Government Medical Contracts

The path depends on what you offer. For clinical services (physician visits, mental health, dental), register in the VA Community Care Network through Optum or TriWest — this is separate from SAM.gov. For medical supplies and equipment, get on VA Federal Supply Schedule 65. For professional services and consulting, register on SAM.gov and monitor for VA solicitations. SDVOSB and VOSB certifications are particularly valuable at VA — the agency has statutory goals to award 20% of contracts to veteran-owned firms.

The VA Community Care Network (CCN) allows the VA to authorize eligible veterans to receive care from community (private sector) providers when VA facilities are unavailable or insufficient. To participate, healthcare providers register through Optum (for most regions) or TriWest (Region 4-6). You will need to meet VA clinical standards, accept VA fee schedules, and complete the credentialing process. CCN is the primary mechanism for expanding access to VA-contracted healthcare services outside VA facilities.

Requirements vary by contract type. Clinical services require active state licensure in the state of performance, appropriate malpractice liability coverage ($1M+ per occurrence typical), and DEA registration if prescribing controlled substances. Facilities contracting for inpatient or surgical services typically need Joint Commission accreditation or equivalent. For medical equipment, FDA device registration and 510(k) clearance (if applicable) are required. VA clinical contracts also require specific VA credentialing that may differ from standard community credentialing.

VA Federal Supply Schedule 65 (Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Equipment and Supplies) is the primary procurement vehicle for VA and other federal agencies to purchase medical products. Getting listed requires negotiating prices with the VA, demonstrating that your commercial customers receive the same or higher pricing (Most Favored Customer pricing), and maintaining compliance with GSA/VA schedule terms. The application process takes 3–6 months. Once listed, VA facilities can order directly from your schedule at negotiated prices.

Yes. VA has the strongest set-aside preference for veteran-owned businesses in any federal agency — by law, the VA must first check whether a SDVOSB or VOSB can perform the work before opening broader competition. SDVOSB set-asides are common across VA clinical, equipment, and support service contracts. 8(a) and WOSB certifications also apply at other health agencies (HHS, IHS, DHA). Indian Health Service contracts often have specific Native American small business preferences under applicable statutes.