Verification of Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses per Public Law (P.L.) 109-461
Verification Program :
The Department of Veterans Affairs has unique buying authority (P.L. 109-461) that enables our personnel to set-aside requirements for Veteran-owned small businesses. This legislation also provides VA teams with more latitude in non-competitive contracting. Some businesses owned by surviving spouses are eligible for the Verification Program. VA’s large prime contractors are required to use businesses that have been officially verified for ownership and control.
The new Verification Guidelines were published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2008. The Verification Guidelines were published as an Interim Final Rule (IFR). The public comment period is now open and comments must be received before July 18, 2008 to be considered.
To review the Verification Guidelines, please click here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10489.pdf
We are currently operating under Information Letter 049-07-08 issued on June 19, 2007.
Procurement provisions contained in Section 8127 of Title 38, U.S.Code, as amended by Public Law 109-461 , provide Veteran-owned and service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs and SDVOSBs) an option when registering their businesses in VIP: be verified for ownership and control or self-represent.
Businesses wishing to benefit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s unique Veterans First Contracting Program under Section 8127 must agree to be verified.
There are many benefits to having your business verified as a VOSB or SDVOSB. As a verified VOSB or SDVOSB, you will have the opportunity to compete for VA contracts under the Veterans First Contracting Program, as listed below:
Benefits of Veterans First Contracting Program
1. Redefines priorities for contracting preferences within VA, placing SDVOSBs and VOSBs first and second, respectively, in satisfying VA’s acquisition requirements.
2. Allows sole source contracts over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold up to $5,000,000 (including options).
3. Implements restricted competition via Set-Aside Procedures for each category of SDVOSBs and VOSBs.
4. Allows additional credit evaluation factors for SDVOSB or VOSB status.
5. Authorizes large VA prime contractors to obtain subcontracting credit for SDVOSBs and VOSBs only when they subcontract with verified firms in VIP.
Participation in the Verification Program is voluntary. However, to be eligible to participate in requirements conducted under the authority of Public Law 109-461, businesses must be verified. VA reserves the right to conduct examination visits of businesses participating in the Verification Program. Misrepresentation of status shall initiate debarment action by VA officials. Verified businesses will be annotated in the database and will receive the rights to display the Verified logo in their marketing materials. To be included in this program click here.
How to order additional SDVOSB and VOSB lapel Pins
Any CVE Verified business can order additional lapel pins by following the below procedures:
The Veteran business owner will call Mr. Anthony “Tony” Shinkle from the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Central Office, Retail Operations, located in St. Louis , MO (314-845-1293) to place an order for additional pins. Mr. Shinkle will provide details on the cost and timeline for the orders.
Self-representation :
SDVOSBs and VOSBs may continue to self-represent their status for all other requirements. However, they are encouraged to have their business verified, as other Federal agencies will have access to the database to search for verified businesses to meet their Federal procurement goals.
Businesses wishing to sell to all Federal agencies and to other businesses may self-represent their status by answering the four gateway questions on the qualification page to ensure their eligibility as a Veteran, as a service-disabled Veteran (if applicable), that the business is at least 51% owned and controlled by Veteran(s) or service-disabled Veteran(s) and that the business meets Federal small business size standards. However companies using this staus will not be eligible for benefits under PL 109-461.
