Overview
This section establishes the mandatory 30-day payment timeline for government agencies when purchasing supplies or services from nonprofit agencies listed on the AbilityOne Procurement List.
Key Rules
- 30-Day Payment Deadline: The ordering office is required to complete payments within a strictly defined 30-day window.
- Trigger Events: The payment clock begins either upon the shipment of the supplies/services or upon the receipt of a proper invoice or voucher.
- Mandatory Compliance: The use of the word "shall" indicates that this timeframe is a regulatory requirement for the ordering office, not a discretionary guideline.
Practical Implications
- Ordering offices must ensure their financial systems and administrative processes are aligned to prevent delays, as failure to pay within 30 days typically triggers interest penalties under the Prompt Payment Act.
- Nonprofit agencies (NPAs) rely on this predictable payment cycle to maintain the cash flow necessary to support their workforce of individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities.