Source: https://www.va.gov/oal/business/pps/faqsVfcp02.asp
Timestamp: 2018-12-10 05:06:09
Document Index: 750300640

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 806', 'art 8', 'art 13', 'art 14', 'art 15', 'art 6', 'art 18']

38 U.S.C. 8127 Implementation Frequently Asked Questions Category 2 - Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL)
VA » Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) » Procurement Policy and Warrant Management Service » Veterans First Contracting Program, 38 U.S.C. 8127 & 8128 Implementation Policy and Procedures » 38 U.S.C. 8127 Implementation Frequently Asked Questions Category 2
38 U.S.C. 8127 Implementation Frequently Asked Questions Category 2
What is the VA Rule of Two?
What is the process to limit competition to only SDVOSBs/VOSBs when two or more verified & capable SDVOSBs/VOSBs are identified? And, if two or more verified & capable SDVOSBs/VOSBs are not identified, is the process then to utilize the list of priorities identified in FAR 8.002?
If an existing VA vehicle has two or more verified and capable SDVOSBs/VOSBs, any acquisition utilizing that vehicle would be set-aside for SDVOSBs/VOSBs. Any small businesses that are also contract or BPA level awardees will not have any real opportunity for future orders, correct?
What is the process for soliciting when only one verified and capable SDVOSB or VOSB is identified?
With hundreds of entities listed in the VIP database, can just two be selected and then immediately proceed to soliciting these entities?
Does the VA Rule of Two apply to other socioeconomic categories in addition to SDVOSB/VOSB?
If three SDVOSBs or VOSBs identified as verified and capable are on a GSA schedule, but do not indicate interest in submitting a quote, can the acquisition be identified as a woman owned small business or HUBZone if there are adequate sources in those socioeconomic categories?
Does applying the VA Rule of Two mean that an acquisition should be made from verified and capable SDVOSBs/VOSBs over a more cost effective acquisition process, e.g., unrestricted?
Does the VA Rule of Two apply to Letter Contracts?
Can an acquisition be restricted to VA FSS as long as there are two or more verified and capable SDVOSBs/VOSBs available on the vehicle?
Which takes precedence 38 U.S.C. 8127, VA Rule of Two, or 38 U.S.C. 8123, Procurement of Prosthetics?
Does the VA Rule of Two apply only to the extent necessary to meet annual VOSB goals?
If market research identifies only one verified and capable SDVOSB and one verified and capable VOSB, does that satisfy the VA Rule of Two? What is the process for proceeding with that acquisition?
If the acquisition is a VOSB set-aside and quotes/proposals from both VOSBs and SDVOSBs, should preference be given to the SDVOSB(s) for award?
Does the VA Rule of Two apply to A/E contracts?
In implementing the VA Rule of Two, what is the process if two or more VOSBs are identified but are not in the VIP database?
If market research identifies at least two verified and capable SDVOSBs and a number of verified and capable VOSBs available to perform the requirement, can the acquisition be set aside for VOSB to create additional competition?
If the VA Rule of Two was satisfied on the base award of an IDIQ contract(s), does that satisfy the VA Rule of Two for each task/delivery order?
How can the requirement that the SDVOSB or VOSB must perform 50% of the work be verified to ensure these entities will perform this amount of the work after award?
How does the 38 U.S.C. 8127 affect emergency requisitions?
The VA Rule of Two process is:
First, contracting officers must review the mandatory sources in FAR 8.002 and 8.003 , then VAAR 808.002.
If there are no mandatory sources, or other unique VA statutory authority for non-competitive acquisitions (as identified in VAAR subpart 806.3), contracting officers shall conduct market research to determine whether there is a reasonable expectation that two or more verified and capable SDVOSBs or VOSBs are likely to provide a fair and reasonable price providing best value to the Government, then the acquisition must be a SDVOSB or VOSB set-aside.
Contracting officers are required to follow the contracting order of priority set forth in the Class Deviation, dated July 25, 2016, Attachment 9, VAAR 819.7004.
To ensure that opportunities are available to the broadest number of verified Veteran-owned small businesses, the VA sole source authority is to be used judiciously and only when in the best interest of the Government. In accordance with FAR 6.302-5(c)(2)(ii), contracts awarded using this authority shall be supported by a written justification and approval described in FAR 6.303 and 6.304 , as applicable.
The VA Rule of Two only indicates whether the acquisition is a set-aside. Once the contracting officer decides to set-aside, follow the competition procedures applicable to the FAR part the acquisition is under, i.e., FAR subpart 8.4 , FAR Part 13 , FAR Part 14 , or FAR Part 15 .
All awards must be made based upon a determination of fair and reasonable prices offering best value to the Government and must be documented as to how the determination was made. The determination or judgement at the stage the contacting officer must make a decision to set-aside is whether there is a likelihood or “reasonable expectation” by the contracting officer that “two or more small business concerns owned and controlled by Veterans will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that offers best value to the United States.” (38 U.S.C. 8127(d)).” That is a different requirement than the final determination at the time before execution of the contracting officer’s signature and the determination that the prices are fair and reasonable and represent overall best value which is performed in accordance with FAR 15.504 .
Emergency acquisitions should follow FAR Part 6 , or FAR part 18 as applicable.