(e) The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have entered into a Partnership Agreement delegating SBA's contract execution and administrative functions to VA. Contracting officers shall follow the alternate procedures in the Partnership Agreement and this subpart, as applicable, to award an 8(a) contract. In the event the Partnership Agreement ceases to be in effect, contracting officers shall follow the procedures in FAR subpart 19.8.

(a) Before placing new requirements under the 8(a) program, the contracting officer must determine whether an SDVOSB/VOSB set-aside is mandated under the VA Rule of Two (see 802.101). If the determination does not result in an SDVOSB/VOSB set-aside, the contracting officer may consider the 8(a) program.

(b) The Partnership Agreement provides that SBA can release procurements already in the program whenever an SDVOSB or VOSB set-aside is feasible.

(c) When an 8(a) acquisition is processed pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the contracting officer shall:

(1) For competitive solicitations and awards, use the clause at 852.219-71, VA Notification of Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a) Participants, substituting paragraph (c) of FAR 52.219-18, Notification of Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a) Participants, with paragraph (c) contained in 852.219-71.

(2) For noncompetitive solicitations and awards insert the clause at 852.219-72, Notification of Section 8(a) Direct Awards, instead of the prescribed FAR clauses at 52.219-11, Special 8(a) Contract Conditions; 52.219-12, Special 8(a) Subcontract Conditions; and 52.219-17, Section 8(a) Award.

(3) In all instances, contracting include the clause at FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, or if applicable 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule.