Tired of 508 Headaches? Here's How Smart Primes Leverage Accessibility for Winning Bids & Better Delivery Interstellar Design

Let’s get real.

Section 508 compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s a recurring migraine for prime contractors chasing federal contracts. You’ve been there: the audits, the vague feedback, the last-minute fixes, the fear of rejection. It’s exhausting. And for many, it’s the reason they dread digital deliverables.

But here’s the good news:
👉 508 compliance can actually be your secret weapon.
The smartest primes aren’t dodging accessibility—they’re using it to win.

Wait, What Is Section 508 Again?

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that all federal agencies’ electronic and information technology (EIT) is accessible to people with disabilities. That includes:

Websites
Web apps
PDFs
Software
Any ICT (Information and Communication Technology) you’re delivering

If you’re a federal contractor, 508 applies to you. No exceptions.

Learn more: section508.gov

Here’s the Problem (And Why It Hurts You)

Most primes treat accessibility like an afterthought. You build the product, then scramble to retrofit compliance when the client asks for a VPAT. You call in an outside consultant, delay your delivery, and hope the contract doesn’t go up in flames.

Sound familiar?

This approach is killing your margins. Worse, it’s costing you future bids.

Here’s the flip side…

Smart Primes Do This Instead

The most successful government contractors we’ve worked with don’t treat 508 as a box to check. They bake it into their DNA—and win more work because of it.

Here’s what they’re doing differently:

1. Accessibility is a Value Prop, Not a Cost

Instead of hiding accessibility in fine print, they lead with it. When an RFP drops, they confidently say:

“Our UX and dev teams are trained in WCAG 2.1 AA. Every product we ship includes a VPAT, user testing with assistive tech, and an accessibility roadmap.”

That’s gold for an agency struggling with lawsuits or audits.

2. They Start Early

Accessibility is part of the design and development workflow—not tacked on after QA. That means:

Semantic HTML
ARIA roles used properly
Contrast and color accessibility
Screen reader testing baked into sprints

This saves time, money, and last-minute failures.

3. They Build Trust

Agencies remember who made their lives easier. When you deliver an accessible product on time, you’re not just compliant—you’re a partner they want to keep.

“Compliant delivery is the new ‘on-time delivery.’”

4. They Win on Past Performance

Here’s a little-known RFP hack:
Agencies love referencing prior successful Section 508 deliveries. It’s a credibility marker.

If you can say, “We’ve delivered 5 compliant platforms across HHS, VA, and DHS,” you’re already on the shortlist.

Bonus: It’s a UX Power Move

Here’s what the big players know:
Accessible design = better UX.

Clearer navigation
Better structure
Faster page loads
Happier users (regardless of disability)

And guess what? That helps everyone, including busy federal employees using outdated browsers and weird security settings.

Tools Smart Primes Use

Want to stop guessing and start winning?

Here are some go-to tools you should integrate today:

axe DevTools – Automated accessibility checks
WAVE – Browser extension to test pages
VPAT Template – Fill this out before the agency asks
NVDA – Free screen reader to test your interface
Color Contrast Checker – Simple but essential

Here’s the Playbook You Need to Run

You want to win more bids, deliver better products, and stop dreading 508 compliance? Follow this framework:

Step	Action
1	Do an accessibility audit of your current portfolio
2	Upskill your team on WCAG & 508 (start with designers + devs)
3	Integrate accessibility checks into your CI/CD pipeline
4	Create your own internal VPAT library
5	Make accessibility part of your bid language

Want help making your proposal stand out? We do that.

Final Word: Compliance Is Table Stakes. Leadership Wins Deals.

Federal agencies aren’t just looking for compliance anymore. They’re looking for contractors who lead with confidence, clarity, and commitment to digital equity.

508 headaches won’t disappear overnight. But if you do it right, they’ll disappear from your client’s inbox—and that’s why they’ll hire you again.