This video provides a detailed explanation regarding how Veterans can get their small business verified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (“VOSB”) or Service-disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (“SDVOSB”) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), which makes the small business eligible for certain preferences in the federal procurement process, including: SDVOSB and VOSB set-asides, sole-source awards, and subcontracting opportunities with federal prime contractors, who are often required to utilize SDVOSBs and VOSBs.
This video was funded under a cooperative agreement between the Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”) and the Defense Logistics Agency (“DLA”).
Additional Resources:
The VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization – Their mission is to enable Veterans to gain access to economic opportunity by leveraging the federal procurement system and expanding participation of procurement-ready small businesses.
The VA’s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) – This is the main website you visit, to see what small businesses have been verified by the VA as Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (“SDVOSBs”) or as Veteran-owned small businesses (“VOSBs”). You can also Apply for Verification on this website, by clicking “Verification” and then “Apply for Verification.”
The VA’s Frequently Asked Questions Page – This website provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Vets First Verification Program and how Veteran-owned small businesses can do business with the VA.
VA Verification Fact Sheets – The Fact Sheets provide updates about VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization resources and tools.
VA Assistance Briefs – VA Assistance Briefs or VABs, provide analysis of issues that cause the majority of verification denials and clarify VA rules and verification related regulations.
Verification Assistance Counselor Lookup – Use this website to find VA trained Verification Assistance Counselors who can help you with the Verification process for free.
VA Verification Webinars and Town Halls – Use this website to attend webinar training and town hall events sponsored by the VA, that assist SDVOSBs and VOSBs with various aspects of the Verification process.
If you are a Veteran or Service-disabled Veteran and you have a Georgia-based business, and you need help understanding the Verification process or how to do business with the government, please reach out to your local Georgia Tech Procurement Assitance Center Counselor – we are here to help!