FAR 8.701—Definitions.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.701 is the definitions section for the AbilityOne Program subpart, and it establishes the meaning of the core terms used throughout the program’s ordering and procurement rules. It defines how an "allocation" works, identifies the two "central nonprofit agencies" (NIB and NISH), explains what the "Committee" is, and clarifies the broad meaning of "Government" or "entity of the Government" for purposes of the subpart. It also defines an "ordering office," which is the part of the Government that places orders under the AbilityOne Program, and the "Procurement List," which is the official list of supplies and services the Committee has determined are suitable for mandatory Government purchase under the program. Finally, it defines the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies—nonprofit agencies serving people who are blind or have other severe disabilities—that are approved to furnish commodities or services to the Government. In practice, these definitions matter because they determine who is covered, who may place orders, which products and services must be bought through the program, and how the nonprofit supply chain is organized and administered.
Key Rules
Allocation by central nonprofit agency
An allocation is the action by a central nonprofit agency assigning specific AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies to furnish definite quantities of supplies or perform specific services when ordering offices place orders. This is the mechanism that connects Government demand to the nonprofit providers designated to fulfill it.
Two central nonprofit agencies
The subpart recognizes two central nonprofit agencies: NIB for agencies representing people who are blind, and NISH for agencies serving people with severe disabilities other than blindness. These entities coordinate the program’s nonprofit participants and help manage fulfillment assignments.
Committee controls the program
The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled is the body referenced simply as the "Committee." It is the authority that determines which supplies and services belong on the Procurement List and approves qualified nonprofit agencies to furnish them.
Government is broadly defined
"Government" or "entity of the Government" includes legislative and judicial branch entities, executive agencies, military departments, Government corporations, independent establishments, the U.S. Postal Service, and nonappropriated-fund instrumentalities of the Armed Forces. This broad definition ensures the subpart applies across most Federal purchasing activities.
Ordering offices place AbilityOne orders
An ordering office is any activity within an entity of the Government that places orders for supplies or services under the AbilityOne Program. This term identifies the operational buyers who must follow the program’s ordering requirements.
Procurement List drives mandatory purchases
The Procurement List is the official list of supplies, including military resale commodities, and services the Committee has determined are suitable for Government purchase under 41 U.S.C. chapter 85. Items on this list are the ones that trigger AbilityOne purchasing obligations.
Qualified nonprofit agencies furnish items
AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies are qualified nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or have other severe disabilities and approved by the Committee to furnish a commodity or service to the Government. Only these approved entities may supply items under the program.
Responsibilities
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
Determine which supplies and services are suitable for Government purchase under the AbilityOne Program, maintain the Procurement List, and approve qualified nonprofit agencies to furnish listed items.
Central nonprofit agencies (NIB and NISH)
Allocate work among AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies by designating which agencies will furnish specific quantities of supplies or perform specific services for ordering offices.
Ordering offices
Place orders for AbilityOne supplies and services in accordance with the Procurement List and the allocations made by the central nonprofit agencies.
AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies
Furnish approved commodities or services to the Government as designated and approved under the program, using qualified employment of people who are blind or have other severe disabilities.
Government entities covered by the definition
Recognize that the subpart applies broadly across covered branches and instrumentalities, and ensure their purchasing activities that fall within the definition of ordering office comply with AbilityOne requirements.
Practical Implications
Contracting personnel must first determine whether the buyer is an "ordering office" and whether the item or service is on the Procurement List before selecting a source.
Because "Government" is defined broadly, AbilityOne requirements can apply outside traditional executive agencies, including the Postal Service and certain nonappropriated-fund activities.
The distinction between the Committee and the central nonprofit agencies matters: the Committee sets policy and approves items/providers, while NIB and NISH handle allocation and coordination.
A common pitfall is assuming any nonprofit can provide an AbilityOne item; only Committee-approved participating nonprofit agencies may furnish listed commodities or services.
Another frequent issue is overlooking military resale commodities, which are expressly included in the Procurement List definition and can therefore be subject to AbilityOne purchasing rules.
Official Regulatory Text
As used in this subpart- Allocation means an action taken by a central nonprofit agency to designate the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies that will furnish definite quantities of supplies or perform specific services upon receipt of orders from ordering offices. Central nonprofit agency means National Industries for the Blind (NIB), which has been designated to represent people who are blind; or NISH, which has been designated to represent AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies serving people with severe disabilities other than blindness. "Committee" means the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. Government or "entity of the Government" means any entity of the legislative or judicial branch, any executive agency, military department, Government corporation, or independent establishment, the U.S. Postal Service, or any nonappropriated-fund instrumentality of the Armed Forces. Ordering office means any activity in an entity of the Government that places orders for the purchase of supplies or services under the AbilityOne Program. Procurement List means a list of supplies (including military resale commodities) and services that the Committee has determined are suitable for purchase by the Government under 41 U.S.C. chapter 85. Nonprofit agency serving people who are blind or "nonprofit agency serving people with other severe disabilities" (referred to jointly as AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies) means a qualified nonprofit agency employing people who are blind or have other severe disabilities approved by the Committee to furnish a commodity or a service to the Government under 41 U.S.C. chapter 85 .