How Defense Prime Contractors Participate in the AbilityOne Program

How Prime Contractors Participate in the AbilityOne Program

Department of Defense (DOD) prime contractors are allowed to receive credit towards their small business subcontracting goals if they subcontract with qualified nonprofit agencies participating in the AbilityOne Program. This authority can be found at 10 US Code 2410(d). DOD and other federal agencies are increasingly including an AbilityOne Program subcontracting goal in their solicitations. This presents an opportunity for prime contractors to access a skilled and dedicated labor pool through the AbilityOne Program while doing their part to help increase employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.

AbilityOne Vendor Capability & Capacity

AbilityOne Vendors are a network of nonprofit organizations and agencies that provide services to persons with disabilities, persons with special needs and the disadvantaged. They are generally community based and are operated independently, including many Lighthouses for the Blind, or as part of a national affiliate-based organization such as Easter Seals or Goodwill Industries.

These nonprofit agencies (NPAs) provide a wide range of services including vocational evaluation training & placement; mobility training; counseling; residential services; inclusive child care; medical, speech,  and physical therapies; elder care; recreation and travel; and much more.   Each organization has their own specific offering (or combination of offerings) for human services.

They also perform services and provide products via contractual arrangements with commercial industry, state and local government and the federal government.   Examples of services performed are Secure Mail Operations, Call Centers & Help Desks, Warehouse – Fulfillment and Supply Chain Logistics, Facility Support and Management (including custodial, grounds, O&M, etc. ); Fleet Management, etc.

Companies seeking subcontract credit with AbilityOne participating NPAs may also purchase office supplies, cleaning supplies or a wide range of military and government-unique products. The Procurement List [make hypertext link] provides a complete listing of products already manufactured under the AbilityOne Program today. However, manufacturing capabilities and capacity exceed our current listing, so interested contractors are encouraged to contact AbilityOne for more information.

AbilityOne is working with the VA and the Army Wounded Warrior Transitioning Program at a national and local level and has a long history of working with veterans and performing services for the Department of Defense. The NPAs would be a valuable source for many of the direct services and/or operation of the MOS requirement.

For more information about AbilityOne nonprofit agencies’ capabilities, you may also visit AbilityOne.org. POC – Joan Smith; 703-603-2132 or jsmith@abilityone.gov