Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020

11/1/2022, 4:47 AM

Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give preference to nonprofit firms that employ the blind and significantly disabled when contracting for covered products and services that are included on the procurement list maintained by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. The commission provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.

The bill provides an exemption in certain situations for covered products or services for which contracts were awarded after December 22, 2006, and were in effect on the day before the enactment date of this bill.

A covered product or service is one that was included on the commission's procurement list on or before December 22, 2006, or a product or service that (1) is a replacement for a product or service on the commission's procurement list, (2) is essentially the same and meets the same requirements as the product or service being replaced, and (3) meets the VA's quality standards and delivery schedule.

Congress
116

Number
HR - 4920

Introduced on
2019-10-30

# Amendments
1

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give preference to nonprofit firms that employ the blind and significantly disabled when contracting for covered products and services that are included on the procurement list maintained by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. The commission provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.

The bill provides an exemption in certain situations for covered products or services for which contracts were awarded after December 22, 2006, and were in effect on the day before the enactment date of this bill.

A covered product or service is one that was included on the commission's procurement list on or before December 22, 2006, or a product or service that (1) is a replacement for a product or service on the commission's procurement list, (2) is essentially the same and meets the same requirements as the product or service being replaced, and (3) meets the VA's quality standards and delivery schedule.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an exception to certain small business contracting requirements applicable to the Department of Veterans Affairs procurement of certain goods and services covered under the Ability One program, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Disability and paralysis•
Public contracts and procurement•
Small business•
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary10/19/2021

Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give preference to nonprofit firms that employ the blind a...


Latest Action8/8/2020
Became Public Law No: 116-155.