VA Cracks Down on Shady Gray Market Goods in Contracts
Published Date: 1/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs wants your thoughts on keeping two important contract rules about gray market goods. These rules help make sure the VA gets legit products and avoid shady sellers. If you work with VA contracts or sell to them, you’ve got until March 17, 2026, to share your feedback—no cost changes, just a smooth extension!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
VA Keeps Gray-Market Contract Rules
The VA will continue using two contract clauses (852.212-71 and 852.212-72) to block gray-market and counterfeit parts for new medical equipment, new medical supplies, new information technology equipment, and maintenance that includes replacement parts. This is an extension without change; the agency estimates an annual paperwork burden of 2,171 hours, an average of 30 minutes per respondent, and about 4,342 respondents. If you sell to the VA or respond to VA solicitations, you can submit comments through Regulations.gov by March 17, 2026.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11973, Implementing Regulation for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Environmental Effects of the Department of Veterans Affairs Actions
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating how it checks the environmental impact of its projects to be faster, clearer, and more in line with new laws passed since 1989. This change affects VA staff and veterans by improving planning and making sure VA actions protect the environment while delivering care. The new rules start June 15, 2026, and the VA welcomes feedback until July 15, 2026.
2025-21242, Extending Deadline for Debtor To Request a Waiver
The VA is giving veterans more time—up to one year instead of 180 days—to ask for a waiver on debts related to benefits. This change, effective January 26, 2026, helps reduce stress by giving veterans extra breathing room to handle their debt issues. It doesn’t cost veterans extra money but makes the process friendlier and fairer.
2025-18827, Extension of Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Eligibility for Legacy Participants and Legacy Applicants
The VA is giving family caregivers of veterans more time to stay in their special support program by extending the deadline from 2025 to 2028. This means caregivers and veterans who joined the program earlier (the legacy group) can keep getting help for three more years. No changes to money or benefits, just extra time to enjoy the support they deserve!
2025-14687, Reproductive Health Services
The VA is planning to stop covering abortions and abortion counseling again, reversing a 2022 change. This affects veterans and their families who use VA and CHAMPVA health benefits. The change aims to focus VA services on what they consider essential care, with no new costs or timing details shared yet.
2026-16500, Agency Information Collection Activity: Mandatory Verification of Dependents
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.
2026-16308, Agency Information Collection Activity: Veteran/Servicemembers Supplemental Application for Assistance in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00762, Joint Industry Plan; Order Approving an Amendment to the National Market System Plan Governing the Consolidated Audit Trail, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 and by the Commission, Regarding the Customer and Account Information System
The big stock market players agreed to share less customer info in the national audit system to keep things safer and simpler. This change affects all major U.S. stock exchanges and trading firms and will roll out soon without extra costs. It’s a smart move to protect investors while keeping the market running smoothly.
Next: 2026-00764, Agency Information Collection Activity: Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR)-Information Security and Privacy Contract Clauses
The Department of Veterans Affairs wants your thoughts on updating contract rules that protect information security and privacy. This affects companies working with the VA, who’ll need to follow clearer, safer guidelines. Comments are open until March 17, 2026, and the changes aim to keep data safe without adding extra hassle or costs.