By: Edward T. DeLisle

This week the Department of Veteran’s Affairs announced that it will require all companies that wish to receive set-aside contracts as veteran-owned, or service-disabled, veteran-owned, businesses to verify their status. This announcement was made as part of the 2010 Veteran’s Benefit Act and is geared toward eliminating fraud and abuse. As reported by Government Executive.com, last month the VA began contacting companies currently listed in its contractor database, VetBiz.gov, and informed them that that they had ninety (90) days to provide the VA with business documents proving eligibility to qualify for set-aside contracts issued by, or on behalf of, the VA. The measures currently being put in place have resulted, in part, due to a GAO report issued in November of 2009, which cited numerous instances of fraud and abuse in the system.

Edward T. DeLisle is a Partner in the firm and a member of the Federal Contracting Practice Group.