VA Contracting and Procurement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6549
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Committee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-19T08:07:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill, titled the VA Contracting and Procurement Act, amends title 38 of the United States Code to impose spending limits on certain contracts and agreements entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. It aims to require specific congressional authorization for large expenditures while providing exceptions for emergencies. The legislation also updates rules for procuring prosthetic appliances and surgical implants.
Key Provisions
- Spending Limitations: Caps obligations or expenditures at $50,000,000 for agreements under multiple sections of title 38 unless funds are specifically authorized by law. This applies to:
- Contracts and personal services (section 513).
- Veterans Community Care Program (section 1703).
- Agreements to administer health care in Department facilities (section 1721).
- Administration of educational benefits (new section 3698B).
- Administration of benefits (new section 5322).
- Small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans (section 8127).
- Sharing of health-care resources (section 8153).
- Emergency Exceptions: The $50,000,000 limit does not apply during a war declared by Congress, certain War Powers Resolution cases, national emergencies, major disasters affecting VA facilities, or public health emergencies.
- Educational Benefits Notification Process: For agreements under the new section 3698B, the Secretary must notify congressional committees, wait 30 legislative days, and allow for a joint resolution of disapproval using expedited procedures.
- Health-Care Item Procurement: Requires compliance with domestic preference statutes for All-Hazards Emergency Cache items, with reporting requirements if exceptions are used during emergencies.
- Prosthetic and Surgical Implant Reforms (section 8123): Mandates a catalog coordinated with the Department of Defense, a standardized process for manufacturers to propose revisions, and firm-fixed price purchase orders processed through the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. Implementation timelines are one year for purchase orders and three years for the catalog.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces new subsections with spending caps across several existing sections of title 38, adding requirements for congressional authorization or notification. It creates two new sections (3698B and 5322) and substantially revises section 8123 on prosthetics to include catalog maintenance, data coordination, and error-correction processes. It also adds domestic preference rules and annual certification requirements to section 8127.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Restricts the Department of Veterans Affairs' flexibility in large-scale contracting and procurement, potentially slowing operations outside of emergencies and requiring more frequent congressional involvement.
- On Citizens: May affect veterans by influencing the speed and scope of community care, educational benefits, and prosthetic services, though emergency exceptions could mitigate disruptions.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Veterans receiving care, benefits, or prosthetics.
- Contractors, small businesses (including veteran-owned), and manufacturers of health-care items.
- Committees on Veterans' Affairs in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The notification and joint resolution process in the educational benefits section creates a structured congressional review mechanism with expedited procedures. The emphasis on domestic preference statutes in emergency procurements aligns with existing federal procurement policies. The bill increases legislative oversight of executive branch spending authority within the VA.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Committee Hearings Held
- 2026-03-18: Committee Hearings Held
- 2025-12-10: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-10: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- VA Contracting and Procurement Act — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (16 pages)