# Presentation: 895961

## NATIONAL ACQUISITION CENTERIncreasing CompetitionImproving The Standardization Process

- Increasing competition
- Market Research Expanded
- Solicitation Process Improved/Expanded
- Use of Multiple Awards
- Posting to E-Buy
- Incentive Agreements

## Market Research ExpandedTo

**  ****Identify Small Businesses**
**  ****Identify Veteran Own Small Businesses**
**  ****Identify New Products Lines**
**  ****Improve Specifications**

## Market Research Expansion Update

	Clinical Market Research
	Contracting Market Research

- 	Clinical Market Research
- 	Contracting Market Research

##     
	Clinical Market Research Process Evolution

	Then
User Groups (in the beginning)
Workgroups (include subject matter experts)
Patient Safety
Bio-Medical Engineering
Now
Integrated Product Teams (IPTs more formal)
Legal Representatives
Technical Representatives
Senior Procurement Officials  

- 	Clinical Market Research Process Evolution
- 	Then
- User Groups (in the beginning)
- Workgroups (include subject matter experts)
- Patient Safety
- Bio-Medical Engineering
- Now
- Integrated Product Teams (IPTs more formal)
- Legal Representatives
- Technical Representatives
- Senior Procurement Officials

## 
 Contracting Market Research Process Evolution

Then
Bidders Mailing Lists (SF-129 required)
Sources Sought Notices (exclusively for BPAs)
Now
FedBizOpps
CCR
Vet Biz
GSA Advantage
Internet

-  Contracting Market Research Process Evolution
**Then**
- Bidders Mailing Lists (SF-129 required)
- Sources Sought Notices (exclusively for BPAs)
**Now**
- FedBizOpps
- CCR
- Vet Biz
- GSA Advantage
- Internet

- Solicitation Process Improved (RFQs)
- Then
- Workgroups Created Specifications
- Minimum Review
- Now
- IPTs Create Specifications
- Legal/Technical Review
- Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Review (anti-bundling)
- Contract Review Boards
- Senior Procurement Officials Review

## 
Using Multiple 
Awards/Establishments

More Opportunities for Vendors
More Choice for VA Facilities
VA Facilities Make Best Value Determination 

- Using Multiple
- Awards/Establishments
- More Opportunities for Vendors
- More Choice for VA Facilities
**VA Facilities Make Best Value Determination **

## Posting Announcements to GSA E-Buy

Then
Sources Sought Notice in CBD/BOS
Vendors had to monitor Websites

Now
Posting Notices to E-Buy
All Vendors Registered Under SIN Receives Notice

**Then**
- Sources Sought Notice in CBD/BOS
- Vendors had to monitor Websites
**Now**
- Posting Notices to E-Buy
- All Vendors Registered Under SIN Receives Notice

## INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS

Then
Single Award Only
Limited Choice for VA Facilities
Limited Opportunity for Vendors

Now
Multiple Awards
Choice for VA Facilities
More Opportunity to Participate

**Then**
- Single Award Only
- Limited Choice for VA Facilities
- Limited Opportunity for Vendors
**Now**
- Multiple Awards
- Choice for VA Facilities
- More Opportunity to Participate

## CONTACTS

Ronald E. Jenkins
Assistant Director
Medical/Surgical Standardization
Department of Veterans Affairs
National Acquisition Center
(708) 786-4929
(708) 786-5256 (fax)
e:-mail: ron.jenkins2@va.gov

- Ronald E. Jenkins
- Assistant Director
- Medical/Surgical Standardization
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- National Acquisition Center
- (708) 786-4929
- (708) 786-5256 (fax)
- e:-mail: ron.jenkins2@va.gov

## Veterans Health Administration 

- Doing Business With

## DISCUSSION 

- Historical View of the VHA National Standardization Program
- Integrated Product Teams
- Improving the Process
**Putting All the Pieces Together**
**How We May Help You**
**How You May Help Us**

## PROGRAM OVERVIEW

- It is VHA policy to standardize to the maximum extent possible the types and kinds of supplies and equipment it purchases, consistent with clinical and practitioner needs.
- VHA “Quality” Standardized products are designated as “Mandatory” for use by all VHA activities.

## ProcessIntegrated Product Teams

- What are they?
- Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) are the organizational structure resulting from implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Standardization Program.

## 2. Who are they?

IPT membership is made up of multi-functional stakeholders working together with a product-oriented focus.  These teams are empowered to make critical decisions leading to the development of requirements (specifications/criteria) for award of national contracts for the standardization of: products/supplies/equipment within VHA

- _IPT membership_ is made up of multi-functional stakeholders working together with a product-oriented focus.  These teams are _empowered_ to make critical decisions leading to the development of requirements (specifications/criteria) for award of national contracts for the standardization of: _products/supplies/equipment_ within VHA

## 3. Why are they important?

IPT's are what make Product Standardization work.  

They are created for the express purpose of delivering a product for their customer(s). They bring together all the disciplines/programs that have a stake in the performance of a product/process and concurrently make integrated decisions affecting that product/process. 

- IPT's are what make Product Standardization work.
- They are created for the express purpose of delivering a product for their customer(s). They bring together all the disciplines/programs that have a stake in the performance of a product/process and concurrently make integrated decisions affecting that product/process.

## Improving the ProcessVHA Vendor Operations

- Provides National oversight and expert consultation and guidance to vendors seeking VHA contract opportunities.
**All requests for vendor meetings are addressed immediately (within 24 hrs) and all meeting requests within 5 working days.**

## Provides national oversight of and expert  consultation/assistance/guidance to, VHA program offices pertaining to vendor related issues. 

Given authority to meet with vendors for the Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary of Health as assigned.

- Given authority to meet with vendors for the Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary of Health as assigned.

## Putting All of the Pieces Together

- The VHA Procurement and Logistics Office, under the Leadership of Fred Downs, Chief Officer is currently undergoing a much needed change in our organizational structure.
- We are currently working diligently to “put the vital pieces together” which will ultimately allow us to best serve our customers (internal and external).

## How We May Help YouMaintaining Compliance

- The VHA Office of Procurement and Logistics values your efforts to provide the best quality products at the best prices.
- We have identified major weaknesses in this area and are working to ensure resolution to the compliance inconsistencies that existed in the past.

## How You May Help Us

- During this time of restructuring, the VHSA Office of Procurement and Logistics solicits your thoughts and opinions on how we may better serve our customers.
- Won’t you take a few moments to share your thoughts on how we may improve our services to you?

## Your Contacts

- Doris Richardson, RN, MA, MSN
**Assistant Deputy Chief for Clinical Affairs**
**Phone: 202-461-1766**
**E-mail:  **_**[doris.richardson@va.gov](mailto:doris.richardson@va.gov)**_
- Leonard Nale, Director,
**National Standardization Program**
**Phone:  202-461-1764**
**Let Us Know How We May Help You!**

## Thank You!

**Thank You!**