October 22, 2009

Buyer Seeks to Increase Businesses’ Access to VA Procurement Contracts

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence (202) 225-3527

Washington D.C. — On Tuesday, Congressman Steve Buyer held a meeting with the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify ways to increase small businesses’ ability to bid on VA procurement contracts by expanding their access to the GSA schedule.

Buyer, who serves as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, brought together VA and GSA officials as a follow-up to the September 30, 2009 hearing on Energy Sustainability at VA. Buyer requested the meeting to discuss procurement issues relating to energy items on the GSA schedule.

“Several of my Congressional colleagues and I have received a number of complaints from the business community seeking to bid on VA contracts through the GSA schedule,” Buyer said. “Representatives from both GSA and VA acknowledged that coordinated efforts are necessary to improve businesses’ opportunities to bid on contracts and to provide better notification practices regarding the availability of contracts through VA.”

GSA has seen a 34 percent increase in the volume of applications to be on the GSA schedule over the past year, and is working toward a goal of achieving a processing time of 60-90 days for all applications. The faster turnaround will provide more opportunities for firms seeking government contracts.

Buyer expressed concern at the number of applications pending over 90 days and requested that GSA provide a point of contact for businesses with applications that have exceeded that timeframe. In response to the Ranking Member’s request, GSA has designated two contact points for industry to raise concerns regarding the offer process for either of its two schedules. The Acquisition Support representatives are:


The two GSA schedules feature contractors offering building-related green solutions such as solar panels, roofing, and electrical metering.  VA and many other agencies may use these schedules in meeting both day-to-day requirements and requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Under ARRA, the Federal Government committed to becoming a leader in green and sustainable buildings.  GSA has several schedules offering building related green and sustainable items and services.  These include Multiple Award Schedules 56 (Buildings, Building Materials, Industrial Supplies, and Services) and Schedule 03-FAC (Facility Maintenance).  

During the meeting, VA emphasized its commitment to contracting with small businesses, with regard to both the $1.1 billion dollars in ARRA funds and non-ARRA funds. VA emphasized that priority is given to service disabled veteran owned businesses, and veteran owned businesses.  The agency is committed to ensuring appropriate levels of competition for all contract awards, whether through the GSA schedule, or other competitive processes.

“Ensuring that open lines of communication exist between federal agencies and the businesses seeking federal procurement contracts is the first step toward a transparent open system that will allow fair competition,” Buyer said. “This essential feature will not only ensure efficient use of tax payers’ money, it will ensure that disabled veteran entrepreneurs are given the priority they deserve in the acquisition of federal contracts.”

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/

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