The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation on Dec. 11 that would reform the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) acquisition processes to achieve improved outcomes for veterans.
The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act would establish a centralized VA Office of Acquisition. The office would streamline oversight and contracting processes, enhance accountability through independent evaluations and reporting, allow the VA to define major acquisition programs, and improve training for VA personnel.
The Government Accountability Office has included the VA acquisition process on its “high risk list” since 2018. The VA Office of Inspector General has called for acquisition reform multiple times.
U.S. Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN.); Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs ranking member; Angus King (I-ME); Jerry Moran (R-KS) Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, chairman; Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the bill.
“We need to improve the systems that help prevent fraud, waste, and abuse for veterans,” Blumenthal said. “This bill will provide much needed oversight, structure, and guardrails for the restructuring of multiple acquisition offices at VA, benefiting veterans by delivering a more efficient VA in the process.”
The bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. It has the support of Vietnam Veterans of America, the Professional Services Council and the Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement.