2019 Javits-Wagner-O'Day Legal and Policy Symposium
Join GW Law for the Second Annual Javits-Wagner-O'Day Legal and Policy Symposium to discuss the legal complexities, challenges, and future of the AbilityOne Program (formerly known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program), through which federal agencies are required to purchase specified supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other significant disabilities. Participants will learn about the impact and value of the program from lawyers, contract administrators, executives, advocates, policymakers, and government clients. The dynamic format will allow participants to explore commonalities and differences among proposals to change the program, discuss ways in which the program can continue to advance the purposes of modern disability law and social policy relating to disability employment, and explore different structures/models to align the program with current government procurement goals.
Students attend free, but must register here using the discount code "LAW."
Agenda
8 am: Continental Breakfast
8:30: Welcome and Keynote
- Karen Thornton, Co-Director, GW Law Government Procurement Program
- Cari DeSantis, President and CEO, Melwood
- Tina Ballard, Executive Director, U.S. AbilityOne Commission
9 am: History/Legislative Intent of JWOD
What was the original legislative intent and purpose of the 1938 Wagner-O’Day Act and the 1971 Javits-Wagner’O’Day Act? Why was the AbilityOne Program created and what were the original disability employment policies & procurement goals?
- Moderator: Carol Carr, President, National Council of SourceAmerica Employers
9:45 am: Break
10 am: Current Disability Employment Policy Goals and AbilityOne
What are the goals of current disability policy? Hear from various federal agency experts tasked with developing, implementing and advancing disability employment policy discuss how the AbilityOne Program can continue to advance federal disability employment policy goals.
- Moderator: Julie Christensen, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Association of People Supporting Employment First
- David Kladney, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
- Neil Romano, Chairman, National Council of Disability
- Jennifer Sheehy, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy
- Johnny W. Collett, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at DOE, or Mark Schultz, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration at DOE
- Lance Robertson, Administrator and Assistant Secretary, Aging, ACL at DHHS or Mary Lazare, Principal Deputy Administrator, ACL at DHHS
11 am: Current Federal Government Procurement Policy, Socio-Economic Goals and AbilityOne
What are the goals of current federal government procurement? Hear from various federal department experts discuss federal procurement policy, how it has evolved since JWOD was enacted, and how the AbilityOne Program can continue to advance federal procurement goals.
- Moderator: Robert A. Burton, Partner, Crowell & Moring
- Kim Herrington, Acting Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense
- Emily W. Murphy, Administrator, General Services Administration
- Thomas D. Robinson, Director of Contracting, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, U.S. Air Force
- Michael Wooten, Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy
- Robb Wong, Associate Administrator, Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
Noon: Lunch with U.S. AbilityOne Commissioners
12:15 pm: Introduction of Keynote Speaker and Commissioners (Keith Mulvihill)
1 pm: Break
1:15 pm: Current Litigation and Controversies Impacting AbilityOne NPAs
Learn about current issues, litigation, and external challenges impacting AbilityOne nonprofit agencies, focusing on recent case law, implementation of the veteran-owned business preference policy, and other federal agency directives.
- Moderator: Reinhard Mabry, President, NAEPB
- Jessica C. Abrahams, Partner, Drinker, Biddle & Reath
- Jeff Dolven, President and CEO, Skookum
- Meghan Douris, Partner, Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker
- Timi Kenealy, General Counsel, U.S. AbilityOne Commission
- Raechel Kummer, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
2:15 pm: Trends in Government Procurement: How Can AbilityOne Evolve?
Tasked with promoting the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of government procurement programs, the various Offices of Inspector General (OIG) see the evolution of federal procurement through a unique lens. Hear about the evolution of change in their various departments and discuss the possible applications for the future of the U.S. AbilityOne Program.
- Moderator: Thomas Lehrich, Inspector General, U.S. AbilityOne Commission, OIG