeAccessible” that will help the Federal government comply with laws (Section 508) requiring agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible to those with disabilities. The contract, awarded December 1, 2010, will further advance a previous contract with a similar mission, “BuyAccessible.” The current contract will total $1.45 million in the first base year, with four additional option years. Should the full five years be realized, the contract will total approximately $8.5 million.

In 1998, The United States Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and created Section 508. The recently-awarded contract will assist in fulfilling Section 508 requirements to ensure those with disabilities are able to access all technology used by the federal government- including federal websites. The BeAccessible team consists of ATI, Jacobs Technology Strategic Solutions Group and HaroLynn, Inc., and works closely with the General Services Administration (GSA). This partnership is a continuation of the team that conducted first the Accessibility Forum in 2001 then the BuyAccessible Program in 2006, both in response to support government-wide Section 508 compliance efforts.

“In 2006, federal agency compliance with Section 508 was only three percent,” said ATI President Rick Self. “The BuyAccessible program assisted GSA in getting agency compliance to over 50 percent. We look forward to continuing this progress so all agencies can ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to Federal websites and other electronic and information technology. We realize this is not only a procurement issue, but a technical issue for those accessing Federal websites, and the BeAccessible team is ready to expand their mission to increase compliance.”

“SCRA is very pleased with ATI’s successful re-competition of this program,” said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. “The BeAccessible award reflects ATI’s track record of extending mutually beneficial, long-term client relationships.”