The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Has Special Authority for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business/Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB/VOSB) Set-aside and Sole Source Contracts

Public Law (P.L.) 109-461 entitled “Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006” provides VA with unique authority for contracting with SDVOSB and VOSB.  A new procurement hierarchy within VA for open market procurements was created which places our highest priority with SDVOB followed by VOSB.  These are followed by 8(a), HUBZone, Woman-Owned Small Business, then all other Small Businesses.  This procurement authority, and its subsequent implementation, is a logical extension of VA’s mission, to care for our nation’s Veterans.  VA refers to this program as the Veterans First Contracting Program.  See 48 CFR § 808 in the Quick Links box for the Federal priorities in acquisition.

In order to qualify for participation in the VA Veterans First Contracting Program, eligible business owners must first be verified.

Verification Assistance Program

VA has developed a Verification Assistance Program to help Veterans understand the Verification policy and process.  The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of denial due to lack of understanding and misinterpretation of the regulation.  To accomplish this objective, we are establishing partnerships with Veteran Services and small business support organizations that can provide assistance to Veterans considering applying for the Vet First program.

How to Apply for Verification

You can find step-by-step instructions in the Verification Process Briefing.  This short briefing provides an overview of the process, screen shots for submitting your application and an explanation of the stages of the process.

Guides

• Veteran Business Status Verification Instructions
• Onsite Examination (Site Visit)

Laws and Regulations

• 38 CFR § 74—VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Guidelines
• 38 U.S.C. §§ 8127/8128 (Veteran Benefits)
• P.L. 111-275, Sec. 104 (Small Business Verification Act)
• 48 C.F.R. Parts 802, 804, 808, 809, 810, 813, 815, 817, 819, 828 & 852 (Veterans First Contracting)