VA Introduces New, Improved Modernized Leasing Program

WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a  modernization of its leasing program to better align the agency’s major lease procurements with other federal agencies and the private sector, with an emphasis on increased competition, cost savings and speed to market.

“VA is committed to identifying ways to streamline the leasing process, in order to deliver   medical facilities as expeditiously and cost effectively as possible,” said VA Secretary David Shulkin. “The goal is for these changes to help ensure a quicker delivery of facilities for VA to provide health-care services to our nation’s Veterans.”

VA will use a new set of bidding and contractual documents that simplifies and streamlines the lease-procurement process in order to encourage more competition and innovation from the market.

The bidding and contractual documents coincide with a move to the use of local codes and private sector healthcare facility best practices, in lieu of relying on standards unique to VA. VA will adopt the Interagency Security Committee standards for physical security, which allow for a customized, risk-based security approach that is right for each facility, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

VA anticipates that this new approach will allow for greater competition from existing buildings, and represent a process that affords private-sector developers the ability to innovate solutions at the most competitive pricing possible.

VA remains committed to providing high-quality care and an improved patient experience to our nation’s Veterans. VA invites offerors and interested parties to view its major lease procurements on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov.