US Congress · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S 1591Passed Origin Chamber

ARCA Act of 2025

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Jul 19, 2026

Chamber

Senate

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
To President
Became Law

Overview

The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025 (ARCA Act) aims to restructure the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) acquisition process and improve cost management. It establishes a new Office of Acquisition and Innovation, designates a Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, and creates a framework for major acquisition programs. The bill also addresses other transaction authority, advance market commitments for healthcare technologies, and the development of an internship pipeline for acquisition professionals. Specifically, it defines major and non-major acquisition programs and outlines roles and responsibilities for key personnel within the VA’s acquisition structure.

Key provisions

Defines ‘major acquisition program’ as programs with a life-cycle cost of $250 million or more.
Creates an Office of Acquisition and Innovation and designates an Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Innovation.
Establishes a Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation to provide independent analysis and advice on acquisition costs.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into transactions with nontraditional contractors for research and development related to healthcare technologies.
Creates an advance market commitment authority for technologies or services to address unmet healthcare needs.
Establishes a process for independent verification and validation of major acquisition programs.
Requires the development and expansion of an internship pipeline for acquisition officers.
Reorganizes contracting officers and acquisition centers within the VA.

Bill text

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May 5, 2025XMLView source

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Legislative history

12 recorded actions

May 5, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

May 5, 2025

Introduced in Senate

May 21, 2025Senate

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.

Jul 30, 2025Senate

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Dec 2, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 277.

Dec 2, 2025Senate

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-97.

Dec 2, 2025

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-97.

Dec 11, 2025Senate

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8694-8696; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S8694-8696)

Dec 11, 2025

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Dec 15, 2025House

Held at the desk.

Dec 15, 2025House

Received in the House.

Dec 15, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Passage without roll call

The official record shows passage by unanimous consent or voice vote where no roll call was taken. No member-level tally is available for these steps, and the district map does not apply.

12/11/2025SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8694-8696; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S8694-8696)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
12/11/2025Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Passage without roll call

Dec 11, 2025SenateUnanimous consent
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8694-8696; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S8694-8696)
No roll-call vote on record for this action.
Dec 11, 2025Unanimous consent
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
No roll-call vote on record for this action.

Geography

Recorded positions across the country.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

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ARCA Act of 2025

Progress