Improving Standards in VA Contracting Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5822
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2016-07-14
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction

Department of Veterans Affairs

Health facilities and institutions

Performance measurement

Public contracts and procurement
Latest action: action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-07-14
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Improving Standards in VA Contracting Act of 2016</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop uniform policy guidelines for officials, including contracting officers, of the VA's Real Property Service of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management for evaluating potential lessors of property on which to build medical facilities.</p> <p>Such guidelines shall include evaluating the potential lessor's: (1) past performance on federal contracts, (2) ability to control the property, and (3) conduct of proper due diligence prior to submitting an offer to enter a lease with the VA.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5822 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 14, 2016 Mr. Boustany introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop uniform policy guidelines for evaluating potential lessors for purposes of leasing property on which to build medical facilities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Standards in VA Contracting Act of 2016 . 2. Department of Veterans Affairs uniform policy guidelines for lessors of property for medical facilities (a) Uniform policy guidelines By not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop uniform policy guidelines for officials, including contracting officers, of the Real Property Service of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs in evaluating potential lessors for purposes of leasing property on which to build medical facilities. Such guidelines shall include— (1) the evaluation of the past performance of the potential lessor with respect to past contracts with the Federal Government and other entities, if any; (2) criteria to specifically address the ability of the potential lessor to demonstrate control of or the ability to control the property, including specific documentation of the potential lessors’ ownership of or right to lease the property, as well as any encumbrances on this or other property that could affect the lessors’ ability to enter into any agreement with the Department regarding the property in question; (3) criteria for ensuring that the potential lessor conducted proper due diligence prior to submitting an offer to enter into a lease with the Department; and (4) such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate. (b) Consultation In developing the guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the Federal Real Property Council of the General Services Administration. (c) Report to Congress Not later than 30 days before the guidelines developed under subsection (a) take effect, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the guidelines.