WHERE:HVC-210 - Capitol Visitors Center, House Side, Second Floor, Room 210 and streaming here.
Background:During this joint oversight hearing, the two committees will discuss the implementation of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (also known as the VA MISSION Act). The committees will focus on VA’s progress with respect to implementation of title I of the law, which requires VA to institute a consolidated community care program governed by certain access and quality standards by no later than June 6, 2019, to replace the Choice program.
WHERE:334 Cannon House Office Building and streaming here.
Background:During this hearing, the Subcommittee will review the status of the implementation of the Veterans First program since the Supreme Court’s decision in Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v. United States. Major topics will include the extent to which contract awards to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs)have increased; the uniformity of application of the Rule of Two throughout VA; the challenges the VA procurement workforce faces in complying with the Veterans First program and other mandates; the prevalence of improper pass-throughs in performance of such contracts (violations of limitation on subcontracting); and potential additional policy, regulatory, or legislative steps that may be taken to improve the program’s application. The Subcommittee will discuss the Government Accountability Office’s report entitled, “Veterans First Program: VA Needs to Address Implementation Challenges and Strengthen Oversight of Subcontracting Limitations” as well as the independent assessment report of the Veterans First program recently completed by the MITRE Corporation.
