How to Contract With VA Hospitals

By John M. Duffey

The Veterans Administration, like all other federal agencies, requires certain services and goods from outside the agency in order for it to perform its duties and function at the basic level. The Veterans Administration's chief purchases include office supplies, medical supplies, technical servicing and maintenance and information technology support services. The acquisition of goods and services is accomplished through the issuance of contracts with various American vendors.

Acquire an EIN and DUNS number. No agency of the federal government may contract a private service provider who is not registered with an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service and has not been registered with Dun & Bradstreet with a Data Universal Numbering System number. Both of these are required in order to do business with the VA.

Register with Central Contractor Registry (CCR). All government vendors must be registered with CCR, a government-run online registry for all sizes of businesses that seek to do business with any federal agency. When registered, a company is issued a CAGE code. This account and code are important in that they contain vital banking information through which all invoices are paid by the government.

Check out the VA Acquisitions website. The VA has a website where business opportunities are announced. This is also where special programs for veteran-owned small businesses can be found and applied for.

Frequently check the Federal Business Opportunities Site (FEDBIZOPS or FBO). FBO is a government-run site where solicitations for government contracts are posted and updated from every agency of the federal government. The VA is a participating agency, and its contract opportunities throughout the country are posted there.

Check the VA and FBO websites frequently. It is also beneficial to register for FBO email notifications in order to be on top of the latest opportunities. In federal contracting, timing makes the difference between success and bankruptcy.

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