Office of Acquisition & Materiel Management
Policies and Regulations - Information Letter 90-97-3
90-97-3 8(a) Program
Department of Veterans Affairs
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management
Washington DC 20420
IL 90-97-3
December 30, 1996
Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management Information Letter
TO: |
Veterans Integrated Service Network Directors; Directors, VA Medical Center Activities, Domiciliary, Outpatient Clinics, Medical and Regional Office Centers; and Regional Offices; Directors, Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center, Austin Automation Center, Records Management Center, VBA Benefits Delivery Centers, and CHAMPVA Center; Director, National Cemetery System; and, the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the National Acquisition Center |
ATTN: |
Head of the Contracting Activity |
SUBJECT: |
8(a) Program |
- It has been brought to our attention that there may be confusion regarding the status of the Section 8(a) business development program, i.e., the 8(a) Program, in view of the Supreme Court's Adarand decision. Under Adarand, Federal programs that use race or ethnicity as a basis for decisionmaking must be strictly scrutinized to ensure that they promote compelling Governmental interests, and that they are narrowly tailored to serve those interests.
- This information letter is provided as a reminder that the 8(a) program
remains in full force and effect and should be utilized to obtain goods and
services whenever possible. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is vigorously and successfully defending the 8(a) program against constitutional challenges and will continue to do so. Accordingly, procurement opportunities for the 8(a) program should not be placed on hold pending the final results of the DOJ's
review.
- OA&MM has a long standing commitment to work with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OOSB) and others to support affirmative action. We
have jointly monitored the Adarand decision with OOSB and the Office
of the General Counsel and will continue to keep you informed as additional
information becomes available. Questions concerning this Information
Letter may be addressed to Wafi Rains, Acquisition Policy Team, on (202)
273-6057.
/s/Gary J. Krump
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Reviewed/Updated Date:
October 16, 2006 4:16 PM
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