Noteboom The Law Firm

VA Employees May Be Penalized For Failing To Keep Records

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has had issues with contracting officers keeping accurate records. In an attempt to combat this problem, a new proposal will see the VA penalizing contracting officers for failing to file and enter contracting information into the VA's Electronic Contract Management System database, which runs throughout the entire department.

Should the proposal be implemented, employees failing to enter information would be docked during their annual review, according to testimony given to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommitte on Oversight and Investigations. The VA's senior procurement council has yet to make a final decision regarding the proposal, and will need more discussion.

There is a pending question of accountability. It must be decided whether the burden is solely on the contracting officers to enter the information. Arguments are made the burden is also shared by more senior acquisition officials and senior executives, who have the responsibility to ensure their employees are entering the information as they should.

If all the information were entered correctly, the management system, which tracks acquisitions, etc. would be much more effective. Working as it should, the system would:

• reduce costs;
• incorporate the procurement process;
• give employees a reduced workload; and
• improve inter-departmental communications.

Without full cooperation from every employee, the system is not complete, and the numbers reflect the magnitude of this problem. In 2009, 83% of procurement actions were not recorded, which translates into $1.4 billion in transactions. It is impossible to manage the unknown, which compromises the entire procurement system.