XL EagleVAAR (Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation)
VAAR stands for Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation. The VAAR is the Department of Veterans Affairs supplement to the FAR, found in Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 8. It adds rules for VA medical centers and other VA offices when they buy supplies, services, and construction.
A big part of the VAAR deals with the VA's 'Veterans First' approach, which gives priority to service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. VAAR clauses start with 852 and cover things like VA-specific invoicing, limitations on subcontracting for veteran set-asides, and facility rules.
Why it matters to a small contractor
VA hospitals buy a huge range of trade services, including HVAC maintenance, grounds, pest control, and elevator service. If a VA job is set aside for veteran-owned firms, the VAAR rules on who does the work matter a lot. If you are not veteran-owned, you may still win work as a subcontractor, within the limits the set-aside allows.
Example
A VA medical center posts a grounds maintenance job set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. A non-veteran landscaping company partners with a certified veteran-owned prime, which keeps the required share of the work and subcontracts the rest.
VAAR: common questions
Do I need to be veteran-owned to bid on VA contracts?
No. Many VA contracts are open to other small businesses or to everyone. Only set-asides for veteran-owned firms require the right certification, so check the set-aside line on the solicitation.
Where are VAAR clauses listed?
They appear in the solicitation's clause section with numbers starting with 852. The full text is on acquisition.gov under the VAAR.
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 →