Why VA Contracting Matters
The Department of Veterans Affairs is unique in federal contracting. It's the second-largest contracting agency after DoD, with a FY 2026 discretionary budget request of $140 billion. More importantly for small businesses, VA has the strongest veteran preference program in the federal government. Under the Vets First Contracting Program, VA must prioritize Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) before considering other set-aside categories. This means SDVOSB and VOSB status gives you preference over 8(a), HUBZone, and WOSB programs at VA - a reversal of typical federal procurement hierarchy. VA sets aside at least 7% of its contracting dollars for veteran-owned businesses. The government-wide goal is only 5%. Combined with Vets First priority, this makes VA the most favorable agency for veteran entrepreneurs. We track 1,108 open VA opportunities. The volume is substantial because VA operates 172 medical centers, over 1,000 outpatient sites, and extensive support infrastructure. If you can provide healthcare services, construction, IT, or facilities support, VA has contracts for you.
What We Track: 1,108 Open VA Opportunities
Current breakdown of VA opportunities: By Category: - Procurement (contracts): 1,088 open - Grants: 9 open - Forecasted (coming soon): 4 open - RFI/Sources Sought: 6 open - Other: 1 open By Work Type (approximate): - IT and Technology: 229 open - Construction and Renovation: 203 open - Services and Maintenance: 153 open - Healthcare and Medical: 124 open - Equipment and Supplies: 72 open - Other: 327 open IT and construction dominate because of two major initiatives: the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program transitioning VA to Oracle Health, and ongoing facility upgrades across the VA system. By Contracting Office (top regions by volume): - Network Contract Office 02 (NY/NJ area): 38 open - Network Contract Office 17 (Texas): 22 open - Network Contract Office 22 (Arizona/Nevada): 19 open - Network Contract Office 20 (Pacific Northwest): 18 open - Network Contract Office 10 (Midwest): 17 open - Network Contract Office 21 (California): 17 open VA contracting is decentralized across these Network Contract Offices (NCOs), which align with Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs). If you're targeting VA work, knowing which NCO covers your region helps you find relevant opportunities and build relationships with local contracting officers.
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VOSB and SDVOSB Certification: What Changed
Major change: As of January 1, 2023, VOSB and SDVOSB certification transferred from VA to the Small Business Administration (SBA). This was mandated by the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. What this means: 1. One certification, government-wide access: SBA certification now works across all federal agencies, not just VA. Your SDVOSB certification qualifies you for set-asides at DoD, GSA, and every other agency. 2. New system: Applications go through SBA's Veteran Small Business Certification program at veterans.certify.sba.gov. The old VetBiz verification system is no longer used for certification. 3. Verification method: Contracting officers now check the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) database to verify certification status, not VetCert. 4. Three-year certification: Once approved, certification is valid for three years. Eligibility Requirements: For VOSB: At least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans. For SDVOSB: At least 51% of the business must be owned and controlled by one or more veterans with a service-connected disability rating from VA. 'Control' means veterans must hold the highest officer position, control the board, and make long-term strategic decisions. Passive ownership doesn't qualify. How to Apply: 1. Register in SAM.gov (required for all federal contracting) 2. Complete your SBA profile 3. Apply at veterans.certify.sba.gov 4. Provide documentation of veteran status, ownership, and control 5. Wait for SBA review (processing times vary) Existing certifications from the VA system were honored during the transition, but new applicants and renewals go through SBA.
How Vets First Actually Works
The Vets First Contracting Program creates a procurement hierarchy at VA that puts veteran-owned businesses at the top. VA's Procurement Order of Priority: 1. SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) - First priority 2. VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) - Second priority 3. Other small business categories (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB) 4. Full and open competition This means VA contracting officers must first check whether a procurement can be set aside for SDVOSBs. If not enough qualified SDVOSBs exist, they consider VOSBs. Only after exhausting veteran-owned options do other set-asides come into play. Sole Source Authority: VA can award sole-source contracts to SDVOSBs and VOSBs under certain conditions: - Contract value up to $5 million for services - Contract value up to $5 million for supplies - Only one SDVOSB or VOSB is reasonably available - Award is in the best interest of the government This sole-source authority is significant. If you're the only certified veteran-owned business offering a specific service in a VA region, you may be able to win contracts without competition. Tiered Evaluation: Many VA solicitations use 'tiered evaluation' - they evaluate SDVOSB offers first, then VOSB, then other small businesses. We see this in current opportunities like VISN 5's waste management contracts, where the solicitation explicitly states tiered evaluation for SDVOSB, VOSB, and small business. The practical impact: Your SDVOSB certification is more valuable at VA than anywhere else in the federal government.
Current Opportunities: Examples with Upcoming Deadlines
Here are real VA opportunities showing the range of available work: Set-Aside Opportunities (next 30 days): VISN 5 Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling - January 22, 2026 Tiered evaluation (SDVOSB, VOSB, SB). Covers 4 VAMCs and 17 CBOCs in West Virginia. Ammunition for VISN 23 - January 23, 2026 100% SDVOSB set-aside. IDIQ contract with base year plus four option years. Janitorial Services - January 26, 2026 SDVOSB set-aside. Base plus 4 option years. Teleradiology Services (Fayetteville) - January 27, 2026 SDVOSB competitive procurement. Regulated Medical Waste and Sharps Disposal (VISN 5) - January 29, 2026 Tiered evaluation. Covers 8 VAMCs and 29 CBOCs. EHRM (Electronic Health Record Modernization) Projects: Abbott RALS Integration with Oracle EHR - January 21, 2026 Lab system integration with new electronic health record. EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades (American Lake) - January 22, 2026 Construction project for health record system infrastructure. Renovate Building 9A for EHRM Administration (Dublin, GA) - January 26, 2026 Facility renovation to support new health record system. EHRM Tier 2 Data Center Construction (Big Spring, TX) - January 27, 2026 Data center construction for health record infrastructure. EHRM Data Center Tier 2 Construction (Chillicothe, OH) - January 29, 2026 Data center construction. EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades Phase 2 (Portland, OR) - February 17, 2026 Continued infrastructure work. Large Contract: Building Management PM Services - January 27, 2026 Award ceiling: $47 million. Network Contract Office 21 (California).
The EHRM Opportunity
VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization program is one of the largest IT modernization efforts in federal history. VA is transitioning from its legacy VistA system to Oracle Health (formerly Cerner). This creates substantial contracting opportunities in multiple areas: IT Integration: - System integration with existing VA applications - Data migration and validation - Interface development (lab systems, imaging, pharmacy) - Training and change management Infrastructure: - Data center construction and upgrades - Network infrastructure improvements - Facility modifications for new systems - Power and cooling systems Support Services: - Implementation support - Help desk and user support - Clinical workflow optimization - Testing and quality assurance The EHRM program has faced challenges - delays, cost overruns, and user complaints. But the work continues, and contracts continue to flow. We track multiple EHRM-related opportunities with deadlines in the coming weeks. If you have healthcare IT experience, Oracle/Cerner expertise, or can provide construction and facilities support, EHRM represents a multi-year opportunity stream.
How to Find VA Contracts
VA opportunities appear in several places: SAM.gov: The primary source for federal contract opportunities. All VA solicitations above the micro-purchase threshold ($10,000) must be posted here. Filter by agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) to see current opportunities. VA Forecast of Contracting Opportunities: VA publishes planned procurements at vendorportal.ecms.va.gov. This shows what's coming before solicitations are released - useful for preparing in advance. VetBiz Portal (vetbiz.va.gov): While certification moved to SBA, VetBiz still provides resources for veteran-owned businesses including the procurement forecast and small business program information. Network Contract Office Outreach: Each NCO conducts industry days and small business events. These are opportunities to learn about upcoming work and meet contracting officers. Check VA OSDBU announcements for events in your region. Our Search: We aggregate VA opportunities from SAM.gov and other sources. Search 'VA' or 'Veterans Affairs' to see all 1,108 open opportunities, filterable by category, deadline, and type. Tips for Finding Relevant Work: 1. Filter by NCO region: If you can only serve certain locations, focus on those Network Contract Offices. 2. Watch for tiered evaluations: These explicitly call out SDVOSB/VOSB priority. 3. Check the forecast: VA's procurement forecast shows opportunities months before solicitations post. 4. Monitor EHRM: If you're in healthcare IT or construction, EHRM opportunities appear regularly. 5. Look at CBOCs: Community-Based Outpatient Clinics need services but get less attention than major medical centers.
Common Categories of VA Work
Understanding what VA buys helps you position your business: Healthcare Services: - Clinical staffing (physicians, nurses, technicians) - Telehealth and teleradiology - Laboratory services - Pharmacy services - Mental health services - Rehabilitation services Construction and Facilities: - Medical center construction and renovation - CBOC buildouts - Infrastructure upgrades (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) - Accessibility improvements - Parking and grounds IT and Technology: - EHRM-related work (integration, infrastructure, support) - Cybersecurity - Telecommunications - Medical device integration - Software development and maintenance Medical Equipment and Supplies: - Diagnostic equipment - Surgical instruments - Prosthetics and orthotics - Pharmaceuticals - Personal protective equipment Support Services: - Janitorial and custodial - Food services - Laundry services - Waste management (including medical waste) - Transportation (patient transport, wheelchair services) - Security services Administrative Services: - Staffing and temp services - Training - Records management - Claims processing support The breadth is significant. If you provide almost any commercial service, there's likely a VA application.
What Makes VA Proposals Win
VA evaluates proposals based on standard federal criteria, but some factors matter more at VA: Veteran Preference (for set-asides): Your SDVOSB or VOSB certification must be current and verifiable in DSBS. Contracting officers will check. If your certification has lapsed or is in renewal, you may be ineligible. Healthcare Experience: For clinical or medical support contracts, VA wants demonstrated experience in healthcare settings. Hospital experience, familiarity with medical regulations (HIPAA, Joint Commission), and clinical certifications matter. VA Past Performance: Prior VA contracts are highly valued. If you've successfully performed VA work, reference it prominently. VA contracting officers can verify performance through CPARS. Understanding VA Culture: VA serves a specific population with specific needs. Proposals that demonstrate understanding of veteran healthcare issues, PTSD considerations, accessibility requirements, and the VA mission resonate better than generic responses. Location and Response Time: Many VA services require on-site presence. Demonstrating local capability, quick response times, and understanding of specific facility needs helps. Compliance History: VA checks debarment status, tax compliance, and labor law violations carefully. Any issues in these areas can disqualify you. Price Realism: VA often uses best-value evaluation rather than lowest price. But prices must be realistic - significantly underbidding signals you don't understand the work.
What to Do This Week
If you're pursuing VA contracts: 1. Get Certified (if eligible) If you're a veteran-owned business without SDVOSB or VOSB certification, apply at veterans.certify.sba.gov. The certification opens doors that nothing else can. 2. Verify Your Existing Certification If you're already certified, verify your status in DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search). Ensure it shows correctly and hasn't lapsed. 3. Register in SAM.gov You cannot receive federal contracts without SAM.gov registration. If you haven't registered, start now - it takes time to complete. 4. Identify Your Target Region Which VA medical centers and CBOCs can you realistically serve? Focus on those Network Contract Offices. 5. Check the VA Forecast Review planned procurements at the VA Vendor Portal. Identify opportunities that match your capabilities before solicitations release. 6. Contact VA OSDBU The VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization helps small businesses. Call 1-866-584-2344 or email [email protected] with questions. Key resources: - SBA Certification: veterans.certify.sba.gov - VA Vendor Portal: vendorportal.ecms.va.gov - VA OSDBU: va.gov/osdbu - VetBiz: vetbiz.va.gov Search 'VA' or 'Veterans Affairs' on Funding Landscape to see all 1,108 open opportunities with deadlines and direct links.