Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL)

Those interested in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contracts, are encouraged to watch for official VA solicitations posted on the Contract Opportunities – System for Award Management (SAM) as referrals and direct vendor solicitations are not authorized. VA has a comprehensive list of salient characteristics required to procure PPE supplies that protects the health and safety of Veterans, their families and our team members who serve them. VA’s acquisitions continue to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. Government. There is no cost to use SAM. You can use this site for FREE to:

• Register to do business with the U.S. government
• Update or renew your entity registration
• Check status of an entity registration
• Search for entity registration and exclusion records

Once you access the site, you will receive the options listed below. The site suggests entities complete all three options to complete the SAM registration process.

1. Create a User Account
2. Register Entity
3. Search Records

Note, in order to do business with VA, vendors must be registered in SAM.

Offices listed below may be contacted for specific information regarding their programs.

A DUNS number is a unique nine-character number used to identify your organization. The Federal Government uses the DUNS number to track how federal money is allocated. If your organization does not yet have a DUNS number, or not sure what it is, please visit the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) website or call 866-705-5711 to register or search for a DUNS number.

VA operates a nationwide system of hospitals, clinics, VISN, data processing centers, and National Cemeteries which require a broad spectrum of goods and services. VA purchases these goods and services on a national, regional, and local level. Regardless of how large or small your business is, VA is a potential customer. VA purchases most of its requirements for direct delivery through its local or Regional Procurement Office. You are encouraged to contact each facility for inclusion in its procurement process.

What do they buy?

Although there are certain priority sources identified by Federal regulations, each facility purchases a considerable amount of its requirements from both local and nationwide sources. Examples of items purchased are:

• Pharmaceuticals and medical and surgical supplies
• Perishable subsistence
• Equipment, supplies, and materials for facility operation
• Maintenance and repair of medical and scientific equipment
• Building construction, maintenance, and repair
• Prosthetic and orthopedic aids
• Medical gases

How do they buy?

Acquisitions are accomplished by sealed bidding, negotiation, or simplified acquisition procedures. Each of these methods is designed to promote full and open competition to the maximum extent possible, which in turn allows all responsible bidders/offerors an opportunity to compete. The most suitable, efficient, and economical procedure will be used, taking into consideration the circumstances of each acquisition. Much of the purchasing is accomplished by using Federal Supply Schedules. A significant portion, however, will be acquired from sources obtained through the publication of solicitations and/or requests for information in the SAM or any other acceptable means that will provide the procuring activity with a sufficient number of responsible bidders/offerors to ensure full and open competition.

Offices listed below may be contacted for specific information regarding their programs.

The Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, for enterprise-wide solutions:

• National Acquisition Center
  • Business Resource Service
  • Commodities and Services Acquisition Service
  • Denver Logistics Center
  • National Contract Service
  • VA Federal Supply Schedule
• Strategic Acquisition Center — Non-IT enterprise-wide solutions for VA’s highly complex requirements
• Technology Acquisition Center — Enterprise-wide solutions in information and technology

The Office of Construction and Facilities Management (00CFM), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, for:

• VA Major Construction including Medical Centers and National Cemeteries
• Lease Acquisition
• Architect/Engineer services

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology (005), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, for:

• Automatic data processing systems and equipment
• Communications systems and equipment

The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management (004), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, for:

• Enhanced Use Lease (EUL)

The Director, National Cemetery System (40), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 20420, for:

• Grave markers

The Director, Office of Marketing, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS), Department of Veterans Affairs, #1 Jefferson Barracks Road, Building 1, St. Louis, MO 63125, for:

• Retail store supplies
• Restaurant supplies

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) provides outreach and liaison support to businesses (large and small) and other members of the private sector. Additionally, OSDBU is responsible for monitoring VA implementation and execution of the following socioeconomic procurement programs:

• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
• Small Disadvantaged Business (includes Section 8(a))
• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone Small Business
• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

This office is available only for the purpose of providing information, counseling, and guidance. OSDBU does not award contracts or maintain solicitation mailing lists. To learn about VA Small and Veteran Business Program, and access information and resources on government procurement, subcontracting and partnership opportunities, please visit OSDBU’s website.

Vets First Verification Program

In order to qualify for participation in the Veterans First Contracting Program, eligible SDVOSBs/VOSBs must first be verified. OSDBU’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) manages the Vets First Verification Program, which affords verified firms owned and controlled by Veterans and Service-disabled Veterans the opportunity to compete for VA set asides. Verification extends eligibility for set-asides and sole source contract awards to SDVOSBs and VOSBs. Please visit the Vets First Verification Program website for more information about the VA verification process and how Public Law 109-461 relates to the Veterans First Contracting Program.

How to Contact the U.S. Small Business Administration

To learn more about building and growing a small business and entrepreneurship entity, please visit the Small Business Administration. Most businesses do not need to register with the Federal Government to become a legal entity other than simply filing to get a federal tax ID. Small businesses sometimes register with the Federal Government for trademark protection or tax-exempt status.