FAR 8.705-1—General.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.705-1 explains how agencies must buy supplies on the AbilityOne Procurement List and who the required source is for those purchases. It covers the general rule that ordering offices must obtain listed supplies and services from the central nonprofit agency or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies, the special exception for items identified as available through DLA, GSA, or VA supply distribution facilities, the process to follow if a distribution facility cannot supply the item, and the separate obligation for DLA and GSA supply distribution facilities to source listed supplies through the central nonprofit agency or its designated participating nonprofit agency. In practice, this section implements the mandatory-source structure of the AbilityOne program and tells buyers where to place orders before considering any other source. It matters because it controls ordering channels, prevents improper direct buys from nonauthorized sources, and helps ensure compliance with the statutory priority for AbilityOne products. For contracting and supply personnel, the key operational issue is not just whether an item is on the Procurement List, but also whether it is routed through a distribution facility or directly through the designated nonprofit agency.
Key Rules
Buy from AbilityOne sources
Ordering offices must obtain supplies and services on the Procurement List from the central nonprofit agency or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies. This is the default rule for listed items and makes the AbilityOne source mandatory unless a specific distribution-facility exception applies.
Use DLA, GSA, or VA channels when listed
If a Procurement List supply is identified as available from DLA, GSA, or VA supply distribution facilities, the ordering office must obtain it through the applicable DLA, GSA, or VA procedures. The item is still a mandatory-source AbilityOne item, but the ordering path is through the designated distribution system.
Redirect if facility cannot supply
If the distribution facility cannot provide the supply, it must tell the ordering office. The ordering office must then order from the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency designated by the Committee, rather than seeking another nonauthorized source.
DLA and GSA must source properly
Supply distribution facilities in DLA and GSA must obtain Procurement List supplies from the central nonprofit agency identified or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency. This ensures the distribution system itself stays within the AbilityOne sourcing structure.
Responsibilities
Ordering offices
Obtain Procurement List supplies and services from the central nonprofit agency or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies, unless the item is identified for DLA, GSA, or VA distribution-facility procurement. If the distribution facility cannot supply the item, place the order with the Committee-designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency.
DLA supply distribution facilities
Obtain Procurement List supplies from the central nonprofit agency identified or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency, and follow the applicable distribution procedures for items assigned to DLA channels.
GSA supply distribution facilities
Obtain Procurement List supplies from the central nonprofit agency identified or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency, and follow the applicable distribution procedures for items assigned to GSA channels.
VA supply distribution facilities
Provide Procurement List supplies identified as available through VA distribution facilities under VA procedures; if unable to provide the supplies, notify the ordering office so it can order from the designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency.
Central nonprofit agency / designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies
Serve as the required source for Procurement List supplies and services when the item is not being obtained through an authorized DLA, GSA, or VA distribution facility channel.
Practical Implications
This section creates a mandatory-source workflow, so buyers should check the Procurement List and the item’s designated source before using any other procurement method.
A common mistake is treating DLA, GSA, or VA availability as optional; if the item is listed for those facilities, the order must go through those procedures first.
If a distribution facility cannot fill the requirement, the buyer should not start a new market search or buy elsewhere without authority; the next step is to order from the designated AbilityOne nonprofit agency.
Contracting and supply staff should keep source-designation data current, because the correct buying path depends on whether the item is assigned to a distribution facility or directly to the nonprofit agency.
This rule is operationally important for lead times and logistics: the required source may differ from the most convenient source, so planning ahead helps avoid delays and compliance errors.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Ordering offices shall obtain supplies and services on the Procurement List from the central nonprofit agency or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies, except that supplies identified on the Procurement List as available from DLA, GSA, or VA supply distribution facilities shall be obtained through DLA, GSA, or VA procedures. If a distribution facility cannot provide the supplies, it shall inform the ordering office, which shall then order from the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency designated by the Committee. (b) Supply distribution facilities in DLA and GSA shall obtain supplies on the Procurement List from the central nonprofit agency identified or its designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency.