Overview

The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is one of service to more than 27 million Veterans who have so unselfishly served their country. To accomplish this mission, VA acquires products and industry services through a nationwide system of hospitals, clinics, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN), data processing centers, and National Cemeteries which require a broad spectrum of goods and services. VA purchases these goods and services on a national, regional, and local level. No matter how large or small your business is, VA is a potential customer. Each facility purchases most requirements for direct delivery through its local acquisition office. You are encouraged to contact each facility for inclusion in its procurement process.

Registering in the System for Award Management (SAM)

The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. Government. There is no cost to use SAM. You can use this site for FREE to:

• Register to do business with the U.S. Government
• Update or renew your entity registration
• Check status of an entity registration:
  1. Sign into SAM.gov. You must be signed in to check your registration status.
  2. From the home page, select “Check Registration Status.”
  3. Enter a Unique Entity ID or CAGE Code and select “Search.” The entity’s status will display below.
• Search for entity registration and exclusion records
  • Your entity name and address will be validated by SAM.gov. If SAM.gov cannot validate your entity, you can create a help ticket with the Federal Service Desk from the page (https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp/en/what-documentatio-can-i-use-to-validate-my-entity?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0055230). Once you receive your Unique Entity ID, you can continue the registration. Once you access the site, you will receive the options listed below. The site suggests entities complete all three options to complete the SAM registration process.
    • Create a user account
    • Register entity
    • Search records

Note: In order to do business with VA, vendors must be registered in SAM. Allow at least 10 business days after you submit your registration for it to become active in SAM.gov. You must renew your registration every 365 days for it to remain active.

Individual offices, facilities, and organizations

VA operates a nationwide system of hospitals, clinics, VISN, data processing centers, and National Cemeteries which require a broad spectrum of goods and services. VA purchases these goods and services on a national, regional, and local level. Regardless of how large or small your business is, VA is a potential customer. VA purchases most of its requirements for direct delivery through its local or Regional Procurement Office. You are encouraged to contact each facility for inclusion in its procurement process. 

Visit the VA locations page

What do they buy?
Although there are certain priority sources identified by Federal regulations, each facility purchases a considerable amount of its requirements from both local and nationwide sources. Examples of items purchased are: 

• Pharmaceuticals and medical and surgical supplies
• Perishable subsistence
• Equipment, supplies, and materials for facility operation
• Maintenance and repair of medical and scientific equipment
• Building construction, maintenance, and repair
• Prosthetic and orthopedic aids
• Medical gases

How do they buy?

Acquisitions are accomplished by sealed bidding, negotiation, or simplified acquisition procedures. Each of these methods is designed to promote full and open competition to the maximum extent possible, which in turn allows all responsible bidders/offerors an opportunity to compete. The most suitable, efficient, and economical procedure will be used, taking into consideration the circumstances of each acquisition. Much of the purchasing is accomplished by using Federal Supply Schedules. A significant portion, however, will be acquired from sources obtained through the publication of solicitations and/or requests for information in the SAM or any other acceptable means that will provide the procuring activity with a sufficient number of responsible bidders/offerors to ensure full and open competition. 

VA Central Offices

Offices listed below may be contacted for specific information regarding their programs.

Small business programs

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) provides outreach and liaison support to businesses (large and small) and other members of the private sector. Additionally, OSDBU is responsible for monitoring VA implementation and execution of the following socioeconomic procurement programs:

• Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
• Small Disadvantaged Business (includes Section 8(a))
• Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone Small Business
• Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

This office is available only for the purpose of providing information, counseling, and guidance. OSDBU does not award contracts or maintain solicitation mailing lists. To learn about VA Small and Veteran Business Program, and access information and resources on government procurement, subcontracting and partnership opportunities, please visit the OSBDU’s website.