UNSPSC 42211916: Straws or straw holders for the physically challenged

In this classification, this commodity indicates a product used as straws or straw for the physically challenged. Most nations, for tariff and trade purposes, schedule these products under HS 901811.

UNSPSC 42211916 Straws or straw holders for the physically challenged is a Commodity code encompassing adaptive mobility and daily-living aids that state and local governments procure for vocational rehabilitation customers, special-education programs, and persons with disabilities. The scope includes specialized implements such as adaptive drinking apparatus, orientation and navigation aids, cooking and housekeeping aids, vision-impaired mobility devices, and associated training and recreational equipment. State and local issuing bodies soliciting under this code include workforce commissions operating vocational rehabilitation programs, regional purchasing cooperatives serving school districts and special-education vendors, and dedicated special-education procurement consortia. Vendors typically furnish multi-vendor catalogs with volume discounts rather than single product shipments, and contracting language emphasizes compliance with accessibility standards, federal non-discrimination requirements, HIPAA confidentiality where applicable, and state-level veteran and small-business utilization goals.

Texas dominates the recent activity, with the Texas Workforce Commission's Vocational Rehabilitation Division issuing IFB 3202600146 for rehabilitation supplies (due June 3, 2026, anticipated annual compensation $350,000, renewable up to five years) and the Region 7 Purchasing Cooperative (Kilgore, Texas) posting Catalog Discount Bid SPE2628 (due October 1, 2026, estimated expenditure $2.7 million over two years, anticipated 99 awardees). Both solicitations require bidders to supply percentage discounts off published catalog pricing, deliver statewide on FOB Destination terms, and comply with mandatory subcontracting requirements under state veterans' business utilization programs. The TWC opportunity mandates pre-bid conference attendance as recommended (April 29, 2026) and E-Verify and workers'-compensation verification; the cooperative procurement accepts multiple vendors through electronic submission only or paper packet distribution.