Do Ability One Npa Have To Be Registered In Sam

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FAQs

one. What is the AbilityOne Program?
2. Is the AbilityOne Program a priority program?
3. Does AbilityOne have priority over all other sources?
4. What is the authority to contract under the AbilityOne Program?
5. When is it appropriate to award a contract under the AbilityOne Programme?
6. What is the Procurement List?
vii. Where can Federal customers find the Procurement List and what are some examples of available products and services?
8. How long does the Procurement List improver process take?
9. How practice Federal customers order common-use products, such as office supplies, under the AbilityOne Program?
10. What are the benefits of contracting nether the AbilityOne Program?
11. Does AbilityOne back up Small Business?
12. Where exercise National Industries for the Blind and SourceAmerica^® (formerly NISH) derive their responsibilities under the AbilityOne Program?
13. Are Federal Authorities purchase carte holders exempt from the mandatory source requirements of the AbilityOne Program for products? What if the buy is at or below the micro-purchase threshold?
14. Is there a conflict betwixt utilizing the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) Blanket Purchasing Agreements (BPAs) and purchasing from AbilityOne Base of operations Supply Centers or AbilityOne Retail Stores?
15. When are prices for AbilityOne Program products and services inverse?
xvi. How are protests, disputes and appeals handled nether the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act?
17. Can Federal employees recommend products and/or services for addition to the Procurement List?
18. Are AbilityOne Program participating nonprofit agencies registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)?
xix. How do Department of Defense prime number contractors get credit for subcontracting with AbilityOne Program nonprofit agencies?
20. Tin can solicitations include clauses that encourage subcontracting with
AbilityOne?

1. What is the AbilityOne Plan?

The AbilityOne^® Program is amid the nation's largest sources of employment for people who are blind or have meaning disabilities. The Program is administered by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, the operating proper name for the Commission for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. Through a national network of approximately 500 nonprofit agencies, the plan provides the Federal Government products and services at off-white marketplace prices. The procurement of these products and services results in employment of approximately 45,000 individuals.

2. Is the AbilityOne Programme a priority program?

Yes, pursuant to the Javits-Wagner O'Day Human action (41 U.Southward.C. §§ 8501-8506), the Competition in Contracting Act (41 United states of americaC. 253) and implementing guidance in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the AbilityOne Programme has a priority. FAR viii.002, Priorities for Use of Government Supply Sources, prescribes the descending guild of priority for supplies and services to satisfy agency requirements.

iii. Does AbilityOne have priority over all other sources?

No. FAR 8.704 indicates that Federal Prison Industries (FPI) has priority over the AbilityOne Program for supplies (products) purchased. Contracting offices must obtain a formal waiver (FAR 8.604) from FPI before making any supply (production) purchases from AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies.

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4. What is the authority to contract nether the AbilityOne Plan?

Nether the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA): AbilityOne procurements are considered "other than competitive" procurements under the Contest in Contracting Deed (CICA), which authorizes certain exceptions to full and open competition. The implementing guidance is in FAR half dozen.302-5, which states that full and open competition demand non be provided for when a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the conquering exist made through another bureau or from a specified source. Qualified nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or severely disabled are explicitly listed every bit an authorized application of this exception in accordance with the JWOD Act and FAR Subpart 8.7. DoD contracting activities should utilise ten UsaC. 2304 (c)(5) every bit the exception on honor documents.

Under FAR 8.7:
FAR Subpart 8.7 provides implementing guidance for the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Deed (41 U.S.C. 46-48c). FAR 8.704, Purchase priorities, states that the Javits-Wagner-O'Solar day Act requires the Government to buy supplies or services on the Procurement List, at prices established by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, from AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies if they are bachelor within the menstruum required.

Under the Lawmaking of Federal Regulations (CFR):
Chapter 51 of Championship 41 of the CFR provides the regulations specific to the Federal agency that oversees the AbilityOne Programme, operating equally the U.S. AbilityOne Committee. 41 CFR 51-five.2 states that nonprofit agencies designated by the Commission are mandatory sources of supply for all entities of the Government for commodities and services included on the Procurement List.

Under the Defense force Federal Acquisition Regulation System (DFARS) Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI):
The PGI at 207.105 states that written acquisition plans should include consideration of the AbilityOne Programme.

5. When is it advisable to laurels a contract under the AbilityOne Program?

At what point in the process is a contract awarded for an AbilityOne projection? A contract tin exist awarded (orders can exist placed) at whatever point after the effective date of the Procurement Listing add-on. This appointment is listed in the final Federal Annals notice and is also on the notice of improver that is sent to the Contracting Activity.

six. What is the Procurement List?

The U.Due south. AbilityOne Commission maintains a Procurement List of products and services which have been placed in the AbilityOne Programme, equally referenced in FAR 8.002 and Subpart 8.7. Federal agencies must purchase supplies or services on the Procurement Listing, at prices established by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, from designated nonprofit agencies as long as those supplies and services are available within the period required.

7. Where can Federal customers notice the Procurement Listing and what are some examples of bachelor products and services?

The consummate Procurement Listing is available to view and download on the website of the U.Due south. AbilityOne Committee, which is www.abilityone.gov. Many AbilityOne common-use products included on the Procurement Listing are as well clearly identified in the print and electronic catalogs of AbilityOne-authorized Federal and commercial distributors, such as GSA Reward!™ (world wide web.gsaadvantage.gov), GSA
Global Supply (www.gsaglobalsupply.gsa.gov), DODEMALL (https://dod-emall.dla.mil), and world wide web.abilityone.com.

Current product lines include aircraft and vehicular equipment and supplies, wearable, textiles and individual equipment, food processing, packaging and distribution, hardware and equipment, office products (due east.g. pens, binder clips, newspaper products, etc.), environmentally friendly and recycled products (e.g. biodegradable disposable cutlery), military-specific products (such as chemical protective over garments and cold weather infantry kits) and medical supplies (such every bit catheters and surgical masks). Services include contract 26 AbilityOne Procurement Guide for the Department of Defence force Affiliate 4: Oft Asked Questions 27 direction support (close-out), custodial, administrative services, contact centers, document management services, fleet direction, nutrient service, full facility management, grounds maintenance, healthcare environmental/hospital services, laundry services, secure post/digital document services, and supply chain management. A list of AbilityOne Capabilities is provided in Chapter 3.

viii. How long does the Procurement List add-on process take?

The fourth dimension it takes to consummate the Procurement List addition process can vary depending on several factors that may demand to exist considered before adding a product or service to the Procurement Listing. In one case a production or service is identified for possible addition, the process tin can take between six and twelve months to finalize. This includes submission to the Committee, whose procedure takes 85–120 days, including analysis, decision and public notice and comment via Federal Register notices.

nine. How do Federal customers order common-use products, such every bit office supplies, under the AbilityOne Plan?

The AbilityOne Program has partnered with the General Services Administration (GSA) to contain AbilityOne products into the Federal Supply Schedules requirements for commercial distributors of office supplies, cleaning products and many other normally used items. Many AbilityOne products are bachelor electronically through catalogs of AbilityOne-authorized Federal commercial distributors here, GSA
Advantage!™ at world wide web.gsaadvantage.gov, GSA Global Supply at world wide web.gsaglobalsupply.gsa.gov, DODEMALL at https://dod-emaill.dla.mil, and www.abilityone.com.

10. What are the benefits of contracting nether the AbilityOne Programme?

Contracts under the AbilityOne Programme offer Federal customers high quality products available through a diversity of distributors at reasonable prices and delivered when needed. AbilityOne service contracts offer a stable workforce dedicated to quality and client satisfaction. The provisions of the program enable a long-term supplier human relationship, eliminating the need to re-compete the contract. Finally, contracting with the AbilityOne Programme allows people who are blind or have other significant disabilities an opportunity to gain meaningful employment, pb more independent lives, reduce dependence on government social programs and become taxpayers.

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xi. Does AbilityOne support Small Business?

Yes. AbilityOne nonprofit agencies farm and partner with small businesses. The program has initiatives underway to increment collaborative opportunities with pocket-sized concern. A survey of our nonprofit agencies — representing 48% of the Program'due south largest agencies — plant that among that grouping, 25% of farm dollars or $217M was awarded to small businesses. Additionally, approximately 250 modest businesses are part of the AbilityOne Program's commercial distribution network.

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12. Where practise National Industries for the Bullheaded and SourceAmerica derive their responsibilities nether the AbilityOne Plan?

The Javits-Wagner-O'Solar day Act (41 U.s.a.C. 46-48c) authorizes the U.Southward. AbilityOne Commission to designate 1 or more than "central nonprofit agencies" (CNAs) to help community-based nonprofit agencies serving people who are blind or have other severe disabilities participating in the AbilityOne Plan. The Commission has designated National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and SourceAmerica to fulfill CNA responsibilities as listed in 41 CFR Part 51-3. These responsibilities include evaluating nonprofit agency capabilities, providing nonprofit agencies with technical assistance and allocating government orders amidst them. NIB and SourceAmerica also provide their associated agencies with many other services, including: assistance in complying with the Javits-Wagner-O'Mean solar day Act and Federal contract provisions. The CNAs also provide training and regulatory assistance; communications and public relations materials; it support; technology, financial and technical assistance.

thirteen. Are Federal Government purchase card holders exempt from the mandatory source requirements of the AbilityOne Program for products? What if the purchase is at or below the micro-purchase threshold?

No. The statutory requirement to buy AbilityOne products is universal and applies to whatsoever dollar amount. Government buy card holders are — like all other Federal employees — required to buy AbilityOne products provided past designated nonprofit agencies through one of the many distribution channels. Federal personnel should non apply their purchase cards to buy items that are essentially the same as AbilityOne products at local commercial businesses unless the products required are non available through the AbilityOne Program. Purchase card holders can obtain AbilityOne products from Base Supply Centers and AbilityOne Retail Stores located on military installations and in Federal buildings, as well every bit through diverse Cyberspace and catalog distribution channels. For more data, visit www.abilityone.gov.

xiv. Is at that place a conflict betwixt utilizing the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) Blanket Purchasing Agreements (BPAs) and purchasing from AbilityOne Base of operations Supply Centers or AbilityOne Retail Stores?

No. All of these sources are required to provide office and general supplies in accordance with statute and the Procurement List. Thus, when you purchase office supplies from any of these channels, yous are able to fulfill your requirements and to comply with the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Human activity. AbilityOne Base Supply Centers and Retail Stores are on installations or in Federal buildings to expediently provide products to Federal customers. Items are stocked and immediately available for pick-upward or delivery. 28 AbilityOne Procurement Guide for the Department of Defense Chapter 4: Frequently Asked Questions 29

15. When are prices for AbilityOne Program products and services changed?

Prices for AbilityOne products and services are unremarkably changed in conjunction with the contract period. The preferred method for establishing base prices is by negotiation between the producing nonprofit agency and the contracting activity with the assistance of NIB or SourceAmerica. The method of determining future prices volition be a part of those negotiations.

16. How are protests, disputes and appeals handled under the Javits-Wagner-O'Solar day Act?

Issues related to daily contract performance should be resolved at the contracting activity and nonprofit working levels wherever possible. Nib and SourceAmerica are available and recommended every bit sources to facilitate the resolution. Whatsoever contractual protestation before or after award, or any contractual dispute or appeal is the responsibleness of the Contracting Officer equally guided by the Contracts Disputes Act, unless the provisions are in conflict with the Javits-Wagner-O'24-hour interval Human action or regulations. Any AbilityOne price or toll related dispute must exist resolved through the Commission's Impasse Resolution Process, and should exist brought to the attention of the Committee staff.

17. Tin can Federal employees recommend products and/or services for addition to the Procurement Listing?

Yes. The Code of Federal Regulations (41 CFR Function 51- 5.ane(a)) encourages acquisition and procurement professionals to recommend products and services for procurement by the regime from nonprofit agencies under the AbilityOne Program. Recommendations should be sent to the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, NIB or SourceAmerica.

18. Are AbilityOne Program participating nonprofit agencies registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)?

Yes, all AbilityOne-participating nonprofit agencies are registered in the CCR, a fundamental repository of all companies and agencies currently performing, or seeking to perform, business with the Federal Authorities.

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nineteen. How do Section of Defense prime contractors become credit for subcontracting with AbilityOne Plan nonprofit agencies?

Department of Defense (DoD) prime contractors are allowed to receive credit toward their pocket-size business subcontracting goals if they subcontract with qualified nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program. This authority can be constitute at 10 US Code 2410d.

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20. Can solicitations include clauses that encourage subcontracting with
AbilityOne?

Yes. Organizations can develop their own unique clauses. Click here for examples (PDF).

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