VetLikeMe News Alert

What is His Motive?
VA Chief of Acquisition Spills Guts Regarding
“Veteran’s First” Sham

In this episode of the Twilight Zone, we have a very special guest on the set who you’ll meet further down the column. In an astounding display of bureaucratic stupidity or marvelous cunning, Jan Frye, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Acquisition and Logistics phoned Wayne Gatewood, a fierce advocate for veterans—with a weight on his chest than needed to be re-leased. Wayne, take it away:

“Yesterday I had a conversation with Mr. Jan Frye, VA’s Chief of Acquisitions. Mr. Frye talked with me about the workings of the VA FSS Program and what he believes to be the importance of the FSS in relation to procurement methodology and the importance of the VA Supply Fund to OAL Operations. At the following Link, please read about the VA FSS Schedule: http://www.fss.va.gov At the following Link, please read about the VA Supply Fund: http://www.va.gov/oal/about/finance.asp.

Mr. Frye also let me know that Secretary Shinseki stands by the VA FSS Schedule as the go-to procurement methodology and it was Secretary Shinseki’s personal decision to not go Vets First! (I am attempting to get a past Press Release from VA PA Office that is supposed to contain the Secretary’s words relative to this matter). Please read the below two paragraphs from the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) webpage – “About Us.”

“The complex functions required to support the diverse programs of VA are reflected in the mission and organization of OAL. In addition to its primary role of supporting VA’s pro-grams, OAL has a Government-wide role in the supply management of medical supplies and non-perishable subsistence.”

“All OAL operations are funded through the self-sustaining VA Supply Fund which is managed by OAL. The operating costs are recovered through a variety of cost recovery mechanisms that are designed to pass the costs of services provided along to the beneficiaries of such service.”

The VA’s Supply Fund offsets the operating costs of OAL, such as the VA Acquisitions Academy, Denver Acquisitions and Logistics Center, National Contract Service, National Acquisition Center, and the staff that operates these activities. The fund also pays for bonus’ and other items. How does it work? VA gets .05 % of every dollar of every FSS Schedule contract that is let. Given the VA purchases billions of dollars in products, supplies, medicine, services, etc., per year, with much of that through FSS, the FSS program brings in millions of dollars to the Supply Fund. In addition to the money that comes back to the Supply Fund to support OAL, Mr. Frye also told me that VA believes that FSS provides the best cost and the most reliable and timely source of services and supplies to support our millions of Veterans. (But, since there are no cost comparisons with SDVOSBs for certain products and supplies I ask, ―how can that claim be supported”?)*

A GAO Report on the Supply Fund along with an “anonymously prepared Analysis of the VA FSS and the Supply Fund”, are also attached. I have looked over the Analysis but can-not confirm its validity or support its claims. Nonetheless, it appears to be very thorough.

So there you have it folks….FSS Priority…so says Secretary Shinseki! If you want to comment on this matter, send me an e-mail and I will place it in the News for Mr. Frye and staff to read. For me personally, nothing changes until the Law changes and until that happens, it re-mains Vets First as required by PL 109-461. Also, for any and all purchases under the small purchase threshold (to include the “griddle” Aldevra was trying to sell to VA when VA went FSS), by Law, has to be purchased from a small business! So says the Law, so says SBA….. Small purchases are for small business only and not VA FSS to large business.

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The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

Inc. Magazine is looking for successful business owners who are prior military for a potential national article:

“How has your military experience influenced your business leadership style?”

Veteran Owned Business was recently contacted by a writer for Inc. Magazine who is working on an article about: “…how military experience influences the leadership styles of veteran business owners?“  In short, VOB has been asked to reach out to our members to find veteran owned businesses (with a minimum of 10 employees) to answer two (2) survey questions for possible inclusion in this–and future–business article(s).

If you are a military veteran (active duty and/or reserves works too), run a successful business and have at least 10 employees, please email us your answers to the following questions.  Also, please include your contact information in case we and/or the writer needs to get back in touch with you.

1. Do you have any specific stories or examples that illustrate how the discipline instilled in you during your military career has translated into your career as the leader of a business?

2. As you developed your own leadership style and practices, did you model yourself after any particular military leader: someone you served under or with, or whom you just know a great deal about? If so, who is that person (or people)?

Because of the demographics of the publication (and because the subject is “leadership styles”), Inc. Magazine is stipulating  the response come from a business owner who a) was/is in the military b) is still in business and c) has a minimum of 10 employees.

Please email your responses to: info@VeteranOwnedBusiness.com. Don’t forget to include your contact information including: name, business name, phone number, and email address.

We are keeping our fingers crossed we get a good response to this media request in order to help a few of our members get national exposure!

Currently, there are I.T. and Technology small businesses listed that offer (partial list) the following business services:

• Audio Visual Services
• Computer System Software Resellers
• Information Technology (I.T.) Services
• Technical Training Services
• Telecommunications Services
• Videoconferencing
• Computer Repair
• Database Administration
• Programming and Software Development Services
• Technology Support Services
• Testing and Calibration Services

 If you are the owner of an I.T. and Technology company and are a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com Directory is to offer a growing list of  I.T. and Technology small businesses owned by veterans, active duty military, reservist and/or service disabled veterans of the United States Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and National Guard.

Thank You,

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