NIGP 78517: Blind Teaching and Training Equipment and Supplies (see Class 600 for Braille Writers and Printers)

NIGP 78517 Blind Teaching and Training Equipment and Supplies, an Item code, encompasses instructional materials, assistive technology devices, and specialized equipment for teaching and training individuals who are blind or visually impaired—including screen readers, refreshable braille displays, screen magnification software, orientation and mobility aids, specialized cooking and housekeeping equipment, and braille labeling materials. State and local procurement under this code spans school districts purchasing special education materials across multiple campuses, state vocational rehabilitation agencies procuring supplies and services for blind and visually impaired clients, state schools for the deaf and blind contracting for remote assistive technology instruction, and regional purchasing cooperatives aggregating demand across member districts. Issuing bodies include state education agencies, state vocational rehabilitation divisions (notably the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation division), independent school districts, state schools for the deaf and blind, and regional purchasing cooperatives serving multiple member entities. Work is solicited through catalog discount bids for bundled instructional supplies, documented quotes for specialized instructional services, and RFPs for comprehensive instructional materials and equipment portfolios.

Recent procurement activity concentrates in Texas and Colorado. The Texas Workforce Commission issued IFB 3202600146 in June 2026 for rehabilitation supplies across eight product categories including braille watches, orientation aids, and blind teaching equipment, with a historical contract value of approximately $350,000 annually and bids due June 3, 2026. The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind solicited remote assistive technology instruction via documented quotes (DQ-SPCO-AR-27-02 and DQ-SPCO-AR-27-03) in August and September 2026, requiring licensed Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments with minimum two years' experience in assistive technology, with contract terms running September 2026 through June 2027 and budget allocation of $75,000. Katy Independent School District issued RFP 2428KD-A in May 2026 for comprehensive teaching and instructional materials including special education supplies and assistive technology, with a contract term extending through October 2027 and options to renew annually for up to three additional years. Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative (Kilgore, Texas) solicited catalog discount bids (SPE2628) in August 2026 for special education supplies, with estimated contract expenditures of $2,713,541 over two years and a previous award history of 99 vendors, indicating multi-vendor awards are typical. The State of Texas issued a catalog discount bid (ICAT2628) in October 2026 for instructional materials with a response due date of November 19, 2026.