9.107 Surveys of nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program
Source: FAR 9.107 on acquisition.gov
Contracting offices must conduct or justify waiving capability surveys for AbilityOne nonprofit agencies before they are designated as mandatory sources, using Standard Form 1403 and reporting results to the Committee.
Overview
FAR 9.107 outlines the procedures for conducting capability surveys of nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program, which provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have severe disabilities. Before a nonprofit agency can be designated as a mandatory source for federal procurement under the AbilityOne Program, the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled must determine that the agency is capable of providing the required supplies or services. The Committee may request assistance from contracting offices to assess an agency's capabilities. Contracting offices must either request a capability survey using Standard Form 1403 or, if appropriate, waive the survey with supporting rationale. Completed surveys or waiver notices must be sent to the Committee's Executive Director.
Key Rules
- Committee Authority and Role
- The Committee determines which supplies/services must be procured from AbilityOne agencies and ensures these agencies are capable before designation.
- Contracting Office Responsibilities
- Upon Committee request, the contracting office must initiate a capability survey or provide a waiver with justification.
- Survey Requirements
- Capability surveys must focus on technical and production abilities and use Standard Form 1403.
- Reporting
- Results or waiver notices must be sent to the Committee's Executive Director.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Initiate and manage capability surveys or provide justified waivers; submit results to the Committee.
- Contractors (AbilityOne agencies): Undergo capability assessments as part of the mandatory source designation process.
- Agencies: Support the Committee in evaluating nonprofit agency capabilities and maintain documentation.
Practical Implications
- Ensures only qualified nonprofit agencies are added to the Procurement List, supporting program integrity.
- Contracting offices must be familiar with survey procedures and documentation requirements.
- Delays or incomplete surveys can impact procurement timelines and AbilityOne agency participation.
(a) The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee), as authorized by 41 U.S.C. chapter 85, determines what supplies and services Federal agencies are required to purchase from AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies serving people who are blind or have other severe disabilities (see subpart 8.7). The Committee is required to find an AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency capable of furnishing the supplies or services before the nonprofit agency can be designated as a mandatory source under the AbilityOne Program. The Committee may request a contracting office to assist in assessing the capabilities of a nonprofit agency.
(b) The contracting office, upon request from the Committee, shall request a capability survey from the activity responsible for performing preaward surveys, or notify the Committee that the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency is capable, with supporting rationale, and that the survey is waived. The capability survey will focus on the technical and production capabilities and applicable preaward survey elements to furnish specific supplies or services being considered for addition to the Procurement List.
(c) The contracting office shall use the https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/pre-award-survey-prospective-contractor-general" target="_blank">Standard Form 1403 to request a capability survey of organizations employing people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.
(d) The contracting office shall furnish a copy of the completed survey, or notice that the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency is capable and the survey is waived, to the Executive Director, Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.