What is Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE)?
The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) program, formerly known as the VeteranSupported Employment (VSE) program, assists serviceconnected disabled veterans in obtaining and keeping meaningful civilian work. The program provides:
- Individualized employment counseling
- Jobplacement assistance and onthejob support
- Funding for training, equipment, and workplace accommodations
- Ongoing case management to ensure longterm success
VRE is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in partnership with state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Funding is awarded to private and public organizations that can deliver the services outlined above.
eInvoicing Overview for VRE Contractors
All VRE contractors must submit invoices electronically through the VAs eCommerce Invoice (eCI) system. The process, known as eInvoicing, replaces paper invoices with secure, webbased transactions, improving speed, accuracy, and auditability.
Key Elements of a VRE eInvoice
- Contract Number (CN): Unique identifier for the VRE award.
- Line Item Detail: Service description, quantity, rate, and total cost.
- Funding Source Code: Indicates the specific VRE allocation (e.g., VRE001).
- Period of Performance: Start and end dates for the billed services.
- Certification Statement: Legal attestation that the invoice is accurate and compliant.
Benefits of eInvoicing for Veterans and Contractors
eInvoicing creates a smoother financial pipeline that directly supports the mission of VRE.
For Veterans
- Faster Funding Disbursement: Payments are processed in less than 15 business days, ensuring timely reimbursement for training, equipment, and support services.
- Improved Transparency: Contractors can view invoice status in real time, reducing uncertainty about when services will be funded.
- Accurate Tracking: Detailed lineitem data help VA analysts monitor program outcomes and identify gaps.
For Contractors
- Reduced Administrative Burden: Automated validation checks catch errors before submission.
- Lower Costs: Eliminates paper handling, postage, and manual data entry.
- Better Compliance: The system enforces VAs invoicing rules, decreasing the likelihood of rejected invoices.
StepbyStep eInvoicing Process
| Step | Action | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register in VA eCI and obtain a Vendor Account Number (VAN). | Complete the Vendor Profile and attach your DUNS/UEI. |
| 2 | Link your contract by entering the Contract Number and Funding Source Code. | Verify the values against your award letter. |
| 3 | Enter lineitem details: description, quantity, unit price, and total. | Use the exact language from the contracts Statement of Work. |
| 4 | Attach supporting documents (e.g., timesheets, receipts, certification). | PDFs must be 10MB and clearly legible. |
| 5 | Review the summary and click Submit. | System will flag missing fields; resolve before final submission. |
| 6 | Monitor status: Submitted Under Review Approved Paid. | Set up email alerts for status changes. |
| 7 | Receive electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to your designated bank account. | Confirm bank details in the Vendor Profile to avoid delays. |
Common Pitfalls
- Using outdated contract numbers always reference the latest award modification.
- Missing certification signature the electronic signature must be applied before submission.
- Mismatched totals the system will reject invoices where lineitem totals do not equal the invoice total.
Helpful Resources
- VA VetsInWorkplace Portal guidance on VRE program eligibility and reporting.
- eCI FAQ answers to the most common eInvoicing questions.
- Veteran Readiness & Employment Resource Center training webinars and downloadable SOPs.
- Contact the VA Office of Procurement: 18008271000 (option3).
