Procurement Language

Included under Section 5.0, Scope of Work

[Purchasers: Accessibility Section is to be included in the Scope of Work for any technology-related RFP. Contact itaccessibility@email.arizona.edu with questions.]

Accessibility

Review Section 4.3.1 under the Agreements and Conditions Section of this RFP in addition to answering the questions below.

1. Address compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA and US Rehabilitation Act section 508.
   1. Address accessibility for both user and administrator/staff functionality.
   2. If applicable, address the accessibility of the hardware components, such as controls and user-interfaces, to ensure equitable access for all users.
2. Provide your VPAT for accessibility (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or your WCAG 2.1 Conformance Statement. Templates to be completed can be provided upon request.
   1. Include specific information regarding the accessibility of platform, keyboard navigation, and screen reader accessibility.
3. Has your product been verified for accessibility with assistive technologies for all functionality? If so, was verification through in-house testing or via third party tester/vendor?
   1. Please list OS, assistive technologies and applications (browsers) tested, including version numbers.
4. Discuss where and how accessibility is included in your product development process.
5. If you are designing digital content such as email, Web-based or Social Media content, discuss your efforts to ensure accessibility.

Vendor accessibility ability/compliance must be deemed acceptable by the University to be considered.

Included under Section 4.3, Agreement Terms and Conditions: 

4.3 Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act. The Successful Vendor will comply with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and all applicable federal regulations.

All electronic and information technology and products and services to be used by University faculty/staff, students, program participants, or other University constituencies must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended and the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance means that a disabled person can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a nondisabled person, in an equally effective and integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

4.3.1 Electronic and Information Technology. Any acquisition considered electronic and information technology (EIT) as defined by the Access Board at 36 CFR 1194.4 and in the FAR at 2.101 must comply with Section 508 (36 CFR Part 1194) and, for web-based applications, WCAG 2.1, Level AA Guidelines. In addition, the submission of a completed Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is required so the University of Arizona may ascertain conformance. Proposals or bids without a completed VPAT may be disqualified from competition. The UA Guide to the VPAT and the templates themselves are available to assist vendors in this process. See information at https://itaccessibility.arizona.edu/guidelines/purchasing/vpat.

EIT is information technology (IT) and any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment that is used in the creation, conversion, or duplication of data or information. EIT includes, but is not limited to:

• telecommunication products, such as telephones;
• information kiosks and transaction machines;
• World Wide Web sites;
• software;
• multimedia (including videotapes); and
• office equipment, such as copiers and fax machines.

The University of Arizona reserves the right to perform real-world testing of a product or service to validate vendor claims regarding Section 508 conformance. To facilitate testing, the vendor will, upon request, provide the University with access to the product being considered for purchase for a period of at least 30 calendar days.

 4.3.2 Services and Products. An accessible service or product is one that can be used by as many people as possible, taking into account their physical, cognitive, emotional, and sensory differences.

Services provided include, but are not limited to:

• education and training;
• cultural and athletic events;
• vehicle rentals
• event space and lodging; and
• parking and transportation.

Products include, but are not limited to:

• office equipment;
• office and classroom furniture; and
• kiosks