Only the Wisest SDVOSB Stay Connected to Government

Washington, D.C., has a way of reminding you that success in federal contracting is not earned behind a desk; it is earned by showing up. Last week, during a trip to the capital, I saw firsthand why the most forward-thinking Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) maintain a constant presence not only inside our nation’s hospitals, but also within the strategic conversations that shape tomorrow’s acquisition landscape.

For companies like The Davinci Company (TDC), real distributors doing real work inside the VA and DoD systems, engagement is not optional. It’s the difference between reacting to change and helping shape it.

 

A Front-Row Seat to the VA’s New Era of Acquisition

One of the highlights of the trip was attending the NVSBC Dinner, where a distinguished panel of VA acquisition leaders outlined sweeping transformations coming to the Department of Veterans Affairs:

• Phillip Christy – Chief Acquisition Officer, VA
• Chris Parker – Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, VA
• Joseph P. Maletta – Acting Executive Director, Office of Acquisition & Logistics, VA

These leaders discussed the VA’s upcoming restructuring of acquisition pathways, changes that will fundamentally reshape how products reach Veterans and how vendors interact with VA buyers. A major theme was the shift toward more centralized, program-office-driven procurement models, similar to the Defense Health Agency’s ARCA groups.

The proposed legislation and framework signal a move toward:

• Consolidated purchasing
• Standardized product decision pathways
• Increased emphasis on enterprise-level requirements
• Closer alignment with DoD procurement structures

In short, the VA is evolving, and companies that only engage at the purchasing level or only rely on transactional relationships risk being left behind.

The questions from the audience were sharp, the responses were candid, and the conversations afterward were invaluable. This room was filled not with casual vendors, but with committed government contractors determined to understand the road ahead.

 

Why Serious SDVOSBs Must Stay Connected at Every Level

At TDC, we operate every day inside VA medical centers, partnering with clinicians, logistics teams, and facility leadership. But true readiness requires understanding both the tactical environment at the hospital level and the strategic direction being shaped in Washington.

Real firms, those committed to innovation, compliance, operational excellence, and Veteran outcomes, know they must:

• Build relationships with policy-shaping decision-makers
• Stay current on legislative and organizational shifts
• Understand enterprise-level procurement pathways
• Align their offerings with new strategic objectives

This is what separates vendors from partners. And it’s why the SDVOSBs that stay connected, truly connected, are the ones who thrive.

 

Showcasing TDC HomeTest: Remote Diagnostic Innovation for the VA

During the trip, we met with senior VA leadership to present one of our most exciting healthcare innovations: TDC HomeTest, a remote blood collection platform that brings laboratory-grade testing directly to Veterans’ homes.

Learn more. Video demonstration. 

TDC HomeTest aligns perfectly with the VA’s long-term strategic goals:

Reduces Veteran Burden

Eliminates travel, mobility issues, and scheduling friction for routine lab work.

Improves Outcomes

Easy access drives higher compliance with lab orders.

Streamlines VA Operations

Fewer in-clinic draws, reduced congestion, and improved provider utilization.

Maximizes Value

Remote testing reduces overall system costs while enhancing the Veteran experience.

VA leadership immediately understood the operational clarity and impact of this solution, both for Veterans and for the clinicians who support them.

 

Introducing the Linear Sciences Orchid Device: A Game Changer for Vascular Access

In addition to remote diagnostics, we also introduced the VA to a breakthrough in vascular access safety: the Linear Sciences Orchid device. This simple but highly engineered device is designed to secure PICC lines and IV catheters, dramatically reducing accidental pull-outs—a persistent and costly problem in every healthcare system.

Learn more.

The Orchid is built on patented active retention technology that stabilizes catheters without relying on sutures or traditional adhesives. Its benefits speak directly to VA priorities:

Prevents PICC Line and IV Pull-Outs

Accidental dislodgement causes patient harm, delays treatment, and generates unnecessary costs. Orchid’s retention system virtually eliminates these events.

Enhances Veteran Comfort and Safety

Veterans with limited mobility, neuropathy, or agitation are particularly at risk for catheter dislodgement. Orchid protects them without adding complexity or discomfort.

Reduces Waste and Procedure Costs

Every dislodged PICC means replacement procedures, more clinical time, more supplies, and more risk. Orchid cuts these costs at the source.

Supports VA’s Strategic Push Toward High-Reliability, Low-Variation Care

The device standardizes securement in a way that is repeatable, dependable, and easy for nursing teams to adopt.

Calling it a “no-brainer” is no exaggeration. The operational savings, risk reduction, and improvement in Veteran experience align perfectly with the VA’s goals, and the response from leadership made it clear that they saw the same potential we did.

 

A Trip That Reinforced a Simple Truth

Walking the halls of D.C., engaging with VA leadership, and connecting with other mission-driven companies reinforced one unmistakable reality:

Only the wisest SDVOSBs stay connected—because only the connected are ready for what’s next.

The VA is changing. Acquisition pathways are being rebuilt. Expectations for innovation are rising.
And SDVOSBs that show up, at both the tactical and strategic levels, are the ones best positioned to deliver what Veterans deserve.

At The Davinci Company, we are committed to staying at the center of these conversations.
Not simply to grow our business, but to strengthen the entire system serving our nation’s Veterans.