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Return to Article: Rule change to provide more contracting opportunities for vets

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  As a former VA/Prison Chaplain, Marshal Okla Court of Criminal Appeals; Widow of a beloved Wounded Warrior who left us in 1981 to join his Comrades in The Great Cloud of Witnesses; we so invite any response to identify Service Disabled Veterans Incarcerated who would accept a free membership in our Veterans Chamber of COmmerce; while studying business ownership upon early release (legislation pending) within a non-dualistic 12 Step "Admit powerless over PTSD/Traumatic Brain Injuries acquired while in combat and/or Survivor's Guilt untreated"

  CHaplain Mary Murphy, War Widow Posted October 12, 2008 6:37 PM
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  We are a SDVOSB with proven experience and past performance in Training, Training Development, Orgainzation Analysis and Finacial Management. If you need us we are ready to serve again after 24 years of service to the US Army

  nick@techopns.com Posted September 25, 2008 1:02 PM
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  I just awarded a $105,000,000 contract to a SDVOSB firm under SDVOSB set aside procedures. We have had the authority to do so for some time now, I don't understand what all the fuss is about.

  EPA Contracting Officer Posted August 27, 2008 3:12 PM
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  I am finally relieved to see some positive support and results for our service disabled veterans and their families. Their businesses deserve more of a priority for the sacrifices they have made for our country. It is my hope and the hope of all SDVOSB that all of the other agencies will follow the VA's lead on this issue, especially the DOD. It's the right thing to do. All SDVOSB and VOSB should be verified and certified to ensure that these contracts are awarded to documented veterans. Anyone who believes that 8a and hubzone companies should have priority over SDVOSB and VOSB businesses should either put on a military uniform or move to another country !

  CLAY S Posted August 26, 2008 7:40 PM
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  As a Contracting Professional I am all in favor of Veteran Set-Asides. However, what I do take contention with is VA's VETBIZ. Anyone can register on VETBIZ and claim Veteran status (Inclusive of disability) without having served a day. Service must be verifiable.

  Frank J Posted August 25, 2008 8:38 AM
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  I applaud the government for providing an opportunity for all to offer comments on the proposed rule. Since the initiation of the public law regarding Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Vet Owned Small businesses, there has been much confusion about the implementation, particularly PL l09-461. This confusion has resulted in inconsistent execution across all agencies. My sincere hope is that all of us who support Veterans take the time to offer comments in support of the proposed rule; and that the final rule clearly directs a path for contracting officers to implement 109-461 consistently throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs--and ultimately throughout DOD, if not all agencies.

  Beverly Kuykendall Posted August 23, 2008 7:58 PM
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  Why are the vets complaining?? Your asking your civil servants to do there job and to held accountable, are you CRAZY?? Look they have a job for life and they are too busy whining about their pay and benefits besides I'm sure the problem is with contractors because they are never wrong

  dan m ketter Posted August 22, 2008 5:00 PM
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  I am a Veteran and own a small business who has seen many contracts go to 8(a) instead of more competent VO or DVO SB. The decision was generally made by contracting officers who want to avoid protest (Native Alaskan 8(a)) or criticism by selecting a Vet. I encourage you to raise the competitive edge of veterans who generally offer more for their money due to intense loyalty to the country. Thank you.

  Robert A. Strini Posted August 22, 2008 1:48 PM
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  From my perspective as one who looks at all the solicitations on fbo.gov, 99% of all SCDV contracts are being provided by the VA. If I querry a purchasing officer i.e. Navy Army,SSA,ACOE, MC. for a SCVD set-aside, I have been treated with indignation and/or don't bother me attitude. The GSA will not accept any new SCDV candidates in their program. When will THEY get on board with what they should already be doing by EO13360? They are very eager to put their requirements for products on FBO.COM which has no SCDV set-aside program. In many instances when I make personal contact with a contracting officer, some act as though they do not know how the SCDV Program works. When will the Purchasing Officers get CLEAR Instructions on how this program works and then to start availing contracts to SCDVs'. I praise the Veterans Administration for their participation but the intent of EO13360 is not being applied by other federal agencies!

  John M. Abram Posted August 22, 2008 12:25 PM
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  I am a totally disabled service connected veteran whose wife own's a business that in four years of trying has yet to enter into one contract with the government. We have attended government sponsored small business seminars, voiced our concerns, applied to large contractors to no avail. I spoke with the undersecretary of the Army for small business who stated "she would not rest until we received a contract" she must be prettyntired by now. Also, as a member of the DAV, VFW, and FRA I know of know veteran who has received a small business loan. I do know of several veterans who like myself have all but given up. Someone needs to stop the talking and get into actions for our service disabled veterans.

  Luther G Arnette Posted August 22, 2008 12:15 PM
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  Hi, I certainly do wish for an increase of set aside contracts for our veteran owned business and service related disabled members; however, allowing the Veterans Admiinstration this broad lattitude will help keep our veterans gainfully employed. Which brings the HUBZone certifications, If an employer of another SBA certified firm has an equal percentage of employees that are veterans or service related injuries; then they too should be give an opportunity for these VA members - not just VA members who start their own businesses. I think somehow the employee veterans of other SBA concerns will feel yet abandoned once again. Too, there should be limits on the kinds of set asides by any government agency based upon the demographics in an 80 mile radius of where the work is to be performed. Only two observations that will put a list of checks and balances to government spending and attempt to keep the profits "localized" for those both employees and employers in any given area. Thanks for listening!

  Bobby Knight Posted August 22, 2008 11:13 AM
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  My firm is 100% Service connected disabled veteran owned and has tried for years to get a leg up on any contracts we can afford to devote the resources to in bidding and we have not had any success. It is awfully difficult for a disabled veteran who owns a small business to devote the large amount of time and other resources in going after the work and there needs to be some truly effective, streamlined process in order to help us. In addition, we believe that there should be some form of income tax breaks for disabled veterans. The past two years I have had to dip into personal savings to pay income taxes and in fact, for year 2006, I was promised a tax incentive for hiring Katrina victims, we did so, and then were told that there is a glitch in the tax code and we could not use the incentive.

  Mark Smith Posted August 22, 2008 9:40 AM
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  Bryan, This new legislation strongly leverages SDVOSBs. Sole sources, a larger percentage of set asides, a greater flexibility in awarding, etc will position these type of businesses for a far greater piece of the industry pie. /DJ

  Bryan Min Posted August 22, 2008 9:39 AM