National Industries for the Blind joins the National Defense Transportation Association
National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is pleased to announce our membership in the National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA). As a recognized industry leader, NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies (NPAs) provide total logistics solutions, as well as SKILCRAFT® products and services to the federal government. Our workforce plays an integral role in providing manufacturing, vendor managed inventory, and associated rapid, strategic distribution of critical items to key federal customers, including the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), General Services Administration (GSA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
NIB is a 501(c)(3) central nonprofit agency for the AbilityOne® Program. Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, NIB’s mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment. The AbilityOne Program was established that same year, to create employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through the provision of products and services to federal customers (see 41 USC 8501-8506; 41 CFR 51-2; FAR 8.7). NIB’s nationwide network of nearly 100 NPAs in approximately 250 locations across 39 states provides products and services and operates more than 150 AbilityOne Base Supply Center® stores on military installations and federal government facilities. Employing more than 5,500 people who are blind, including more than 550 veterans, NIB produces 7,000+ products and provides a range of professional services.
A total solution provider, NIB and its associated agencies have proven particularly adept in surging to meet COVID-19 and Warfighter demands. Our recent COVID-19 response support includes domestic manufacture of essential personal protective equipment (masks, medical kits, hand sanitizers, disinfectants), warehousing/distribution support, and strategic stockpile replenishment. Capabilities in our associated agencies’ ISO-certified facilities range from kitting, packaging/assembling, custom fabrication, complex sewing, precision machining, plastics, and injection molding, and chemical blending and filling, to contact center operations, contract management, supply chain management, information assurance, and administrative support.
NIB looks forward to its partnership with NDTA to broaden employment opportunities for people who are blind while building distribution solutions to meet the needs of federal customers.
For more information on NIB, visit www.nib.org or contact Jon Katz, Vice President, Business Development (jkatz@nib.org) or Andy Mueck, Vice President, Operations (amueck@nib.org).
The AbilityOne Program: Federal program established in 1938 to create employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through the provision of products and services to federal customers. The Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act is the authorizing legislation for the AbilityOne Program. Today, approximately 45,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities work as part of the AbilityOne Program. NIB is an AbilityOne Authorized Enterprise (designated central nonprofit agency).
SKILCRAFT: Established in 1952, SKILCRAFT is the brand name for quality products made by people who are blind. SKILCRAFT is a registered trademark owned and licensed by NIB. SKILCRAFT: Exceptional quality. Extraordinary impact.