GAO: Vets Come First at VA The Government Accountability Office has ruled that the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot ignore the Veterans First law when buying through GSA schedules. Ruling on bid protests by a service-disabled veteran-owned firm, GAO said VA acted illegally by ordering through the schedule without determining whether an SDV or other veteran-owned company could fulfill the requirements. The law and regulations give SDV companies first priority on VA contracts, followed by other veteran-owned companies. VA had contended that the law did not cover GSA schedule purchases. Federal agencies generally are not required to consider any category of small business set-aside before buying through GSA schedules. But GAO said the law creating the veterans preference on VA contracts contains no such provision. GAO sustained protests by Aldevra, an SDV business in Portage, MI, over VA’s orders for kitchen equipment through GSA schedules. GAO said the orders should be canceled and offered to SDV or veteran-owned businesses. The case is Matter of Aldevra, file B-405271 and B-405524.