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Acquisition Policy Flash! 24-05

What's Changed?

Revision to VAAM subpart M818.271(b) due to National Interest Action Code Removal from the Federal Procurement Data System

Purpose: To inform the VA acquisition workforce of a revision to VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) Subpart M818.271(b) due to NIA Code Removal from Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and provide updated instructions for FPDS Emergency Acquisition reporting.

FAR parts referenced: FAR part 18.

Effective Date: January 27, 2024.

Background: VAAM Subpart M818.271(b) currently requires that “Upon declaration of a major disaster (see FAR 2.101) or emergency (see FAR 2.101), contracting officers shall use the published National Interest Action (NIA) value to track relief contracts in the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG). Also, as applicable, an Acquisition Flash will be issued for notification purposes. NIA Value Codes are found at the FPDS-NG NIA Value Code webpage and shall be used only for the period of time established for the NIA Value Code.”

However, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, the NIA value codes will be removed from FPDS. The SAM Data Bank will be updated to include a standard report allowing users to search for actions selecting Emergency Procedures other than ‘Not Applicable’ and further allow the ability to include a key word search in the Description of Requirement field. Historical static NIA reports will be retained.

VAAM Subpart M818.271(b) is being revised to reflect this change.

Applicability: This Acquisition Flash applies to all VA contracting activities using FAR part 18 and VAAM M818 flexibilities.

Action Required: Contracting officers using FAR part 18 flexibilities should use FPDS data field 6H, “Emergency Acquisition.” You may access a list of declarations on the FEMA website.

When selecting ‘Presidential issue emergency declaration or a major disaster declaration,’ contracting officers should ensure they are identifying the emergency/disaster along with a description of what they are purchasing in the Description of Requirement field. When selecting ‘Contingency Operation,’ ‘Humanitarian and Civic Assistance,’ or ‘Humanitarian and Peacekeeping,’ contracting officers should ensure they are identifying the named military operation along with a description of what they are purchasing in the Description of Requirement field.

Contracting officers need to:

  1. make the appropriate selection in the Emergency Acquisition field; and
  2. provide both a plain English language description of what is being purchased and identify the event itself (for example, ‘The contract is for the purchase of tarps in response to Hurricane Alex.’). Contracting officers are encouraged to use the FEMA declarations website to identify event names.

Additional Information: Direct any questions to the Procurement Guidance and Instruction Service (PGIS) via email at vapgismailbox@va.gov.

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