Acquisition Policy Flash! 12-17

Purpose:  To inform the VA Acquisition Workforce of VA PROCUREMENT POLICY MEMORANDUM (PPM) - Mandatory Usage of VA’s Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS).  This PPM rescinds Information Letter (IL) 049-07-06, Implementation and Mandated Use of VA’s eCMS, dated June 15, 2007.

Dated:  June 15, 2012

VAAR Section Impacted:  N/A

Effective Date:  Immediately

Background:  Consistent use of eCMS improves transparency and reduces duplicative data entry in the Federal Procurement Data System Next Generation (FPDS-NG) and USA Spending.gov.  It provides management with the visibility into key metrics and workload without requiring time-consuming data calls.  Using eCMS also supports legal and technical compliance by populating contract documents with up-to-date provisions and clauses.

Applicability:  This applies to all acquisitions above the micro-purchase threshold except task or delivery orders placed by an Ordering Officer designated by a contracting officer (CO).  Purchases of high technology/high cost equipment by the National Acquisition Center (NAC) on behalf of a medical center will be entered by the NAC rather than the medical center.

Additional Information:  Questions or concerns should be addressed to the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (003A), Procurement Policy and Warrant Management Service (003A2A), at (202) 461-6918, e-mail:  va.procurement.policy@va.gov.