WATCH: Barrett Speaks in Support of Plan to Streamline VA Purchases, Protect Veterans and Taxpayers

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) participated in a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing where he highlighted the importance of his Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment (ARCA) Act to enhance oversight and streamline the Department of Veterans Affairs’ process for acquiring IT and medical systems, logistics platforms, and large service contracts. This includes technology used to implement Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) that is launching in Michigan VA medical centers next month, Digital GI Modernization, and online scheduling.

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Barrett’s Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment (ARCA) Act (H.R. 6833), which he introduced in December, would restructure the currently disjointed acquisition and contracting processes under a newly established Office of Acquisition. The bill would also strengthen internal checks to prevent waste and fraud and require congressional reauthorization every two years. 

“When the price tag for overly complicated and inefficient VA contracts blows up, it’s our veterans who pay the price,” said Barrett. “The VA’s inability to get and stay organized often leads to prolonged upgrades and error-prone systems that delay services and waste money that should be spent on fulfilling our promise to veterans. My ARCA Act will fix this broken acquisition process once and for all by strengthening accountability and making sure VA upgrades protect taxpayer dollars to meet the needs of those who served.”

Background:

The ARCA Act is part of a larger package led by Republicans on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to restore accountability, fix problems at the VA, and deliver efficient benefits and care for veterans. Many essential VA functions, including the contract and procurement process, are currently operating under expired, nonexistent, or lapsed authorization from Congress, but still receiving yearly appropriations. This leads to a lack of the routine congressional oversight that’s needed to address failures in the programs.

Specifically, the ARCA Act would create a process at the VA for procurement and contracting under a newly established Office of Acquisition that would:

• Oversee all major acquisition, contracting, and logistics at the VA;
• Streamline procurement and contracting processes; and
• Enhance accountability through independent evaluations and reporting.

Companion legislation (S. 1591), introduced by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), passed the Senate unanimously in December. 

Click here to watch the full hearing.

Click here to read the full bill text.