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Medical Supply Program Office Newsletter
February 2025
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MSPO Director Message
Welcome to the February edition of the Medical Supply Program Office (MSPO) Newsletter! In this issue, we highlight upcoming field trainings for the Medical Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) program, Clinical Product Tool (CPT), Commodities and much more! Be sure to check the 'Mark Your Calendars' section for upcoming events and keep reading to learn about training session details.
Looking ahead, we have exciting developments on the horizon. The implementation of MSPV Gen-Z V1 across many Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) began on January 15, 2025, with a Latest Possible Go Live date of May 15, 2025. This transition marks a significant step forward for MSPO, enhancing our ability to serve Veterans.
Please enjoy our February issue!
V/r,
Song Stisher, MSPO Director
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Mark Your Calendars: |
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02/10/2025: New LUM Functionality Available in CPT
02/13/2025: Core List and LUM in the CPT: Task 7 Focus Training
02/20/2025: Tasks 9.5-9.11 Training
02/28/2025: Annual VHA HeRO Award Ceremony
03/06/2025: Emergency Response & Preparedness Training
05/15/2025: VISNs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, and 8-Puerto Rico Latest Possible Gen-Z V1 Go Live Date
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Innovative Collaboration between MSPO and VHA Office of Finance Yields $4.9M in Cost Savings
Below, we highlight a shout out that VHA Office of Finance shared with MSPO regarding their collaboration to address both Tracked Aged Prime Vendor Orders and Undelivered Orders:
"The VHA Office of Finance Training and Readiness (104C) are thrilled to share the incredible success of our recent initiative to reduce aged undelivered orders. Thanks to the unwavering collaboration, support, and exemplary teamwork between the VHA Office of Finance and the MSPO, we have achieved a remarkable 44% reduction in tracked aged Prime Vendor orders and closed over 2,478 undelivered orders valued at $4.9M over a 3 month period, TOGETHER!
This innovative project brought together diverse teams, breaking down silos and fostering a spirit of unity. Our teams have worked hand-in-hand to streamline processes and improve communication. These collective efforts have not only enhanced our operational efficiency but also ensured that we can better serve our Veterans.
Your dedication and hard work are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have served our country. In the future, we will use this successful teamwork model to address other types of specific obligations."
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Crystal Martin, Commodities Director, MSPO, Receives the 2025 AMSUS Tip of The Spear Award
MSPO is thrilled to announce that Ms. Crystal Martin, the Director of Commodities, has been recognized with the distinguished 2025 AMSUS Tip of The Spear Award. This accolade is bestowed by The Society of Federal Health Professionals, honoring federal healthcare leaders who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their country and foster successful public-private partnerships.
The award celebrates leaders who excel in forming high-performing teams that propel advancements in federal medicine and public health. In March 2025, Ms. Martin will be formally recognized at the prestigious AMSUS Conference held at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in National Harbor, MD.
We invite you to join us in celebrating Ms. Martin’s outstanding achievement and her steadfast dedication to excellence in federal healthcare.
To learn more about Crystal’s award, please click here.
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MSPO Director Shares Appreciation for Ms. Felicia Demita
In December 2024, Ms. Song Stisher, the MSPO Director, wrote a memo of appreciation for Ms. Felicia Demita from the Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) Acquisition Services 3 (AS3). You can read the full memo here.
Additionally, Ms. Stisher shared the following kind words about Felicia:
"I am thrilled to recognize Ms. Felicia Demita, who joined the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction (OALC) SAC AS3 on April 8, 2024. Felicia has made significant contributions to our team, particularly through her outstanding work on the $15B MSPV Gen-Z V1 contract, the first Prime Vendor (PV) contract in nearly a decade. Her dedication and expertise have been instrumental in reinforcing the partnership between the MSPO, SAC, and VHA Procurement (VHA-P). Felicia is a valued team member, and we are grateful for her contributions to our success. Thank you, Felicia, for your exceptional work and dedication!"
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Staff Spotlight: Corey Stevenson Sr.
Mr. Mahesh Bhandary, Project Manager, MSPO, personally commended Mr. Corey Stevenson Sr. (Steve) for his exceptional work with MSPO.
As an MSPO Project Manager overseeing the Dental Medical Supply category for MSPV, Steve has played a critical role in the MSPV Gen-Z implementation as a Logistics Area Manager (LAM), supporting several VISNs with both pre and post-implementation activities.
Mr. Bhandary notes that Steve’s openness to collaboration has significantly advanced MSPO's mission of providing just-in-time supplies to VA facilities, demonstrating his dedication and impactful contributions to the organization.
Thank you, Steve, for all you do!
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January MSPO Newsletter Bulletin Champions:
MSPO thanks our January 2025 MSPO Newsletter Bulletin Champions, Mr. David Silver (VISN 19), for sharing our January issue with over 200 members of his network, and Mr. Randall Hicks (VISN 8) for sharing our last issue with over 100 members of his network.
Thank you, Dave and Randall, for supporting MSPO!
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Share Your Story:
At MSPO, we deeply value employee recognition and would like to highlight your work on a national level. Share your stories and shout-outs to recognize the exceptional efforts and support that made this achievement possible.
To share your good news story with us, please use the link below.
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CPT received VHA’s HeRO Award, bestowed upon MSPO and representatives from VISNs 6 and 19 for demonstrating VHA’s High Reliability Organization (HRO) Principles in action.
Beginning in 2022, the MSPO began a concerted effort to engage its VA Medical Center (VAMC) customers to address challenges when using the MSPV program. The CPT centralizes information and data into a singular user-friendly resource with up-to-date access to the MSPV Product List that accounts for over 37,000+ medical supplies available to order through the program.
Join your colleagues at the National HeRO Award Ceremony on February 28th, 2025, to celebrate this milestone!
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The Facility Execution Survey (FES) was distributed to VISNs 8, 19, 20, and 22 on February 03, 2025 and will remain open through February 14, 2025, allowing those facilities to share direct feedback on MSPO and the MSPV program since transitioning to the Gen-Z V1 contract.
The FES has been conducted by MSPO since 2017 and was paused in December 2023 to make improvements such as reducing the number of questions, adding a new MSPO Tools & Resources feedback section, and shifting from a monthly to a quarterly survey cadence. These improvements are intended to lower the level of effort requested from facilities and VISNs and allow MSPO to provide more targeted support to facilities based on the feedback collected. Additionally, results of the survey will be published in the MSPO OSS each quarter.
The survey will continue to be released quarterly to VISNs who have fully transitioned to Gen-Z V1.
VISN points of contact (POCs) are kindly requested to take ten minutes to complete the FES survey. This feedback will help the program office better support your facilities and improve the MSPV program.
We look forward to your responses and thank you in advance for your time and valuable insights!
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Many thanks to the dedicated individuals who have put so much effort into implementation for V1. Whether you’re newly into performance or newly into implementation, we all have a learning curve for V1. Understanding that, we at SAC AS3 know the work does not end with the award of the contracts.
Our teams are dedicated to supporting you with administrative oversight. With that as a priority, SAC AS3 has assigned a contract specialist for each VISN to provide the greatest level of support. Further, we have partnered with the newly formed
Acquisition Integrated Services (AIS) from SAC to enhance those efforts. All of us collectively at SAC and MSPO are implementing a new framework to give you the best results with your new contracts.
To learn more about who your CO, contract specialists, and AIS representatives are, please take a look at our website.
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VISNs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – PR, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, and 23 VISNs began their up to 120-day implementation period on January 15, 2025, as awarded. VISNs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 – PR, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, and 23 should complete the MSPV Gen-Z V1 Post-Award Implementation Tasks as assigned in the Facility Readiness Checklist (FRC).
During the implementation period, it is essential for VISNs to attend their biweekly VISN-specific touchpoints for individualized support and join the weekly Office Hours on Thursdays from 1-2pm ET to get any questions answered live. Additionally, it is critical that at least one implementation POC from each Facility attends the Training Checkpoints to learn about important implementation tasks.
To ensure that your Facility’s transition status is accurately reflected in reports to leadership, it is crucial that Facilities routinely review and update the FRC. As a reminder, Facilities are required to submit an update on transition progress in the FRC every week - due each Friday by 8:00pm ET! Facilities will receive an email reminder if they do not meet this weekly submission deadline; after two consecutive weeks of delinquent updates, the VISN CLO will be copied on these notifications.
For email support and troubleshooting any challenges, please contact VHAMSPVSupport@va.gov.
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The MSPV Gen-Z V1 Implementation Training Checkpoints are designed to provide a forum for VISN and Facility Implementation Leaders to learn and discuss key requirements of the Gen-Z V1 Implementation.
Please join us for the upcoming Training Checkpoint #20: Core List in the CPT: Task 7 Focus on February 13th from 3-4PM ET, to learn about the V1 Core List and updated LUM functionalities..
A recap of past Training Checkpoints, including a session recording, presentation slides, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), are available for the following sessions:
A calendar of events outlining future Training Checkpoint sessions is available on the Implementation SharePoint Page of the MSPO OSS.
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The MSPV Issue Reporting Tool (IRT) is your go-to resource for seamless issue management. Whether you're encountering a glitch or need to report a PV concern, this tool is designed to streamline your experience and transform your problems into solutions.
If you need help completing an issue management submission, please reference the comprehensive instructions below.
Dive in and discover the benefits of the MSPV IRT today!
If you need help accessing the tool, please contact us at VHAMSPVContractAdmin@va.gov.
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After analyzing the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) VA spend data, the MSPO Commodities team identified the following item as available on the MSPV Product List (PL), but is being purchased predominantly via Government Purchase Card (GPC) today across VA.
MedPDB Key: 36585899
Description: GUARDIAN SENSOR 4 (5 PACK), FOB (Destination), Manufacturer (MEDTRONIC MINIMED); BOX of 5
Supplier: Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions, Inc.
Manufacturer: Medtronic MiniMed
The sensor manufactured by Medtronic MiniMed and supplied by Veterans Healthcare Supply Solutions, Inc. represents an item with high GPC spend at more than $2.67M, 96.43% of its overall spend. This item has been purchased by 93 stations across 1,001 GPC Purchase Orders (POs) and represents a great opportunity to harness more spend through the MSPV program.
Interested in ordering this item? This product has been available via the MSPV program since October 2023 and has active Prime Vendor Order Numbers (PVONs) for all VISNs: CHS – 398903, and Medline – VTNMMT7040A.
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Bosma Industries for the Blind, Inc. is a U.S.-based enterprise that creates opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 14 new American-made gloves supplied by Bosma and manufactured by American Nitrile Operations, LLC (OEM DUNS: CA55GN2S3VJ1) in various sizes have been added to the PL. Note that these are new items and will need to go through your Clinical Product Review Committee's approval process before first use.
Please note, these American-made gloves will have a three-year shelf life, determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) using the manufactured date. American Nitrile will need to showcase stability over the next several years to extend the shelf life further. This may differ from some foreign-made gloves that have a shelf-life of four or five years, such as O&M Halyard gloves.
Miscellaneous VA Instruction to the field related to Bosma gloves:
1. Benzyl Alcohol included in Oxivir is known to break down nitrile gloves. Use the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect against benzyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide when using Oxivir.
2. If using nitrile gloves it is best practice to remove any metal jewelry to avoid discoloration or other issues.
3. If there is/are defective gloves report the issue through the Issue Reporting Tool and notify Bosma (or PV) of the issues. Bosma will work with the facility directly to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
The list of American Nitrile Gloves supplied by Bosma that are available on the January MSPV PL can be found below.
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Following the impacts from Hurricane Helene, which affected the Baxter North Cove facility—a key manufacturer of sterile intravenous (IV) and irrigation solutions frequently purchased across the VA—MSPO conducted a market research analysis to identify alternative sources of clinically equivalent supplies. As a result of this initial research and manufacturer feedback, 17 critical items (click below) have already been identified and are set to be included in the next MSPV solicitation for rapid addition to the PL.
If there are any issues with delayed shipping, delivery, or storages, please report to MSPO using the Issue Reporting Tool.
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The most recent MSPV PL was published on January 15.
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MSPO routinely reviews commonly purchased items using the National Requirements Thresholds to determine eligibility for addition to the MSPV PL through formal solicitations that occur roughly every quarter. An item meets the National Requirements Thresholds, if it surpasses one of the following:
1. $20,000 in sales
2. 25 individual VA sites ordering
3. 100 unique purchase orders to VA sites
In addition to this method of capturing items through historic purchasing patterns, facilities may submit a request to add a medical/surgical item to the MSPV PL for consideration. Facilities can submit a request at any time to VHAMSPVSupport@va.gov.
When submitting a request via email, please provide the Manufacturer Name and the Manufacturer Part Numbers for the item(s), as well as the basic description, and your station’s annual usage per item.
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The CPT is a fully integrated, end-to-end procurement and fulfilment tool supporting VHA Logisticians, from the Field to Central Office, in procuring medical supply items for critical veteran medical care through the MSPV Program. The CPT Corner section will highlight various CPT functionality updates, activities, and resources available to you. All events and resources shared are available on the MSPV Gen-Z V1 Implementation SharePoint page on the MSPO OSS.
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By offering role-based training, ongoing support, and tailored communications for CPT, we enhance and drive user adoption and successful implementation across the organization.
Upcoming CPT Trainings
For VISNs in the Gen-Z V1 Implementation: VISNs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-PR, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23
For VISNs 8, 19, 20, 22
- A recap of past Training Checkpoints, including a session recording, presentation slides, and FAQs, are available for the following sessions:
• Training: CPT SLEF
• Training: SLEF in the CPT
• Training: Core List in the CPT
• Training: SLEF Services
• Training: Selecting LUM in MSPV Gen-Z V1
• Video Clip: LUM in V1
For additional CPT trainings, resources, quick reference guides,
access the MSPO OSS.
To request a CPT training, please click the button below.
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In VA MSPV Gen-Z V1, LUM is a service that any site who wishes to receive it can. Building off the success of the PL and Core List, the new LUM functionality will enable Core List Managers to also manage LUM items within their Core List by easily making modifications, additions, and removals in a collaborative and intuitive environment. As such, it will streamline communication regarding LUM items between the Facility, PV and MSPO.
New Functionality Available on Monday, February 10th
1. Once a facility on Gen-Z V1 submits an item on their Core List and selects LUM, a ‘LUM’ tag will appear on the item while managing your Core List.
2. You will also be able to filter for core list items that have LUM options with the “Lum Eligible” filter on the PL and while managing your Core List.
3. The LUM PVONs from your PV will be visible on the Item Details page.
4. If you do elect for LUM, CPT will aid you in VISTA, automatically provide you with the LUM PVON number, and remind you to update IMF.
Updated LUM functionality will be available to you starting on Monday, February 10th. Impacted users will receive more details at that time.
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VHA Directive 1761 “Supply Chain Management Operations” (dated December 30, 2020) directs that VAMCs must use the MSPV program to obtain medical/surgical supplies, in addition to other national contracts designated as mandatory in VHA policy (Appendix A.1.h (1).
If there is a product quality or patient safety issue concerning an item on a national mandatory contract, VHA personnel are required to complete and submit Product Quality and Deficiency Report (PQDR). The PQDR is the formal process to document quality or safety issues concerning an item on a national mandatory contract.
For more information on the PQDR process, please visit the MSPO OSS.
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In compliance with the VA Office of the Inspector General’s report, VA’s Use of the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Electronic Catalog (ECAT) for Medical Items, and the October 2022 Interim Guidance for Use of Core Electronic Catalog memo, the MSPO is randomly auditing ECAT orders below the Micropurchase Threshold ($10K). Please ensure your facility is prepared to share market research documentation (including MedPDB screenshots and the ECAT Order Checklist) with the ECAT team to remain compliant.
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Training, program updates, and cutoff dates for FY25 are now available on the ECAT Reference SharePoint calendar. Please visit the link for a full list of important FY25 ECAT events and to find links to ECAT training sessions.
At this time, the DLA ECAT Help Desk is not available. Please direct all ECAT communications and questions to the VACO ECAT Help Desk to ensure you are connected to the right resources in a timely manner.
Please visit the ECAT Reference SharePoint repository and the FAQ document for quick access to additional published ECAT resources.
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The North Cove manufacturing site of Baxter experienced significant flooding due to the unprecedented rain and storm surge brought by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. In response to this disruption, the VHA is actively working alongside Baxter to find swift resolutions and mitigate the impact. Stay informed and connected as the VHA works diligently with Baxter to address and resolve the situation.
To stay updated, please access the key resources listed below:
1. Baxter Hurricane Helene Updates
Stay informed with Baxter’s weekly updates on their progress in restoring operations at the North Cove site. Updates are posted every Thursday on Baxter's website.
Access the latest Baxter Hurricane Helene Updates by clicking the button below.
2. MSPO Field Updates Page
This centralized resource provides the latest news bulletins and supply guidance from the VHA to the field.
To visit the Field Updates page on the MSPO OSS, please click the button below.
3. VHA Baxter Supply Management Guidance
VHA is taking proactive steps to maintain continuity of care and patient safety in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the medical grade solution supply chain. VHA established a multidisciplinary team to focus on its contingency plans with leaders from across the country. The team developed an operational plan that provides universal VHA-specific guidance for an enterprise conservation strategy, along with numerous additional resources linked below. This page will be updated as new guidance is released.
To access the VHA Baxter Supply Management Guidance page, please click the button below.
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Mr. Dave Eubanks and Ms. Crystal Martin with VISN 8 Personnel
In December 2024, Ms. Crystal Martin, MSPO Commodities Director, and Mr. Dave Eubanks, MSPO Program Controls Manager, visited VISN 8: VA Sunshine Healthcare Network in Tampa, FL. This visit provided the MSPO team with the opportunity to engage directly with the center's staff and operations. The primary objective was to gain insights into the daily experiences and sourcing needs of local clinicians and logisticians.
This interaction not only affirmed existing supply chain practices but also aimed to identify areas for improvement and foster stronger collaboration. MSPO would like to extend its appreciation to VISN 8 Leaders for opening their VISN to the program office and looks forward to continued collaboration in the new year.
We are thrilled to share a glowing testimonial from Mr. Aaron Muscat, VISN 8 CLO, regarding the recent site visit. Dive into his inspiring words below!
“The VISN 8 CLO team recently hosted representatives from the MSPO during annual VISN 8 Face to Face Supply Chain Management (SCM) Leadership conference in Tampa, FL. The MSPO representatives were well received from SCM leadership within VISN 8 and timing was excellent as we were wrapping up on the transition to the new MSPV Gen-Z V1 contract. The collaboration was mutually beneficial as many questions were posed to the team as well as many perspectives from the field were also given to take back to MSPV operations at the national level. The VISN 8 CLO team is grateful for the partnership with MSPO and also for the additional time they offered to fully discuss the hot button issues and answer the many questions that were posed to them.” –Mr. Aaron Muscat, VISN 8 CLO
To schedule a site visit, please have your VISN’s CLO reach out to the VHA 19PLO Logistics MSPO Action email at VHA19PLOLogisticsMSPOAction@va.gov.
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Do you have questions about the MSPO newsletter?
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The Medical Supply Program Office (MSPO) grounds itself in its mission to be a VHA supply chain leader that gets the right medical, surgical, dental, select prosthetic and lab supplies to the right hands at the right time to better the health and welfare of Veterans and their families. MSPO aims to empower logisticians and clinicians to make spend and data-driven supply decisions that improve VA patient outcomes and experiences so they may in turn provide the highest quality Veteran care and service. |
Links and Resources
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MSPO One-Stop-Shop |
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Clinical Product Tool |
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ECAT Program |
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MSPV Product List |
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Please share this communication! Post a copy where all supply chain staff may review the information included in this newsletter.
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