Richmond, Va. –
Defense Logistics Agency Aviation hosted its virtual Reverse Industry Day October 26, with five non-profit agencies whose products and support services help ensure employees with disabilities are able to hold and maintain employment and productive careers.
This is the first Reverse Industry Day to feature the AbilityOne program, which employs more than 40,000 people with visual impairments or significant disabilities at roughly 450-member nonprofit agencies. These agencies in turn support DLA Aviation customers by providing unique items and vital support. The five agencies that participated in the event discussed their manufacturing capabilities, which support various procurement lists.
DLA Aviation has developed an AbilityOne strategic plan that focuses on proactively advocating for the program, said Crystal Ober, deputy director within DLA Aviation Command Support Directorate’s Small Business Programs Division.
This advocacy includes reviewing acquisition strategy documents for AbilityOne opportunities and working with participants where mission needs intersect with AbilityOne capabilities.
"AbilityOne supports our mission as providers of products and services for DLA Aviation's mission, as well as supporting Defense Supply Center Richmond through service contracts," Ober said.
The AbilityOne program in its current state was established in 1971, and DLA has participated in the program since its inception.
This year's annual spend with AbilityOne agencies totals nearly $35 million for warfighter-related services and products such as aircraft seat belts, spill containment products, aerial delivery equipment and battery adapters. AbilityOne also supports custodial and landscaping services and the Base Supply Store on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.
The Reverse Industry Day focus is significant in that its timing falls within National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is celebrated in October . This year's focus is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation."
"Aviation partnering with AbilityOne is mutually beneficial," DLA Aviation’s Acquisition Executive Catherine Contreras said. "It provides employment opportunities for those who are eager to demonstrate their capabilities, and we get a quality product at a fair market price."