[NFBWATlk] The [Seattle] Lighthouse Awarded Large Contract to Support GSA, to Open 6 More Locations - The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. - January 4, 2021

[Nightingale, Noel]

https://lhblind.org/the-lighthouse-awarded-large-contract-to-support-gsa-to-open-6-more-locations/
The Lighthouse Awarded Large Contract to Support GSA, to Open 6 More Locations
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
January 4, 2021

Despite the strain and challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lighthouse, with great leadership and incredible support from our customers, corporate partners, and donors, has been able to not only persevere, but even expand.
We are excited to announce that The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., through the AbilityOne Program, has been awarded a significant 4th Party Logistics (4PL) contract with the General Services Administration (GSA), serving the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Public Works Department (PWD).
This is a huge accomplishment and speaks to the success the Lighthouse has had in operations management. The Lighthouse's superior logistics skills, previous 4PL experience, and great record of supplying mission essential products to military customers up and down the West Coast through our BSC program position us well to serve GSA with this new endeavor.
The newly awarded contract allows the Lighthouse to open six new locations. Two of these locations will be specific to transportation products and services and are set to open on January 4, 2021 - stores Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) Transportation and Naval Air Station North Island Transportation.
Four remaining non-transportation locations in Coronado, NBSD, Naval Base Ventura County, and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, will open later in 2021.
These store locations will function similarly to the 11 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers that the Lighthouse operates.  Some of the new locations will have stocked product similar to BSCs, but others will function more like a kiosk or small office space, or warehouse space where base customers are served. Customers will be able to go online to view contract items and current inventory levels. Orders will be routed to a local GSA Representative while order assistance and product sourcing will be directed to the dedicated Lighthouse support team made up of Sales Associates, Purchasing Associates, and Store Managers.
What is a 4PL solution?
A Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) solution integrates all companies along the supply chain under a single point of oversight. With 4PL, GSA acts as a facilitator and/or manager of suppliers, identified as vendor partners, who provide products through a retail storefront where they retain ownership of the inventory until the point of sale. The 4PL program operates as the single contact for the flow of products, financial data, and other pertinent information to the customers.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. under this 4PL program, will deliver a comprehensive supply solution to support NAVFAC Southwest PWD.
What This Means for the Lighthouse Mission
Each step the Lighthouse takes towards growth, supports the mission to empower people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities by creating diverse, sustainable, and meaningful employment opportunities.
This contract means more jobs for people who are blind, additional revenue to help pay competitive wages, and more funding for employee and community support services like assistive technology training for our workforce, all while simultaneously fulfilling the needs of our government customers.