AbilityOne Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind Or Severely Disabled

What is Abilityone Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind Or Severely Disabled?

The AbilityOne Committee is a federal entity responsible for determining which supplies and services U.S. government agencies are required to purchase from qualified nonprofit agencies that employ people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. This promotes employment and provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the federal procurement landscape.

Definition

The AbilityOne Committee, operating under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, identifies and adds products and services to the Procurement List. This list mandates federal agencies to purchase these items or services from AbilityOne-participating nonprofit agencies. The legal and regulatory basis is the JWOD Act, which aims to create and sustain employment for individuals with disabilities by directing federal procurement towards these organizations. For government contractors, understanding the AbilityOne program is crucial for identifying potential subcontracting opportunities and meeting socioeconomic goals within larger federal contracts.

Key Points

• Mandatory Source: The AbilityOne program establishes a mandatory source for specific products and services, meaning federal agencies are obligated to purchase from participating nonprofits.
• Procurement List: The Committee maintains a Procurement List which details the supplies and services covered by the AbilityOne program. Contractors should consult this list when seeking subcontracting partners or fulfilling socio-economic requirements.
• Socioeconomic Impact: The program promotes social responsibility and aligns with federal goals of increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Subcontracting Opportunities: Contractors may find opportunities to subcontract with AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit agencies to fulfill specific requirements within their own government contracts.

Practical Examples

1. Office Supplies Contract: A prime contractor securing an office supplies contract might subcontract the provision of certain paper products from an AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofit, ensuring compliance with socioeconomic goals.
2. Custodial Services Contract: A contractor providing custodial services to a federal building could partner with an AbilityOne organization to provide a portion of the cleaning staff, supporting the program's mission of employment for people with disabilities.
3. IT Services Contract: A prime contractor on an IT services contract might discover that an AbilityOne nonprofit provides data entry or digitization services, which can be used as a subcontractor to help fulfill the contract requirements.