BACKGROUND: Sections 502 & 503 of PL 109-461 established the “VETS First” contracting program at VA. This program gives first priority of contract opportunities at VA to verified small business owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. On June 22, 2016, the Supreme Court of the United States in Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v United States (14-916) found VETS First to be mandatory, not discretionary and requires VA to apply the Rule of Two (VETS First) to all contract determinations.
ISSUE: VA refuses to apply VETS First rules to micro-purchases. A micro- purchase is defined as any purchase under $15,000 and is generally exempt from government terms and conditions. VA spends approximately $5 billion through micro-purchase procedures. Micro-purchases is a proven way for new service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to gain experience and have opportunities in the federal marketplace. VA is denying micro-purchase opportunities to service-disabled
ISSUE: VA refuses to apply VETS First rules to micro-purchases. A micro- purchase is defined as any purchase under $15,000 and is generally exempt from government terms and conditions. VA spends approximately $5 billion through micro-purchase procedures. Micro-purchases is a proven way for new service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to gain experience and have opportunities in the federal marketplace. VA is denying micro-purchase opportunities to service-disabled