Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

Reminder: If pricing is too high, VA “rule of two” might not apply

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The VA Rule of Two, while a powerful motivator for setting procurements aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, does have its limits.

One of those exceptions was discussed in a recent ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The court confirmed that the VA may convert a service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside solicitation to a small business set-aside if the SDVOSB bids it receives are too high in price.

The VA Rule of Two, described in 38 U.S.C. 8127(d), requires the VA to set aside an acquisition for SDVOSBs when two or more verified and capable SDVOSBs are identified, provided the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more of those SDVSOBs will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair and reasonable price that provides best value to the United States.

Continue reading at:  SmallGovCon

Veterans: How to get started in government contracting

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Are you a veteran?  Do you own a small business?  Then you have an advantage over [non-Veteran Owned small businesses].  Specifically: Veteran-owned businesses have preference when bidding on government contracting jobs with the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Each year, the VA sends about $3 billion to small businesses.  Are you a plumber?  An engineer?  A landscaper?  [Then the VA may want to do business with your company.]

So what’s the catch?  To actually get [Verified with the VA as a Veteran-owned small business (“VOSB”) or Service-disabled Veteran Owned small business (“SDVOSB”)], you will have to navigate [a difficult paperwork process].

But do not worry: I have been through the process.  I am here to help you.

Continue reading at:  Clearance Jobs

Federal government spent $1.7 billion on temporary help services in 2018

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The value of federal government contracts with temporary help service agencies has more than doubled under the Trump administration, according to a new report.

The study by the National Employment Law Project, a nonprofit that advocates worker rights, found the government spent $1.7 billion on the contracts in 2018, five times the amount it spent in 2008.  The largest increase came in the past two years — from $812 million in 2016 to $1.7 billion in 2018.

“The Trump administration’s desire to privatize government-provided healthcare services is the largest factor driving increased use of temporary help services,” the report stated.  Such contracts cover traveling doctors and nurses, as well as contract dentists, pharmacists, therapists, social workers and medical billing staffers.

Continue reading at:  SIA

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