Training for Veteran small business owners (VSOB) to compete for VA set-aside procurements
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Blog March 26, 2015
Stolen Valor is a topic that can raise the blood pressure of both Veterans and non-Veterans alike. Most of the time, these acts only bring shame to the person claiming to be something they are not. In some cases, however, they actually take money away from a Veteran trying to earn a living.
One of the ways this happens is by claiming to be a Veteran-owned small business in order to get set-aside contracts and other business opportunities intended solely for Veteran business owners. Until a few years ago, all a business owner had to do was check a box self-certifying their selves as Veteran-owned business. No one checked.
That is no longer the case at VA. Small business owners who wish to pursue VA set-aside procurement opportunities must be verified as a service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) or Veteran-owned small business (VOSB) by the Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE).
The verification program was established to reduce the number of businesses that were fraudulently claiming Veteran status, as well as protect the competitive edge that Veteran small businesses VA set-aside contracts provide to the Veteran-owned small businesses.
The verification program has a strict and rigorous process to ensure businesses are in fact owned and controlled by a Veteran, or multiple Veterans. To assist firms interested in applying for verification, CVE has established a Verification Assistance Program which includes verification assistance briefs, fact sheets, and FAQs, covering every aspect of regulation CFR 38 Part 74 and the verification process. You can find it all on the http://www.vetbiz.gov website.
One key element of the program is application assistance. CVE has developed a partnership to grow and sustain an inventory of verification assistance counselors. Referred to as CVE Certified Verification Assistance Counselors, these individuals provide “no-cost” assistance to Veterans throughout the verification application process. Counselors are located nationwide, and only those listed on CVE’s website are provided continued training and support, and endorsed by CVE. Veterans have reported paying as much as $20,000 for similar services. Through CVE, these services are free.
CVE has also begun hosting Verification Program webinars and virtual town halls to provide comprehensive information to potential new applicants, firms re-verifying, and those who have achieved verification. CVE also uses these sessions to get feedback from its customers. The schedule of webinars includes:
- 1st Tuesday of each month – Preparing for Re-verification Webinar & Town Hall
- This training is designed for firms whose verification will expire in 5 months or thirty days.
- 3rd Tuesday of each month – Pre-Application Webinar & Town Hall
- This training is designed for firms interested in submitted their first CVE Verification application. Also, firms who have been inactive in the program for some time and now desire to submit an application can also benefit from this session.
- 4th Tuesday of each month – How to stay Verified Webinar & Town Hall
- This training is designed for firms who have been verified in the last six months.
See the full VA blog post (click here).
PTAC’s also provide free help to Veteran business owners every day!
Learn more about VOSB/SDVOSB Contracting programs Find Your PTAC for free assistance today!
For help with Government Contracting: contact your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Funded through Cooperative Agreements between the U.S. Department of Defense and state and local governments/institutions, PTACs provide free and low-cost assistance in virtually all areas of government contracting.