Many of you are already familiar with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vets First Program. That program, created in 2006 through the enactment of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006, allows the VA to set-aside certain contracts for SDVOSB and VOSB concerns. The intent of the VA’s Vets First
The VA Makes Major Policy Change Concerning Transfer Restrictions, Provides Expedited Reconsideration for Companies Denied SDVOSB Eligibility
By Edward T. DeLisle & Maria Panichelli on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
Following recent congressional testimony, as well as a newsletter published by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (“VA”) Center for Veterans’ Enterprise (“CVE”) last month, it would appear that the Miles decision (discussed in detail here and here) has forced an important change in VA policy regarding transfer restrictions.
Prior to the Miles opinion,…
OSDBU Seeks Guidance on Revisions to Verification Guidelines
By Edward T. DeLisle & Maria Panichelli on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
On May 13, 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (“the VA”) Office of Small Disadvantaged Business (“OSDBU”) published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, asking the public for guidance on how best to revise its verification regulations. Better late than never.
Since the verification program’s inception, it has been hampered by issues and problems.…
Miles Construction, LLC v. United States, No. 12-597C (Feb. 14, 2013), A Primer on Due Process
By Edward T. DeLisle & Maria Panichelli on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
Back in February, we provided readers with an overview of a case that we litigated at the end of last year, Miles Construction, LLC v. United States, No. 12-597C (Feb. 14, 2013). The major focal point of the decision was the court’s ruling that “a standard right of first refusal is a ‘normal…
The SDVOSB Verification Process is Changing
By Edward T. DeLisle on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
Since 2010, when the VA instituted its process to verify service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses, we have received call after call from companies that have been denied verification. Denial, of course, can have a devastating effect. Without receiving verified status, a company cannot qualify for contracts set-aside by the VA for SDVOSB companies. Many times, when…
Cohen Seglias Wins Big Case for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
By Edward T. DeLisle on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
For many Veterans and Service-Disabled Veterans attempting to do business with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the hope outlined in the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (the “Act”) has largely been elusive. The Act called for the VA to give “priority to [] small business concern[s] owned and controlled by…
VA's Ambiguous Solicitation Leads to Successful Protest
By Michael H. Payne on
Posted in Bid Protests, Small Business Contracting
By: Edward T. DeLisle
Over the last several years, the scrutiny over federal small business programs has grown. That scrutiny has led to changes in policy and legislation designed to curb potential fraud in the procurement process. Because these changes have been implemented in such a short period of time, however, it is not unusual…
The Department of Veteran Affairs Ushers in Mentor-Protégé Program
By Michael H. Payne on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
By: Edward T. DeLisle
On December 22, 2010, the VA announced that it had selected the first twenty (20) mentor-protégé teams to participate in its newly minted Mentor-Protégé Program. The program is designed to assist firms that have already been verified as veteran-owned or service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses by the VA. Eligible firms are…
VA Moving Forward with Verification Process
By Michael H. Payne on
Posted in Small Business Contracting
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…