Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Goodwill Industries of North Georgia
Synopsis
For more than three decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has demonstrated what true partnership and mission-focused federal contracting can achieve. Through its longstanding AbilityOne® custodial services contract and its warehouse and logistics contract, the CDC and Goodwill Industries of North Georgia have built a strong working relationship rooted in service, quality, and opportunity. Together, these contracts meet essential needs for the federal government while creating meaningful, life-changing employment for dozens of people with disabilities.
The Full Story
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exemplifies outstanding commitment to employing and supporting individuals with disabilities through its AbilityOne contracts. As an organization that started in 1946 to prevent the spread of malaria across the United States, the CDC’s mission has evolved and expanded over the years and so has its commitment to disability employment.
The CDC has maintained a longstanding partnership with Goodwill Industries of North Georgia spanning more than 30 years for custodial services and 15 years for warehouse and logistics support. During that time, the CDC has demonstrated high standards of service quality while actively expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. That includes creating new positions and career advancement pathways in custodial, warehouse, and logistics services.
The CDC supports career development by creating clear advancement opportunities. The addition of the warehouse and logistics contract has enabled team members to grow beyond custodial roles into more technical positions such as clerical assistants, forklift operators, and materials coordinators. These pathways offer professional growth and encourage long-term employment and skill development, empowering individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.
This partnership also goes beyond just the contractual obligations. The CDC's trust in the AbilityOne workforce during crisis response also highlights a deep respect for the skills and professionalism of employees with disabilities. For example, following an active shooter incident in 2025, the CDC showed extraordinary confidence in the custodial team, immediately engaging them in the cleanup and recovery efforts. To expedite the safe return of CDC personnel, the team was entrusted with cleaning personal items and preparing impacted areas for terminal cleaning. This was critical work that showcased their reliability, professionalism, and essential role in emergency response.
When it comes to creating a positive workplace environment and how CDC professionals engage with AbilityOne employees, it's personal. The CDC staff are intentional about how they interact with and support their employees. One example of this happened during a fire alarm, when the contracting officer's representative (COR) took the time to personally locate and check on each AbilityOne team member to ensure their safety, demonstrating genuine care and concern for their well-being. The COR regularly attends team huddles to personally thank employees for their hard work, fostering a sense of recognition, dignity, and support. These small but meaningful gestures have a profound impact on morale and reinforce the value of each individual's contributions.
Through sustained contract growth, proactive career development, and meaningful engagement, the CDC stands out as a federal customer that meets operational needs and champions empowerment, support, and opportunity for people with disabilities. That’s why SourceAmerica® recognized the Center for Disease Control and Prevention with the 2026 Federal Customer Award which honors a federal customer who has provided opportunities and support for the employment of people with disabilities through an AbilityOne® contract for products or services.
The mention of the U.S. Government in this article does not imply endorsement by the government of the product or service provided by the nonprofit agency to the government.
