With over Sixteen Million Veterans in the United States, the Veterans Benefits and Services Administration wields a significant annual budget of $302 Billion, ranking as the 7th largest spender among federal agencies. While a substantial portion of this budget is allocated to compensation for retirement benefits, numerous opportunities exist for federal contracts within the remaining spending categories.

Let’s go through the diverse array of contracts, shedding light on the major spending areas and detailing the various types of contracts, from VA Supply Schedules to Sole Source agreements. Understanding these contract mechanisms is essential for businesses seeking to engage with the VA and provide valuable goods and services to our nation's Veterans.

Types of VA Contracts

As previously stated, there are over Sixteen Million Veterans in the United States. The Veterans Benefits and Services Administration has a $302 Billion annual budget and has the 7th largest spending of federal agencies. Approximately half of this budget is for compensation for retirement benefits and therefore none of that spending is eligible for federal contracts. But I will try to breakdown VA spending so that you can see the various contracts that are available with the VA.

Major Spending Areas of the VA

The other categories of VA spending are:

$88.0B    Medical Care

$11.0B    Educational and Vocational Training

$8.7B    General and Operational

$1.7B    Construction                                                                               

$0.8B    Loan Guarantee

1.Types of VA Contracts: VA Supply Schedules (FSS Contracts)

A large type of VA Contracts is VA Schedule Sales. There are several categories for these supplies, check it out here….

2.Types of VA Contacts: GSA Schedule System

The VA purchased $2.7 Billion in goods and services from the GSA Schedule System last year. The largest type of VA Contract that was awarded was in Information Technology. However, the VA utilizes the Schedule System for many different products and services available on the GSA System.

SDVOSB & VA Preference on GSA

Because the VA favors Service-Disabled Veterans and Veterans in their procurement process, the VA spends a lot of money with these two groups. There are 1,700 SDVOSBs with a GSA Schedule Contract and 2,500 Veteran Owned Businesses and these firms typically take the lion’s share of this $2.7 Billion in VA Contracts.

3.Types of VA Contracts: BPAs

The VA Utilizes a lot of BPA contracts and you can find their forecasting page that includes their expected BPA Contracts at the following web address:

https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/eVP/fco/EntireVA.aspx?Type=Complete

VA BPAs range from Dialysis Contracts, Power Wheelchairs, Surgical Equipment and Robots, Hospital Beds, Lab Testing, Software, Emergency Repair Services, Facilities Maintenance, Hotel Stays, and Janitorial Services.

4.Types of VA Contracts: IDIQ Contracts 

The VA has many IDIQ Contracts that they forecast for each year. Linen Services, Prosthetics, Facilities Maintenance, Security System Upgrades, Nutrition Programs, Imaging Equipment, Lab Supplies, Interior Design, Remodeling, Surgery Services, Chaplain Funding, Emergency Consultants, Technician Staffing, Sterilizers and many other items and services. 

5.Types of VA Contracts: Open Market 

The VA has many Open Market procurements that they do each year.

Medical Companion, Leases, Flooring Replacement, Prosthetics, Implants, Snow Removal, Janitorial Services, Bed & Mattress Rentals, Custom Surgical Procedures, Elevators, Housekeeping, Facilities Maintenance, Grounds Maintenace, Heating and Cooling, Wellness Services, Imaging Equipment, Janitorial Services, Lab Equipment, Kitchen Equipment, Generators, Fitness Equipment, Furniture, Software, and services.

6.Types of VA Contracts: Sole Source

The VA tries its best to source as much of its goods and services as possible from SDVOSB firms. Veteran Owned firms for VA purposes are treated as if they have a special SBA designation, only the VA treats these firms in this manner. 8(a), HUBZone and WOSB firms are also eligible for Sole Source Contracts with the VA, doing well as the VA does a good job meeting its congressionally mandated targets for working with these firms. 

Flooring Installation, Fire Suppression, Emergency Equipment, Environmental Control, Pumps, Prothesis, Nurse Staffing, Construction, Technologist Staffing, Security, Fiber Optic Cabling, Medical Equipment, Furniture, Food Products, Software, Training, Janitorial, Ground Maintenance, and other services.

You can explore the numerous opportunities for collaboration in this area as you navigate the world of VA contracts, whether it's supplying essential medical equipment, offering expertise in services, or innovating solutions. If you have interest in exacerbating your business development potential in the federal marketplace in this arena, I recommend contacting an industry expert such as ez8a or Advance 8a. Reach out to either today, either can support your success through a range of VA contracts, and they do not charge for an initial consultation.