VA Federal Supply Schedule Frequently Asked Questions — FSS Purchasing Programs

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

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FSS Purchasing Programs

What is the Prime Vendor Program?
What can I sell to/buy from the Med/Surg Prime Vendor Program?
What is Disaster Recovery Purchasing?
What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (Recovery Act 2009)?
Where can I find more information about the VA's National Contract Service and Prime Vendor Programs?

1. What is the Prime Vendor Program?

In a partnering effort between Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL), VA implemented a three (3) national Prime Vendor Programs: Medical/Surgical, Pharmaceutical, and Subsistence. These prime vendor contractors maintain stock of various contracted items and offer items from multiple contractors under a single order.

Medical Centers pay prime vendors a distribution fee plus the product price. Product prices are primarily established by the Federal Supply Schedule Program (FSS), VA National Standardization Program, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and/or local contracts.

Companies offering items under FSS Schedules 65IIA Medical Equipment & Supplies and 65IB Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, & Hematology Related Products may elect to participate in the Prime Vendor Program. Participation in this program is optional and will have no impact on the Governments award decision.

2. What can I sell to/buy from the Med/Surg Prime Vendor Program?

The following SINs are available for sale/purchase from the Med/Surg Prime Vendor Program:

Schedule	Special Item Number (SIN)
65IB Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, & Hematology Related Products	42-1 Nonprescription Medicated Cosmetics & Surgical Soaps 622 Antiseptic Liquid Skin Cleansing Detergents and Soaps, Dispensers, and Accessories
65IIA Medical Equipment & Supplies	ALL SINs except those for medical equipment, pharmacy furniture, and equipment maintenance and repair.
65IIF Patient Mobility Devices	F-1 Manual Wheelchairs F-5 Wheelchair Cushions F-6 Accessory Products
65VII Invitro Diagnostics, Reagents, Test Kits, & Test Sets	555-7 Phlebotomy (needles, collection tubes/sets, lancets, and skin preparation kits) 555-10 Miscellaneous (vacutainer kits, filter samplers, laboratory chemical and miscellaneous in vitro diagnostic products) This does not include laboratory supplies.

3. What is Disaster Recovery Purchasing?

Under the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program, state and local government entities may purchase a variety of products and services from contracts awarded under Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts to facilitate recovery from a major disaster, terrorism, or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack.

All FSS contract holders may elect to accept orders under the Disaster Recovery Purchasing program; however, participation in this program is optional and will have no impact on the Government’s award decision.

The GSA Disaster Recovery Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) web page provides additional information on this program.

4. What is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (Recovery Act 2009)?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so that our country can thrive in the 21st century.

All FSS contract holders may elect to accept orders funded under ARRA; however, participation is optional and will have no impact on the Government’s award decision.

The FAQs for Recipients web page provides additional information on this program.

5. Where can I find more information about the VA's National Contract Service and Prime Vendor Programs?

Visit the National Contract Service homepage for more information on national contracts and prime vendor programs.