House Subcommittee Holds Hearings on Veterans Health Administration's Procurement Policies

The House of Representative's Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee recently held a hearing regarding oversight of procurement and contracting procedures of the Veterans Health Administration, a part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Led by Chairman Michael Michaud (D-ME), the hearings focused on potential changes that could be made to address current deficiencies and ensure contracting and procurement policies are effective and fiscally responsible. Says Chairman Michaud, "Past hearings have brought to light the difficulties that many private companies face in contracting with the VA. As a result of these deficiencies in VHA's procurement practices, veterans may not have access to the latest innovations or the appropriate equipment when receiving health care."

During the hearings, witnesses reported on "unfairly awarded contracts, overly complex contacts, and a lack of competition during the bidding process." Additionally, contractors offered suggestions for how the VA might improve communications with contractors and championed the idea of simpler contracts that could be awarded to one company per industry.

For more information on the subcommittee's hearings and the witness list, please refer to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Press Release: Committee Continues to Seek Fair, Fiscally Responsible Contracting Practices at VA.

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