How Defense Prime Contractors Participate in the AbilityOne Program

Department of Defense (DOD) prime contractors are now 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).

The Defense Logistics Agency has added a clause to its solicitations that informs offerors of this opportunity to support AbilityOne associated nonprofit agencies through their subcontracting programs. The clause (DLAD 52.215.9004)(DEC 1997) stems from DLA PROCLTR 97-34, the second in a series of guidance letters on supporting the AbilityOne Program. DLA was looking for innovative ways to work with the AbilityOne Program and to "provide AbilityOne agencies a maximum practicable opportunity to participate as subcontractors." Please note that subcontracting with AbilityOne is encouraged, not required. The DLA Acquisition Policy point of contact is Mary Massaro (703) 767-1366.

Subcontracting Possibilities

AbilityOne subcontracts are easiest to envision in terms of a facilities management contractor that subcontracts with a AbilityOne-participating agency for janitorial or groundskeeping services; or an industrial prime vendor (integrator) that subcontracts with AbilityOne manufacturing agencies for certain products needed. Some more innovative approaches would be for a contractor to subcontract with a AbilityOne-participating agency that provides temporary administrative services or website development/maintenance (both areas in which several AbilityOne-participating agencies have capabilities.) Other services available from AbilityOne include copy center operation, warehousing and distribution, data entry, recycling, laundry, and food services.

DoD contractors may also support the AbilityOne Program by agreeing to purchase AbilityOne office or cleaning supplies from AbilityOne authorized commercial distributors.

For more information on purchasing unique products, please contact the Product Development Team at either National Industries for the Blind (NIB) or NISH Headquarters. For more information on service subcontracting, please contact the Service Development staff at the appropriate NIB or NISH Regional Office.