1.  IT Buying Service

The IT Buying Service provides the ability and convenient way to purchase computers, other hardware, and peripherals that meets the NIST requirements from a central source.  See http://pcsupport.nist.gov/itbs.htm.

2.  Section 508

Federal agencies are required to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities.  EIT has the same meaning as “information technology” except EIT also includes any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is issued in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information.  The term includes information kiosks and transaction machines, worldwide websites, multimedia, and office equipment (such as copiers and fax machines).  You should perform Section 508 market research to determine what, if any, Section 508 standards apply to that EIT procurement and to document the results of the market research before initiating procurement for that EIT.  NIST has a Section 508 coordinator in Division 180, Office of the Chief Information Officer.  The NIST Section 508 Coordinator can advise NIST employees that wish to procure EIT on the proper procedures to conduct their Section 508 market research and the proper way to document the results of that market research.  More information, as well as documentation intended to be submitted with each CSTARS requisition is available at http://www-i.nist.gov/cio/NIST_CIO_Section_508_Accessibility_Website.htm.

3.  NIST IT Services/Consolidated Project

NIST Operating Units are required by Department of Commerce (DoC) regulations to utilize COMMITS for all IT service procurements over $100,000.  Using the IT Service Consolidation Project satisfies this DoC Consolidated Project for all of their IT service support requirements.  For details see
http://www-i.nist.gov/cio/ITServicesConsolidation/announcement-of-details.htm.