Congress Passes Legislation to Enhance Oversight of the AbilityOne Program

Vienna, VA  –  The FY16 Omnibus Appropriations Act President Obama signed into law Dec. 18 includes several measures to enhance oversight, transparency and accountability within the AbilityOne Program.  The statutory requirements are, in large part, based on the recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office in its review of the program in 2013. 

The new law establishes an Office of Inspector General at the U.S. AbilityOne Commission and includes new Congressional reporting requirements.  In addition, the U.S. AbilityOne Commission and the Central Nonprofit Agencies (National Industries for the Blind and SourceAmerica) are required to enter into written agreements that formalize auditing, oversight, reporting provisions and roles and responsibilities.

 “SourceAmerica has a long track record of working with Congress in support of people with significant disabilities, and we worked closely with GAO as they prepared their report on the program,” said Steve Soroka, president and CEO for SourceAmerica.

“We have advocated strongly in support of increased oversight for the AbilityOne Program,” Soroka said. “Tens of thousands of individuals count on us every day, and these changes will help to demonstrate the program’s integrity. We look forward to working with the U.S. AbilityOne Commission and Congress to build a stronger and more effective AbilityOne Program.”