XL EagleVA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
VA stands for Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care, benefits, and cemetery services to veterans. It runs one of the largest health care systems in the country, with medical centers and clinics nationwide.
VA buys medical supplies, equipment, facility maintenance, construction, food service, and many other services. Under its Veterans First program, VA must consider service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses first when the rules are met.
Why it matters to a small contractor
If you are veteran-owned, VA is your strongest federal buyer, but you need SBA VetCert certification to get the preference. Non-veteran firms still win plenty of VA work, especially as subcontractors. VA medical centers need HVAC, elevator, janitorial, and grounds services year round.
Example
A service-disabled veteran-owned HVAC firm, certified through SBA, wins a set-aside to maintain chillers at a VA medical center.
VA: common questions
What is the VA Veterans First program?
It is the VA's rule to set aside contracts for service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses when enough qualified firms are expected to bid at fair prices. Firms must be certified to qualify.
Where does VA post contracts?
Most VA opportunities are on SAM.gov. Some health care schedule buys go through the VA National Acquisition Center.
Want the contract without the paperwork? Send XL Eagle your price on an open government job. We write and submit the bid under our registrations, free to you. Find open jobs →