Noteboom The Law Firm

VA’s Contract Awarding Process Challenged

September 16, 2010 - The department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is looking to award a 5-year, $12 billion contract for their technology and telecommunications program. They have not done so yet, but that did not stop Vetrepreneur, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business from filing a protest against their contract awarding process claiming the VA's solicitation process does not do enough for veteran-owned businesses.

The protest was filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Vetrepreneur's protest focuses on the ground rules for the solicitation process. They argue the existing rules demand more of the businesses awarded VA contracts should be veteran-owned small businesses.

Under the program Transformation Twenty-one Total Technology (T4), the VA is going to award up to 15 major contracts. Of those 15, a minimum of 4 will be awarded to veteran-owned small businesses. The owners of the businesses, however, must have service-related injuries. Three more contracts will be awarded to other veteran-owned small businesses. The contracts the VA awards to the veteran-owned businesses will focus on performing services like facility support and cybersecurity.

Robert Hesser is the President of Vetrepreneur and does not believe 7 T4 contracts for 7 veteran-owned businesses are enough under the law. Until the GAO issues its decision on the protest, the VA cannot award any more contracts.

The GAO will not issue their decision until December 2010. It seems until then all progress on this project will come to a halt.