Shopping List Grows: More Gigs for Blind and Disabled Nonprofits
Published Date: 9/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The government wants to add new services to a special list that helps nonprofits hire people who are blind or have serious disabilities. This means these nonprofits will get more chances to provide important work, supporting good causes and creating jobs. Keep an eye out for when these changes take effect and how they might impact spending.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More Government Contracts for Disability-Run Nonprofits
The Committee is proposing to add service(s) to the Procurement List that will be furnished by nonprofit agencies that employ persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. This means those nonprofit suppliers may get additional opportunities to provide services for the government and to employ people with blindness or severe disabilities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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The AbilityOne Program is updating rules so central nonprofit agencies must get written approval before charging fees, making things clearer and easier when subcontracting work. These changes help nonprofits save time and reduce paperwork, affecting agencies involved in AbilityOne starting soon. Comments on these updates are open until June 1, 2026, so jump in and share your thoughts!
2026-20252, Public Meeting
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2026-20090, Procurement List; Deletions
Starting November 1, 2026, the government will stop buying certain products and services from nonprofit groups that employ people who are blind or severely disabled. This change removes a remanufactured toner cartridge and a stamp packaging service from the official Procurement List. No big money or paperwork changes are expected, and small businesses might get new chances to supply these items.
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The government wants to add new first aid kits to the list of products made by nonprofits that employ people who are blind or severely disabled, especially for the Department of Defense. At the same time, some older products will be removed from this list. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until October 31, 2026, to share them—these changes could impact who supplies important gear and how money flows in defense contracts.
2026-19551, Procurement List; Proposed Deletions
The government plans to remove several products from a special list that supports nonprofits employing people who are blind or severely disabled. This change affects items like survival food packets, USB drives, and forest fire rakes, mostly used by the Department of Defense. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until October 24, 2026, to speak up before these deletions take effect.
2026-19552, Procurement List; Additions and Deletions
Starting October 25, 2026, some products and services will be added to or removed from the government’s special Procurement List. This list supports nonprofit agencies that employ people who are blind or have severe disabilities, helping them get government contracts. These changes mean certain federal purchases will now come from these nonprofits, boosting their opportunities without extra cost to the government.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-18063, Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Annual Report (7-OB)
The government wants to update a yearly report that helps support older people who are blind and live independently. This change affects organizations that provide these services, asking them to share info in a slightly new way. They’re inviting comments now, so everyone has a chance to weigh in before the update happens—no big costs, just smoother paperwork!
Next: 2025-18065, Public Meeting
On October 23, 2025, the AbilityOne Commission will hold a virtual meeting to discuss new ways to create jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. This meeting invites public input on fresh service ideas that could boost employment opportunities through federal contracts. If you want to speak, register by October 15; otherwise, register by October 22—no cost to join, just bring your ideas!