The Government Accountability Office has recommended the Department of Veterans Affairs establish procedures to record obligations in the procurement system and address the implementation of the contract liaison initiative.A report GAO published Friday says the VA could make its multi-billion dollar procurement spending more effective and efficient in areas such as data systems, procurement policies and oversight, acquisition workforce and contract management.
GAO noted the VA’s “outdated and fragmented” procurement policy framework led to confusion in contract officers that did not know where to seek guidance on procurement regulation concerns and the agency has not implemented procedures to ensure obligations are recorded.
Auditor said that policies will help VA procure assets on behalf of veterans at an effective rate and achieve cost savings through applicable policy and regulation compliance in situations such as medical supply procurement.
VA has continued to revise its procurement regulation since 2011 and expects to complete a new procurement system in 2018, GAO noted.
