Office of the Chief Information Officer &
High Performance Computing and Communications

Section 508 Guidance for Bankcard Holders

Asking What is Electronic Information Technology (EIT)?

EIT is information technology (IT) and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment, that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication or data or information. In addition to IT, EIT includes:

EIT is defined by the Access Board at 36 CFR 1194.4 (Definitions) and in the FAR at 2.101.

Making a Purchase

Follow the following steps:

a. Determine if the product or service you wish to acquire falls within the definition of EIT.

b. Identify which Section 508 standard(s) applies using the NOAA checklist

c. Perform a market research to determine the availability of compliant products and services. The vendor and the GSA Section 508 websites are good starting points for looking for a completed voluntary product accessibility template (VPAT) to review.

d. Identify which paragraphs (e.g. (a) - (f)) of the standard apply and which paragraphs of the standard do not apply. If all aspects of the standard you identified as applicable to your requirement can be met by the vendor(s), then make your purchase and document your file. A completed vendor VPAT should be part of the documentation.

e. If some standards do not apply because of, for example, nonavailability (FAR 39.203) or undue burden (FAR 39.204 (e)), prepare necessary documentation of such determinations and obtain agency-required approvals.

f. Use these specifications/minimum requirements developed and any approved exception or undue burden determinations to conduct your purchase. Make sure this information is retained in your file for future review.

Looking for where can I find out more about Section 508 and what the accessibility standards are?