VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act

Bill: 116-hr-1577
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Introduced: 2019-03-06
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs

Government information and archives

Public contracts and procurement
Latest action: action_date: 2019-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-03-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act</b></p> <p>This bill addresses procurement procedures in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to record the amount of any cost savings realized by using competitive procedures in awarding contracts reported in the Federal Procurement Data System (or successor systems).</p> <p>The VA shall make available and use on a VA-wide basis the standardized procurement templates already used internally at certain VA offices.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1577 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2019 Mr. Wittman (for himself, Mrs. Hartzler , and Mr. Bergman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the procurement practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act . 2. Information on cost or price savings from competition (a) In general Chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8128 the following new section: 8129. Information on cost or price savings from competition (a) Recording of information With respect to any contract awarded by the Secretary that is reported in the Federal Procurement Data System described in section 1122(a)(4)(A) of title 41, United States Code, or any successor system, the Secretary shall record information on the amount of any cost or price savings realized by using competitive procedures in awarding such contract. (b) Placement of records The Secretary shall place recorded information under subsection (a) as follows: (1) With respect to contracts recorded in the Electronic Contract Management System, or any successor system, in such system. (2) With respect to contracts not covered by paragraph (1), in a location determined appropriate by the Secretary. (c) Calculation of cost savings (1) In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall calculate the amount of cost or price savings realized by using competitive procedures in awarding a contract by— (A) subtracting the total value of the selected offer or quote from the average of the total values of all offers or quotes evaluated; or (B) subtracting the total value of the selected offer or quote from the total value of the median offer or quote evaluated. (2) If the difference calculated pursuant to paragraph (1) is negative, the Secretary shall record such difference as zero. (3) The Secretary shall make calculations under paragraph (1) with respect to a contract— (A) at the time at which the Secretary obligates amounts under such contract; or (B) if such contract contains options, at the time at which the option is exercised. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8128 the following new item: 8129. Information on cost or price savings from competition. . 3. Use of standardized procurement templates To the extent practicable, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available and use on a Department-wide basis the standardized procurement templates used by the Central Office of the Department, the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. In carrying out this section, the Secretary may customize such templates to address particular procurement situations.