U.S. AbilityOne Commission
Quarterly Public Meeting
October 7, 2021
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal]
2
• Call to Order and Introduction, Mr. Jeffrey Koses
(Chairperson)
• Administrative Remarks, Ms. Angela Phifer
• Consideration of Minutes, Mr. Koses
• Chairperson’s Remarks, Mr. Koses
• Executive Order 14042, Mr. Koses
• New Appointees – Introductions
Ms. Chai Feldblum (Private Citizen Member)
Mr. Bryan Bashin (Private Citizen Member)
Ms. Christina Brandt (Private Citizen Member)
Mr. Gabriel Cazares (Private Citizen Member)
• Proposed Rulemaking, Ms. Feldblum
Agenda
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• 14(c) Transition Plan Update, Mr. Richard Belden
• Acting Executive Director’s Report, Ms. Kimberly Zeich
• Presentation by Acting Inspector General,
Ms. Stefania Pozzi Porter
• Best Practices to Modernize AbilityOne Employment,
Mr. Bashin, Ms. Brandt, Mr. Dolven
• Break
• Best Practices to Modernize AbilityOne Employment,
Mr. Lynch, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Monteferrante
• Recommendations for Pilot Tests to Increase Integrated
Employment in the AbilityOne Program, Ms. Willard
• Closing Remarks, Mr. Koses
Agenda
Mr. Jeffrey Koses
Chairperson
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
Call to Order and Introduction
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• This official meeting of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission is
open to the general public and is being recorded.
• Meeting panelists, such as the members of the
Commission and other planned speakers, may un-mute
themselves as needed.
• The Zoom setting for public attendees today is listen-only;
however, attendees may use the Chat Box to send
comments.
• During the Best Practices and Innovative Pilot
Test presentations, attendees may send questions or
comments for the speakers via the Chat Box.
• The meeting slides can be found on www.abilityone.gov.
Administrative Remarks
Mr. Jeffrey Koses
Chairperson
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
Consideration of Minutes
Mr. Jeffrey Koses
Chairperson
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
Chairperson’s Remarks
Mr. Jeffrey Koses
Chairperson
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
[Title slide showing
Commission seal, Committee
seal
Executive Order 14042
Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety
Protocols for Federal Contractors
[Title slide showing
Commission seal, Committee
seal
9
• The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force guidance has three basic
requirements:
1. Requirement for “covered contractor employees” to be fully
vaccinated by December 8, 2021. Requirement flows down to
subcontractors
2. Requirement for “covered contractors” to ensure employees follow
CDC protocols as described in
Safer Federal Workforce Task
Force Guidance
3. Requirement for “covered contractors” to designate a lead person
for compliance with mandate
• Agencies strongly encouraged to apply the requirement to contracts not
called out in the EO
• Covered contractor employees working from home must be vaccinated
Safer Federal Workforce Task Force
Guidance
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• Unless there is a legal exception, it applies to:
• Circle One - Any contractor employee working on a
covered contract
• Circle Two - Any contractor employee working “in
connection with a covered contract” -- Think anyone in an
overhead pool
• Circle Three - Anyone who would come into contact with
the individuals above in a contractor facility (covered
workplace location)
– Restrooms, cafeterias, elevators, etc.
Who Needs to be Vaccinated
per the Clause
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• Based on the EO, the clause is required for applicable FAR based and
non-FAR based contracts (i.e. “contract like instruments”)
– Includes leases of real property, concessions, licenses, permits,
intergovernmental service agreements, task orders, job orders,
etc.
• Required for all contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition
threshold (SAT) or simplified lease acquisition threshold (SLAT) for
services
(as described above) and construction.
• Strongly encouraged for contracts -
– At or below the SAT/SLAT
– For products
What’s a “Covered Contract” or
Where the Requirement (Clause) Applies
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
New Appointees – Introductions
Ms. Chai Feldblum (Private Citizen Member)
Mr. Bryan Bashin (Private Citizen Member)
Ms. Christina Brandt (Private Citizen Member)
Mr. Gabriel Cazares (Private Citizen Member)
Ms. Chai Feldblum
Vice Chairperson
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
Proposed Rulemaking
Mr. Richard Belden
Interim President and CEO
SourceAmerica
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
Report from
SourceAmerica to
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
on
14(c) Transition Plan
SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Authorized Enterprise.
14(c) Transition
Program update
U.S. AbilityOne Commission meeting
October 7, 2021
Richard Belden, SourceAmerica Interim President and CEO
SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Authorized Enterprise.
14(c) Transition Program
• Support NPAs in reducing the use of special minimum wage certificates through
access to financial and technical resources and shared learning experiences
• 36 NPAs enrolled
• 24 receiving Productivity Engineering support
• 17 receiving Pathways Program support
• 11 have engaged expert consulting services offered
• >$600,000 in grant funding awarded
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SourceAmerica®, an AbilityOne® Authorized Enterprise.
14(c) trends in the SourceAmerica network
200
172
160
MID-2019 FY20 Q4 FY21 Q3
NPAs with 14(c)
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9,654
5,218
4,528
3,329
MID-2018 MID-2019 FY20 Q4 FY21 Q3
Employees paid under 14(c)
1,997
1,320
1,111
718
MID-2018 MID-2019 FY20 Q4 FY21 Q3
Employees paid under the federal min. wage
Ms. Kimberly Zeich
Acting Executive Director
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
[Title slide showing Commission seal, Committee seal
Acting Executive Director’s
Report
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FY 2021 Execution of the Commission’s Priorities
- Advanced the rulemaking process to end the payment of
subminimum wages on AbilityOne contracts
- Launched Governmentwide AbilityOne Representative
(ABOR) meetings & training to facilitate employment growth
- Increased staff capability and capacity – secured investments
in agency funding to onboard new hires with skills in
financial management, compliance, vocational rehabilitation
- Completed a full cycle of Enterprise Risk Management
Planning and strengthened Internal Controls Program
Acting Executive Director’s Report
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FY 2021 Execution of the Commission’s Priorities
- Contributed to implementation and closure of several 898 Panel
recommendations – final report to Congress by EOY
- Increased communication and transparency through the Report to
the President and virtual public meetings
- Enhanced collaboration with Federal agency partners through
working groups and written agreements
- Participated in Interagency Disability Employment Working Group
- Responded to Executive Orders’ requirements, including
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities, DEIA, and Promoting Access to Voting
Acting Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Stefania P. Porter
Acting Inspector General
U.S. AbilityOne Commission OIG
Presentation by
Acting Inspector General
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Stefania Porter
Inspector General (Acting)
Steven Burke
Deputy Inspector General (Acting)
OIG Leadership
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– Chai Rachel Feldblum – Vice Chair
– Bryan Bashin
– Christina Brandt
– Gabriel M. Cazares, and
– Goodbye and Thank You to:
• James Kesteloot and
• Robert Kelly
OIG welcomes the new
Commission Members
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• Top Management Challenges Report
• Recently Completed and Started Audits
• Two-Year Audit Plan
• 898 Panel Continuity in 2021
• Semiannual Report to Congress
Roadmap
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• An important role that an Inspector General (IG) plays is the identification
each year of the most significant management and performance challenges
facing a government agency, and the agency’s progress in addressing
these challenges.
• The last Top Management Challenges Report (TMC), issued in November
2020, identified 8 challenges facing the Commission:
Top Management and Performance Challenges Report | Oversight.gov
• The next TMC Report will be issued in two months, in November 2021
- Stay tuned !
Top Management Challenges Report
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• OIG developed and issued a 2-year Audit Plan for Fiscal Years
2020 and 2021 of the Commission’s programs and operations.
• The OIG audit coverage is designed on risk-based factors
surrounding the AbilityOne Program functions, operations, major
activities, and program priorities and challenges.
• An audit is an independent and objective review, assessing whether
resources are allocated efficiently, funds spent properly,
Commission goals are achieved, and applicable laws, policies, and
regulations are followed.
OIG Audits
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The audits are public and published on the OIG web page:
https://abilityone.oversight.gov/reports
• CNA Selection of NPAs for Project Assignment and
Allocation of Orders (March 2021)
• Procurement List Addition Process, Procedures, and
Practices (August 2021)
Recently Issued OIG Audits
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• AbilityOne Compliance Program
• Quality of Products in Support of
Meeting Government Requirements
• Financial Statement Audit
• DATA Act Compliance
Recently Started OIG Audits
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• This audit will determine whether the Compliance Program has
been implemented effectively to provide reasonable assurance of
NPA and CNA compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and
policies.
• To answer our objective, we will:
• Review laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable
to the Compliance Program.
• Conduct interviews with key personnel.
• Analyze data, reports, and other supporting
documentation related to compliance reviews.
OIG Audit of the
AbilityOne Compliance Program
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• New biennial audit plan issued in June 2021
for Fiscal Years 2022–2023
• It’s a map of the audits the OIG plans over the next 2
years:
• OIG utilized a comprehensive risk-based methodology to
inform audit planning and future engagements.
• We do it in a planned fashion.
New 2-year Audit Plan
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• The AbilityOne Inspector General (IG) is a statutory
member of the 898 Panel.
• We led the IG Subcommittee in collaboration with the
Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and completed
the IG recommendations. We recommended:
• Training for procurement officers about AbilityOne
contracts
• Continuous updating of the training
898 Panel Continuity in 2021
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Previous SAR issued:
• SAR issued in May 2021 covered
October 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021
Theme: Pivotal Stage
• SAR issued November 2020 covered
April 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020
Theme: The Future: Tell Your Own Story
Upcoming SAR covering
April 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021
OIG - Semiannual Report to Congress
(SAR)
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• AbilityOne Office of Inspector General
https://abilityone.oversight.gov
• TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT to OIG:
Please submit complaints using our Portal
https://abilityone.oversight.gov
• You may also submit a complaint via our:
Hotline Toll-Free Number: 1-844-496-1536, or
Email: [email protected]one.gov
OIG Website
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Thank you!
The OIG Team
Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
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Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
Mr. Bryan Bashin
Commission Member
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
Ms. Christina Brandt
Commission Member
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
AtWork!’s
MODERNIZATION
ENDING THE USE OF 14(C) CERTIFICATES
BEST PRACTICES IN COMMUNITY INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH
INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Chris Brandt, CEO
Serve people with significant
intellectual and developmental
disabilities
7+ Million in annual revenue
85 staff
450 people served each year
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Revenue Sources
40
17%
5%
23%
50%
5%
REVENUE
AbilityOne
Commercial Enterprises
ACE
Mission Services
Fundraising/Grants
TRANSFORMATION
WE DECLARED TO
LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND
2006 the beginning
180 sheltered workshops
50 Group employment
10 supported employment
2014 Closed last sheltered workshop
2015 Started paying everyone prevailing wages
Over the 9 years of transformation:
~170 moved to customized jobs in community and 5 stayed in our
enterprises
~ 45 moved into community inclusion (retired)
~ 10 people moved away, left services, or chose another provider
HOW WE SUPPORT THE
PEOPLE WE SERVE
Outward Movement to Community Integrated Employment
Internal Upward Mobility
Person-Centered-Planning
Robust Discovery
Assistive Technology
Gradual movement
Customized and supported employment
Communication with the people we serve, families, and
community from leadership and board
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THE PERCEIVED REASONS
FOR STATUS QUO
Some people are just not ready for community
employment.
Businesses can’t or won’t hire people with I/DD at
prevailing wages.
People will work fewer hours, have a lot of idle time,
and families will be impacted.
People won’t be accepted in the workplace and
have no friends.
People chose to stay in their current jobs and aren’t
concerned about low pay.
THE OUTCOMES
MISSION RESULTS!
754 NEW PEOPLE SERVED
635 JOB STARTS
309 NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS
WAGES AVG $13.92
HOURS RANGE: 8 to 40
AVG HRS: 19
450 PEOPLE SERVED ANNUALLY
BUSINESS RESULTS!
GROWTH: $3 MILLION TO OVER $7 MILLION IN
REVENUE
DIVESTED BUSINESSES THAT COULD NOT
STAND ON THEIR OWN PAYING PREVAILING
WAGES
ADDED NEW BUSINESS LINES
DIVERSE WORKFORCE OF MANY ABILITIES
CUSTOMIZED JOBS
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Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
Mr. Jeff Dolven
President and CEO
Skookum
Break
31
Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
Kevin Lynch
President and CEO,
National Industries for the Blind
Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
Reginald Hughes
Executive Director,
Palmetto Goodwill Services
Best Practices to Modernize
AbilityOne Employment
Michael Monteferrante
President and CEO,
Envision
Recommendations for Pilot Tests
to Increase Integrated Employment
in the AbilityOne Program
M.J. Willard
Executive Director,
National Telecommuting Institute
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CO-Employment Model
Mr. Koses
Chairperson
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
Closing Remarks
