Department of
Veterans Affairs
Memorandum
From
:
Executive Director, Small and Veteran Business Programs (00SB)
Business Procurement Review Program Policy
To:
Chief Acquisition Officer (003)
Senior Procurement Executive (003A)
Heads of Contracting Activity
See Distribution List
1. Purpose.
This memorandum establishes VA’s Small Business Program procurement review
policy and process and complements the Small Business Operating Plans prepared in
accordance with VAAR 819.202-70.
The review procedure is effective as of the date of this memorandum. This
memorandum supersedes and replaces OSDBU Small Business Procurement Review
Policy memorandum dated May 20, 2016, as well as any previous memoranda on the
procurement review process. This memorandum remains in effect until superseded.
2. Background
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), in accordance
with Section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. § 644(k)), is required to review
proposed acquisition strategies and to make recommendations with respect to their
anticipated impact on small business participation as prime and subcontractors. In the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), these responsibilities are conducted within the
context of VA’s hierarchy of small business program preferences, established by section
8127(i) of Title 38, United States Code (the Veterans First Contracting Program). This
law requires VA to consider preferences for verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned
Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) first, then preferences for verified Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses (VOSBs). They are followed by certified HUBZone firms, 8(a) participants,
and certified Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) (in no particular order of
precedence); then Small Business, and finally full and open competitions (unrestricted).
Small business program reviews are intended to ensure that Veteran-owned small
businesses are considered in procurement strategies based on adequate market
research.