{"argument_date":"2016-02-22T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2016-02-22T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","paragraphs":["Mr. Saunders argued the 2006 Veterans Act requires prioritizing veteran-owned firms. He stated this applies before awarding contracts to other suppliers.","Mr. Tripp argued the mandate applies to wholly new contracts. He stated it does not apply to orders under old contracts.","procedural_posture"],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 4-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 4-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 44-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 40-42"}]}],"caption":"Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.435744Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Kingdomware argues the VA must prioritize veteran-owned firms for new orders. The government says the VA can use existing contracts.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2016-02-22T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/14-916.html","primary_docket":"14-916","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T19:06:40.006452Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The dispute centers on federal procurement rules. Kingdomware seeks to enforce a statutory preference. The government defends its current contracting method."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 22, 2016."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Kingdomware wants the Court to order the VA to prioritize veteran-owned firms for new orders.","The government wants the Court to allow the VA to place orders under existing contracts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Kingdomware argues the 2006 Veterans Act mandates prioritizing veteran-owned firms before other suppliers.","The government argues the mandate applies only to wholly new contracts, not existing orders."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked about the specific contract amount.","Justice Sotomayor asked if the client remains a Federal Supply Schedule vendor. She also asked about stipulated costs and database capabilities. She questioned if ruling for Kingdomware would eliminate the Federal Supply Schedule system. Justice Alito asked what relief is consistent with the Tucker Act."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 4-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 4-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 44-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 40-42"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case determines how the VA awards contracts. It affects veteran-owned businesses seeking federal work. It shapes the scope of the Federal Supply Schedule system."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 38-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 38-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 4-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 4-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 46-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 46-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 14-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 14-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 34-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 34-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 32-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 44-48","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 44-48"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 14-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 40-42"}]}],"slug":"2015-14-916-kingdomware-technologies-inc-v-united-states","term":"2015","title":"Does the Veterans Act require the VA to prioritize veteran-owned firms for new orders?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 52-10","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 25, lines 52-10"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-916_llh1.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 20-1"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}