How to sell medical products and services into the VA, HHS, and Defense Health markets — and the compliance that comes with it.
Last reviewed on June 5, 2026 by the Government.biz editorial team.
Federal healthcare is one of the largest and most durable government markets — spanning direct care, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health IT, clinical staffing, and facilities. It is also one of the most rules-heavy, layering FDA approval, federal pricing law, and trade-agreement requirements on top of normal acquisition rules. This guide maps the major buyers, the contract vehicles that move the most volume, and the compliance you'll need to clear.
The Veterans Health Administration operates the nation's largest integrated health system — hundreds of medical centers and outpatient clinics. The VA buys care, pharmaceuticals, devices, IT, and facilities, and gives strong preference to veteran-owned firms (see Vets First below).
HHS spans NIH (research), CDC (public health), CMS (Medicare/Medicaid systems and services), FDA, the Indian Health Service, and preparedness agencies. A huge buyer of health IT, research support, and professional services.
DHA supports military treatment facilities and the TRICARE system across the DoD. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA Troop Support) runs the medical supply chains that serve both DoD and the VA.
At the VA, the Vets First Contracting Program gives verified SDVOSBs and VOSBs first priority. The Supreme Court's Kingdomware decision confirmed the VA must apply the Rule of Two — setting an acquisition aside for veteran firms whenever at least two are expected to compete at a fair price — before using other vehicles. For a healthcare company that can certify as veteran-owned, this is the single highest-leverage advantage in the entire federal health market.
The VA (through the Veterans Health Administration), HHS (NIH, CDC, CMS, FDA, IHS), and the Defense Health Agency. The Defense Logistics Agency runs the medical supply chains serving DoD and the VA.
A set of Schedules the VA manages for pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and supplies on behalf of all agencies. A VA FSS contract pre-negotiates your pricing and gets you into federal catalogs; pharma pricing is further governed by federal ceiling prices.
Yes — particularly at the VA, where Vets First and the Kingdomware decision require setting work aside for verified SDVOSBs/VOSBs under the Rule of Two before using other vehicles.
Authoritative sources: VA Office of Acquisition, Logistics & Construction and DLA Troop Support — Medical. General information, not legal advice.