December 2005

Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Eligibility Criteria

 

A procurement program for Small Business Concerns (SBCs) owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans is included in the Veterans Business Act of 2003, Public Law 108-183, Section 308. This procurement program provides that contracting officers may award a sole source or set-aside contract to Service Disabled Veteran Owned SBCs if certain conditions are met.

The purpose of the procurement program is to assist agencies in achieving the statutorily mandated 3 percent government-wide goal for procurement from service-disabled veteran-owned SBCs. Below are details about eligibility in the program:

Is your firm veteran-owned?

"Veteran-owned small business concern" is a small business concern not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans or, in the case of any publicly-owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans. If you have other than a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Services, or, for National Guard or Reservists, were activated to federal duty, you have veteran status for this program.

Is your firm service-disabled veteran-owned?

"Service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern" is a small business concern not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly-owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, or, in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran. A service-disabled veteran means a veteran with a disability that is service-connected.

What is the minimum disability rating I need to declare myself as a service-disabled veteran?

Public Law 106-50, the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999, does not require any minimum rating. A veteran with a zero percent rating letter is eligible to self-represent as a service-disabled veteran for federal contracting purposes.

What type of documentation do I need?

Federal solicitations contain a provision for veterans to self-represent their status. For prime contract actions with federal agencies, an owner self-represents his or her status by action on the Small Business Program Representation, FAR 52.219-1, or the Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-3. Your signature on the offer is all you need to be eligible for federal contracting.

If you have questions please contact:
Washington DC Metropolitan Area: 202-303-3260
Toll Free: 866-584-2344
202-254-0238

E-Mail: VACVE@mail.va.gov
Web Site: http://www.vetbiz.gov

U.S. Department of Veterans Affair
The Center for Veterans Enterprise (00VE)
810 Vermont Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20420

---

---