Fourteen (14) states currently administer programs to promote Veteran and Disabled Veteran Small Businesses. Vetrepreneurs who are focused exclusively on the federal government may be missing out on opportunities with their state government. This is particularly true for states that promote (i.e. provide advantageous contracting considerations) to veteran and disabled veteran small businesses. Note: Total state spends exceed federal non-mandatory annual spend. The existence and advantages of veteran business programs have grown significantly during the past 10 years and is anticipated to experience continued growth as state legislatures attempt to provide opportunities for returning Veterans.
The advantages of participating in programs vary by state. The most advantageous programs include set-asides and/or procurement preferences to the veteran or disabled veteran-owned business. Ez8(a) monitors these programs and provides the following state benefits matrix for the educational use of prospective clients and current clients.
State | Program Name | Benefits |
---|---|---|
*Arkansas | MBE- Service-disabled veterans are included in the Minority Business Enterprise program. | Award at least 5% of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Includes the use of Set-asides to achieve goal. |
California | DVBE - Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program FYI: California led the way with the nation’s first program to promote veteran and disabled veterans. |
Award at least 3% of state contracts awarded to DVBE companies using various tools including the “SB/DVBE Option" (aka set-aside) when contracting for goods, services, information technology, and public works projects (for actions valued at $5 -250K and requires at least two quotes from DVBE companies). |
Florida | VBE & SDVBE - Veteran Business Enterprise & Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Programs | State agencies, when considering two or more bids/proposals for commodities/services, that are equal with respect to all relevant considerations, including price, quality, and service; the award shall be made to the SDVBE or VBE company. Minor advantage. |
Illinois | VBP - Veterans Business Program | State agencies and universities are encouraged to spend at least 3% of their procurement budgets with certified Veteran-owned businesses. |
Indiana | VBE - Veterans Business Enterprise Program | Award at least 3% of state contracts to veteran-owned small businesses (does not include public works requirements). Solicitation preparation and bid evaluations designed to achieve goal. |
New York | VCP - Veterans Contract Program | Award 6% of state contracts to SDVOSB companies using several tools including set-asides. |
Maryland | VOSB & SDVOSB – Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Programs | Very advantageous. VOSB and SDVOSB receive procurement preferences of 2% and 3% (in addition to another 5%, if a small business). So, if a non-preference business is the lowest bid an SDVOSB would still be awarded the contract provided that its bid does not exceed the low bid by more than 8%. |
Massachusetts | SDVOBE – Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise Program | Permits federally (VA certified) SDVOSBs to participate in MA’s Supplier Diversity Program (SDP). Contracts valued above $150K are reviewed to maximize SDP participation (as Primes and Subs). Benchmark for SDVOSB is 3% of annual spend. |
Michigan | QDV- Qualified Disabled Veterans Program | Service-disabled veterans receive up to a 10% procurement preference on state contracts. Goal of 5% of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned companies. |
Minnesota | 1) Veteran-Owned Preference Program 2) MnDOT’s Veterans Business Program |
1) Veteran-owned small businesses may receive up to 6% procurement preference when responding to solicitations issued by state agencies (preference is applied to the first $500,000 of the response). 2) Veterans or service-disabled veterans receive evaluation preference for any state-funded highway construction project (6% of bid value not to exceed $60,000). |
*Virginia | SWaM – Service-disabled veterans receive special eligibility to participate in Virginia’s SWaM Program. | Award 40% of state contracts to SWaM certified companies. Set-aside program exists to support goal. SWaM also includes minority and women businesses. |
Oregon | DVB - Disabled Veteran Business Program | An agency may require a contractor to subcontract some part of a contract to a business enterprise that is owned or controlled by a disabled veteran. Minor advantage. |
Washington | VOBP - Certified Veteran or Service Member Owned Business Program | State agencies are encouraged to award 5% of their contracts from Veteran or Service Member Owned Businesses. |
Wisconsin | DVOB - Disabled Veterans Owned Business Program | Disabled veteran-owned businesses are eligible for a 5% procurement preference on state purchases. |
*Arkansas and Virginia permit service-disabled veterans to participate in their Minority Business programs, which is a more complex application process as compared to a unique veteran business program application.
While the eligibility criteria are typically similar to those used to determine eligibility for the Veteran Administration’s (VA) Veteran First Program (includes Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses), each state has its own application process that is unique. The common criteria include:
*Additional eligibility criteria.
*Additional documentation may be required as needed to support proof of domicile, or address business ownership (e.g. business and/or personal bank signature cards, or bank statement, or an audited business income statement. An extensive range of additional documents may be required).
*Only $900 when combined with SDVOSB Certification
These two states permit veteran business participation in their minority business programs.