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Government Product/Service Accessibility Template (GPAT)

What does Government Product/Service Accessibility Template (GPAT) mean?

Government Product/Service Accessibility Template (GPAT) refers to the standardized document used by U.S. federal agencies during the procurement process to assess and ensure that electronic and information technology (EIT) products or services comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 508 mandates that federal agencies provide accessible technology to individuals with disabilities. The GPAT facilitates this by outlining specific accessibility requirements that vendors must address in their proposals.

How does the GPAT work?

The GPAT serves as a tool for federal contracting and procurement officials to:

  • Define accessibility requirements: Agencies include the GPAT in solicitations to specify the accessibility standards that products or services must meet.
  • Guide vendor responses: Vendors complete the GPAT by detailing how their offerings conform to each applicable Section 508 requirement, indicating levels of support and providing explanations.
  • Facilitate evaluation: The completed GPAT allows agencies to evaluate and compare the accessibility features of different products or services systematically.

The GPAT typically includes sections corresponding to various technical standards, such as software applications, web-based information, telecommunications products, and more. Each section prompts vendors to indicate compliance levels, such as "Supports," "Partially Supports," or "Does Not Support," and to provide remarks or explanations.

FAQs about GPAT

The GPAT is a government-generated template included in solicitations to outline required accessibility standards. In contrast, the VPAT is a vendor-created document that describes how a product or service conforms to accessibility standards. While both serve to assess accessibility, the GPAT is used to specify requirements, and the VPAT is used to demonstrate compliance.

When a federal agency includes the GPAT in a solicitation, vendors are typically required to complete it as part of their proposal to demonstrate how their offerings meet specified accessibility standards.

In some cases, agencies may accept a completed VPAT in lieu of a GPAT, especially if the VPAT provides comprehensive information on how the product or service meets the relevant accessibility standards. However, this depends on the agency's procurement policies and the specific requirements of the solicitation.

If a product does not fully meet Section 508 standards, agencies may still consider it if no fully compliant alternatives are available. In such cases, the agency must document the exception and provide alternative means of access to ensure individuals with disabilities can use the product or service effectively.

The GPAT template is available through resources like the BuyAccessible Wizard and various federal agency websites. These resources provide templates and guidance for completing the GPAT as part of the procurement process.