FAR 8.700—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.700 is a scope provision that tells readers what Subpart 8.7 is about: it sets out the policies and procedures used to implement the statutory and regulatory framework for the AbilityOne program. Specifically, it ties the subpart to 41 U.S.C. chapter 85, which establishes the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, and to the Committee’s regulations at 41 CFR chapter 51. In practical terms, this means the subpart is the gateway to understanding how federal agencies acquire supplies and services from qualified nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or severely disabled. It does not itself create the detailed ordering, pricing, or source-selection rules; instead, it identifies the legal authorities that govern those rules and signals that contracting personnel must follow the AbilityOne program requirements when applicable. For contractors and contracting officers, the section matters because it defines the program’s legal foundation and makes clear that the subpart is intended to be read together with the Committee’s regulations, not in isolation.
Key Rules
Subpart implements AbilityOne law
This subpart exists to implement 41 U.S.C. chapter 85, which authorizes the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. The statute is the core legal basis for the AbilityOne program.
Committee regulations are incorporated
The subpart also implements the Committee’s rules at 41 CFR chapter 51. Those regulations supply the detailed program requirements that agencies and contracting personnel must follow.
Covers policies and procedures
The section makes clear that Subpart 8.7 is about policies and procedures, not just general guidance. It frames the subpart as the operational rule set for applying AbilityOne requirements in federal procurement.
Applies when AbilityOne is relevant
The scope is limited to acquisitions and procurement actions that fall under the AbilityOne program. When the program applies, the subpart governs how agencies must approach sourcing from the designated nonprofit agencies.
Responsibilities
Agency
Follow the policies and procedures in Subpart 8.7 when an acquisition is subject to the AbilityOne program, and apply the Committee’s regulations at 41 CFR chapter 51 as part of the governing framework.
Contracting Officer
Recognize when an acquisition falls within the AbilityOne framework and use the subpart together with the Committee’s regulations to guide procurement actions.
Contractor
Understand that procurements covered by this subpart are governed by the AbilityOne statutory and regulatory scheme, which may affect eligibility, sourcing, and performance expectations.
Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
Issue and maintain the regulations at 41 CFR chapter 51 that implement the AbilityOne program and provide the detailed rules referenced by this subpart.
Practical Implications
This section is a roadmap, not the full rulebook: users must look to 41 CFR chapter 51 and the rest of Subpart 8.7 for the operational requirements.
Contracting officers should use this scope provision early to determine whether an acquisition may be subject to AbilityOne before moving too far into planning or award.
A common pitfall is treating Subpart 8.7 as standalone guidance; it only works when read with the Committee’s regulations and the underlying statute.
Contractors should not assume ordinary procurement rules control if the requirement is on the AbilityOne procurement list or otherwise covered by the program.
Because the section is purely a scope statement, it is important for compliance teams to identify the applicable authorities before making sourcing, competition, or award decisions.
Official Regulatory Text
This subpart prescribes the policies and procedures for implementing– (a) 41 U.S.C. chapter 85 , Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled; and (b) The rules of the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (41 CFR Chapter 51), which implements the AbilityOne program.