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Federal Market Intelligence for Small Business |
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VA’s interim plans lackingRep. Mike Coffman, R-CO, is not satisfied with the Veterans Affairs Department’s interim plan to implement the Supreme Court’s recent Kingdomware decision. In that decision, the court said VA must apply the Rule of Two giving preference to veteran-owned small businesses to all purchases, even purchases on the Federal Supply Schedules. The VA had argued that schedules sales were exempted. The VA “will comply immediately with the court’s decision,” Thomas Leney, executive director of the VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, testified to a U.S. Senate committee on June 23. The VA also is developing more detailed guidance regarding current acquisitions in process, acquisition reviews and market research for small businesses, Leney testified. In a letter to Leney, Coffman raised concerns about the VA’s interim implementation plans, according to a report in The Hill. Coffman asked the VA to clarify in what instances, if any, the court’s ruling would not apply and whether the VA plans to apply the court’s Rule of Two interpretation to smaller purchases. Coffman asked for a response by July 22. Coffman, who is chair of the House Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, also urged the VA to embrace the Supreme Court’s decision. “Many of the ‘mundane low-cost or repetitive items that VA cited in its Kingdomware briefs, such as griddles and food slicers, are exactly the sort of products hundreds of VOSBs are well qualified to supply,’” Coffman said in his letter, according to The Hill. “VA has repeatedly been subject to protests as a result of not setting these procurements aside.” Coffman’s press secretary did not respond to a request for comment by press time. More information: The Hill article: http://goo.gl/M7Tsj6
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