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Acquisition Policy Flash! 18-16

What's Changed?

Notification of the publication of the revised Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) Parts 816, 828, 852 and Issuance of new VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) Parts M816 and M828

Purpose:  The purpose of the Acquisition Flash is to notify the VA Acquisition Workforce of the publication of the revised VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) and the publication of the first parts, parts M816 and M828, of the new VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM).

VAAR/VAAM Sections Impacted:  VAAR Parts 816, 828, 852 and VAAM Parts M816 and M828.

Effective Date:  March 23, 2018

Background:  In order to enhance the department level guidance for all VA acquisitions, A VA Acquisition Update was issued that contains revisions to the VAAR.  The revisions were published in a Federal Register Notice as a final rule at 83 FR 7401 (document number 2018-03164) on February 21, 2018.  This final rule results from the proposed rule published on March 13, 2017, and is codified in eCFR with an effective date of March 23, 2018.

Additionally, the new VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) is also being published to implement VAAM parts M816, Types of Contracts, and M828, Bonds and Insurance.  As a result of both the VAAR revisions and VAAM implementation, IL 049-05-12, dated September 2, 2005, and Class Deviation–VA Acquisition Regulation 816.504, Indefinite-Quantity contracts, dated October 11, 2012, are rescinded.

The VAAR is issued to implement FAR policies and procedures, or to supplement the FAR to meet VA’s specific needs, as well as to implement VA-specific statutory requirements.  The VAAR is codified under chapter 8 in Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations.  The VAAR parallels the FAR in format, arrangement, and numbering system in accordance with FAR 1.303(a).  The VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) is not codified, but also parallels the FAR and VAAR in format, arrangement, and numbering system. The VAAM contains internal procedural guidance and will be updated as necessary to reflect changes in Federal and VA acquisition policy.  VA’s acquisition professionals are expected to consult with the FAR, VAAR, and the VAAM (in that order) and any issued Class Deviations or Procurement Policy Memorandums that are issued, when researching acquisition policy.  The following changes were incorporated:

  1. A new VA Acquisition Update 2008-05 dated March 23, 2018, that contain revisions to VAAR parts 816, 828, and affected part 852, that were published in a Federal Register Notice as a final rule at 83 FR 7401 (document number 2018-03164) on February 21, 2018, and which adopted as a final rule the proposed rule published on March 23, 2018;
  2. The implementation of the VA Acquisition Manual for parts M816, Types of Contracts, and M828, Bonds and Insurance:
  3. Due to its incorporation into the VAAM, Information Letter (IL) 049-05-12, Economic Price Adjustment Clauses, dated September 2, 2005, is rescinded; and
  4. Due to its incorporation into the VAAR, Class Deviation—VA Acquisition Regulation 816.504, Indefinite-Quantity contracts, dated October 11, 2012, is rescinded.

Applicability:  This notification is directed to the VA acquisition workforce.

Action Required:  Comply with the requirements of VAAR parts 816, 828, and 852 and VAAM parts M816 and M828.

 

Additional Information:  Direct questions or comments to the Procurement Policy and Warrant Management Service (003A2A) via email at va.procurement.policy@va.gov or (202) 632-5288.

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