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.
