Section 508 procurement map
Accessibility is part of procurement
Section508.gov explains that Section 508 applies when federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. For contractors, that means accessibility can be part of the requirement, evaluation, and delivery plan.
Treat it like any other technical requirement: scope it, test it, evidence it, and assign ownership.
Define criteria in the proposal
If the solicitation asks for accessibility evidence, be concrete. Explain standards, testing approach, exceptions, remediation process, documentation, and who owns accessibility in delivery.
A polished statement without evidence is weaker than a specific plan with known checks.
Include documents and training
Federal technology work often produces documents, training decks, PDFs, portals, dashboards, and help content. These deliverables can create accessibility obligations even when the core product is already tested.
What this looks like in practice
ScenarioA dashboard proposal adds accessibility evidence early
The team plans keyboard navigation, color contrast, screen-reader labels, accessible exported reports, and a testing step in the sprint plan. The proposal does not just say '508 compliant'; it explains how accessibility will be built and verified.
Frequently asked questions
Does Section 508 apply only to websites?
No. It can apply broadly to electronic and information technology, including software, hardware, documents, websites, and digital services.
What should a contractor include in a proposal?
Include accessibility criteria, evidence, testing approach, known exceptions, remediation process, and delivery ownership.
Is a VPAT enough by itself?
A VPAT or conformance report can be useful, but teams still need to connect it to the specific product, version, scope, and delivery plan.