Thursday, June 24, 2010

Navy Exchange Service Command Signs Memorandum of Understanding with National Industries for the Blind

Photo caption: NIB President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch with Kimberly Zeich, deputy executive director, Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled and Rear Admiral Steven J. Romano, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy Commander, NEXCOM.

Alexandria, VA) National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) signed a memorandum of understanding June 21, 2010, with the intent to generate mutually beneficial business development initiatives through strategic sourcing of existing and new operational supplies, retail products, services, and contract management support.

“In just a few months we [NEXCOM and NIB] were able to come together to produce this memorandum of understand that will provide a strong framework for our partnership for collaboration and working together to identify opportunities for mutual success,” said Rear Admiral Steven J. Romano, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy, Commander, NEXCOM.

NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch added: “NEXCOM is an important part of our military retail program. The Navy has always been a very strong supporter of the AbilityOne Program (JWOD) and this is a wonderful starting point for the future of our partnership.”

Next steps for both NIB and NEXCOM include site visits to some of NIB’s nonprofit agencies associated with the AbilityOne Program where thousands of people who are blind produce products that are sold through Navy Exchanges (NEX) and overseas NEX Depots.

About National Industries for the Blind
At NIB (www.NIB.org), our mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program (Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program).

About Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM)
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), Virginia Beach, Va. NEXCOM is a non-appropriated organization employing 14,000 associates worldwide that provides management oversight for 104 Navy Exchanges, 42 Navy Lodges, 157 Navy Ship’s Stores, Military Sealift Command Ship’s Stores, Uniform Program Management Office, worldwide telecommunications services afloat and ashore, and the Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility. Average annual revenue are $2.5 billion providing an estimated $450 million savings to Sailors and their families and $51.1 million in profit contribution to Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation quality of life programs.

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Contact: Ken Murphy
Director of Communications
National Industries for the Blind
703-310-0500
kmurphy@nib.org

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

FEDERAL NEWS RADIO INTERVIEWS NIB CEO KEVIN LYNCH

Washington, DC, June 22, 2010
This week, host Larry Allen talks with Kevin Lynch, President and CEO, National Industries for the Blind. NIB’s mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind.

Larry and Kevin discuss:
* An update on traditional NIB product offerings through the AbilityOne Program.
* How NIB is partnering with private sector partners
* Why NIB feels that they need to expand into services and what type of services they're exploring
* And federal contract support services being offered by NIB to the federal government and Department of Defense

Download or listen to Kevin Lynch’s interview with Larry Allen

Coalition for Government Procurement provides a voice for commercial service and product companies selling in the federal market. The Coalition has 29 years of working with decision makers in and out of government on acquisition rules and procurement issues and provides a unique perspective from their members that is shared whenever procurement policy is debated.