FAR 8.705-2—Direct-order process.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.705-2 explains the direct-order process under the AbilityOne Program, where a central nonprofit agency may give ordering offices written permission to place orders directly with a specific AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency for designated supplies or services. It covers who can authorize direct ordering, the fact that the authorization must be in writing, how long that authorization lasts, how it can be ended, and the requirement for the central nonprofit agency to state the normal delivery or performance lead time. It also tells the ordering office to build that lead time into its orders. In practice, this section streamlines ordering by allowing agencies to bypass an extra routing step while still preserving program oversight and ensuring the nonprofit agency has realistic time to deliver or perform. The section matters because it balances ordering efficiency with the AbilityOne Program’s need for controlled distribution, predictable scheduling, and compliance with nonprofit agency capabilities.
Key Rules
Written direct-order authority
A central nonprofit agency may authorize ordering offices to send orders directly to an AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency for specific supplies or services. The authorization must be written and tied to the particular items or services covered.
Authorization remains in effect
The written authorization stays valid until the central nonprofit agency or the Committee revokes it. Ordering offices may rely on it until that happens, but they should confirm it has not been withdrawn before placing orders.
Lead time must be specified
The central nonprofit agency must state the normal delivery or performance lead time required by the nonprofit agency. This ensures the ordering office knows the expected schedule for fulfillment.
Orders must reflect lead time
The ordering office must include the stated lead time in its orders. This means the order should allow enough time for delivery or performance based on the nonprofit agency’s normal production or service timeline.
Responsibilities
Central nonprofit agency
May authorize direct ordering for specific supplies or services, must issue the authorization in writing, must specify the normal delivery or performance lead time required by the nonprofit agency, and may revoke the authorization when appropriate.
Committee
May revoke the written authorization, ending the direct-order authority for the affected supplies or services.
Ordering office
May transmit orders directly to the designated AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency when authorized, and must reflect the specified lead time in the order.
AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency
Receives and fulfills direct orders under the authorization and must perform or deliver within the normal lead time identified by the central nonprofit agency.
Practical Implications
This section can speed up procurement by letting ordering offices place orders directly instead of routing them through an intermediary, but only when written authority exists.
A common pitfall is assuming direct-order authority is permanent; it can be revoked, so offices should verify current authorization before ordering.
Another risk is failing to account for the nonprofit agency’s normal lead time, which can cause unrealistic delivery dates, schedule slips, or order disputes.
Contracting and ordering personnel should keep the written authorization and lead-time information readily available in the file so the order record shows compliance.
Because the authorization is limited to specific supplies or services, users should not extend it by analogy to other items or services not covered by the written approval.
Official Regulatory Text
Central nonprofit agencies may authorize ordering offices to transmit orders for specific supplies or services directly to an AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency. The written authorization remains valid until it is revoked by the central nonprofit agency or the Committee. The central nonprofit agency shall specify the normal delivery or performance lead time required by the nonprofit agency. The ordering office shall reflect this lead time in its orders.