federal contracts Archives

Congresswoman Bice Recognized for Support of Disability Employment Program

Posted on November 21, 2023November 21, 2023 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Congresswoman becomes Oklahoma’s third current delegate with the distinction.

Honoring her commitment to a federal program designed to increase employment opportunities of people with disabilities, Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), along with NewView Oklahoma, proudly presented the AbilityOne® Congressional Champion Award to Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) in her district office.

Congresswoman Bice demonstrated her support of the AbilityOne® Program through use of products made by partner agencies, as well as a site visit at Tinker Air Force Base in August, where she learned about DRTC’s custodial and food service contracts, and NewView Oklahoma’s products including wooden airplane chocks, hydraulic hoses and more.

“Supporting the AbilityOne® Program provides another voice that promotes disability-inclusion in the workplace and community,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. “We’re thankful Congresswoman Bice has placed this priority on a historically under-represented part of the workforce.”

Congresswoman Bice joins Senator James Lankford and Congressman Tom Cole as Oklahoma’s current delegates to hold the distinction from the AbilityOne® Program, which employs nearly 60,000 people nationwide through 575 nonprofit agencies (SourceAmerica®, Fiscal Year 2022).

“I am honored to receive the AbilityOne Congressional Champion Award,” said Congresswoman Bice. “AbilityOne employees are crucial in the day-to-day operations at Tinker Air Force Base and at numerous other facilities throughout the United States. I was overjoyed to have the ability to meet many of these inspiring individuals and l will continue working to support them during my time in Congress.”

According to a recent Mathematica report, the AbilityOne® Program generates $2.66 to the federal government for every $1 spent on the program. DRTC has a total economic impact of $2 million through its federal contracts held through SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program (Mathematica Socioeconomic Impact Evaluation Report).

DRTC has held the food service contract at Tinker Air Force Base for 30-years, preparing meals for military and civilian personnel around-the-clock. In addition, DRTC holds custodial contracts at Tinker Air Force Base, the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and the Federal Courthouse, Federal Post Office, the Oklahoma City Federal Building, and the Murrah Plaza in downtown Oklahoma City. Combined, nearly 300 staff work on these contracts.

NewView Oklahoma, a National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and AbilityOne® associated agency, provides employment for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. The agency employs 120 full-time employees through AbilityOne® contracts, and 186 employees organization-wide.

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice tours AbilityOne® Program at Tinker Air Force Base

Posted on August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) spent part of her August recess learning how people with disabilities serve as a critical component for the federal government and the United States military.

Rep. Bice recently toured Vanwey Dining Facility, operated by Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), at Tinker Air Force Base. DRTC has held the food service contract through SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Program, for 30-years, preparing meals for military and civilian personnel around-the-clock. In addition, DRTC holds custodial contracts at TAFB, cleaning 188 buildings on base in support of the mission at Tinker.

NewView Oklahoma, a National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and AbilityOne® associated agency, participated in Rep. Bice’s visit as well. NewView Oklahoma provides employment for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. The agency employs 120 full-time employees through AbilityOne® contracts, and 186 employees organization-wide. Those employees serve in various capacities through service contracts at military installations across the country, including Tinker Air Force Base. NewView also offers employment through their Oklahoma City manufacturing plant where they manufacture a diverse range of products including wooden airplane chalks, DLA hoses, hydraulic hoses, high pressure hoses, sanitation products, survival kits, first aid kits, and more.

AbilityOne® Program employees from both DRTC and NewView Oklahoma spoke with Congresswoman Bice about the importance of the employment program in their lives. Rep. Bice also learned more about the AbilityOne® Program from DRTC Executive Director/CEO Deborah Copeland, M.Ed., and NewView Oklahoma President & CEO Lauren Branch and how people with disabilities have gained meaningful employment through contracts via SourceAmerica® and NIB.

DRTC employs approximately 200 people at Tinker Air Force Base, among its three contracts on base.

“Through employment, our staff have been able to support their families, advance their careers, and develop their skills,” said Deborah Copeland. Executive Director and CEO of DRTC. “The AbilityOne® Program continues to prove its worth, generating $2.66 to the federal government for every one-dollar spent on the program.” (Mathematica Socioeconomic Impact Evaluation Report)

The unemployment rate for Americans living with vision-related disabilities is 67%; that equates to more than 48,000 Oklahomans eligible but not participating in the workforce. “The AbilityOne® program is a vital federal program that protects and encourages the employment of individuals living with disabilities. Without it, many of our neighbors would remain unemployed,” said Lauren Branch, President and CEO of NewView Oklahoma.

DRTC recognized Col. Abigail Ruscetta, Commander, 72^nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Congresswoman Bice, and Senator Markwayne Mullin (whose staff attended the event) with a commemorative acrylic manufactured at the agency’s headquarters located at 2501 N. Utah Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Man smiling in front of kitchen smiling wearing DRTC shirt.

Rep. Bice smiling listening to DRTC employees speak in kitchen area.

Providing Essential Workers During the Pandemic and Beyond

Posted on May 13, 2022February 17, 2023 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Frontline workers at DRTC (also known as Dale Rogers Training Center) have been extremely busy since the pandemic, picking up the now familiar title essential worker along the way.

DRTC holds federal contracts providing custodial at Tinker Air Force Base, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center at FAA, US Marshals and several federal buildings in downtown Oklahoma City. Chances are, if you’ve passed through these areas, DRTC played a role in its upkeep—all 7.1 million square feet! In addition, DRTC provides food service through another federal contract at Tinker Air Force Base, serving a wide variety of meals to military personnel 24/7/365.

Total, DRTC employs approximately 300 at these federal contract locations. As part of these contracts through SourceAmerica®, 75% of those employees have a disability. They provide mission-support to help keep vital government and military functions running smoothly. Through innovative internal programs, DRTC provides tailored on-the-job training, job advancement and employment opportunities.

Spearheading many of these changes is DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed. Since officially stepping into her role at the beginning of 2020, Copeland has navigated the agency through the pandemic, pivoting services and programs, but never losing sight of the agency’s mission of supporting people with disabilities through employment opportunities. Additionally, Copeland has become a leading voice in disability-inclusive workplaces as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Founded in 1953, DRTC is making plans for a 70^th Anniversary celebration in 2023 that will honor disability-inclusive employers. If your business needs assistance with hiring and diversifying your talent pool, we have the right applicants for your needs. DRTC’s Employment Services Program helps transition qualified applicants into new jobs throughout the metro at no additional cost to employers. We’re also a great resource for accommodations and accessibility! Learn more at DRTC.org.

DRTC (Dale Rogers Training Center), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, promotes a more disability-inclusive workplace and community. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves, or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Essential Gratitude

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Essential Worker t-shirt being screen printed at DRTC.

Employees at Dale Rogers Training Center’s (DRTC) federal contracts have some new threads for the new year. DRTC, a private nonprofit agency that employs, trains and serves approximately 1,000 people with disabilities or limiting conditions in Oklahoma, recently distributed gifts bags that included shirts celebrating the essential workers. Those shirts were screen printed at DRTC’s main campus in Oklahoma City.

When the pandemic officially shuttered operations of several industries nationwide beginning in March 2020, one key group remained on the frontlines: essential workers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has several categories of essential critical infrastructure workers, which includes food service and custodial staff. DRTC employs approximately 300 such staff at its federal contracts at Tinker Air Force Base, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center at FAA and federal buildings located in downtown Oklahoma City. These staff stepped up their game during the pandemic, cleaning areas more frequently and following site-based guidance regarding dining options, as well as proper safety protocols.

“We can’t thank the crews enough for their dedication during these trying times,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed.

Employees at DRTC’s federal contract locations work in a variety of positions with many opportunities for advancement. These jobs are available through SourceAmerica®, which requires 75% of staff to have a documented disability.

“People with disabilities are an essential workforce in Oklahoma and now, more than ever, we understand how important their contribution is to our critical infrastructure,” said Copeland.

View job openings and apply online at https://www.drtc.org/now-hiring. Our new Employment Guide featuring jobs at our Federal Contracts locations is online now!

Staff on cover image: Cody, Andrea, Sharon, LaShonda, Dylan, Corey

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves or employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

DRTC introduces Chief of Contract Services

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), an entrepreneurial nonprofit agency that promotes independence through employment for people with disabilities, announces the hiring of its new Chief of Contract Services.

Kevin Sonntag

Kevin Sonntag joins the agency to provide leadership for DRTC’s federal contracts at multiple locations including Tinker Air Force Base, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center at FAA, US Marshals and federal buildings downtown. Sonntag will also continue to build on DRTC’s long-standing relationship with SourceAmerica®, a national nonprofit that helps link the federal government to private sector organizations as they seek to procure services through AbilityOne®.

“Kevin brings a very dynamic combination of experience and expertise to the agency and our federal contracts,” said DRTC Executive Director Deborah Copeland, M.Ed.

Sonntag most recently served as Director of Population Health & Analytics at NorthCare where he supported the agency’s transition to value-based care through improving data-driven leadership capabilities and leading population health and analytics projects. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and has led a team of therapists at Sunbeam Family Services as Director of Counseling. Sonntag received his BBA in Management-Human Resources from Texas A&M University and completed his MA in Counseling at Denver Seminary.

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, is Oklahoma’s leading community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains, serves and employs approximately 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.

Tag: federal contracts

Congresswoman Bice Recognized for Support of Disability Employment Program

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice tours AbilityOne® Program at Tinker Air Force Base

Providing Essential Workers During the Pandemic and Beyond

Essential Gratitude

DRTC introduces Chief of Contract Services

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