Service Veterans to Get Government Contract Help

  

Government agencies now have a goal, set by Congress, of awarding 3% of all subcontract dollars to firms owned by service-disabled veterans. The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 is being implemented throughout the Federal Government.

Paul Camacho, former director of Special Projects for William Joiner Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, conducted a study of the potential impact of this program. According to Camacho, if the government attains the 3% goal, this could mean up to $6 billion for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. Says Camacho, if this amount were awarded proportionally among the service-disabled veteran owned business community, it could mean as much as $135 million in direct government contracts for Massachusetts businesses.

This goal extends to the placement of subcontracts by large corporations receiving contracts from the Federal Government. This goal will help ensure that veteran-owned businesses enjoy a greater level of participation in the government procurement process.

When asked about this program, Congressman Jim McGovern stated, "It’s only right that the people who wore the uniform of the United States should benefit from Army and Navy procurement contracts. These veterans literally put their lives on the line for our country and we should do everything we can to ensure economic opportunities for them. I am very pleased that the House supported this measure in a bipartisan way."

For further information, click here. For information on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, visit www.va.gov.