FAR 18.107—AbilityOne specification changes.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 18.107 is a narrow emergency-relief provision tied to the AbilityOne program. It addresses one specific topic: when a contracting officer must change an AbilityOne specification or product/service description to meet an emergency need, the officer is not required to provide the normal notification otherwise required by FAR 8.712(d). In practice, this means the government can move faster when urgent mission needs arise and the usual notice process would delay response. The section does not create a new AbilityOne ordering rule or change the underlying priority of mandatory sources; it simply removes a procedural notice requirement in the emergency context. Its practical significance is that it helps contracting officers avoid delay during urgent situations while still operating within the AbilityOne framework. Contractors and agencies should understand that this is an exception for emergencies, not a general waiver of coordination or documentation expectations.
Key Rules
Emergency needs override notice
When a change to an AbilityOne specification or description is needed to meet an emergency requirement, the contracting officer is not bound by the notification requirement in FAR 8.712(d). The purpose is to allow immediate action when time-sensitive mission needs make advance notice impractical.
Limited procedural exception
This section only excuses the notice requirement; it does not eliminate other applicable AbilityOne or FAR requirements. Contracting officers should still follow any remaining procedures that can be accomplished without delaying the emergency response.
Applies to specification or description changes
The rule covers changes to AbilityOne specifications or descriptions, meaning adjustments to the item or service definition used for ordering or acquisition. It is not a broad authority to alter the program structure or bypass AbilityOne sourcing rules generally.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the requirement is truly an emergency and, if so, proceed without the notification otherwise required by FAR 8.712(d) when changing an AbilityOne specification or description. The contracting officer should still document the emergency basis and comply with any other applicable acquisition requirements that do not conflict with the urgent need.
Agency
Support urgent procurement actions and ensure internal processes do not slow emergency response. The agency should maintain awareness that this is a narrow exception and should preserve records showing why the emergency exception was used.
AbilityOne stakeholders
Recognize that emergency-driven changes may occur without the usual advance notice. They should be prepared to coordinate after the fact as needed and understand that the exception is limited to the notification requirement.
Practical Implications
This provision lets contracting officers act quickly in emergencies without waiting for the normal AbilityOne notice process.
A common pitfall is treating any schedule pressure as an emergency; the exception should be reserved for genuine urgent needs.
Even when notice is excused, the contracting officer should still document the emergency rationale in the contract file.
The rule does not authorize ignoring other mandatory-source or AbilityOne requirements that remain applicable.
Contractors and program stakeholders should expect that emergency changes may be made first and explained afterward.
Official Regulatory Text
Contracting officers are not held to the notification required when changes in AbilityOne specifications or descriptions are required to meet emergency needs. (See 8.712 (d).)