Bergman Leads Bill to Streamline, Modernize VA Procurement Process

The following press release was issued by Congressman Bergman’s office:

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Jack Bergman (MI-01), Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) introduced the VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act to streamline and modernize the Veterans Affairs procurement process. This legislation will increase efficiency by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to track cost savings resulting from its contracting competitions and to use standardized contracting procedures.

Reports have shown that the VA racks up at least $6 billion a year on spending that violates federal contracting rules. Further, a Government Accountability Office report found that the VA should carry out more effective oversight of its $20 billion procurement budget. Currently, VA procurement officials measure savings using inconsistent local policies and disorganized templates, leading to inaccurate contracting data and to inefficient and costly procurement results. This legislation would help solve that issue.

“Modernizing the way VA does business continues to be a top priority for the 116th Congress,” said Rep. Bergman. “In our efforts to provide Veterans the care they deserve, we cannot allow bureaucratic inefficiencies to squander billions of dollars that were meant to benefit our heroes. For this reason, I am proud to help introduce the ‘VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act,’ which directly targets these inefficiencies, and will help ensure an accurate and effective procurement process within the VA.”

“Our veterans deserve the highest standard of care,” said Rep. Wittman. “Unfortunately, we are seeing billions of dollars in contract spending mismanaged because of the VA’s inefficient procurement rules. This legislation will help to streamline the procurement process by making clear how much money the VA is saving by competing contracts and ensuring the use of standardized contracting procedures.”

“The VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act provides common sense reforms to streamline and modernize processes at the VA,” said Rep. Hartzler. “Our veterans deserve the best possible healthcare we can provide and wasting billions of taxpayer dollars due to inefficiencies and poorly managed contracts cannot be tolerated. This measure is a necessary step as we continue to overhaul the antiquated VA processes and improve the care our veterans receive.”