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Actually, this is possible to do, with caveats. I did something similar in CICS program via GETMAIN, and I'm sure could be done in batch using CEEGTST.
Here is what I did:
1) COBOL OCCURS has to be ...

You can do OUTREC in the same step, after the REFORMAT.

Also check if, by accident, you have compiled a batch program with CICS precompiler. This wouls cause S0C1.

How about using PRINTDS? I have something like that:

//*- PRE-ALLOCATE A FLAT FILE
//*--------------------------------------------------------
//SPUFALOC EXEC PGM=IEFBR14 ...

Would coding DSN=NULLFILE for any of targeted DDs allow to essentially DUMMY
out the DD AND allow any subsequent DDs to be processed?

LIBRARY = PDS-E

COBOL has so-called "de-editing" capabilities. Define input fied as edited
(PIC -------.99 ), and move the edited field to a numeric field
(PIC S9(5)V99) before doing anything

Sorry, I meant DCB:
//SORTOUT DD DCB=*.SORTIN

This can be done in JCL:
//SORTOUT DD DSB=*.SORTIN

I know it can be done with SYNCSORT via SS function (assuming 80 is the LRECL):

INCLUDE COND=(1,80,SS,EQ,C'COPY')

The max I believe is 256 bytes

SORT FIELDS=COPY
INCLUDE COND=((2058,10,EQ,2069,10),AND,(1075,10,LT,2058,10)),
FORMAT=CH

If you have Endevor on your system, you can use Endevor-supplied routine
that takes JCL PARM, and writes out to a file:

//STEP002 EXEC PGM=C1PRMGEN,
// ...

Use a signed field, and either COMP-3 or COMP,
for example: PIC S9(13)V9(2) COMP-3.

I believe there is an easier way to do the above. COBOL has so-called "de-editing" capabilities. Just move the edited field
(PIC ZZZZZZZZZZ.99 ) to a numeric field (PIC S9(10)v99 ) before ...

FileAid Copy option (3.3) contains member name filtering (see "Specify Member Selection Option"):

File-AID ----------------- PDS Processing Options -----------------------------
COMMAN ...