Potential Distributor
Thank you for your interest in becoming an authorized AbilityOne distributor.
Administered by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind
or Severely Disabled, the AbilityOne Program creates jobs and training
opportunities for individuals who are blind or have other severe
disabilities. AbilityOne products are mandatory items under the Federal
Acquisition Regulations (FAR 8.7) and most carry the SKILCRAFT®
brand name. Contractors providing supplies for use by Federal Government
personnel are also required to provide mandatory items available
through the AbilityOne Program, according to FAR Part 52.208-9.
National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH (serving people
with a wide range of disabilities) are two central nonprofit agencies
that have been designated by the Committee to assist in the administration
of the AbilityOne Program. NIB and NISH provide technical and financial
assistance to more than 600 AbilityOne-participating nonprofit agencies
nationwide. These nonprofit agencies actually furnish the supplies
to the Government.
Historically, AbilityOne supplies were distributed by the General Services
Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). In
1995, the Committee clarified its regulations to allow the authorization
of other AbilityOne distributors, in conjunction with a new GSA "Desktop"
Schedule (75IIIA) and a few single award contracts for supplies
distribution. GSA has recently merged all of its office supply schedules
into one Schedule 75 II A. Hardware and janitorial items are provided
under GSA Schedule 51 Part V.
At this time, the recommended procedure for becoming a AbilityOne distributor
is to make an offer on a GSA Schedule either for office supplies
or hardware and janitorial supplies, or to receive an award from
another Federal agency in tandem with completing the AbilityOne Application
for Distributors which can be accessed below.
For more information about the AbilityOne Program and/or becoming an
authorized AbilityOne distributor, please contact Eric Beale at (703)
603-2119 or by e-mail at ebeale@abilityone.gov.
Answers to Distributor's Frequently Asked Questions are available
in the Distributor FAQ.
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