U.S. AbilityOne Commission

The U.S. AbilityOne Commission today issued Compliance Policy 51.407, “Qualification Assessments and Enforcement Actions,” and its associated Procedure 51.407-01, which together continue the Commission’s modernization of AbilityOne Program compliance in accordance with the agency’s Strategic Plan for FY 2022-2026. This policy describes the rules and procedures governing nonprofit agency (NPA) qualification assessments overseen by the Commission and conducted by the Commission or the Central Nonprofit Agencies (CNAs). The policy also describes the administrative status and/or enforcement actions that may be prescribed by the Commission if NPAs are found out of compliance with AbilityOne Program requirements. This action finalizes draft versions of Policy 51.407 and Procedure 51.407-01 that the Commission issued for public feedback on June 7, 2024. Issuing such drafts is part of the wide-ranging stakeholder engagement the Commission has conducted, both within and beyond the AbilityOne Program, while modernizing compliance with the Program. The final policy and procedure reflect changes made in response to comments received. The effective date of both policy and procedure is January 1, 2025. The Commission will continue its dialogue with Program stakeholders as this policy is implemented. Establishing clear requirements for compliance with the Program is essential for modernization of the Program and for good governance. Policy 51.407, together with the six compliance policies the Commission revised and published in FY 2024, establishes the necessary framework for an effective Program that provides good jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. For more details, please see https://lnkd.in/eGfQYVRU

Join the U.S. AbilityOne Commission at our quarterly public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, 1-4 p.m. ET via Zoom. For the meeting’s public engagement session, the Commission invites public comments and suggestions on the topic: “Data Collection Through Updated Compliance Forms.” The discussion will cover the purpose and content of the Commission’s proposed data collection forms, which will be made available prior to the meeting. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We hope to see you there! Attendees requesting speaking time should register by Oct. 15, 2024. For all attendees, please register at: https://lnkd.in/esMrWyNQ

The U.S. AbilityOne Commission celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October. This year’s NDEAM theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” aligns with the AbilityOne Program vision: “Remain a trusted source of supply and services for Federal agencies while creating quality employment opportunities across all economic sectors for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.” For more about the AbilityOne Program and NDEAM, please see https://lnkd.in/egkFAcS5

The U.S. AbilityOne Commission today published a “Request for Information on Direct and Indirect Labor” in the Federal Register. The Commission is seeking information on proposed definitions of direct labor and categories of indirect labor; and ideas about categorizing employment tasks as direct labor or indirect labor on Federal contracts for the purposes of compliance with the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. The information provided in response to this request for information will inform the Commission as it seeks to modernize the AbilityOne Program. Comments must be received by October 22, 2024. The RFI is at https://lnkd.in/eNWgdMpp

We hope to see you at the U.S. AbilityOne Commission’s quarterly public meeting this afternoon, 1-4 p.m. ET via Zoom. For the meeting’s public engagement session, the Commission invites the public to suggest and discuss approaches and activities for the Commission to consider in order to continue modernizing the AbilityOne Program within the current statutory and regulatory framework. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We hope you’ll be able to join us! Please register at https://lnkd.in/gEwH95Ni  

Please join the U.S. AbilityOne Commission at our quarterly public meeting this Thursday, July 25, 2024, 1-4 p.m. ET via Zoom. For the meeting’s public engagement session, the Commission invites the public to suggest and discuss approaches and activities for the Commission to consider in order to continue modernizing the AbilityOne Program within the current statutory and regulatory framework. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We hope to see you there! Please register at https://lnkd.in/gEwH95Ni  

We hope you’ll join the U.S. AbilityOne Commission at our quarterly public meeting on Thursday, July 25, 2024, 1-4 p.m. ET via Zoom. For the meeting’s public engagement session, the Commission invites the public to suggest and discuss approaches and activities for the Commission to consider in order to continue modernizing the AbilityOne Program within the current statutory and regulatory framework. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We look forward to seeing you there! Please register at https://lnkd.in/gEwH95Ni  

Please join the U.S. AbilityOne Commission at our quarterly public meeting on Thursday, July 25, 2024, 1-4 p.m. ET via Zoom. For the meeting’s public engagement session, the Commission invites the public to suggest and discuss approaches and activities for the Commission to consider in order to continue modernizing the AbilityOne Program within the current statutory and regulatory framework. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We hope to see you there! Attendees requesting speaking time should register by July 17, 2024. For all attendees, please register at https://lnkd.in/gEwH95Ni  

Join the U.S. AbilityOne Commission at our quarterly public meeting on Thursday, July 25, 2024, 1-4 p.m. ET via Zoom. For the meeting’s public engagement session, the Commission invites the public to suggest and discuss approaches and activities for the Commission to consider in order to continue modernizing the AbilityOne Program within the current statutory and regulatory framework. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We hope to see you there! Attendees requesting speaking time should register by July 17, 2024. For all attendees, please register at https://lnkd.in/gEwH95Ni  

Tomorrow’s U.S. AbilityOne Commission quarterly public meeting will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET via Zoom. The public engagement session will cover two topics: (1) how digital accessibility and technology can support individuals who are blind or have disabilities in their jobs and (2) how advances in technology can support employee career development activities. The agenda also includes updates from the Commission Chairperson, Executive Director, and Inspector General. We hope to see you there! Please register at https://lnkd.in/eB2Ai3fC