The Law - The Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) is the legal foundation for all procurement policy in Virginia. All procurement procedures must be conducted in a fair and impartial manner with avoidance of any impropriety or appearance of impropriety.
All public entities in the Commonwealth, unless exempted, MUST abide by the VPPA. Executive Branch Agencies abide by the APSPM.
Public purchasing requires a fundamental obligation to the general public to ensure that procurements are accomplished in accordance with the intent of the laws enacted by the General Assembly. The Policy, Consulting and Review Bureau is responsible for interpreting the law into policy and procedures for non-technology goods and non-professional services, which are published in the Agency Procurement and Surplus Property Manual (APSPM) and the Vendor's Manual.
The policy - Agency Procurement and Surplus Property Manual (APSPM) - The buyer's guide
The APSPM establishes the policies and procedures to be followed by State agencies and select institutions in conducting procurements and contract administration within their delegated limits. The APSPM is updated by issuance of Procurement Information Memoranda (PIM). PIMs are a result of procurement law changes as a result of the General Assembly each year and/or Executive Orders that impact procurement. The PIM typically go into effect July 1 of each year.
Addressing the legal requirements from the buyer and vendor perspectives provide not only guidance but also unit of voices to all parties involved in public procurement.
A digital copy of the Agency Procurement and Surplus Property Manual (APSPM) can be found on the eVA homepage in the Buyer's Resources.
IT Procurement
The Virginia Information Technologies Agency’s (“VITA”) has statutorily-mandated responsibility for the procurement of information technology (“IT”) as provided in § 2.2-2012 of the Code of Virginia. There are situations where Chief Information Officer (CIO) approval is required, when VITA may delegate its procurement authority, and the policies agencies should follow when purchasing IT under delegated authority from VITA.
For assistance with technology purchases please contact the procurement@dhp.virginia.gov
Furniture Purchases
VCE (Virginia Correctional Enterprises) is the selected furniture vendor for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Purchasing Rules
We are responsible for making all purchases of goods/products, including supplies, materials and equipment for the Agency. Commonwealth purchasing rules distinguish small dollar from large dollar purchases:
Vendor Debarment
Contractors who either do not meet their obligations or have other performance or non-performance issues may be suspended or disqualified from contracting with the Commonwealth through enjoinment or debarment. A contractor may be debarred or enjoined only under the circumstances and by the procedures outlined in the DGS Debarment and Enjoinment Procedures for Construction. Action taken by DGS to debar or enjoin a company applies to use of that company by any Commonwealth agency.
Companies that have been debarred and/or enjoined by the Commonwealth are identified on the eVA Inactive Vendor List. After accessing this eVA webpage, select (1) eVA Status, then (2) select "Debarred" or "Enjoined" from the reasons listed to filter the eVA Inactive Vendor List for these two specific categories.
Vendor Manual
The Vendors Manual provides all necessary information of the purchasing rules from a vendor's perspective.
Become a SWaM certified vendor. Virginia manages a formal certification process to identify vendors as Small, Woman-owned, Minority-owned business and/or other classifications. This is an important part of defining yourself if doing business with Virginia.
