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GSA Is Being Sued

John Faith
August 18, 2014

Not good news for GSA and then again it might be. Sometimes hard lessons are the best teachers not only for those involved but for the nation as a whole. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the marketing and sales vehicle for the United States Government. They sell and they purchase products at the best value for the government

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through vendors who must register in a system called SAM (System for Award Management.) SAM was intended to consolidate the previous systems used by vendors to sell to the government; ORCA, Fed/Reg, CCR and EPLS. There is no cost to register in the system. Many have complained about the system not being user-friendly and sometimes causes delayed outcomes due to the inability to navigate the system.

Possible Win-Win in GSA Lawsuit

Because of that very same issue, the American Federation for the Blind is suing the GSA because they contend that blind vendors have no way of working successfully inside of the SAM system. GSA is arguing that the suit is unnecessary because they have an internal mechanism of addressing such concerns from customers and vendors. However, the Federation feels it very necessary to point out non-compliance with the ADA regarding specific accommodations for the blind. While the GSA may see this as an inconvenience, it is probably another one of those win-win situations for the whole.

I am certain that policies and guidelines now in place for persons with disabilities strive to provide parity in every way possible. Often with the best of intentions, we might simply overlook an accommodation because we do not have the disability ourselves. I don’t believe there is an ill-intention in most cases or a desire not to make life as easy as possible for the disabled. It is simply more often an oversight of which attention must be raised. I don’t see the suit against GSA as something negative or bad, but as a call to action and awareness about how SAM needs to be strengthened and/or expanded to meet the needs of all customers and vendors.

Think of it, if persons with disabilities and individuals sensitive to the needs of the disabled had not raised a red flag then we would not have the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Every slap on the hand is not meant to hurt but to inform and advance the humanity of the nation.

P.S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.