WASHINGTON, D.C, – Last week, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the VA Acquisition Reform Act. This billwould streamline the chain of command for VA acquisition and procurement under the Chief Acquisition Officer, aligning with organizational reforms that the Department of Veterans Affairs is starting to make on its own. This is an important first step to make VA’s over $40 billion of annual contract spending more efficient and responsive to veterans’ needs.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “I’m proud to lead this effort to cut through the red tape and make the VA’s systems work better and faster for our veterans. This bill makes sure the right people are in place to deliver the care and facilities our veterans deserve.”
Key Provision of the VA Acquisition Reform Act:
- Consolidate acquisition, procurement, and logistics staff from VA Office of Acquisition Logistics and Construction, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA) under the Chief Acquisition Officer. This would streamline org charts, not relocate employees.
- Move VHA, VBA, and NCA planning/design/construction staff under the supervision of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management, as already required by law, to remove abundant, poorly coordinated chains of command.
- Establish regional structures for acquisition and construction teams.
- Expand acquisition internship slots until VA has the acquisition workforce it needs to support veterans.
- Require VA to report on using PACT Act tools to strengthen the acquisition workforce.
- Mandate reporting on the reorganization’s progress.
Full bill text can be found here.
Background:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spends about $43 billion each year on contracts for services and supplies. However, the GAO, VA Inspector General, and independent experts have consistently found VA’s purchasing processes to be overly complex and inefficient, leading to significant waste and subpar performance.