How to bid on door hardware for the AbilityOne Program

What the agency is seeking

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, through the U.S. AbilityOne Commission and National Industries for the Blind (NIB), is seeking U.S. door hardware manufacturers interested in a co-brand partnership. The aim is to add products to the AbilityOne Procurement List and support employment for people who are blind or have severe disabilities.

This is a request for information, not a stated order for products. A manufacturer would work with a nonprofit agency so its employees can perform production tasks such as converting material, filling containers, labeling, assembling, and packaging products.

Deadline and response timing

Written electronic responses are due November 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. The notice says responses should be directed to the contact listed in the notice.

Plan to submit before the deadline and allow time to check that your response and supporting materials are complete. The notice does not describe what happens after the deadline.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is aimed at U.S. commercial door hardware manufacturers with a nationally or industry-known brand and evidence of substantial sales. Products must meet or exceed applicable federal requirements and industry performance standards, and be tested and certified as described in the notice.

It may suit a manufacturer willing to support a nonprofit agency’s production work, deliver bulk materials, provide ongoing technical and production assistance, and enter into a multi-year agreement. The notice also gives preference to manufacturers with a dedicated federal government sales and marketing team.

How to access and respond

Open the opportunity through the portal’s “View original source” control. If the first click opens the portal homepage, click it again to reach the bid. A free account may be needed to view documents.

Prepare a written electronic response that shows how the proposed products meet the stated criteria and identifies the functions the nonprofit agency’s employees would perform. Send it to the contact listed in the notice. For questions, the notice gives the email address jwhite@@nib.org and says the subject line should begin with “Question: Sources Sought CP- CP-10-27-2026-01 Door Hardware”.

Build a clear, evidence-based response

Organize the response around the notice’s product and manufacturer criteria. Include relevant test results, certifications and supporting documentation, along with evidence of product performance, reliability, sustainability, and sales appeal where available.

Explain the proposed production arrangement in practical terms: which tasks nonprofit employees could perform, what training or technical support the manufacturer would provide, how bulk materials would be delivered, and how the arrangement could keep expansion costs to the nonprofit agency low.

Address the manufacturer’s willingness to support federal marketing, ongoing production assistance, and fair and reasonable pricing. Keep claims specific and back them with documents where possible.